French luxury brand Hermes has opened its fifth global maison in Shanghai.

The four level maison on 217 Middle Huaihai Rd in Huangpu District spans 1174 sqm. It features a dedicated floors for apparel, shoes, home and decor, alongside cafe and art gallery.

The Shanghai maison joins four others – in New York, Tokyo, Seoul and Paris.

EVP of sales and distribution Florian Craen said the company is bullish about its prospects for China, where it plans to open three more this year and one or two next year.

Shang Xia, a Chinese luxury brand it is backing, is also scheduled to open a Shanghai store in the coming months, adding to its existing two China and one Paris stores.

Hermes’ China expansion comes at a time when other luxury brands are slowing their expansion on the back of the nation’s weakening luxury market due to gift giving crackdown.

Researcher Bain & Co forecasts luxury sales in China will grow by just two per cent this year, down from the 20 per cent rate of three years ago.

Banking in on the flourishing mobile commerce in the country, Hermes has partnered with Chinese social websites Weibo and WeChat to broaden customer reach.