Commercial Press (H.K.)
A Hong Kong publishing house and bookstore chain with roots dating to the early twentieth century.
Last updated August 31, 2026
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Overview
Commercial Press (H.K.) is a Hong Kong publishing house and book-retailing business associated with the Commercial Press tradition that originated in Shanghai in 1897. Its Hong Kong branch was established in 1914, initially as a network of retail shops, and later developed printing, editorial, distribution and educational-publishing operations. This evolution made the Hong Kong business more than a bookstore chain: it became an important producer and distributor of textbooks, reference works and books in the Chinese-language cultural and educational market. The company’s publishing activity has long been closely connected with education. It was producing textbooks for Hong Kong schools by 1917 and expanded its educational publishing reach in the 1930s with textbook materials intended for schools in Southeast Asia. From the late 1950s, its work included the compilation and printing of Chinese secondary-school textbooks. Over subsequent decades, its catalogue broadened across school textbooks, reference works, history, culture, humanities and social sciences. The establishment of Hong Kong Educational Publishing Company in 1979 further strengthened its focus on textbooks and reference books for Hong Kong and Macau. Commercial Press also became one of Hong Kong’s most recognizable book retailers. Its first Hong Kong branch opened in Central in 1914, followed by expansion into districts including North Point and Mong Kok during the 1960s and 1970s. A large Causeway Bay book centre opened in 1984, and a branch at New Town Plaza in Sha Tin followed in 1987. The business later operated university bookstores, including locations associated with the Chinese University of Hong Kong, City University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong Polytechnic University and Hong Kong University of Science and Technology. It also developed smaller transit-oriented Commercial Culture Express outlets near selected MTR stations. Its Tsim Sha Tsui presence illustrates the company’s retail strategy. The branch began in Ming Fai Centre in 1991, moved to Star House in 1999 as a large flagship with harbour views, and subsequently relocated because of lease and renovation issues. After another move in 2010, the large Miramar-area branch closed in 2021 and reopened on Nathan Road in July of that year. The replacement store offered more than 100,000 Chinese- and English-language books and cultural products in a roughly 16,000-square-foot space. Beyond conventional publishing and retailing, the company has pursued specialist and digital activities. Passage, established in 2014, focuses on museum souvenirs and history-related books through cultural-institution locations. The company has also continued developing electronic business alongside its physical publishing and retail operations. In mainland China, it opened Benben Bookstore in Shenzhen in 2018, with sections devoted to art and design, humanities, parent-and-child materials, foreign books and selected Japanese and Taiwanese comics. The Shenzhen operation was later renamed United Bookstore Benben Art and Beauty Hall after its original lease expired. Commercial Press (H.K.) is a member of Sino United Publishing (Holdings) Limited and operates within a wider publishing and distribution network. Public descriptions have characterized it as Hong Kong’s longest-established bookstore chain and have reported a network of approximately 22 Hong Kong stores in recent years, although individual locations have changed over time. Its overall positioning combines educational publishing, general bookselling, cultural products and reader-oriented literary and cultural programming. The company’s stated service philosophy emphasizes matching readers with books and books with readers.
History
The Commercial Press tradition began in Shanghai in 1897 as a printing business and subsequently grew into a major Chinese cultural and educational publishing organization. The Hong Kong branch was established in 1914, first operating primarily through retail shops. Its first Hong Kong branch was located in Central, giving the organization an early presence in the city’s commercial core. The Hong Kong operation gradually expanded beyond retailing. It established a printing factory as well as editorial and distribution departments, creating the infrastructure of a full publishing business. The company was publishing textbooks for Hong Kong schools by 1917. During the 1930s, it produced a complete textbook series for schools in Southeast Asia, indicating that its educational publishing activities extended beyond the local market. Chinese-language education became an especially important area after 1957, when the company began compiling and printing five-year Chinese secondary-school textbooks. Its catalogue later developed around textbooks, reference works, history, culture, humanities and social sciences. In 1979, Hong Kong Educational Publishing Company was established to publish textbooks and reference books for Hong Kong and Macau. The Hong Kong branch was formally registered as Commercial Press (Hong Kong) Co., Ltd. on June 10, 1988. In 1993, Commercial Press International was formed by Commercial Press-related companies in Beijing, Hong Kong, Taipei, Singapore and Kuala Lumpur, reflecting the wider regional connections of the publishing network. Retail expansion proceeded in parallel with publishing. Commercial Press opened branches in North Point and Mong Kok in the 1960s and 1970s, then opened a major book centre in Causeway Bay in 1984. At the time, the Causeway Bay location was described as Hong Kong’s largest bookstore. A further branch opened at New Town Plaza in Sha Tin in 1987. Since 2003, the company has established bookstores at a number of Hong Kong universities, including the Chinese University of Hong Kong, City University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong Polytechnic University and Hong Kong University of Science and Technology. Smaller Commercial Culture Express outlets were also established near selected MTR stations. The company’s Tsim Sha Tsui branch became a notable part of its retail identity. It opened in Ming Fai Centre in 1991 and moved to Star House in 1999, where it operated a large flagship store with views over Victoria Harbour. The branch relocated to the Miramar Hotel Arcade in 2007 after a lease renewal issue and moved again within the Miramar complex in 2010 because of renovation work. The large branch, which hosted numerous cultural events, closed in April 2021. A replacement store opened on Nathan Road on July 8, 2021, selling more than 100,000 Chinese- and English-language books and cultural products. Commercial Press diversified into cultural retail through Passage, a brand established in 2014 to sell museum souvenirs and history books. Its first location was at the Hong Kong Museum of History; that site closed in 2020 during renovation work, while other locations operated at the Hong Kong Heritage Museum and the Xiqu Centre. The business also pursued mainland retail. Benben Bookstore opened in Shenzhen on April 7, 2018, and was later recognized in a Shenzhen bookstore selection. After its lease expired in 2021, it was renamed United Bookstore Benben Art and Beauty Hall. In the 2010s and 2020s, the company continued operating physical stores while expanding electronic business. Some locations closed or moved, reflecting changing leases, renovations and retail conditions. Public descriptions have placed the Hong Kong network at approximately 22 stores in recent years. Commercial Press (H.K.) remains part of Sino United Publishing (Holdings) Limited and continues to combine educational publishing, general bookselling, cultural retail and reader-focused programming.
- 2021
New Tsim Sha Tsui store opens
[1]A replacement Tsim Sha Tsui store opened on Nathan Road on July 8 after the previous large branch closed.
- 2020
Several retail locations close or change
[1]The Tuen Mun Liangjing and Jordan stores closed in April, while the first Passage location closed during renovation work at the Hong Kong Museum of History.
- 2018
Benben Bookstore opens in Shenzhen
[1]Commercial Press opened Benben Bookstore at Shenzhen Shenye Shangcheng with art, humanities and parent-and-child sections.
- 2014
Passage cultural-retail brand launched
[1]Passage was established to sell museum souvenirs and history books.
- 2011
Retail network reported at 23 Hong Kong and Macau stores
[1]The company was reported to operate 23 stores in Hong Kong and Macau while continuing traditional publishing and expanding electronic business.
- 2010
Tsim Sha Tsui branch moves within Miramar area
[1]The branch relocated because of renovation work at the hotel arcade.
- 2007
Tsim Sha Tsui branch relocates to Miramar Hotel Arcade
[1]The Tsim Sha Tsui branch moved from Star House after a lease-renewal issue.
- 2004
Bloomsbury Books acquisition completed
[1]The company completed an acquisition of Bloomsbury Books.
- 2003
University bookstore expansion begins
[1]Commercial Press began establishing bookstores at Hong Kong universities, including the Chinese University of Hong Kong and other institutions.
- 1999
Tsim Sha Tsui flagship moves to Star House
[1]The Tsim Sha Tsui branch moved to Star House and became a large flagship store overlooking Victoria Harbour.
Products and positioning
A heritage Hong Kong educational publisher and omnichannel bookseller combining school publishing, reference works, general books, cultural products and physical retail.
Educational publishing · 1917
School textbooks
Commercial Press has published educational materials for Hong Kong schools since at least 1917. Its textbook activity has covered primary and secondary education, Chinese-language curricula and materials for Hong Kong and Macau. The company’s educational publishing tradition also includes textbook programs for Southeast Asian schools and long-running secondary-school textbook compilation.
Reference publishing
Reference books
Reference publishing is a core part of the company’s educational and general catalogue. The range includes works intended to support students, teachers and general readers, and has been developed alongside textbooks and broader publications in history, culture, humanities and social sciences.
General and academic publishing
History, culture, humanities and social-science books
Commercial Press publishes and retails books covering history, culture, humanities and social sciences. These subjects connect its educational heritage with a broader cultural mission and help distinguish the business from a retailer focused only on school materials.
Book retail · 1914
Commercial Press bookstore assortment
The bookstore chain offers Chinese- and English-language books, imported and foreign-language titles, educational materials, reference works and cultural products. Its stores range from large destination book centres to university bookstores and smaller outlets near transport stations.
Museum and cultural retail · 2014
Passage
Passage is a specialist cultural-retail brand established in 2014. It focuses on museum souvenirs and history books and has operated at cultural venues including the Hong Kong Museum of History, Hong Kong Heritage Museum and Xiqu Centre.
Book retail · 2018
Benben Bookstore
Benben Bookstore was a Shenzhen retail concept offering books from Hong Kong and Taiwan, foreign books, Japanese and Taiwanese comics, and specialist areas for art and design, humanities and parent-and-child reading. After the original lease expired, the operation was renamed United Bookstore Benben Art and Beauty Hall.
Controversies
2020
Alleged textbook price-fixing and tender coordination
The Hong Kong Competition Commission filed proceedings before the Competition Tribunal alleging that Commercial Press and other parties had coordinated textbook discounts and engaged in suspected price-fixing, bid-rigging and market division in school-textbook tender discussions. The matter was reported as an allegation and the available reference does not establish a final finding or penalty.
Brand decisions
2021
Reopened a Tsim Sha Tsui flagship-format storeStrategyBackground
The previous large Tsim Sha Tsui branch had closed after years of relocations associated with leases and renovations.
Action taken
Opened a replacement store on Nathan Road on July 8, with a large Chinese- and English-language assortment and cultural products.
Aftermath
The move preserved a major Commercial Press presence in Tsim Sha Tsui while adapting the format to a new site.
2018
Opened Benben Bookstore in ShenzhenProduct launchBackground
The company explored mainland Chinese retail with a concept emphasizing Hong Kong, Taiwan, foreign and specialist book categories.
Action taken
Opened Benben Bookstore at Shenzhen Shenye Shangcheng.
Aftermath
The store was later renamed United Bookstore Benben Art and Beauty Hall after its lease expired.
2014
Launched PassageProduct launchBackground
Commercial Press sought to extend its bookselling expertise into cultural-institution retail.
Action taken
Created Passage to sell museum souvenirs and history books.
Aftermath
The brand operated at multiple Hong Kong cultural venues.
2004
Completed acquisition of Bloomsbury BooksM&ABackground
The company pursued expansion beyond its established Hong Kong publishing and retail base.
Action taken
Completed the acquisition of Bloomsbury Books.
1993
Formed a regional publishing entityStrategyBackground
Commercial Press-related operations existed across several Asian publishing markets.
Action taken
Companies in Beijing, Hong Kong, Taipei, Singapore and Kuala Lumpur established Commercial Press International.
Aftermath
The structure reflected the brand’s regional publishing and distribution relationships.
1979
Created a dedicated educational publishing companyStrategyBackground
Textbooks and reference works had become central to Commercial Press’s Hong Kong activities.
Action taken
Established Hong Kong Educational Publishing Company to serve the Hong Kong and Macau education markets.
Aftermath
The move reinforced the company’s long-term specialization in educational publishing.
Recent events
- 2021
Tsim Sha Tsui flagship reopened on Nathan Road[1]
Other
After the previous Tsim Sha Tsui branch closed in April 2021, Commercial Press opened a replacement store on Nathan Road on July 8. The new location combined a large book range with cultural products and event-oriented retail space.
- 2020
Tuen Mun Liangjing and Jordan stores closed[1]
Other
Two long-running Commercial Press locations, the Tuen Mun Liangjing Store and Jordan Store, closed in April 2020.
- 2018
Benben Bookstore opened in Shenzhen[1]
Product launch · Other
Commercial Press opened Benben Bookstore in Shenzhen’s Shenye Shangcheng, offering Hong Kong, Taiwan and foreign books alongside Japanese and Taiwanese comics and specialist sections for art, humanities and family reading.
Sources3 sources
Cite this profile: Cite the canonical profile. /brand-wiki/commercial-press-hk · Editorial policy · How profiles are compiled