The Hong Kong Trade Development Council (HKTDC) successfully concluded seven flagship lifestyle and licensing events, attracting over 95,000 buyers from 134 countries and regions for sourcing and business negotiations. The concurrent fairs, including the Hong Kong Gifts & Premium Fair, Home InStyle, Fashion InStyle, Hong Kong International Printing & Packaging Fair, DeLuxe PrintPack Hong Kong, Hong Kong International Licensing Show (HKILS), and the Asian Licensing Conference (ALC), underscored Hong Kong's strength in cross-sector trade and intellectual property.
The events come at a time of global economic uncertainty, with nearly half of survey respondents (49%) expecting sales growth in the next one to two years, while 44.6% foresee stability. The greatest operational challenges identified include fluctuations in the global economy (47.8%), geopolitical tensions and supply chain chaos (37.2%), and growing protectionist measures (33.7%). Despite these headwinds, the fairs demonstrated strong international appeal, with non-local buyers primarily from Chinese Mainland, Taiwan, and Japan, and significant growth from the Philippines, Canada, and Türkiye.
Jenny Koo, HKTDC Deputy Executive Director, emphasized the strategic importance of the events: “In alignment with the national 15th Five-Year Plan, Hong Kong will continue to actively develop its role as a regional intellectual property trading hub, further enhancing its international competitiveness in the cultural and creative industries and IP transactions.” She added that the events showcased Hong Kong's distinctive strengths in lifestyle, design, and brand development, connecting exhibitors with international buyers.
The survey of 1,541 exhibitors and buyers revealed promising sales prospects in ASEAN countries (69%), Taiwan (67.9%), India (66.7%), Korea (65.2%), and Chinese Mainland (63.0%). Exhibitors are actively exploring Europe (34%), ASEAN (18.3%), North America (16%), the Middle East (13.6%), and Australia (12.8%). Product trends indicate strong growth potential for cultural gifts (19.7%), sustainable gifts (18.6%), and tech gifts (18.6%) in the gifts and premiums market; designer furniture (27.3%) and smart home technology (23%) in home products; and designer clothing (42.4%) in fashion.
Cross-sector opportunities were evident, with exhibitors like Semk Holdings International Limited, a character IP licensing firm, connecting with buyers from Mexico, Canada, Europe, and Southeast Asia. The UAE made its debut at the Gifts & Premium Fair, with Dubai exhibitor Alpha Art anticipating potential orders totaling around US$1 million. The fair also facilitated three memoranda of understanding (MOUs) with the China Council for the Promotion of International Trade Shanxi Provincial Committee, Fujian Sub-Council, and the Busan Economic Promotion Agency, deepening trade ties.
Innovative materials were a highlight at Fashion InStyle, where Textile Library from Hangzhou showcased self-developed epoch-poly fabrics, drawing strong interest and yielding concrete cooperation intentions. New High Limited, a local swimwear and sportswear exhibitor, connected with 50 potential buyers, including from Dubai and North Africa, with expected total orders of about US$100,000. Brazilian fashion brand Amaro established cooperation with exhibitors from India and Chinese Mainland, with an initial order of approximately US$100,000.
Home InStyle introduced innovative materials for homeware, with Lotux International Holdings presenting biodegradable cutlery and deodorizing cat litter made from lotus stems. The fair also featured gerontechnology, with allcareAI Limited debuting an infection-prevention mobile toilet and receiving over 20 enquiries from care homes and potential partners globally.
The licensing show and conference highlighted the industry's global reach. Postgal Workshop reached an agreement with Malaysia's M&M Creations Holdings for its IP “Din Dong,” worth over US$200,000. Maura Regan, President and CEO of Licensing International, stated, “We remain convinced that we'll see significant growth across property types. Overall, the licensing industry is not slowing down.”
These events reinforce Hong Kong's status as an international trade hub, offering global buyers a platform to capture market trends and unlock business opportunities amid a shifting economic landscape.
