Wing On

Wing On Department Stores (Hong Kong) Limited

Company type	Subsidiary
Industry	Retail (department stores)
Founded	1907 in Hong Kong
Founder	James Gock Lock, Philip Gock Chin, William Gock Son
Headquarters	Sheung Wan , Hong Kong
Area served	Hong Kong
Key people	Karl Kwok Chi Leung (owner)
Products	Department store goods
Parent	Wing On Company International Limited

Wing On Department Stores (Hong Kong) Limited (), widely recognized as Wing On, is a department store enterprise based in Hong Kong and functions as a subsidiary of Wing On Company International Limited. Its corporate headquarters are situated in Sheung Wan.

In its historical context, Wing On's Shanghai branch was counted among the "four great companies" prior to its nationalisation in 1966.

History

The Wing On enterprise began in 1897 when brothers James Gock Lock (Kwok Lok) (郭樂) and Philip Gock Chin (Kwok Chuen) (郭泉) initiated a fruit retail business in Australia, specializing in importing Chinese products such as nuts, tea, and rice. Their initial "Wing On Building," located at 37 Ultimo Road within Sydney's Chinatown, has since been converted into a hotel.

By 1907, James, Philip, and their sibling William Gock Son (Kwok Sun) returned to Hong Kong with their accumulated capital to found Wing On Company, marking it as the city's second department store owned by Chinese entrepreneurs. The company expanded its footprint to Shanghai in 1918. Additionally, the Kwok family established Wing On Bank.

Stores in Hong Kong

After the 2015 shutdown of the Taikoo Shing Store, Wing On currently manages four retail outlets across Hong Kong, collectively offering about of sales floor area:

• Main Store: , 211 Des Voeux Road Central, Sheung Wan
• Wing on Plus (Nathan Road): Wing on Manulife Provident Funds Place, 345 Nathan Road, Jordan-Yau Ma Tei
• Wing on Plus (Tsim Sha Tsui East): Wing on Plaza, 62 Mody Road, Tsim Sha Tsui East
• Discovery Bay Store: Shop 114, Block C, Discovery Bay Plaza, Discovery Bay, Lantau Island

The Wing On Centre was notably featured during the climax of Jackie Chan’s 1985 film Police Story.

Former branch

• Taikoo Shing Store: Located at Cityplaza, Units 074 and 144, 18 Taikoo Shing Road, Taikoo Shing. This branch was closed in August 2015 by Wing On Company International Limited ahead of lease termination. The premises were later occupied by Eslite Store.

Wing On in Shanghai

In 1918, the Kwok brothers along with their cousin George Kwok Bew established a Shanghai branch on Nanking (Nanjing) Road. Before this venture, the Kwoks had been involved with George’s produce business, Wing Sang & Co., based in Sydney.

As the second member among the "Four Great Companies," Wing On introduced contemporary department store concepts inspired by Australian models brought by Cantonese emigrants. These enterprises—Wing On, Sincere, The Sun, and another—emerged as major commercial centers within Shanghai. Notably, three of these were founded by former partners from Wing Sang & Co.

The store operated from two significant buildings: the original site opposite the Sincere Department Store and an additional structure built in the 1930s that stood among Shanghai’s earliest modern high-rises. Following the Communist revolution, partial nationalisation occurred in 1956 with full state control in 1966; the store was renamed "East is Red Department Store," ending its connection with the Hong Kong company. The newer building housed the "Overseas Chinese Store," which uniquely served foreign exchange certificate holders seeking imported merchandise.

In 2005, the initial 1918 building reclaimed its Chinese name , managed by Yongan Department Store Co Ltd—a distinct state-owned entity that does not employ the English "Wing On" brand. While the exterior was restored to reflect its historical Wing On appearance, interior spaces underwent substantial modernization. Presently, this location caters primarily to domestic shoppers focusing on local apparel brands along with a more limited assortment of watches and accessories.

Wing On Company International Limited

Founded in December 1991, Wing On Company International Limited () serves as the parent corporation of Wing On Department Stores (Hong Kong) Limited and is incorporated in Bermuda as a limited liability entity.

Key stakeholders encompass Kee Wai Investment Company (BVI) Limited, Wing On Corporate Management (BVI) Limited, along with Wing On International Holdings Limited.

The ultimate holding entity of the publicly listed company is Wing On International Holdings Limited, which is under the ownership of Karl Kwok Chi Leung (郭志樑) and the Kwok family.

History

On March 14, 2014, the Hong Kong Branch Share Registrar and Transfer Office of Wing On Company International Limited was shifted to Level 22 within the Hopewell Centre.

Subsidiaries

• Kee Wai Investment Company (BVI) Limited
  • Wing On Corporate Management (BVI) Limited
    • Wing On International Holdings Limited
      • Wing On Holdings (BVI) Limited
        • The Wing On (Holdings) Limited
          • The Wing On Properties and Securities Company Limited (WOPS) (永安地產證券有限公司): Founded on January 30, 1973.
            • Well Started Limited
            • Wocom Holdings Limited (宏高集團有限公司) (WOCOM): Became part of Wing On Group in 1986.
              • Wocom Securities Limited (宏高證券有限公司)
              • Wocom Limited (宏高有限公司)
              • Wocom Foreign Exchange Co. Limited (宏高金融有限公司)
              • Wocom Investment Management Limited (宏高投貨管理有限公司)
• Wing On Department Stores (Hong Kong) Limited (WODS) (永安百貨有限公司): A wholly owned subsidiary.
• Wing On Company Limited (WOCO) (永安有限公司): Fully owned subsidiary.

See also

• Wing On Bank
• Wing On House
• Wing On Street
• Shanghainese people in Hong Kong

References

• 趣談今昔香港 ()

External links

• Wing On Company International Limited: Traditional Chinese, Simplified Chinese, English
• Wing On NETshop