Shopify in Hong Kong: A Step-by-Step Guide to Getting Started

Hong Kong is known by travelers as a compact, dynamic country where cultural heritage and modernization go hand in hand. While it is an amazing vacation location, Hong Kong is equally brilliant as a hotbed for entrepreneurship, especially in the eCommerce scene. 

For a country that has witnessed astounding changes over the past decades, the introduction of online shopping was quick to become a daily occurrence. Knowing this, Shopify has soon established itself as a go-to eCommerce platform for businesses based in Hong Kong. Are you curious about how this well-known platform and the Hong Kong market intertwined or on the fence about whether to enter this market? Get all the answers in this blog post, where everything about Shopify in Hong Kong will be revealed.

The eCommerce Landscape in Hong Kong

While Hong Kong is undoubtedly a bustling hub for online commerce, the question is still up in the air: is it a wise idea to enter this market as an eCommerce merchant?

We are aware that many entrepreneurs are doubtful of the eCommerce landscape in Hong Kong due to over-saturation, local laws, and logistics. Thus, this chapter will touch on everything you need to know before making a decision.

Is Hong Kong a Viable Market for eCommerce Sellers?

We will give you a short answer: yes, Hong Kong is a viable market for eCommerce sellers. Below is a more thorough analysis via the most recent statistics about this market:

• The eCommerce market is expected to reach a value of US$7,248 million by 2029.
• 89% of smartphone users have researched a product on their devices, while 43% have purchased a product on theirs.
• 70.2% of survey respondents said they prefer to shop online due to its convenience.
• Hong Kong consumers spend 4x on apparel in comparison to their US counterparts.
• The leading niches are electronics, fashion, food, beverages, DIY, hardware, and furniture.
• Influencers, live streaming, and targeted ads are the main components that drive sales and attract leads for online merchants.
• The eCommerce scene in Hong Kong is already adopting artificial intelligence (AI) to its operations to make the shopping experience unique for each customer.

These data and trends surrounding this market are solid proof that Hong Kong stands at the frontline as one of the most fruitful centers for both foreign and local eCommerce brands. All in all, do not let the unassuming market size fool you. Hong Kong is and will be a lucrative market for eCommerce businesses across many industries. That said, you should come prepared if you want to make it to the top, in which an ideal host platform will be of great benefit. As a trusted Shopify partner, we at GemPages will walk you through this platform’s settings for the Hong Kong market next.

Is Shopify a Popular Platform for eCommerce in Hong Kong?

If you are here, chances are you are already familiar with Shopify - a bigwig in the eCommerce industry. With 18 years in the biz, this platform has empowered a multitude of businesses around the world to make a name for themselves locally and globally. Given its reputation, is the Hong Kong market suitable to use Shopify? We will leaf through all Shopify’s integration with Hong Kong-based stores below to give you a definite answer.

Shopify has exclusive pricing plans for the Hong Kong market.

For local Hong Kong brands, the most important factors when looking for an eCommerce host platform are perhaps the language and currency configurations. No matter how intuitive the UI is, it would be a huge hindrance if the store can’t be localized. The good news is: Shopify has got them covered.

From the multiple language selections, multi-currency options, and local payment gateways, to the convenient shipping integrations, and many more, more and more business owners in the city have chosen to go with Shopify as their main platform. To help businesses develop internationally, various marketing automation and scaling support are at the tips of one’s fingers, either via the app’s built-in features or third-party tools. By acknowledging Hong Kong’s unique logistics system due to its geographical location, Shopify makes way for efficient order fulfillment all over the city and the nearby regions (i.e. Mainland China and Southeast Asia).

All these versatile features also apply to foreign business hustlers who are eyeing Hong Kong as a target market. In coupled with the country’s tech-savvy population and wide use of English as a common language, one can find their footing fast by using Shopify as the host platform to grow their brand.

How to Set Up Your Shopify Store in Hong Kong

Setting up a Hong Kong-based store on Shopify is similar to other regions.

Setting up a Shopify store in Hong Kong has the same groundwork as any other country, where exclusive settings are expected to be applied to cater to the target market. Below is a typical process from start to finish to set up a Shopify store for Hong Kong merchants.

Step 1: Sign up for Shopify

Sign up for a Shopify account. Depending on your needs, you can choose one of the plans for $25, $69, $299, or $2,300 per month. If you want to test the waters first, Shopify has a 14-day free trial, as well as a $1 for your first-month deal on the first three plans.

More details about the plans here: Shopify Pricing.

Step 2: Pick a theme for your store

The Shopify Themes Store is full of free and paid themes with a plethora of features that help you get your store up and running in no time. Before purchasing, conduct a thorough assessment of your brand identity, desired look, and functions, as well as an estimated budget to land the most fitting choice. If you want a more hands-on set of features that are customized to a T for your store, opt for a third-party page builder like GemPages. Our 200+ CRO templates are ready at your disposal to give your website a more advanced transformation.

Tip: since a large portion of Hong Kongers use smartphones to shop online, aim for themes that prioritize mobile optimization.

All about Shopify themes: 

Emerging Trends in eCommerce: The Best Shopify Themes to Dominate in 2025

The Best Shopify Themes for SEO Success (2024)

Step 3: Configure the languages and currencies

To assimilate into this country’s lively market, language and currency integrations are not to be overlooked. Be sure to make your store accessible in both Catonese and English - the two most spoken languages among Hong Kong citizens. It is also a good practice to set the default currency to Hong Kong Dollars (HKD) with options to switch between different currencies if you plan to cater to international consumers.

For payment gateways, Shopify provides Hong Kong-based stores with the most common methods like Visa, Mastercard, and American Express, as well as Apple Pay, Google Pay, and Shop Pay.

Tip: make these selections clear and easy for shoppers to notice, preferably to make the switchers sticky or place them in the header/footer.

Step 4: Add your products and set up pricing

Add your products and enter all the required information like product titles, descriptions, images, and prices. While other elements are quite straightforward, pay attention to your pricing strategy, especially when applicable taxes and import/export duties are in play. Shopify makes it easy to create different listings where the prices can vary based on your chosen locations, so you will be able to tailor the product prices while selling in Hong Kong to match the local market trends.

Tip: study your competitors with similar product catalogs and audience lists to set up a pricing strategy to ensure a considerable profit margin.

Step 5: Offer clear shipping information

When it comes to shipping in Hong Kong, you are in luck! The size of this busy city allows merchants to offer same-day or express shipping without high fees, as compared to other large nations like the US or Mainland China. With Shopify, users can connect with local shipping carriers, namely SF Express, Hongkong Post, and GOGOX. The shipping rates, as well as return and refund policies, can be customized, so it is vital to configure this area early on to avoid an insufficient shipping system.

Tip: get a headstart by offering free or discounted shipping at your business’ first introduction to attract the local customer base.

Step 6: Localize your store for Hong Kong consumers

Localization goes beyond language and currency since having a surface-level understanding of the country’s culture is not enough. For instance, while customer reviews are a nice add-on for one’s product page while catering to other markets, they are an inseparable part of every Hong Kong-based online store. The reason for this is due to their major emphasis on product quality, as many have decided not to make a purchase because they do not trust a brand’s sole advertisement. Other details like accurate translation, product preferences, local terminology, and customer support all need to be taken into account while doing business in this country.

Tip: find a reliable business consultant to help you figure all these nuances out at first entry.

Step 7: Market your business

The last step is to market your business. This process includes driving traffic to make sales and acquire a new customer base. As mentioned above, the most effective marketing strategies for this market are targeted ads, influencer endorsement, and the new surge of live streaming. You are not obligated to incorporate all of these approaches to guarantee success, but necessary steps like researching current trends, using SEO tools, and designing targeted marketing campaigns are recommended to be taken.

Tip: focus on individual branding first before chasing the latest trends to obtain customer retention and brand reputation.

Shopify Apps for eCommerce Businesses in Hong Kong

The Shopify Theme Store is home to a plethora of functional apps that elevate the eCommerce experiences for both you and your customers. For businesses in Hong Kong, the 3 apps below are our top picks due to their seamless integration, ease of use, and trustworthy feedback.

langify

Try this highly-rated language app that simplifies your business venture with the Hong Kong market.

Price: $17.50 (Basic), $29.95 (Growth), and $59.95 (Premium) per month. Free plan available.

Hong Kong-based store owners have a brilliant solution for language translation with langify - a crowd’s favorite on the Shopify App Store. With 10 years of experience, langify provides seamless multilingual translation for your local and international audiences. By utilizing manual and automatic translations, you can tweak the settings to match your customer preferences with ease. For the Hong Kong market, both Cantonese and English are available in the pre-set options. The app’s no-coding setup is also a huge plus for merchants to easily expand their business and boost customer satisfaction.

HK Pickup

HK Pickup offers multiple pickup options for customers, with custom rates and fees ready to be set up.

Price: $5 (Starter), $25 (Standard), and $100 (Advanced) per month. Free plan available.

If Hong Kong is on your radar, HK Pickup is a must-have. This app enables sellers to offer more delivery choices for their customers, especially with pickup - a common good retrieving method in Hong Kong. With HK Pickup, you are able to set different rates and a custom list of preferred delivery methods to assure convenience and flexibility for your shoppers. Better yet, HK Pickup has pricing plans on the more affordable side, where you can start using for as low as $5/month.

Omni Loyalty

Omni Loyalty is widely used by online merchants to put up an efficient reward system, which is also available for Hong Kong sellers.

Price: $49 (Basic), $195 (Regular), $325 (Pro), and $650 (Custom) per month.

Customer loyalty is imperative for businesses of all sizes, especially novice brands in a new market. That is why you need Omni Loyalty, a well-rounded app where customer loyalty and retention are enhanced to the fullest. With a 5-star rating, this app has lived up to its reputation with key features namely membership management, numerous rewarding systems, Shopify POS integration, multi-language and -currency options, and more. Omni Loyalty’s diverse set of functions is the reason behind its popularity among businesses across the world, including Hong Kongers. If you are on the hunt for a foolproof loyalty app, Omni Loyalty is the way to go.

3 Successful Shopify Stores in Hong Kong to Inspire You

Linjer

Linjer was founded by two passionate jewelry makers and was soon crowned an ethical and stylish brand among Hong Kong consumers.

Starting our list is Linjer - a Hong Kong-based accessories and jewelry brand. The couple, Jennifer and Roman, created Linjer based on the ethos of sustainability and luxury all at once. The jewelry, watches, and bags are all meticulously made with recycled, long-lasting, and premium materials to ensure the products’ longevity, while still remaining fashionable. This design mindset is reflected in the brand’s website: elegant, clean, and contemporary. Choosing Shopify as its host platform, Linjer has garnered international recognition and a loyal customer base in Hong Kong and beyond.

LANE EIGHT

Modern footwear at reasonable prices can be found on LANE EIGHT’s digital storefront - a Shopify-powered Hong Kong brand.

As seen on Forbes and Business Insider, LANE EIGHT has managed to expand its global reach via a minimal but effective product collection and excellent digital storefront. This Hong Kong brand is all about durable footwear that empowers both the users and the Earth. The use of plant-based and recycled materials sets LANE EIGHT apart from its competitors, while the sleek website offers customers an enjoyable shopping experience. Although founded in Hong Kong, the brand has tailored every element to appeal to international buyers, including multi-currency options and different payment methods. If you are in a similar field, LANE EIGHT would be a hefty contender to watch out for.

Sidefame

A popular fashion and lifestyle brand in the Hong Kong market is Sidefame, whose products are of utmost premium quality.

Sidefame is a one-stop shop for all things premium fashion. On its website, you can find brands like Marimekko, Atsuro Tayama, and the like. All the products are presented in an intuitive layout, alongside a simplified navigation that goes with the spirit of the company. Though Sidefame acts as an outlet, it does not neglect the visual presentation; everything from font choice, color scheme, to product images are all carefully incorporated to cater to style-conscious consumers. If you are keen on this Hong Kong-based store and want to replicate the same aesthetic, sign up for Shopify and browse its collection of modern themes to see the magic happen.

Conclusion

Who knew a well-known eCommerce platform like Shopify and a bustling market like Hong Kong would be a perfect match? We did! The margin for success in the eCommerce scene in Hong Kong is increasingly high, thus, if you want to take advantage of this market, get your hands on Shopify’s all-encompassing set of features and tools to start off on the right foot. As more and more businesses have made the choice to partner up with this platform, avoid getting left behind by beginning to leverage everything Shopify has to offer to jumpstart your eCommerce journey in Hong Kong today!

FAQ about Shopify in Hong Kong