Commercial Press (Hong Kong)
| Company type | Subsidiary |
|---|---|
| Industry | Publishing, Retail (Bookstore) |
| Predecessor | The Commercial Press (Shanghai, 1897) |
| Founded | 1914 |
| Headquarters | Hong Kong , Hong Kong |
Area served | Hong Kong, Macau, Southeast Asia |
| Products | Cultural and educational publications, textbooks, reference materials |
| Parent | Sino United Publishing (Holdings) Limited |
| Website | www |
The Commercial Press (Hong Kong) (商務印書館（香港）), formally known as The Commercial Press (Hong Kong) Limited, holds the distinction of being Hong Kong's most longstanding publishing company and bookstore network. Operating 22 outlets, it ranks as the largest bookstore chain within the city. As a subsidiary of Sino United Publishing (Holdings) Limited, the firm concentrates on cultural and educational publications, guided by the mission of ‘connecting readers with books and books with readers’.
History
Originating in Shanghai in 1897, The Commercial Press evolved from a printing enterprise into China's foremost cultural and educational publishing house, recognized as the nation’s earliest modern publisher.
The Hong Kong division was set up in 1914, starting primarily as retail outlets before broadening its scope to include printing, editorial work, and distribution, thereby transforming into a comprehensive publishing entity. By 1917, it had commenced producing textbooks tailored for schools in Hong Kong and extended its reach to Southeast Asian markets during the 1930s.
Beginning in 1957, the company undertook the compilation and printing of Chinese-language secondary school textbooks, focusing on educational content alongside reference materials covering history, culture, humanities, and social sciences. The Hong Kong Educational Publishing Company was established in 1979 to serve both Hong Kong and Macau markets.
On June 10, 1988, the Hong Kong branch was formally incorporated as Commercial Press (Hong Kong) Co., Ltd. In 1993, it allied with branches in Beijing, Taipei, Singapore, and Kuala Lumpur to create Commercial Press International Co., Ltd.
In 2004, it expanded its portfolio by acquiring Bloomsbury Books. By 2011, the company managed 23 stores throughout Hong Kong and Macau while simultaneously developing its digital publishing initiatives.
In April 2020, two long-established locations—Tuen Mun Liangjing and Jordan—were closed as part of strategic operational restructuring.
Shops
The inaugural branch of The Commercial Press in Central, Hong Kong opened in 1914, followed by expansions into North Point and Mong Kok during the 1960s and 1970s. In 1984, it unveiled Hong Kong’s largest bookstore at Causeway Bay. A further branch commenced operations in 1987 on the fourth floor of Phase 1 of New Town Plaza in Shatin. Presently, the company runs 22 branches across Hong Kong. Since 2003, bookstores have also been established within key universities such as the Chinese University of Hong Kong, City University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong Polytechnic University, and Hong Kong University of Science and Technology. Furthermore, Commercial Culture Express outlets operate near Tai Wai Station, Mei Foo Station, and Tung Chung Station on the MTR network.
Tsim Sha Tsui Flagship Store
The Tsim Sha Tsui location originated in Ming Fai Centre in 1991 before relocating to Star House in 1999 where it featured a flagship store spanning 19,000 square feet with views overlooking Victoria Harbour. Due to lease challenges, it shifted to Miramar Hotel Arcade in 2007 and subsequently to Miramar Arcade in 2010. This branch occupied an area of 18,000 square feet and was the largest among Commercial Press stores, hosting more than 200 cultural events annually within its event space. After closing in April 2021, it reopened on July 8, 2021 at Shop 25 on the ground floor plus the entire first floor of Huayuan Building at 83-97 Nathan Road, Tsim Sha Tsui. The new premises cover approximately 16,000 square feet and stock over 100,000 titles in Chinese and English alongside cultural merchandise sourced locally and internationally.
Passage
Established in 2014, Passage focuses on selling museum memorabilia and historical literature. Its inaugural outlet was located at the Hong Kong Museum of History, which ceased operations in 2020 due to renovation works. Currently, its other stores continue to function within the Hong Kong Heritage Museum and the Xiqu Centre.
Mainland Business
On April 7, 2018, Commercial Press introduced Benben Bookstore on the third level of Shenzhen Shenye Shangcheng. This store includes specialized sections such as the Art and Beauty Hall, Humanities Hall, and Parent-Child Hall. Its collection emphasizes publications from Hong Kong, Taiwan, international works, as well as comics originating from Japan and Taiwan. By late 2020, Shenzhen Newspaper Group alongside the Shenzhen Book and Periodical Publishing Industry Association honored it as one of Shenzhen’s "40 Most Beautiful Bookstores." After the lease ended in October 2021, the store was rebranded as "United Bookstore Benben Art and Beauty Hall," marking it as Guangzhou United Bookstore's first dedicated branch.
Suspected Price-Fixing Incident
On March 20, 2020, the Competition Commission initiated proceedings against Commercial Press, United Publishing Group, Tianlixing Bookstore, and its general manager. The allegations involved collusion to maintain textbook prices with a uniform discount of only 12% since 2011. The case also cited manipulation through bid-rigging and market segmentation during school textbook tenders. The Commission pursued sanctions under the Competition Ordinance.
See also
External links
Official websites