Retail News CRM

Author: Mei Ling Tan

  • Sophia Webster develops line for Puma

    Sophia Webster develops line for Puma

    British accessories designer Sophia Webster has collaborated with German sportswear giant Puma on a line of shoes and apparel.

    It is also the first time the designer, known for her shoes, has her name on a womenswear line.

    Her sports apparel has new silhouettes and features sheer black performance fabrics and textured flock. It features hand-drawn patterns and a Birds of Paradise print, as well as pastel rainbows with iridescent foils, bold graphics and sports mesh.

    The footwear includes a pearl sneaker with a rubber cage, Puma Suede trainers with new colourways and translucent rubber soles, and Puma classic Leadcat slide sandals with metallic embroidered artwork and fluorescent highlights.

    The clothing is tailored to women, like Webster, who dance for exercise: sheer leotards, cut-out leggings and crop tops with a unicorn design.

    Webster joins a line-up of celebrities such as Cara Delevingne, Kylie Jenner and Rihanna, who “Partnering with Puma has been fantastic as they allowed me full creative control of the entire collection of footwear and apparel,” she says.

    In Singapore, the collection is available at Puma stores in Bugis+, Paragon and Suntec City, and authorised retailers Limited Edt, Pedder on Scotts and Tangs at Tang Plaza.

  • Bike Technics launching e-commerce site

    Bike Technics launching e-commerce site

    Bicycle accessories and service provider Bike Technics, which specialises in mountain bikes, is launching an e-commerce site.

    It offers products from a range of specialist brands as well as professional services. Products include mountain-bike components, helmets, handlebars, saddles, protective gear (gloves, knee pads, elbow/forearm pads), sensors and devices for workouts.

    Services include basic bicycle examinations, tuning and repairs; overhauls (full stripdown and component check), lubrication, wheel realignment, custom builds, drive-chain maintenance, for and frame cleaning, and professional advice and support.

  • DHL doubles airfreight capacities to support Norwegian seafood exports

    DHL doubles airfreight capacities to support Norwegian seafood exports

    DHL Global Forwarding, the air and ocean freight specialist of Deutsche Post DHL Group, expands its airfreight capacities in response to the increasing exports of the Norwegian seafood industry. The demand has been continuously growing since the introduction of DHL’s new service solution in May this year. As of now DHL will double its flight frequency by deploying a dedicated Boeing 747-400 cargo plane that ships seafood from Oslo to Seoul and Shanghai twice a week. Furthermore the new solution will also increase the operational efficiency on DHL’s transpacific trade lane by performing around-the-world flights.

    “As the international leading logistics provider and enabler of global trade, Deutsche Post DHL Group is committed to always support its customers with effective and efficient logistics solutions. The introduction of our new around-the-world air freight services not only increases the capacities for the Norwegian seafood industry, it also demonstrates the creative and customer centric approach of our Global Forwarding division,” says Frank Appel, CEO Deutsche Post DHL Group.

    The newly deployed Boeing 747-400 around-the-world freighter service is yet another step in re-designing intercontinental supply chains while generating significant, reliable and efficient capacities for customers along the route from Brussels to Oslo, Seoul, Shanghai Cincinnati and back to Brussels. The aircraft will start in Brussels and pick up the seafood at the DHL terminal in Oslo. From there it will be flown to Seoul, where the plane will be discharged and loaded with general cargo for its next destination in China .This procedure repeats at the next stops in Shanghai and Cincinnati and prior to the return to Brussels.

    In addition to the expanded capacities along the transpacific route, DHL Global Forwarding will also manage the increasing demand of fresh seafood, by doubling the number of flights from Norway to Asia. Twice a week DHL will transport seafood from Lakselv Airport Banak via its terminal in Oslo to Seoul. From the origin, only 100 km from the North Cape to its final destination in Korea the time for the whole supply chain is cut down from 48 to 20 hours.

    “Given our expertise in temperature controlled logistics solutions and rapid transportation by plane, we make sure that the seafood arrives at its destination in the best possible condition,” says Ingo-Alexander Rahn, Global Head of Airfreight, DHL Global Forwarding. “Cutting the lead-time by more than 50 percent and providing seamless logistics processes, furthermore help the Norwegian fishing industry to grow and win considerable market shares with high quality seafood around the globe. DHL does not only provide greater transportation capacities of fresh seafood to Asia, we overall contribute to the logistical accessibility of the region and improve the global supply of the time-sensitive goods.”

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  • Apple iPhone X Asia on-sale dates confirmed

    Apple iPhone X Asia on-sale dates confirmed

    Apple’s most expensive and technologically advanced iPhone yet, the X, was unveiled overnight. And the tech giant has revealed the new Apple iPhone X Asia on-sale dates.

    Preorders for the handset will open on October 27 with the on-shelf date November 3 in the following Asia-Pacific markets: Australia, China, Hong Kong, India, Japan, New Zealand, Singapore and Taiwan.

    In the US, the phone will sell from $999 for the base model 64GB model, but regional pricing has yet to be revealed.

    It was one of three major product announcements by Apple. The other two were a new cellular version of its Apple Watch, along with the new generation ‘standard’ iPhone 8. (Scroll down for more details)

    The iPhone X has been described by Apple as “the future of the smartphone”, featuring full-front and rear glass design, surrounded by stainless steel frame, with a 5.8-inch ‘Super Retina’ OLED display, A11 Bionic chip, wireless charging and an improved rear camera with dual optical image stabilisation.

    With an all-glass front the ‘home’ button has been removed. Instead of activating the phone with a fingerprint, users can unlock the phone, and make payments, using Apple’s Face ID technology – you look at it to switch it on.

    The glass back enables a world-class wireless charging solution. Wireless charging works with the established Qi ecosystem, including two new wireless charging mats from Belkin and mophie, available from Apple.com and Apple Stores.

    “For more than a decade, our intention has been to create an iPhone that is all display. The iPhone X is the realisation of that vision,” said Jony Ive, Apple’s chief design officer.

    The home button has been replaced with what Apple describes as “fast and fluid gestures. Now users swipe up from the bottom to go home from anywhere.

    Apple says the new 7-megapixel TrueDepth front camera that enables Face ID features wide-colour capture, automatic image stabilisation and precise exposure control, and brings portrait mode to the front camera for better quality selfies and a depth-of-field effect. The phone also features a redesigned dual 12-megapixel rear camera system with dual optical image stabilisation. The camera also delivers the highest quality video capture ever in a smartphone.

    The iPhone X will be available in silver and space gray in 64GB and 256GB models.

    The new iPhone 8

     

    Meanwhile, the Asia onsale dates of the new iPhone 8 and iPhone 8 Plus will vary. Orders will be taken from September 15, with availability from September 22 in Australia,  China, Hong Kong, Japan, New Zealand, Singapore and Taiwan. It will be available in India from September 29.

    The iPhone 8 features a new glass and aluminum design in three colours – grey, silver and gold –  Retina HD displays and an A11 Bionic chip. They come with 4.7-inch and 5.5-inch HD displays, and redesigned stereo speakers up to 25 per cent louder and delivering deeper bass, enabling richer-sounding music, videos and speakerphone calls.

    Sold with 64GB and 256GB capacity, the base model will be priced from US$699.

    Series 3 Apple Watch

    The new Apple Watch Series 3 now features built-in cellular capability.

    “Whether users are out for a run, at the pool or just trying to be more active throughout their day, Apple Watch Series 3 with cellular allows them to stay connected, make calls, receive texts and more, even without an iPhone nearby,” says the company.

    “The third-generation Apple Watch is an amazing health and fitness companion with intelligent coaching features, water resistance 50 meters and a new barometric altimeter that measures relative elevation.”

    The watch comes in two models, one with GPS and cellular, and one with GPS, both featuring a 70 per cent faster dual-core processor and new wireless chip.

    “We believe the addition of cellular will transform the way people use Apple Watch, providing a new sense of freedom since they can stay connected with or without their iPhone,” said Jeff Williams, Apple’s COO.

    Soon, the combination of cellular and WatchOS 4 will allow Apple Music users to stream 40 million songs from their wrist.

    In Asia-Pacific, the cellular watch model can be pre-ordered from September 15, with both models in stores from September 22 in Australia, China and Japan. It will be launched in other countries next year.

    Customers will be able to order the GPS-only version from September 15, with availability beginning September 22 in Australia, China, Hong Kong, Japan, New Zealand, Singapore and Taiwan and in India and Macau from September 29.

    An Apple Watch Nike+ edition will be available to order on Apple.com from September 15, with limited availability on October 5 in Australia, China, Hong Kong, India, Japan, Macau, New Zealand, Singapore, Taiwan and Thailand.

    An Apple Watch Hermès edition will be available to order on Apple.com from September 15, with availability from September 22 in Australia, China and Japan.

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  • SingPost Centre starts opening in phases

    SingPost Centre starts opening in phases

    The SingPost Centre mall has started opening in phases following the repurposing of space as part of an omni-channel e-commerce experience.

    The mall aims to offer convenience by bringing together retailers, customers and e-commerce last-mile fulfillment all under one roof.

    OCBC Investment Research says the mall will complete the omnichannel e-commerce experience involving both online and offline retailers.

    When fully opened, the mall is expected to produce S$17 million (US$12.6 million) a year in rental and property-related income.

  • Hermes operating margin reaches record level

    Hermes operating margin reaches record level

    Luxury retailer Hermes’ operating margin rose to 34.3 per cent of sales in the first half of this year – a new company record.

    And operating income from recurring activities rose 13 per cent, with Asia (excluding Japan) driving most of the growth.

    Hermes has reported consolidated revenue of €2.713 billion in the first half, up 11 per cent at current exchange rates and 10 per cent at constant exchange rates.

    Hermes’ Asian sales grew by 14 per cent, a figure the company described as “great progress, driven particularly by continental China”. Japan sales rose a more modest 3 per cent, despite the strengthening of the yen, with European sales up 7 per cent and US sales by 9 per cent.

    “The performance in the first half confirmed the positive momentum of the ready-to-wear and accessories and the silk and textiles business lines,” the company said in a statement. “Growth in leather goods and saddlery (12 per cent) was sustained thanks to the success of the collections and the diversity of models. The ready-to-wear and accessories division (up 10 per cent) performed well, driven by the success of [new] collections as well as jewellery accessories and shoes. The silk and textiles business (up 6 per cent) pursued its positive momentum, with sustained demand and creative diversity.”

    Perfumes sales rose 8 per cent, benefiting from the launches of Galop d’Hermès, Eau de Néroli Doré and Eau de Rhubarbe Ecarlate in the second quarter of last year, while the watches business slipped 1 per cent, “penalised by a still challenging market,” which nevertheless  showed a slight upturn in the second quarter.

    Sales in Hermes other business areas – essentially jewellery and homewares – rose 13 per cent.

    Hermes says its consolidated net profit increased by 11 per cent to €605 million, representing 22.3 per cent of sales.

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  • Starbucks patents cold-pressed espresso process

    Starbucks patents cold-pressed espresso process

    Starbucks has developed a new, patent-pending cold extraction process that produces a concentrated, smooth tasting shot of cold-pressed espresso.

    The cold-pressed espresso shot will serve as the foundation for a new suite of in-store menu options focused on cold espresso beverages and which has been launched at the company’s premium, Starbucks Reserve Roastery in Seattle this week. Since opening in December 2014, the Seattle Roastery has served as a pipeline of innovation for Starbucks including the introduction of Nitro Cold Brew which is now available in more than 1000 stores across the US and 16 markets globally.

    “From Cold Brew to Starbucks Draft, we have been building a cold coffee platform that not only appeals to our customers, but acknowledges that cold beverages are no longer just seasonal,” said Kevin Johnson, Starbucks president and CEO. “This new technique, which produces a dense shot of cold-pressed espresso, is the next step in our cold coffee journey and the perfect ingredient to design a menu of cold espresso or coffee options. We believe the opportunities are limitless.”

    Designed by Starbucks Research and Development team, the new Aqua Tamp Technology uses an ascending flow filtration system that is pressurised by cold water. The inverted process allows for a precise release of flavour characteristics resulting in a dense concentration of cold espresso. In doing so, it allows the release of a sweeter coffee flavour and smooth finish to break through making the cold-pressed espresso extracted the ideal pairing to a variety of cold liquids allowing it to retain the intensity of the espresso flavour.

    This new breakthrough builds on the company’s ongoing investment in the category of iced beverages. During its 2016 Investor Conference, Starbucks said it expects to quadruple the Cold Brew business by 2021 and its overall cold beverage mix to move from over 35 per cent in 2013 to nearly 50 per cent by 2021. US iced coffee consumption has grown by 75 per cent in the past decade and cold brew sales grew 338.9 per cent between 2010 and 2015, according to industry data.

    The Seattle Roastery Cold-Pressed Espresso Menu will include:

    • Sparkling Cold-Pressed Americano: A shot of cold-pressed espresso poured over sparkling water, served on ice.
    • Cold-Pressed Americano Exploration Flight: A tasting flight featuring one Cold-Pressed Americano, one traditional Iced Americano, and one Sparkling Cold-Pressed Americano.
    • Cold-Pressed Ginger Fizz: Crisp, refreshing ginger ale infused with a shot of cold-pressed espresso, poured over barrel-aged vanilla syrup. Finished with grapefruit bitters.
  • Amazon China on recruitment drive

    Amazon China on recruitment drive

    Amazon China appears to be ramping up business with nearly 400 mainland jobs listed on its careers website, plus another 900-odd on LinkedIn.

    The US company’s China-centred recruitment drive includes senior content executives to acquire and manage content, a leader for its Amazon Lending program and a head for its storefront on Alibaba’s Tmall.

    While the Seattle company still sells goods from abroad to Chinese consumers, the country’s e-commerce market is dominated by Alibaba and JD.Com, and the government places limits on foreign companies.

    Meanwhile, Amazon is encouraging its more than 2 million merchants to expand their horizons to embrace international markets. To streamline the process, it offers language translation services, currency conversion and tariff services.

    Amazon’s sales in China represented just 1.1 per cent of the nation’s online gross merchandise value in 2015, and by last year that figure had dropped to 0.8 per cent, according to iResearch figures.

    However, in last year’s fourth quarter, Amazon controlled 7 per cent of the China’s cross-border commerce, according to ICBC. For the first quarter this year, its cross-border sales were 11 times above their level two years earlier.

    Amazon this year started hiring HR executives for a new regional “shared-services hub” in Beijing, and a new office in Hangzhou – Alibaba’s home territory – is hiring sales team leaders empowered to headhunt more staff.

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  • Ikea ventures into augmented reality

    Ikea ventures into augmented reality

    Swedish furniture chain, Ikea, has launched an augmented reality application that allows consumers to experiment with products in situ at scale.

    The new app automatically scales products – based on room dimensions – with 98 per cent accuracy, with Ikea asserting the AR technology is so precise that textures of fabrics, as well as how light and shadows are hit furnishings, can be seen.

    “Ikea Place makes it easier to make buying decisions in your own place, to get inspired and try many different products, styles and colours in real-life settings with a swipe of your finger,” said Michael Valdsgaard, leader digital transformation at Inter Ikea Systems.

    “Augmented reality and virtual reality will be a total game changer for retail in the same way as the internet. Only this time, much faster. ARKit gives us the opportunity to help shape the development of AR as an accessible tool for real-life decision making,” said Valdsgaard.

    Ikea has built the app on Apple’s new ARKit technology, which Cass Hall, customer experience manager, Ikea Australia, said is an important innovation for the global company.

    “Ikea is one of the first home furnishing brands in the world to bring this technology to people, which will shift the way we purchase furniture in the future,” he said.

    Over 2,000 products are available in the app at launch, and in the future will play a “key role in the launch of new product lines”.

    Tiffany Buckins, head of interior design for Ikea Australia said the furniture retailer “understands that the world is changing and that technology is impacting the way we live at home, especially in the living room”.

    Ikea will present the new AR technology to the Australian Centre for the Moving Image (ACMI) in Melbourne in October launching the Make Room for Life exhibition.

    “Through the Make Room for Life Exhibition we will draw on our understanding of how people live at home, combining sensory elements, AR technology, inspiration and our home furnishing expertise to inspire people to design their living room for what’s most important to them”,” said Buckins.

    Ikea said the new app will be available to download from the App Store “soon”.

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  • Luk Fook US opens second San Francisco shop

    Luk Fook US opens second San Francisco shop

    Luk Fook US has opened its second retail shop in San Francisco with a ribbon-cutting ceremony.

    Officiating guests included California State Senator Scott Wiener, Chinese Consolidated Benevolent Association president William Yu, Miss Asia California Katie Lam, and group co-founder Pauline Yeung, a Miss Hong Kong Pageant winner.

    Group chairman/CEO Wong Wai Sheung says Lukfook Jewellery has been well received and supported by overseas Chinese customers. “This year marks the 20th anniversary of the group’s public listing, and we are dedicated to extend the network here in Chinatown, San Francisco.”

    He says the group also plans to expand further overseas to fulfil its corporate vision of “Brand of Hong Kong, Sparkling the World”.

    With shops across Mainland China and Hong Kong, the group tapped into the North American market in 2003. It has more than 1500 shops in nine countries and regions.

  • Food prices rise, butter hits record high

    Food prices rise, butter hits record high

    New Zealand food prices rose in August, with fruit and vegetables, meat, and groceries such as butter more expensive than a year earlier.

    Butter prices hit a record high of $5.39 per block, up 11 per cent in the month and 62 per cent from a year earlier.

    The food price index advanced 0.2 per cent on a seasonally adjusted basis in the month, and gained 2.3 per cent for the year to August, Statistics New Zealand said.

    Fruit and vegetables cost 5.5 per cent more than a year earlier, while meat, poultry and fish prices rose 0.6 per cent and grocery food prices increased 2.8 per cent.

    The annual butter price increase is the largest in percentage terms since 2010, Stats NZ said. Chocolate prices also rose 3.4 per cent in the month.

    “We have seen butter prices rising lately due to New Zealand’s export driven market,” consumers price index manager Matthew Haigh said.

    “Butter prices have experienced all-time highs in the global market, and this also drives the price here at home.”

    Food prices account for about 19 per cent of the consumers price index, which is the Reserve Bank’s mandated inflation target when setting interest rates.

    Vegetable prices increased 8.7 per cent on an annual basis, driven by higher prices for kumara, potatoes and cucumbers, and were up 5.4 per cent in the month. Fruit prices rose 0.3 per cent annually, but dropped 0.5 per cent in the month, as avocados and strawberries became cheaper in August.

    The price of chicken rose 3.3 per cent in the year to August 2017, but dropped 2.4 per cent in the month, while beef fell 2.6 per cent annually and was down 2.5 per cent on a monthly basis and pork dropped 8.6 per cent in the year.

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  • Ikea to revamp Melbourne location

    Ikea to revamp Melbourne location

    Swedish furniture retailer, Ikea, will give its Richmond store a multi-million-dollar facelift to upgrade the store’s layout with new entrance points and better lift accessibility.

    The project, which is expected to be completed by mid-2018, will expand the store’s showroom and a refreshed restaurant will be installed and serve cafe-style food including barista made coffee and cakes.

    The Swedish Food Market and Bistro will be upgraded to provide a better experience to customers, the retailer added.

    Chris Brown, Ikea Richmond store manager, said the investment will pave the way for a transformation at Ikea Richmond for it to be better equipped to meet the needs of its customers.

    “We are looking forward to opening a new and improved store and shopping experience for our customers that will continue to evolve,” Brown said. “Ikea Richmond will be more even inspiring and relevant for our customers, and even easier to access once the renovation is complete.”

    Ikea Richmond, which opened in 2003, currently employs over 350 co-workers, a figure which, according to the retailer, will grow by approximately 10 per cent through the store upgrade and expansion.

    The store will continue to trade as normal throughout construction.

    Earlier this week, the furniture retailer launched an augmented reality application, which it sees as a “total game changer for retail”.

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  • Seiko Australia opens first Melbourne boutique

    Seiko Australia opens first Melbourne boutique

    Japanese watch brand, Seiko, has opened its first Melbourne boutique on Little Collins Street earlier this week.

    The boutique houses Seiko’s prestigious collections, Grand Seiko, Astron and Credor and will also display several watches never before offered in Australia.

    In launching the store, displayed Seiko’s Fugaku Timepiece valued at $600,000, the $400,000 Credor Spring Drive Minute Repeater as well as the Eichi ll valued at $61,000.

    The boutique will reside among Melbourne’s bustling Little Collins Street which is known for its high-end boutiques and have a resident Seiko watchmaker to assist customers with technical information.

    In March last year, the Japanese watch brand opened its first Australian boutique at the Queen Victoria building in Sydney, following openings in Frankfurt, Moscow and Tokyo last year.

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  • FedEx Singapore named best employer by Aon for the sixth time

    FedEx Singapore named best employer by Aon for the sixth time

    FedEx Express has been named a Best Employer by Aon in Singapore. This year, FedEx is also awarded the Best Employer in Asia Pacific after it was named the Best Employer in three out of seven Asia Pacific markets that have announced the results – Malaysia, New Zealand and Singapore.

    Representatives from FedEx Express receive the awards for Aon Best Employers Singapore 2017 and the Aon Regional Best Employers in Asia Pacific 2017. Pictured from left: Jeremy Andrulis, Chief Executive Officer, Southeast Asia, Aon Hewitt; Audrey Cheong, Managing Director, FedEx Express Singapore; Mohamed Gani Bin Salleh, Operations Coordinator, FedEx Express Singapore; and Amy Leung, Managing Director, Human Resources Services, South Pacific Region, FedEx Express.

    “We are extremely honoured to be recognised as an employer of choice in Singapore by Aon. Ensuring that our employees are engaged and feel valued is one of our core focus areas, and this recognition further reinforces our commitment to continue moving in the right direction,” said Audrey Cheong, managing director, FedEx Express Singapore. “Credit goes to our employees who manifest their high level of engagement by consistently fulfilling our Purple Promise to deliver an outstanding experience to customers.”

    The Best Employers accreditation program evaluates organisations based on four critical areas: employee engagement, effective leadership, compelling employer brand and high performance culture.

    “The rapidly evolving business environment needs organisations to accelerate organic growth, digitise their business, reduce risk exposure and embrace change,” said Jeremy Andrulis, CEO of Aon Hewitt, Southeast Asia. “These themes demonstrate the importance of having a highly engaged, agile and productive workforce. Best Employer organisations like FedEx are able to identify the capabilities they need from their employees and create an environment conducive to their employees’ growth and productivity not just now, but in the years to come. As a result, they outperform the market in employee engagement while continuing to retain the exceptional talent they already have.”

    Prior to this year, FedEx Singapore was also in Aon’s Best Employers list in 2001, 2003, 2004, 2008, 2011. In 2016, the company received a Special Recognition for Commitment to Engagement by the Aon Best Employers – Singapore program.

  • DHL Express opens new facilities in Budapest Airport

    DHL Express opens new facilities in Budapest Airport

    wo express facilities have opened at Budapest Airport, as part of the EUR160 million (HUF50 billion) BUD:2020 Development Programme.

    DHL Express is the latest to launch at the warehouse and office complexes, which have automated sorting systems, and represent the largest air cargo development at Budapest Airport to date, with a total land area development of just over 60,000 square meters.

    “DHL Express has already been present in Hungary for more than 25 years. The new lease agreement between Budapest Airport and DHL Express for another 15 years clearly reflects the commitment of Deutsche Post DHL Group to Hungary and the airport,” said Zoltán Bándli, Managing Director, DHL Express Hungary.

    “The 6,000 m2 warehouse capacity will give DHL space to accommodate the volume growth of our business, with the new state-of-the-art sorting technology, which includes fully automatic shipment processing, allowing us to process more than 6,000 pieces per hour, which is three times our current capacity.

    “As DHL Global Forwarding and DHL Freight are also located at Budapest Airport, synergies between the three business units will strengthen, and contribute to a more effective operation, further improvement of services, and development of cross dock businesses. The move will also mean a quality improvement in working conditions, and further efficiency gains in warehouse operations.”

    More than 600 employees will be based at the two new express complexes, which are located in the area next to Terminal 1, further cementing Budapest Airport’s role as a regional leader for integrators.

    The next freight phase of the BUD:2020 Development Programme will be the development of Cargo City next to Terminal 2, due to be completed in 2019.

    The new facilities will provide centralised cargo operations, and expand the Hungarian hub’s cargo handling capacity to 250,000 tonnes per year.

    “We are pleased to kick start a new era for cargo at Budapest Airport with the opening of our new express facilities,” said René Droese, Director Property and Cargo, Budapest Airport.

    “We have seen strong cargo growth during the last 18 months, and we look forward to further establishing Budapest Airport as the ideal location for air cargo distribution in Central Europe.”

    Budapest Airport handled a record volume of 72,161 tonnes of air cargo from January to July 2017, an increase of 19.6 per cent on 2016.

    The Hungarian hub experienced continuous growth with new freighters, such as Qatar Airways Cargo, the volume increase of current freighter partners, such as Cargolux and Turkish Cargo, and the belly cargo capacity of passenger operators, including Air China and Emirates Airlines.

    The recently announced LOT Polish Airlines services from Budapest to New York and Chicago, and the daily American Airlines flight from Philadelphia to Budapest will establish direct belly cargo connections between Hungary and the cargo hubs in the USA.