Museum Context is the retailer of officially licensed Harry Potter merchandise and much more. There success story spans from Europe to Asia with multiple stores in Hong Kong and plans of expansion in Asia, this is a true success story of Andrew McRae, a chartered architect from Scotland.
Waterhouse Wade Founder and Director, Terry Waterhouse was instrumental in the success of Museum Context from the very early stage of the opening of its first store in Hong Kong. Below is an article published on The Scotsman, Scotland's National Newspaper on Saturday 08 December 2018:
It was a cold, wintry day in January 2011 and Andrew McRae was behind the counter of his heritage-themed and Harry Potter curios shop in Cockburn Street in Edinburghâs Old Town when a âdistinctive looking gentlemanâ walked in and began examining the items very closely.
âHe started asking questions about my plans for the future. I said my wife Alice and myself had a dream of opening shops all over the UK. He then gave me his business card, said âthank youâ and before he left said we should go out and open a business in Hong Kong.â
McRae, a chartered architect who specialised in conservation projects including the Signet Library in the Royal Mile before branching out in to retail, took a leap of faith and emailed Hong Kong based designer Terry Waterhouse â the customer in the shop â a business plan, and got a positive reply within 48 hours saying the idea was a âgoerâ.
McRae who started with a pop-up shop in the former colony, now has three shops in Hong Kongâs busiest shopping districts at Taikoo Shing and Harbour City and Causeway Bay as well as a pop up store at the Hong Kong International Airport and plans to expand into China and Asia.
âI went to Hong Kong in April 2011. I couldnât move quickly enough to get into this.â
âHong Kong has a very strong âgift cultureâ. With many people having small flats theyâre looking for unusual, hand-sourced good with a real story showcasing our history and culture.
âItâs not just the high-tech sector which does well overseas. Scottish businesses can have an international footprint if we get our pioneering spirit back.â
McRae has four shops in Edinburgh â his flagship Modern Context store in Victoria Street, famed as the birthplace of JK Rowlingâs Diagon Alley where wizarding students buy supplies, his Cockburn Street store and also two John Kayâs Shops, (named after the 18th century caricaturist and engraver) in Victoria Street and in the Tron Kirk on the Royal Mile.
He sources much stock for Edinburgh and Hong Kong from Scottish artisans, ranging from Hogwartâs jumpers and scarves from Lochaven knitwear in Stewarton, in Ayrshire, who dressed the stars of the Harry Potter Hollywood movies; Isle of Skye Candle Company products and artwork by Iain Mackintosh, illustrator for author Alexander McCall Smithâs novels.