English super-chain Pret A Manger is the latest casualty in mainland China's food and beverage market. The store confirmed this afternoon to us that they will be closing both their stores in Shanghai this Thursday and going back to Hong Kong. Their sandwich, soup and cookie model just never took off here the way they expected, which is... a shame. Their original K11 store was killed by a Starbucks just opposite them in the lobby (despite an excellent 12rmb chocolate croissant), and their Kerry Center and Pudong locations couldn't find their feet. Adieu, Pret. See you in London.