Italian gourmet chocolate manufacturer Venchi has opened its first Asian airport outlet – its 25th store in China – at Shanghai’s Hongqiao International Airport.
This store is part of Venchi’s rapid Asia-Pacific expansion, with the company having opened 12 stores in China, Japan, Taiwan, and Indonesia last year alone.
This year, Venchi targets to open 29 more stores in Asia-Pacific with Shanghai Qiantan Taikoo Li next. It is also planning to debut in Nanjing, Osaka, Nanjing, Malaysia, Taipei, and Jakarta.
The 82.5sqm Shanghai Airport store features a signature pick-and-mix chocolate wall and a lounge area for domestic and international travellers seeking premium Italian confectionery.
Marco Galimberti, MD at Venchi Asia Pacific, said he believes Asia is the company’s future and now is the perfect time to invest.
“Never let a good crisis go to waste is our motto. We didn’t allow Covid to affect our plans as we know sooner or later the situation will resolve. Instead, we powered on and adapted to the climate we now find ourselves in,” said Galimberti.
“By the end of this year, Apac will be Venchi’s largest market outside of Italy, with the highest number of stores.”
The company said its investments in Hong Kong and the wider Asia-Pacific region stems from its realisation that the current market situation is more stable, and rental rates have become more favourable.
