ATRenew Launches First Hong Kong Store, Boosting Circular Economy and Pre-Owned Electronics Trading

Mainland circular tech leader ATRenew opens first Hong Kong store establishing city as go-global hub

Invest Hong Kong (InvestHK) today (July 28) announced ATRenew Inc. (ATRenew), the Chinese Mainland's leading pre-owned consumer electronics transactions and services platform, had opened its first physical store under its new consumer brand RERE- short for Revalue and Renew - in Hong Kong. This launch positions the city as a go-global hub for the growing circular economy while bringing the group's consumer buyback and retail operations to Hong Kong for the first time - complementing its long-standing business-to-business (B2B) pre-owned electronics trading ecosystem.

Located in Tsuen Wan, the store launches under ATRenew's new consumer brand RERE marks a major step in taking the company's brand, sustainability innovation and business model global. For traded-in smartphones, ATRenew developed a proprietary data destruction system certified by international authority ADISA Certification. Utilising advanced multi-pass data overwriting, the platform ensures fully traceable and unrecoverable data erasure - eliminating data theft risks at the source and setting a high standard for privacy and data protection for users.

At the heart of ATRenew's offering is a set of proprietary, AI-backed technologies. Self-service tools allow customers to value and sell a device in minutes, while automated quality inspection - refined through diagnostic data from the group's extensive Mainland facilities - delivers high-precision grading. Combined with a standardised digital device-identity system, ATRenew ensures quality, defect traceability, driving efficiency and security for cross-border transactions. These capabilities empower FoneSquare, its new B2B global trading platform, giving overseas wholesale buyers confidence in the origin and condition of every device.

The opening is supported by a Memorandum of Understanding with leading retailer JD Mall Hong Kong. Under this partnership, the group will roll out in-store one-stop buyback services for electronic devices, making it easy for shoppers citywide to sell or trade in pre-owned devices.

The Director-General of Investment Promotion, Ms Alpha Lau, said, "ATRenew represents a great Chinese green story, and we are delighted that Hong Kong serves as a prominent showcase of the group's full recycling-to-retail model in service of the circular economy. As an international investment and trade hub operating under common law, Hong Kong is not just a financing engine but also an ideal test bed for innovations. Today, we also warmly welcome two of our InvestHK clients, ATRenew and JD.com, joining hands in driving sustainability innovation. This expansion demonstrates our strengths as a go-global springboard for both Mainland and overseas businesses with green aspirations."

The Founder and Chef Executive Officer of ATRenew, Mr Kerry Chen, said, "The global circular economy is entering a critical growth phase, with Hong Kong serving as the central hub for ATRenew's overseas supply chain and brand expansion. Driven by our three-pillar globalisation strategy of 'business, capabilities, and brand', ATRenew is extending its well-established standardisation, automated technologies, and robust supply chain overseas. We are committed to making buy-back services more accessible and providing users worldwide with high-quality pre-owned products, empowering a green and sustainable future."

Globally, rising environmental awareness and demand for value are fuelling fast-growing appetite for quality pre-owned electronics. International Data Corporation projects the worldwide market for used smartphones to surpass 430 million units, with a market value of close to US$110 billion, by 2027.

Looking ahead, ATRenew plans to build on its Hong Kong-Dubai "dual-hub" for international growth, establishing its full recycling-to-retail ecosystem across Southeast Asia, the Middle East, West Asia and North Africa.

InvestHK provided end-to-end support to facilitate ATRenew's expansion in Hong Kong, offering market intelligence, business matching, and setup guidance. It also connected the group with key partners and supported its international expansion and compliance navigation - advancing ATRenew's ambition to build RERE into a globally recognised certified pre-owned brand.

For more information about ATRenew, please visit www.atrenew.com.

Invest Hong Kong (InvestHK) today (July 28) announced ATRenew Inc. (ATRenew), the Chinese Mainland's leading pre-owned consumer electronics transactions and services platform, had opened its first physical store under its new consumer brand RERE in Hong Kong. The opening was supported by the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with leading retailer JD Mall Hong Kong. Photo shows the Director-General of Investment Promotion, Ms Alpha Lau (second left); the Founder and Chef Executive Officer of ATRenew, Mr Kerry Chen (first left); the Head of Strategy and Overseas Business of ATRenew, Mr Jeremy Ji (third left); the Global Head of Financial Services, Fintech and Sustainability of Invest Hong Kong, Mr King Leung (second right); the Head of 3C Business, South China Region of the JD-Five Star Appliance Group, Mr Xu Yuan-chun (third right), and the Store Manager of JD MALL Hong Kong Wanchai Store, Mr Tsang Fai (first right), after the signing of the MOU. Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

Invest Hong Kong (InvestHK) today (July 28) announced ATRenew Inc. (ATRenew), the Chinese Mainland's leading pre-owned consumer electronics transactions and services platform, had opened its first physical store under its new consumer brand RERE in Hong Kong. Photo shows the Director-General of Investment Promotion, Ms Alpha Lau (left), being shown a mobile buyback platform in the store by a shop assistant. Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

Invest Hong Kong (InvestHK) today (July 28) announced ATRenew Inc. (ATRenew), the Chinese Mainland's leading pre-owned consumer electronics transactions and services platform, had opened its first physical store under its new consumer brand RERE in Hong Kong. Photo shows the Director-General of Investment Promotion, Ms Alpha Lau (third right); the Founder and Chef Executive Officer of ATRenew, Mr Kerry Chen (third left); the Head of Strategy and Overseas Business of ATRenew, Mr Jeremy Ji (second left); the Chairman of Hong Kong International Communications Electronic Chamber, Mr Jacky Tse (second right); the Global Head of Financial Services, Fintech and Sustainability of InvestHK, Mr King Leung (first right), and the Head of Consumer and Hospitality of InvestHK, Ms Sindy Wong (first left), at the opening ceremony of the store. Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

FEHD continues to combat illegal sale of food by unlicensed hawkers

A spokesman for the Food and Environmental Hygiene Department (FEHD) said today (July 29) that in view of the public health risks posed by illegal hawking of food from unknown sources, expired food, restricted food, or improperly stored food, the FEHD has been conducting an intelligence-led operation codenamed "Dawn Net" across the territory since July 17 to crack down on unlicensed hawkers selling food from unknown sources, expired food, or high-risk food items.

As of yesterday (July 28), the FEHD had arrested 14 persons suspected of illegal hawking of food, and seized approximately 600 kilograms of cooked food, shellfish, lunch boxes, bread, fresh milk, beverages, and expired food. Among the arrested persons, 13 were additionally charged with causing obstruction in public places, and two were additionally charged with selling restricted food without permission.

The FEHD calls on members of the public not to patronise unlicensed hawkers, as the food comes from unknown sources and may even be scavenged from rubbish bins, posing severe food safety risks. The department has sent letters to remind major retail chains to properly dispose of discarded food, such as removing packaging and adding dye or disinfectant, and to strengthen staff training. The FEHD will also proactively provide health education to the trade.

The FEHD has long adopted a reasonable and compassionate approach to handling unlicensed hawkers, exercising discretion towards elderly or disabled hawkers. However, the department stressed that if the sale of food from unknown sources, expired food, prohibited or restricted high-risk food is involved, the department will adopt a "zero-tolerance" approach against the unlicensed hawkers, including immediate arrests without prior warning.

The FEHD has been collecting intelligence through different channels to combat related illegal activities. During this operation, the department obtained further information indicating that members of the public had attempted to scavenge uncooked sashimi from a rubbish bin near a food factory. The FEHD immediately took proactive preventive measures by swiftly inspecting the relevant locations, identifying potential sites where food might be discarded, and intercepting high-risk food from entering the market. The FEHD warns that any person who scavenges discarded food for illegal sale shall commit an offence, and stringent enforcement actions will be taken by the department.

According to the Public Health and Municipal Services Ordinance (Cap. 132), no person shall hawk in any street unless he or she holds a valid hawker licence issued by the FEHD. Offenders are liable to a maximum penalty of a fine of $5,000 and one month's imprisonment for a first conviction, and a fine of $10,000 and six months' imprisonment for a subsequent conviction. If unlicensed hawking activities also cause obstruction to passageways, law enforcement officers may institute additional prosecutions against offenders who cause obstruction by placing articles in public places under the Summary Offences Ordinance (Cap. 228), which carries a maximum fine of $25,000 or three months' imprisonment. In addition, any person who sells restricted food (including frozen meat, sashimi, and sushi) without permission commits an offence and is liable upon conviction to a maximum fine of $50,000 and six months' imprisonment.

The FEHD reiterated that targeted enforcement operations will continue. Members of the public should report any suspicious hawking activities immediately.

FEHD continues to combat illegal sale of food by unlicensed hawkers Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

FEHD continues to combat illegal sale of food by unlicensed hawkers Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases