Hermès is relaunching its flagship Singapore store in a bet on growth in Southeast Asia at a time when its rival regional centre Hong Kong is beset by anti-mainland Chinese sentiment that has eroded its status as a luxury shopping hub.

The relaunch this week follows moves by other luxury retailers signalling confidence in the growth of tourism in Singapore; Patek Philippe refurbished its Singapore store last month, reopening as the brand?s biggest outlet in Southeast Asia, while Moncler opened its first boutique in the city last year.
The Hermès store on Orchard Road, the city-state?s prime shopping district, has been expanded to 670 square metres over four storeys ? putting it on par with the family-owned group?s store on London?s Bond Street ? in a revamp that Axel Dumas, chief executive, said was an ?expression of our commitment to Singapore, the region, and our faithful clientele?. Mr Dumas, who is attending the relaunch of the store this week, described Singapore in a statement as ?one of the world?s greatest trading centres, perfectly placed between east and west?.
Hong Kong has suffered a slump in mainland Chinese tourists accompanied by a decline in their retail spending, which fell 8 per cent last year.
The decline has affected businesses including Richemont, Burberry and luxury jeweller Chow Tai Fook, which said this year it expected to close up to six stores in Hong Kong.
In a trading update last month, Hermès blamed a ?difficult context? in Hong Kong and Mac...