[Leica] Leica Stores

[gcr910 at gmail.com (Greg Rubenstein)]

Just back from several weeks of wandering around Japan, Hong Kong and 
Shanghai.

Did not see any Leica Shops in Japan, even on Ginza, though I saw
plenty of Leicas in stores around town.

Hong Kong has more than a few closet-sized Leica boutiques, more like
small jewelry stores, really. The one at Chep Lap Kok Airport proved
helpful. Needed a lens cap for my 24. The fellow didn't have it there,
made a few calls and found a spare cap (several actually) at the Leica
boutique/shop/closet in the Times Square Shopping Centre (in Causeway
Bay), near my hotel.

Also, in Hong, Kong, saw my first S2 in something other than a
picture. Many of the camera shops, in addition to the mini boutiques,
have at least one on display. A fellow I spoke with said he sells the
bodies and lenses almost as quickly as they arrive to monied
mainlanders.

In Shanghai, on West Nanjing Road, near a stretch of high-end watch
shops, there is a Leica boutique. Exactly the same in layout, design
and size as the ones I saw in Hong Kong. Optical gear and a full line
of Ms and modern lenses. No S2, though.

Again, these are small shops. They remind me of the gallery concept of
merchandising. Not sure how much they expect to sell, but people are
exposed to the brand, can handle the gear and may, on occasion, buy
(as I did with the lens cap; actually bought several 'cuz I keep
losing them -- the rubber/plastic Leica caps that fit on lens hoods
are less than secure at the best of times the way I carry a camera).

Greg Rubenstein