Luk Fook Notes Surge in Revenue, Profit

RAPAPORT... Hong Kong jeweler Luk Fook's revenue and profit rose by around 30% to 40% for the full fiscal year that ended March 31, the company estimated.A low base of comparison with the previous year - which saw pandemic-related restrictions - is responsible for the increase during the period, Luk Fook said last week. In fiscal 2021, business in China was weak, and Hong Kong and Macau were on lockdown.The company's expansion in mainland China, strong sales of gold products, and the easing of restrictions in Hong Kong and Macau also buoyed sales, it explained.The retailer saw an "encouraging recovery of retail atmosphere in the first three quarters of the year," it noted. Reports from other Hong Kong-based jewelers indicated that the fourth quarter of fiscal 2022 and the start of the 2023 financial year had been challenging. Tse Sui Luen said sales had plunged sharply during the period amid the fifth wave of the pandemic, while Chow Tai Fook reported a 13% drop in the first two months of the current fiscal year.Image: A Luk Fook store in Hong Kong. (Gavincheung)