Retail News CRM

Author: Mei Ling Tan

  • Cartier launches Pavilion KL store

    Cartier launches Pavilion KL store

    Fine jewellery retailer Cartier has unveiled its newest store in Kuala Lumpur.

    Located at the Pavilion KL, the French maison’s two-storey duplex boutique is set on Level 2 and Level 3.

    Designed to emulate the Cartier flagship, the Bukit Bintang entrance features a 3-storey LED display that lights like liquid gold.

    Inside, the High Jewellery Salon serves as exclusive addition to the store, a jewellery-first for the high-end brand with the KL store being the first in South East Asia to offer this luxurious shopping experience.

    Meanwhile, a carpeted marble staircase leads connects the top to the lower floor, which houses the latest collections and the Accessories Salon, as well as the debut Cartier Client Service Counter in Malaysia.

    The boutique also offers big spenders to opt for a VIP salon to shop in privacy.

    Cartier is slowly becoming more active in Asia’s retail landscape. In January, Cartier unveiled its first pop-up boutique at the Macau Four Seasons T Galleria by DFS.

    In December last year, the Paris-based brand announced the opening of its flagship in Ginza in Japan. The 10,764-square-foot retail location first opened in 2003 and was refurbished in 2007.

  • Bally opens first-ever India store

    Bally opens first-ever India store

    Bally has brought its luxury offerings to India, opening its debut location in New Delhi in partnership with local licensee Reliance Brands.

    Situated in Delhi’s DLF Emporio, the flagship store is lavishly designed with a focus on the high-end products consisting of bags, belts, shoes, jackets, and accessories.

    Opening its doors inside the high-end mall August 2, the Swiss luxury brand joins fellow international brands such as Louis Vuitton, Burberry, Dior, and Giorgio Armani.

    The launch of Bally’s brick and mortar store comes after twelve months worth of talks with Reliance Brands, part of Reliance Retail and the Reliance Group.

    Founded in 1851 in Switzerland, Bally rose to fame in 1890 for inventing the Zurich pump, before launching its ready-to-wear and accessories lines in 1976.

    After launching internationally in 1990, Bally has launched in many Asian countries and with India the latest market entry.

    It is also due to open up an outlet store in Australia this month, with the reopening of Sydney discount centre, Birkenhead Mall.

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  • M1 launches nationwide NB-IoT network

    M1 launches nationwide NB-IoT network

    Singapore’s M1 has announced the launch of Southeast Asia’s first commercial nationwide narrowband IoT network.

    M1 and its partners are using the network to make available IoT solutions in fields including smart energy management for buildings, environmental monitoring, asset tracking and fleet management.

    The operator is today hosting industry partners and businesse to showcase the possibilities of IoT technology, including smart metering, smart NB-IoT GPS trackers, smart GPS locks, smart waste management through bins with alters to cleaners when they are full and even smart toilets that can detect when they need cleaning.

    “The launch of Southeast Asia’s first commercial nationwide NB-IoT network will accelerate our journey into a digital society,” M1 CEO Karen Kooi said.

    “The Internet of Things will open up an incredible array of fresh opportunities and innovation. We look forward to working closely with government agencies, technology partners, and customers to enable smart solutions for everything and everyone.”

    Rival Singtel has meanwhile announced plans to roll out a nationwide cellular IoT network supporting both CAT-1 and NB-IoT by end September.

    Singtel will use its cybersecurity operations to support businesses in deploying secure IoT solutions, and plans to invite business and technology partners to develop and test IoT solutions at its joint IoT Innovation Lab operated with Ericsson.

    “The launch of our network provides an ideal platform for the proliferation of IoT devices and applications,” Singtel CEO Bill Chang said.

    “With more businesses embracing the digital future, it paves the way for IoT adoption as Singapore advances towards becoming a Smart Nation. We welcome businesses to be part of the growing IoT ecosystem by leveraging on our robust infrastructure and network.”

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  • Actress Raline Shah appointed as AirAsia Indonesia director

    Actress Raline Shah appointed as AirAsia Indonesia director

    AirAsia Group’s CEO and co-founder Tan Sri Tony Fernandes has announced that the company had appointed noted actress Raline Shah as a new director of PT Indonesia AirAsia.

    Fernandes announced Raline’s appointment through his private Instagram account on Monday, to which he also uploaded a photograph of Raline and himself.

    Fernandes, however, did not mention the exact position Raline would fill. AirAsia Indonesia spokesman Baskoro Adiwiyono also did not respond to questions about her appointment.

    Raline was born in Jakarta on March 4, 1984, and lived in the North Sumatran capital of Medan. She is an actress and a model. She emerged in the public eye when she took part in the 2008 Putri Indonesia Pageant,  in which she was noted as a favorite contestant.

    She has starred several movies, including 5 cm, 99 Cahaya di Langit Eropa (99 Lights in the European Sky), Supernova, and Surga yang Tak Dirindukan (a heaven unmissed).

    Raline graduated from the National University of Singapore with a bachelor of arts in political science.

    The Malaysian aviation company planned to integrate its South-East Asian business, kompas.com reported, but its plans were not in accordance with Indonesian regulations.

    AirAsia has regional branches in Indonesia, the Philippines and Thailand, while its hub is based in Kuala Lumpur.

  • Decathlon opens first store In Hong Kong

    Decathlon opens first store In Hong Kong

    French sports supplies retailer Decathlon has opened its first physical store in Hong Kong.

    Located in Grand Plaza, Mong Kok, the new Decathlon store will provide over 10,000 kinds of products for over 70 sports, including climbing, fitness, running, golf, diving, and skiing.

    Prior to this, Decathlon already operated businesses in Hong Kong as a manufacturer., but not as retailer, to the chagrin of Hong Kong shoppers.

    Google Maps often displayed Decathlon’s office in Kowloon as a retail outlet, and this caused confusion for shoppers who hoped to visit a Decathlon retail outlet.

    The best method for Hong Kong shoppers to purchase Decathlon goods was to either visit the nearby Chinese city of Shenzhen or order goods online via Decathlon’s Taobao.com e-commerce shop.

    In 2015, Chinese media reports that the French company officially launched its e-commerce store in Hong Kong by establishing a dedicated website and online sales platform, but the company appeared to provide poor communication to consumers about this store because many were unaware of its existence and had to instead purchase from Taobao.com.

    With the opening of this new physical store, Decathlon expects to offer its complete sports ideas and unique shopping experience to residents in Hong Kong.

    According to Decathlon’s report published in February 2017, the company realized global operating revenue of over EUR10 billion in 2016, representing a year-on-year increase of 4.4%. By the end of 2016, Decathlon had 1,176 physical stores in 28 countries and regions around the world.

    In the Asia Pacific region, Decathlon values the Chinese market the most. The company has a full industrial chain layout in China, covering product design, research and development, production, logistics, brand, and retail.

    Based on its experience in China, Decathlon also opened physical stores in Thailand, Malaysia, and the Philippines. The company plans to enter Australia in October 2017.

  • About 20,000 people get their caffeine fix at the Singapore Coffee Festival

    About 20,000 people get their caffeine fix at the Singapore Coffee Festival

    About 20,000 coffee fiends got their fix and more at the second edition of the Singapore Coffee Festival, which ended yesterday.

    The four-day event featured more than 90 exhibitors including coffee purveyors, equipment distributors and cafes, as well as workshops, talks and live entertainment at the Marina Bay Cruise Centre.

    Exhibitors and visitors who attended last year’s festival praised this year’s edition for its more spacious layout with 11,500 sqm spread over two floors, and greater variety of products on offer. Last year’s event was held at the F1 Pit Building.

    Many vendors reported brisk business at the weekend, with festival favourites such as The Coffee Academics’ Coffee In A Cone, cream muffins by bun-maker Hattendo and coffee-roasted pork chop buns by patisserie-restaurant chain Antoinette drawing long queues.

    Hattendo was left with just 100 cream muffins after yesterday’s brunch session, and had made about $3,000 in sales a day, said Hattendo Singapore chief executive Daisuke Ishioka.

    “We prepared more than 1,000 every day, and every day it has sold out. We are selling more than we expected to,” he said.

    Splitting each day into two sessions – brunch and sundown – helped with crowd control and gave vendors time to replenish stocks.

    Antoinette’s pork chop buns, created specially for the festival, proved so popular that they will be added as a weekend menu item at its restaurants soon, said its sales and marketing manager, Ms Wong.

    A repeat participant at the coffee festival, Antoinette has seen a doubling in sales this year, with up to 2,000 buns sold over the four days.

    A Barter Market, live music and fireworks displays at Sunrise Wharf on Friday and Saturday were among other highlights of the festival, which also hosted the 2017 Singapore AeroPress Championship by Common Man Coffee Roasters on Friday.

  • SoftBank developing Twin Access mobile service

    SoftBank developing Twin Access mobile service

    Japan’s SoftBank is developing a new Twin Access mobile network service for enterprises using equipment from NEC.

    The Twin Access service provides two simultaneous mobile network connections to maintain a state of constant, active connectivity between NEC line terminal equipment and devices employing virtualization technology.

    It uses the packet copy capsuled (PCC) technology jointly developed by SoftBank and NEC to offer improved transmission quality with higher packet arrival rates than conventional single mobile line systems.

    SoftBank VP for networks Takenori Kobayashi said the service is designed to be used as an alternative to fixed broadband networks.

    “Because of its high quality of service, Twin Access can be used at locations where optical fiber lines are not provided, or as an alternative to metal-wired lines such as DSL or digital access,” he said.

    “In addition, by utilizing the unique features of mobile networks, such as their freedom from cable installations, Twin Access makes it possible to build flexible, economical, short-term networks; such as temporary networks for use at construction sites and event venues.”

    SoftBank and NEC plan to conduct field trials of the technology ahead of the full-scale commercial launch of Twin Access by October. SoftBank aims to deploy the new service in Japan as part of the access lineup for its Smart VPN service.

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  • Alibaba to help transform Macau into a smart city

    Alibaba to help transform Macau into a smart city

    Alibaba Group has entered a partnership with the Macau SAR government to help transform Macau into a smart city.

    The collaboration will focus on using cloud technologies to bring benefits to residents and tourists visiting the city.

    Under the four-year partnership, the parties will work together to upgrade the IT infrastructure in Macau to foster developments in tourism, transportation, healthcare, governance and talent development.

    The project will involve developing a dedicated smart technology platform to help promote cloud technologies in Macau, building a smart transport network to optimize the management of road, water and air traffic and the development of smart tourism capabilities using analytics and targeted consumer marketing.

    The project will also focus on smart healthcare – enhancing Macau’s electronic medical system and assisting healthcare decision-making through the use of online medical information.

    In addition, the project will involve collaborating on smart city governance by developing a centralized cloud-based platform connecting different government departments, and talent development through the launch of the Alibaba Cloud IT Certificate program and B2B e-commerce training program.

    “After setting the goal to turn Macau into a smart city, Macau Government has studied the experience of other cities in developing their own versions of smart cities. After thorough study and research, we have decided to collaborate with Alibaba Group to foster the development of cloud computing and big data technologies,” Macau chief executive O Lam said.

    “By leveraging the power of these technologies and connecting resources of different government departments, the project is expected to enhance the model of socio-economic operation in Macau, expediting the city’s transformation into a smart city.”

  • Narellan Town Centre unveils new look

    Narellan Town Centre unveils new look

    Narellan Town Centre has officially opened in southwest Sydney, marking the completing of the $200 million redevelopment project.

    The refurb involved a major extension of the existing shopping centre on the south side of Camden Valley Way, joining the brand new section of the Centre on the north side of the major arterial road.

    A 38-metre wide pedestrian link bridge spanning 48 metres across Camden Valley Way at the retail level – the full width of the shopping mall – now integrates the north and south precincts. A total gross floor area of 132,810sqm was delivered by construction firm, Mainbrace, with a design competition helping to shape the external community spaces.

    In all, 35,000sqm of net lettable area (NLA) has been added to the existing town centre south of Camden Valley Way, while the greenfield site on the north side of the road is a new connected centre with 23,207sqm of NLA.

    The retail project owned by Dart West Retail was completed on schedule and was officially unveiled at a function on site last Friday.

    “This project is the centrepiece of our expansive retail construction portfolio,” said Rob Doust, Mainbrace managing director.

    Mark Perich, a director of Dart West Retail, said the expanded centre is a reflection of the community’s evolving needs and desires.

    “We want people to actually stay here in Narellan rather than have to travel to shop. It means a lot to us to see it open and to see such a high class and quality piece of infrastructure in south west Sydney,” he said.

    An Australian-first automatic water fountain stands as the centrepiece of the north side’s restaurant and entertainment precinct.

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  • Jeanswest continues Jeans for Genes Day partnership

    Jeanswest continues Jeans for Genes Day partnership

    Apparel chain, Jeanswest, has continued its long term partnership as official denim partner for Jeans for Genes Day, looking to raise funds for research into childhood diseases.

    The denim retailer has launched a variety of campaigns including an Instagram competition, blog posts, eDMs, in-store activations and jean giveaways in conjunction with selling a range of Jeans for Genes Day merchandise across its Australian network of over 180 stores.

    All proceeds go directly to the Children’s Medical Research Institute to support their work discovering treatments and cures for a host of diseases.

    Belinda Waller, GM marketing at Jeanswest said it was important for major retailers to engage in such initiatives.

    “We have the capacity to give back and support the amazing work of a not for profit such as the Australian Children’s Medical Research Institute, so including corporate social responsibility in our business strategy is important to us,” Waller told Inside Retail.

    “There are ways retailers can use their resources to support community initiatives without diverting focus from the core business.”

    Waller said the campaign has strengthened the brand’s loyalty ties with customers.

    “While there’s an obvious brand alignment between Jeanswest and Jeans for Genes Day, our partnership is not just about the denim,” she said. “On the mission to beat childhood disease, the Jeans for Genes campaign is about improving the lives of children, families, and communities; these are a reflection of our customers’ own values, and each July and August we are reminded of their passion as they offer their support and generosity to the Children’s Medical Research Institute.”

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  • Surfstitch chairman survives shareholder’s removal attempt

    Surfstitch chairman survives shareholder’s removal attempt

    Sam Weiss, chairman of struggling surfwear retailer, Surfstitch, has survived a shareholder’s attempt to remove him from the post.

    Crown Financial, which has a more than a five per cent stake in Surfstitch, had sent the company a notice of requisition to hold the shareholder meeting, after taking legal action against Surfstitch related to a fallout over a content sharing deal, and wanted Weiss removed as a director of Surfstitch.

    The board backed Weiss and earlier urged shareholders to vote against the proposal, which the majority did, with 91.78 per cent of the votes cast in favour of keeping the chairman.

    Surfstich says it is exploring the option of selling media assets and other asset sales as it faces litigation from Crown Financial group, separate class actions in the Queensland and NSW supreme courts and a continuing ASIC investigation – all of which are expected to impact its cash position.

    “I have been involved in the retail trade for the past forty years and have experience in it in Europe, the United States and Asia and have been actively engaged in e-commerce virtually since the beginning of it nearly twenty years ago,” Weiss said prior to the vote.

    “I was under no illusions about the degree of difficulty of the task ahead, nor was I when I commenced my appointment with the company.”

    Surfstitch went into a trading halt in late May after shareholders launched a potential $100 million class action.

    The action launched by law firm Quinn Emanuel in Queensland’s Supreme Court accuses Surfstitch of making misleading statements and forecasts of its 2015/16 earnings.

    The company last traded at 6.8 cents a share, significantly lower than its peak of $1.90 a share in December 2015, and is expected to resume trade when it reports its full-year results in August.

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  • Timberland US opens Tree Lab concept store

    Timberland US opens Tree Lab concept store

    Timberland US has opened the doors of its first specialty concept store: The Timberland Tree Lab.

    Located in the King of Prussia mall in Pennsylvania, the experiential Tree Lab features carefully curated product collections and brand stories in a gallery-style setting that will completely change every six weeks.

    The Tree Lab debuts with the theme Streetology – where versatile style for city streets meets hidden technology that’s been tested and proven for long days (and nights) in the city. Highlighting the Streetology launch will be the new men’s FlyRoam collection featuring the AeroCore energy system, as well as several new styles featuring SensorFlex comfort technology.

    Upon entering the Tree Lab – which is tagged by the brand’s signature tree logo followed by the word “Lab” – guests will immediately sense that this is something new from Timberland. Sleek, angular design elements combine with minimalist product displays for a fresh and modern brand presentation.

    Fun creative executions, like an oversized, Timberland-style periodic table, casually reinforce the science of comfort behind the new technologies. While testing the products in the Tree Lab, guests are invited to sample a local craft beer from Tröegs Independent Brewing (ages 21+) or enjoy a bottle of water that may one day be recycled into Timberland linings or shoelaces. And store associates, sporting custom Tree Lab hoodies, are always on-hand to help connect visitors to everything from the latest style trends to local city events. Every detail, down to the premium Tree Lab drawstring shopping bags, has been considered.

    “A shopping experience today reflects a journey through a hyper-connected world that’s constantly seeking something new, and our stores need to deliver on that, every day,” said Kate Kibler, VP of Timberland US’ direct-to-consumer business in North America.

    “The Tree Lab is more than just a place to shop – everything a consumer experiences from the moment they enter has been designed to enhance their visit, expand their horizons, and leave them with a great memory to go along with that beautiful new pair of shoes.”

    Following the Streetology installation, in late September Tree Lab will transform virtually overnight into SHEvolution. The entire store will be dedicated to women, with a curated selection of boots and shoes that offer everything she wants without giving up anything.  Feminine. Tough. Beautiful. Well-crafted.

    Comfortable. On the heels of SHEvolution will be a holiday-themed installation, opening early November.

    Tree Lab – the first of its kind in the world – is one of many initiatives Timberland plans to introduce this autumn. The brand plans to open a series of “flex retail” stores across the US, starting with a Mall of America location debuting on September 1.  In addition, Timberland plans to open specialty stores in Stanford, CA at the Stanford Shopping Center (August 18) and in the heart of Portland, Oregon along popular Couch Street (September 1).

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  • Uniqlo deploys apparel vending machines

    Uniqlo deploys apparel vending machines

    Uniqlo has deployed its first apparel vending machines at key locations across the USA, as the Japanese retailer looks to enter new markets.

    Dubbed ‘Uniqlo to Go’, the fashion vending machines are popping up in select American airport terminals during August.

    According to the Fast Retailing-owned brand, the first ten are scheduled for Oakland Airport, where the vending machine bowed on Wednesday, followed by one in the Hollywood and Highland Centre in Los Angeles on August 10; Houston Airport, August 17, and Queens Center, Elmhurst, New York, August 22.

    The six remaining locations will be revealed soon, a Uniqlo spokesperson told WWD this week. Locations have been decided upon based on their potential for high-traffic and customer visibility.

    “We’re already talking with amusement parks, train stations, entertainment conventions and movie theatres about additional opportunities,” said the spokesperson. “The goal is to open new markets and use machines as an introduction to our products.”

    As for the operation of the vending machines, customers can use both debit or credit cards and access product via touch screens and a user interface.

    After browsing products, selecting and completing the transaction, a robotic arm retrieves the product. A conveyor shelf moves the item onto the robotic arm and the arm brings it to a window. From here, the customer can access the items.

    Apparel available for purchase includes Uniqlo’s Heat Tech Ultralight down jackets (US$69.9) and Heat Tech tops ($14.90). Both items are available in a variety of colours and styles for men and women.

    The company said it plans to expand to graphic t-shirts, Airism, and then innerwear items such as socks and underwear.

    Earlier in the year, Uniqlo said it plans to double its store count in Europe to 100 outlets over the next three years, in a bid to strengthen its retail presence outside of Asia.

    Uniqlo is eyeing global sales of 3 trillion yen ($26.6 billion) by the fiscal year ending August 2020.

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  • Cebu Pacific launches two new routes for Davao City

    Cebu Pacific launches two new routes for Davao City

    The Philippines has taken another step towards an integrated flight network with two new routes serving Davao City. Cebu Pacific is now running regular services from the Mindanaoan city to Dumaguete and Tacloban.

    The airline’s subsidiary Cebgo will fly on Monday, Wednesday and Friday to and from Dumaguete, and on Tuesday, Thursday, Saturday and Saturday to and from Tacloban.

    The fare from Davao to Dumaguete is pegged at 2,590 pesos and and at 2,142 for Davao to Tacloban.

    Airline spokeswoman Charo Logarta Lagamon said: “Cebu Pacific remains bullish over prospects in Mindanao.

    “We remain optimistic that new routes would benefit not only Davaoeños, but Mindanaoans in general, in terms of strengthening family and cultural ties, fostering domestic tourism and education exchange, and helping harness trade and business opportunities.

    “Our new intra-island routes provide Mindanaoans convenient air connections; and support the government’s push for more infrastructure investments in Mindanao.”

    Ping Remollo, the Mayor of Dumaguete, said: “My hats off to Cebu Pacific for being the pioneer in Dumaguete; for coming in during the time when no other airline would fly to what was considered then a missionary route.

    “The new Davao-Dumaguete route will usher in more flights and improve connectivity. It will increase economic development, extending beyond Negros Oriental to nearby Siquijor; and link Davaoeños and Dumagueteños closer.

    “The Dumaguete City Council will work with our Davao counterpart to forge a partnership between our cities for tourism development.”

    Davao City councillor Danilo Dayanghirang, representing Mayor Sara Duterte-Carpio at the launch, said: “The Philippines is becoming smaller because of Cebu Pacific.

    “We look forward to more flights between cities around the country as we move towards a stronger Philippines.”

    Mrs Lagamon said the new routes would also boost trade and industry in the south. “Additional routes also expand our cargo service capability,” she said.

    “This will mean faster and more efficient means for traders, exporters and entrepreneurs to move their products and raw materials; or for our overseas Filipinos to be able to send their packages back home easier.

    “We are optimistic that the overall improvement in our cargo logistics network in Mindanao will boost the local economy.”

    The new Davao routes join existing Cebu Pacific services to Cebu, Bacolod, Cagayan de Oro, Iloilo, Zamboanga and Manila — the last of which is now served by four daily flights.

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  • Odyssey expands facility for chemical sample fulfilment in Shanghai

    Odyssey expands facility for chemical sample fulfilment in Shanghai

    Odyssey Logistics & Technology Corporation, a global logistics provider, has opened a newly expanded facility for chemical sample fulfilment in Shanghai Chemical Industry Park (SCIP), China. The new facility is strategically located near major chemical manufacturers, and can support increased throughput by up to 40 percent.

    “Chemical manufacturers in this region are paying closer attention to safety and are partnering with professional Dangerous Good (DG) logistics service providers for their sampling needs. Up to now this vital service has been a cottage industry,” said Lawrence Hu, senior vice president and president, Odyssey Logistics & Technology Asia-Pacific. “This is an investment in the future of this region and continues to strengthen our leadership position by providing our customers with innovative and responsible solutions to their chemical sample challenges.”

    Hu also noted that among manufacturers in Asia there is a growing trend toward increased awareness of the importance of safe handling and labeling of chemical products. “Odyssey not only has the expertise, but it also has the demonstrated processes and technology to provide this niche service to the chemical industry. This facility was designed to better serve our chemical sample customers and support growing demand for safe chemical handling,” said Hu.

    The new facility has DG class A, B and C storage and handling capabilities as well as large storage spaces to accommodate anticipated growth.

    Chemical Marketing Concepts LLC (CMC), a subsidiary of Odyssey Logistics & Technology, is the global leader for outsourced sample fulfillment and logistics services. More than 65 manufacturers use CMC to safely store, package and ship their sample and small revenue orders. CMC has processed more than 10 million sample shipments and has facilities in the United States, Netherlands and China.