在1960至1980年代的香港，占飛百貨曾是華資百貨公司的代表品牌之一。憑藉高品質洋服、進口時裝及著名雪褸，占飛成為不少香港家庭與海外留學生出發前必到的購物地標，承載著一代人的集體回憶。
During Hong Kong’s retail boom from the 1960s to the 1980s, Chinfair Department Store stood out as one of the city’s best-known Chinese-owned department stores. Famous for imported fashion, tailored clothing, and winter wear for overseas students, the brand became deeply connected to the memories of countless Hong Kong families.
中文
香港占飛百貨（Chinfair Department Store）是香港戰後華資百貨業的重要代表之一，在1960至1980年代與永安、先施、大大百貨等老牌百貨公司齊名。占飛百貨以中高檔洋服、歐美進口服裝及冬季禦寒衣物聞名，尤其在1970及1980年代香港海外留學潮興起期間，更成為無數學生與家庭出國前必到的購物地點。占飛百貨的歷史可以追溯至1944年，當時創辦人崔佐基於香港成立「美飛公司」，主要經營布疋與紡織品生意。由於當時香港正值戰後經濟逐步恢復階段，市民對衣料與紡織品需求大增，美飛公司迅速在本地建立穩定基礎。翌年，即1945年，崔佐基進一步創立「占飛百貨公司」，正式由單一布疋業務擴展至綜合百貨零售市場，並由其長子崔志剛擔任總經理，負責管理日常業務與品牌發展。占飛的中文名稱其實源自英文名稱「Chinfair」的音譯，名字帶有當年華資企業中西合璧的時代特色。占飛百貨早期主打洋服、布料及高級服飾，其商品主要面向香港中產家庭及專業人士。由於創辦人本身具有布疋與紡織業背景，因此占飛特別重視衣料品質與裁縫工藝，在當年以高品質西裝、大褸及進口毛衣建立良好口碑。隨著香港經濟起飛，市民生活水平逐漸提高，占飛百貨亦進一步引入歐美時裝及高檔百貨商品，希望打造具有國際化風格的華資百貨品牌。全盛時期，占飛百貨在香港核心商業區設有多間大型分店，其中最著名的是中環分店。該店位於德輔道中與德忌利士街交界，當時屬於香港最繁華的商業地段之一，也是中產與富裕階層集中購物的區域。占飛中環店以大型紅色招牌及典雅櫥窗設計聞名，是不少香港人記憶中的老中環地標之一。除了港島業務外，占飛亦於九龍開設油麻地分店，位置在彌敦道與加士居道交界，鄰近普慶戲院與現今逸東酒店一帶。該店巨型紅色霓虹招牌在當年極具代表性，是彌敦道夜景中的著名標誌之一。占飛百貨其中一項最令人難忘的特色，是它與香港海外留學文化之間的深厚關係。1970年代至1980年代，香港掀起前往英國、美國及加拿大留學的熱潮，但當時香港冬季氣候溫暖，市面上很少出售真正適合寒冷國家的厚身禦寒衣物。由於占飛本身擅長進口高品質冬季服裝，加上擁有布料與裁縫優勢，因此店內售賣的雪褸、大褸、厚毛衣及冷天用品極受歡迎。很多香港家庭在子女準備出國前，都會特意前往占飛百貨購買保暖衣物，成為當年留學生共同經歷的一部分。對不少人而言，占飛不只是百貨公司，更象徵著離家出國前的重要儀式與家庭回憶。除了禦寒服飾，占飛百貨亦售賣男女時裝、鞋履、手袋、皮具、化妝品及家庭用品等商品，並以歐美品牌及高品質貨品作招徠。在傳統華資百貨公司之中，占飛屬較早強調西式時尚與現代購物體驗的品牌之一。進入1980年代後期，日本百貨公司大舉進軍香港市場，例如崇光百貨與八佰伴等新式日資百貨迅速崛起，並以現代化裝修、大型商場模式及更年輕化的商品吸引消費者。同時，香港各區大型購物商場相繼落成，消費模式逐漸由傳統街舖百貨轉向商場集中式零售。面對激烈競爭，加上經營成本不斷上升，傳統華資百貨逐漸失去市場優勢，占飛百貨業務亦受到嚴重衝擊。最終，占飛百貨於1991年全線結業，正式結束其數十年歷史。雖然品牌已經消失，但它曾是香港華資百貨黃金年代的重要象徵，也是許多香港家庭、留學生與老一輩市民難以忘懷的城市記憶。今天回望，占飛百貨不僅代表一間百貨公司，更反映了香港由戰後復甦走向國際都會的消費文化演變歷程。
English Version
Chinfair Department Store was once one of the most recognizable Chinese-owned retail brands in Hong Kong, standing alongside historic department store names such as Wing On, Sincere, and Tai Tat during the city’s retail golden age. Known for elegant Western-style fashion, imported clothing, and high-quality winter wear, Chinfair became especially famous among generations of Hong Kong students preparing to study overseas. The company’s origins date back to 1944, when founder Chui Chor Kei established Mei Fair Company in Hong Kong, focusing primarily on textiles and fabric trading. In the years immediately following World War II, demand for clothing materials and imported fabrics rose rapidly as Hong Kong rebuilt its economy. Mei Fair quickly gained recognition for its quality products and reliable business network. Seeing an opportunity to expand beyond textile trading, Chui founded Chinfair Department Store in 1945, transforming the family business into a full-scale retail operation. Management responsibilities were later entrusted to his eldest son, Chui Chi Kong, who played a major role in expanding the brand’s reputation. The Chinese name “占飛” was derived phonetically from the English name “Chinfair,” reflecting the blend of Chinese entrepreneurship and Western influence that defined many Hong Kong businesses of the era. From the beginning, Chinfair targeted middle-class professionals and affluent families who were looking for higher-quality fashion and imported goods. Drawing on the founder’s experience in fabrics and tailoring, the company became particularly respected for its fine suits, wool coats, sweaters, and carefully selected textiles. As Hong Kong’s economy surged during the 1960s and 1970s, Chinfair expanded its merchandise selection to include European fashion, luxury accessories, handbags, shoes, cosmetics, and household products. The brand gradually developed an image associated with sophistication and modern urban living. At its peak, Chinfair operated major branches in Hong Kong’s busiest commercial districts. Its flagship Central store stood at the intersection of Des Voeux Road Central and Douglas Street, one of the city’s most prestigious shopping areas at the time. The branch became famous for its large red signage and elegant storefront displays, making it a familiar landmark in old Central. On the Kowloon side, the Yau Ma Tei branch occupied a prime position along Nathan Road near Gascoigne Road, opposite the former Po Hing Theatre and close to what is now Eaton Hotel. The massive red neon sign hanging above the busy street became one of the iconic visual symbols of Nathan Road during the era of neon-lit Hong Kong nights. Perhaps the most unforgettable part of Chinfair’s legacy was its connection to Hong Kong’s overseas student culture. During the 1970s and 1980s, increasing numbers of Hong Kong families sent their children abroad to study in the United Kingdom, Canada, and the United States. Since Hong Kong rarely experienced severe winters, proper cold-weather clothing was difficult to find locally. Chinfair filled this gap by offering imported winter coats, heavy wool sweaters, padded jackets, scarves, and other cold-climate essentials. Before departing overseas, countless students visited Chinfair with their parents to prepare for life in colder countries. For many families, shopping at Chinfair became an emotional pre-departure tradition tied to education, migration, and family aspirations. Beyond winter clothing, the department store also built a strong reputation for stylish Western fashion and quality customer service, attracting shoppers who preferred a more refined retail experience compared with ordinary local shops. However, the retail landscape in Hong Kong changed dramatically during the late 1980s. Japanese department stores such as Sogo and Yaohan entered the market aggressively with larger shopping complexes, trendy merchandise, and modern marketing strategies aimed at younger consumers. At the same time, newly developed shopping malls began replacing traditional street-based department stores as the center of urban retail life. Rising rents, changing consumer preferences, and intense competition placed enormous pressure on older Chinese-owned department store brands. Chinfair eventually struggled to maintain its position in the rapidly modernizing retail environment. In 1991, the company officially closed all of its branches, bringing an end to one of Hong Kong’s classic department store names. Even though the stores disappeared decades ago, Chinfair remains deeply remembered by older generations of Hong Kong residents. More than a retailer, it symbolized a period when department stores represented aspiration, modern living, and family tradition in a city transforming into an international metropolis.
總結
占飛百貨曾是香港華資百貨黃金年代的重要代表，以洋服、雪褸與高品質服飾聞名全港，更成為無數留學生出國前的重要回憶，見證了香港消費文化的變遷。
Chinfair Department Store captured the spirit of Hong Kong’s classic retail era through its elegant fashion, winter clothing, and strong connection to overseas student culture, leaving behind a lasting memory of the city’s changing lifestyle and aspirations.
