Crocodile Garments
Crocodile Garments is a Hong Kong-based textile and apparel company founded in 1952.
Last updated October 14, 2026
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Overview
Crocodile Garments is a Hong Kong textile and clothing company whose history is closely associated with the development of mass-market fashion retail in the territory. The business was founded in 1952 by Chan Shun, who had learned sewing and sewing-machine repair while travelling between towns in China during his youth. Its original corporate name was Li Wah Man Shirt Factory, and its early activity focused on producing dress shirts. The Crocodile Garments name was introduced after Chan sought a brand identity that would suggest durability and quality comparable to crocodile skin. The company obtained rights to use a crocodile-related trademark whose earlier registration dated from 1910 and had subsequently been confiscated by British authorities after the Second World War. The resulting brand became one of the best-known local apparel labels in postwar Hong Kong. Chan retired in 1970 and transferred control to his children. Crocodile Garments became a publicly listed company in Hong Kong in 1971, giving it access to capital during a period of rapid industrialization and rising consumer demand. The company expanded beyond shirts into a broader clothing and retail operation, eventually becoming one of Hong Kong's largest garment-store chains. It also exported to markets including Japan, Singapore and other parts of Asia. A second line, Cal-Thomas, was established in California, while the main business later broadened into women's apparel and children's clothing under the CrocoKids name. During its peak period, Crocodile was regarded as a leading Hong Kong fashion label and a major presence on the territory's retail streets. Its scale preceded the rapid growth of later Hong Kong-based chains such as G2000, Giordano, U2 and Bossini. In 1980, the company entered a distribution arrangement with the French clothing company Lacoste and became the exclusive distributor of Lacoste products in Hong Kong. That commercial relationship coexisted with a lengthy trademark dispute because both businesses used crocodile imagery, although their logos differed in orientation and design. In 1987, Crocodile Garments was sold to Lai Sun Garment, which was controlled by businessman Lim Por-yen. The transaction placed the brand within the wider Lai Sun business group. The company continued to operate as a listed Hong Kong apparel enterprise, but its market position weakened as consumer preferences, retail competition and the structure of Hong Kong's garment industry changed. Public reporting noted a substantial decline in the company's share value between 2015 and 2020, although a complete financial assessment requires reference to company filings and the relevant reporting periods. Crocodile's later corporate history has also included cross-border trademark litigation. Lacoste brought proceedings in Hong Kong and Beijing in 1998, alleging that Crocodile's use of a similar crocodile mark outside Hong Kong breached the parties' distribution arrangements. Lacoste prevailed in the Hong Kong litigation in 1999. The wider dispute eventually led to a 2003 compromise under which Crocodile modified its logo, including changes to the tail and scale pattern. Subsequent trademark proceedings continued in other jurisdictions. In New Zealand, a 2017 Supreme Court decision supported Crocodile's challenge in the context of the jurisdiction's 'use it or lose it' trademark rule. In the Philippines, the Supreme Court upheld decisions rejecting Lacoste's claims against Crocodile in a ruling dated 6 November 2023 and released on 10 September 2024, finding that the two marks had pronounced differences. The brand's historical significance lies in its combination of manufacturing, branded apparel and chain retailing. It helped establish a recognizable Hong Kong fashion identity before the region's retail market became dominated by a larger number of international and regional competitors. Its principal known categories include men's shirts and clothing, women's apparel, children's clothing and other fashion merchandise. Current operations, product breadth and geographic footprint should be verified against the company's latest disclosures.
History
Crocodile Garments traces its origins to Li Wah Man Shirt Factory, established in Hong Kong in 1952 by Chan Shun. Chan had acquired practical skills in sewing and repairing sewing machines while travelling in China as a teenager. The initial business concentrated on dress shirts, but Chan developed a crocodile-based brand identity to communicate toughness, durability and a degree of luxury. The relevant trademark had an earlier registration dating to 1910 and was later confiscated by British authorities after the Second World War before being secured for the brand. Chan retired in 1970, after which control passed to his children. The company listed on the Hong Kong Stock Exchange in 1971. Its expansion combined apparel production with branded retailing, and Crocodile became one of Hong Kong's largest garment-store chains. The company exported to Japan, Singapore and other Asian markets and developed additional lines, including Cal-Thomas in California, a women's range and the CrocoKids children's line. In 1980, Crocodile entered a distribution partnership with Lacoste and became the French company's exclusive Hong Kong distributor. The relationship later became the source of extensive litigation over crocodile imagery and the boundaries between the two brands' marks. Lacoste had registered its trademark in mainland China in 1980. When Crocodile sought registration there, Lacoste sued in Hong Kong and Beijing in 1998 and sought compensation. Lacoste won the Hong Kong action in 1999. The broader conflict was resolved through a 2003 compromise that required Crocodile to revise aspects of its logo, including its tail shape and scale detailing. Crocodile Garments was sold in 1987 to Lai Sun Garment, controlled by Lim Por-yen, and subsequently operated within the Lai Sun business group. Its peak as a dominant Hong Kong fashion chain came before the major expansion of competing regional chains during the 1990s. Changing retail patterns and competition later reduced its prominence. Reference material reports that the company's share value declined by 72 percent from 2015 to 2020, though that figure should be distinguished from revenue, profit or enterprise-value performance. Trademark litigation continued after the 2003 settlement. In New Zealand, Crocodile obtained support from a 2017 Supreme Court decision applying the use-it-or-lose-it doctrine to Lacoste's exclusive crocodile-mark position. In the Philippines, the Supreme Court's decision dated 6 November 2023, released in September 2024, upheld lower decisions dismissing Lacoste's case and held that the competing marks were distinguishable. These cases illustrate the continuing importance of logo protection to Crocodile Garments' international brand strategy. The company remains a listed Hong Kong apparel business, although detailed current product, market and financial information requires consultation of recent corporate disclosures.
- 2024
Philippine Supreme Court ruling released
[1]The court released a ruling upholding dismissal of Lacoste's case and finding the marks distinguishable.
- 2017
New Zealand trademark ruling
[1]The New Zealand Supreme Court supported Crocodile's challenge under the use-it-or-lose-it trademark principle.
- 2003
Logo-dispute compromise
[1]The parties reached a compromise under which Crocodile modified elements of its crocodile logo.
- 1999
Lacoste prevails in Hong Kong proceedings
[1]The Hong Kong court ruled in Lacoste's favor in the logo dispute.
- 1998
Lacoste files trademark litigation
[1]Lacoste initiated proceedings in Hong Kong and Beijing over Crocodile's logo and trademark activities.
- 1987
Acquisition by Lai Sun Garment
[1]The business was sold to Lai Sun Garment, then controlled by Lim Por-yen.
- 1980
Lacoste distribution partnership
[1]Crocodile became the exclusive Hong Kong distributor for Lacoste products.
- 1971
Hong Kong stock-market listing
[1]Crocodile Garments became listed on the Hong Kong Stock Exchange.
- 1970
Founder retires
[1]Chan Shun retired and transferred control of the company to his children.
- 1952
Li Wah Man Shirt Factory founded
[1]Chan Shun established the business in Hong Kong, initially concentrating on dress shirts.
Products and positioning
A heritage Hong Kong apparel label positioned around durable, accessible fashion and crocodile-themed brand recognition, with roots in shirt manufacturing and chain retailing.
Men's clothing · 1952
Crocodile men's apparel
The company's original and historically central category is men's clothing, particularly dress shirts. The range later broadened into additional casual and fashion garments sold through Crocodile-branded retail operations.
Women's clothing
Crocodile women's apparel
A women's line was introduced as the company expanded beyond its original men's shirt focus. Available reference material confirms the category but does not provide a current assortment or detailed product chronology.
Children's clothing
CrocoKids
CrocoKids was developed as the company's children's clothing line, extending the crocodile brand into family and youth apparel.
Apparel line
Cal-Thomas
Cal-Thomas was a secondary apparel line associated with Crocodile Garments and established in California. The available material does not specify its current distribution or operating status.
Brand decisions
2003
Logo redesign following Lacoste settlementOtherBackground
The companies had engaged in prolonged litigation concerning similar crocodile imagery and the geographical scope of their trademark rights.
Action taken
Crocodile agreed to alter its logo, including making the tail more vertical and adding more scales.
Aftermath
The compromise settled the immediate dispute while leaving later jurisdiction-specific trademark questions to further proceedings.
1987
Sale to Lai Sun GarmentM&ABackground
After decades of development as a Hong Kong garment manufacturer and retailer, ownership of the business changed.
Action taken
Crocodile Garments was sold to Lai Sun Garment, controlled at the time by Lim Por-yen.
Aftermath
The brand became part of the wider Lai Sun business group.
1980
Exclusive Hong Kong distribution agreement with LacosteStrategyBackground
Crocodile sought to extend its commercial role beyond its own apparel label through a relationship with French clothing company Lacoste.
Action taken
The company became Lacoste's sole distributor in Hong Kong.
Aftermath
The distribution relationship later became intertwined with disputes over crocodile logos and trademark rights.
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