DBS supports Hong Kong brand Chicks with ecommerce transformation

While Chun Au Knitting Factory Limited (“Chun Au”) may not sound familiar, its vintage “Made in Hong Kong” brand Chicks is well-known in the city. Created by Chun Au in 1953, Chicks mainly produces affordable knitwear that is suitable for the weather in Hong Kong. Its classic logo of the three chicks symbolises the affluence in food and clothing.

Despite its long history, Chicks faced the challenge of dwindling customers a few years ago and needed a quick makeover to attract younger consumers. In 2017, Chicks introduced its first online store to revitalise its brand image and boost sales. At the same time, it invested in both online and offline promotions, as well as moving from television adverts into the digital sphere.

DBS gives professional advice to help Chicks seize ecommerce opportunities

DBS has been closely collaborating with Chicks for over a decade and has witnessed the brand’s milestones and changes.

In late 2019, when the pandemic started to reach all corners of the globe, Chicks saw an opportunity for digital transformation. At that time, DBS had launched its DBS MAX mobile payment system, a digital solution that brought customers enhanced convenience. The Relationship Manager in DBS actively suggested Chicks to implement this new payment system, which was then adopted by Mr. Robert Tam Kin-tung, Executive Director of Chicks and put into practice. During the pandemic, the system helped Chicks access a larger customer base, simultaneously improving cash flow by receiving payments in real time. This enhanced the brand’s operational efficiency and competitiveness.

Simple banking thanks to comprehensive digital solutions

Up to this day, DBS has been optimising its digital banking options, electronic payments and other financial services to help corporate customers stay abreast of the latest market dynamics, improve operational efficiency and seize opportunities for business expansion.

With DBS IDEAL, Chicks can easily monitor incoming funds, view remittance advices, access banking statements and make payments, all of which make daily banking simpler. DBS also offers a range of digital cash and liquidity management solutions to help customers manage their treasury and finance operations with greater ease and efficiency.

Moreover, DBS facilitates frictionless cross-border trade across industries by co-creating digital solutions with customers, and partnering with trade financing, ecommerce and procurement platforms to widen their reach and automate processes.

Ms. Jennifer Tam, Director of Chicks said, “Over the past 70 years, Chicks has kept Hong Kong people warm and cosy throughout all seasons. Our brand is more than a business – it carries a sense of spirit and traditional culture. Thanks to the digital solutions by DBS, we were able to keep up to speed with the ecommerce trend and expand our younger clientele. This established a solid foundation for our brand’s future growth.”

Mr. Patrick Lau, Managing Director, Head of Corporate Banking, Institutional Banking Group, DBS Hong Kong said, “DBS has always supported clients across industries in their business development. It is our pleasure to support a “Made in Hong Kong” brand like Chicks to take a step towards digital transformation. With our extensive Asian network and array of digital banking products and services, we look forward to partnering with more corporations to seize future opportunities presented by business digitalisation and ecommerce.”