A Guide to the History of Lane Crawford in Hong Kong: Ellermann Florist Looks Back
Founding and Early Years (1850–1900)
Lane Crawford, one of Hong Kong’s most iconic luxury retailers, was founded in August 1850 by two Scotsmen, Thomas Ash Lane and Ninian Crawford. The business began humbly in a makeshift bamboo structure, known as a matshed, on the waterfront at what is now Des Voeux Road. Initially, the store focused on provisioning ships, supplying essentials like hardtack biscuits for long sea voyages to British Navy personnel, visiting crews, and local residents. The company earned a reputation as the “place to buy anything from a pin to an anchor,” offering services such as tailoring, outfitting, provisions, wine and spirits, and even auctioneering.
In the 1850s, Lane Crawford capitalized on a local crisis when bread from a Chinese bakery was found to be laced with arsenic, nearly poisoning Hong Kong’s expatriate community. Seizing the opportunity, Lane and Crawford established their own bakery, supplying safe, high-quality bread and expanding into a profitable side business of transport via ships. By the late 19th century, the company had grown significantly, occupying multiple retail sites along Des Voeux Road and Queen’s Road Central. In 1905, Lane Crawford opened a six-story flagship store opposite Alexandra House, designed by architects Leigh and Orange, boasting 19,000 square feet of trading space. This store became a hub for diverse offerings, from ship chandlery to groceries, tailoring, and furnishings, cementing its status as a cornerstone of Hong Kong’s retail scene.
Expansion and Challenges (1900–1945)
In the early 20th century, Lane Crawford expanded beyond Hong Kong, opening stores in Guangzhou and Shanghai in China, as well as Kobe and Tokyo in Japan. The company diversified its services, adding a bakery, restaurant, and bar, and became known for its ladies’ and men’s tailoring departments, which were hailed as Hong Kong’s “fashion center.” The store at 4 Ice House Street, completed after seven years of construction, featured three floors of showrooms and accommodations for European staff, strategically positioned to attract Star Ferry passengers from Kowloon. Lane Crawford also served as a contractor to the British Crown, supplying “medical comforts” like brandy, wine, and champagne to the Government Civil Hospital.
However, the Japanese Occupation of Hong Kong (1941–1945) brought significant challenges. Japanese authorities seized Lane Crawford’s properties and assets, transferring operations to the Japanese department store chain Matsuzakaya. Most merchandise was consumed or removed, and nearly all records were destroyed. Many employees, including General Manager A.W. Brown, were interned at Stanley Camp, where Brown risked his life to aid fellow prisoners, later earning him the Order of the British Empire (OBE). When Japan surrendered in 1945, Brown reclaimed the store, only to find it stripped bare, forcing Lane Crawford to rebuild from scratch.
Post-War Recovery and Transformation (1945–2000)
After World War II, Lane Crawford shifted its focus from foodstuffs to luxury goods, expanding its import-export division to include cosmetics, pearls, and jewelry. By 1975, jewelry accounted for 42% of sales, reflecting the company’s pivot toward high-end retail. This period marked Lane Crawford’s transformation into a luxury department store, catering to Hong Kong’s growing affluent population. The company’s slogan, “Anything from a collar stud to an anchor, and the very best quality too,” remained a hallmark of its commitment to quality and variety.
Modern Era and Global Recognition (2000–Present)
In the 21st century, Lane Crawford solidified its position as a leading luxury retailer in Asia. In 2004, the company opened a revamped flagship store at the International Finance Centre (IFC) Mall in Central, Hong Kong, spanning 82,000 square feet and housing the largest portfolio of international brands in Asia. In 2007, Lane Crawford expanded its presence with a furniture and lifestyle-focused store at Pacific Place Mall and re-entered the Beijing market with a HK$300 million investment in a store at Seasons Place Mall, featuring over 600 brands, 50% of which were exclusive to Beijing. The company also launched its digital flagship in 2011, becoming China’s first omni-channel luxury fashion retailer, offering global shipping and services like concierge and personal styling.
Lane Crawford’s innovative approach to retail earned it numerous accolades, including the Association for Retail Environment’s Store of the Year for its Beijing Seasons Place store (2009), the WGSN Global Fashion Awards for Outstanding Visual Merchandising (2010), Racie’s Gold Award for International Campaign (2011), and Super Retailer of the Year in the Hong Kong Retail Industry Trade Awards (2015). The company also embraced art and design, hosting exhibitions like “HUNDRED,” a curation of 100 chairs showcasing over a century of furniture design innovation.
Today, Lane Crawford operates four stores in Hong Kong (IFC Mall, Canton Road, Times Square, and Pacific Place) and has a presence in Beijing, Shanghai, and Chengdu. With over 1,000 international brands across womenswear, menswear, shoes, accessories, cosmetics, fine jewelry, and home and lifestyle products, it remains a beacon of luxury retail. Despite occasional criticisms of customer service or pricing, Lane Crawford is celebrated for its curated collections, visually captivating stores, and exceptional services like concierge and same-day delivery in Hong Kong and Beijing.
Legacy
From its humble beginnings in a bamboo matshed to its status as a global luxury retail icon, Lane Crawford’s 175-year history reflects Hong Kong’s evolution as a commercial hub. Its ability to adapt—through wars, economic shifts, and changing consumer tastes—has kept it at the forefront of the luxury retail industry, blending fashion, art, and design into a unique shopping experience.
