In April 2025, Samsonite opened its first sustainability-focused store in Hong Kong at ifc mall. The brand marked the occasion with the launch of Samsonite Café, an aircraft-inspired cafe pop-up located at the Oval Atrium of ifc mall — a playful nod to Samsonite’s legacy in travel. Inside the pop-up, a baggage claim-inspired area showcased highlights from Samsonite’s remarkable archives, giving visitors a glimpse into the brand’s 100-plus years of craftsmanship and innovation. Hong Kong singer and friend of Samsonite Jeffrey Ngai joined Subrata Dutta, President of Samsonite Asia Pacific and Middle East at the event and even took part in crafting freshly brewed coffee inside the pop-up.
The new ifc mall store offers a glimpse into the future of eco-conscious retail. Walking into the store, visitors are greeted by a space that feels modern yet deeply intentional. Every element of its design serves a purpose, not just functionally but environmentally. Interiors are crafted using FSC-certified plywood, low-emission gypsum, and recycled materials. During the construction process, over 75% of waste materials were meticulously sorted and sent to certified recycling facilities, ensuring a minimal environmental impact.
The back panels of the store shelves, for instance, look sleek and modern, but they hide a remarkable story of innovation. “The back panel is extremely strong, but it’s actually made from waste materials from backpacks,” explains Dutta. “You wouldn’t think it. It looks like an intentional design.” Even the shelves, which once might have been made of glass, have been replaced with recycled materials.
From now on, our objective is that any new stores we open will include components that are recycled or recyclable. That’s the purpose of this store,” Dutta explains. Energy-efficient upgrades, such as LED lighting and motion sensors, further highlight Samsonite’s dedication to reducing its carbon footprint.
Subrata Dutta, President of Samsonite Asia Pacific and Middle East
The new store also features all displays that highlight the rigorous testing processes Samsonite uses to ensure its products stand the test of time. “When you get a bag, the first thing you do is test the handle—pulling it, lifting it. This setup shows consumers how we test the handle durability, simulating the thousands of times they’ll use it in real life,” Dutta explains. The same display also showcases wheel durability and overall bag strength. “We fill a bag with 25 kg of weight and put it on a treadmill to ‘walk’ 32 kilometres,” Dutta reveals. “We also do drop tests with full bags from a specific height, even in -12°C temperatures, to ensure the bags can handle impacts in cold weather,” highlighting Samsonite’s commitment to creating durable, sustainable products that travellers can rely on for years to come. “If something lasts forever, it automatically becomes more sustainable,” Dutta states. “We don’t encourage people to buy new bags frequently. Instead, we design stylish bags that last a long time.”
Sustainability at Samsonite isn’t just about its stores and products—it’s a mindset embedded across the organisation. “Sustainability in how we work, what we carry, and how we conduct ourselves,” Dutta says, and he practices what he preaches. “I focus on intelligent packing, always travel light and rarely check in my baggage — even during trips where I go from warm climates like Dubai to colder places like Tokyo.” He avoids single-use plastics, carries his own toothbrush, and skips daily linen changes in hotels, demonstrating how small changes can make a big difference. “Don’t carry things you won’t need, and carry back memories instead. When you travel light, you’re more focused on the experience rather than managing your luggage.”
The new ifc mall store is more than just a retail space— it’s a vision not just for today’s retail, but for what sustainable retail can look like tomorrow. As Dutta put it, “Innovation and sustainability are the two pillars of Samsonite, and this store reflects both. It’s not just about selling products—it’s about making a difference.”
Editor
Kaitlyn Lai
