Retail News CRM

Author: Mei Ling Tan

  • Leonardo DiCaprio invests in sustainable footwear brand Allbirds

    Leonardo DiCaprio invests in sustainable footwear brand Allbirds

    Actor Leonardo DiCaprio’s latest investment will help in making sustainable, eco-friendly fashion more mainstream with his sustainable footwear company ‘Allbirds‘.

    The environmentally conscious actor has been active towards the battle against climate and environmental changes, and has now invested in an eco-friendly footwear company, reports People.com

    “Creating sustainable consumer products requires a deep commitment from brands that understand the role they have in helping solve our environmental crisis,” DiCaprio said in an exclusive statement.

    DiCaprio, 43, donated US $1 million to help protect marine life in Seychelles from his foundation, and in the year 2017, he announced that his foundation would be donating a US $20 million grant to help combat climate change.

  • Kroger launches direct-to-customer e-commerce platform Ship

    Kroger launches direct-to-customer e-commerce platform Ship

    The Kroger Co. has announced the introduction of Kroger Ship, its new direct-to-customer e-commerce platform.

    “Kroger Ship is our next step in creating a seamless experience that allows our customers to shop when and how they want,” said Yael Cosset, Kroger’s Chief Digital Officer. “Our new service is just one more way we are redefining the customer experience as part of Restock Kroger, bringing more convenience and options to shoppers across America. Kroger Ship complements and joins our 2,800 grocery stores, 1,250 curbside pickup locations, and delivery service from 1,200 locations.”

    Kroger Ship is launching in four markets: Cincinnati, Houston, Louisville, and Nashville. The retailer anticipates quickly rolling out the ship service to additional markets over the next few months. During the first phase of Kroger Ship, customers can shop from a curated selection of 4,500 our brands products, which are not available anywhere else online, and more than 50,000 center-aisle groceries and household essentials that matter the most, influenced by 84.51° data and insights.

    The service offers competitive ecommerce pricing and fast and free doorstep delivery by a package carrier on orders over US $35, otherwise shipping is US $4.99 per order. Ship customers will experience exclusive money-saving opportunities, including promo codes and pricing deals along with the convenience of a set-and-save subscription model. During the launch phase, customers will receive free shipping—no minimum purchase required—and 15 percent off their order with a one-time-use promo code.

    “Kroger Ship brings together the best of our digital, technology, logistics, 84.51°, merchandising, and Our Brands teams to deliver our customers convenient and curated food inspiration,” added Cosset. “Kroger’s ecommerce platform expands our offering beyond the physical store to include even more products. Along with staples and customer favorites, Kroger Ship will carry bulk and additional sizes, and focus on Our Brands, local and international food and flavors, specialty items, and health and wellness products – making it easier than ever before to be your family’s hero at mealtime, or anytime.”

    “Kroger is building on our expansive logistics and fulfillment infrastructure to support the rapid rollout of Ship,” said Frank Bruni, Vice President of Supply Chain and Procurement. “With the support of Our Brands, and Kroger’s manufacturers and suppliers, our vision is to build a seamless e-commerce system that offers our customers an ever-growing number of products and allows Kroger to ship nationwide, serving America through food inspiration and uplift.”

  • AirAsia bullish on Indonesian market

    AirAsia bullish on Indonesian market

    Malaysian low-cost carrier AirAsia, which will start flights to Silangit Airport, Indonesia, the main gateway to Lake Toba from Oct 28, is looking to increase its services in Indonesia, a market in which it sees huge potential.

    Speaking at a press conference in conjunction with the official launch of the new route today, AirAsia Group CEO Tan Sri Tony Fernandes said the airline is eyeing more routes from Malaysia to Indonesia such as Belitung, Banyuwangi as well as Raja Ampat.

    “We are very bullish about Indonesian tourism. Indonesia is a huge priority for us,” Fernandes said.

    “We have already started talking about Kuala Lumpur-Belitung (route), which we see as a huge potential. There are so many places within Indonesia, as I’ve always said Indonesia is much more than just Bali.”

    In addition, Fernandes said the airline is also looking at cruise business in Indonesia, noting that coupled with the low-cost airline, it would be a huge potential for the state’s tourism industry.

    According to Indonesia’s Tourism Ministry, AirAsia made the highest contribution of all airlines to the number of international tourists flown to the country, bringing in 25% of the total figure.

    The four times weekly direct flights from Kuala Lumpur to Silangit Airport is the 21st route launched by the airline into the state.

    Fernandes said the new route marks the carrier’s commitment to support the government of Indonesia in developing the 10 priority tourism destinations, including Lake Toba.

    “Prior to Silangit, travellers wishing to visit Lake Toba had to take a six-hour bus ride from Medan. Today, they can fly direct to Silangit and reach Lake Toba in just an hour.

    “In addition to building new airports, Indonesia is converting Terminal 2 at Soekarno-Hatta International Airport into a low-cost carrier terminal. We believe this is a step in the right direction and we will continue to fully support Indonesia to achieve 20 million tourist arrivals by 2019,” he added.

    AirAsia is offering promotional all-in fares from RM39.10 for one way till Aug 12 for travel between Oct 28 and March 29, 2019.

    Besides Silangit, AirAsia also flies to 15 other destinations in Indonesia namely Jakarta, Lombok, Pekanbaru, Surabaya, Bali, Medan, Padang, Semarang, Banda Aceh, Pontianak, Yogyakarta, Palembang, Bandung, Makassar and Solo.

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  • Luk Fook makes debut in Manila city

    Luk Fook makes debut in Manila city

    Hong Kong jewellery retailer Luk Fook has announced its entry into the Philippines.

    The first Luk Fook Philippines store is located at Solaire Resort and Casino of Manila Game Zone, established by the Philippines government as an entertainment and tourist hot spot. The area contains a shopping mall, luxury casinos, a theme park, international hotels, commercial complexes and destination resorts.

    Wong Wai Sheung, Luk Fook’s chairman and CEO says with the development of the Belt and Road Initiative, together with booming tourism in Southeast Asia, the group is positive about its prospects in the region.

    “Adhering to the corporate vision of ‘Brand of Hong Kong, Sparkling in the World’, the group has decided to open a new shop in Manila following its new shops opened in Malaysia and Cambodia this year, with an aim to further expand into the markets of overseas Chinese and tourists. Together with more than 1660 shops globally, the group will continue to provide high-quality jewellery products, excellent service and an unparalleled shopping experience for its customers worldwide.”

    The Luk Fook Philippines opening marks the group’s 10th global market.

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  • Vietnam posts $3.1-billion trade surplus in Jan-July

    Vietnam posts $3.1-billion trade surplus in Jan-July

    Vietnam’s trade surplus in the first seven months was $3.1 billion as exports rose 15.3 percent year-on-year to $133.7 billion.

    Domestic companies accounted for $39 billion of the exports, up 18.7 percent, while foreign firms registered $94.7 billion, up 14 percent, according to the General Statistics Office (GSO).

    Cell phones and components topped the list of exports at $26.1 billion, followed by textile and garment at $16.5 billion and electronics and computers and components at $15.7 billion.

    The U.S. was the biggest importer, with shipments rising by 8.9 percent to $25.5 billion.

    The EU was second with $24.2 billion, up 12.9 percent, followed by China with $19.5 billion, up 24.7 percent.

    Imports rose by 10.2 percent to $130.6 billion, with domestic companies accounting for $54.16 billion spent by firms, up 12.7 percent.

    Imports by foreign companies were up 8.5 percent.

    The GSO has however warned exporters and importers to be prepared for any eventuality given the ongoing trade war between the U.S. and China.

    The U.S. imposed 25 percent tariffs on an initial $34 billion of imports from China on July 6, which then led China to respond with similar sized tariffs on U.S. products.

    The Donald Trump administration claims the tariffs are necessary to protect national security and U.S. businesses’ intellectual property, and to reduce the country’s trade deficit with China.

    The administration said Wednesday that Trump has sought to ratchet up pressure on China for trade concessions by proposing a higher 25 percent tariff on $200 billion (152.33 billion pounds) worth of Chinese imports.

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  • E-Land to stop selling Coffee Bean & Tea Leaf in China

    E-Land to stop selling Coffee Bean & Tea Leaf in China

    South Korean fashion and retail group E-Land is surrendering its Coffee Bean & Tea Leaf China franchise licence.

    The move is expected to improve the conglomerate’s reportedly strained cash-flow situation and mark a more focused approach to retail. It comes after expanding the franchise to 17 locations in China over the past two years. It had originally pledged to expand the Chinese business to 1000 stores.

    The group’s liquidity has been under significant pressure in recent years, forcing it to relinquish its resorts and cruise businesses as well as other holdings. It currently runs around 250 brands spanning retail, fashion and restaurants.

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  • Indonesia Needs ‘Dollars Now,’ President Says, Urging Greater Biodiesel Use

    Indonesia Needs ‘Dollars Now,’ President Says, Urging Greater Biodiesel Use

    Indonesia’s President Joko “Jokowi” Widodo on Tuesday (31/07) urged his ministers to make “serious” efforts to strengthen foreign exchange reserves by widening biodiesel use to combat pressures caused by a global trade war.

    Indonesia requires foreign inflows to finance its current account deficit and the central bank has spent about $12 billion of its forex reserves in recent months to defend the rupiah, which has lost about 6 percent this year.

    “The country needs dollars now,” Jokowi told a cabinet meeting. “I don’t want to keep doing meetings without good implementations.”

    The cabinet has met at least six times since the start of July to tackle concerns over trade and the rupiah currency, and Jokowi called for swifter action to prop up the currency.

    He sought immediate implementation of a government’s plan to widen the mandatory use of B20 biodiesel to all diesel vehicles, including locomotive engines and heavy equipment.

    Expansion of the B20 programme could be launched as soon as Thursday, Industry Minister Airlangga Hartarto said this week. He estimated the measure could save Indonesia $5 billion in diesel imports each year.

    Replacing imports could benefit Indonesia, one analyst said.

    “In the short term, this would be a faster solution, compared to trying to boost exports,” said Josua Pardede, an economist with Bank Permata in Jakarta.

    “Replacing imports would be one alternative to maintain the current account deficit at a healthy level,” he added. “The oil and gas deficit has been continuously expanding in the last year due to the rising oil price.”

    Biodiesel can cut fuel costs and reduce emissions, but some varieties need special handling and equipment as the fuel has a solvent effect, corroding engine seals and gasket materials, and it can solidify in the cold.

    Indonesia’s auto industries group, Gaikindo, has said stepping up biodiesel blends can increase fuel consumption and could cause engines to overheat.

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  • Adidas Settles for $8 Million in Rockport Dispute

    Adidas Settles for $8 Million in Rockport Dispute

    German-headquartered Adidas AG has agreed to a settlement in its Rockport bankruptcy dispute.

    Adidas bought Rockport as part of its takeover of Reebok in 2005 and sold the brand a decade later.

    Rockport was placed in Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection in May of this year, and in July a rescue plan was lodged by CB Marathon, an affiliate of Charlesbank Capital Partners, to take over the ailing business.

    However Adidas and Reebok challenged that, lodging a claim for more than $70 million to recover unsecured claims from Rockport.

    According to a news, Adidas agreed to a payout of $8 million from its $54 claim, a settlement approved by a Delaware bankruptcy judge on Monday, clearing the way for the same to CB Marathon, subject to final approval from the courts.

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  • YSL Beauty Hotel event by Lotte

    YSL Beauty Hotel event by Lotte

    Following a new customer service strategy, South Korean travel retailer Lotte Duty Free exited part of its duty-free concession at Incheon International Airport Terminal 1 this Tuesday, 31st of July. Its tactical shift aims at providing greater focus to its downtown retail business through the organization of a growing number of diverse and various unique events.

    In line with its new strategy, Lotte has partnered with L’Oreal Travel Retail Asia Pacific to host a promotional event for YSL at its VIP Star lounge in Myeongdong, Seoul.

    From the 1st to the 3rd of August, invited clients have the opportunity to observe YSL’s beauty products coming to life. In a world where technology is booming and penetrating every aspect of our lives, Lotte has put together a digital-heavy event with a VR Experience Space, a Concert Room and an Arcade Zone for fervent gamers. Visitors are also equipped with digital wristband giving them access to all the information they might need along with photos and videos from the event. L’Oréal’s beauty touch cannot be forgotten as visitors can feel like models getting ready for a fashion show by enjoying beauty classes to then head towards the photoshoot zone.

    To retain customers which were previously shopping in its late Incheon Airport physical stores, Lotte aims at bringing its clients an elevated shopping experience. From personal shopping service, a high-end Café and two restaurants, visitors will feel like stepping in a luxurious palace hotel.

    Lotte Duty Free expects the YSL Beauty Hotel event to attract over 3,000 customers, two-thirds being international travelers from countries such as China and Japan.

    Special guests Junho, Nichkhun and Hwang Chiyeul, Lotte’s brand ambassadors, will hold a mini concert on the closure of the event.

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  • DHL eCommerce in Thailand Boosts Efforts to Fight against Illegal Wildlife Trade

    DHL eCommerce in Thailand Boosts Efforts to Fight against Illegal Wildlife Trade

    In order to help combat the shipping and transport of illegal wildlife products, TRAFFIC, through the the USAID-funded Wildlife Trafficking Response, Assessment and Priority Setting (Wildlife TRAPS) Project, delivered a capacity building workshop in Bangkok yesterday for staff at DHL eCommerce in Thailand to learn how they can play a key role in helping prevent the trafficking of wildlife.

    The workshop covered the local and global implications of wildlife trafficking crimes, the role of the CITES convention in regulating the international wildlife trade, common wildlife trafficking trade routes, the modes and methods used by wildlife traffickers for shipping illegal products, and risks to the transport and logistics sector. During the workshop, participants discussed potential vulnerable points along their supply chains in Thailand and ways to strengthen their company’s operations, staff and customers’ awareness, and reporting mechanisms for wildlife trafficking.

    “Today’s workshop raised awareness of how wildlife is threatened around the world, gave us a clear understanding of the potential impacts from wildlife trafficking to our core business, and helped us understand what actions could be taken to strengthen our operations against the wildlife trafficking,” said Mr Wittaya Khoryiamklang, DHL Transport Manager.

    “Leadership from companies like DHL plays a very important role in tackling wildlife trafficking. Only through long term and positive collaborations between the private sector, government, and NGOs we can achieve tangible impacts to stop wildlife crime.” Said Mr Somkiat Soontornpitakkool, Director of the CITES management authority of Thailand, who attended the workshop.

    Following the workshop, staff were awarded certificates of participation along with informational resources for further learning. In the coming months, TRAFFIC will continue to provide technical guidance to DHL in Thailand to support the implementation of  those action points identified during the event.

    “Wildlife trafficking is a transportation-intensive activity and workshops like this can catalyze positive action on the ground to help companies to stay free from unwittingly transporting illegal wildlife products. The Deutsche Post DHL Group is already a signatory of the United for Wildlife Transport Taskforce Buckingham Palace Declaration, so today’s event could be seen as a practical step in helping to implement those high level commitments” said TRAFFIC’s Monica Zavagli, Wildlife TRAPS Senior Project Officer.

    Thailand ranks second in wildlife trafficking instances through the air transport sector globally[1], and in recent years has been on the front lines of many large-scale illegal wildlife seizures, intercepting shipments of rhino horn, ivory, rosewood, and pangolin scales, among other commonly traded wildlife products.

    Many in the transportation sector are recognising the need to take action against wildlife trafficking. Recently, Etihad developed a new 20-minute online module designed to inform its employees of the business risks associated with the illegal wildlife trade and ways to prevent them. In addition, the USAID Reducing Opportunities for Unlawful Transport of Endangered Species (ROUTES) Partnership has conducted trainings across Africa, the Middle East, and Asia to train airport and airline employees in key wildlife trafficking hubs.

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  • AirAsia opens new gateway to Lake Toba via Silangit

    AirAsia opens new gateway to Lake Toba via Silangit

    AirAsia’s new route to Silangit in North Sumatra is more than just a direct flight to the gateway of Lake Toba. It also marks the airline’s commitment to sustainable tourism development there.

    Group CEO Tan Sri Tony Fernandes said AirAsia strives to connect travellers to the hidden treasures of Indonesia while ensuring the sustainability of these destinations.

    “Our team has already been to Silangit to work with the local authorities.

    “We are building a recycling plant there and we are hoping to work with the local government on sanitation.

    There will be four flights from the Kuala Lumpur International Airport 2 (klia2) to the Silangit Airport in Tapanuli every week beginning Oct 28.

    Prior to the new route, travellers wishing to visit Lake Toba had to take a six-hour bus ride from Medan.

    “We will put more flights on if the demand comes and with the infrastructure built along with it.

    “The ultimate aim is to build a hub. It won’t be a big hub, as Jakarta will still be our main hub,” said Fernandes.

    The new Kuala Lumpur-Silangit route was launched by Maritime Affairs Coordinating Minister Luhut Binsar Pandjaitan, Air Transportation acting director-general Pramintohadi Sukarno, Fernandes, AirAsia Group Bhd executive chairman and AirAsia X Co-Group CEO Datuk Kamarudin Meranun and AirAsia Indonesia CEO Dendy Kurniawan.

    Pandjaitan is confident that the new route will boost tourist arrivals in Lake Toba – one of Indonesia’s top 10 priority tourism destinations.

    “We are upgrading the facilities at Silangit Airport and extending the runway length from 2,650m to 3,000m.

    “We are also expanding the apron and terminal building to accommodate more aircraft and passengers and we hope this new route will benefit the local economy and community.”

    AirAsia is offering special introductory all-in-fares from Kuala Lumpur to Silangit from RM39.10.

    These fares are available for booking on airasia.com and the AirAsia mobile app from Aug 2 to Aug 12 for the travel period from Oct 28 this year to March 29, 2019.

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  • Vietnam retail sales rises in seven months straight

    Vietnam retail sales rises in seven months straight

    Vietnam retail sales and services rose 11.1 per cent in the first seven months, according to the General Statistics Office (GSO).

    The revenue reached VND2.49 quadrillion (US$108.3 billion) thanks to a strong increase in purchasing power during prolonged hot weather, the GSO said.

    Sales in July reached the highest level during the past three months, with May and June each seeing 8.3 per cent growth.

    The retail sector gained a year-on-year surge of 11.7 per cent in revenue to VND1.88 quadrillion, accounting for 75 per cent of the total revenue from retail sales and services.

    Products recording strong increases included food (up 12.6 per cent), apparel (up 12.4 per cent), home appliances (up 12.3 per cent), cultural and education services (up 10.3 per cent) and transport (up 10.4 per cent).

    GSO said demand for food rose during the FIFA World Cup in June and July.

    Tourism revenue grew 17.7 per cent, followed by accommodation and restaurant and catering services, up 9.1 per cent.

    The GSO expects Vietnam retail sales to grow by 10.5 per cent over the full year.

  • Gentle Monster makes debut in London

    Gentle Monster makes debut in London

    South Korean luxury eyewear brand Gentle Monster has opened an eye-catching new store in London.

    The 450sqm store was launched in the city’s West End, representing the initial step in a broad-ranging plan to expand the firm’s business in Europe.

    The new London flagship is enhanced by robotic installations and an “active volcano” described by one fashion scribe as “spectacular”. The firm has previously invested in a South Korean robotics factory.

    Gentle Monster MD Garry Bott said, “We are very much focused on creating a sensory experience for the customer, even down to the individual fragrance for each of our flagship stores.”

    Future stores are expected to open in Paris and Dubai.

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  • Vietnamese startup EzQ wins two prizes at APEC meet

    Vietnamese startup EzQ wins two prizes at APEC meet

    A Vietnamese startup has won the top prize at a regional contest with a win-win business model for vendors and customers.

    EzQ won the Best Startup award at the IDEAS Show APEC 2018 held in Taiwan last week.

    Demonstrating a good understanding of user’s needs and applying technological advances for community development, the EqZ model impressed 14 judges from Creative HQ (New Zealand), Samsung Ventures, TechGrind Thailand, Plug and Play (United States), Born2Global (Korea) and Vietnam Silicon Valley to win two prizes: “Best Startup” (Jury Gold) and another reward from TechGrind.

    “For us, the trust, appreciation and comments from the judges are of utmost importance. Earlier, we were not fully confident in our business model. Now we are inspired and motivated to pursue the solution that our company provides,” said Nguyen Hoang Giang, EzQ founder.

    Starting with the needs and potential of the Vietnamese market, EzQ developed the idea of an ecosystem that links all market constituents. EzQ’s model aimed to cut back on middlemen, increasing profitability for the vendors but reducing costs for consumers.

    Using the forthcoming trend of blockchain technology, EzQ seeks to provide a secure, safe and transparent ecosystem, Giang said. In particular, it will increase income generation opportunities to students, office workers, housewives and people with idle time.

    Raphael Uranguai, Assistant Secretary/ Ministry of Commerce and Industry Trade Development and Promotion from New Guinea, commented that the business model of the Vietnamese startup showed that the digital economy was a leading area of interest in the Asia Pacific region.

    IDEAS Show APEC is an annual startup technology conference. IDEAS Show APEC 2018 was attended by 40 representatives from Taiwan, South Korea, Papua New Guinea, Peru, Philippines, Singapore and Vietnam. All the teams participating in the conference had the opportunity to visit some big and innovative startup hubs in Taoyuan, Taiwan.

    There were also exhibition booths for introducing products, and meetings held to discuss and host concept presentations from startups.

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  • Hong Kong’s retail sales continue to growth

    Hong Kong’s retail sales continue to growth

    Hong Kong’s retail sales renaissance continued in June, with a 12 per cent rise for the month.

    That is marginally less than the 12.9 per cent increase in May, and below the 13.4 per cent increase for the first half year, but the rate shows signs the growth is stabilising.

    The Census and Statistics Department estimated the total value of retail sales in June at HK$37.8 billion (US$4.8 billion). After netting out the effect of price changes over the same period, the volume of retail sales in June rose by 9.8 per cent.

    Predictably, sales of jewellery, watches and clocks, and valuable gifts led the way, up by 27.8 per cent. Other strong performing categories were cosmetics, up 18.3 per cent, department store sales up 15 per cent, footwear and accessories up 11.4 per cent and Chinese drugs and herbs up 10.3 per cent – all categories popular with visitors from Mainland China.

    Retail categories largely dominated by local shoppers showed more modest growth: supermarket sales rose 1.1 per cent, electrical goods by 0.4 per cent, furniture and fixtures by 8.9 per cent, books and stationery by 3.1 per cent, optical shops by 6.9 per cent and food and alcohol by 8.9 per cent.

    The C&SD said that after seasonal adjustment, the value of retail sales decreased by 0.2 per cent from the first quarter to the second and the volume by 0.1 per cent.

    A government spokesman said the sustained double-digit growth of retail sales in June reflected favourable local consumer sentiment amid a tight labour market and rising visitor arrivals.

    “Looking ahead, favourable job and income conditions and buoyant inbound tourism should continue to provide support to the retail sector in the near term. Yet, we need to closely monitor how the heightened external uncertainties might affect consumption sentiment going forward.”