Yes I am ignorant on to luxury shopping streets in Asia cities, if there are any. So sorry for not knowing enough. I want to see attractive streets or Avenues. Photos recommended. I notice that many Asian cities are becoming so modern with tons of new construction. But has is it developed a luxury shopping street like other world class cities such as NYC, London or Paris and among many others? Where do the Rich and tourist go to shop luxury goods? I hope is not in some mall and hope the streets are attractive enough to attract the rich. :D Honk Kong? Tokyo? Soul? Shanghai? Others? If not, why not? These cities seem safe enough (even safer than western cities) to have such attractive shopping streets for the rich.

Oh and photos please. :)

HK has a few nice shops at street level, but as I recall, the nice stores are in the mall. The same is true in KL, Bangkok, and Beijing.

The Champs Elysées is not really an avenue of luxury shopping. That is a misconception. In Paris, luxury shopping is centered on Avenue Montaigne and Rue du Faubourg St-Honoré, as well as Avenue George V and Place Vendome.

Shanghai's waterfront is poised to be a new pedestrian center with the CBD skyline right across the river...right now its a freeway that obstructs great pedestrian connection to the water's edge.

Honk Kong? Tokyo? Soul? Shanghai?

Hong Kong and Seoul.

In Hong Kong there are shops in the podiums of highrise buildings. Virtually every highrise has retail at base level.

High end retail can be found in Causeway Bay, Central and Tsim Sha Tsui districts.

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source: http://flickr.com/photos/nhhk/3230747827/

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source: http://flickr.com/photos/sandwhich78/3218036552/

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source: http://www.flickr.com/photos/chuvaness/sets/1576465/

I think Ginza and Omotesando in Tokyo; and Orchard Rd. in Singapore are famous too.

This is how it's done in Tokyo. From street level it looks awesome.

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Ginza is quite good.

Others? If not, why not? These cities seem safe enough (even safer than western cities) to have such attractive shopping streets for the rich.


I think Skybean has covered Hong Kong and Tokyo quite well, so I'll stick to answering this question.

I've heard several reasons, including (this may be a half-truth ~ I certainly don't feel this way...others might) Asians feel street-shopping is 'lowly' (as in it is comparable to street-markets, (which don't exactly sell high-end goods), and that malls are posh and new and represent the nouveau-riche.

I think the real reason is far simpler however - weather. Especially in South East Asian cities and Hong Kong, the weather all year round (summer in Hong Kong) is hot and humid. Not exactly ideal for street-shopping for high-end (or any for that matter) goods. You don't want to be walking into a Giorgio Armani boutique asking to try on a US$2,000 suit when you're sweating like a pig. In fact, you probably don't even want to be walking into any of these stores when this is the case.

From the pictures shown in Hong Kong (and this applies to Singapore as well), although these stores have street level entrances and may be considered avenues, they are also all linked on the 'inside' with internal walkways and through air conditioned shopping malls that ensure the best or ideal choice for the customer - you can pick to walk outside or inside if you wish.

In Hong Kong, you can find 'street-level' shops in Causeway Bay (Lee Gardens), Central (flagship stores of most top-end brands) and Tsim Sha Tsui (also has several flagship stores).

Aside from this, Pacific Place in Admiralty and Sogo in Causeway Bay are malls/department stores with a few base-level entrances.

Oh Skybean - you missed out the gorgeous Armani Ginza.

http://slsstudio.files.wordpress.com/2009/03/armani_ginza_casestudy-11.jpg

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Wow! The luxury retail scene looks amazing! And Tokyo just looks awesome! Hong Kong is getting some nice stores too.

I think Skybean has covered Hong Kong and Tokyo quite well, so I'll stick to answering this question.

I've heard several reasons, including (this may be a half-truth ~ I certainly don't feel this way...others might) Asians feel street-shopping is 'lowly' (as in it is comparable to street-markets, (which don't exactly sell high-end goods), and that malls are posh and new and represent the nouveau-riche.

I think the real reason is far simpler however - weather. Especially in South East Asian cities and Hong Kong, the weather all year round (summer in Hong Kong) is hot and humid. Not exactly ideal for street-shopping for high-end (or any for that matter) goods. You don't want to be walking into a Giorgio Armani boutique asking to try on a US$2,000 suit when you're sweating like a pig. In fact, you probably don't even want to be walking into any of these stores when this is the case.

From the pictures shown in Hong Kong (and this applies to Singapore as well), although these stores have street level entrances and may be considered avenues, they are also all linked on the 'inside' with internal walkways and through air conditioned shopping malls that ensure the best or ideal choice for the customer - you can pick to walk outside or inside if you wish.

In Hong Kong, you can find 'street-level' shops in Causeway Bay (Lee Gardens), Central (flagship stores of most top-end brands) and Tsim Sha Tsui (also has several flagship stores).

Aside from this, Pacific Place in Admiralty and Sogo in Causeway Bay are malls/department stores with a few base-level entrances.

Thanks for the explanation. That could make total sense.

What about the Bund in Shanghai?

These are not exactly "luxury" shopping streets, but Binjiang Dao and Heping Lu in Tianjin are pedestrianized shopping streets with a mix of all different levels of shopping: downmarket street venders and street markets off to the side, middle market Wal-Mart, local department stores, and small clothing stores (foreign and domestic), and luxury Parkson (no other luxury stores yet). Here are some of my pics:

http://i17.photobucket.com/albums/b96/fccDaniel/tianjin08/IMG_2211.jpg

http://i17.photobucket.com/albums/b96/fccDaniel/tianjin08/IMG_2216.jpg

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Hong Kong is the most impressive IMO. Really want to go there to have a look.

What about the Bund in Shanghai?

The Bund isn't really a shopping street.

The real high class street shopping in Shanghai is found on West Nanjing Road and on Central Huaihai Road.

^oh that photos of tokyo are just so cool!

the area of Taipei i lived in had a bunch of high-end retail shops on the street. there was Valantino, Gucci, Dior, Luis Vuitton, and others... i didn't pay that much attention because i didn't really care.

anyway, it's just as humid there as it is in Hong Kong. also, every season seemed to be some type of wet season, so the weather can't be much worse than it is in Taipei. come to think of it, i don't think there were any malls in Taipei. even the new shopping area around Taipei 101 had a lot more interaction with the outside than a typical mall does.

but yeah, if i can just make a sweeping generalization: they love their designer labels over there.

Ginza in Tokyo is unbelievable.




:horse:

orchard road of singapore.

the area of Taipei i lived in had a bunch of high-end retail shops on the street. there was Valantino, Gucci, Dior, Luis Vuitton, and others... i didn't pay that much attention because i didn't really care.

anyway, it's just as humid there as it is in Hong Kong. also, every season seemed to be some type of wet season, so the weather can't be much worse than it is in Taipei. come to think of it, i don't think there were any malls in Taipei. even the new shopping area around Taipei 101 had a lot more interaction with the outside than a typical mall does.

but yeah, if i can just make a sweeping generalization: they love their designer labels over there.

Which area did you live? I recall Zhongshan North Rd has some high-end shops (including big LV and Gucci stores), also Zhongxiao East Rd, Nanjing East and West Rd, Dunhua North and South Rd etc. There are some malls too - Taipei 101 and Breeze are high-end malls. Finally there are department stores - total 9 Mitsukoshi department stores and 4 SOGOs and few other. And one more thing - shopping in Taipei seems to be very spread out accross the city also high and low end shopping is often mixed together in one area.

i lived near the intersection of DunHua and RenAi. i remember most of the high-end shops being along DunHua anywhere betwee XinYi and ZhongXiao. Dior and Miss Sixty were right at RenAi, Valantino was a bit south, Gucci was a bit north. this was just where i lived. i'm sure there were designer clothing stores in other areas.

i don't think i ever went to Breeze, but the mall at Taipei 101 seemed like a cross between a mall and street retail.

oh, i just remembered a mall i went to a few times called the Better Living Centre (or something similar). there was a giant sphere that made up a big part of the mall. there was also a lot of underground shopping along the MRT line along ZhongXiao. it felt like a mall while walking around. sort of like the Path in Toronto.

i didn't go to many malls in Taipei because they weren't unique - malls are the same in every country. i mostly went to night markets because we don't really have those here in Canada, except maybe for some touristy ones in Vancouver or something. also, everything was so cheap at the night markets and you could find some pretty unique stuff.

i remember this crazy maze of shopping alleys called WuFenPu (i might have totally gotten that wrong). i made a couple of good finds in there.

we don't really have those here in Canada, except maybe for some touristy ones in Vancouver or something.

There is an annual Toronto Night Market.


Toronto Night Market
Address: Metro Square Plaza & New Century Plaza, 3636 Steeles Ave. East.

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mmmmm stinky tofu. have you ever been to that night market? is it worth the trek out to Markham?

i didn't go to many malls in Taipei because they weren't unique - malls are the same in every country. i mostly went to night markets because we don't really have those here in Canada, except maybe for some touristy ones in Vancouver or something. also, everything was so cheap at the night markets and you could find some pretty unique stuff.

i remember this crazy maze of shopping alleys called WuFenPu (i might have totally gotten that wrong). i made a couple of good finds in there.

Agreed, Taiwan is famous for night markets however night markets sells mostly food, low-end goods and some designer clothing (these you can find in Ximending, Shida, Gongguan, Shilin, Tianmu and back alleys around Zhongxiao/Dunhua intersection).

You mentioned Wufenpu - they seems to have everything there and for very reasonable prices. And just across the railroad (I think it should be already underground as they were working on it for quite a while) there is an amazing night market - Raohe Street.

The most luxurious streets in Asia:

GINZA of Tokyo and Orchard Rd of Singapore of course... Undeniably!

Is any one street, avenue or road (of a considerable stretch) 'truly luxurious'?

5th Avenue has a lot of luxurious boutiques, but it also has flagship stores of massive(ly rich) companies like Apple. I think H&M and Zara also have stores on 5th Avenue (correct me if I'm wrong)...not exactly the height of luxury. Yet, because they are huge companies, they can afford a presence in this extremely expensive avenue.

Just because Ginza is so superb and deserves it:

Bulgari Ginza

http://8tokyo.com/wp-content/uploads/2007/12/ginza_bg.jpg

Prada Ginza

http://manoloshoeblog.com/images/PradaTokyo.jpg

Tod's Ginza

http://www.sakura-hostel.co.jp/blog/0506tods.jpg

Ginza's Louis Vuitton building is surprisingly crap.

Is any one street, avenue or road (of a considerable stretch) 'truly luxurious'?

5th Avenue has a lot of luxurious boutiques, but it also has flagship stores of massive(ly rich) companies like Apple. I think H&M and Zara also have stores on 5th Avenue (correct me if I'm wrong)...not exactly the height of luxury. Yet, because they are huge companies, they can afford a presence in this extremely expensive avenue.

Well Madison Avenue in NYC has a stretch of luxury and expensive stores/boutiques. Although it is a very expensive Avenue to be, is not as expensive as 5th Ave and does not contain the huge spaces that some big companies want.

The Thamrin and Sudirman stretch in Jakarta now also house a lot of branded shops from LV, Gucci, Bvlgari, Tod's as well as Harvey Nichols department store.

I hope is not in some mall and hope the streets are attractive enough to attract the rich.


'Not in some mall'? At a temperature of +33 +35C and sickening humidity a shopping mall is exactly what you'd be looking for in many Asian (primarily South East Asian) cities unless you love being tortured :|

Tokyo's Ginza is a good replica of Fifth and Madison Avenues in New York City. In fact, the buildings look even trendier because they can in Tokyo, but not in New York. Hongkong and Seoul does not appeal to me so much......it looks mallish except that it is outside........Singapore's Orchard is decent but not consistently high end like Tokyo's. As far as other Asian cities, some plush neighborhoods in Bangkok, Manila and Kuala Lumpur are starting to look like Hongkong's.

'Not in some mall'? At a temperature of +33 +35C and sickening humidity a shopping mall is exactly what you'd be looking for in many Asian (primarily South East Asian) cities unless you love being tortured :|

Tropical Singapore's Orchard is not a mall and yet, it is fun to stroll from one store to another. The key? Singapore's trees and lots of it provide shade and keeps the temperature comfortable for outdoor walks.

Tropical Singapore's Orchard is not a mall and yet, it is fun to stroll from one store to another. The key? Singapore's trees and lots of it provide shade and keeps the temperature comfortable for outdoor walks.

Yes, it's not a mall... it's many malls ;)

Singapore did a great job making the street a truly pleasant place (big trees providing shade, easy access etc.). Still the key is that the malls are dominating the landscape in SG (including Orchard rd.) and this is not least due to the hot and humid climate.

^^

Orchard Road pedestrian promenade, surrounded on both sides by malls and hotels.

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'Not in some mall'? At a temperature of +33 +35C and sickening humidity a shopping mall is exactly what you'd be looking for in many Asian (primarily South East Asian) cities unless you love being tortured :|

It's already been covered, explained, debated and accepted on page 1.

Tokyo's Ginza is a good replica of Fifth and Madison Avenues in New York City. In fact, the buildings look even trendier because they can in Tokyo, but not in New York. Hongkong and Seoul does not appeal to me so much......it looks mallish except that it is outside........Singapore's Orchard is decent but not consistently high end like Tokyo's. As far as other Asian cities, some plush neighborhoods in Bangkok, Manila and Kuala Lumpur are starting to look like Hongkong's.

There is a reason the mall culture exists. Europe and America gets hot(ter), but I've never felt so uncomfortable anywhere (even in India) as I have in South East Asia's summer.

It's already been covered, explained, debated and accepted on page 1.

Well, not entirely. Now it is. ;)

Don't think Champs Elysées can compete with all these high end Asian shopping streets.

http://img10.imageshack.us/img10/3083/21033702129f438d2009b.jpg

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Don't think Champs Elysées can compete with all these high end Asian shopping streets.

It can't, because it's not a luxury shopping street.

Champs Elysees is more comparable to Hong Kong's Causeway Bay area (exlcuding Lee Gardens).

Speaking of which, here is the Louis Vuitton at Lee Gardens, which whilst not as extensive as Canton Road or Central, has its fair share of luxury boutiques and car dealerships.

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Just because Ginza is so superb and deserves it:

Prada Ginza

http://manoloshoeblog.com/images/PradaTokyo.jpg

Tod's Ginza

http://www.sakura-hostel.co.jp/blog/0506tods.jpg

Ginza's Louis Vuitton building is surprisingly crap.

These are not in Ginza but in Aoyama-Omotesando. Cheers.

KUALA LUMPUR, MALAYSIA

Bukit Bintang Shopping Belt (http://www.kuala-lumpur.ws/klareas/bukitbintang.html)

Malaysia's version of Orchard Road (in Singapore) pedestrian promenade, surrounded on both sides by malls and hotels. Most of the high-end stores are in the malls itself.

Shopping District of KL
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Starhill Gallery - one of Southeast Asia's most exclusive mall
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ginza street before the bubble burst in 90 was selling at 1 million USD per sqaure metre .That is just insane .Even now after realestate has fallen by 99% Tokyo was the costliest city till 2007 before Moscow took over .In fact 5th avenue can never come close .

Ginza is awesome. The best

ginza street before the bubble burst in 90 was selling at 1 million USD per sqaure metre .That is just insane .Even now after realestate has fallen by 99% Tokyo was the costliest city till 2007 before Moscow took over .In fact 5th avenue can never come close .


Too bad Ginza does not come close to New York's Fifth Av and Madison Av's diverse international/ jet set clientele. It has the most diverse crowd. What's unique about Ginza is its homogeneity- despite all the international brand names smack on your face, the shoppers are 99 % Japanese.

These are not in Ginza but in Aoyama-Omotesando. Cheers.

Thanks for clearing up. :)

I just did a search for "[insert brand name] + Ginza", and those showed up. But since I've never been to Ginza or don't actually know much about it, I didn't know.

How far is Aoyama-Omotesando from Ginza?

ginza street before the bubble burst in 90 was selling at 1 million USD per sqaure metre .That is just insane .Even now after realestate has fallen by 99% Tokyo was the costliest city till 2007 before Moscow took over .In fact 5th avenue can never come close .

:nuts:

Yes Tokyo has some of the most expensive office space, but for the street, Fifth Ave is way more expensive. Ginza street is the one that can never come close.

What is impressive it that 5th avenue has way more homes/apartments than the other cities mention streets/avenues. So of course there is more competition for prices, yet still it manages to be in the top three.


Fifth Avenue World's Third Most Expensive Residential Street

By Lysandra Ohrstrom
August 5, 2008 | 2:53 p.m

With apartments fetching an average price of $7,500 per square foot, Fifth Avenue ranked third place in a new survey of the top 10 most expensive residential streets in the world from Barclay’s Wealth Bulletin. But if you thought top-tier residential prices in Manhattan were stratospheric, take a look at the two most expensive streets on the survey.

Avenue Princess Grace in Monaco ranked No. 1 in the survey with homes fetching an average of $17,750 a foot.

“Properties on the avenue change hands for up to $41 million – and many of them are fairly modest four-bedroom apartments,” the report said. (Granted, you’re also paying for ocean views and Monte Carlo’s exceedingly amenable tax policies.)

A pad on Hong Kong’s Severn Road will set you back about $11,200 a foot, earning it second place on the list. London's Kensington Palace Gardens, a.k.a “Billionaires Row,” came in fourth place with an average price of $7,196 a foot, followed by Paris’ Avenue Montaigne at $5,046.


http://www.observer.com/2008/real-estate/fifth-avenue-3rd-most-expensive-street-world#


And as for the retail, Fifth Avenue takes the cake as the most expensive...


5th Avenue world's most expensive shopping street


Published: 16 Dec 2008 01:29:50 PST

The world’s main shopping streets are proving largely resilient to the global economic downturn with retail rental levels rising or at least remaining stable in 94 per cent of 236 streets monitored. The findings were published by Cushman & Wakefields 23rd annual Main Streets Across the World report which provides a global barometer of the strength and popularity of shopping streets in 48 countries.

New York's Fifth Avenue is once again the world's most expensive shopping street where retailers can now expect to pay rents of $1,850 per square foot/€12,612 per square meter of sales space per annum, an increase of 23 per cent on 2007. The most expensive streets in Hong Kong, Paris, Milan and Dublin make up the rest of the top five but London and Tokyo have dropped down to six and seven respectively. Dublin has been the best performer in the top ten with the city's Grafton Street rising two places in the ranking to enter the world's top five most expensive streets for the first time. Retailers entering the street can now expect to pay $824 sq ft per annum, a rise of 5.3 per cent on 2007.

Gene Spiegelman, executive director, Cushman & Wakefield New York said: “Through midyear 2008 Fifth Avenue consolidated its position as the world's most expensive retail address with prime rents around $1,850 sq ft. Ground level retail rents, however, broke the $2,300 sq ft barrier with the lease to Abercrombie at 666 Fifth Avenue. Fifth Avenue continues to deliver the key retail drivers of high turnover and high profile brand positioning in front of international consumers.

“As we close 2008, we anticipate retailers will critically assess substantial rent and capital commitments but will continue to exploit the value of limited prime main street positions in keeping with long term strategies. The subject rents may appear unsustainable at this moment in time but, placed in strategic context, these commitments represent exclusive long term opportunities for a highly competitive group of global retail brands who recognize the value of flagship real estate as an effective vehicle for brand communication. We expect this trend to continue.”

John Strachan, global head of retail, Cushman & Wakefield said: “Demand for often scarce prime retail space on the world's main streets is being driven by a number of factors. For luxury and high end retailers, a presence on the most prestigious streets is deemed essential for brand positioning, sometimes regardless of how profitable a store might be. Such brand profile helps to drive revenue through other channels such as the internet, and sales of product lines such as perfumes and accessories which are sold more widely.”

High end international retailers are continuing to expand into new overseas markets and are generally taking a longer term view looking ahead of the economic cycle. This is most clearly the case with relatively emerging markets in all of the world's regions - Turkey and Russia in Europe, Argentina and Brazil in the Americas, and India in Asia. In India, Mumbai's Colaba Causeway showed the strongest growth with rents rising over 182 per cent to $269 sq ft per annum. Six out of the ten retail streets in Asia with strongest rental growth were in India.


http://news.alibaba.com/article/detail/gift-news/100030601-1-5th-avenue-world%2527s-most-expensive.html


Oh and Madison Ave is not too far. And look at East 57th street! More expensive than Ginza.


World’s Most Expensive Shopping Districts


by anjan, May 15, 2009

Here is a list of a few places where all the money in the world is not enough because there are the most expensive places to shop on earth.

Cushman& Wakefield "Main Streets across the World" study examines the highest priced rental space in the world's most prominent shopping locations. Generally, they are major centers of commerce in large metropolitan areas and come with a hefty price tag. All numbers taken from C&W November report are in US dollars and represent the average annual cost to rent a 1,000 square feet of commercial space for a year.

Rodeo Drive - Los Angeles - $600,000. It is where the celebrities shop and is home to famous boutiques such as Armani, Gucci, Ralph Lauren, Tiffany and Yves Saint Laurent. Bijan, which has the reputation for allowing shoppers to browse "by appointment only," has a 6 oz. bottle of men cologne for $3,000. You'd need to sell at least a few of those bottles to cover Rodeo Drive's yearly rent, which averages around $600,000.

Oxford Street - London - $631,000. The 1 1/2 miles of Oxford Street are dotted with specialty stores and crossed by other prominent shopping streets. Locals claim Oxford to be one of the busiest streets in Europe. It has shops from large multinational corporations to the famous Selfridges department store. One year's rent costs an average of $631,000. Maybe you'll save a tad by paying in pounds.

Grafton Street - Dublin - $668,000. Shopping in Ireland's capital and largest city happens on and around Grafton Street. Its residents include Weir Jewelers, St. Steven's Green Shopping Centre and Brown Thomas. If you're interested in renting some store space, be prepared to fork over $668,000 for a year's rent.

Ginza - Tokyo - $683,000. Tokyo's most famous upscale shopping district, fetches worth over 10 million Yen for three square meters. Cushman and Wakefield found Tokyo's prestigious district, home to the Sony Building, numerous high-class boutiques and six large department stores, worth $683,000 a year for 1,000 square feet.

New Bond Street - London - $813,000. New Bond Street is one of the most central and prominent shopping locations in London. Comprising one half of the "Bond Street" shopping district, it is geographically north of its counterpart, Old Bond Street. Sotheby Londonheadquarters, Armani and numerous small art boutiques can be found there. Average yearly rent for 1,000 Sq ft is $813,000

East 57th Street - New York - $900,000. On the east side of Manhattan, this famous shopping strip runs from Third Avenue to Fifth Avenue. The Chanel headquarters, the Hammacher Schlemmer flagship store, Burberry and Tiffany & Co. all line the street. For $900,000 a year, per square foot, you could peddle your goods alongside these retail giants.

Avenue des Champs Elysees - Paris - $922,000. One of the most prestigious avenues in Paris, it is the most expensive shopping district in Europe. Champs Elysees boasts the largest Louis Vuitton department store in the world, continental Europe's largest Gap and Virgin Mega-store, as well as countless other prominent names. For $922,000 a year, you too fly the flag.

Madison Avenue - New York - $1.20 Million. Madison Avenue boasts some of the world's most upscale boutiques, including Prada, Giorgio Armani, Ralph Lauren, Gucci and Barney's flagship store. Rent doesn't come cheap. At a cool $1,200 per square foot, these high-end retailers pay a premium.

Causeway Bay - Hong Kong - $1.21 Million. On the northern shore of Hong Kong, Causeway Bayis a preeminent shopping districts, dotted with famous locations such as the 13-story Sogo Department store and Times Square Hong Kong. The annual rent speaks for itself: Costing an average of $1,213 per square foot, the price illustrates how dear space in the financial capital.

Fifth Avenue - New York - $1.50 Million. One of the most famous shopping destinations in the world is also the most expensive. With flagship stores like Abercrombie & Fitch and Apple, the Fifth Avenue shopping district is the Mecca of popular trends. At the heart of Fifth Avenue, yearly rent costs a ghastly $1,500 per square foot. That's $1.5 million for 1,000 sq ft storefront.


http://www.trifter.com/Practical-Travel/Luxury-Travel/Worlds-Most-Expensive-Shopping-Districts.710279


Look how much money the Apple store on Fifth Ave is making!!


June 2, 2009

No recession at Apple's Fifth Ave. NYC store


http://i.i.com.com/cnwk.1d/i/bto/20090602/Apple_store_outside_270x202.JPG


by Erica Ogg

Apple's clearly onto something with its 24-hour store plopped down in a tourist hot spot.

The New York Post reports that as of sometime last year, Apple was pulling down $440 million a year in sales at its Fifth Avenue Apple Store in New York City. The numbers surfaced in the paper's investigation of empty retail space along Fifth Avenue.

Even if it is a high-end retail outpost for Macs, iPhones, and iPods, that's an impressive amount of money coming in when seemingly every retailer was clobbered by the arrival of the current recession. By comparison, the SoHo Apple Store rakes in about $100 million per year, according to the Post. And one of Apple's newest locations, in the prime shopping district of the ritzy California coastal town of Santa Barbara, is expected to pull in $20 million annually.

It's interesting insight into the company's flagship location, since Apple does not break out individual stores' take. The company did report in its second-quarter earnings filing that its 252 stores worldwide brought in $1.47 billion collectively for the quarter.

All of this explains why the company has not stopped investing in its retail presence. Apple's senior vice president of retail, Ron Johnson, said last week that 100 of its stores will be remodeled this year to allow for bigger displays and room for customer training courses.

The shopping frenzy at the tourist-clogged Fifth Avenue location isn't like to abate anytime soon, particularly if Apple releases new iPhone hardware next month, as is widely expected.


http://news.cnet.com/8301-13579_3-10254695-37.html

Now that is clear. Lest get back to these fantastic Asian streets. :cheers:

My penis is bigger than yours.

http://blogs.naiglobal.com/nai_global/2009/03/hong-kong-named-most-expensive-retail-commercial-real-estate-market-worldwide.html

Hong Kong Named Most Expensive Retail Commercial Real Estate Market Worldwide

Hong Kong Highest Reported Rents Top $1,858 per SF

New York City, San Francisco, Chicago Top List of Highest-Priced U.S. Retail Markets

Hong Kong lays claim to the most expensive retail space in the world with peak rents of $1,858 per square foot, according to NAI Global’s 2009 Global Market Report.
Chart 1

“Hong Kong is the shopping capital of the Asia-pacific region, and has benefited greatly from international tourism and increasing travel from China,” said David Solomon, President of NAI ReStore, the retail arm of NAI Global. “It is one of the world’s most desirable retail markets in the world for high-end retailers.”

New York City’s Midtown Manhattan market was close behind Hong Kong with peak rents of $1,400 per square foot for prime retail locations, and Paris, France, ranked third with peak rents of $1,394 per square foot. London, last year’s highest priced retail market, fell to number four in 2008, with peak rents of $1,077 per square foot, a $352 per square foot decline from the previous year.

In addition to New York City’s Midtown Manhattan market, the most expensive downtown/CBD retail markets in the U.S. include San Francisco at $750 per square foot and Chicago at $450 per square foot. Los Angeles’ Rodeo Drive, at $360, and Philadelphia, at $145, also made the top five U.S. retail markets.

“All of these markets benefit from a large, affluent local population, a vibrant downtown environment and strong tourism/convention trade,” Solomon added.
Chart 2

NAI Global is one of the world’s largest commercial real estate services providers. Headquartered in Princeton, New Jersey, NAI Global manages a network of 5,000 professionals and 325 offices in 55 countries. Now in its 23rd year, NAI’s Global Market Report offers insider insight and perspective on market conditions reported by NAI experts on the ground in more than 200 property markets worldwide.

My penis is bigger than yours.

Are you sure? :sly: :tongue2:

Anyway, seems that Hong Kong it is taking the top expensive retail space this year. What street has these $1,858 per square foot prices? The article is not been clear.

So Fifth Ave retail in prime areas have dropped from the hight of $1,850 to $1,400 per square foot it seems. I don't doubt it with the bad economy going on this year. But like I say the retail streets in Tokyo are not even mention as most expensive than Fifth Ave.

Too bad Ginza does not come close to New York's Fifth Av and Madison Av's diverse international/ jet set clientele. It has the most diverse crowd. What's unique about Ginza is its homogeneity- despite all the international brand names smack on your face, the shoppers are 99 % Japanese.

Who cares??

:wtf:

Are you sure? :sly: :tongue2:

Anyway, seems that Hong Kong it is taking the top expensive retail space this year. What street has these $1,858 per square foot prices? The article is not been clear.

So Fifth Ave retail in prime areas have dropped from the hight of $1,850 to $1,400 per square foot it seems. I don't doubt it with the bad economy going on this year. But like I say the retail streets in Tokyo are not even mention as most expensive than Fifth Ave.

Not a flipping clue. To be fair, none of the articles actually mention which particular street in regards to Hong Kong - they just say Causeway Bay.

Reportedly it's Lockhart Road/Hennessy Road/Yee Wo street - the area around 'central' Causeway Bay - Sogo, although rents on Russell Street in front of Times Square are also supposed to be sky high.

This article, recently published, says different anyway:
http://www.propertywire.com/news/company-news/hong-kong-retail-rents-200906023142.html

Global downturn pushing Hong Kong's premier retail rents lower
Written by Colliers Intl. (Hong Kong)
Tuesday, 02 June 2009
Prime Hong Kong retail rents pushed lower

After a string of upward moves, premier streetfront rents in almost every region of the world moved decidedly lower during the past 12 months, according to Colliers International's Global Retail Highlights – Spring 2009.

The rental decline in Asia appeared to be less severe. Hong Kong at US$1,192 per sq ft per year ranked the top in Asia and the third in the world, a 3.8% YoY decline.

Following Russell Street in Causeway Bay, Ginza in Tokyo and Orchard Road in Singapore took the second and third spots in Asia respectively. The premier streetfront rents in Ginza fell 12.9% YoY at US$590 per sq ft per year. Orchard Road dropped 11.8% YoY at US$324 per sq ft per year. Two Chinese cities – Shanghai and Beijing – made it to the top 50 retail strips the first time. The retail rents in Nanjing Road West, Shanghai rose to US$245 per sq ft per year while the rents in the Mall at CWTC, Beijing increased 25.5% at US$196.

According to the Global Retail Highlights report, New York's Fifth Avenue remained the most expensive retail street in the world, at US$1,400 per sq ft per year, a YoY drop of 15%. It was followed by Champs Elysees in Paris at US$1,203 per sq ft per year, a YoY decline of 18%, and Russell Street in Causeway Bay at US$1,192 per sq ft per year, a YoY drop of 3.8%.

Collier's is a more reputable source in any case.

Back to pictures of the thread in question?

Basically, the Ginza in Tokyo is the only western-style, premium shopping avenue.

HK has a few stores here and there (and none on a beautiful avenue), though most of its high-end stores are in malls. Otherwise, other cities' stores are all in malls like the one in KL.

^^ Don't forget Omotesando in Tokyo.

Too bad Ginza does not come close to New York's Fifth Av and Madison Av's diverse international/ jet set clientele. It has the most diverse crowd. What's unique about Ginza is its homogeneity- despite all the international brand names smack on your face, the shoppers are 99 % Japanese.

What is so bad about it? Not every nation is founded by immigrants. And isn't it good to have some identity as a people?

Although not as rich as New York City or Tokyo, Seoul has some luxury shopping area, which is the areas of Apkujeong and Cheongdam in Gangnam disctrict. They are closeby, as though they are in one area.

I upload here some pix of the area.

http://img504.imageshack.us/img504/1950/apkoojung1.jpg
http://img514.imageshack.us/img514/2880/apkoojung3.jpg
http://img514.imageshack.us/img514/9191/apkoojung6.jpg
http://img504.imageshack.us/img504/9905/chungdam3.jpg
http://img504.imageshack.us/img504/8191/chungdam4.jpg
http://img209.imageshack.us/img209/370/chungdam5.jpg
http://img514.imageshack.us/img514/5410/chungdam6.jpg
http://img504.imageshack.us/img504/4026/chungdam7.jpg
http://img526.imageshack.us/img526/411/chungdam9.jpg
http://img526.imageshack.us/img526/8940/chungdam18.jpg
http://img526.imageshack.us/img526/507/chungdam17.jpg
http://img514.imageshack.us/img514/1231/chungdam15.jpg
http://img524.imageshack.us/img524/9849/chungdam24.jpg
http://img514.imageshack.us/img514/7664/chungdam25.jpg
http://img526.imageshack.us/img526/4528/chungdam1.jpghttp://img514.imageshack.us/img514/7715/chungdam2.jpg
http://img514.imageshack.us/img514/8461/chungdam8.jpghttp://img209.imageshack.us/img209/6548/chungdam10.jpg
http://img524.imageshack.us/img524/7123/chungdam11.jpghttp://img522.imageshack.us/img522/2844/chungdam13.jpg
http://img413.imageshack.us/img413/4663/chungdam16.jpghttp://img514.imageshack.us/img514/7558/chungdam19.jpg

Thanks for clearing up. :)

I just did a search for "[insert brand name] + Ginza", and those showed up. But since I've never been to Ginza or don't actually know much about it, I didn't know.

How far is Aoyama-Omotesando from Ginza?

5.5 kms according to google maps.

Although not as rich as New York City or Tokyo, Seoul has some luxury shopping area, which is the areas of Apkujeong and Cheongdam in Gangnam disctrict. They are closeby, as though they are in one area.

I upload here some pix of the area.

http://img504.imageshack.us/img504/1950/apkoojung1.jpg
http://img514.imageshack.us/img514/2880/apkoojung3.jpg
http://img514.imageshack.us/img514/9191/apkoojung6.jpg
http://img504.imageshack.us/img504/9905/chungdam3.jpg
http://img504.imageshack.us/img504/8191/chungdam4.jpg
http://img209.imageshack.us/img209/370/chungdam5.jpg
http://img514.imageshack.us/img514/5410/chungdam6.jpg
http://img504.imageshack.us/img504/4026/chungdam7.jpg
http://img526.imageshack.us/img526/411/chungdam9.jpg
http://img526.imageshack.us/img526/8940/chungdam18.jpg
http://img526.imageshack.us/img526/507/chungdam17.jpg
http://img514.imageshack.us/img514/1231/chungdam15.jpg
http://img524.imageshack.us/img524/9849/chungdam24.jpg
http://img514.imageshack.us/img514/7664/chungdam25.jpg
http://img526.imageshack.us/img526/4528/chungdam1.jpghttp://img514.imageshack.us/img514/7715/chungdam2.jpg
http://img514.imageshack.us/img514/8461/chungdam8.jpghttp://img209.imageshack.us/img209/6548/chungdam10.jpg
http://img524.imageshack.us/img524/7123/chungdam11.jpghttp://img522.imageshack.us/img522/2844/chungdam13.jpg
http://img413.imageshack.us/img413/4663/chungdam16.jpghttp://img514.imageshack.us/img514/7558/chungdam19.jpg

The South Koreans are even deeper in consumer debt than the Americans, a big contrast to the rest of Asia. Maybe that's why the sidewalks aren't that crowded.

Nice photos though.

Most big name fashion houses have boutiques in Apujeong just for the sake of saying they have a shop in Seoul. I believe they get little-to-no actual revenue from these stores, and are not that popular among locals. That may explain the relatively empty streets, compared to other sections of Seoul.

The South Koreans are even deeper in consumer debt than the Americans, a big contrast to the rest of Asia. Maybe that's why the sidewalks aren't that crowded.

Most big name fashion houses have boutiques in Apujeong just for the sake of saying they have a shop in Seoul. I believe they get little-to-no actual revenue from these stores, and are not that popular among locals. That may explain the relatively empty streets, compared to other sections of Seoul.

I have posted just a couple o' pix just to show how the luxury shops in Seoul are. But you guys went way too much without any solid facts or numbers to prove your points.

BTW, take a look at the upside of the following picture.

http://img514.imageshack.us/img514/7715/chungdam2.jpg

Hermes opened this store 'just for the sake of saying they have a shop in Seoul'? How many shops like this one are there in the world?

I didn't base my comment on the photos, but an article I read a month or two ago. I was implying that both fashion houses and cities base their reputations on material displays, such as on Apgujeong, though it may not necessarily be economical. Nonetheless, Apgujeong is a super sleek area that does deserve mentioning.

Most big name fashion houses have boutiques in Apujeong just for the sake of saying they have a shop in Seoul. I believe they get little-to-no actual revenue from these stores, and are not that popular among locals. That may explain the relatively empty streets, compared to other sections of Seoul.

Link to the article then?

Seoul is hardly Milan, New York, London, Paris, Tokyo, Hong Kong...

My penis is bigger than yours.

http://blogs.naiglobal.com/nai_global/2009/03/hong-kong-named-most-expensive-retail-commercial-real-estate-market-worldwide.html


:nuts: Now lets throw this into the mix of confusion already. According to this new article, even though prices have drop, Fifth Ave still way more expensive than any other street. :tongue2: Go figure.


Store Rents Fall in World’s Most-Expensive Streets


June 30 (Bloomberg) -- Store rents tumbled in the world’s most expensive locations in the first quarter and will continue to decline through the middle of 2010 as the global recession curbs spending, according to CB Richard Ellis Group Inc.

New York City kept its top rank from a year earlier as the most expensive retail market even as asking rents on Manhattan’s Fifth Avenue fell 10 percent to $1,800 a square foot per year, the Los Angeles-based commercial broker said in a report today. Rents in Hong Kong’s most desirable shopping area ranked second at $975 a square foot and Moscow was third at $790. Paris and Tokyo followed at $776 and $771, respectively.

“Everything cratered in the fourth quarter and that carried over into the first,” Ray Torto, global chief economist for CB Richard Ellis, said in an interview. “This is not a landlord market.”

Retail rents are falling around the globe as household wealth contracts, consumer confidence weakens and the jobless rate climbs. Sales of brands that cater to the wealthy may drop 10 percent this year after holding steady at $240 billion in 2008, according to estimates from luxury adviser Bain & Co.

“Most retail property markets are experiencing reduced demand from retailers and an increase in the number of vacant units, which is in turn affecting rents,” Nick Axford, head of research in Europe for CB Richard Ellis, said in the report.

Seeking Discounts

London ranked sixth in the survey at $677 a square foot per year, followed by Sydney at $624 and Zurich at $612. Los Angeles was ninth at $600 and San Francisco was 10th at $540.

Moscow rents had the biggest drop among the top 10 cities from a year earlier, falling 20 percent. Tokyo fell 10 percent and Hong Kong, Paris, Sydney and Zurich were unchanged, according to CB Richard Ellis. San Francisco rents rose 20 percent, London increased 7 percent and Los Angeles rose 4 percent.

Shopping districts in the survey included Central in Hong Kong, Ginza in Tokyo, the Pitt Street Mall in Sydney and Union Square in San Francisco, according to the broker.

In the U.S., retail rents will eventually decline 25 percent from the market peak in mid-2008, Torto said. Retailers with existing leases in desirable shopping districts and malls are negotiating for extended terms or reduced rent, he said.

Entering NYC

Some non-U.S. retailers are taking advantage of lower demand for space to enter the New York City market, said Faith Hope Consolo, chairman of Prudential Douglas Elliman’s retail and leasing division. Jewelers Richard Mille of Paris and Tous of Madrid are seeking space on Madison Avenue between 60th and 80th streets at a rate of about $800 a square foot, she said.

On Rodeo Drive in Beverly Hills, California, part of the Los Angeles market, the recession forced retailer Rock & Republic to reverse plans to occupy a 3,100-square-foot (288 square-meter) store after signing a lease last year, said Jay Luchs, a listing broker with CB Richard Ellis. The company, paying $675 a square foot on a 10-year term, wants to sublease to another tenant instead, he said.

“It isn’t chic anymore to go out and blow money,” Luchs said. “There’s a guilt factor even if you’re wealthy.”

Buenos Aires rents had the biggest decline of the global markets surveyed, dropping 37 percent. Warsaw followed with a 33 percent decrease and Washington dropped 26 percent. Mexico City fell 14 percent and there were declines of at least 10 percent in Dubai, Barcelona, Athens and Dublin, CB Richard Ellis said.


http://www.bloomberg.com/apps/news?pid=20601206&sid=am04frKrbKdo

Luxury shopping streets mostly happen on pedestrian oriented cities like HK or Tokyo. Car oriented ones more depend on luxury shopping malls.

Ginza,
Aoyama-Omotesando,
Jiyugaoka,
Daikanyama,
Shinsaibashi in Osaka,
Motomachi in Kobe,

Luxury shopping streets mostly happen on pedestrian oriented cities like HK or Tokyo. Car oriented ones more depend on luxury shopping malls.

Seoul is more or less car-oriented (I don't know about Hongkong or Tokyo, but compared to NYC, yeah, Seoul IS car-oriented). But it does have luxury shopping streets. Some cities that might be car-oriented at first glance might have some pedestrian-oriented areas. And it's likely for the city to have shopping streets in those areas, if any.

Seoul is more or less car-oriented (I don't know about Hongkong or Tokyo, but compared to NYC, yeah, Seoul IS car-oriented). But it does have luxury shopping streets. Some cities that might be car-oriented at first glance might have some pedestrian-oriented areas. And it's likely for the city to have shopping streets in those areas, if any.

NY is only car-oriented if you happen to be in the outer boroughs especially Staten Island. As for HK, those living in the outer areas of The New Territories will have to depend on cars.

But even in some car-oriented cities, there are luxury shopping streets such as Rodeo Drive in Beverly Hills.

I can't speak for Seoul since I haven't been there.

But even in some car-oriented cities, there are luxury shopping streets......

Yeah, that's what I am saying.

Seoul is hardly Milan, New York, London, Paris, Tokyo, Hong Kong...

This particular sentenc sounds funny. :lol:

But it's true.

So I don't know or see what he meant.

I couldn't find the original article, but I did find this interesting article about various areas of Seoul {LINK (http://www.koreatimes.co.kr/www/news/biz/2009/02/123_40298.html)}.


According to Cushman & Wakefield, Gangnam Station saw robust growth in rental costs last year, increasing 37.9 percent year on year to about 6.5 million won per square meter per year, the 10th highest fee in the world, followed by other major shopping streets like Manhattan's Fifth Avenue, Hong Kong's Causeway Bay and Paris' Champs Elysees.

Aside from Gangnam Station and Myeongdong, Apgujeong and Chungdam-dong streets are usually grouped together to be classified as the most high-end shopping district.

But Hwang made sure that the two areas were distinguished.

``You can't refer to them interchangeably because the two areas offer a completely different range of brands and experience,'' he said.

Chungdam-dong is where top European makers such as Louis Vuitton, Prada, Gucci, Hermes and Cartier have nested. Apgujeong is a few blocks down the road, where shoppers can find less expensive private collections.

``The consumption pattern in these higher-end areas is distinct in that shoppers don't set out necessarily to buy,'' he said, explaining that many simply intend to browse until they come across an outfit with a hefty price tag. ``The number on the tag probably won't be their main concern, though.''

Another characteristic specific to this area is that brand turnover isn't quick.

However I think Chungdam and Apgujeong will get more popular in the future, especially once the recession leaves Korea and East Asia.

I couldn't find the original article, but I did find this interesting article about various areas of Seoul {LINK (http://www.koreatimes.co.kr/www/news/biz/2009/02/123_40298.html)}.



However I think Chungdam and Apgujeong will get more popular in the future, especially once the recession leaves Korea and East Asia.

"shoppers don't set out necessarily to buy"

That's pretty much true too to Madison and Fifth avenues from my personal experience. Have you been to Chungdam at all? I have lived both of New York and Seoul for 7 years respectively and I have been the luxury shopping streets of both cities and didn't find much difference in terms of customer's shopping patterns.

What's needed for you to prove your point is not the personal opinion of a some guy but actual number to show the shops in Chungdam hardly sell anything.

And even the guy in the article makes clear that "The number on the tag probably won't be their main concern, though."

But it's true.

So I don't know or see what he meant.

True?

Do you know why I said "funny" at all?

You sound like Hongkong is pretty much on par with the cities like NYC, Paris, and London in terms of richness or cultural/fanshion influence over the world, which is by no means true in reality. You shouldn't have put Hongkong there. Maybe Tokyo is in the right place, but hongkong? come on....

True?

Do you know why I said "funny" at all?

You sound like Hongkong is pretty much on par with the cities like NYC, Paris, and London in terms of richness or cultural/fanshion influence over the world, which is by no means true in reality. You shouldn't have put Hongkong there. Maybe Tokyo is in the right place, but hongkong? come on....

It is!

Some known HK brands

http://www.oneinchpunch.net/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2007/01/shanghai_tang-1.jpg

http://kookies.net/blog/images/uploads/june13th-1.jpg

Major clothing brands such as Esprit have its financial HQ in HK

True?

Do you know why I said "funny" at all?

You sound like Hongkong is pretty much on par with the cities like NYC, Paris,
and London in terms of richness or cultural/fanshion influence over the world, which is by no means true in reality. You shouldn't have put Hongkong there. Maybe Tokyo is in the right place, but hongkong? come on....

In terms of where fashion originates, it quite clearly isn't on a par with those cities, although Hong Kong is finally starting to launch it's own fashion labels as well.

When it comes to consumerism and setting up flagship stores and boutiques, it quite clearly is, and perhaps even bigger than some of those cities (add LA/Beverly Hills to that list as well) - which was my point...Seoul isn't at that level.

How many of the top brands in the world have you seen which aren't listed "Milan . Paris . Hong Kong . New York . Tokyo . London"?

You sound like Hongkong is pretty much on par with the cities like NYC, Paris, and London in terms of richness or cultural/fanshion influence over the world, which is by no means true in reality. You shouldn't have put Hongkong there. Maybe Tokyo is in the right place, but hongkong? come on....

Disagree with this.

Hong Kong is one of Asia's top fashion cities and rightfully deserves to be mentioned with Tokyo. ESPRIT, Giordano, Baleno, Shanghai Tang, Tommy Hilfiger and Crocodile are headquartered in Hong Kong.

A giant Louis Vuitton trunk marquee illuminates the Hong Kong skyline as the global brand celebrates its 150th anniversary with a glittering party in the city.

http://www.hktrader.net/img/LouisVuitton200405.jpg

Top global fashion brand, Louis Vuitton, selected Hong Kong as one of the four cities worldwide to host its 150th anniversary celebration recently.

Hong Kong joined Paris, New York and Tokyo as host cities in a glittering event held in a 70-metre-long - about the size of three tennis courts - Louis Vuitton trunk marquee built on the Tamar site overlooking the famous Victoria Harbour.

CEO and chairman of Louis Vuitton and LVMH Fashion Group, Yves Carcelle, said the celebration which attracted over 2,000 guests, represented a vote of confidence in the Hong Kong market, illustrated by Louis Vuitton's long-term investment in the city. Louis Vuitton has more flagship stores in Hong Kong than anywhere except Paris and Tokyo.

"Hong Kong is our Asia Pacific headquarters for 14 countries in the region. Its strategic location, its importance as a fashion capital in this part of the world, coupled with its efficient communications make it the perfect city for us to do business," said Mr Carcelle who was joined at the celebration by Patrick Vuitton, a fifth generation member of the founding family.
source: http://gbcode.hktdc.com/uniS/www.hktrader.net/200405/lead/lead-louisvuitton200405.htm


Armani opens in HK largest flagship store outside Milan

http://www.investhk.gov.hk/Upload/News/20021001.jpg
Hong Kong is an important gateway to China - a marketplace with unrivalled potential, according to leading Italian fashion retailer Giorgio Armani which set up its regional headquarters for Asia here.

Tomorrow (November 1) the Armani Group will open a 3 000 -square metre (or 34 000-square foot) flagship store - the company's largest in the world outside Milan - in Chater House, Central.

The Director-General of Investment Promotion at Invest Hong Kong, Mr Mike Rowse, today (October 31) officially welcomed the new Armani/Chater House multi-brand store and wished the Armani Group every success in the future.

The President and Chief Executive of the Armani Group, Mr Giorgio Armani, commented: "Hong Kong is one of the most cosmopolitan and vibrant cities in the world and through its special legal and trading status is still an important gateway to China - a marketplace with unrivalled future potential."

Mr Armani continued: "Armani/Chater House is right in the heart of the Central district where a complete cross-section of Hong Kong's diverse population passes through each and everyday, thereby offering a unique location for an Armani world under one roof. I look forward to welcoming many visitors to Armani/Chater House."

source: http://www.investhk.gov.hk/PageControl/ShowDynamice5f3.html?act=newsdetail&newsid=326

Upmarket brands such as Louis Vuitton, Christian Dior, Hermes, Ermenegildo Zegna and Dolce and Gabbana are taking up to 10,000 square feet for flagship stores in Central, including Prada and Yves Saint Laurent Rive Gauche's "new concept" stores in the lavishly refurbished Alexandra House. High-end Spanish fashion label Zara opens its first Hong Kong store in the IFC Mall this month, while the first Asian flagship store of leading Belgian ladies fashion brand SCAPA opened in March.
source: http://gbcode.hktdc.com/uniS/www.hktrader.net/200404/lead/lead-retail200404.htm

Cebu, our high-end shopping district is called Carbon Market...a smaller area is called Tabo-an

True?

Do you know why I said "funny" at all?

You sound like Hongkong is pretty much on par with the cities like NYC, Paris, and London in terms of richness or cultural/fanshion influence over the world, which is by no means true in reality. You shouldn't have put Hongkong there. Maybe Tokyo is in the right place, but hongkong? come on....

Again, I'm not debating Hong Kong's fashion status (though it may be growing) as an originator of fashion with the likes of New York, Paris, London, Milan and Tokyo.

I am pointing out the statement made by the original poster (since this debate began) was that Seoul isn't on a level with any of those above cities, including Hong Kong in the original list. To re-iterate, he argued that fashion houses are fighting to set up in Seoul, a statement I found strange as Seoul's status as a place for high-end goods, impressive though it may be, isn't quite the same as the other cities.

Why else do you think Hong Kong has an incredible array of regional (Asia) and international (outside of the original) flagship boutiques and megastores?

You sound like Hongkong is pretty much on par with the cities like NYC, Paris, and London in terms of richness or cultural/fanshion influence over the world, which is by no means true in reality. You shouldn't have put Hongkong there. Maybe Tokyo is in the right place, but hongkong? come on....

I kind of agree on this. After a one week stay here, Hongkong does not really come across as a very fashionable city on the street level. Other than the usual business suits that most men and women wear during normal business hours, most people you encounter around the high end areas are dressed simply, nothing extraordinary that you see ordinarily in cities like New York, Paris or London.....just my observation........

Well done for ignoring my two responses, and Skybean's as well.

In any case, you need to open your eyes.

Ginza is not similar luxury shopping streets as 5th Ave or the Champs Elysées
Ginza is Ginza

I thought business clothing in "business districts" was pretty standard... what extraordinary clothing does one wear to work?

And it's Hong Kong. Not Hongkong, not Honk Kong. Nobody spells New York as Newyork.

I spell it as Noo Yawk though.

Don't be so predictable guys with your juvenile responses about spelling.......completely out of topic :).........you maybe right but he'll yeah I was only there for a week so I might not have captured the "fashionable" Hong Kong" on the street level......but I tell you when I was at Felix....everyone was well-dressed......and I had a great time.........

This may be a wild stab in the dark, but you didn't venture out towards Causeway Bay and Mong Kok did you?

And it's Felix - an upper class bar for powerful young and middle aged executives, and their charming and elegant wives. Exactly how wildly did you expect them to be dressed?

Visit Causeway Bay and Mong kok for a more 'urban' picture of how the locals style themselves.

Now read what we had to say earlier - i.e., though Hong Kong's status as an originator for fashion is growing, it is quite clearly not at the level of Paris, London, New York, Tokyo and Milan's. We don't disagree with that.

However, as far as major, particularly luxury, fashion houses are concerned with setting up boutiques, Hong Kong is one of the first picks, and it's status is right up there, and even higher than (depending on the fashion label) Paris, Milan, Tokyo, London and New York's.

This is obviously clear, as Hong Kong has several boutiques that act as a flagship for either the Asian region, or even internationally for the brand (outside it's original location).

Seoul most certainly isn't at that level, hence why I asked the original question in the first place.

There is the mall culture
Tokyo's department store.
Ginza - Mitsukoshi, Matsuya, Matsuzakaya, Printemps, Seibu, Hankyu, Wakou, BARNEYS NEW YORK
Nihonbashi - Mitsukoshi, Daimaru, Takashimaya
Asakusa - Matsuya
Shibuya - Seibu, Tokyu
Shinjuku - Isetan, Mitsukosi, Takashimaya, Odakyu, Keio, BARNEYS NEW YORK
Ikebukuro - Seibu, Tobu
Ueno - Matsuzakaya
Kichijoji - Isetan, Tokyu
Tachikawa - Isetan, Takashimaya
Hachioji - Sogo,
Machida - Odakyu, Tokyu,

Yokohama - Sogo, Takashimaya, BARNEYS NEW YORK
Urawa - Isetan,
Omiya - Sogo, Takashimaya
Chiba - Mitsukoshi, Sogo
Others.

Tokyo's Shopping Mall
Ginza - Marronnier Gate
Nihonbashi - Marunouchi oazo, Coredo Nihonbashi, Marunouchi Building, Shin Marunouchi Building,
Roppongi - Roppongi Hills, Tokyo Midtown
Others.

This may be a wild stab in the dark, but you didn't venture out towards Causeway Bay and Mong Kok did you?

And it's Felix - an upper class bar for powerful young and middle aged executives, and their charming and elegant wives. Exactly how wildly did you expect them to be dressed?

Visit Causeway Bay and Mong kok for a more 'urban' picture of how the locals style themselves.

Now read what we had to say earlier - i.e., though Hong Kong's status as an originator for fashion is growing, it is quite clearly not at the level of Paris, London, New York, Tokyo and Milan's. We don't disagree with that.

However, as far as major, particularly luxury, fashion houses are concerned with setting up boutiques, Hong Kong is one of the first picks, and it's status is right up there, and even higher than (depending on the fashion label) Paris, Milan, Tokyo, London and New York's.

This is obviously clear, as Hong Kong has several boutiques that act as a flagship for either the Asian region, or even internationally for the brand (outside it's original location).

Seoul most certainly isn't at that level, hence why I asked the original question in the first place.

Between CWB and MKK I find the later more stylish.

Tokyo's department store.
Ginza - Mitsukoshi, Matsuya, Matsuzakaya, Printemps, Seibu, Hankyu,
Nihonbashi - Mitsukoshi, Daimaru, Takashimaya
Asakusa - Matsuya
Shibuya - Seibu, Tokyu
Shinjuku - Isetan, Mitsukosi, Takashimaya, Odakyu, Keio
Ikebukuro - Seibu, Tobu
Ueno - Matsuzakaya
Kichijoji - Isetan, Tokyu
Tachikawa - Isetan, Takashimaya
Hachioji - Sogo,
Machida - Odakyu, Tokyu,

Yokohama - Sogo, Takashimaya
Urawa - Isetan,
Omiya - Sogo, Takashimaya
Chiba - Mitsukoshi, Sogo
Others.

Some of the department stores you mentioned are also in HK. Some of them like Mitsukoshi, Daimaru and Matsuzakaya have shut down.

Anyway, here's Sogo in CWB
http://www.hongkongextras.com/resources/_wsb_512x429_MallSogo.jpg

This may be a wild stab in the dark, but you didn't venture out towards Causeway Bay and Mong Kok did you?

I did and most of these designer stores were quite slow. I didn't mind coz I got personalized service.

And it's Felix - an upper class bar for powerful young and middle aged executives, and their charming and elegant wives. Exactly how wildly did you expect them to be dressed?

Actually Felix has a young professional upscale ambience- like most I've been to in New York where bumping into a celebrity is a normal thing...like I said, my comments were based on my observations.....with no intent to put Hong Kong down....

However, as far as major, particularly luxury, fashion houses are concerned with setting up boutiques, Hong Kong is one of the first picks, and it's status is right up there, and even higher than (depending on the fashion label) Paris, Milan, Tokyo, London and New York's.

This is obviously clear, as Hong Kong has several boutiques that act as a flagship for either the Asian region, or even internationally for the brand (outside it's original location).

Seoul most certainly isn't at that level, hence why I asked the original question in the first place.

Of course........If I own let's say D&G, I'll direct my board to open up stores where the money is....I don't care if the people in that area KNOWS how to dress fashionably as long as they'll buy my clothes........so seeing high end stores in your area may be a sign of affordability......now how you wear what you bought and show it down the streets- that's another thing.......

A list of all the leading shopping streets in Asia and the world http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_upscale_shopping_districts#Asia

I did and most of these designer stores were quite slow. I didn't mind coz I got personalized service.



Actually Felix has a young professional upscale ambience- like most I've been to in New York where bumping into a celebrity is a normal thing...like I said, my comments were based on my observations.....with no intent to put Hong Kong down....



Of course........If I own let's say D&G, I'll direct my board to open up stores where the money is....I don't care if the people in that area KNOWS how to dress fashionably as long as they'll buy my clothes........so seeing high end stores in your area may be a sign of affordability......now how you wear what you bought and show it down the streets- that's another thing.......

Thanks for your intriguing reply - it's good that we have a debate going rather than name calling.

I understand what you have to say, but this is where the fashion world is strange.

I would say most or many people in Hong Kong are very well dressed in an understated classic manner - now is that just merely conforming to already existing fashion trends that are considered classic in New York, London, Paris, Tokyo and Milan?

To truly be considered a fashion city, one (i.e., the population of the city) must often display courage in going AGAINST conformist trends and coming up with something very rebellious.

The true fashion cities (New York, London, Paris, Milan and Tokyo) manage very much of the former by melding it with the latter - think rebellious brands like Vivienne Westwood and Alexander McQueen...brands that dared to challenge, and in the process, redefined what is considered as 'fashion'.

Hong Kong is only now starting to create its own unique style and big labels, so in that sense, as we've both agreed upon...Hong Kong does have a way to go to live up to the true fashion cities.

In a purely former sense of classic fashion however, Hong Kong is right up there with the rest.

And you are correct regards to the money point, which is what was being discussed anyway. Hong Kong is a hotpot for international brands, to the extent that very few cities are (even all of the fashion cities do not have as many brands, boutiques, flagship stores and megastores as Hong Kong does)

Ginza
http://trendy.nikkeibp.co.jp/article/pickup/20071130/1004905/01_px142.jpg
http://trendy.nikkeibp.co.jp/article/pickup/20071130/1004905/05_px450.jpg
http://images.keizai.biz/ginza_keizai/headline/1174613161_photo.jpg http://www.takara-sign.com/r_blog_2009/s_images/2009-02-17-ginza-005s.jpg
http://img01.pics.livedoor.com/001/b/2/b2dfab05cff970b38646-L.JPG
http://www.enjoytokyo.jp/img_bl/minamimachi/128756_PC_M.jpg
http://4ki4.cocolog-nifty.com/photos/uncategorized/2008/03/28/swarovski_ginza.jpg

Aoyama-Omotesando
http://katachi-data.up.seesaa.net/image/8EQ93B983q838B83Y1.jpg
http://shun.blog.mo-hawaii.com/image/thumbs/1423?size=l
http://image.blog.livedoor.jp/ttakai/imgs/0/a/0a517249.jpg
http://www.syty.jp/image/garcon01-s.jpg
http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_Caz5c9IpjZA/SRVGJAGkKaI/AAAAAAAAB8Y/2H2Em3v9lhw/s320/081108_10.JPG
http://www.osanponavi.com/tokyo/files/burando-mise.JPG
http://es-sense.typepad.jp/essense/images/2008/09/20/chn11_rpt2155_neilbarrett14_500.jpg
http://www.shotenkenchiku.com/Monthly/bk_number/0603/bminami.jpg http://img.emachi.co.jp/location/ab98a8448e86e9b9e15c9045a5473da8.jpg

Map
http://www.yamane-e.com/boutiques.gif

http://tiara.osakazine.net/usr/tiara/%E5%BF%83%E6%96%8E%E6%A9%8B.JPG
http://pds.exblog.jp/pds/1/200810/02/51/f0039351_1723430.jpg
http://www.2929.tv/file/dior_shinsaibashi.jpg
http://img01.kitaguni.tv/usr/shasinkozou/20080602223355_3.jpg https://www.seikatsu-guide.com/files/bf4c0ab616dcc01ea941127a4480c450.jpg

Shinsaibashi in Osaka
http://blogs.yahoo.co.jp/luiluicom/162438.html

Hong Kong

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2464/3729943924_3d72a4d29b_b.jpg

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2432/3729962268_0baee1cd2d_b.jpg

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3447/3729947650_41fe9cb131_b.jpg

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3436/3729940192_cd53e51cbc_b.jpg

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2608/3729938586_8427eed745_b.jpg

source: http://www.flickr.com/photos/fungspaces/sets/72157619606712281/

I think the main reason why Luxury shopping streets are not crowded
is since most customers are "inside" these shops already and surrounding areas of Apgujeong are shops that sell unique clothing and accessories. Plus, there are nicer and trendier clothing made in Korea which can become highly popular among locals. In fact, Korean fashion industry is well known for being stylish, durable, and affordable.

To be honest I like the buildings and the architecture but the spread of all these luxury brands just depresses me. I find it just highly ostentatious and pretentious with all these massive logos....

I taught in Japan to see customers spend 400 pounds a month on clothes, endless Prada handbags etc. I'm not sure if this made any of them happy as all their mates were doing the same....

Haha - Skybean, I just came in here to quote/post your photos from the HK section!

To be honest I like the buildings and the architecture but the spread of all these luxury brands just depresses me. I find it just highly ostentatious and pretentious with all these massive logos....


Incidentally, it's the most expensive brands which don't really promote their logos so 'openly' - Stefano Ricci, Brioni...

Even within the same 'brand' - Giorgio Armani does close to no 'logo' promotion...whereas the likes of Emporio Armani, Armani Jeans and A|X are plastered as large as possible over the clothes.

I can't believe that when mentioning Asian luxury shopping streets that Huaihai road and Nanjing WEST road have not been mentioned once. Nanjing East pedestrian street seems to receive the most attention for some reason even though it is considerably outclassed by Huaihai road and Nanjing West road. Huaihai road is a high end shopping street that stretches for a couple of miles flanked by elegant completely restored art deco mid-rises that radiates an atmosphere of antiquity and classiness rarely found in Asia (as opposed to Hong Kong and Tokyo where high end luxury shopping streets are generally sleek and modern). You can find all sorts of brand-name stores like Polo, Lacoste, Armani, etc. there. Nanjing West road is comparable to a certain degree though more modern and less extensive. In fact, the closest thing in Asia to Champs-Elysee IMO would be Huaihai road.

When I have pictures, I will post them. It is very spectacular and unique for Asia

Go on, we're waiting...

Most trendy restaurants, bars, clubs, and retail outlets[boutiques] here in Manila are located in Bonifacio High Street.

http://img98.imageshack.us/img98/8679/22867264.jpg
by alfman (http://www.panoramio.com/user/314090)

That's a very American-style suburban mall.

jiyugaoka, tokyo suburb
nice streets
guLjIh-fCTE

Most trendy restaurants, bars, clubs, and retail outlets[boutiques] here in Manila are located in Bonifacio High Street.

http://img98.imageshack.us/img98/8679/22867264.jpg
by alfman (http://www.panoramio.com/user/314090)

I don't agree. Green belt has much more luxurious stores and is more upmarket.

That's a very American-style suburban mall.

It's actually very much down town. Unfortunately Manila is very American. You can't walk around even in most places. Cars rule.

It's actually very much down town. Unfortunately Manila is very American. You can't walk around even in most places. Cars rule.

I know it has that massive American influence, but still strikes me as odd for a city in South East Asia - making Manila a world unto itself I suppose.

Ginza in Tokyo is unbelievable.

:horse:

Indeed, looks awesome.:cheers:

I know it has that massive American influence, but still strikes me as odd for a city in South East Asia - making Manila a world unto itself I suppose.

To me it's not a blessing. More Spanish influence would have led to a more liveable city with many city squares and pedestrian only streets.

^^ while i agree that Greenbelt is indeed
more upmarket than High Street
but High Street is probably the closest
thing we can call here as a luxurious
"shopping street" :D

To me it's not a blessing. More Spanish influence would have led to a more liveable city with many city squares and pedestrian only streets.

you mean like this:)

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2228/1589570562_6b99cbb457.jpg
by jsigharas

In Baku (Azerbaijan) majority of the top brands boutiques are located in Neftchilar avenue

http://photos.day.az/images/brend/DSC_4498.jpg

http://photos.day.az/images/brend/DSC_4506.jpg

http://photos.day.az/images/brend/DSC_4508.jpg

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http://photos.day.az/images/brend/DSC_4600.jpg

http://photos.day.az/images/brend/DSC_4607.jpg

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It's actually very much down town. Unfortunately Manila is very American. You can't walk around even in most places. Cars rule.

Metro Manila does have a high pedestrian activity especially within the city centre and CBDs. Like in HK, other areas of the city require cars. In fact pedestrian activity in Manila is higher compared to other ASEAN cities like KL or Jakarta. Jakarta is the car oriented city. Hardly any people walking in its streets.

I don't find the city American at all. It's Filipino :)

HK does have its share of American style suburban malls. Just go to Redhill Plaza in Tai Tam.

^^ while i agree that Greenbelt is indeed
more upmarket than High Street
but High Street is probably the closest
thing we can call here as a luxurious
"shopping street" :D

Greenbelt is more a mall

That's a very American-style suburban mall.

Its not a mall. The place is compose of individual commercial buildings, etc. The place is kinda similar to Third Street Promenade in Sta. Monica

I'm sooo not able to understand why it's a big deal to have "luxury" streets in a certain city. And plus, would you want to live in a street filled with luxury goods and not be able to buy any of the products for its expensive price?? Gosh people, I live in Midtown Manhattan in Times Square and although it's exciting to be living in the "Crossroads of the World" it is definitely not residential and can get annoying with tourists lol :lol::nuts:

I'm sooo not able to understand why it's a big deal to have "luxury" streets in a certain city. And plus, would you want to live in a street filled with luxury goods and not be able to buy any of the products for its expensive price?? Gosh people, I live in Midtown Manhattan in Times Square and although it's exciting to be living in the "Crossroads of the World" it is definitely not residential and can get annoying with tourists lol :lol::nuts:

Times Square is certainly a tourist area. Whether native New Yorkers like them or not, they have to get used to them. The best thing native New Yorkers can do is help them out if any of them ask directions despite their straight attitude. Tourism is part of NY's economy.

As for luxury streets, there are those with high social status who can afford to buy luxury brands. And these kinds of streets give character to that city. And it also show's the city's wealth.

BTW, HK has its own counterpart of Times Square, its Causeway Bay :D

The Crossroads of Asia :D
http://i8.photobucket.com/albums/a41/hkwanch/42066960.jpg

^ lol 1 sec I thought it was Times Square lol
But Manhattan has other areas more interesting and exciting
than Times Square...I'm already bored of Times Square (since I live
there and see the big signs EVERYDAY to and from work) lol anyways yeah
but I prefer downtown Manhattan to Midtown...areas like Soho, Meatpacking District, Greenwich Village, East Village, Little Italy, and Chelsea are more interesting for me than Times Square

^ lol 1 sec I thought it was Times Square lol
But Manhattan has other areas more interesting and exciting
than Times Square...I'm already bored of Times Square (since I live
there and see the big signs EVERYDAY to and from work) lol anyways yeah
but I prefer downtown Manhattan to Midtown...areas like Soho, Meatpacking District, Greenwich Village, East Village, Little Italy, and Chelsea are more interesting for me than Times Square

The only thing I like about Times Square are the lights and shopping. Other than that, I prefer SOHO.

Causeway Bay is a district, not exactly a shopping street. In fact, Hong Kong doesn't really have an upscale shopping street per se. Canton Road only has a sprinkle of luxury brands, and is probably the closest to a 'Champs Elysees', although I think it is still far off.

Causeway Bay is a district, not exactly a shopping street. In fact, Hong Kong doesn't really have an upscale shopping street per se. Canton Road only has a sprinkle of luxury brands, and is probably the closest to a 'Champs Elysees', although I think it is still far off.

More than 'a sprinkle' surely?

More than 'a sprinkle' surely?

Champs has quite a long avenue of fancy shops. Hong Kong's model is more scattered. We build malls, rather than fill up a whole street with fancy shops. Notice many of the malls along Canton Road are not designed to face the street in the first place. Only a few have decided to do so.

I recall walking quite a long length of Champs with plenty of stores and sidewalk space. Quite a nice walk indeed.

I'm sooo not able to understand why it's a big deal to have "luxury" streets in a certain city. And plus, would you want to live in a street filled with luxury goods and not be able to buy any of the products for its expensive price?? Gosh people, I live in Midtown Manhattan in Times Square and although it's exciting to be living in the "Crossroads of the World" it is definitely not residential and can get annoying with tourists lol :lol::nuts:

then how come you live in the time square area? this is one of the most expensive places in manhattan. you must be rich or lucky. or both.

then how come you live in the time square area? this is one of the most expensive places in manhattan. you must be rich or lucky. or both.

I hit the lottery :lol: :nuts::bash:

I'm sooo not able to understand why it's a big deal to have "luxury" streets in a certain city. And plus, would you want to live in a street filled with luxury goods and not be able to buy any of the products for its expensive price?? Gosh people, I live in Midtown Manhattan in Times Square and although it's exciting to be living in the "Crossroads of the World" it is definitely not residential and can get annoying with tourists lol :lol::nuts:

I never though of Times Square as a 'luxury street or area". It is more of a tourist area. The area is full of office towers, Hotels, and rentable apartments. Yes there are some shops, but they are not the 'luxury brands' you tend to find on 5th Ave or Madison Ave. I am sure no condos been built there will attract too many people to live there neither. Maybe for some rich foreigners who don't live in NYC all year round. Now Hells Kitchen is a residential neighborhood adjacent to Times Square to the west. I really like that neighborhood. 9th Avenue is a restaurants street. And they cater more to NYC residents and some wondering tourists. It is also now known as a gay neighborhood as well, with many gay bars and clubs.

I agree with Times Square being more a tourist area though there are fancy stores + restaurants here.

5th Avenue would be similar to Champs.

If there is one Asian city with something similar to a luxury shopping street that would be Tokyo.

Omotesandō

http://www.picturetokyo.com/images/800px-Omotesando_Winter.jpg

http://tokyo.metrocs.jp/wp-content/uploads/2008/11/479px-louis_vitton_omotesando1.jpg

http://images.travelpod.com/users/aushiro/japan_07.1193317200.prada-building-in-omotesando.jpg

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DSC_4804 (http://www.flickr.com/photos/19975350@N04/5289016449/)

Causeway Bay didn't seem as luxury brand-heavy as Central MTR area when I went to Hong Kong Island. It is probably because I came more often to Central than to Causeway. Both places though were dotted with Bonjours, Sasas, Mannings etc. and I find Wan Chai visually more interesting anyway.

I don't think such ultra high-end shopping street exist in Metro Manila. There are a few pedestrian-friendly cluster of malls that carry luxury shops on ground floor, such as Greenbelt but most of them are >50% dining establishments, Starbucks and similar coffee shops like Eastwood and High Street.

Luxe brands are also mostly inside malls in Bangkok, concentrated around Siam BTS area. Adjacent malls carry more affordable and youth-oriented clothes+accessories. I'm not sure though if that's still the case since they brought Central World down.

Causeway Bay didn't seem as luxury brand-heavy as Central MTR area when I went to Hong Kong Island. It is probably because I came more often to Central than to Causeway. Both places though were dotted with Bonjours, Sasas, Mannings etc. and I find Wan Chai visually more interesting anyway.


That's because it isn't. Central and TST are home to most of the big luxury brands (most even have stores at both) and usually the flagship store of said brand is at one of these two stores. Central and TST are also home to some of the biggest stores of said luxury brands around the world - e.g., Armani/Chater House in Central, Diesel Planet Store in Central, Louis Vuitton + Gucci stores at both locations, Zegna Global Store in TST etc.

Central is also only about 10 minute walk away from Admiralty/Pacific Place, which has some other brands too (as well as many of the same one).

Causeway Bay does have a splattering of luxury brands though - particularly on Fashion Street (Diesel, Marc by Marc Jacobs, Vivienne Westwood etc - more luxury urban rather than full on luxury) and Lee Gardens (LV, Chanel etc). Causeway Bay also has a lot of (or used to) official car-brand dealerships, which Central generally doesn't. Most of the car outlets are located along the harbour from Causeway Bay to Wan Chai/Admiralty, and a few at Lee Gardens in Causeway Bay. Can't remember if there are any in TST.

ORCHARD ROAD SINGAPORE
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Causeway Bay didn't seem as luxury brand-heavy as Central MTR area when I went to Hong Kong Island. It is probably because I came more often to Central than to Causeway. Both places though were dotted with Bonjours, Sasas, Mannings etc. and I find Wan Chai visually more interesting anyway.

I also think high-end shopping in HK is mostly Central and TST, and not so much Causeway Bay. They're also concentrated in malls, and not along streets.

I also think high-end shopping in HK is mostly Central and TST, and not so much Causeway Bay. They're also concentrated in malls, and not along streets.

I'm sure that is the same situation with TST since most of these designer boutiques are within shopping malls.

I'm sure that is the same situation with TST since most of these designer boutiques are within shopping malls.

Er, that's exactly what he said.

FYI , Koreans usually choose go to department stores or duty free shops before going abroad when they buy luxury brands .

Those shops at apgujeong rodeo street are not very popular to local koreans who actually buy these brands ,

GINZA is the best next is HONG KONG

GINZA is the best next is HONG KONG

Ginza is VERY VERY retro and specky and for the elderly people.

Everybody over there speaks French too. :D

bonifacio high street philippines
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Bonifacio High Street is not considered a luxury shopping street. The fact there are no designer boutiques such as Louis Vuitton or Prada in that area. There are some expensive restaurants in High Street but stores such as Nike, Iora or Charles & Keith are not really high-end products.

On the other hand, Makati Ave. especially within Ayala Centre can be considered as a luxury shopping street to the the presence of brands such as Hermes, Louis Vuitton, Prada, Gucci, etc.

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