GRI’s (Global Retail Inc.) founders, Jeffrey and Christine Fang, have extensive experience in the textile and fashion business. Educated in the United States, they returned to Hong Kong in the 1970s to work with Fang Brothers Textiles, a family operation that flourished as Hong Kong’s economy began to take off. As their business grew, Fang Brothers developed an expertise in garment making. Seeing potential in the ready-to-wear market, the company established Toppy Group in 1973, launching its own brands including Jessica, Episode and Colour 18.

Observing the trend towards globalization within the fashion industry and identifying new market opportunities, Jeffrey and Christine Fang ventured into the realm of retail management. Possessing expert market knowledge in fast-growing regions such as Asia and China, the Fangs launched GRI in 1997, with a core focus on brand development and management for US and international design house such as the Nine West Group and Jones Apparel Group. Today GRI manages brands such as Anne Klein New York, AK Anne Klein, Betsey Johnson, Carolinna Espinosa, Easy Spirit, Enzo Angiolini, Jeanne Pierre, Joan & David, Karen Millen, Nine West, Pringle of Scotland, Steve Madden, Stuart Weitzman as well as in-house brand EQIQ.

Timeline

  • 1994
    Nine West store opened in Pacific Place, Hong Kong.
  • 1997
    GRI (Global Retail Inc.) established.
    GRI became the sole distributor for Nine West Accessories in Asia.
    Enzo Angiolini launched in Taiwan.
  • 1999
    Launched in-house brand EQ:IQ in Hong Kong, Macau and China.
  • 2001
    GRI launched Joan & David’s ready-to-wear collection.
  • 2002
    Anne Klein New York launched in Asia.
  • 2003
    AK Anne Klein (accessories) launched in China.
  • 2004
    Easy Spirit opened its first counter at Takashimaya Department Store, Japan.
  • 2005
    Easy Spirit opened its first free-standing store in Oriental Shopping Mall, China.
  • 2007
    GRI added Pringle of Scotland and
    Karen Millen to its portfolio and opened stores in Elements, Hong Kong.
    Launched a ready-to-wear collection for Nine West in China and subsequently in Hong Kong and Thailand.
  • 2008
    Karen Millen store opened in Thailand.
    Steve Madden opened stores in China, Hong Kong, Japan, Malaysia, Philippines, Singapore, Taiwan, Thailand.
  • 2009
    GRI added Carolinna Espinosa to list of accessory brands.
    Steve Madden opened a flagship store in Times Square, Korea, and Taipei 101, Taiwan.
  • 2010
    Nine West combo stores (apparel and accessories) opened in New Town Plaza, Hong Kong
    Joan & David store opened in The Venetian, Macau.
    Pringle of Scotland store opened in The Landmark, Hong Kong.
    Anne Klein New York, Joan & David and EQ:IQ stores opened in ifc mall, Shanghai.
  • 2010
    Anne Klein New York, Joan & David, EQ:IQ and Nine West stores opened in Chicony Plaza, Chengdu.
    Steve Madden stores opened in Time Square, Hong Kong, Venetian, Macau, IFC and Xintiandi, Shanghai, MIXC, Hangzhou and Raffles City Shopping Centre, Singapore.
    Carolinna Espinosa stores opened in MIXC, Hangzhou and Xintiandi, Shanghai.
  • 2011
    GRI multi-brand mega store, CENTRAL/CENTRAL opened in Central Building, Hong Kong
    EQ:IQ and Nine West combo stores opened in MIXC, Shenyang and Taikoo Hui, Guangzhou.
    Joan & David store opened in Scitech Plaza, Beijing.
    Nine West combo stores opened in Pacific Department (Tian Fu) Store, Chengdu, Grand Gateway Plaza and Parkson Department (Tian Shan) Store, Shanghai and S.E.Z. State Tax Free Foreign Currency Shop, Zhuhai.
  • 2011
    Steve Madden stores opened in Langham Place and New Town Plaza, Hong Kong, Marina Bay Sands, Singapore, and KLCC, Malaysia.
    Betsey Johnson counters are opened in Far Eastern, Taichung and Far Eastern Panciao Mega, Taipei.
  • 2012
    EQ:IQ and Nine West combo stores opened in Friendship Store, Foshan.
    EQ:IQ accessory store opened in Matro, Suzhou.
    Joan & David store to be opened in Hisense Plaza, Qingdao and Charter Shopping Centre, Beijing.
    Anne Klein New York, Joan & David and EQ:IQ stores to be opened in Shanghai Takashimaya.
    Steve Madden stores opened in Nanjing Deji Plaza, Nanjing, APM, Hong Kong and Mega Bangna, Bangkok.
  • 2012
    Betsey Johnson stores opened in Mitsukoshi in Taipei, Venetian in Macau and Sanlitun in Beijing. Counters opened in Central of Hong Kong and Taikoohui in Guangzhou (counter inside Steve Madden store)
    Stuart Weitzman store opened in Regent Galleria, Taiwan.
    Carolinna Espinosa stores opened in Sogo, Shanghai and Super Brand Mall, Shanghai Pacific (Xu Hui), Chengdu Wang Fujing, Kunming Jin Ge(HD), Shanghai Takashimaya, Tianjing Isetan (tanggu)
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