Author: Mei Ling Tan

Menswear retailer Trinity has recorded a half-year loss it attributes to subdued spending in Hong Kong, Macau and Taiwan, changing buying patterns, the renminbi depreciation and competition.

The group loss to shareholders was HK$257 million (US$32.8 million), with revenue at $862.4 million and gross profit $594.3 million, down from $606.8 million for last year’s first half.

Despite overall revenues remaining flat, CEO Jeremy Hobbins says a promising sign was growth in the number of units sold across its three wholly owned international menswear brands Cerruti 1881, Gieves & Hawkes and Kent & Curwen, as well as its licensed brand D’Urban.

“If we exclude the effect of exchange-rate differences, our same-store sales on the Chinese mainland grew by 8.1 per cent.”

While he is confident the group is well placed to take advantage of market growth in China, he says Hong Kong and Taiwan remain a challenge in the near term.

During the first half, Trinity appointed brand leaders in Asia to accelerate decision-making. These executives have profit-and-loss responsibility and oversee all key dealings in Asia including marketing, buying and selling.

Meanwhile, the group has closed its Hong Kong factory, with Li & Fung agreeing to take responsibility for the group’s sourcing activities. This partnership, launched in June, lowers headcount and is expected to result in cost savings.

Stores closed

Trinity says other cost-saving measures include continuing rationalisation of non-performing stores. Several loss-making stores across all brands have closed.

Following the success of the Kent & Curwen David Beckham capsule collection, the full collection is being launched in all the group’s markets. To introduce the brand, Kent & Curwen pop-up stores were opened in China as well as in Taiwan. The brand says its relationship with Beckham is a key component in its strategy to meet the increased demand for casualwear.

In response to increased demand for personalisation, the Gieves & Hawkes private tailoring service has been rolled out across China and introduced at the Mandarin Oriental store in Hong Kong.

Meanwhile, with Cerruti 1881 celebrating its 50th anniversary this year, an exclusive collection will be released. A new store concept is also being rolled out across Greater China.

It is also the 20th anniversary of the D’Urban Monsoon collection, developed by the Japanese suit brand for hot and humid climates. To mark the occasion, the collection will be offered all year round.

Trinity says its e-commerce performance has been encouraging with a doubling of revenue for the first half. Expansion is being considered for its presence on the retail platforms Farfetch, Mr Porter and Tmall.