alifornian golf lifestyle brand Malbon has opened its first flagship store in China, stepping up its presence as it targets a broader, style-led consumer beyond the sport’s traditional base.
Located at Jing’an Kerry Centre in Shanghai, the store builds on the brand’s earlier moves in the market, including establishing a Shenzhen base and launching a temporary Shanghai pop-up, reflecting a test-and-learn approach to expansion.
The flagship adopts an experiential retail format, integrating a cafe and a small putting area alongside its core retail offering. The concept aligns with a wider industry shift toward hybrid spaces that prioritise engagement and dwell time over purely transactional retail.
To localise its offer, Malbon also launched a Shanghai-exclusive capsule referencing xiao long bao, applying the motif across core apparel categories.
Founded in Los Angeles in 2017, Malbon operates at the intersection of golf and streetwear, appealing to consumers who engage with the sport more as a cultural and lifestyle marker than a performance pursuit.
Beyond China, the brand has also expanded its physical footprint in Asia with recent store openings in the Philippines and Vietnam.
