Hong Kong bakery chain Taipan Bread and Cakes, which invented snowy mooncakes, has closed all its branches after 41 years in business.
Notices announcing the closure were seen at several chain branches on Tuesday.
鈥淒ue to many unpredictable and irresistible shocks recently, our company regretfully announces that it will officially cease operations from [Tuesday],鈥 a notice said.
鈥淭hank you for your support and love for our company over the years. We sincerely apologise for any inconvenience this may cause.鈥
Three branches at the MTR stations of Choi Hung, Tai Wai and Whampoa had stopped operating earlier.
The chain was previously sued by landlords for unpaid rent, with some of its employees also reporting delays in receiving their wages.
Taipan earned its reputation in 1989 by creating the snowy mooncakes, which feature a chilled, glutinous rice flour skin instead of the classic pastry.
It is the latest chain to close in Hong Kong.
Hong Kong鈥檚 retail sales dropped for a 14th consecutive month in April, falling by 2.3 per cent, year on year, to HK$28.9 billion (US$3.7 billion). For the first four months, retail sales were down by 5.6 per cent over the same period last year, as witnessed in a string of chain closures.