Retail News CRM

Author: Mei Ling Tan

  • Ksubaka’s PlaySpots Deliver Friso Gold Engagement Campaign

    Ksubaka’s PlaySpots Deliver Friso Gold Engagement Campaign

    Ksubaka today announced that it has successfully delivered an interactive in-store engagement campaign in CRV, WuMart and MerryMart retail stores in China for Friso Gold.

    The objectives:

    The campaign objectives were to attract in-store shoppers to a Friso Gold interactive experience and communicate to mums that Friso helps prevent heat and constipation in babies because the Friso Gold molecules are smaller and easier to digest.

    Equally as important, was to collect data through an onscreen shopper survey to verify that the Friso Gold Interactive Experience was effectively reaching the target audience and educate new potential customers about the product benefits.

    The campaign experience:

    Ksubaka designed a Friso Gold interactive experience, which was provisioned over-the-air to 231 playSpots across 37 retail stores (comprising a mix of CRV, WuMart and MerryMart) within the Ksubaka media network. The gameplay involved catching as many small Friso molecules as possible within 30 seconds, while avoiding the larger molecules falling from a competitor’s product. Shoppers caught the molecules by moving a baby back and forth on bottom of the screen. To emphasise the difference between small and large molecules, when the baby caught the Friso molecules they smiled and raised their hands in happiness and when they caught the large molecules the frowned and cried. 

    At end of the gameplay, key product messages were reiterated along with a pack shot and the shopper was offered a 1 for 1 discount by scanning a WeChat QR Code to get a coupon. The short survey was then displayed on-screen asking shoppers for a little information on their preferences.   

    The results:

    Working to a set of agreed KPIs, the Ksubaka Friso Gold 31 day campaign delivered:

    • Campaign Exposures – 4.4 million +193% on KPI
    • Shopper Impressions – 6.6 million +200% on KPI
    • Mojo engagement – 82K +64% on KPI (Mojo is a completed shopper brand engagement that ends at the reward screen)
    • Total number of surveys completed 1.3k

    “The Friso Gold campaign is an excellent example of how Ksubaka is able to drive mass consumer engagement at the point of purchase while, at the same time, giving live and meaningful insight for brands,” said Julian Corbett, CEO and founder, Ksubaka.

  • Colt expands financial extranet in APAC

    Colt expands financial extranet in APAC

    Network and communications service provider Colt has expanded its Colt PrizmNet financial extranet by connecting to Equinix‘s IBX data centers in Hong Kong and Singapore.

    Colt said the deal with Equinix has allowed the company to double the size of its footprint in Hong Kong, by making it available to financial companies located close to local exchanges as well as those co-located at the HKEx data center.

    The agreement will also allow Colt to interconnect with key foreign exchange (FX) trading centers in APAC and globally, including direct connectivity to the largest FX trading facility in Asia, Equinix’s TY3 data center in Tokyo.

    “It is often challenging for traders in Asia to connect to the region’s scattered liquidity centres, particularly its FX markets,” Colt head of solution sales for capital markets Richard Man said.

    “By expanding the availability of Colt PrizmNet in Hong Kong and Singapore to customers hosted in Equinix IBX data centres in each city, we are able to provide an even more flexible and cost-effective solution.”

    Colt also connects to key Equinix data centers across Europe and the US, including London, New York, Frankfurt and Zurich. The company operates its own network of 34 data centers across Europe and Asia.

  • Thailand’s big three cellcos oppose tariff caps

    Thailand’s big three cellcos oppose tariff caps

    Thailand’s three largest mobile operators – AIS, Dtac and True Move – have united to oppose current regulations capping tariffs for 3G and 4G services.

    The operators brought up their opposition a group discussion with regulator NBTC on Monday.

    Revising the regulations would encourage greater competition and stimulate the further development of mobile networks and services, the operators claimed.

    They have argued that existing caps have diminished the development of service packages, distorted price mechanisms and impeded the operation of an open and competitive market.

    Currently the NBTC caps the maximum 3G tariff at 0.82 baht ($0.02) per minute for voice service, 1.33 baht per SMS, 3.32 baht for MMS and 0.28 baht for data services. The equivalent 4G limits are 0.69 baht, 1.15 baht, 3.11 baht and 0.26 baht respectively.

    A representative for Dtac stated that other mobile markets with the same level of development as Thailand do not impose tariff caps, and noted that tariffs in Thailand are among the lowest in the ASEAN region.

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  • Chunghwa Telecom aims to add 2m 4G users in 2016

    Chunghwa Telecom aims to add 2m 4G users in 2016

    Taiwan’s Chunghwa Telecom has set a target of attracting at least 2 million new 4G users this year to help maintain its market share.

    The operator aims to boost its 4G subscriber base to up to 7 million in 2016. This would represent an annual growth rate of around 59% – which is lower than last year.

    With this rate of growth the company would meet its target of having a 40% share of Taiwan’s 4G market, compared to 38% last year. IDC forecasts Taiwan’s total 4G user base could grow to reach 18 million this year.

    To help improve 4G migration rates the company has established a marketing campaign involving popular Singaporean singer JJ Lin.

    Chunghwa Telecom meanwhile has a capex budget for the year of around TW$30.6 billion ($944.5 million), which includes the recent purchase of 4.4 billion worth of equipment to enhance 4G coverage and capacity.

    The operator aims to gradually phase out flate-rate packages for 4G services, having recently raised the minimum threshold to TW$1,100 per month.

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  • Vodafone India may buy out Telenor India

    Vodafone India may buy out Telenor India

    Vodafone India is reportedly the frontrunner for acquiring Telenor’s Indian spectrum holdings and operations in a deal that could be worth over $1 billion.

    Two people close to the negotiations said that Vodafone India is pursuing the deal to help it better compete in the battle over mobile data customers.

    The sources differed over whether the deal would involve only acquiring Telenor’s Indian spectrum holdings or the company as well. But they both told the publication that Telenor India’s 1800-MHz spectrum is valued at around $1 billion.

    Spectrum is the main draw of the acquisition, but if Vodafone does buy Telenor India’s operations as well it may involve taking on Telenor India’s significant debt and try to remain the operator’s customers in key service areas.

    Vodafone currently only possess 4G spectrum in five of India’s 22 telecoms circles, whereas rival Bharti Airtel and the soon-to-launch Reliance Jio have pan-India holdings and Idea Cellular has 4G spectrum in 10 circles. Acquiring Telenor’s Indian spectrum would help even the playing field.

    Telenor India operates in seven telecoms circles, but its customer base remains relatively low after eight years of operation.

    Vodafone India has declined to comment specifically on the matter, but a spokesperson confirmed that the company is open to options including spectrum trading and M&As.

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  • DFS Group Cambodia gala opening

    DFS Group Cambodia gala opening

    Luxury travel retailer DFS Group Cambodia has marked the opening of its first store, T Galleria by DFS, Angkor, with a gala event for more than 300 guests.

    DFS T-Galleria Angkor Cambodia

    In the resort town and provincial capital of Siem Reap, near the ancient temple of Angkor Wat, T Galleria by DFS, Angkor is the largest duty-free luxury department store in Cambodia. It offers travelers an integrated retail, hospitality and leisure experience with 170 brands across 86,000 sqft (7989 sqm).

    The opening celebration began with a ribbon-cutting ceremony, after which traditional Cambodian Apsara hostesses led guests through the two-storey store for traditional cultural performances and demonstrations by Cambodian craftsmen.

    DFS T-Galleria Angkor Cambodia 3

    From DFS Group were chairman/CEO Philippe Schaus and co-founder Robert Miller, while special guests included Cambodia’s Senior Minister of Economy and Finance Aun Pornmoniroth and Minister of Tourism Thong Khon.

    DFS Cambodia

    The store features a curated collection of Cambodian artisanal products designed and produced by more than 30 Cambodian artist workshops. At the event, Angkor Artwork, a Siem Reap design studio, demonstrated the art of lacquer work, while Golden Silk, one of the last fully integrated silk producers in the world, wove silk spun from Cambodian silk worms.

    DFS T-Galleria Angkor Cambodia 2

    Traditional Khmer motifs and carvings feature throughout the store, including a nearly 20m art installation suspended above the vaulted atrium.

    DFS T-Galleria Angkor Cambodia 1

    T Galleria by DFS Angkor also ranges more than 130 international brands including watches and jewellery from Bulgari, Cartier and Tiffany & Co and fashion from Bottega Veneta, Burberry, Fendi, Gucci and Saint Laurent. There are also more than 30 beauty and fragrance brands such as Cle de Peau Beaute, Dior, Estee Lauder and Giorgio Armani.

    DFS T-Galleria Angkor Cambodia 5

    The gala event also marked the official opening of the onsite restaurant, the first Crystal Jade outlet in Cambodia, serving traditional Chinese cuisine in a setting overlooking the gardens and reflecting pools outside.

    DFS T-Galleria Angkor Cambodia 6

    DFS T-Galleria Angkor Cambodia 8

    The event also provided a platform to officially announce the company’s sponsorship of several non-profit organisations focussed on helping underserved populations in Cambodia. Schaus presented a donation to Kuma Cambodia, which aims to reduce poverty through providing education, healthcare and nutrition to vulnerable youngsters, English and computer courses for teenagers, and workshops and guidance for parents and guardians.

  • Major museum to anchor IconSiam development

    Major museum to anchor IconSiam development

    Thailand’s first world-class museum is to be built as part of the massive IconSiam development on the banks of the Chao Phraya River in Bangkok.

    The Fine Arts Department of the Thai Ministry of Culture and IconSiam Co have signed a memorandum of understanding to mark their collaboration to preserve Thailand’s arts and cultural artifacts, to be displayed in the 8000 sqm IconSiam Heritage Museum.

    The museum, which will open in 2018, is set to become a space where different cultures interact as well as a major tourist attraction, according to a statement from IconSiam.

    “Local and foreign visitors will be able to witness the pride of Thailand and the elements that signify our national identity.”

    More than 500 retailers will be housed in two shopping malls being built in the IconSiam development, which also includes a hotel and luxury apartment complex. The US$1.538 billion (54 billion THB) project is scheduled to open in late 2017.

    heritage iconsiam

     

    The Fine Arts Department will be in charge of analysing, sourcing and preserving antiques and artifacts to be displayed in the National Heritage Gallery, one of the museum’s  three exhibition spaces.

    Vira Rojpojchanarat, Minister of Culture Ministry, described the collaboration as auspicious for the country.

    “The private sector will officially play an important role in helping the government support, promote and showcase Thai culture. This answers directly to the government’s public-private collaboration policy. The museum will communicate with Thai values to both locals and tourists, driving forward our admirable culture and national identity. The project will also push our identity and the creative cultural industry to an international level.”

    IconSiam director Chadatip Chutrakul said it is “the mission and ambition” of IconSiam to create a unique project that represents the admirable identity of Thailand from every aspect. “Our excellent indigenous wisdoms, intricate handicraft skills, architectural brilliance, our history, traditions, cultures etc, will be represented here.”

    The display of Thailand’s precious cultural heritage and historical treasures.

    The display of Thailand’s precious cultural heritage and historical treasures.

    IconSiam will invest more than THB 500 million (US$14 million) in the museum. “This investment, although great in number, is not a move that seek profit in return. We hope that this museum initiative will inspire other organisations to see the value and importance of museum which is a significant symbol of the country’s economic and social advancement,” said Chutrakul.

    Part of the museum’s earning from the National Heritage Gallery admission fee will be donated to the Archeology Foundation for future restorations of historical sites, artifacts and the National Museum.

    The other two exhibition spaces will be a Temporary Exhibition Gallery  featuring exhibitions from master artists and world class museums from all over the world, and the River Gallery, which will aim to present contemporary works from renowned local and international artists and host art related activities.

    Lord Cultural Resources, a global professional practice dedicated to creating cultural capital worldwide which has worked on museums such as France’s The Louvre and Spain’s Guggenheim Museum, Bilbao, is working with IconSiam on the project. The company also has experience working with Britain’s Tate Modern, The US’s Library of Congress’s security and filing systems as well as setting up exhibition models for Thailand Creative and Design Centre.

  • Alibaba hosts intellectual property event

    Alibaba hosts intellectual property event

    Chinese online commerce giant Alibaba Group has hosted an inaugural Rights Holders Collaboration Summit involving international brands and the intellectual property (IP) enforcement community to enhance collaboration in the fight against infringements.

    More than 100 Chinese and international brands as well as trade associations attended the event, including Adidas, Apple, Burberry, Hewlett Packard, Louis Vuitton and Mars, the Chinese British Business Council (CBBC) and the Quality Brand Protection Committee (QBPC).

    Alibaba also announced the launch of the IP Joint-Force System, an online platform designed to streamline IP-related communications between the group and brands. The system aims to build a more collaborative working relationships with international brands as Alibaba continues its fight against counterfeits and IP infringement.

    New challenges

    With eCommerce becoming a way of life and the internet sector continues to evolve, brands and online marketplaces alike face new IP enforcement challenges, says Alibaba Group chief platform governance officer Jessie Zheng.

    “As the leading online marketplace, we have a responsibility to all our constituents to govern our platform and find innovative solutions. The Rights Holders Collaboration Summit and IP Joint-Force System are a couple of the many ways Alibaba is working closely with rights holders in our efforts to eradicate counterfeits both online and offline.”

    All brands in the “Good Faith Takedown” program are eligible for the IP Joint-Force System, which came into effect this month. This Alibaba program was launched last year to expedite the notice-takedown process for brands that submit valid counterfeit complaints. Many of the more than 700 brands involved in the program are participating in the first phase of the IP Joint-Force System, including Adidas, Apple, Mars, Philips and Procter & Gamble.

    With more than a billion products listed across its marketplaces at any given time, Alibaba Group’s data analytics and processing technologies enabled it to remove more than 120 million infringing product listings last year, which is eight times the number of counterfeit products removed based on takedown requests from brands.

    Dedicated support

    For the IP Joint-Force System, each participating brand is assigned a dedicated online portal and Alibaba account manager to enhance collaboration, heighten transparency around IP enforcement efforts, and reinforce mutual understanding and trust. The system enables Alibaba to directly and efficiently seek information from rights holders regarding suspected counterfeit product listings.

    It also lets brands identify the authenticity of a product and easily notify Alibaba of any infringements. Alibaba will then initiate the Good Faith Takedown process and immediately remove the listing without subsequent correspondence with the brand.

    “The IP Joint-Force System is a revolutionary industry solution that will redefine how IP enforcement is conducted in the digital age – where brands and eCommerce marketplaces work collectively and strategically to combat counterfeiters,” says Alibaba Group head of global IP enforcement Matthew Bassiur.

    “This is one of several game-changing approaches Alibaba will be advancing to both simplify and greatly enhance our overall enforcement process.”

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  • Oriental Brewery pop-up opens at Gangnam

    Oriental Brewery pop-up opens at Gangnam

    South Korea’s Oriental Brewery (OB) has opened a pop-up store named MixxTail House at Sinsa-dong’s Garosu-gil in Gangnam.

    The Oriental Brewery pop-up offers a variety of cultural events and activities that visitors can enjoy while drinking OB’s MixxTail, the company’s fermented cocktail brand. The three-storey building includes a DIY Cocktail Bar, 3D Photo Zone, and an outdoor Cocktail Garden.

    Mixxtail 2

    The company will also host music performances of various genres, cooking sessions, and lectures focusing on home-party decoration and culture.

    The MixxTail House will be open daily from 11.30am to 10pm, until July 29.

    Mixxtail

     

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  • Hong Kong retail sales fall further

    Hong Kong retail sales fall further

    The latest Hong Kong retail sales data shows the rate of decline is continuing to slow this year.

    In May, according to information from the Census and Statistics Department released on the eve of Friday’s holiday, there was a year-on-year decline of 8.4 per cent to a provisionally estimated $35.7 billion. While that is a full percentage point higher than April’s decline, it is lower than the 10.8 per cent decline recorded for the first five months of the year, and the 11.4 per cent for the first four months.

    Based on the seasonally adjusted data, the value of total retail sales increased by 1.1 per cent in the three months ending May 2016 compared to the preceding quarter, while the volume of total retail sales increased by 0.3 per cent.

    Once again, falling jewellery and luxury goods sales brought the overall figures down, plunging nearly 20 per cent in May.

    A government spokesman said retail sales stayed weak in May, with many types of retail outlet still registering year-on-year declines in sales. “This was due partly to the drag from the slowdown in inbound tourism and partly to the more cautious local consumer sentiment amid the subpar economic conditions.”

    He said the near-term outlook for retail sales is still subject to a large degree of uncertainty, depending on the performance of inbound tourism as well as the extent to which local consumption sentiment will be affected by the increased external headwinds and heightened financial market volatility.”

    After netting out the effect of price changes over the same period, the volume of total retail sales in May 2016 decreased by 9 per cent compared with a year earlier. The revised estimate of the volume of total retail sales in April 2016 decreased by 7.7 per cent year-on-year and for the first five months of the year by 10.2 per cent.

    By broad retail category – in descending order of value – sales of jewellery, watches and clocks, and valuable gifts decreased by 18.7 per cent. This was followed by sales of commodities in department stores (down 5.9 per cent); apparel (down 5.7 per cent); electrical goods and photographic equipment (down 25.2 per cent); miscellaneous consumer durable goods (down 34.6 per cent); footwear and accessories (down 6.3 per cent); books, newspapers, stationery and gifts (down 6 per cent); furniture and fixtures (down 6 per cent); Chinese drugs and herbs (down 7.2 per cent); and optical shops (down 8.8 per cent).

    Sales of commodities in supermarkets increased by 1.5 per cent, medicines and cosmetics by 0.3 per cent; and food, alcoholic drinks and tobacco by 3.1 per cent.

  • Hans Sy Semi Retirement Announcement

    Hans Sy Semi Retirement Announcement

    SM Prime CEO, Hans Sy, has announced a semi-retirement.

    Sy has also served as SM Prime’s president since 2004, while holding key positions in SM subsidiaries and affiliates.

    Teresita Sy-Coson, vice chairperson of SM Investments – parent company of SM Prime, said Sy “wants to have more free time for himself and his organization is developed enough to take on many of his responsibilities.”

    Jeffrey Lim, who served as SM Prime executive VP and SM Development Corp president, will take Sy’s position.

    Sy has grown SM Prime into the biggest mall and integrated property developer in the Philippines and one of the biggest in Southeast Asia. The company now has 58 malls in the country and six in China.

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  • 7 for All Mankind sold by VF Corporation

    7 for All Mankind sold by VF Corporation

    Hip denim lifestyle brand 7 for All Mankind has been sold along with two sister brands.

    VF Corporation says it has sold its Contemporary Brands businesses to Tel Aviv-based Delta Galil Industries.

    The other brands are Splendid and Ella Moss.

    VF chairman and CEO Eric Wiseman said the brands included in this transaction are leaders in their sectors, and have talented, passionate people who are motivated by serving the marketplace with distinctive apparel design and exceptional service.

    “Earlier this year we said that we are taking a focused and proactive look at the composition of our business portfolio to ensure that we are well positioned to maximise VF’s growth and return to our shareholders. This announcement illustrates that our work as active portfolio managers is progressing.”

    The transaction, which is expected to close in the third quarter of this year, is subject to various regulatory approvals and other customary closing conditions that must be accomplished in order for a closing to occur. The selling price is US$120 million, subject to various working capital adjustments.

    VF Corporation owns a diversified portfolio of brands around the globe, including The North Face, Vans, Timberland, Wrangler, Lee and Nautica.

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  • Changi Airport bookstore concessions up for grabs

    Changi Airport bookstore concessions up for grabs

    Ten Changi Airport bookstore concessions are up for tender across four terminals.

    Changi Airport Group (CAG) has issued documentation seeking bids to operate books/magazine/stationery concessions spread across terminals 1 to 4 at Singapore’s airport.

    Three store premises are being made available for each of the T1 (departure/transit lounge East and West, and departure/check-in-hall East), T2  (departure/transit lounge North and South, and departure/check-in-hall South) and T3 (departure/transit lounge North and South, and departure/check-in-hall North). One T4 store will be made available in departure/transit lounge North.

    CAG says the concession requires that companies have “a good track record” in the business of retailing books, magazines, newspapers, postcards, pens and stationery items.

    The contract is for three years, with a two-year option to extend at the discretion of CAG.

    Meanwhile, concept stores Avenue Kids and Pure Gold Jewellers have launched in T2 in the public areas. It is Avenue Kids’ second full-fledged airport store following the opening of its first outlet in the T2 transit area last month.

  • Globe expands operations in Japan, refocuses Europe retail operations

    Globe expands operations in Japan, refocuses Europe retail operations

    Globe Telecom announced that it has expanded its operations in Asia with the establishment of GlobeTel Japan, Inc.  With this office in Tokyo, the company is in a better position to serve the communications needs of customers in the Philippines as well as the 180,000 overseas Filipinos in Japan.

    globe logo

    “We will continue to provide affordable and high-quality telecom services to our kababayans in Japan. We will also be adopting new business models to deliver meaningful products to overseas Filipinos,” said Nikko Acosta, Globe SVP for International Business.

    With the changing competitive landscape in Europe, Globe also announced it will close its offices in the UK, Italy, and Spain.  However, to continue serving its customers in the said countries, Globe maintained its popular telebabad service, DUO International, in the said markets through existing partnerships with telecom providers.

    The three offices are UK Globetel Limited and Globe Mobile Italy s.r.l., both opened in 2013, and Globete Internacional European Espana S.L. which started operations in 2014.  They are all members of the Globe Group of Companies.

    In accordance with its international business alignment, Globe will retain its offices in the USA, Singapore, and Hong Kong, as well as retail presence across key markets such as the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates. For more information on the international services of Globe, visit www.globe.com.ph/international.

     

  • L’Oreal Launches New Shampoo Brand In China

    L’Oreal Launches New Shampoo Brand In China

    The world’s leading cosmetics group L’Oreal launched a new shampoo brand in the Chinese market called Ultra Doux, which is now available in Wal-Mart stores across the country.

    Targeting the Chinese market, Ultra Doux offers a total of 43 products within five series, with a price range from CNY20 to CNY80. Its positioning eyes the medium-end market. In regards to marketing appeal, Ultra Doux features natural and organic characteristics.

    Ultra Doux is a brand under Garnier and its products are sold in markets like France, U.K., Russia, and Germany. Garnier was acquired by L’Oreal in 1985.

    L’Oreal’s market share expectation for Ultra Doux is 2.8% after 12-month operation in China. This is a little higher than the market share of L’Oreal Paris in 2014, which was 2.5%.

    According to information from L’Oreal, the Ultra Doux products will be sold in supermarkets, cosmetics specialty stores, and e-commerce platforms in China.

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