(Yicai Global) June 10 -- Aji Ichiban, a once-popular snack chain that operated in Hong Kong for nearly 30 years, has shut all of its outlets in the special administrative region because of a dearth of tourists resulting from the Covid-19 pandemic.

An Aji Ichiban employee confirmed news reports of its Hong Kong shuttering, noting that the company also will not accept new franchises in the Chinese mainland for now because of the coronavirus.

Existing franchises are still open for business, and vendors can continue to buy products from Aji Ichiban and sell them through other channels, the staffer told Yicai Global.

Aji Ichiban closed all of its stores in Hong Kong on June 6, the Hong Kong China News Agency reported earlier. It cited a spokesperson as saying that the company could not continue operating due to a great falloff in visitor numbers to Hong Kong amid the pandemic.

Formed in 1993, Aji Ichiban grew into a popular retail brand in Hong Kong. It has 17 franchise stores in the mainland, most near airports. The latest opened on March 22 at Jinan Yaoqiang International Airport in eastern Shandong province, per its website.

The business also faces stiff competition from other emerging snack brands. In the Hong Kong, market Aji Ichiban was challenged by Best Mart 360 and 759 Store, while online snack brands including Three Squirrels and Bestore have dominated the mainland market.

Editors: Dou Shicong, Peter Thomas