Retail News CRM

Author: Mei Ling Tan

  • Wings chain lands in Philippines

    Wings chain lands in Philippines

    US-based Buffalo Wild Wings opened its first restaurant in the Philippines on Thursday, (January 29).

    The new restaurant at Capitol Commons in Pasig City is the first of several to open in the Southeast Asian country, joining more than 1070 Buffalo Wild Wings restaurants in North America.

    “Between our fresh, diverse menu and sports centric dining experience, we are confident that Filipinos will enjoy this new option for watching their favorite sporting events,” said Sally Smith, CEO and president.

    Aside from delivering on its mantra of ‘Wings. Beer. Sports.’ Buffalo Wild Wings locations will feature the company’s new restaurant design, which provides the ultimate sports viewing experience while bringing the look and feel of the stadium experience into the restaurant.

    The Philippines is the third overseas market the chain is expanding into, after Canada and Mexico.

    “What we’ve found through our international expansion is that true passion for sports and the camaraderie that comes with watching a big game with family and friends is a universal phenomenon,” said Smith.

    Buffalo Wild Wings serves Buffalo, New York-style chicken wings, available in 21 signature sauces and seasonings, ranging from Sweet BBQ to Blazin’. It also offers a full menu of burgers, appetisers and thin-crust flatbreads, all designed to be shared with friends, and a wide selection of beers.

    Each restaurant has an extensive multi-media system that features large wall-to-wall high-definition televisions for excellent sports viewing.

    The Pasig City restaurant is operated by The Bistro Group, which currently owns and operates 10 restaurant concepts, a culinary centre (The Bistro Academy) comprised of international franchises, as well as homegrown brands. The franchise group expects to open multiple Buffalo Wild Wings restaurants in the Philippines over the coming years.

    Buffalo Wild Wings will soon expand into Dubai and Saudi Arabia later in 2015 and is eyeing other international market opportunities.

    “As we explore new markets, we take the time to learn about the countries, cultures and potential partners,” said Smith. “We’re pleased to be working with a franchise partner in the Philippines who understands the needs and interests of this dynamic, evolving market, as well as our target guest, and shares our philosophy of bringing people together through great food and sports.”

  • Kate Spade targets 100 stores in Greater China

    Kate Spade targets 100 stores in Greater China

    Kate Spade is to buy out its Chinese joint venture partner in favour of a new partnership with Lane Crawford Group.

    Walton Brown, the brand wholesaling and retailing subsidiary of Hong Kong-based department store operator Lane Crawford, will team with Kate Spade in a major expansion of the New York brand into mainland China, Hong Kong, Macau and Taiwan in a new joint venture announced overnight, targeting 100 stores long term.
    The newly formed partnership will leverage the expertise of Walton Brown, and the global demand for Kate Spade & Company products, to establish a strategic network of stores in key cities, enhanced by a robust organisational and marketing platform across China, Hong Kong, Macau and Taiwan.

    Kate Spade’s current Chinese JV partner is E-Land Fashion China Holdings which owns 60 per cent of KS China Co Ltd. Next month, Kate Spade will pay US$36 million to buy out E-Land’s 60 per cent share in KSC.

    The new partnership will align Kate Spade & Company’s existing businesses in China and Hong Kong, Macau and Taiwan under one combined structure, owned 50-50 by the two parties. Kate Spade & Company and Walton Brown will actively manage the business together. The partnership will have an initial term of 10 years.
    Kate Spade CEO Craig A Leavitt said the new partnership is a pivotal next step as Kate Spade continues to advance a key axis of its growth strategy – geographic expansion.

    “Walton Brown is the right strategic partner as we position Kate Spade & Company for sustainable growth, allowing us to take a holistic approach to expansion, influence consumers and leverage resources across the Greater China region. Walton Brown’s relationships, operations and marketing expertise will help us create a cohesive foundation of stores surrounded by a vibrant ecosystem to help deepen our connection with consumers in Asia.”
    Walton Brown president Thomson Cheng said Kate Spade already has strong appeal in the market, with strong growth potential.

    “Together, we will build upon this momentum to establish a broader foundation and fuel Kate Spade & Company’s scale in the region. Drawing upon our best-in-class expertise and network, we look forward to partnering with Kate Spade & Company to enhance its global presence during this exciting time in the company’s transformation.”
    Kate Spade’s distribution agreements with Valiram in Singapore, Malaysia, Indonesia and Australia and with AT Luxury in Thailand are not affected by these transactions.

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  • Michael Kors to open Ginza monster

    Michael Kors to open Ginza monster

    Michael Kors will open its largest Japanese flagship store this fall, on Chuo St in Tokyo’s Ginza district.

    The store will be the first in the world to carry every category offered by the global luxury lifestyle brand.

    “Japan is a key market for our continued development in Asia,” said Michael Kors.

    “This is a very exciting opening. Ginza is one of the world’s great shopping neighborhoods, in one of the greatest fashion cities, so it’s both exciting and appropriate that we’re debuting this very special store in Tokyo.

    “I look forward to welcoming our customers to the new store, and sharing with them the mix of sophistication, glamour and ease that defines everything we design.”

    The store, which measures approximately 7800 sqft, will reflect the new design concept unveiled last year at the Jing’An Kerry Centre in Shanghai, (pictured above), including the shimmering exterior facade inspired by Michael Kors’ signature use of metallics and texture. The facade, designed by Michael Kors’ in-house design team, consists of luminous screens made of unique, light-reflective facets set within a grid of internally lit recesses.

    Michael Kors, the business, describes the effect is elegant and kinetic, “evoking the light-catching allure of a sequined gown”.

    A large-scale video screen will cover the balance of the second- and third-story facade, while the ground floor features large storefront windows framed in Bianco Dolomiti marble.

    The interior of the store will reflect the signature jet set glamour of the Michael Kors brand, with polished stainless steel fixtures, white marble flooring, Macassar wood and zebra-skin accents used to create a luxurious and inviting atmosphere.

    Women’s ready-to-wear will occupy the upper floor, housed in a sophisticated, exclusive environment designed to complement both the Michael Kors Collection and ‘Michael’ Michael Kors labels. Here shoppers can browse, try on clothes and consult with the store’s personal stylists in an ambience of calm and complete indulgence. This floor will also showcase a grand shoe salon.

    On the ground floor, handbags from Michael Kors Collection and ‘Michael’ Michael Kors will be showcased in a variety of dramatic displays, along with curated presentations of accessories, watches, jewelry and eyewear. The lower level will be dedicated to menswear and men’s accessories, making the Ginza flagship the first freestanding Michael Kors store in Japan to offer menswear.

    “Japan is a key market for our continued development in Asia,” said John Idol, chairman and CEO of Michael Kors.

    “The importance of Tokyo to luxury and fashion retailing makes this the right place and time to open our first store showcasing every facet of the Michael Kors brand. We look forward to offering the full breadth of our product assortment, presented with our signature glamour, chic and superlative service, to our Japanese customers and tourists traveling to Tokyo.”

    Michael Kors, established in 1981, produces a range of products through his Michael Kors and ‘Michael’ Michael Kors labels, including accessories, footwear, watches, jewelry, men’s and women’s ready-to-wear, and a full line of fragrance products. Michael Kors stores are operated, either directly or through licensing partners, in global cities including New York, Beverly Hills, Chicago, London, Milan, Paris, Munich, Istanbul, Dubai, Seoul, Tokyo and Hong Kong.

  • New technology can identify fakes

    New technology can identify fakes

    Luxury brands affected by Asia’s burgeoning multi-billion dollar piracy trade will soon have a new weapon.

    NEC has revealed new technology that can distinguish even the most sophisticated counterfeit products.

    The technology can read microscopic patterns on anything from luxury handbags to mechanical component.

    And it can track the origin of mass-produced items like clothing by examining what it describes as “object fingerprints” – three-dimensional patterns or irregularities found on the surface of items.

    Tohihiko Hiroaki, assistant GM at NEC’s Information and Media Processing Laboratories, says a customers officer at an airport terminal could take a photo of a specific part of an item using a smartphone, which can then be matched with a database supplied by the manufacturer.

    NEC claims its technology can tell the time and place a product was manufactured.

    “You can identify offspring that come from the same parental mould,” said Hiroaki. “If you take a close look, you can tell one child from another.”

    Further testing lies ahead before the technology is released commercially next year.

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  • Now consumers can ‘print’ clothes at home…

    Now consumers can ‘print’ clothes at home…

    A European entrepreneur has created a portable device that allows consumers to automatically create custom clothes from a digital file. Even at home.

    Springwise.com reports that the ‘makers movement’ has come to prominence in the past few years as new technologies such as 3D printing and DIY computers have given consumers better tools to create and produce their own designs and gadgets. Even the fashion industry has received a boost from such innovation, and we’ve already seen sneakers made with a 3D printer.

    Now the OpenKnit project has created a device that’s able to automatically create custom clothes from a digital file.

    The machine looks much like a traditional loom, except that it’s hooked up to a robot and computer. Users can either download or create their own design files for printing a garment. After uploading the file to the machine and loading the thread, a carriage moves from side to side to weave the item together using similar technology to a sewing machine.

    A sensor on the top keeps track of the needles and the position of the carriage to ensure the threads don’t get tangled. Using the system, a sweatshirt can be produced on the fly in roughly one hour. The OpenKnit machine is an open source design, and it costs under EUR 550 to build.

    “Since personalization is a key facet of fashion design, it’s easy to see how the possibility of consumers printing their own styles is an enticing one,” explains Springwise.com.

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  • Thailand’s RSTA plans to double Ratchaprasong area’s trading value

    Thailand’s RSTA plans to double Ratchaprasong area’s trading value

    Retail, wholesale and hotel operators around Ratchaprasong intersection plan to allocate a combined THB60 billion (USD1.8 million) to make the area an important retail destination in Asean over the next three years.

  • Shanghai Tang flagship launches 360 tour

    Shanghai Tang flagship launches 360 tour

    Two years ago, Richemont-owned luxury fashion brand Shanghai Tang relocated its flagship from the historic Pedder Building into a new location off the usually beaten path of die-hard shoppers.

    The decision was purely financial – the building’s owners ramped up the rental so much, the brand could not justify the overhead; apparently Abercrombie & Fitch considered the investment more palatable.

    The new flagship is located on 1 Duddell St, not far from Pedder St as the crow flies, but a location arguably so obscure most foreigners, as opposed to locals, struggle to find it.

    This week, Shanghai Tang has solved that problem, creating a 360 panoramic online journey through the flagship, accessible online from anywhere in the word.

    The high resolution view  is hosted by Google. Users can use their mouse or trackpad to zoom in on various displays and turn a full circle on each of the store’s three floors.

    “Whether or not you have had the chance to visit us in central Hong Kong, we are proud to introduce our first 360 online virtual tour of our Shanghai Tang Mansion,” the band said in an email to its fan base this week.

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  • Parkson in China food foray

    Malaysia’s Parkson has entered into a joint venture to develop a food retailing business in China as it transforms its department store portfolio into lifestyle centres.

    The company’s wholly-owned subsidiary Grand Parkson has teamed with fellow Malaysian company AUM Hospitality (AUMH) which it majority owns, to create Lion Food & Beverage Ventures Limited. Parkson will own 91 per cent of the business, AUMH the balance.

    In a stock exchange announcement, Parkson said the group is undergoing a business transformation in China from a traditional department store model into a lifestyle concept retail business.

    “Our aim is to enhance our customer experience by offering a quality shopping, catering and entertainment experience that encourages repeat customer patronage.

    “F&B is an important component to the shopping experience that the group is offering to its customers. Developing the F&B sector will provide synergies with the group’s existing retail business.”

    The partnership will allow Parkson to leverage AUMH’s expertise and brand resources in the F&B sector.

    “Introducing F&B services will be a major strategic move for the group.”

    AUMH operates restaurant chains in Malaysia under 12 self-owned and franchised brands, including Johnny Rockets, Quiznos and The Library Coffee Bar. It is 60 per cent owned by a subsidiary of Parkson.

    The company has 60 department stores in 36 cities in China.

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  • Japan retail sales underwhelm

    Japan retail sales underwhelm

    Japan’s retail sales rose a marginal 0.2 per cent in December – the sixth consecutive monthly year-on-year increase.

    Analysts had expected a stronger one per cent increase, despite challenging economic circumstances largely due to the nation’s declining and ageing population.

    Department stores were the weakest link, with data from the Japan Department Stores Association showing a same-store sales fall of 1.7 per cent year-on-year – the ninth consecutive fall. The fall would have been greater if not for a cushioning effect from increased shopping by Chinese tourists.

    However, contributing to December’s figure was one less Sunday in the month, compared with December 2013, and the association noted that severe severe snowstorms hit northern regions during the month impacting on store footfalls.

    Food and beverage sales in December rose 1.4 per cent, compared with November’s 2.7 per cent. Apparel sales rose 3.1 per cent, down on November’s 4.2 per cent.

    December’s total retail sales of 13.52 trillion Yen marked the highest monthly total since March last year, when shoppers splurged in advance of an April sales tax rise.

    The preliminary data from Japan’s Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry showed full year figures were more encouraging: an overall increase of 1.7 per cent, compared with a one per cent rise in 2013.

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  • Lower Australian dollar means clothing price rise “inevitable”, suppliers say

    Lower Australian dollar means clothing price rise “inevitable”, suppliers say

    Clothing prices are expected to rise across the board for the first time in five years as suppliers and retailers raise prices after a 17 percent slump in the Australian dollar.

    Suppliers have warned retailers that prices for fashion clothing, underwear and basic apparel will rise significantly in the second half of calendar 2015, as currency hedges roll off and new-season stock comes into stores.

    The Australian dollar has fallen 17 percent against the US dollar since June and 10 percent over the past 12 months, pushing up the cost of clothing sourced from China, Bangladesh, Sri Lanka, Thailand and Vietnam.

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  • Thailand’s Mangpong turns to attraction of cosmetics

    Thailand’s Mangpong turns to attraction of cosmetics

    Thailand’s Mangpong 1989 Plc (MPG) has diversified into the beauty and cosmetics retail chain in a bid to cash in on opportunities from the country’s THB200-billion (USD6.15b) cosmetics market. The company sells and rents home entertainment products.

    It’s looking for new locations to open Stardust beauty shops. It believes the beauty and cosmetics business will generate healthy sales and a good return on investment as Thai women have a modern lifestyle and prefer to be good looking.

    Mangpong has partnered with more than 100 beauty and cosmetics brands to present over 10,000 units from L’Oreal Paris, Anna Sui, Kenzo, Paul Smith and Calvin Klein. The company also plans to launch its own brand in the third quarter this year.

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  • Hawaiian coffee concept lands in Seoul

    Hawaiian coffee concept lands in Seoul

    A Hawaiian coffee concept already popular in Tokyo has now made its debut in Korea.

    Lanai Cafe is a Hawaiian Kona Coffee shop serving coffee, pancakes, desserts and drinks.

    Kona is ranked as one of the world’s top three coffee beans alongside Jamaican Blue Mountain and Kenyan Kilimanjaro. It is brewed by pour over for each cup which draws its unique aroma and flavour.

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  • Asia Pacific Travel Retail Association launches seminars

    A new schedule of Responsible Retail Training seminars, enhancements to the Duty Free & Travel Retail Database, topical research studies and advocacy support are among the immediate priorities for the Asia Pacific Travel Retail Association (APTRA) this year.

    A wide-ranging research program, conducted for APTRA by M1nd-set, has kicked off this year with a study of the shopping behaviour of Chinese travellers on domestic and international journeys, including their motivations for shopping and not shopping, their product preferences as well as the customer segmentation on selected routes.

    The headline results of this study, which is sponsored by Diageo, will be presented at the TFWA China’s Century Conference, organised in partnership with APTRA, in Shanghai on March 12.

    Future research topics will include the behaviour & attitudes of Asia Pacific (AsPac) travellers (China, Korea, Japan, Thailand, Indonesia, Philippines, Vietnam) in the region; a focus on Russian travellers in Asia Pacific; the behaviour & attitudes of non-AsPac passengers in the region; in-flight shopping – perceptions & the impact of promotions; behaviour & attitudes of AsPac vs non-AsPac passengers in Asia Pacific; evaluation of future in-flight shopping & concepts.

    The Responsible Retail Training Program, which has already been adopted by several major retailers, will be extended to other retailers in the region in order to ensure that there are consistently high standards across the duty free & travel retail spectrum in the Asia Pacific region.

    The APTRA Seminars, aimed at bringing useful insights on successful travel retailing to member companies and at offering networking opportunities to facilitate growth of the industry, will be organised at various locations throughout the year.

    The popular APTRA Duty Free & Travel Retail Database will be populated with the contact details of even more airports, airlines, ferry companies, retailers, distributors and suppliers to facilitate easy access to the right person in the right market.

    Key to the success of duty free & travel retail in the Asia Pacific region is an open dialogue

    between stakeholders and regulatory authorities and in 2015 APTRA will continue its support of this ideal through advocacy.

    APTRA president Jaya Singh said: “These research, training, advocacy and database initiatives are fundamental to the missions of the association, namely safeguarding the interests of all stakeholders and driving industry growth. In the last year we saw our membership grow by 20 per cent and revenues grow by almost 40 per cent as more and more companies recognise the benefits they gain from the work accomplished and the need for a strong regional association.”

    APTRA is the trade association for the duty free and travel retail industry in the Asia Pacific region, serving all members and the industry to help grow the business and protect it when challenges arise. For more information about the work of APTRA visit www.aptra.asia.

     

  • Bang & Olufsen spreads out

    Bang & Olufsen spreads out

    One of the luxury brands in home and car sound systems, Bang & Olufsen (B&O), has readied its retail foray. Till now, operating mostly in the rarefied world of custom-made audio systems installed in the homes of celebrities and business barons, or pre-installed in luxury marques such as Audi, B&O is finally launching stand-alone stores that will not only afford an experience of its products but also, perhaps, whet the aspirations of those dropping by.

  • Counterfeit appliance business exposed

    Counterfeit appliance business exposed

    Vietnamese authorities have cracked a counterfeit appliance retailing business passing off cheap Chinese appliances as branded European goods.

    Thanh Nien News reports that a company called Romal Vietnam was selling gas ranges, electric stovetops, ovens and blow dryers inside supermarkets, online and at shopping centres in many provinces and cities across the nation.

    A nationwide crackdown has now been launched by teams of inspectors from the National Steering Committee for Combating Smuggling, Commercial Fraud and Counterfeit Goods (also known as Committee 389).

    A Romal Vietnam shop in Hanoi was raided on January 22 and 185 Chinese products bearing Italian and German brand names on labels were seized.

    Another 85 products were seized in the central seaside town of Danang and Ho Chi Minh City police sealed a Romal store after “the manager locked its doors and fled” according to Thanh Nien News.

    The company’s director, Nguyen Thi Ninh, and her husband Nguyen Huy Tho have been summoned by police for questioning. A police source told the newspaper that Ninh, Tho and their employees admitted importing Chinese products from Zhongshan Company in Guangdong since 2008.

    Labelling the goods as European allowed the shop to import the products for between $150 and $200 and sell them for as much as $750 to $800. The fraud had netted the business several hundred thousand dollars annually.

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