BBR opens second shop in Hong Kong

UK-headquartered fine wine merchant Berry Bros & Rudd has opened a second shop in Hong Kong.

The latest outlet is located in Dunhill’s new flagship store in the Central district’s Prince’s Building, which stands in the heart of the city’s financial quarter.

Nick Pegna, managing director for BBR in the city, described it as “probably the best retail location in Hong Kong.”

Dunhill’s “home”, as its stores are called, also houses the restaurant Alfie’s next to BBR’s new outlet.

The restaurant and merchant have been working together for the benefit of their customers. Visitors to the restaurant will be able to choose wines from a list largely sourced from BBR, allowing them to find the same wine in the neighbouring shop should they want to buy a bottle to take home.

Alternatively, consumers can browse the 400 wines on offer at the merchant and then take any purchases through to the restaurant to consume with their meal – without any additional cost.

Asked by the drinks business why BBR chose to open another store, Pegna explained: “Primarily we’ve wanted to be in Central for a long time. What was lacking from our business was a really prime location.

“We think that a prestigious location such as this will bring more luxury-end shoppers to us, and of a slightly different demographic from those we encounter in Lee Gardens, the top luxury mall in Causeway Bay, where our other shop is.

“We hope our collaboration with Dunhill will bring us more of the clients that Dunhill attracts; many of them share a similar profile to a key segment of our customer base.”

The emergence of Hong Kong as a fine wine hub in Asia was certainly a factor in the decision to open a second store. Pegna described the rise of wine drinking in the city as a “very encouraging process” and one that had begun many years ago.

Asked if there was scope for more outlets in the city in the future Pegna replied, “we wouldn’t rule out another one.”
 
Rupert Millar, 18.03.2010