Retail News CRM

Author: Mei Ling Tan

  • Thailand’s TOT and CAT won’t be merged

    Thailand’s ICT minister has insisted that there will not be a merger between the two state-owned operators TOT and CAT even as the companies are under pressure to consolidate their operations.

    Minister Uttama Savanaya has ruled out a merger on the grounds that the organizational structures of the two companies are incompatible.

    But he said the two companies will partly consolidate some of their similar core businesses to help avoid duplication of investment spending.

    Thailand’s State Enterprise Policy Commission has ordered both TOT and CAT to restructure to survive, terminating their unprofitable businesses and focusing on their core operations.

    Both are under pressure now that the nation has moved from a concession model – whereby private operators paid a share of their revenue to the state operators in exchange for use of spectrum assets – to the conventional licensing model.

    The commission has approved in-principal proposals involving consolidating the operators’ transmission, fiber, subsea cable network and internet data center operations.

    But Uttama said that other core areas of the two operators, including fixed broadband, mobility and network rental services, will remain separate.

    He noted that TOT and CAT will need to quickly adjust their organizational and business structures to ensure their survival. TOT has revealed it expects to face an operating loss of 1 billion baht in 2016.

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  • A force in the property market

    A force in the property market

    ZEON Properties Group, the exclusive event partner of the StarProperty.my Fair 2016 that opens in Gurney Plaza and Gurney Paragon Mall in Penang today, is a real estate powerhouse.

    Among the most recognised brands in the industry in Malaysia, it has a dynamic 500-strong team of operations personnel and agents in several countries throughout South-East Asia.

    The company has based its international headquarters in Penang at the Maritime Automall in Persiaran Karpal Singh and there are many other branches and broker offices also established in major cities.

    It is spearheaded by group CEO Leon Lee (pic), a visionary and resourceful leader who also founded the group and is leading it towards success both in Malaysia and internationally.

    Lee is a civic-conscious citizen, having contributed substantially towards society as the incumbent Penang Chinese Chamber of Commerce (Young Entrepreneur section) state chairman-cum- director and deputy chairman of the National Young Entrepreneur Committee.

    He is also the Penang state advisor for the Malaysia Entrepreneurs’ Development Association and deputy chairman of the ASEAN Retail-Chains and Franchise Federation Northern State Liaison.

    His other accomplishments include being a past president of JCI United Penang and Assistant District Commissioner George Town (North) 2007 of the Scout Association of Penang.

    Lee was named Young Entrepreneur of the Year (2013) in the McMillan Woods Global Awards.

    Zeon Properties Group is also the preferred marketing arm for over 10 projects in Malaysia which property buyers and investors can check out at the fair.

    Besides real estate and marketing, the company also specialises in real estate investment advisory, foreign direct investment, international project marketing, and retail planning and consultancy.

    It is also involved in the Malaysia My Second Home programme plus property development and management, offering the best of services with the highest professionalism and efficiency.

    Zeon Properties Group’s subsidiaries encompass Zeon Properties Kuala Lumpur, Zeon Properties Singapore, Zeon Properties Indonesia, Zeon Properties Hong Kong, Zeon Properties China, Zeon Properties Taiwan, Zeon Properties MM2H International Sdn Bhd, Zeon Land Sdn Bhd, Zeon Computer Sdn Bhd and Zeon Online Sdn Bhd.

    Meanwhile, its retail division engages in a number of different businesses which include the Hairstory chain, Karpal Singh Drive Food Court, Macau Street restaurant, Iyara Thai Restaurant, and entertainment outlets like The Bank, Wine and Cigar, Whisky and Champagne, Levels and Studio Room.

    As a new age integrated property and infrastructure solutions provider, Zeon Properties Group is proud of its brand that is built on core values of passion and excellence that resonate with brokers, agents and consumers.

    Its global reach and understanding of property enables it to achieve the best outcomes for all stakeholders.

    To find out more about its offerings, visit the company’s booths at the fair that runs until Sunday and is open from 10am to 10pm.

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  • ‘Thailand Shopping Festival’ to offer discounts

    ‘Thailand Shopping Festival’ to offer discounts

    “The economy in the second half should grow more strongly than in the first half. The government will launch many measures to stimulate growth, including the shopping festival to provide discounts for shoppers, and organise a low-price fair to help lower the cost of living,” Commerce Minister Apiradi Tantraporn said.

    The Thailand Shopping Festival will be set up at department stores, modern trade outlets, and retail and wholesale shops nationwide. Discounts of 20-40 per cent will be offered to consumers.

    Meanwhile many Otop (One Tambon, One Product) items and those made by small or medium-sized enterprises will be on sale at tourist destinations including Bangkok, Chiang Mai, Udon Thani, Nakhon Ratchasima, Ubon Ratchathani, Phuket, Surat Thani and Songkhla.

    The ministry will also organise a “Thong Fa Therd Phra Kiat” low-price fair to celebrate Her Majesty Queen Sirikit’s 84th birthday at Impact Muang Thong Thani. The event will offer discounts of 20-40 per cent for consumer goods, food, fresh fruits and vegetables, Otop and SME products, and those from projects initiated by His Majesty the King.

    The low-price fair will take place from August 4-7.

    Moreover, the ministry’s Support Arts and Crafts International Centre of Thailand will hold an “Innovation Craft Fair” as part of the Queen’s birthday celebrations from August 4-12 at SACICT in Bang Sai, Ayutthaya.

    Also next month, in a further bid to promote economic growth as well as help lower the cost of living, the ministry will work with the Employee Council of Thailand to conduct events selling cheap food and fast-food dishes at factories, industrial estates and government agencies.

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  • Apple Pay Launched in Hong Kong With American Express, Mastercard Support

    Apple Pay Launched in Hong Kong With American Express, Mastercard Support

    Apple Pay has arrived in Hong Kong, allowing the Apple users to use the company’s mobile payment system.

    Apple’s payment system has been rolled out to American Express, Visa and MasterCard cardholders in Hong Kong. Other participating banks are Standard Chartered, DBS, Hang Seng Bank, HSBC, Bank of East Asia, and BOC Credit Card, a subsidiary of Bank of China (Hong Kong). Apple’s website notes that the system would be compatibile with BEA and HKT touchless payment network Tap & Go in the future, as reported.

    Apple users can add their cards to Apple Pay by just tapping “Add Credit or Debit Card” option in the Wallet app on devices running the iOS 8.1 or higher. Hong Kong’s Apple Pay works fine with the iPhone 6, iPhone 6s, iPhone 6 Plus, iPhone 6s Plus, and iPhone SE. It is also available on the iPad Air 2, iPad mini 3, iPad mini 4, and both iPad Pro models. However, iPhone 5, 5c, and 5s users need an Apple Watch to make Apple Pay work.

    Greg Hingston, the head of retail banking and wealth management at HSBC in Hong Kong, said the number of HSBC’s active mobile banking customers has increased by almost 50 percent over the past three years, according to the South China Morning Post.

    “We expect this to rise as customers continue to migrate to digital banking and as we roll out innovative offerings such as Apple Pay. Digital is an integral part of our strategy as technology and mobility are changing the way our customers access information, products and services,” Hingston said.

    In Hong Kong, Apple Pay can be used where contactless payment is accepted and at a wide range of retail partners, including 7-Eleven, KFC, McDonald’s, Pizza Hut, Pacific Coffee, Su-Pa-De-Pa, Taste, ThreeSixty, Uny, and more.

    The Cupertino-based company’s payment system has also debuted in France, which is compatible with Mastercard and Visa credit and debit cards issued by Carrefour Banque and Ticket Restaurant as well as Banque Populaire and Caisse d’Epargne, an assemblage that includes France’s second largest banking group.

    Apple Pay is now available in nine countries including the United States, the United Kingdom, China, Australia, Canada, Switzerland, and Singapore. In addition, Apple plans to launch Apple Pay to Spain through a partnership with American Express later this year.

  • 7-Eleven Malaysia launches 2000th store

    7-Eleven Malaysia launches 2000th store

    7-Eleven Malaysia Holdings Bhd’s wholly owned subsidiary has launched its 2000th store in Malaysia.

    7-Eleven said the store at The Scott Garden in Old Klang Road reflected the current 7-Eleven convenience store format, which was being rolled out across Malaysia via a programme of store refurbishments and new stores since late 2013.

    “At our listing in 2014, we discussed our expansion plans and our intention to increase our number of new stores by 600 over the next three years from 2014 to 2016.

    “We are very pleased to have reached this historic milestone of 2000 stores but it’ll be business as usual as we have no intention of stopping here and will continue with our rapid store expansion,” 7-Eleven Malaysia Sdn Bhd CEO Gary Brown said in a statement.

    “We are also pleased to be able to showcase here today our latest product and service innovations which sets us apart from other convenience stores in Malaysia with a strong emphasis on best in class fresh food and beverage such as our well-received RM2 Fresh to Go hot beverages,” he added.

    2000th store opening image

    In the statement, 7-Eleven said during the opening ceremony, there was a tour and brief on the current innovation of the stores.

    It noted that the current generation 7-Eleven convenience stores was to encourage customers to see 7-Eleven as a lifestyle concept, where they can enjoy the range of products on offer by spending time at the store, similar to a neighborhood café.

    In addition to this, 7-Eleven Malaysia has increased its range of product and services to customers by providing Touch ‘n Go reload services, bill payment for utility providers, online purchases payment through MOLPay, point-of-sales activated (POSA) gift cards and parcel locker services in partnership with BoxIt.

    “It is important to us to continue to innovate on not only our product offering, but to also play more of a role in the daily lives of our customers. By offering these services, we can offer a whole new level of convenience in Malaysia and we continue to be the leader for the convenience sector.

    “We are enthusiastic about the future and will continue to deliver the best possible product, services and promotional offerings at our stores based on what our consumers want,” Brown said.

  • Yogorino Korea lauched, thanks to a Rapper

    Yogorino Korea lauched, thanks to a Rapper

    Irish frozen yogurt franchise Yogorino Korea has opened its first store in collaboration with a local partner.

    Korean rapper Zico helped draw a crowd for the inauguration of the Yogorino store in Seogyo-dong, south-west of Seoul and home of Hongik University. Zico, named Fashion Icon of the Year, has been chosen as Yogorino’s ambassador. He is signing promotional items and customers may have a chance to meet him in one of the stores planned to roll out in Korea.

    The new outlet covers two floors, including a spacious seating area. As well as frozen yogurt, Yogorino sells ice cream, coffee and cakes.

    For South Korea, Yogorino has signed a master franchising deal with Italyo Korea, which has drawn up a 10-year development plan including about 100 stores, corner shops and shopping -centre kiosks, ready to be set in motion in the next few months.

    Yogorino also has branches in Japan and the Philippines.

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  • China’s XL-Muse reinvents the bookstore

    China’s XL-Muse reinvents the bookstore

    Shanghai studio XL-Muse has come up with creative designs for two new stores for book retailer Zhongshuge.

    Shelving reaches to the ceiling in the corridor of the Yangzhou Zhongshuge bookshop and is reflected by the floor below, emulating the effect of water. The designers took inspiration from the store’s waterside location in Zhen Yuan, as well as the area’s arched bridges, reports Dezeen.

    Zhongshuge book store Yangzhou 3

    “In the past, guided by water, many literati and poets visited and gathered here,” says XL-Muse. “The bridges were once the guiding factor of culture and commerce, and they represent the bookstore being the bond between humans and books.”

    The Yangzhou store is the latest interior XL-Muse has created for Zhongshuge. The studio previously created an oval reading room with stepped shelving for a branch that opened in Hangzhou in April. Black mirrored flooring and arched shelves create a tunnel of books. The Zhongshuge-Hangzhou bookshop also has mirrored ceilings and wraparound bookshelves, and a display room with columns shaped like tree trunks.

    Zhongshuge book store Yangzhou 1

    At the Yangzhou store, the concave shelving does not meet at the top, but is separated by a gap shaped like a lightning bolt across the middle of the ceiling. Reflected on the mirrored flooring, this gap is meant to act as a river, leading customers forward into the store.

    Zhongshuge book store Yangzhou 7

    The 1000 sqm space includes a reading room and a village-themed children’s area. The main reading room features curvaceous shapes in the form of sculptural, white pillars that curve inward from the ceiling.

    Zhongshuge book store Yangzhou 2

    Zhongshuge book store Yangzhou

    Shelving is a combination of traditional vertical styles and black metal stands arranged on a gentle slope that complements the curves of the pillars.

    Zhongshuge book store Yangzhou 6

    Meanwhile, the children’s picture book pavilion features shelves shaped like houses, towers, clouds and a hot-air balloon. The wooden shelving is painted in a spectrum of bright colours, and the ceiling lights are arranged to suggest a starry sky.

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  • Indonesia sparkles as jewellery retail market

    Indonesia sparkles as jewellery retail market

    Indonesia sparkles in the jewellery retail market, according to a new report from Euromonitor International.

    Buoyed by growth in Asia Pacific, particularly China and India, jewellery will continue to be the best-performing category in the personal accessories segment, according to its research.

    Indonesia is expected to be the fastest-growing country in the world for jewellery sales with 7.8 per cent compound annual growth rate (CAGR) predicted until 2021. It is followed by India at 6.9 per cent.

    Euromonitor’s research shows that jewellery sales will be worth US$316 billion this year. It is the fastest-growing segment within the personal accessories industry with 3 per cent growth over the past year.

    Jewellery, including both costume and fine jewellery, had 15 per cent year-on-year growth of internet retail sales, reaching $19 billion this year, up from $9 billion in 2011. Fine jewellery’s 16 per cent growth in internet retailing beat out costume jewellery’s 12 per cent growth, with more fine jewellery retailers going online.

    “Technology is the answer for the future growth of jewellery and personal accessories,” says industry analyst Jasmine Seng. While global sales of personal accessories are growing at 2 percent, internet retailing is experiencing double-digit growth.

    The lowest performer in internet sales is the watch segment.

    “Facing competition from smartwatches, industry players should collaborate with wearable-technology innovators to drive organic growth for their companies,” says Seng.

    Personal accessories sales are forecast to have 4 per cent CAGR between now and 2021 to reach $633 billion.

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  • H&M sales rise, profit falls

    H&M sales rise, profit falls

    H&M sales rose 7 per cent in local currencies during the first six months of the financial year. But profit failed to follow suit.

    Converted into Swedish kronor, H&M sales rose by 5 per cent to SEK 104.9 billion, (US$12.176 billion).

    Karl-Johan Persson, CEO, said the sales increase in March and April was significantly below plan, negatively affected by cold spring weather in many markets. In May, sales were much better with an increase of 9 per cent.

    After tax profit was SEK 5.357 billion, (US$621.4 million) down 17 per cent year-on-year.

    “Profits in the second quarter have been affected by a continued negative US dollar effect, but also by increased markdowns and the costs of our long-term investments. The fact that the sales increase in the quarter was below plan, naturally also had an impact on profits,” he said.

    “It has been a challenging half-year for fashion retail in many markets, but we have great confidence going forward and are continuing to develop our offering further within all our brands.”

    H&M has opened nine new online markets so far this year – in Slovenia, Croatia, Estonia, Latvia, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Ireland, Japan and Greece. Canada and South Korea will follow later this year.

    The fashion retailer has more than 4000 physical stores in 62 markets with plans to add 425 more this year. New markets this year are Puerto Rico, New Zealand and Cyprus, while Colombia will be one of four or five new destinations next year.

  • Turnover falls for Sa Sa International

    Turnover falls for Sa Sa International

    Sa Sa sales are slowing, despite an improvement in Mainland Chinese visitor numbers.

    Retail and wholesale turnover for cosmetics retailer Sa Sa International Holdings fell by 5.7 per cent for the first quarter to June 30, according to unaudited data.

    Turnover dropped 5.4 per cent to HK$1384.9 million (US$178.585 million) in the Hong Kong and Macau markets, while same-store sales decreased by 4.8 per cent. While there were only slightly fewer transactions, their average value fell 5.7 per cent.

    In other markets, including China, Malaysia, Singapore and Taiwan as well as Sasa.com, retail and wholesale turnover dropped 7 per cent to HK$1717.1 million for the quarter.

    While still in decline, the group’s retail sales in Hong Kong and Macau recorded a notable improvement compared to the last quarter of the last financial year, the company attributing this to traffic growth of 2.7 per cent among mainland customers.

    “Their consumption continued to be on the weaker side, with spending declining by 6.4 per cent per transaction. Local consumption sentiment remained sluggish,” says the company.

    Improved sales performances were partially because of the group’s efforts to adjust product offerings to meet market demand.

    As at June 30, the company had 112 stores in Hong Kong and Macau, a drop of one from the start of the quarter. At 55, there were two fewer stores on the mainland, Singapore was steady at 23 stores, Malaysia’s 67 stores included had one more outlet, and Taiwan also lost a store for a total of 31. Overall, the company had 288 stores, down from 291.

    Sales performance during the period was affected by a series of factors, says the company, so the data for the period may not be able to reflect the overall performance of the reporting period.

  • McDonald’s Philippines targets 900 stores

    McDonald’s Philippines targets 900 stores

    Local franchisee, Golden Arches Development, expects McDonald’s Philippines to reach 500 stores in 2016 and 900 in coming years.

    Golden Arches VP for marketing Margot Torres said in an interview, “We are going to hit the 500 stores before the end of the year because we had 494 as of June,.”

    He added that plans would depend on the opening of shopping malls in the country.

    Due to construction delays, the 500 store count originally set in 2015 was moved to mid-2016.

    Torres said Golden Arches, which opens 40 stores every year, has seen strong sales for  McDonald’s since the second half of 2015, when celebrities Maine Mendoza and Alden Richard endorsed the brand.

    “There is still room for growth in Metro Manila but [there] is also huge potential for expansion outside Metro Manila, particularly in the Visayas and Mindanao,” Torres said.

    With convenience stores’ affordable meals posing a threat to the fast-food industry, McDonald’s is boosting its game by focusing on its online delivery.

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  • SCR Corp set to move into Indonesia

    SCR Corp set to move into Indonesia

    Sarawak (Malaysia) restaurant chain SCR Corp is set to move into Indonesia, first targeting Pontianak in Borneo as well as Jakarta.

    GM (franchising and strategic planning) Johnny Leo Lee Boon says the company is ready to launch its franchise business once potential partners have secured prime locations in the two cities. He says business groups from Pontianak and Jakarta have visited Sarawak several times to study the chain’s franchise business model.

    “They have come up with proposed secondary locations to set up SCR restaurants that we find may not be ideal,” he says. “We advise them to look for strategic prime locations where there are good daily crowds… The ball now is in their court.”

    Leo says Jakarta has more than 70 malls that are ideal for F&B, while Pontianak with its population of about 1.6 million people could also support the franchise.

    SCR, which celebrates its 30th anniversary next year, owns 36 restaurants and has 19 franchised outlets in Sarawak, Sabah, Labuan and Brunei. Fourteen of the owned outlets and five franchises are in Kuching. The menu features 110 local and western dishes and beverages, with Singapore chicken rice the signature dish.

    Leo says SCR is also in preliminary talks with a company in the Philippines about franchising, and its executives are expected to visit soon.

    Meanwhile, SCR will soon open its first franchise outlet in Lawas, northern Sarawak, and there are expansion plans to to Kapit once the road link is ready.

    “The food business market in Sarawak is saturated,” says Leo. “We are consolidating and limiting the number of outlets in certain towns. Our focus is to expand our franchise business to more countries in Asean.”

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  • Galleria Duty Free 63 opens in Seoul

    Galleria Duty Free 63 opens in Seoul

    Galleria Duty Free 63 has been officially opened – and it’s offering more than just duty free products.

    The new duty free store, located in Seoul’s iconic 63 Building, is operated by Hanwha Galleria, a subsidiary of Hanwha Group. Since its ‘Free Opening’ last December, the store has recorded daily average revenue of between 600 million and 700 million won, which the company expects to reach to 1 billion won (US$880,000) in the third quarter of this year.

    But what is most intriguing about the latest duty free branch is its 63 Building-based tourism content that visiting shoppers can take advantage of.

    The 63 Building, also owned by Hanwha Group, houses an observation deck overlooking the capital, and 63 Sea World, an aquarium that was recently renovated and renamed to AquaPlanet 63. Galleria Duty Free 63 has incorporated the building’s touristic elements and started operating tourism packages for its shoppers at the beginning of July.

    Hanwha Galleria also joined hands with Chinese conglomerate Wanda Group to establish a new marketing partnership. Wanda Group currently has some 120 million subscribers in China, and it will be joining Hanwha Galleria’s marketing campaigns to reshape the store into the next big tourist attraction for Chinese vacationers in Seoul.

    “Although the distribution industry has seen better times, we expect Hanwha Galleria to contribute to the Korea tourism industry with its distinctive duty free enterprise,” said Kim Seung-youn, CEO of Hanwha Group, who visited the store on Thursday.

    The new store currently features 540 brands, from luxury labels like Gucci, Coach, and Michael Kors, to brands that are exclusive to Galleria Duty Free 63, such as Stefano Ricci and Golden Goose. More brands including Chanel Cosmetics and Bottega Veneta will be joining the branch in coming months.

     

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  • Bruno Magli to launch in China and Japan

    Bruno Magli to launch in China and Japan

    Bruno Magli Hong Kong will launch in August as the Italian luxury brand signs partnerships in China and Japan, paving the way for a focussed Asian expansion.

    The luxury Italian fashion brand has signed new partnerships in Asia with Sitoy Retailing in China and Bruno Magli Partners in Japan. With these partnerships, coupled with its existing legacy business in South Korea, Bruno Magli believes is is positioned to become one of the leading luxury lifestyle brands in Asia.

    Sitoy Retailing will open the first Bruno Magli shop-in-shop in the Sogo department store at Causeway Bay in Hong Kong in August, to be followed by at least 15 mono-branded stores throughout China. In September, Bruno Magli Partners will launch an eCommerce business in Japan, a historic market for Bruno Magli loyalists. Physical stores will start to open from 2017.

    “Bruno Magli has a classic Italian heritage with 80 years in luxury and a reputation for unique design and quality craftsmanship” said Andrew Yeung, executive director and head of retailing at Sitoy Group.

    “With 55 years in Japan, Bruno Magli has built a brand synonymous with classic styling, quality craftsmanship, and exceptional comfort,” said Kyle Nakamura, president at Bruno Magli Partners.  “As investors, [we] are confident that Bruno Magli will continue to grow as a leading lifestyle brand in the Japanese market.”

    The Italian brand plans to launch an “extensive” fall/winter 2016 global advertising campaign, coinciding with the re-launch of Bruno Magli women’s footwear, with actress Lucy Liu as the category’s brand ambassador.

    Other new categories set to launch for holiday include men’s tailoring, men’s bags and small leather goods, men’s hosiery, women’s handbags, and men’s and women’s timepieces.

    “This is an incredible time for Bruno Magli,” said Cory M Baker, COO of Marquee Brands, parent of Bruno Magli. “As we celebrate the brand’s 80th anniversary, our expansion into China and Japan with these strategic partners will help solidify our global growth with an already loyal customer base.”

    Sitoy Group was founded by Michael Yeung in the 1970s and was listed on the Stock Exchange of Hong Kong in 2011. It has been actively developing the Greater China retail market since 2011 for Tuscan’s, a leather goods brand from Italy, with retail outlets in major cities including, Shanghai, Guangzhou and Chengdu, while simultaneously expanding a select distribution network into secondary and tertiary cities.

    Marquee Brands is a brand acquisition, licensing and development company, sponsored by Neuberger Berman Private Equity, which targets high quality brands with strong consumer awareness and long-term growth potential.

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  • Revenue up but profit down for Fast Retailing Group

    Revenue up but profit down for Fast Retailing Group

    Revenue rose but profit fell for Uniqlo parent The Fast Retailing Group for the first nine months of its latest fiscal year, from September 1 last year to May 31.

    Consolidated revenue for the group reached ¥1.4346 trillion (US$215 billion), a rise of 6.4 per cent year-on-year.

    For its three business segments, Global Brands saw both revenue and profit rise, while both Uniqlo Japan and Uniqlo International had more revenue but less profit.

    Foreign-exchange losses were down ¥43.4 billion to ¥23.4 billion, resulting in consolidated profit before income taxes dropping by a considerable 41.9 per cent.

    However, consolidated revenue rose 6.2 per cent and consolidated operating profit grew by 18.6 per cent, thanks to a recovery in performance at both Uniqlo Japan and Uniqlo International.

    The group continued to boost Uniqlo store numbers, opened global flagship stores and large-format stores in major cities, and also expanded its low-priced GU casual fashion brand.

    On the product side, Fast Retailing sought to boost awareness and visibility of the Uniqlo brand through collaborations with designers and artistic directors from other brands.

    In April, the company launched a next-generation distribution centre in Tokyo, and is pressing ahead with plans to open distribution centres elsewhere in Japan as well as internationally, starting in China and the US.

    There are also plans to accelerate GU store openings outside Japan.

    In Japan, the eCommerce segment continued to grow strongly, with online sales rising 40.6 per cent to 5.5 per cent of total sales. On-ground stores increased by two to 846 at the end of May, including 39 franchise stores.

    Recovery

    Uniqlo International’s revenue for the nine months reached ¥532.8 billion (up 10.6 per cent) while its operating profit of ¥42.2 billion was an 18.7 per cent fall. However, both revenue and profit grew in the third quarter (March to May) by 5.3 and 41.1 per cent respectively.

    Profits recovered for Uniqlo Greater China (including Hong Kong and Taiwan) while Uniqlo Southeast Asia and Oceania (Australia, Indonesia, Malaysia, Singapore, Thailand and the Philippines) continued both revenue and profit growth.

    Uniqlo South Korea continued to struggle, losing profits in the face of a sluggish economy and increasingly fierce competition.

    The total number of Uniqlo international outlets grew by 161 to 928 stores.

    Under its CSR policy, Uniqlo joined the Nippon Foundation opening the Tsurumi Children’s Hospice in Osaka in April. This is for children with life-threatening illnesses and is the first community children’s hospice in Japan.

    Following the Kumamoto earthquake this year, Fast Retailing provided emergency clothing for victims, donating 13,600 items such as underwear, socks and loungewear.

    WIth its global partnership with the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR), helped collect clothing for refugees and displaced persons on World Refugee Day. A special project exceeded its goal of collecting 10 million articles of clothing with a total of 12.81 million items. This involved 112 affiliated companies in 846 locations, 238 educational institutions, 28 student organisations, and communities in 16 countries and regions in which Uniqlo has business.