Retail News CRM

Category: Electronics

Retail News Asia is committed to providing both local and global retailers with the latest Electronics news throughout the Asian market. This on a daily base.

  • Apple previews iOS 10

    Apple previews iOS 10

    Apple has previewed iOS 10, which the company is billing as be “the biggest release” ever of the mobile operating system.

    iOS 10 introduces the ability for Siri to do more by working with both internal apps as well as those from third parties.

    The update also includes redesigned Maps, Photos, Apple Music and News apps, and the Home app, promising to deliver a simple and secure way to manage home automation products in one place.

    “iOS 10 is our biggest release ever, with delightful new ways to express yourself in Messages, a native app for Home automation and beautifully redesigned apps for Music, Maps, and News that are more intuitive and more powerful, making everything you love about your iPhone and iPad even better,” said Craig Federighi, Apple’s SVP of software wngineering.

    “iOS 10 adds Siri intelligence into QuickType and Photos, automates your home with the new Home app and opens up Siri, Maps, Phone and Messages to developers — while increasing security and privacy with powerful technologies like Differential Privacy.”

    The update also includes updates to Messages, the most frequently used iOS app, introducing animated and personalized ways to message friends and family.

    Automatic suggestions make it easy to replace words with emoji, Tapback creates a quick and simple way to respond with just a tap and rich links lets the user see content inline and play media without leaving the conversation.

  • Xiaomi teams up with China Unicom to boost offline sales

    Xiaomi teams up with China Unicom to boost offline sales

    Chinese smartphone vendor Xiaomi Corp has teamed up with the country’s second-largesttelecom carrier, China United Network Communications Group Co, to expand its offlineretailing channels.

    The move came as the country’s online smartphone sales has hit a ceiling and as Xiaomigrapples with declining shipments and mounting competition from rivals such as OppoElectronics Corp.

    Xiaomi launched a custom-made smartphone Redmi 3X on Wednesday. Equipped with alarge battery and a 13-megapixel rear-camera, the new phone will go on sale for 899 yuan($136) through China Unicom’s 30,000 offline stores and more than 230,000 bricks-and-mortar retailing partners.

    Lei Jun, CEO and founder of Xiaomi, said so far more than two-thirds of the company’ssmartphones have been sold through e-commerce platforms and the company’s officialwebsite.

    “The proportion of online sales is too big,” Lei said. “To maintain the rapid growth we haveseen in the past four years, expanding offline retailing channels becomes the key.”

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    Xiaomi and China Unicom will also expand their cooperation beyond handsets to a widerange of products, such as Xiaomi TV, routers and air purifiers.

    “All of these Xiaomi electronic products will be available at our nationwide offline retail stores,”said Xiong Yu, deputy general manager at China Unicom.

    The move fits into China Unicom’s broad efforts to transform its abundant bricks-and-mortarassets into a big retailing platform of various electronic products, Xiong added.

    As China’s smartphone market is reaching saturation point, a number of vendors are bankingon bricks-and-mortar retailers to spur their growth.

    Xiaomi said earlier this year it will open 200 to 300 retail stores to bolster sales. Its major rivalLenovo Group Ltd also pledged more efforts to expand its offline retailing presence, which itssenior Vice-President Chen Xudong called the key to surviving intense competition.

    CK Lu, principal analyst at consulting firm Gartner Inc, said China Unicom’s sprawling offlineresources gave Xiaomi a ticket to enter into low-tier cities, which are dominated by its rivalsOppo Electronics Corp and vivo Mobile Communication Technology Co Ltd.

    In the first quarter of this year, Oppo and vivo made their way into the world’s top-five rankingof smartphone vendors for the first time, pushing out Xiaomi and Lenovo.

    “Xiaomi is an expert in online marketing, but lacks experience and talent to run offline stores.So it makes tons of sense to partner with China Unicom,” Lu said.

    According to Counterpoint Technology Market Research, telecom operators’ retail channelsaccount for 30 percent of China’s total smartphone sales, while e-commerce sites contributeanother 30 percent, with the rest managed by professional electronic retail stores.

    James Yan, a Beijing-based analyst at Counterpoint, said partnering with China Unicom willhelp Xiaomi quickly boost smartphone sales, but won’t necessarily deliver good profits.

  • Meet RoBoHon : Sharp new smartphone robot

    Meet RoBoHon : Sharp new smartphone robot

    A walking smartphone robot has been launched in Japan by Sharp.

    Called RoBoHon, it has an Android smartphone for a body with tiny legs and arms.

    Ronohon Japan

    Sharp is producing 5000 RoboHon units a month, each selling for about US$1850, plus monthly charges.

    Sharp says the robotic phone was developed in collaboration with Robo Garage Co CEO Tomotaka Takahashi, who is also project associate professor at the University of Tokyo’s Research Center for Advanced Science and Technology.

    Ronohon Japan 3

    Sharp says users will be able to download apps to give RoBoHon more features. The company has even launched a RoBoHon Cafe where people can try out the robot as well as order robot-inspired dishes and beverages.

    Robohon cafe

    Standing 19.5cm high, the robot can walk, dance and answer calls. It weighs 390g. and can recognise people by their face and remember their names.

    RoboHon can hold small objects with its hands, and can also be used as a projector and broadcast video.

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  • Lenovo eyes India as sales plunge in China

    Lenovo eyes India as sales plunge in China

     As part of its plans, Lenovo aims to increase its market share from less than 10% during the January-March quarter by expanding its reach of smartphones in retail outlets. (Reuters)

    As sales slide in its home country China, Lenovo Group is planning to ramp up its presence in India, the world’s second largest smartphone market including expanding its retail presence for its smartphones, extending apps for the local market, and increasing local manufacturing.

    “India for most of our product categories is a key strategic market” said Aymar de Lencquesaing, senior vice president, Lenovo Group, who also leads the Chinese company’s mobile business including R&D, product and supply chain management.

    “We believe this market will continue to grow not only in volume but also in the line-up of premium products,” he said.

    As part of its plans, Lenovo aims to increase its market share from less than 10% during the January-March quarter by expanding its reach of smartphones in retail outlets.

    The company had been predominantly focussing on selling through online channels to increase sales, since it gives better margins by saving on inventory and supply chain costs.

    Lenovo also plans to increase manufacturing of its handsets within India as and when the demand increases, he said.

  • Samsung to launch cheapest smartphone Galaxy On7 in Korea

    Samsung to launch cheapest smartphone Galaxy On7 in Korea

    Samsung Electronics is expected to launch another budget smartphone Galaxy On7 in Korea in the coming weeks via SK Telecom, sources said on June 15.

    The model is the Korean tech giant’s cheapest smartphone that is sold at 10,190 rupees ($153) exclusively in India currently.

    Launched in November, the phone features a 5.5-inch HD Display, a 13 million pixel rear camera, a 5 million pixel front camera and a 3000mAh battery.

    Samsung’s cheapest smartphone Galaxy On7

    Sources said the Korean version could upgrade some features, with its retail price being slightly raised.

    In Korea, Samsung’s cheapest smartphone is Galaxy J3 with a price tag of 231,000 won ($196).

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  • LeEco India moves into stores

    LeEco India moves into stores

    Chinese internet and ecosystem conglomerate LeEco India has ventured into the offline retail space to expand its consumer base in an increasingly competitive market on the sub-continent.

    It has started selling its Le 1s smartphone, initially available exclusively on Flipkart, through retail stores across prime locations in Delhi and Mumbai. In the second phase, LeEco plans to cover nearly 70 per cent of retail stores across India that sell mobile technology, by the end of September.

    “We have fast-tracked our growth trajectory in India, and our entry into the physical retail space affirms it,” says Smart Electronics Business of LeEco India COO Atul jain.

    LeEco has also just launched its eCommerce platform LeMall in India, and also has a new ecosystem membership program. As well as providing users with high-quality content, the program integrates personal cloud services (LeEco Drive), LeMall and after-sales services.

    Founded in China in 2013, LeMall is now available in Hong Kong and the US with a product range including smartphones, smart TVs, reverse in-ear headphones, all-metal earphones and Leme Bluetooth headphones. The company started in India in January with the Le 1s and Le Max, and now has 555 service centres in prime locations.

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  • Jaunt launches major VR effort in China

    Jaunt launches major VR effort in China

    Just days after its CEO stepped down, Silicon Valley virtual reality company Jaunt said it has started producing VR content in China for worldwide distribution. Jaunt has received $100 million in funding, including millions from Disney.

    The new operation was formed in partnership with Chinese media giants Shanghai Media Group and China Media Capital. The former will also invest in Jaunt’s U.S.-based efforts. Jaunt China will function, much like its American counterpart, as an end-to-end VR production and distribution platform, and will utilize the company’s high-end VR camera.

  • Xiaomi Korea opens first offline store in Seoul

    Xiaomi Korea opens first offline store in Seoul

    Tech giant Xiaomi Korea took another step forward in its Korean operations by opening its first offline store in Seoul.

    The Chinese-headquartered smartphone and electronics brand has opened the store inside the Yongsan Electronics Market, one of the largest retail areas in Korea that houses some 5000 electronics stores.

    To celebrate its grand opening, Xiaomi has organised various events for visiting customers, which will last until June 12.

    Xiaomi Korea 1

    *Photo Credit: Yongsan Electronics Market.

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  • Massive O2O plan by Alibaba and Suning

    Massive O2O plan by Alibaba and Suning

    Alibaba and Suning, one of China’s largest electronics retailers, plan to fuel Chinese and international consumer electronics brands sales over the next three years by investing in an online-to-offline (O2O) retail initiative.

    The pair will work together to build out an O2O, or “omni-channel,” network combining the former’s online retailing assets with the latter’s physical stores and distribution facilities to make purchasing of consumer electronics and home appliances easier for consumers, officials for the companies said at a press conference in Beijing.

    The two companies expect to quadruple sales of major electronics brands – including Haier, Samsung, Xiaomi and Lenovo – over the next three years, using big data from both businesses, said Alibaba Group CEO Daniel Zhang.

    “This can be achieved by integrating the online and offline sales channels under a digitalisation process,” Zhang said.

    Alibaba and Suning began working together on omni-channel retailing last year after Alibaba agreed to invest RMB 28.3 billion (US$4.63 billion) for a near 20 per cent stake in the bricks-and-mortar retailer. Suning’s network of 1600 stores and 5500 after-sales service centers are linked with Alibaba’s online platforms, and Suning’s distribution network, which includes 4.55 million sqm of warehouse space, is used to deliver products purchased online by consumers via Alibaba’s Taobao Marketplace and Tmall.com shopping sites.

    Working with Alibaba’s logistics affiliate Cainiao, Suning and Alibaba currently offer 12-hour delivery of appliances and consumer electronics in Beijing, Shanghai, Guangzhou, Hangzhou, Shenzhen and Nanjing.

    Alibaba and Suning said they will also support electronics brands by allowing them to leverage consumer data on Alibaba’s 423 million annual active buyers and Suning’s 250 million members. Big data technology can enable more targeted sales and marketing campaigns and even provide insights that allow electronics manufacturers to make products that better meet consumer needs, the companies said. Using consumer data, German electronics company Siemens launched a refrigerator customised for Tmall users in March and Chinese appliance maker Midea in May began selling a rice cooker that was designed partly based on Tmall data.

    “We build a bridge between brands and consumers by leveraging data,” Zhang said.

    International and domestic brands joining the Alibaba-Suning support program, called the Super Brand Alliance, include Midea, Haier, Samsung, Hisense, Huawei, Xiaomi, Lenovo, Siemens, Sony, Skyworth and Canon.

  • Suning-Inter Milan is just a beginning of a Giant Dream

    Suning-Inter Milan is just a beginning of a Giant Dream

    The new Suning-Inter Milan deal marks just the first step in a far greater ambition for Chinese retail giant Suning, which plans to run a global sports empire including online broadcasting.

    Suning and Inter Milan are scheduled to make an announcement in Nanjing today, confirming the retailer will buy a majority stake in the soccer club. However, Reuters reports that Suning is seeking deals to help create a global sporting “ecosystem”, including not only club ownership, but sports media rights, player agencies, training institutions, broadcast platforms, content production and sports-related eCommerce.

    Having a majority stake in Inter Milan would make Suning the first mainland Chinese business to control a major European soccer entity. With annual revenues exceeding US$20 billion, Suning already owns local soccer club Jiangsu Suning and has spent millions of dollars bringing in players including Brazil’s Alex Teixeira and former Chelsea midfielder Ramires.

    It also has ties with Spanish champion FC Barcelona and England’s Liverpool FC, and has a stake in Chinese online content platform PPTV.

    Suning’s moves are echoed by other Chinese investors who have taken minority stakes in England’s Manchester City, Spain’s Atletico Madrid and New York City FC. Spanish club Espanyol and England’s Aston Villa are Chinese-owned, while Inter Milan rival AC Milan is discussing the sale of a majority stake to a group of Chinese investors.

    Inter Milan is currently owned by Indonesian tycoon Erick Thohir, while former owner Massimo Moratti retains a nearly 30 per cent stake.

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  • Radware opens new office in Thailand

    radwareRadware, a provider of cyber security and application delivery solutions, has opened its new office in Bangkok, Thailand.

    Located in the Ratchada area in Bangkok, the new office equips training and demonstration facilities, and will support Radware’s operation across Thailand.

    Radware works with clients in industry verticals such as telecoms, banking, Government, retail and manufacturing sectors.

    Radware Thailand office has also added additional resources, including the appointment of a new Enterprise Business Manager focusing on Banking and Government customers and a new Systems Engineer.

    Paul Coates, VP of South APAC, Radware, said: “Asia Pacific continues to be a strategic region for Radware, and building out a new infrastructure in Thailand allows us to provide even faster technical and sales supports to our valued customers in various industries.”

    Radware has 16 offices in Asia Pacific region: Australia, China, Hong Kong, India, Japan, Korea, Singapore, Taiwan and Thailand — to support its customers and partners.

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  • ZTE China plans new stores

    ZTE China plans new stores

    Chinese multinational telecommunications equipment and systems company ZTE Corporation plans to open 23 stores this year, mainly in China but also Germany and Mexico.

    Meanwhile, its latest smartphone, the flagship Axon 7, will go on sale for $449 in the US next month, up against Apple’s iPhone 6s and Samsung’s Galaxy S7.

    Headquartered in Guangdong, ZTE China has three business units – carrier networks (54 per cent), terminals (29 per cent) and telecommunication (17 per cent). Its core products are wireless, exchange, access, optical transmission and data telecommunications gear, mobile phones and telecommunications software.

    ZTE China also offers video on demand and streaming media. It primarily sells products under its own name.

  • India says Apple can open stores, but first create jobs

    India says Apple can open stores, but first create jobs

    Foreign companies eager to sell products in India must also create jobs in the country, Indian Finance Minister Arun Jaitley told CNBC in an interview, amid efforts by tech giant Apple to win approval to open its own retail stores in Asia’s third-largest economy.

    Apple’s application — aimed at boosting sales in India and countering a slowdown in China — has yet to be approved, as India typically requires single-brand retailers to source at least 30 percent of their raw material needs from local suppliers.

    Jaitley said the thought process behind the rule, which was put in place by the previous United Progressive Alliance coalition, was sound.

    “Speaking for myself, I feel it was based on good rationale, and the rationale behind the policy was, when somebody eyes such a large market, obviously job creation also is something the government of India is concerned with,” Jaitley said.

    “Now am I to be concerned with job creation or not? Or am I only to allow foreign companies to sell products in India and not create jobs in India?,” he said.

    Jaitley said exceptions could be made in case of specific high-technology areas and the government would take a call on whether Apple’s application meets this criteria.

    Apple currently sells products in India through distributors. The tech company recently opened an iOS developer center to help support and develop future app-makers.

    Bolstering jobs creation is a key cog of the Indian government’s showpiece “Make in India” initiative that aims to encourage foreign manufacturers to set up shop in India.

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  • Myanmar consumers go on spending spree

    Myanmar consumers go on spending spree

    Myanmar consumers are buying more and more flat-screen TVs, refrigerators and washing machines each month as the country’s economy strengthens following its liberalisation.

    In a study in the Mandalay and Yangon regions, commissioned by market information company GFK Asia, nearly 152,000 TVs were bought in the first quarter of 2016, generating sales totalling more than US$36 million.

    While 49 per cent of market demand was skewed toward 32” LED TV models in the quarter, the 40-43” segment grew from 12 per cent in January to 20 per cent of total sales in March. The trend was similar for the full-HD and UHD segments, in a market largely made up of HD ready-only models (55 per cent).

    GFK Southeast Asia MD Stanley Kee says there was “robust” buying in the months leading up to the Burmese new year last month. “This is an important period for retailers as aggressive efforts to drive sales are in full force.”

    While 38 per cent of TV units sold were in the $200-300 price range, GFK found a consecutive monthly incremental demand for TVs priced $400 and above, with the volume share nearly tripling from 5 per cent in January to 15 per cent in March. In value terms, the segment accounted for 36 per cent of entire TV sales that month alone. Overall, smart TVs made up less than 7 per cent of TV sets sold.

    In the refrigerator market, the number sold in March more than doubled the combined total sales in January and February, netting $6.9 million within a single month. One-door fridges dominated (65 per cent of sales volume), while 34 per cent were two-door, freezer-top models. Consumers spent $21.5 million on nearly 116,000 units in the quarter.

    Meanwhile, more than 59,000 washing machines worth nearly $10.5 million were bought in the period – 70 per cent single-tub washers and the rest double-tub models.

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  • Smartphone startup Letv plans 1500 stores

    Smartphone startup Letv plans 1500 stores

    Chinese mobile phone retailer D.Phone is expanding its offerings with a new CNY2 billion (US$305.5 million) deal with online video provider and newly minted smartphone company Letv.

    D.Phone will add up to 1500 Letv ecosystem experience stores into its retail outlets.

    The deal covers Letv’s second-generation super phones, mobile TV services, membership promotions, ecosystem experience stores and customer service.

    Under the deal, D.Phone will this year sell one million Letv super phones, 200,000 Letv super TVs and 200,000 Letv memberships.  From now until the end of next month, the two parties will jointly host the offline debut of Letv’s second-generation super phones.

    Letv, which runs a streaming video website, has officially rolled out its second-generation super phones, ranging in price from CNY1099 to CNY2499.

    Letv mobile president Feng Xing says the strategic co-operation represents an important expansion of Letv’s offline retail channel. Letv has previously signed deals with China Unicom and JD.com.

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