Retail News CRM

Author: Mei Ling Tan

  • Pattern Helps Brands Gain Marketplace Advantage with New Digital Shelf Tool

    Pattern Helps Brands Gain Marketplace Advantage with New Digital Shelf Tool

    Pattern, the world’s leading ecommerce accelerator, has announced Australian brands now have free access to its new Digital Shelf tool. Pattern’s Digital Shelf tool helps brands take advantage of AI-powered algorithms and extensive data resources to identify their true competitors across Amazon’s virtual shelves.

    “In today’s complex economic environment, brands need a comprehensive understanding of the competition to optimise their marketplace position and drive sales,” said Merline McGregor, General Manager at Pattern.

    “By offering free access to our Digital Shelf tool, brands have an opportunity to increase their virtual shelf space and gain better placement on the Amazon marketplace. Having the right tools and strategy in place for selling on Amazon is becoming increasingly important as the popularity of the platform continues to grow in Australia.”

    Pattern research recently revealed 52% of consumers reported buying from Amazon over the past 12 months and 59% intended to buy from the platform during 2023.

    Pattern’s Digital Shelf is built on a database of 27 trillion historical data points, which grows by a further 5 billion new rows of data each month. This vast data pool offers powerful insights and enables brands to make informed marketplace pricing and listing decisions.

    “Our Digital Shelf tool provides data on over 300 million products, enabling brands to identify and monitor activity of direct competitors in specific product categories on Amazon,” explains McGregor. “Pattern also monitors three million keywords daily, allowing brands to track market trends and consumer behaviour in real-time.”

    By providing free access to a tool that can dissect over 30,000 competitive categories, Pattern’s Digital Shelf aims to democratise marketplace ecommerce insight for brands of all different categories and sizes.

    “On a store shelf, brands can easily see their goods in relation to their competitor’s products. On a marketplace like Amazon, it’s not so clear, as each time a unique search term is entered, the competing product matrix shifts. Leveraging Pattern’s data, brands gain clarity on how their goods are positioned and which products compete with their own for impressions, clicks, and dollars. This information allows brands to develop data-driven strategies to increase product visibility, attract more customers, grow sales and benefit from higher customer reviews,” added McGregor.

    For Australian brands eyeing export markets, Pattern’s Digital Shelf tool monitors pricing on 5,000 websites globally. This comprehensive view empowers local brands to expand into different international markets, diversifying their customer base and maximising their global revenue potential.

    Brands can learn more by accessing Pattern’s Digital Shelf tool.

    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/

    Media Contact

    Corinne Nolte

    Mulberry Marketing Communications

    cnolte@mulberrymc.com

     

  • myOKIES: QR menu for order and pay

    myOKIES: QR menu for order and pay

    myOKIES has launched a digital contactless service for Vietnamese businesses, enabling customers to order and pay for purchases directly from their cell phones using a QR code.

    Customers can scan the code using their smartphone camera, which will take them to the myOKIES page where they can select their items and pay using a variety of payment methods, including 21 different e-wallets, all types of debits, credit cards, and cash.

    myOKIES has 136 languages available for customers, enabling businesses to expand their international customer base easily and effectively.

    The benefits of the myOKIES service extend beyond convenience, as it eliminates the need for customers to physically touch a menu or paper receipt, thereby reducing the risk of transmission of viruses and other germs, protecting the environment with a paperless focus, and enabling sustainability for businesses.

    Moreover, customers can use the myOKIES platform to reserve tables and appointments and purchase products in-store and online by accessing the myOKIES website or the myOKIES app.

    myOKIES is also known for its simple yet elegant design, which is reflected in its mobile application and website. The platform’s design is consistent with myOKIES’ overall brand identity, which emphasizes simplicity, efficiency, elegance, and ease of use.

    Its QR code ordering and payment feature also offer a unique lifestyle experience for the young generation, who are always on the lookout for new ways to enhance their daily lifestyle.

    Jalen Phung, CEO of myOKIES Vietnam, understands the importance of serving the younger generation’s lifestyle preferences. “We recognize that the younger generation is looking for new and innovative ways to enhance their daily activities, and we are excited to offer them a solution that is both convenient and visually appealing.”

    myOKIES service is not limited to just the food industry and can be utilized by any business from mid- to high-end that wants to provide their customers with a secure and convenient way to make purchases, including retail businesses and other service businesses like spas, coffee shops, business lounges, furniture stores, and in-room dining for 5-star hotels and resorts, which are myOKIES target business partners.

    myOKIES QR code for ordering and payment service is an outstanding example of how technology can enhance the customer experience and help businesses grow in the most efficient way. With its easy-to-use platform and seamless features, it’s a service that is sure to continue gaining popularity among businesses and customers alike.

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  • Gold prices reach new peak in 2023

    Gold prices reach new peak in 2023

    SJC gold price surged 0.36% to VND68.9 million ($2,858.92) per tael Friday morning, a new peak this year.

    Gold ring price went up 0.26% to VND57.2 million per tael. A tael equals 37.5 grams or 1.2 ounces.

    Globally gold prices firmed on Friday but were set for a weekly decline as the dollar and Treasury yields held firm with strong U.S. economic data raising concerns of the Federal Reserve keeping interest rates higher for longer.

    Spot gold was up 0.2% at $1,922.87 per ounce, but set for a 0.8% weekly fall. U.S. gold futures rose 0.2% to $1,946.90.

    The dollar was headed for its longest weekly winning streak in nine years, bolstered by a resilient run of U.S. economic data.

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  • FPT Telecom becomes Cloudflare’s official distributor

    FPT Telecom becomes Cloudflare’s official distributor

    FPT Telecom has reached a cooperation agreement with Cloudflare to provide solutions to Vietnamese businesses’ network security problems.

    The cooperation was announced at FPT Tower, Hanoi, on September 5, with the attendance of representatives from both sides, including Vu Anh Tu, CTO of FPT Corporation; Tran Thanh Hai, CTO of FPT Telecom; Tran Hai Duong, Chairman and CEO of FPT Telecom International (FTI); Do Anh Tuan, Director of FPT Telecom International’s Business Division; Karun Ruamsuke, Cloudflare’s Head of Indochina, Thailand, PHL; Mai Thi Ngoc Tu, Cloudflare’s Indochina Sales Lead; and Tan Ghim Hwee (Ghims), Cloudflare’s ASEAN Channel Account Manager.

    There were also solution experts, many guests from government agencies, and senior leaders in technology and financial companies.

    Duong said that FPT Telecom has officially become Cloudflare’s distributor in Vietnam, Laos, and Cambodia. This marks a crucial step forward in the company’s Go Global strategy.

    The event also plays an important role in helping businesses in the region optimize their website’s access speed, enhance security, and reduce operation costs.

    FPT Telecom, with a large customer base and proven ability to deploy cloud computing services through many typical case studies in the banking and finance sectors, can advise on and deploy security solutions for all customers in all industries.

    Becoming Cloudflare’s first official focused distributor in Vietnam, Laos, and Cambodia also helps FPT Telecom deliver the best support to customers in terms of technology and cost optimization.

    Accordingly, FPT Telecom will provide enterprises with two main product groups: Cloudflare SME for small and medium enterprises with optimal performance and cost; and Cloudflare Enterprise, which provides the full range of Cloudflare product groups (network, application, zero trust, developer services) and tailor-made solutions to meet the unique service requirements of customers.

    Karun, a Cloudflare representative, also shared his sincere thanks and affirmed the importance of the solid cooperative relationship between Cloudflare and FPT Telecom. It is strengthening its position as a leading telecommunications supplier and bringing advanced cloud technology and cloud security solutions to customers.

    FPT Telecom is committed to bringing various benefits and excellent experiences to customers using services from Cloudflare based on their strengths in deploying and providing solutions for large customers; having connections with network operators in Vietnam with the largest PoP placed at FPT Telecom; owning an experienced technician team with more than 40 Cloudflare certified engineers who are available to support anytime, anywhere; and being adequately qualified to be Cloudflare’s Level 1 support in Vietnam.

    Established in 2009 with headquarters in San Francisco, California, USA, Cloudflare is a technology company specializing in security solutions, DDoS attack prevention from layer 3 to layer 7, and global network infrastructure.

    Cloudflare is one of the leading security and privacy service providers in the industry with the largest infrastructure capacity compared to any similar providers, with infrastructure in over 300 cities in over 100 countries, including China with more than 30 POPs.

    The company aims to build a more sustainable and secure Internet environment for everyone. It meets the flexible requirements of any customer with diverse solutions such as security, optimization, and acceleration for websites and applications; it provides an all-in-one solution for network scalability and security; data storage; and developer timeline improvement.

    FPT Telecom Joint Stock Company (FPT Telecom) is one of the region’s leading telecom and Internet service providers. Established on January 31, 1997, the Online Service Center was founded by four members with the first Internet product from Vietnam, called Vietnamese Wisdom (TTVN).

    The product is considered the foundation for Internet development in Vietnam.

    With the pioneering mission of bringing the Internet and connection to the Vietnamese people, along with the great desire for every Vietnamese family to use at least one service of the company, FPT Telecom is making efforts to implement the strategy “Bringing the Best Experience for Customers” on the basis of promoting the core cultural value of “customer-centric” and the foundation of FPT technology power, thereby pioneering to become a digital service provider with the most outstanding customer experience nationwide.

    FPT Cloud Hub is an ecosystem of applications and services surrounding cloud computing developed by FPT Telecom International Co., Ltd. (FTI).

    The company provides advanced, quality solutions specifically for businesses in Vietnam and the region, with the top criteria being: increasing the application experience of businesses and their customers; optimizing costs of equipment, infrastructure, and cloud computing platforms; and supporting the building and conversion of systems from classic platforms to advanced cloud computing infrastructure.

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  • Accolade sells House of Arras to Handpicked Wines

    Accolade sells House of Arras to Handpicked Wines

    Accolade Wines has sold its subsidiary brand House of Arras to the Australian company Handpicked Wines, as part of its plans to focus on major markets.

    The deal, which will be completed before the end of November, comprises the House of Arras brand, 24 hectares of prime vines, stock, the Bay of Fires winery, and a cellar door in Pipers River, Tasmania.

    According to Accolade Wines CEO Robert Foye, House of Arras is a luxury brand that does not mesh well with the rest of the company’s portfolio priority areas at this time.

    In addition, Accolade has entered into a long-term arrangement with Handpicked Wines to continue producing and bottling all House of Arras labels.

    The wines will be produced at Accolade network facilities, including Torresans in Woodside, South Australia, and the grapes will also continue to be sourced and pressed in Tasmania.

    Accolade’s other premium Tasmanian brands, Eddystone Point and Bay of Fires, will continue to be produced at the same site under the contract with Handpicked Wines.

    Handpicked Wines, a family-owned Australian wine producer, is known for producing wines in Australia’s finest wine regions, including vineyards and wineries on the Mornington Peninsula, Tasmania, the Yarra Valley, and the Barossa Valley.

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  • Facebook is removing the dedicated news tab in some countries

    Facebook is removing the dedicated news tab in some countries

    Facebook is making many changes to how it operates in the EU due to the local regulatory entities. Besides taking into consideration paid versions of Facebook and Instagram in Europe, Meta is also removing the new tab in some countries later this year.

    Meta announced today that it will discontinue the Facebook News dedicated tab in the UK, France, and Germany in early December. The move seems to be an attempt to cut costs and focus instead on the products that bring the company a steady flow of income.

    According to Meta, news makes up less than 3 percent of what people around the world see in their Facebook feed, which basically means that news discovery is a very small part of the experience offered by the social network for the majority of its users.

    The company also said that it must focus its time and resources “on things people tell us they want to see more on the platform, including short-form video.” Meta acknowledged that people don’t come to Facebook for news and political content but to connect with people and discover new opportunities and interests.

    While we’ll be deprecating Facebook News in these countries, we will honor our obligations under all existing Facebook News deals with publishers in the UK, France, and Germany until they expire. However, to ensure that we continue to invest in those products and services that drive user engagement, we will not enter into new commercial deals for news content on Facebook News in these countries.

    Even though Facebook users in the UK, France, and Germany will lose access to the Facebook News dedicated tab, but they will still be able to view links to news articles on Facebook.

    Additionally, Facebook confirmed that European news publishers will continue to have access to their accounts and pages, where they can post links to their stories and direct people to their websites.

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  • Lakanto unveils brown sugar substitute called Brown Lakanto

    Lakanto unveils brown sugar substitute called Brown Lakanto

    All-natural sugar substitute brand Lakanto has launched a brown sugar substitute called Brown Lakanto nationally.

    The company says Brown Lakanto is a sugar substitute that offers the molasses-like flavour profile of brown sugar and has zero carbs with 93 percent fewer calories than sugar. The company’s sweeteners are made up of non-GMO erythritol and monk fruit extract.

    Leon McIndoe, GM of Lakanto Australia, said the brand has an “incredible reception” in Australia.

    “With our award-winning Classic and Golden sugar substitutes already on the market, it only made sense to extend the range in delivering a Brown sugar substitute for Australians to enjoy,” McIndoe added.

    The new sweetener comes in three sizes – 225g, 450g, and 4kg – and can be found at Coles, Woolworths, and other independent retailers as well as on the company’s website.

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  • Maximus releases its first zero-sugar sports drink

    Maximus releases its first zero-sugar sports drink

    Beverage giant Frucor Suntory’s sports drink brand Maximus, has launched Zero, its first sugar-free option in its best-selling flavour – Blue.

    The brand says it aims to shatter the myth that zero sugar means taste-free, and its formula is able to retain Blue’s “remarkable” taste.

    Lisa Pearce, marketing manager, nutrition and hydration, Frucor Suntory – Oceania, said Maximus is about delivering choices to consumers.

    “The launch of ZERO is a proud moment for us, as it showcases our dedication to flavor innovation,” said Pearce.

    “With ZERO, we’re giving  consumers an irresistible option that doesn’t compromise on taste.”

    Maximus Zero is available in 1L bottles for an RRP of $5.50 in groceries, supermarkets, and convenience stores nationwide.

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  • Coles rolls out Netflix favourites-inspired frozen food range

    Coles rolls out Netflix favourites-inspired frozen food range

    Coles has rolled out a range of frozen food products inspired by two of the most-watched Netflix shows: Stranger Things and Squid Game.

    The Netflix range includes Stranger Things-themed frozen pizzas, beef brisket BBQ patties, spicy wing nibbles and ice cream, and Squid Game-themed chicken nuggets and stuffed potato mashies.

    Available in two flavours, Rad Pepperoni and the Gnarly Hawaiian, the frozen pizzas are packaged in the same retro-designed boxes as The Surfer Boy Pizzas, the show’s pizzeria.

    Meanwhile, the four-pack beef brisket BBQ patties take inspiration from the show’s family-owned diner, Benny’s Burgers, and the Hellfire Club Spicy Wing Nibbles from the show’s Hawkins High School Society.

    The Stranger Things ice cream is available in 1-litre tubs in three flavours: Butterscotch, Cinnamon Buns Vanilla, and Cookie Pieces.

    The supermarket also launched a 9-pack BBQ chicken nuggets in the shape of triangles, circles, and squares inspired by Squid Game’s guard marks, alongside a 12-pack of Stuffed Potato Mashies with a red and green filling, playing on the red light, green light game from the show.

    Tim Lane, business category manager for frozen at Coles, said the company was thrilled to partner with the streaming service and bring new products inspired by its popular franchises.

    “We’re committed to working with suppliers to expand and diversify our product offering, and this innovative range draws on inspiration from the concepts and brands fans have seen throughout the shows,” said Lane.

  • The EU will decide whether Apple will have to support RCS messaging

    The EU will decide whether Apple will have to support RCS messaging

    Thanks to the EU, the iPhone 15 series will have a USB-C port instead of the proprietary Lightning port. The EU’s Digital Markets Act (DMA), passed by its 27 member countries, might force Apple to allow developers to promote third-party in-app payment platforms that would allow developers to avoid the 15% to 30% cut of in-app transactions that Apple keeps.

    Apple will soon hear about another change that the DMA might force on it. Depending on whether the EU says that Apple’s iMessage platform is a “gatekeeper” or not, Apple could be forced to add support for Rich Communication Service (RCS). The latter is the platform used by Google’s Android messaging app and Google has been trying to get Apple to add iOS support for it.

    What is interesting is that RCS gives Android users many of the same features that iMessage gives iOS users such as end-to-end encryption, support for longer texts, high-quality images and videos, read receipts, typing indicators, and more. And here’s the thing. Like with iMessage, all of the extra goodies we just listed go away if an iOS user joins a group chat of Android users. Since Apple believes that iMessage is a unique feature that attracts iPhone buyers, Apple wants nothing to do with adding support for RCS.

    However, the features found on iMessage that you won’t get on RCS, such as Animojis, Memojis, and the capability of sending handwritten notes really shouldn’t be enough to make a consumer choose an iPhone over an Android device. And RCS has features that are unique too, such as suggested replies and the capability to share your location with family and friends.

    But let’s get back to the issue at hand. Per BGR, If the EU says that iMessage is a gatekeeper, Apple will be forced to support rival messaging platforms such as RCS. A company is considered a gatekeeper in the EU if had an average turnover of at least €7.5 billion in the last three financial years, or had a fair market value of at least €75 billion in the last financial year.

    A gatekeeper also has to operate in at least three Member States, and help over “45 million monthly active users and more than 10,000 yearly active business users in the EU during the last three years on a number of core platform services, such as search engines, social networking services, and operating systems.” Apple is arguing that it doesn’t have the 45 million iMessage users in the EU required to be a gatekeeper.

    Under the DMA definitions, the EU said back in July that seven tech firms qualify as gatekeepers including Apple, Google, Amazon, Meta, Microsoft, Samsung, and ByteDance. Booking.com said that it will join the group next year. Tomorrow, September 6th, the EU will announce exactly which firms are gatekeepers and will also list services, like iMessage, that are gatekeepers. So even though Apple is a gatekeeper in the eyes of the DMA, iMessages might not be. And this is important.

    Apple argues that iMessage, by itself, is not big enough to be a gatekeeper. Apple is hoping that the EU agrees in which case, Apple will not have to add support for RCS in the EU. If iMessage is considered a gatekeeper, Apple will have until March 24th to support RCS in the economic union.

    Unlike changing the iPhone’s port from Lightning to USB-C, which Apple is doing worldwide, the company would probably decide to offer RCS support, if forced to do so, only in the 27 EU member countries. The same thing would probably happen if Apple is forced to support third-party app stores and sideloading.

    So don’t forget to check back tomorrow to see if we have any news about whether the EU considers iMessage a gateway. For Tim Cook, it could be a sleepless night.

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  • WhatsApp will give you more control over video messages with a small update

    WhatsApp will give you more control over video messages with a small update

    Ever get annoyed when something just doesn’t work quite right? It might be handy, it might have its uses, but there’s still that feeling of having to scoot the chair to crack open the fridge, you know what I mean? Well, sometimes, these irritating quirks come from apps, and it’s a relief when they get fixed, even if it is a minor update. Small updates can make a big difference and it seems like WhatsApp gets that.

    WhatsApp is introducing additional control options for its instant video messages feature. If you’ve updated to the latest WhatsApp beta for iOS (version 23.18.1.70) or the WhatsApp beta for Android (version 2.23.18.21), you might spot a new setting in the app. This setting allows beta testers to turn off, if they want, instant video messages.

    WhatsApp had already made it possible for its users to record and share video messages through the app’s latest updates in July. Without this new toggle, the feature is active by default, which means you can switch between video messages and voice notes by tapping the voice note button.

    But for some users who prefer not to use video messages, having to select voice messages over video messages every time manually can be quite annoying. So, with this update, users can turn the toggle off, and tapping the voice note button won’t switch to video messages anymore.

    However, it’s important to note that this option won’t block short video messages. You’ll still be able to receive and play them, but you won’t be able to send video messages when this option is turned off.

    It’s worth mentioning that even if you don’t plan to disable video messages, it’s good to check that toggle. Some beta users have reported finding it turned off unexpectedly, even if they’ve sent video messages before.

    The toggle for managing instant video messages is now available to some beta testers who’ve updated their WhatsApp beta for Android via the Google Play Store and WhatsApp beta for iOS through the TestFlight app, and it will reach more people in the next few days.

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  • Vietnam tuna exports to S Korea soar

    Vietnam tuna exports to S Korea soar

    According to the Vietnam Association of Seafood Exporters and Producers, tuna exports to South Korea rose by 2.5 times year-on-year to over US$7 million in the first seven months.

    Tuna Vietnam, Nha Trang Bay and Phat Trien Seafood were the three biggest exporters, accounting for 64% of total shipments.

    Exports of canned tuna jumped by 468%.

    VASEP said declining fishing catches in South Korea and rising demand for canned products amid tightened spending drove up demand for Vietnamese products.

    Vietnam was the eight biggest exporter of tuna to that country in the first half this year, but the largest seller of canned tuna, accounting for nearly 77% of all imports.

  • Vietnam’s export sees marginal impacts from China’s Japanese seafood ban

    Vietnam’s export sees marginal impacts from China’s Japanese seafood ban

    China’s ban on Japanese seafood due to fear of radioactive contamination has Vietnamese firms seeing opportunities to ship more products, but the gain has been marginal as Chinese demand drops.

    On August 24, China imposed a total ban on Japanese seafood products after the latter started discharging its treated radioactive water from the wrecked Fukushima nuclear power plant into its seawater.

    Hong Kong and Macau have also announced their own ban, which covers Japanese seafood imports from 10 regions.
    The CEO of a Vietnamese seafood exporter from Nha Trang in the central region said that the ban might help increase the export of some products, such as tuna.

    “We have seen Chinese buyers increasing their orders for tuna by 15% year-on-year. But demand for shrimp and octopus are still 20% lower year-on-year.”

    Some other industry insiders have also said that the ban might offer opportunities for Vietnamese seafood, but only slightly, as Japan is only a small seafood exporter to China.

    Japan accounted around 3% of China’s seafood imports last year, against Ecuador’s 18.6%, Russia 14.4%, and Vietnam’s 8.8%.
    Pangasius, one of Vietnam’s main seafood exports, has not seen any notable increase in China shipments amid low demand, according to a report by SSI Research.

    “Pangasius exports to China rose slightly last week but was not significant and irrelevant to the ban,” the report said.
    The Vietnamese seafood industry has been facing a tough year as demand from major markets such as the U.S., the E.U. and China all plunged amid rising inflation and economic challenges.

    Exports of pangasius to China dropped 32% year-on-year to $325 million, and shrimp fell 9% to $338 million, according to Vietnam Association of Seafood Exporters and Producers (VASEP).

    VASEP general secretary Truong Dinh Hoe said that Vietnamese exporters will not benefit significantly from the ban.

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  • Gasoline prices hit 12-month high

    Gasoline prices hit 12-month high

    Gasoline prices continued to rise on Tuesday and reached the highest since August last year.

    The popular RON95 was 1.10% higher at VND24,870 per liter.

    Biofuel RON92 price went up 0.60% to VND23,470.

    Diesel price also increased by 1.30% to VND22,640 per liter.

    Globally RON92 price went up 0.50% in the last two weeks to $103.25 per barrel, while RON95 rose 0.70% to $109.23, as Russia intended to cut its oil exports.

    Diesel was nearly 2% more expensive in the period at $118.82 per barrel.

  • Electronics retailers bank on iPhone 15 to boost sales

    Electronics retailers bank on iPhone 15 to boost sales

    Electronics retailers are hoping that the iPhone 15, which is set to be launched in a week, will help stimulate demand amid a challenging year.

    As the smartphone market in Vietnam saw sales plunging 25% year-on-year in the first six months, major retail chains are preparing to compensate for the drop with the iPhone 15, which Apple will introduce on Sept. 12.

    “The market really needs a boost this year, and that is why we hope the new iPhone will help stimulate spending,” said Nguyen Lac Huy, a representative of retail chain CellphoneS.

    A representative of a different chain, who asked not be identified, said that smartphone sales in the last quarter often accounted for 30-40% of the year’s total and therefore there was a lot of expectation for sales to surge in the last three months.

    Some chains said that they had completed 80% of the preparation work needed for the iPhone launch. Their sales and media team are now only waiting for Apple to reveal its product.

    Last year, iPhone 14 made a new record in Vietnam with 55,000 units sold on the first day, equivalent to revenue of VND1.5 trillion ($62.27 million). The iPhone 14 Pro Max accounted for 80% of the sale.

    However, retailers do not expect the iPhone 15 to exceed its predecessor in sales this year.

    There will likely be less people willing to pay up to VND30 million for a smartphone this year due to tightened spending, said Nguyen Van Cong, a seller of Apple products with many years of experience in the industry.

    Retailers already had to lower the price of the iPhone 14 early this year due to falling demand, he added.

    The establishment of Apple Store Online in Vietnam also allows customers to make orders directly from Apple and retailers will have to compete in terms of prices and promotions.

    FPT Shop, however, is confident that the new iPhone will help improve the financial figures of the chain.

    “We expect the number of units sold will slightly exceed that of last year as we do not have any supply issues and our prices are better than Apple Store Online.”