Editor’s Note
This article examines the Emperor Group’s strategic focus on prime retail locations for its core watch and jewelry business, a key factor in its expansion into finance and real estate.
Financial services and real estate are the two most profitable business segments for the group. Between the two, real estate has a longer payback period, while finance provides relatively substantial cash flow.
For example, the group is planning to establish an Emperor Venture Capital Fund to invest in innovative young enterprises with groundbreaking businesses and technologies. This can both strengthen the group’s existing pillar businesses and align with the government’s mainstream policy of strongly supporting startups, aiming to cultivate tech talent and provide sufficient development space for local entrepreneurship and innovation.
Regarding changes in the number of mainland tourists shopping in Hong Kong, this is influenced by external environmental factors and represents a major market trend, a challenge faced by the entire industry. High shop rents in Hong Kong have also affected the operations of many jewelry retailers.
In response to evolving market demands, Emperor Watch & Jewelry is actively developing its e-commerce platform to allow customers to shop for their favorite jewelry products anytime, anywhere, breaking the boundaries of traditional jewelry purchasing methods. Jewelry products sold online primarily feature youthful and lightweight designs at relatively affordable prices. While developing the e-commerce platform, the group will continue to operate physical stores, as high-end, luxurious jewelry still needs to be displayed in physical shops for customers to appreciate in person, making physical stores necessary.
Subsequently, HSBC took over Good World. To cover the over HK$300 million debt, more than a dozen property projects under Good World’s name were all handed over. Emperor Watch & Jewelry’s inventory was also appraised lot by lot by HSBC-appointed personnel and sold off at low prices. The mansion he lived in and all his credit cards were surrendered. Even the daily-use Rolls-Royce had to be returned.
This crisis severely damaged his dignity.
Afterwards, he resolutely went alone to the Middle East to enter the local financial industry and repaid all debts within two years.
If the other party is a gentleman, that’s certainly good; their actions will be trustworthy, serving as a favorable wind aiding one’s career. Even if the other party is notoriously wicked, there’s no need to keep them at arm’s length; just be aware in your heart. Even if you see someone universally praised as a sage like Confucius or Mencius, if your destinies clash and they do something wrong to you, even if it’s the only such act in their life, they are not a friend. If the other party is a heinous villain who has committed murder and arson all their life but treats you with kindness and respect, even if this is the only good deed they have ever done, they are a friend.
Therefore, making friends isn’t differentiated by whether they are artists or not; he treats everyone equally, without distinction of status.
He is very grateful to the many close friends who extended a helping hand when he was down and out, completely unlike the many in Central’s business circles who “change face when one becomes poor.” When he made a comeback, he rebuilt his network, consisting entirely of warm-hearted seniors and friends who all supported and mentored him.
His personal focus has always been locked on elderly end-of-life care (Editor’s note: i.e., hospice care). Because when people reach the end of their lives, they have no tomorrow and cannot repay their helpers or society. Coupled with traditional Chinese taboos, this group receives relatively less attention.
For example, providing funds to assist the government in building more elderly welfare homes to care for their physical needs; sponsoring projects by Borderless Social Workers in Hubei to deploy professional social workers to comfort the elderly mentally; in Hong Kong, frequently encouraging colleagues to participate in elderly visitation activities to interact with and show care for the elderly.
This is a traditional Chinese value; when helping others, one also empathizes, helping others helps oneself. Now they all spontaneously and actively participate in charitable activities. For instance, the eldest daughter has been sponsoring many volunteer groups related to women’s and children’s rights; the second daughter enjoys combining charity with group activities, initiating charity sales with colleagues; the youngest son is particularly concerned with youth affairs, joining many mainland and Hong Kong youth groups to serve voluntarily.
He has also stipulated in his will that a portion of his estate will be entirely used for charitable purposes, hoping the spirit of finding joy in doing good can be carried forward, striving to use what he possesses to help disadvantaged communities and contribute to society.
