Chow Sang Sang

Chow Sang Sang is a Hong Kong jewelry group whose principal consumer brand operates jewelry stores across Hong Kong, Macau, Taiwan and Mainland China. The business offers gold and other precious-metal jewelry, diamond jewelry, pearl products and gemstone pieces, while the wider group also includes a precious-metals wholesale operation. Its corporate headquarters are in the Chow Sang Sang Building in Kowloon, Hong Kong; the company is incorporated with limited liability in Bermuda and maintains its registered office at Clarendon House in Hamilton, Bermuda. The group is listed on the Hong Kong Stock Exchange under the stock code 116. The business was established in Guangzhou in 1934 by Chow Fang Pu. The Japanese occupation of Guangzhou during the Second Sino-Japanese War led to a relocation of the business to Macau in 1938. During the 1930s and 1940s, branches operated in Guangzhou, Hong Kong, Macau and Zhanjiang, with management distributed among Chow Fang Pu's six sons. A 1946 testament allowed his descendants to use the 周生生 trademark. This subsequently resulted in two separate Hong Kong jewelry businesses using the same Chinese name: one descended from three sons of Chow Fang Pu's wife and another, the business associated with the present Chow Sang Sang group, re-established in Hong Kong in 1948 by three sons of his concubine. The two businesses are no longer related. Chow Sang Sang became a public company in 1973. Its later growth increasingly centered on Mainland China. The first Mainland store opened in Fuzhou, Fujian, in 1993. In 2006, following regulatory changes that made it easier for wholly foreign-owned enterprises to obtain business permits in the Mainland, the group established Chow Sang Sang (China) Company Limited. That subsidiary is headquartered in Guangzhou's Tianhe District. By 2008, Mainland expansion had become the group's principal development strategy, and the company reported a network of approximately 190 locations across its markets at that time. The retail network described in reference material includes more than 50 stores combined in Hong Kong, Macau and Taiwan, as well as approximately 155 Mainland China stores in 60 cities. The brand's commercial model combines retail presentation, jewelry design and manufacturing capabilities with precious-metals wholesale. Its product range serves everyday jewelry demand as well as gold jewelry and diamond purchases associated with gifting, celebrations and marriage. The group remains a publicly listed Hong Kong jewelry company with a substantial Greater China retail footprint.

Chow Sang Sang traces its origins to a jewelry business established in Guangzhou in 1934 by Chow Fang Pu. The company's early development took place during a period of political and military upheaval in southern China. After Guangzhou fell to Japanese forces during the Second Sino-Japanese War, the business moved to Macau in 1938. During the 1930s and 1940s, related branches operated in Guangzhou, Hong Kong, Macau and Zhanjiang. Management of these operations was divided among Chow Fang Pu's six sons, creating the family structure from which later businesses emerged. Chow Fang Pu's 1946 will granted his descendants the right to use the 周生生 trademark. The provision ultimately produced two distinct Hong Kong jewelry companies using the same Chinese name. One descended from three sons of Chow Fang Pu's wife and is associated with the designation 粤港澳湛周生生. The other, which developed into the present Chow Sang Sang group, was re-established in Hong Kong in 1948 by three sons of his concubine. Although both companies bear the same Chinese name, they are no longer affiliated. The modern group's corporate development accelerated after its Hong Kong listing in 1973. The company combined jewelry retail with activities in design, manufacturing and precious-metals wholesale. Its geographic expansion later moved beyond Hong Kong and the neighboring markets. In 1993, Chow Sang Sang opened its first Mainland China store in Fuzhou, Fujian. Mainland China became increasingly important during the 2000s, and in 2006 the group formed Chow Sang Sang (China) Company Limited after changes in Mainland regulation made it easier for wholly foreign-owned enterprises to secure business permits. The Mainland subsidiary is headquartered in Guangzhou's Tianhe District. By 2008, the group's stated expansion emphasis was Mainland China. At that point, reference material described approximately 190 locations across Hong Kong, Taiwan, Macau and the Mainland, including more than 40 in Hong Kong. The network later described in the same material comprised more than 50 stores across Hong Kong, Macau and Taiwan, plus approximately 155 stores in 60 Mainland Chinese cities. The retail business sells gold, platinum, diamond, pearl and other gemstone jewelry, while the group also operates a precious-metals wholesale business. The company's corporate headquarters are located in the Chow Sang Sang Building in Kowloon, Hong Kong. Its registered office is in Clarendon House, Hamilton, Bermuda, reflecting the group's Bermuda incorporation. Chow Sang Sang is listed on the Hong Kong Stock Exchange as stock code 116. In 2013, the Shanghai Municipal Development and Reform Commission's antitrust bureau investigated Chow Sang Sang and other gold retailers over concerns related to possible price manipulation. The available reference does not state the final outcome of that inquiry.

1. 2013Shanghai antitrust investigation

   Shanghai's antitrust bureau investigated Chow Sang Sang and other gold retailers over concerns about possible gold-price manipulation.

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2. 2006Mainland China subsidiary established

   Chow Sang Sang established Chow Sang Sang (China) Company Limited as its Mainland China division.

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3. 1993First Mainland China store

   The company opened its first Mainland China store in Fuzhou, Fujian.

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4. 1973Hong Kong listing

   Chow Sang Sang became a publicly listed company on the Hong Kong Stock Exchange.

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5. 1948Hong Kong business re-established

   The branch descended from three of Chow Fang Pu's concubine's sons was re-established in Hong Kong and developed into the present Chow Sang Sang group.

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6. 1946Trademark rights addressed in founder's will

   Chow Fang Pu's will entitled his descendants to use the 周生生 trademark, a decision that later contributed to the existence of two unrelated businesses bearing the name.

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7. 1938Operations relocated to Macau

   Following the Japanese occupation of Guangzhou during the Second Sino-Japanese War, the business moved to Macau.

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8. 1934Business established in Guangzhou

   Chow Fang Pu established the jewelry business in Guangzhou, forming the origin of the present Chow Sang Sang group.

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A heritage Hong Kong jewelry retailer combining precious-metal expertise, jewelry design and manufacturing with a broad Greater China store network.

• Gold jewelryPrecious-metal jewelry

  Gold jewelry is a core part of Chow Sang Sang's retail assortment. The category includes traditional and contemporary pieces designed for personal wear, gifting and ceremonial occasions. Gold products are sold through the group's Greater China store network and sit alongside its diamond, pearl, platinum and gemstone offerings.

• Diamond jewelryDiamond jewelry

  The diamond assortment includes jewelry such as rings and other settings incorporating diamonds. It supports both everyday fine-jewelry purchases and occasion-led demand, including engagement, wedding and anniversary buying. The reference material identifies diamond jewelry as one of the group's principal product categories.

• Platinum jewelryPrecious-metal jewelry

  Platinum jewelry forms part of the brand's precious-metal range. It complements gold and diamond products and allows the retailer to serve customers seeking alternative metal finishes for rings, wedding jewelry and other fine-jewelry pieces.

• Pearl jewelryPearl jewelry

  Pearl jewelry is among Chow Sang Sang's named product categories. The range extends the brand beyond precious metals and diamonds into classic fine-jewelry designs suitable for formal wear, gifting and personal accessories.

• Gemstone jewelryGemstone jewelry

  The group also sells jewelry featuring gemstones other than diamonds. These products broaden the assortment with colored-stone and other gem-based designs, complementing the company's gold, platinum, diamond and pearl lines.

• Precious-metals wholesaleWholesale

  In addition to its consumer-facing jewelry stores, the group includes a precious-metals wholesale business. This activity gives Chow Sang Sang a business-to-business component alongside its retail, design and manufacturing operations.

• 2006Creation of a dedicated Mainland China divisionStrategy

  Regulatory changes made it easier for wholly foreign-owned enterprises to obtain business permits in Mainland China, supporting a more formalized expansion structure.

  What changed. Chow Sang Sang established Chow Sang Sang (China) Company Limited and continued developing its Mainland retail presence.

  Aftermath. Mainland China became the group's principal expansion focus by 2008, with stores operating across numerous cities.

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• 2013Shanghai gold-price investigationControversy

  In May 2013, Shanghai's antitrust bureau investigated Chow Sang Sang, Chow Tai Fook, an industry association and 11 other gold retailers over concerns about possible price manipulation in the Shanghai gold market. The available reference does not provide a final finding or penalty.

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1. Chow Sang Sang
2. Chow Sang Sang official website