Good guanxi: Invest HK's Associate Director-General of Investment Promotion Simon Galpin and French Connection's Chief Operating Officer Neil Williams attend the opening of the group's  first flagship store in Hong Kong.

French Connection, a UK-based fashion retailer, opened its first flagship store in Hong Kong today.

The new 310-square-metre store is a joint venture between French Connection Group and Hong Kong-based I.T Ltd.

Invest HK's Associate Director-General of Investment Promotion Simon Galpin welcomed the new retailer and wished it every success.

"This investment reinforces Hong Kong's reputation as Asia's leading fashion centre and style capital. Consumers in Hong Kong are very fashion-conscious and always appreciate new products and ideas," he said.

"Hong Kong is a great place for retailers to build brand awareness. With increasing tourist flows from the Mainland, local stores can showcase their products to this particular customer group. This will make it easier for them to enter the China market."

French Connection Group's Chairman and CEO Stephen Marks said it plans to open three to four additional stores in Hong Kong within the next two years, and is working through its joint-venture partner to explore opportunities in the Mainland.

French Connection Group plc is an international fashion retailer and wholesaler operating in the UK, Europe, North America, the Middle East, Asia and Australia. It sells through 150 wholly-owned retail outlets, franchised and licensed stores as well as more than 1,000 department stores and independent retailers.