J.Crew Group Inc, the apparel retailer whose customers include US first lady Michelle Obama, plans to open its first store in Asia in Hong Kong, as the retailer targets tourists from the mainland.

The retailer may open the Hong Kong store as early as next year. Meanwhile, it is also looking for sites in Beijing and Shanghai, CEO Mickey Drexler said in an interview in Hong Kong.

Closely held J.Crew is pushing to reach Chinese shoppers as competition heats up and economic growth slows in the world's most populous nation. The apparel company will join brands that include Abercrombie & Fitch Co, Gap Inc and Burberry Group PLC in courting tourists from China's mainland in the former British colony.

Hong Kong had 28 million tourists from the mainland last year.

Agencies - China Daily