Retail News CRM

Author: Mei Ling Tan

  • Some markets ramp up imports of Vietnamese durian

    Some markets ramp up imports of Vietnamese durian

    Vietnam’s durian exports to several markets like Thailand, Hong Kong and South Korea rose by double digits year-on-year in the first seven months.

    China remained the biggest buyer as exports rose by nearly 53% to US$1.47 billion, accounting for 92% of all shipments.

    Thailand was second with $65 million, up 51%, followed by Hong Kong, $19 million, up 24%.

    Exports to South Korea, Papua New Guinea, Japan, and Cambodia increased by at least 50%.

    Total exports were also up 50% to $1.6 billion.

    Ngo Tuong Vy, CEO of fruit exporter company Chanh Thu, said Vietnamese durian is more competitively priced than those from Thailand, Malaysia and the Philippines.

    Her company saw exports rise by 30% this year because of a decline in Thai output due to unfavorable weather.

    Dang Phuc Nguyen, general secretary of the Vietnam Fruits & Vegetables Association, said many countries are craving Vietnamese durian because of its high quality and availability all year round.

    Vietnam and China’s recent protocol on frozen durian exports would also help boost exports, he added.

    Vietnam exported $2.3 billion worth of durian last year, 90% of it to China.

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  • iOS 18 launch date revealed: here’s when you can update your iPhone

    iOS 18 launch date revealed: here’s when you can update your iPhone

    The time has come for Apple to officially announce its new iPhone 16 series, alongside other new devices, and, of course – the exact day you can expect the iOS 18 software update.

    At today’s so-called Glowtime event, the Cupertino giant made it official – iOS 18 is coming to supported iPhones on September 16. The release day for iPadOS 18 is also that one.

    This is the day iPhone 16 users can update their software and get all the promised iOS 18 features, although if you’re waiting for the crowning selling point – Apple Intelligence – there is a caveat.

    Apple Intelligence is expected to arrive in its fullest only on the iPhone 16 models, and 15 Pro models, only in the US (at first), and only when iOS 18.1 comes around sometime in October.

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  • Domino’s chooses Made With Plants mozzarella for vegan pizzas

    Domino’s chooses Made With Plants mozzarella for vegan pizzas

    Domino’s is now using Made With Plants‘ dairy-free and gluten-free mozzarella for its vegan pizzas across Australia.

    The pizza chain has been serving plant-based pizzas since 2019. Its vegan-friendly offerings include pizza variants Spicy Veg Supreme and Vegan Margherita and sides such as vegan cheesy garlic bread.

    “At Domino’s, we’re passionate about choice,” said Michael Treacy, head of new product development at Domino’s ANZ.

    “As the world’s best bonding food, it’s important that all our customers can share in the joy of pizza, regardless of their religious, ethical, dietary or lifestyle choices, which is why we’re proud to offer a new and improved vegan cheese.”

    Made With Plants mozzarella is also now available at select Domino’s stores and at Coles and Woolworths supermarkets.

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  • AirPods Pro 2 as a hearing aid device

    AirPods Pro 2 as a hearing aid device

    Not to be outdone by the new AirPods 4 with ANC, Apple decided to upgrade the AirPods Pro as well, so that it can set them apart from the cheaper standard AirPods in an easier manner. What was Apple to add that the AirPods Pro didn’t already have?

    Well, register the AirPods Pro 2 as a hearing aid device with the FCC, of course! That’s right, the AirPods Pro will be approved as a hearing aid by the FCC this fall, and Apple will send a software update to unlock the feature.< Leveraging the power of AI, Apple will set apart noises from speech, emphasizing what you'd want to absorb if you are hard of hearing. Apple will soon push an update announcing a hearing test availability for the AirPods Pro, after which they will be able to take over as a personalized over-the-counter hearing aid for up to moderate hearing loss. The certified hearing test coming to iOS 18 and AirPods Pro 2 will take about 5 minutes and involve hearing a system of tones with different frequencies to determine your hearing loss scale slot. As usual, Apple has developed the AirPods Pro hearing aid feature with the help of clinical studies that examine a massive amount of real-world data, like it did when it introduced the ECG function on the Apple Watch, so it will probably work even better than advertised, negating the discomfort of carrying two types of hearing devices with you.

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  • Vietnamese passion fruits enter Australian market

    Vietnamese passion fruits enter Australian market

    Passion fruits have become the fifth kind of Vietnamese fruits to be officially exported to Australia, following mango, longan, lychee, and dragon fruit.

    On Monday, the Plant Protection Department under the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development in collaboration with the Australian Embassy in Vietnam held a ceremony to announce the export of Vietnamese passion fruits to Australia and the import of Australian plums into Vietnam.

    Huynh Tan Dat, Director of the Plant Protection Department, underlined that Vietnam has great potential and advantages in tropical fruits.

    Currently, Vietnamese fruits are available in over 60 countries and territories. Specifically, passion fruits have been exported to 20 countries in various forms such as fresh, frozen, and juice.

    The area of passion fruit in Vietnam is currently over 12,000 hectares and is expanding, mostly in the northern mountainous region. Many provinces in the Central Highlands are also expanding the cultivation area of this fruit.

    In recent years, Vietnam has concentrated on improving passion fruit quality by promoting chain production and ensuring traceability for the product, focusing on two varieties of yellow passion fruit and purple passion fruit.

  • Domino’s chooses Made With Plants mozzarella for vegan pizzas

    Domino’s chooses Made With Plants mozzarella for vegan pizzas

    Domino’s is now using Made With Plants‘ dairy-free and gluten-free mozzarella for its vegan pizzas across Australia.

    The pizza chain has been serving plant-based pizzas since 2019. Its vegan-friendly offerings include pizza variants Spicy Veg Supreme and Vegan Margherita and sides such as vegan cheesy garlic bread.

    “At Domino’s, we’re passionate about choice,” said Michael Treacy, head of new product development at Domino’s ANZ.

    “As the world’s best bonding food, it’s important that all our customers can share in the joy of pizza, regardless of their religious, ethical, dietary or lifestyle choices, which is why we’re proud to offer a new and improved vegan cheese.”

    Made With Plants mozzarella is also now available at select Domino’s stores and at Coles and Woolworths supermarkets.

  • Heinz launches pickle-flavoured ketchup in Australia

    Heinz launches pickle-flavoured ketchup in Australia

    Heinz is making a twist on its classic tomato sauce by introducing a new pickle-flavoured ketchup in Australia.

    The new flavour blends ketchup with dill pickle for a flexible sauce, which the company ensures “to thrill both pickle fans and ketchup lovers nationwide”.

    The new Heinz Pickle Flavoured Ketchup is already available in Coles stores and will be available countrywide at Woolworths and Metcash on October 14 with an RRP of $5.00.

    Last month, Heinz introduced two new mayo flavours – Cheesy Garlic Bread Aioli and Margherita Pizza Mayonnaise – which it describes as “criminally tasty”.

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  • Belgian brewery Rodenbach launches cherry-flavoured beer

    Belgian brewery Rodenbach launches cherry-flavoured beer

    Belgian craft brewery Rodenbach has made its cherry-flavoured craft beer, Fruitage, available in Australia.

    The beer is made from a blend of ripened and aged ale, young ale, and 7 per cent cherries, processed through “meticulous” fermentation.

    “The main fermentation and warm maturation occur with top-fermenting yeasts at ambient temperatures between 15 to 25 Celsius,” explained the brewery.

    “Secondary fermentation takes place over a two-year maturation period in oak casks, facilitated by bacterial flora and wild yeasts present in the oak.”

    These microorganisms initially produce organic acids, which are then transformed into fruity esters, giving Fruitage its distinct, vibrant taste.

    Rodenbach Fruitage is available in Dan Murphy’s and BWS stores nationwide at an RRP of $17 for a four-pack and $84.99 for a case.

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  • Uniqlo to open largest store in South Korea

    Uniqlo to open largest store in South Korea

    Japanese fashion label Uniqlo will launch its largest store in South Korea on September 13 after reporting strong sales at home and in some overseas markets.

    The 3504sqm store will be located in Jamsil Lotte World Mall.

    “As a local community member, Uniqlo has been striving to show our commitment,” said Kuwahara Takao, co-CEO of Uniqlo.

    “Our new store will provide products and services that enrich everyone’s daily lives and organise various local-friendly activities continuously to better the lives of people in Seoul.”

    Founded in 1949, Uniqlo is owned and operated by Fast Retailing Group and has more than 2000 stores worldwide.

    The brand entered South Korea in 2005 and now has 126 stores in strategic areas.

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  • Singapore retail sales see softer decline in July

    Singapore retail sales see softer decline in July

    Singapore retail sales dropped 2.3 percent in July after motor vehicles were excluded from the data, compared with the 3.1 percent decline in June.

    According to the Department of Statistics, the estimated total retail sales value in July was SG$3.4 billion (US$2.6 billion), of which 14 per cent came from online.

    On a seasonally adjusted basis, retail sales increased 0.5 percent month on month.

    The department stores and wearing apparel and footwear industries led the decline, with sales down 11.2 percent and 10.3 percent, respectively. Sales of optical goods and books fell 8.7 percent, mainly due to lower book demand.

    Meanwhile, the petrol service stations, food and alcohol, supermarkets and hypermarkets, and watches and jewelry industries recorded sales growths of between 0.8 percent and 4.7 percent.

    Sales of food and beverage services edged up 0.2 percent in July following a 1.9 percent increase in June.

    The total sales value of F&B services in July was SG$989 million, of which 23.8 per cent were from online.

  • Gold falls after 2 weeks unchanged

    Gold falls after 2 weeks unchanged

    The Vietnam gold bar price dropped 0.62% to VND80.5 million ($3,251.87) per tael Thursday afternoon, while bullion stayed mostly flat globally.

    Price has remained unchanged at VND81 million since Aug. 20.

    Gold ring price went up 0.06% to VND78.55 million per tael.

    Globally old was little changed on Thursday as investors kept to the sidelines ahead of U.S. payrolls data that could provide more clues on the size of an expected rate cut this month.

    Spot gold steadied at $2,494.73 per ounce. U.S. gold futures lost 0.1% to $2,524.90.

    Non-yielding bullion tends to perform well when interest rates are low. It is also considered a hedge against economic and political uncertainties.

    “The highs for gold in 2024 may not yet have been reached, with the $2,600 level a viable target before year-end, if the Fed delivers the goods with a succession of quick-fire rate cuts before year-end,” said Tim Waterer, chief market analyst, KCM Trade.

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  • Gasoline prices tumble to 20-month low

    Gasoline prices tumble to 20-month low

    Gasoline prices on Thursday hit the lowest since December 2022, having in decline for the last two months.

    The popular fuel RON95 dropped 1.33% to VND20,820 (US$0.84) per liter.

    Diesel declined by 2.06% to VND18,470.

    Regulators said that fuel prices in the last seven days were affected by expectations of increased supply in Libya and OPEC+ countries and weak China’s demand.

    Gasolines have fallen by 1.6-2.2% and oils have decreased by 2-3.1%. RON95 is now at $86.3 per barrel and diesel $87.

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  • Vietnam stocks slip as Asian shares subdued

    Vietnam stocks slip as Asian shares subdued

    Vietnam’s benchmark VN-Index fell 0.59% to 1,268.21 points Thursday as other Asian markets were little changed.

    The index closed 7.59 points lower after dropping 8.07 points in the previous session.

    Trading on the Ho Chi Minh Stock Exchange increased by 6% to VND16.59 trillion (US$671 million).

    GVR of Vietnam Rubber Group plunged 2.3%, followed by PLX of fuel distributor Petrolimex, down 2%.

    FPT of IT giant FPT Corporation and MBB of lender MB both fell 1.8%.

    Three blue chips gained, led by VHM of property giant Vinhomes, up 2.9%, and VIC of private conglomerate Vingroup, up 2.4%.

    Foreign investors were net sellers to the tune of VND684 billion, mainly selling FPT and HPG of steelmaker Hoa Phat Group.

    The HNX-Index for stocks on the Hanoi Stock Exchange, home to mid and small caps, fell 0.50%, while the UPCoM-Index for the Unlisted Public Companies Market went down 0.30%.

    Asian shares were subdued on Thursday, with Japanese stocks sliding to their lowest in three weeks as investors sought safety, pushing the yen to a one-month high while U.S. economic worries boosted prospects for the Federal Reserve to cut rates.

    Amid the fragile sentiment, Japan’s benchmark Nikkei slid more than 1% to its lowest in three weeks, while stocks in tech-heavy Taiwan and South Korean stood slightly higher on the day, giving up earlier gains.

    The MSCI’s broadest index of Asia-Pacific shares outside Japan up 0.25%, subdued after having tumbled nearly 3% during a three-day losing streak. The index had risen more than 0.6% but gave up those gains.

  • Kopi Kenangan to enter the Philippines and India

    Kopi Kenangan to enter the Philippines and India

    Indonesian coffee chain Kopi Kenangan – also known as Kenangan Coffee – is expanding its global footprint, beginning with the launch of its first stores in India and the Philippines.

    The company will open its first Philippine store in October at SM Mall of Asia, Pasay City.

    In India, Kopi Kenangan will make its debut early next year through a licensing agreement with a local F&B business. However, specific details have yet to be finalised.

    During its initial expansion phase in Southeast Asia, the company said it would focus on establishing at least 10 stores in shopping centres.

    “Our expansion into Malaysia and Singapore is a testament to our commitment to serving quality coffee to more people around the world,” said Edward Tirtanata, founder and CEO of Kopi Kenangan.

    “Moving forward, we hope to continue expanding our reach by opening 500 international Kenangan Coffee outlets across various countries,” he said.

    Founded in 2017, Kopi Kenangan is one of the largest branded coffee chains in Indonesia, with more than  900 outlets across 60 cities.

    The brand made its international debut in Malaysia in 2022, followed by an expansion into Singapore last year, where it currently operates 48 and seven locations, respectively.

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  • JD invests US$141 million in building fashion platform

    JD invests US$141 million in building fashion platform

    Chinese e-commerce giant JD has announced a RMB1 billion (US$141 million) investment in the expansion of its apparel business.

    The investment, a combination of financial capital and market resources, aims to broaden and enhance the range of fashion offerings, providing a significant boost for both domestic and international brands.

    The company plans to introduce a variety of new products via simultaneous launches from thousands of brands on JD’s online platform. These launches will be bolstered by enhanced marketing initiatives, partnerships with celebrities and designers, and cross-industry collaborations.

    As part of this investment, the ‘10-billion-yuan Discount’ program will offer customers a RMB30 discount on purchases of RMB300 or more.

    In addition, the company will collaborate with platforms such as Vogue and Xiaohongshu to unveil upcoming fall and winter fashion trends next month.

    Since the beginning of this year, JD has seen a 60 per cent increase in leading apparel and footwear brands and a 200 per cent increase in third-party apparel merchants. The company has signed partnerships with fashion groups, including Inditex, H&M, and Gap, and offers selections from over 90 per cent of global luxury brands.