UPDATE: Dolce & Gabbana apologises over photography ban

In a statement issued at midnight on January 18, the brand says it understands the incidents in which Hong Kongers were prevented from taking photographs of its window displays had been offensive to locals in Hong Kong. Dolce and Gabbana also expressed that it respected individual rights and local legislation.

Netizens are happy with the successful, if delayed, result. However some online commentators have suggested the brand’s apology lacked sincerity, as it did not explain how the incidents happened or how it could be remedied.

Responses from this story in Campaign on 11 January pointed out that the protests were not so much about intellectual property (as Dolce & Gabbana had originally explained its photography ban) as they were about anti-mainland feelings, evident from some of the banners held by protesters.

"You really think people in HK care this much about taking a photo outside D&G, or you think it is a repeat of the shameful "cockroaches" sentiment from 2011?" one commenter asked.

"This incident was more about mainland shoppers, or high profile mainland shoppers for that matter, given different rights than Hong Kongers. (It's about) arrogant and pampered shop owners and security that think they own the streets we walk on, and (the) preferential treatment major retailers give to mainlanders over locals," another said.

Alex Tsang, a marketing lecturer from Hong Kong Baptist University told local media that the incident would affect the reputation and image of the Dolce & Gabbana brand, and that he had expected an apology much earlier.

Most of Hong Kong’s retail businesses recorded double-digit growth in November. The sales volume of consumer durable goods gained by 149.1 per cent in all categories, followed by sales of electrical goods and photographic equipment, which expanded at 35.6 per cent. Sales of luxury goods including jewelry and watches grew 21.3 per cent.

Visitor arrivals from the mainland rose 24.8 per cent in November from a year earlier, as consumer travel and consumption sentiment remained strong. The Hong Kong Tourism Board says tourist spending accounts for about one third of the city’s retail market, while mainland tourists contribute nearly two thirds of the whole inbound spending.