HKTDC’s Seven Lifestyle and Licensing Events Draw Over 95,000 Global Buyers, Reinforcing Hong Kong’s Trade Hub Status

The Hong Kong Trade Development Council (HKTDC) has concluded its seven flagship lifestyle and licensing events, drawing more than 95,000 buyers from 134 countries and regions for sourcing and business negotiations, the organization announced today. The fairs underscore Hong Kong’s continued strength as an international trade hub and its alignment with China’s 15th Five-Year Plan to develop the city as a regional intellectual property trading hub.

The events included the Hong Kong Gifts & Premium Fair, which attracted over 32,000 buyers; Home InStyle with some 20,000 buyers; Fashion InStyle gathering about 12,000 buyers; the Hong Kong International Printing & Packaging Fair and DeLuxe PrintPack Hong Kong, which together saw over 9,600 buyers; and the Hong Kong International Licensing Show (HKILS) with over 21,000 buyers, alongside the Asian Licensing Conference featuring more than 20 international industry leaders.

Non-local buyers primarily came from Chinese Mainland, Taiwan, and Japan, with significant growth from the Philippines, Canada, and Türkiye, reflecting the fairs’ international appeal. Jenny Koo, HKTDC Deputy Executive Director, stated: “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.”

A survey of 1,541 exhibitors and buyers conducted during the Gifts & Premium Fair, Home InStyle, and Fashion InStyle revealed that nearly half (49.0%) expect overall sales to rise in the next one to two years, while 44.6% foresee stable sales. Key challenges include global economic fluctuations (47.8%), geopolitical tensions (37.2%), and protectionist measures (33.7%). Respondents see promising sales prospects in ASEAN countries (69.0%), Taiwan (67.9%), and India (66.7%), with exhibitors actively exploring markets in Europe (34.0%), ASEAN (18.3%), and North America (16.0%).

Product trends indicate strong growth potential for cultural gifts (19.7%), sustainable gifts (18.6%), and tech gifts (18.6%) in the gifts market; designer furniture and houseware (27.3%) and smart home technology (23.0%) in home products; and designer clothing (42.4%) and urban clothing (34.5%) in fashion. The fairs also facilitated cross-sector opportunities. For instance, Semk Holdings International Limited, exhibiting B.Duck co-branded IP products, connected with buyers from Mexico, Canada, Europe, and Southeast Asia. UAE exhibitor Alpha Art reported potential orders of around US$1 million after its debut at the Gifts & Premium Fair.

The Gifts & Premium Fair saw three memoranda of understanding (MOUs) signed, including with the China Council for the Promotion of International Trade Shanxi Provincial Committee and Fujian Sub-Council, as well as the Busan Economic Promotion Agency from Korea, aiming to strengthen trade ties and help enterprises “go global” via Hong Kong’s platform.

Fashion InStyle featured the returning NEXT zone with over 60 new material exhibitors. Textile Library from Hangzhou, after connecting with a Thai exhibitor last year, showcased warp-print fabrics and ice-crack series, drawing strong interest and concrete cooperation intentions. New exhibitor New High Limited connected with about 50 potential buyers, including from Dubai and North Africa, with expected orders totaling about US$100,000. Korean fashion group Kolon Industries FnC and Brazilian e-commerce brand Amaro also identified suppliers and materials for sustainable collections.

Home InStyle introduced innovative materials for homeware, such as biodegradable cutlery from lotus stems by Lotux International Holdings. 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. TFE Holdings Limited showcased a concrete coffee machine and expects around 15 orders worth about US$1 million.

The Printing & Packaging Fair and DeLuxe PrintPack Hong Kong attracted buyers like Hot Packaging LLC from the Middle East, sourcing eco-friendly packaging solutions with expected trial orders of US$35,000 to US$75,000. W.H.Y. Brand Consultancy Limited, participating for the first time, connected with printers and design firms, expecting about US$400,000 in business.

At the Hong Kong International Licensing Show, Postgal Workshop reached an agreement with Malaysia’s M&M Creations Holdings for its “Din Dong” IP, with collaboration estimated over US$200,000. Maura Regan, President and CEO of Licensing International, noted at the Asian Licensing Conference: “The licensing industry is not slowing down. Consumers continue to demand immersive experiences.”

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