Photo of the day No. 49 - Chow Tai Fook Hong Kong
Chow Tai Fook contemporary jewellery since 1929
Me Jamie, your host, I am English and I have lived in Hong Kong for 53 years - I know the place.
I have personally completed 2,340+ Private Tours and Experiences (over 6,000+ guests) since April 2011 and I am considered one of the finest Private Tour Guides in Asia.
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Photo of the day No. 49 - Chow Tai Fook Hong Kong
Chow Tai Fook contemporary jewellery since 1929
Chow Tai Fook, High End Jewellery Retailer, all Districts, Hong Kong | Sometimes it feels like they are on every street corner in every district in Hong Kong
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My first job in Hong Kong was with a Jewellery Company
In the late 1970’s i had a thing for jewellery and my first job was that of a sales assistant for a company called Continental Jewellery who had an outlet in the Holiday Inn Golden Mile Hotel, which is literally over the road from this branch of Chow Tai Fook on Nathan Road.
I have always had a thing for shiny gold, glittering diamonds and fancy swiss watches!
Working for Continental Jewellery was at first a dream come true, primarily they where a wholesaler and exporter of fine jewellery but the shop in the Holiday Inn Golden Mile right next to the entrance to the Hotel Lobby was a master stroke, my role was simply to deal with Non Chinese clients.
It was pretty boring work with only a couple of clients a day, I was not allowed to move around I had to sit in my seat wearing a suit and smile benignly! I however learn a lot about the jewellery trade and decided that working in a shop was not a long term career plan.
I am still a fan of jewellery and I have always had a soft spot for Chow Tai Fook, who sell really expensive bling.
They have about 15 large stores on Nathan Road in Kowloon (Hong Kong) alone and when you walk past them they always seem to be packed with Mainland Chinese Tourists.
The image below was taken a while ago, this statue was on display at the entrance to the shop in the above picture which is in I Square on Nathan Road, it has I believe been relocated to the 2nd floor of the shop that specialises in Disney jewellery or it could have been melted down given its current value.
Pure 24k Gold Mickey Mouse 23.2lbs (10.53kg) or 371oz of gold US$1,231,720+ | Chow Tai Fook, Jewellery Retailer, all Districts, Hong Kong
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Chow Tai Fook Jewellery Hong Kong
details of how many shops worldwide and an overview of their business
Number of Shops Worldwide
As of the end of the financial year 2024, Chow Tai Fook Jewellery Group operates a total of 7,782 jewelry stores worldwide. The vast majority, 7,640 stores, are located in mainland China, with the remaining stores distributed across Hong Kong, Macau, Taiwan, Malaysia, Singapore, Japan, South Korea, and the United States.
Business Overview
Chow Tai Fook Jewellery Group Limited, founded in 1929 in Guangzhou, China, by Chow Chi-Yuen, is one of the world’s largest jewelry companies, it has a maret capitalisation of US$15 billion as of June 2025 and a workforce exceeding 34,000. Headquartered in Hong Kong, the company is a subsidiary of Chow Tai Fook (Holding) Limited and has been listed on the Main Board of The Stock Exchange of Hong Kong since December 2011 (SEHK: 1929).
Core Business
Chow Tai Fook operates a vertically integrated business model, encompassing raw material procurement, design, production, marketing, and sales through its extensive retail network. The company specializes in:
Mass luxury and high-end luxury jewelry: Including gem-set jewelry, platinum, k-gold, and gold products.
Watches: Distribution of various watch brands.
Gold products: Notably, the company introduced 99.99% pure gold products in 1972, setting an industry standard in Hong Kong.
Its brand portfolio includes the flagship CHOW TAI FOOK brand, alongside other brands such as HEARTS ON FIRE (acquired in 2014 to expand into the U.S. luxury market), ENZO, MONOLOGUE, and SOINLOVE. The company emphasizes blending contemporary designs with traditional craftsmanship, creating jewelry that resonates with customers’ stories and cultural heritage.
Retail and Market Presence
Chow Tai Fook has a significant presence in the Chinese-speaking world and beyond, with over 6,800 retail outlets in mainland China alone as of 2018, and additional stores in Hong Kong, Macau, Taiwan, Malaysia, Singapore, Japan, South Korea, and the U.S. The company has focused on expanding into lower-tier cities in mainland China to tap into growing demand for gold and diamonds among younger consumers. By financial year 2024, mainland China accounted for nearly 90% of the company’s total revenue.
The company operates both physical retail stores and online platforms, employing an online-to-offline strategy to enhance customer reach. Notable retail initiatives include:
A new concept store opened in Hong Kong in September 2024 at 42-46 Queen’s Road, Central, designed to showcase Chinese culture and craftsmanship with a modern, gallery-like aesthetic.
A planned five-story flagship store in Shanghai, set to open in 2025.Stores in high-profile locations such as Hong Kong International Airport, Disneyland Resort, and various shopping centers in Hong Kong.
Key Milestones and Innovations
1930s-1950s: Expanded from Guangzhou to Macau (1938) and Hong Kong (1939), establishing a flagship store on Queen’s Road Central. The 1950s saw further expansion in Hong Kong with stores in Kowloon and Causeway Bay.
1972: Introduced 99.99% pure gold products, a significant innovation in the jewelry industry.1990: Pioneered the “Fixed Price” policy, eliminating haggling and promoting transparent pricing, which transformed Hong Kong’s luxury goods market.1998: Re-entered mainland China with a store in Beijing, expanding to 1,000 stores by 2010.
2011: Listed on the Hong Kong Stock Exchange, enhancing its global financial presence.2014: Acquired Hearts On Fire to strengthen its luxury brand portfolio.2024: Launched a multi-year brand transformation, focusing on modernizing retail experiences and emphasizing Chinese heritage.
Financial and Market Position
Chow Tai Fook is the world’s second-largest jeweler by market capitalization as of 2016, with a strong presence in the luxury jewelry market in China. Its revenue is driven primarily by mainland China, with a focus on both affluent top-tier cities and emerging lower-tier cities. The company’s financial performance includes:
Annual revenue and gross profit: Detailed figures from 2014 to 2024 are available but not specified here due to lack of exact data in the provided references.
Market share: A significant player in China’s luxury jewelry market, competing with brands like Lukfook, which has approximately 3,320 points of sale worldwide.
Corporate Structure and Ownership
Chow Tai Fook Jewellery Group is part of the larger Chow Tai Fook conglomerate, which includes holdings in jewelry, property development (via New World Development), hotels, and other sectors. Chow Tai Fook Capital Limited holds approximately 72.48% of the company’s shares, with the public float at about 27.52% as of March 31, 2024. The conglomerate is led by billionaire Henry Cheng Kar-shun, son of Cheng Yu-Tung, who took over the business in 1956.
Sustainability and Customer Focus
The company emphasizes sustainability through responsible sourcing, environmental stewardship, and employee empowerment. It is committed to delivering long-term value to stakeholders and fostering customer trust through quality assurance and innovative retail experiences, such as the CTF Club for exclusive customer benefits.
Competitive Landscape
Chow Tai Fook competes with other major jewelers like Lukfook, which focuses on similar products and has a strong presence in Hong Kong and globally. However, Chow Tai Fook’s extensive retail network, brand portfolio, and focus on mainland China give it a competitive edge.
Summary
Chow Tai Fook Jewellery Group is a leading global jeweler with 7,782 stores worldwide, predominantly in mainland China (7,640 stores). Founded in 1929, it has grown from a single goldsmith shop into a diversified, vertically integrated jewelry empire, offering high-purity gold, gem-set jewelry, and luxury watches under multiple brands. Its innovations, such as the fixed price policy and 99.99% pure gold, have set industry standards, while its focus on mainland China’s growing market and modern retail experiences ensures continued growth
Chow Tai Fook, High End Jewellery Retailer, all Districts, Hong Kong | for well over a decade all their shops everywhere are packed with Mainland Chinese Tourists!
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My insider tip
Please note that in general if you book a tour on Viator or Tripadvisor you generally have NO control over what guide will lead your Private Tour of Hong Kong and this is the most important component of the tour. I urge you to check the actual company website and book via their website and do not forget to read Tripadvisor reviews as well.
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