Line opens pop-up store in Hong Kong

Local Internet giant Naver has opened a pop-up store in Hong Kong featuring products of characters from its Line mobile messenger.

The company said the store is the fifth of its kind overseas after Taiwan, Thailand, Indonesia and Malaysia.

“The long lines in front of the shop to buy Line’s character products show the rising popularity of Line and its characters in Hong Kong,” a Line spokesperson said. “The popularity now matches those in Japan, Thailand and Taiwan, where Line has already become the top mobile messenger.”

The company said it would beef up its services and marketing in Hong Kong, and will seek to enter the Chinese market down the road.

Line is working with global companies such as the U.S.-based toothpaste maker Colgate and transit card company Octopus to further introduce its characters.

(shinjh@heraldcorp.com)