Retail News CRM

Author: Mei Ling Tan

  • Sportswear label Anta opens outlet in Thailand

    Sportswear label Anta opens outlet in Thailand

    Chinese sportswear brands Anta has launched its first brick-and-mortar store in Thailand as part of its expansion plan in the Southeast Asia market.

    Located in Bangkok’s CentralWorld, the store covers an area 230sqm, embraces the Thai culture, and features designs in collaboration with local artists.

    Anta’s entry into Thailand marks the brand’s fourth expansion in the Southeast Asia market following the Philippines, Malaysia and Singapore.

    “You will also see that this is the first store in Anta where we devised a social space for customers to try on shoes, and while doing so able to engage in a bit of co-creation on the sticker bomb on the floor – we have additional stickers also for you to be a part of the co-creation process, to add onto the sticker bomb,” the brand wrote on its official statement.

    With more than 30 years of operation, Anta has a portfolio of brands including Fila, Descente, Kolon Sport, Arc’teryx, Salomon, Wilson, Peak Performance, and Atomic.

    The company is reportedly planning to launch its brand Fila in Thailand before the end of this year, and Salomon, Wilson and Descente by next year.

  • Google Search can now help you ace that math or science homework

    Google Search can now help you ace that math or science homework

    Google Search is launching some new features to help you with math and science problems. These features include the ability to search for math and physics problems by typing them into the search bar or taking a picture of them using Google Lens.
    You can now add this to my list of things I wish were a thing when I was going to school: Google is now making Search and Lens even more helpful when it comes to solving word, geometry, and physics problems. Additionally you will be able to explore interactive 3D diagrams of biology, chemistry, physics, and astronomy topics.
    By just typing in your math problem into Search, you can now take advantage of Google’s new advanced math solver. Don’t know how you can even type in that intricate equation? No problem, because you can opt to instead use Lens to take a picture of it from your textbook or worksheet using Lens. Not only with Google solve it for you, but will actually teach you how to do it with step-by-step instructions.
    Another new feature is the ability to get help with word problems and geometry problems by using Google’s language models. Word problems can be particularly difficult for students, but Google Search can now solve them and throw in interactive diagrams and animations in the process.
    Finally, Google Search is now launching interactive 3D diagrams of biology, chemistry, physics, and astronomy topics. These diagrams allow users to explore complex scientific concepts in a more interactive and engaging way. For example, users can rotate and zoom in on 3D diagrams of molecules, cells, and planets.

    These new features are a significant step forward for Google Search, as they make it easier for people to find the information they need about math and science. Additionally, they are designed to help students get some extra help getting some assignments done more interactively and engagingly.

  • TBH Skincare rolls out in 857 Coles stores

    TBH Skincare rolls out in 857 Coles stores

    TBH Skincare has partnered with Coles Supermarkets and will be stocked in 857 stores across Australia.

    The move follows the brand’s recent merger with fellow beauty company Boost Lab under the new umbrella, York Street Brands. Earning more than $6 million in annual turnover just three years after launch, TBH Skincare expects to bring in an estimated $20 million in combined revenue annually.

    “We have been in discussions with Coles for several months, and we couldn’t be more excited,” said Rachael Wilde, co-founder of TBH Skincare.

    “Seeing over 115,000 units leave our warehouse just for the first order and thinking of how many people that will reach is a dream come true.”

    TBH Skincare began as an e-commerce channel in 2020, launching with its Acne Hack Spot Treatment product. Since then, the brand has expanded its product range and stockists, with more than 1200 stores now carrying its products.

    “My mission has been to give consumers ease in access so they feel empowered, and now I feel like, as a brand, we can say that confidently,” said Wilde.

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  • Coca-Cola raises outlook amid revenue growth

    Coca-Cola raises outlook amid revenue growth

    The US-headquartered company saw net revenues increase in most of its markets, including Europe, Middle East & Africa (10 percent), Latin America (24 percent), and North America (6 percent). Meanwhile, revenues in Asia Pacific declined 2 percent.

    Revenues of global ventures and bottling investments were up 15 percent and 4 percent, respectively.

    Global unit case rose 2 percent and operating income grew 6 percent, with earnings per share up 9 percent to $0.71.

    “We delivered an overall solid quarter and are raising our full-year topline and bottom-line guidance in light of our year-to-date performance,” said James Quincey, chairman and CEO of The Coca-Cola Company.

    “Our leading portfolio of brands, coupled with an aligned and motivated system, positions us to win in the marketplace today while also laying the groundwork for the long term.”

    The company expects to deliver organic revenue growth of 10-11 percent. For comparable net revenues, it anticipates a 4 percent currency headwind based on the current rates and including the impact of hedged positions.

  • Mercedes distributor profits down

    Mercedes distributor profits down

    Mercedes distributor Hang Xanh Motors Service Joint Stock Company saw net profits for the third quarter plummet by 87% year-on-year to VND8 billion (US$333,000).

    It attributed the fall to plunging sales and increasing costs.

    Administrative costs jumped 54% to VND29 billion, according to its audited financial statements.

    Its revenues fell by 44% to VND2.9 trillion, its lowest in the last seven years.

    For the first nine months of the year its net profit was 93% down at VND14.5 billion, the lowest in eight years.

    Prospective buyers are waiting for more positive signals from the economy before buying luxury cars, leading to lower sales and profits, according to the company.

     

  • Google Maps update brings Immersive View for routes to select cities

    Google Maps update brings Immersive View for routes to select cities

    Google continues to upgrade key features of its app with the help of the AI. Previously announced at Google I/O this year, the AI-powered feature called “Immersive View for routes” is now available in select cities on both Android and iOS devices.

    With Immersive View for routes, Google Maps users will be able to see every segment of a route before they start driving, walking or cycling. Google’s new feature uses AI “to fuse billions of Street View and aerial images together to create a rich, digital model of the world.”

    Instead of seeing a flat route on your screen, you’re now immersed in a multidimensional experience that not only allows you to visualize every segment of a route, but also bike lanes, sidewalks, intersections, as well as parking.

    Starting today, Immersive View routes is available in the following cities around the world: Amsterdam, Berlin, Dublin, Florence, Las Vegas, London, Los Angeles, New York, Miami, Paris, Seattle, San Francisco, San Jose, Tokyo, and Venice.

    In addition to bringing Immersive View for routes to select cities, Google announced deeper Lens integration for more accurate navigation. Maps users can now tap the Lens icon in the search bar and lift their phone to find information about nearby ATMs, transit station, restaurants, coffee shops and stores.

    Starting this week, deeper Lens integration is coming to more than 50 new cities including Austin, Las Vegas, Rome, Sao Paolo and Taipei.

    Last but not least, EV drivers on Android and iOS will now see more helpful charging station information starting this week. That includes whether a charger is compatible with their vehicle and whether available chargers are fast, medium, or slow. This feature will start rolling out globally on Android and iOS this week wherever EV charging station info is available.

  • Universal Music opens concept store in Japan for music ‘super-fans’

    Universal Music opens concept store in Japan for music ‘super-fans’

    Universal Music Japan (UMJ), a subsidiary of Universal Music Group (UMG), has opened a concept store to cater to music enthusiasts.

    The four-storey store in the centre of Tokyo’s hip contemporary fashion destination Harajuku, provides a platform for artists to express their creative ideas and share them with their audience through activity programs.

    The store also ranges the brand RS No.9, which gained extensive notice from fans of The Rolling Stones worldwide for its apparel, merchandise, and unique collaborations, both in-store and online, after launching in London in 2020.

    “ This store represents an exciting new venture for UMG, and celebrates the incredible impact and role, that fans play in supporting their favorite artists,” said Naoshi Fujikura, president, and CEO of Universal Music Japan.

    “In the coming months, the store will offer unique fan experiences for our artists, both domestic and international, creating new commercial opportunities for our artists and business.”

    The new store displays the Rolling Stones’ “Lips and Tongue” logo and a variety of products on display and for sale. The Rolling Stones’ first new studio album in 18 years, Hackney Diamonds, was released alongside the launch of RS No.9 Harajuku, which also sells exclusive original Japanese-only clothing and items.

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  • Amazon books 244 per cent surge in net income

    Amazon books 244 per cent surge in net income

    Amazon has delivered a stunning 244 percent growth in third-quarter net income as – in the words of one analyst – it overrides the slight slowdown impacting the wider US consumer economy.

    The e-commerce giant booked a net income of $9.9 billion during the third quarter of FY23, which GlobalData MD Neil Saunders attributes to efficiencies the management implemented, such as responding to concerns of overcapacity and the reorganization of the fulfillment network to both reduce costs and improve services for customers.

    “It is very easy to look on these things as obvious steps after they have been implemented, but the level of thinking and planning required to implement them is very high and is a testament to Amazon’s entrepreneurial zeal and spirit,” said Saunders.

    “One of the factors that makes Amazon less susceptible to some of the challenges in the economy is that it has become a reliable and important partner to many in the consumer sector. When it becomes more difficult to reach customers and shoppers become a little more reticent to spend, many companies turn to Amazon and its various solutions from advertising to seller services.”

    Amazon reported a 13 percent increase in net sales to $143.1 billion, as sales grew 11 per cent to $87.9 billion in the North American segment and jumped 16 percent to $32.1 billion in the international segment.

    Its cloud service AWS reported an increase in sales of 12 percent to $23.1 billion.

    “We had a strong third quarter as our cost to serve and speed of delivery in our stores business took another step forward, our AWS growth continued to stabilize, our Advertising revenue grew robustly, and overall operating income and free cash flow rose significantly,” said Andy Jassy, Amazon CEO.

    For the fourth quarter, Amazon forecasts net sales of between $160 billion and $167 billion.

  • Samsung rolls out free cloud backups for Galaxy flagships, but there is a catch

    Samsung rolls out free cloud backups for Galaxy flagships, but there is a catch

    Samsung is simplifying the challenge of finding sufficient storage for smartphone backups with its new free solution. Named Temporary Cloud Backup, this service is designed for Galaxy smartphone and tablet users, providing them with access to as much temporary storage as needed.

    Samsung’s Temporary Cloud Backup provides users with complimentary file storage in the cloud for 30 days. There is a file size restriction of 100 GB each; however, users can store an unlimited number of files through their Samsung device running One UI 6.0 or higher, which is another stipulation.

    “This upgraded switching experience based on Samsung Cloud aims to provide peace of mind to Samsung Galaxy users that precious data will not be lost, thanks to the connected power of Galaxy’s ecosystem,” said Chiyoung Seo, VP & Head of Cloud Team, Mobile eXperience Business at Samsung Electronics.

    Temporary Cloud Backup would be particularly useful for scenarios where users may fear data loss, such as when getting a smartphone repaired. Samsung has integrated Temporary Cloud Backup into Maintenance Mode, ensuring the secure backup of personal data, including files within the Secure Folder, for recovery after repairs.

    Samsung released Maintenance Mode a year ago to give its users more security. Maintenance Mode creates a separate user account for repairs, keeping your private stuff safe. To use it, just go to Battery and device-care in Settings, hit Maintenance Mode, and reboot. Your personal info, like photos and messages, stays off-limits after the restart.
    When using Temporary Cloud Backup, users should note that a notification will be sent when the 30-day storage period concludes, and files stored for the full period will be automatically deleted. The 30-day limit applies to each file individually, and the countdown starts upon file upload.

    Initially, this feature is rolling out to Galaxy S models running One UI 6.0 or higher for users in South Korea. Global availability is expected to expand gradually from this fall.

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  • Apple Arcade, Apple News+, and Apple TV+ get more expensive

    Apple Arcade, Apple News+, and Apple TV+ get more expensive

    In an unsurprising move, Apple confirmed this week that it has increased the prices of three of its subscription-based services: Apple Arcade, Apple News+, and Apple TV+.

    Apple didn’t really offer any reason for the price hikes, but it’s probably related to global inflation. Not to mention that just about every streaming service in the United States announced price increases in the last couple of months.

    We are focused on delivering the best experiences possible for our customers by consistently adding high-quality entertainment, content, and innovative features to our services.

    That being said, if you’re living in the United States, here is how much you’ll have to pay for either of the three services mentioned above:

    • Apple TV+: $9.99 per month (was $6.99)
    • Apple Arcade: $6.99 per month (was $4.99)
    • Apple News+: $12.99 per month (was $9.99)

    It’s also worth mentioning that customers who’d rather subscribe to Apple TV+ on an annual basis will now have to pay $99 per year instead of just $69.

    Customers who are paying for all three services via the Apple One bundle are not excluded from the price increases. All Apple One bundles are now more expensive as you can see below:

    • Individual: $19.95 per month (was $16.95)
    • Family: $25.95 per month (was $22.95)
    • Premier: $37.95 per month (was $32.95)

    If you’re living in Europe, MacGeneration has all the new prices for Apple Arcade, Apple News+, and Apple TV+. The price changes should take effect immediately for new customers, while current subscribers will have 30 more days to decide whether or not they wish to continue to pay for any of Apple’s services.

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  • Apple releases watchOS 10.1 to fix the Weather app

    Apple releases watchOS 10.1 to fix the Weather app

    If you’re one of those people who have multiple weather apps installed on your phone and smartwatch and love to tell others when a warming trend is on the way (“It’s going to be 78 tomorrow. 78! In late October! Can you believe it!!!”), then you might be my twin. Seriously though, Apple Watch owners who use their timepieces to check on the weather were having an issue in watchOS 10 that came out of nowhere like a mid-afternoon rain shower.

    The issue prevented a complication (which is any function on a watch that does something other than tell you the time) from showing you any weather-related data when the app is set to your current location instead of a specific city. For example, let’s say you live in Kalamazoo, Michigan and you set your Apple Watch to show you the weather in whatever city you’re currently at. With watchOS 10, the bug will prevent you from seeing any weather data from the current location setting. But if you set the weather app to give you the weather specifically in Kalamazoo, it works perfectly.

    We can understand setting the weather for the current location because it would normally show you the weather conditions for any place you might travel to without having to add a location to the settings. Even if you drive a few miles to the next city over, the weather could be different and with that setting enabled, the Apple Watch will automatically adjust. Or at least it will once you exterminate the bug by installing watchOS 10.1 which was disseminated by Apple yesterday.

    To install the app, connect your watch to Wi-Fi and the charger. From the watch go to Settings > General > Software Update. If the update is available, make sure your watch is charged to at least 50% and tap on Install.

    Apple says that if the update does not solve the issue, from your phone go to Settings > Weather and disable Location Access and then enable it. again. And if that doesn’t work, you will need to reset all location data by going from your phone to Settings > General > Transfer or Reset iPhone. Tap on Reset and then Reset Location & Privacy. Enter your passcode and reset. Hopefully, one of these steps will take care of the problem.

    The update also adds support for the double tap gesture on the Apple Watch Series 9 and the Apple Watch Ultra 2. Tapping your index finger with your thumb twice will answer a call, play and pause streaming music, stop a timer and more.

    NameDrop is now available to the Apple Watch with the update. Bring your Apple Watch near an iPhone running iOS 17 or an Apple Watch SE 2, Apple Watch Series 7 or later, or an Apple Watch Ultra, and you’ll exchange contact information with someone new. My Card is a complication on the Apple Watch that will give users quick access to NameDrop.

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  • Hanoi Railway Transport reports record profit

    Hanoi Railway Transport reports record profit

    The Hanoi Railway Transport Joint Stock Company has reported record after-tax profits of VND54 billion (US$2.2 million) mainly due to a nonrecurring revenue item, interest in bank deposits.

    It received interest of VND245 billion on deposits, but also managed to trim expenses, according to its latest financial statements. Gross profit rose 40% year-on-year to VND110 billion. However, total revenues were down 5% to VND637 billion.

    The company has improved its profits for three consecutive quarters, but still has accumulated losses of VND285 billion after 11 quarters of losses during the Covid pandemic.

    For the year to date it had revenues of VND1.895 trillion and profits of VND98 billion, the former only slightly up year-on-year but the latter surging 2.8-fold.

    This year the company is promoting cargo transportation and joining hands with major travel agencies to transport foreign tourists.

    The company, one of the two biggest subsidiaries of the Vietnam Railways Corporation, operates northern and the Hanoi-Ho Chi Minh City routes and international transportation of goods and passengers through two northern border gates.

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  • Pomelo exports soar as New Zealand, US start buying

    Pomelo exports soar as New Zealand, US start buying

    Pomelo exports have surged this year after shipments to the U.S. and New Zealand began, with the figure for the first eight months standing at US$29.6 million. It represented a 144% year-on-year increase.

    Dang Phuc Nguyen, general secretary of the Fruit and Vegetable Association, said pomelos, previously exported only to the EU and the Middle East, have been shipped to the U.S. and New Zealand since the end of 2022.

    With the quality of Vietnam’s green-skin pomelo improving rapidly, it is becoming popular in many countries, he said.

    Nguyen Dinh Tung, general director of Vina T&T Export Import Service Trading Company, which accounts for 60% of all fruits and vegetables exported to the U.S., said Vietnamese pomelos face competition from China and Mexico, but are gaining a stronger foothold in the market.

    In the U.S. market, Vietnamese pomelo is sold at $9 per kilogram and Chinese varieties at only $2, but the former has won over more and more consumers due to its quality, he said.

    “This is the first year my company exports pomelos to the U.S., but volumes have increased sharply each quarter. In the first three months of this year we exported four 40-foot containers a month, now we export 16.”

    Fresh pomelo is the seventh fruit after mango, longan, lychee, dragon fruit, rambutan, and star apple that Vietnam exports to the U.S.

    The Plant Protection Department said pomelo is exported to 12 countries and territories.

    Vietnam has 105,400 hectares under the fruit and an annual output of 905,000 tons.

    Most of the green-skin pomelo is grown in the Mekong Delta.

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  • Pattern Releases Powerful New Functionality to Optimise Marketplace Traffic, Drive Sales for Australian Brands

    Pattern Releases Powerful New Functionality to Optimise Marketplace Traffic, Drive Sales for Australian Brands

    Global ecommerce and marketplace accelerator Pattern, has today announced the release of new functionality in its ecommerce acceleration platform in Australia, to help brands organically rank their products in the top positions on leading marketplaces like Amazon, dramatically reducing their reliance on advertising spend.

    Integrated within Pattern’s ecommerce tech suite, Destiny evaluates competition, pinpoints winning keywords, and harnesses AI-driven advertising to divert traffic directly to a brand’s product listings. Brands gain an edge in the digital retail landscape, ensuring their advertising dollars are always invested in growth.

    Dan Richardson, Director of Sales, JPAC for Pattern, commented, “The ecommerce landscape is like a vast digital shelf. Every brand aspires to be at the forefront, especially in the ‘top three listings’ where 60% of all clicks occur and buyer traffic can be concentrated. Destiny is our innovative approach to help brands secure that prime position and drive sales in a crowded and highly competitive online retail environment.”

    Destiny’s power lies in its data-centric approach. The platform has accumulated over 200 trillion data points, taking upwards of 3 million keywords from Amazon. This rich dataset translates into precise predictions about brand performances, solidifying brands’ organic visibility strategies while simultaneously decreasing their dependence on advertising. Intricate algorithms assign ‘winnability scores’ to keywords, ensuring brands know precisely how to position themselves for organic success.

    “In challenging economic times when brands face a higher barrier to sale due to cost-of-living pressures, pumping excessive amounts of advertising dollars into ecommerce and marketplace activity is not sustainable,” explains Richardson. “Destiny allows brands to reduce their reliance on advertising, while still achieving organic visibility. At Pattern, our goal is to help brands use advertising to eventually reduce their dependence on it. It’s all about achieving a balance for sustained success and ensuring that your promotional expenditure actually works for you.”

    Australian brands have an enormous opportunity for growing sales through marketplaces with Pattern’s ‘Marketplace Consumer Trends Report – 2023, revealing that 92% of consumers planned to shop on marketplaces like eBay and Catch in the year ahead and 84% of people expected to spend more or the same on Amazon.

    To help brands standout in a marketplace environment and attract buyer attention, Destiny evaluates over 26 million unique products to create a bespoke competitive landscape. It prioritises sustained organic visibility over sheer spending, intelligently reallocating budgets to guarantee top rankings and drive long-term ecommerce success.

    “Destiny is all about smart targeting. It shifts bids, tests keywords, and intelligently drives traffic, ensuring brands receive the highest possible return on their investment. We’ve witnessed its potential, with some brands experiencing unprecedented ecommerce growth. Now, we’re excited to bring this innovation to Australia.”

    About Pattern Inc

    Pattern is the category leader in global ecommerce and marketplace acceleration. Since 2013, Pattern has profitably grown to more than 1,400 employees operating from 24 global locations – including Melbourne, Sydney and the Gold Coast – to help leading brands achieve accelerated growth on D2C websites and global ecommerce marketplaces. As well as being one of the largest Amazon sellers in the world, we are also present on Tmall, JD.com, eBay and other ecommerce marketplaces. We act as the authorised Amazon seller to more than 200 brands globally, buying their stock to sell on the marketplace and taking care of every aspect of their Amazon presence. For more information, visit https://au.pattern.com/

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  • Durian export rises 14 time

    Durian export rises 14 time

    Vietnam’s durian export reached $1.63 billion in the first nine months, 14 times higher than the figure of same period last year, according to statistic of the General Department of Customs.

    In the reviewed period, fruit and vegetable exports totaled $4.21 billion, a surge of 72.5% equivalent to $1.77 billion year on year.

    Durian has surpassed jackfruit, dragon fruit, watermelon, banana and lychee to become the biggest foreign currency earner in Vietnam’s fruit and vegetable industry, accounting for 38.7% of the industry’s total export value.

    China is the largest importer of Vietnam’s fruit and vegetables with a turnover hitting $2.75 billion, skyrocketing 160% compared to the same period last year.

    Currently, Vietnamese durian is exported mainly to China. Vietnam has 422 growing areas and 153 packaging facilities eligible to export the fruit to China.

    Sixty four other growing areas and 15 packaging facilities are completing procedures to have Chinese authorities to grant codes for the export. In addition, more than 600 growing area codes and 50 packaging facilities will apply for codes for the export of durian to China.