Sincere to close Central department store after 126 years as lease expires

Hong Kong’s first Chinese-owned department store, Sincere, will close its historic branch in the city’s central business district in December after 126 years of retail history.

The company revealed, however, that it would seek a new location in Central or Sheung Wan.

Sincere announced on Sunday that the flagship store would shut in early December after lease renewal talks with the landlord broke down ahead of the tenancy expiring on December 31.

“As a result, the Central store will cease operations in early December and reinstatement work on the premises will commence thereafter for handover to the landlord,” the company said, without specifying the final date of the branch’s operation.