Retail News CRM

Author: Mei Ling Tan

  • Paragon mall adds more Retail brands On Level 3

    Paragon mall adds more Retail brands On Level 3

    Paragon mall has added a new retail and lifestyle concept on level 3, bringing together curated fashion brands.

    Launched in phases from last June, the refreshed 15,000sqft concept offers new names from fashion, beauty, bags and accessories, dining and lifestyle brands.

    In fashion, there are French-based women fashion Anne Fontaine, Indonsia label D2-i, European-made shoes Hue, European fabric Moiselle, Asia’s esteemed multi-brand fashion Pois, home-grown fashion designer Sabrinagoh, first concept store for ladies by Samsonite Samsonite for Her, Norwegian fashionable shoe brand with a bold personality Swims, and bespoke collection of jewelry Sulin Serio.

    For skincare and fragrances, there are Scandinavia’s leading cosmetic brand Make Up Store, beauty products from Escentials, and home scenting Flaming Queen, niche fragrances boutique Amaris.

    Western-meets-Sichuan café style dining Halcyon & Crane adds to dining options.

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  • Big W to shut down 30 stores over 3 years

    Big W to shut down 30 stores over 3 years

    Department store chain Big W will close approximately 30 stores and two distribution centres over the next three years in an effort to create a more profitable and sustainable store network in a changing retail environment.

    This is less than the 60 store closures that Macquarie Wealth Management predicted in a report last month, before Big W’s parent company Woolworths Group had completed its internal review of the discount department store business.

    The decision, which will see the number of Big W stores shrink by about 16 per cent, will cost the business $270 million in lease and store exit costs. This will impact Woolworths Group’s FY19 full-year result, alongside a $100 million cash impairment identified in the review.

    “While the recovery in trading for Big W is encouraging, and there remains further opportunity for improvement, the speed of conversion to earnings improvement is taking longer than planned,” Woolworths Group chief executive Brad Banducci said in a note to investors.

    “This decision will lead to a more robust and sustainable store and DC network that better reflects the rapidly changing retail environment. It will accelerate our turnaround plan through a more profitable store network, simplifying current business processes, improving stockflow and lowering inventory.”

    In its report last month, Macquarie noted that half of Big W’s stores are located in challenging centres, many of which are regional, and that these locations are unlikely to give the brand the sales it needs to return to profitability.

    Woolworths expects its department store business to record a loss before interest and tax for FY19 of $80 to $100 million, slightly below the $110 million loss felt in FY18.

  • Rimowa x Bang & Olufsen crossover link between Adventure and Sound

    Rimowa x Bang & Olufsen crossover link between Adventure and Sound

    Rimowa has announced its first collaboration with luxury audio and lifestyle brand Bang & Olufsen.

    In their first Rimowa x Bang & Olufsen crossover, the two firms have created a pair of limited-edition Beoplay H9i headphones designed to characterise the brands unique approach to style, fashion and functionality.

    “Rimowa and Bang & Olufsen share a passionate approach to purposeful and elegant design,” said Rimowa CEO Alexandre Arnault. “Both of them celebrate aluminium in their products. To strengthen the natural relationship between sound and travel, we have proudly partnered to create the Rimowa x Bang & Olufsen Beoplay H9i headphones.”

    “For more than 90 years, Bang & Olufsen has striven to be more than an audio company, a brand that stimulates people’s lives through a passion for sound, design and craftsmanship,” said Bang & Olufsen executive VP, brand and markets, John Mollanger.

    “With Rimowa being much more than a luggage company – a brand that makes travel an art and that disrupts its own marketplace – we are honoured and proud to have an ideal partner. The first materialisation of our collaboration, the Rimowa edition of our flagship Beoplay H9i headphones and exclusive Rimowa carrying case, will make the world travel at the speed of sound.”

    The limited edition headphones will be available at HKD7250 (US$923.50) starting April 15 in select Rimowa and Bang & Olufsen stores as well as online at bang-olufsen.com.

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  • Volkswagen Polo, Ameo And Vento Get Black And White Edition

    Volkswagen Polo, Ameo And Vento Get Black And White Edition

    Volkswagen India has introduced Black and White special editions for its Polo, Ameo and Vento in India. The engine options and the specifications remain the same, although the Black and White edition cars get a bunch of cosmetic upgrades. The Black and White editions get body graphics, leatherette seat covers, roof edge spoiler, 16-inch Portago alloy wheels, black roof and ORVMs and a Black and White Badge on the front fenders. Volkswagen also re-introduced the ‘Deep Black’ colour on the Polo and the Vento but not on the Ameo. The good news is that the Black and White edition for the Polo, Ameo and Vento is available at no extra cost and will be available at all Volkswagen dealerships.

    Steffen Knapp, Director, Volkswagen Passenger Cars said, “It is our constant endeavor to enhance our product offerings that are in-line with evolving consumer aspirations. The Polo & Vento have been strong contenders within their segments. Adding a dash of style, these enhanced

    Also, camouflaged test mules of the new Vento and Polo have been spied testing in India which suggests that the new models could be just around the corner. Since an all-new Vento which will be developed on an Indianised version of the MQB A0 platform has been scheduled for 2021 in India, the 2019 model will receive minor tweaking, most of which is likely to be done to the front end.

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  • UBS Exploring Office Move in Singapore

    UBS Exploring Office Move in Singapore

    UBS is considering to move its office out of the central business district, according to local media reports. UBS is likely to consolidate its Singapore office footprint by relocating from One Raffles Quay and Suntec City to 9 Penang Road, according to a report in Business Times.  Market sources said that the commercial terms of a potential lease for 9 Penang Road have been more or less finalized, but the deal is still pending for approval by the top brass in Switzerland.

    The site, which is coming up on the former Park Mall site opposite Dhoby Ghaut MRT Station, would provide a different type of space for the bank. The motivation appears to be a desire by the bank to operate in a larger, campus-style, facility, rather than cost savings.

    Surprising Move

    Many office leasing observers were somewhat surprised that UBS, Asia’s largest wealth management bank, is considering moving out of the financial district into Penang Road, which is not a typical headquarters location for a major bank.

    However, 9 Penang Road may have its own appeal, given it is a stone’s throw from the prime Orchard Road shopping belt and the location offers good connectivity. Dhoby Ghaut station is an interchange for the North-South, North East and Circle lines.

  • Telenor appoints Irfan Khan to head the group’s Asia operations

    Telenor appoints Irfan Khan to head the group’s Asia operations

    Telenor Group has appointed Irfan Khan, chief of Pakistan unit, as executive vice president and cluster head for the Norwegian telecom group’s emerging Asia operations, effective from April 1, 2019.

    Khan (pictured) succeeds Petter-Børre Furberg, who will take up a role as CEO of Telenor Norway and move out of the group’s executive management team.

    As a result of the move, Khan will join Telenor Group’s executive management team and report directly to Telenor Group CEO and president Sigve Brekke.

    “I am confident that Irfan will continue to lead our dedicated and talented teams to success, connecting the cluster’s more than 130 million customers,” said Brekke. “I’d like to also thank Irfan’s predecessor in this role, Petter-Børre Furberg, for his leadership and achievements across our Asia region over the last several years.”

    He will also continue as CEO of Telenor Pakistan, a role he assumed in August 2016 following a three-year stint as deputy CEO and CMO of the business.

    Khan has been with Telenor for 14 years and was the first employee in Telenor Pakistan when he started as EVP and head of corporate affairs division in 2004.

    In Asia, Telenor has operations in Pakistan, Thailand, Bangladesh, Myanmar and Malaysia.

    Line appoints founder Jungho Shin as co-CEO

    Japan-based Line announced its founder and “chief wow officer” (CWO) Jungho Shin (pictured) will take up an additional role as co-CEO from April 1.

    As the co-CEO, Shin will now also focus on bolstering the competitiveness of Line’s services and promoting innovation, while Takeshi Idezawa will concentrate on the management, as well as revenue, organizational structure, human resources, and recruitment, the company said in a statement.

    Line said the decision was made during the company’s board meeting and the appointment comes as the company began what it calls its second growth phase this year, moving into new business domains such as fintech, AI and blockchain.

    “By having Idezawa and Shin commit to their respective areas of expertise under this new structure, the aim is to strengthen and enhance Line’s management structure, enable nimbler decision-making, and deliver world-class services that will accelerate Line’s growth, both in Asia and globally,” the company added.

    Shin was appointed as CWO in February. He has been with the company since its start, most recently serving as chief service officer since April 2018 and chief global officer before that.

  • HPE launches cloud advisory service

    HPE launches cloud advisory service

    Hewlett Packard Enterprise has announced HPE Right Mix Advisor, an offering that aims to help businesses develop their hybrid cloud strategies.

    HPE Right Mix Advisor recommends which workloads and applications are ideal to move to public clouds, or keep in private clouds, and how to migrate those workloads to achieve the right mix of hybrid cloud according to each business’s specific need.

    Many organizations find identifying their right mix to be a significant challenge, due to the complexity of their environment and the rate of change in technology and business. HPE said its new advisor aims to be the systematic approach businesses need to develop their hybrid cloud strategies with confidence.

    “IT executives have noted to us that identifying the optimal fit for their individual workloads is one of their top challenges today,” IDC’s Jed Scaramella said. “Past approaches that relied on best practices and manual analysis are now too costly and time consuming.”

    HPE Right Mix Advisor is built upon experience from over 1,000 hybrid cloud engagements, best practices from Cloud Technology Partners and RedPixie, and automated discovery capabilities from iQuate.

    Millions of data points are quickly collected from the customer’s IT landscape, from CMDBs such as ServiceNow, and from external sources such as cloud vendor pricing models. In a recent engagement, for example, nine million IP addresses across six data centres were examined.

    HPE Pointnext experts work with the client’s IT teams to analyze the data using proprietary tooling and placement algorithms. The result is a data-driven recommendation of the right workload placement strategy, as well as a phased plan to get there.

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  • Nokia unveils Factory in a Box 2.0

    Nokia unveils Factory in a Box 2.0

    Nokia is showcasing the second generation of the vendor’s Factory in a Box container solution at the 5G Arena during Hannover Messe 2019 in Germany.

    Factory in a Box 2.0 is designed to demonstrate how industry 4.0 solutions for manufacturers can be packed, transported and brought online within hours.

    The solution combines additive manufacturing technologies with augmented and virtual reality and robotics solutions, as well as connectivity using Nokia’s private 4G/5G equipment.

    Meanwhile a semi-automated production workflow has been integrated with Nokia’s Worldwide IoT Network Grid, which is designed to help mobile operators deliver a better global IoT experience to enterprise customers.

    Finally, the solution is designed with a Nokia Digital Automation Cloud, which is targeted at industrial environments large and small.

    “We could tell from the positive feedback we received on the Factory in a Box last year that there is a lot of potential for this concept in the manufacturing industry,” Nokia VP of supply network and engineering Grant Marshall aid.

    “This year, we have raised the bar again, and Factory in a Box 2.0 is now connected to Nokia WING and has Nokia DAC on board, making it even more flexible, secure and efficient.”

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  • H&M sales beat Predicted expectations

    H&M sales beat Predicted expectations

    First-quarter H&M sales have exceeded expectations, with the company improving both profit and margin, proof that the fast-fashion company’s turnaround strategy is working.

    H&M sales rose by 42 per cent in India and 16 per cent in China, in local currencies. The company said  both online and offline performance improved in many markets.

    The global retailer’s pre-tax profit was 1.04 billion Swedish crowns (US$112.25 billion) for the quarter to February 28, less than the 1.26 billion Swedish crowns it posted in the previous corresponding period. But this was well ahead of the 708 million that analysts had been expecting.

    Gross margin was 50.0 per cent, up from 49.9 per cent in the previous corresponding period, while analysts had been anticipating a fall to 49.4 per cent.

    H&M said this was the result of ongoing improvements in buying and logistics, which led to a 1.5 percentage point reduction in the markdowns in relation to sales, compared to the corresponding quarter the previous year.

    “Our ongoing transformation work has contributed to stronger collections with increased full-price sales, lower markdowns and increased market shares,” Karl-Johan Persson, H&M’s CEO, said in a statement accompanying the results.

    H&M has also been working to improve its online offering by launching e-commerce sites in new markets, integrating digital and physical stores and providing faster delivery options. The retailer also said it will shortly launch an upgraded loyalty program, which has 35 million members.

    Today, H&M is available online in 47 markets, and Mexico and Egypt will be added in 2019. It will launch on Myntra and Jabong, India’s largest e-commerce marketplaces, later this year.

    H&M said it plans to add 175  net new stores to its network this year. Most of these stores will open in growing markets, while the number of stores in Europe is expected to reduce by 50.

    “The rapid transformation of fashion retail continues and we can see that our own transformation work is taking us in the right direction, even if many challenges remain and there is still hard work to do,” Persson said.

    “The progress we have made in our strategic focus areas confirms that we are on the right track. Therefore we continue moving forward at full speed and we are optimistic about the future for the H&M group.”

    H&M’s strategic focus areas include:

    • Creating the best customer offering.
    • Fast, efficient flexible product flow in the supply chain, including initiatives within advanced data analytics and AI.
    • Continued investment in the tech foundation, including scalable and robust platforms to enable faster development of new apps and technologies.
    • Digital expansion into new markets.
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  • DHL To Drive the Growth fro Abu Dhabi

    DHL To Drive the Growth fro Abu Dhabi

    DHL Global Forwarding has signed a deal with KIZAD – Abu Dhabi’s industrial hub and a subsidiary of Abu Dhabi Ports, to establish a distribution centre to serve the needs of its customers.

    Under the agreement, DHL Global Forwarding will set up warehouses in KIZAD to provide end-to-end logistics and supply chain services to its customers, who seek to leverage the optimal geographical location of KIZAD to propel their growth trajectory. The warehouses will be used for storage and consolidation of all shipments, equipped with high-volume racking, as well as fully-managed kitting, packing and dispatching process to support customers’ growing capacity requirements.

    KIZAD’s strategic location, which offers easy access to all the major transportation hubs in the UAE, will enable DHL Global Forwarding to minimise customers’ shipment times along their global supply chains. With the new Abu Dhabi warehousing facility, DHL Global Forwarding is strengthening its network of global hubs for overseas distribution. With a view to further benefit from KIZAD’s unique proposition and recognising KIZAD as its preferred location for warehousing and distribution in Abu Dhabi, DHL Global Forwarding is working closely with the authorities to expand the size of its KIZAD distribution centre by April 2019.

    Amadou Diallo, CEO, DHL Global Forwarding, Middle East and Africa said: “We are looking forward to connecting KIZAD to our extensive global network, to further propel the growth potential of Abu Dhabi as a gateway to the rest of the world. Beyond the immediate needs of our customers who currently operate out of KIZAD, we are also looking to invest more resources on expanding our presence here, so we can serve more customers. The emphasis on infrastructural investment by the government is also set to rejuvenate the logistics sector, and we are committed to enabling more trade flows to and from this part of the world.”

    Samir Chaturvedi, CEO of KIZAD, said: “We are pleased to welcome DHL Global Forwarding to KIZAD, which is rapidly becoming the location of choice in the UAE for local and international logistics companies. We look forward to supporting DHL Global Forwarding in continuing to provide world-class logistics capabilities and are proud to help strengthen its global freight network and warehousing infrastructure. By hosting DHL Global Forwarding, KIZAD will be advancing key sectors such as the aerospace industry, which is an important component of Abu Dhabi’s economic diversification strategy.”

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  • AirAsia to fly Manila-Osaka route starting July 2019

    AirAsia to fly Manila-Osaka route starting July 2019

    Budget airline AirAsia announced it will operate flights between Manila and Osaka, Japan for the first time in July 2019.

    In a statement, AirAsia said its daily services for the Manila-Osaka route will begin on July 1.

    AirAsia Philippines president and CEO Dexter Comendador called the launch of the new route a “milestone occasion.”

    “Being able to travel directly and affordably to Osaka is fantastic news for Filipinos and we’re confident this new route will serve as a gateway for guests to connect to other popular destinations in Japan such as Kyoto and Nara,” said Comendador.

    “We are also excited to welcome guests from Osaka and its neighboring regions to the Philippines. This international route will contribute to the government’s target of 8.2 million visitors this year.”

    Along with the launch of this new route, AirAsia also announced an all-in, one-way promo fare starting at P1,990 for its BIG loyaty program members. The airline said bookings for this promo should be made from March 29 to April 7, for travels from July 1 to October 26.

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  • The North Face Showcases bags made from recycled tents

    The North Face Showcases bags made from recycled tents

    Outdoor gear firm The North Face is teaming up with British eco-designer Raeburn to make designer bags from recycled tents.

    The bags are currently available for purchase online as well as at The North Face’s Urban Exploration store on Carnaby Street in London.

    “The North Face has been inspiring a global movement of exploration and conservation for over fifty years,” said fashion designer Christopher Raeburn, “and we couldn’t be prouder to be collaborating on this special project, applying our said ‘Raemade’ ethos to transform surplus tents into unique bags.

    “At Raeburn we’re motivated to work with brands, other designers and individuals to drive positive change in our industry, and it’s been fantastic to work alongside the talented team at The North Face to bring this project to fruition.”

    Every product will have a distinct aesthetic based on the varied colours of source tent materials used in creating the bags.

    Raeburn has previously collaborated with Timberland and other international brands on products made from recycled materials. Likewise, The North Face has engaged in a number of closed-loop initiatives, including its “Renewed” program to sell refurbished returned products as well as its carbon “net-negative” product line.

  • Baume & Mercier lands Both in Singapore and Malaysia

    Baume & Mercier lands Both in Singapore and Malaysia

    Swiss watch brand Baume & Mercier lands in Singapore and Malaysia today under a new distribution deal with FJ Benjamin.

    The company has inked an exclusive three-year distributorship for the watches, with a two-year extension possible based on certain conditions.

    FJ Benjamin will manage daily operations, sales and support, as well as set up communications and marketing channels to strengthen Baume & Mercier’s brand awareness in the two markets.

    “We are delighted to be appointed exclusive distributor for Baume & Mercier which enjoys a long history in luxury Swiss watchmaking, and is distributed in over 100 countries today,” said Nash Benjamin, FJ Benjamin CEO.

    “We look forward to developing further the presence of the brand in our markets.”

    Romain Lambert, MD of Baume & Mercier, Southeast Asia and Oceania, said the company looks forward to develop a stronger retail network in order to service current and potential Baume & Mercier customers.

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  • Bulgari launches an Omnia Pasticceria pop-up

    Bulgari launches an Omnia Pasticceria pop-up

    Bulgari has launched an Omnia Pasticceria fragrance pop-up store at Changi Airport’s Terminal 3.

    Inspired by the Italians’ love of pasticcerie, the pop-up is designed in candy colours, decorated with cake stands and sweet treat cups.

    Travelling shoppers can experience activities such as having their portraits painted by renowned digital artist, Bertrand de Miollis, or take photos of their Omnia Pasticceria moments for a personalised postcard.

    A capsule-vending machine provides customers with a surprise treat after they purchase an Omnia fragrance.

    The collection includes four fragrances: Omnia Crystalline, Omnia Coral, Omnia Pink Sapphire and Omnia Amethyste.

    The pop-up, as a part of Bulgari’s #chooseyourtreat global campaign, will roll out to select travel retail locations worldwide later this month.

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  • Central Group closes Robins Vietnam online store

    Central Group closes Robins Vietnam online store

    Central Group has closed its Robins Vietnam online fashion store to concentrate on its physical stores. On its website, Robins Vietnam announced the end of online business from this week, referring customers to its two Robins department stores, at Vincom Royal City in Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City’s Crescent Mall.

    A Central Group representative said the group “plans to restructure its Vietnamese businesses”, including its fashion operation.

    Central Group launched Robins.vn, which was merged with Rocket Internet’s Zalora.vn, in May 2017.

    The Thai retail giant entered Vietnam in 2011, and now owns several businesses there, including Big C supermarkets, electronics chain Nguyen Kim, Lan Chi Mart, Robins Department Stores, and stationery chain LookKool.

    Mobile World group recently closed its online grocer vuivui.com after two years of operation.

    Vietnam’s e-commerce industry is expected to grow 30 per cent to reach US$13billion by 2020 by Vecom. The market is now dominated by Shopee, Lazada, and Tiki, with major investment from foreign firms including JD, Alibaba.

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