Bauhaus closes shops to cut losses

Local apparel retailer Bauhaus International (0483) has revealed an intention to close all its retail stores outside Hong Kong and Macau by the end of March.

The group's loss outside Hong Kong and Macau expanded more than 13 times to HK$78.4 million in 2019 over 2018 before it narrowed to HK$68.6 million this year.

Most of the Bauhau offline retailing operations beyond Hong Kong and Macau are in the mainland and Taiwan.

It suffered an annual loss of HK$142.8 million this year compared with a profit of HK$2.76 million in 2019.

The company will negotiate with landlords of the 14 stores its intends to shut down, and the precise timing of each closure will depend on how the talks go.

About 50 employees will be laid off as a result of the closing program.

The retailer is still looking at the possibilities of accessing the non-Hong Kong and Macau markets through centrally-managed online operations run from its Hong Kong headquarters.

Bauhaus says more realistic economies of scope will result from the closures, which are also seen to be in the best interests of the company and its shareholders.