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Category: Fashion

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

  • Stripe buys Vietnam fashion chain Vascara

    Stripe buys Vietnam fashion chain Vascara

    Japanese clothing firm Stripe International has purchased a majority stakeholding in Vietnamese firm Global Fashion.

    The 70-per-cent shareholding will give Stripe a controlling interest in Vietnamese brand Vascara. It is the second Vietnamese apparel company to be acquired by the firm since its purchase of Nem Group two years ago.

    “We see the potential of the Vietnamese fashion market, especially the footwear and bags industry,” said Stripe Saigon general director and CEO Harigae Tsutomu.

    “Vascara is a brand that has great potential for development, so we believe that the experience and technology accumulated from many markets around the world will accompany and support Vascara to accelerate development, expand the system of stores and serve millions of Vietnamese consumers.”

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  • Line launches online fashion customisation platform

    Line launches online fashion customisation platform

    Character brand Line Friends has launched an online fashion customization platform where consumers can purchase personalized fashion items based on their lifestyles.

    The ‘Line Friends Creator’ app was released globally (except Europe) on September 19.

    The new sales platform provides millennial customers with an opportunity to customize products using the creative contents of Line Friends, and have fun designing a product according to their own styles added with a differentiated brand experience.

    Line Friends Creator also provides a wide array of themed artworks based on the original character lineup, Brown & Friends and BT21. The new platform offers a wide selection of trendy fashion items including t-shirts, sweatshirts, hoodies, canvas tote bags, and smartphone cases, which customers can select based on their needs and preferences.

    “Fashion items are one of the most representative ways for Millennials to express themselves as they value revealing their individuality and personalities freely,” said a Line Friends spokesperson. “With the ‘Line Friends Creator’ artworks that are full of wit and uniqueness, we hope that a lot of customers can enjoy creating personalized trendy outfits based on their mood, tastes, and daily lives.”

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  • Forever 21 leaves Hong Kong amid bankruptcy predictions

    Forever 21 leaves Hong Kong amid bankruptcy predictions

    Once, Forever 21 had one of the largest flagship stores in Hong Kong. Now it has exited the market altogether.

    The California-headquartered fast-fashion retailer has closed its three-story Mong Kok store, eight years after it opened a massive six-story flagship in the heart of Causeway Bay, which is now home to Victoria’s Secret.

    In April, Forever 21 closed its Chinese e-commerce website and withdrew products for sale on Tmall and JD.  At the same time it closed one physical store on the mainland and was widely reported to be planning to exit the market altogether.

    Last month, it was reported by Bloomberg to be preparing to file for bankruptcy protection after failing to reach a deal to refinance its heavy debt load but as recently as 10 days ago its owners discounted that course, saying the business would trade on.

    With more than 800 stores in the Americas, Asia and Europe Forever 21 grew from a single store in Los Angeles in 1984 opened by co-founder Do Won Chang and his wife Jin Sook. While its international growth trajectory was rapid in the 2000s, in later years it has failed to keep pace with European rivals H&M and Zara and Japan’s Uniqlo, leading it to shutter flagship stores like the one in Causeway Bay.

  • Calvin Klein and Tommy Hilfiger about to open first standalone stores in NZ

    Calvin Klein and Tommy Hilfiger about to open first standalone stores in NZ

    A mixture of international and local fashion and beauty retailers will be opening new stores in Commercial Bay when it opens next year.

    American clothing brands Calvin Klein and Tommy Hilfiger, and Dutch fashion retailer Scotch & Soda, will open their first New Zealand standalone retail stores at the centre. Both Calvin Klein and Tommy Hilfiger will be offering a combination of apparel, fragrance, accessories and homewares.

    The Australian brand R.M. Williams, surf apparel Rip Curl and sportswear retailer Asics have also signed up to open flagship stores at the centre.

    Womenswear brand Kookai and local fashion brand Twenty-seven Names will be joining other local brands at the centre alongside outdoor retailer Icebreaker and local brand Storm.

    According to Precinct Properties, the city centre specialists behind the Commercial Bay development, the recent update takes the leasing of Commercial Bay to 95 per cent.

    “We’ve given a lot of thought to curating an outstanding retail offering in the heart of the city,” said Scott Pritchard, Precinct Properties CEO.

    Pritchard said each retailer has been closely considered to ensure Commercial Bay provides the ultimate shopping experience for Aucklanders, visitors from around New Zealand and international guests to the city.

    “Commercial Bay will be a welcoming place with something for everyone,” he said. “I’m confident our retail mix, combined with a truly world-class food and beverage offering will be a great draw card.”

    Precinct Properties said Whitcoulls bookstore and a handful of beauty and wellness brands have also given the nod to launch stores at the centre. The beauty and wellness retailers include nail salon Art of Nails, haircare store Shampoo and Things, men’s barber Gentry and skincare salon Skintopia.

    Lovely by Skin Institute will open its fifth retail store in the country in Commercial Bay, its first store in central Auckland, along with New Zealand natural wellness brand Harker Herbals.

    According to Precinct Properties, the overall development will feature a mix of more than 100 retailers from fashion to food and beverage to beauty and specialty retail.

    The newly announced stores will be joining the previously mentioned ones Sandro, Maje, Kate Spade, Furla, Federation, Superette and Rodd & Gunn, among others.

    The $690 million development, which is being built by Fletcher Properties, has revised the opening date of the retail centre from September of this year to March 2020, and the opening date of the PwC office tower from December of this year to April 2020.

    Precinct Properties originally expected the retail centre to be done in October 2018 and the office tower in mid-2019, but it has continued to push back the opening dates due to “slippage” in the construction of the project.

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  • Sunglass Hut underpaid employees

    Sunglass Hut underpaid employees

    Sunglass Hut underpaid hundreds of its part-time workers by about $2.3 million over more than five years.

    Luxottica Retail Australia Pty Ltd, trading as Sunglass Hut, has avoided prosecution by the Fair Work Ombudsman after entering a court-enforceable undertaking to repay the cash and agreeing to a $50,000 “contrition” payment.

    Between 2010 and 2016, Sunglass Hut failed to reach an agreement with part-time workers as required by the General Retail Industry Award.

    As a result, the company failed to pay $2,294,496 in overtime rates for work performed outside regular hours, to 620 employees at 253 stores across the country.

    Fair Work Ombudsman Sandra Parker said the undertaking was appropriate as the company had committed to overhauling workplace practices and rectifying all underpayments.

    “Sunglass Hut breached workplace laws and their conduct falls short of lawful obligations to their employees, and community expectations,” Ms Parker said.

    Sunglass Hut has already back-paid $1,485,590 to 457 staff, with $815,391 outstanding.

    As a gesture of contrition, Sunglass Hut must also hand over $50,000 to the National Association of Community Legal Centres.

    “This matter highlights that if employers incorrectly apply award conditions, it can have extensive and expensive consequences across the business for years to come,” Ms Parker said in a statement.

    “This outcome should also serve as a warning to all businesses that they need to actively check that they are paying their staff correctly.”

    Sunglass Hut must call in external auditors to check pay and conditions for workers every year until the undertaking ends in 2022.

    Luxottica must also issue a letter of apology to each of the affected workers.

    The company has been contacted for comment.

  • H&M opening fourth retail store in Auckland

    H&M opening fourth retail store in Auckland

    Swedish fashion giant H&M announced it will open its fourth store in Auckland at Westfield Newmarket on December 12.

    The 2300sqm store, the retailer’s ninth store in New Zealand, will have two levels and will feature a range of apparel and accessories for men, women, youth, kids and baby, as well as the retailer’s home concept.

    “We are thrilled to be a part of the much-anticipated Westfield Newmarket.” said Daniel Lattemann, Country Sales manager for H&M New Zealand.

    Lettemann said they are also delighted to be able to finally offer a second Auckland location for their H&M home concept.

    “We have seen such a demand since launching the concept in our Commercial Bay store last year,” he said.

    According to H&M, recruitment for approximately 50 employees is underway.

    The fashion retailer, which entered the New Zealand market in 2016, now has seven stores nationwide located in Sylvia Park, Commercial Bay, and Botany Town Centre in Auckland, The Crossing in Christchurch, Queensgate in Wellington, Tauranga Crossing, and Chartwell Shopping Centre in Hamilton.

    The recently announced store opening is the eighth and is set to open in Westfield Riccarton on November 7, 2019.

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  • Lush opens the world’s first language-free concept store in Japan

    Lush opens the world’s first language-free concept store in Japan

    Foreign Lush customers in Japan can now shop without language barriers as the brand launches the first language-free concept store in Shinjuku district.

    By using AI technology, the UK cosmetics retailer helps its customers enjoy their retail experience without words as they use digital functions, including interactive walls and app-controlled lighting, to locate and choose their favorite products.

    “Shinjuku represents the ultimate version of what we want from a shop. Importantly, it was the first time our tech warriors and brand and shop design teams collaborated to create a retail space in a digital age,” said Adam Goswell, tech R&D manager at Lush.

    Besides being its first language-free concept store, Lush Shinjuk

  • Breitling unveils new shop at K11 Musea in Hong Kong

    Breitling unveils new shop at K11 Musea in Hong Kong

    Swiss luxury watchmaker Breitling has unveiled a new concept boutique at K11 Musea, featuring a “modern retro loft style”.

    Occupying a 620sqft space in the new shopping centre, the Breitling boutique features an industrial loft-style concept which the brand says is inspired by a mid-20th-century heritage building and adding modern-retro elements, including Breitling’s neon logo from the 1940s and 1950s.

    “Opening our boutique in the K11 Musea underscores the importance of the market in Hong Kong for our brand. Our new approach blends contemporary design with inspiration from our rich heritage and longstanding ties to aviation,”  said Georges Kem, CEO at Breitling.

    “We think it is perfect to launch our new concept store here since K11 Musea is built upon a rich cultural history in the city; its innovative vision and sophistication for exclusivity and bespoke products coincides with the values of our brand.”

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  • Goldwin opens first overseas store in San Francisco

    Goldwin opens first overseas store in San Francisco

    Japanese outdoor apparel brand Goldwin plans to launch its first international outlet in San Francisco, California this November.

    “American outdoor enthusiasts expect the highest quality technical apparel and we are confident that Goldwin will deliver a head-to-toe range that will raise the bar for skiers, hikers, climbers and other athletes who test themselves in the outdoors,” said Gen Arai, GM at Godwin.

    “Most American outdoor enthusiasts are just learning about Goldwin so with the new store location we are looking to provide a unique retail experience that connects urban city life with nature and adventure.”

    The Japanese brand will also launch the latest Fall 2019 collection with signature garments on its website and through selected retail channels in North America next month.

    Founded in 1951 as a manufacturer of knit fabric, Goldwin now specialises in lifestyle products and premium sportswear, including ski apparel.

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  • India’s Max Fashion opens 300th store

    India’s Max Fashion opens 300th store

    Max Fashion has launched a new outlet in India, marking its 300-store milestone.

    Max Fashion VP retail operations Sumit Ghildiyal said that the launch of the 300th Max Fashion store was just the beginning, as they were focused on achieving more milestones.

    “This is a huge landmark for us launching our 300th store, and we believe the market is ideal for our brand, which sets the newest styles and trends,” said the brand’s territory head of the Andhra Pradesh & Telangana regions Prashant Paul.

    “Max Fashion is the only brand that works on an eight-season cycle, which is as quick as 45 days per season, thus curating an unimaginable number of styles annually, which is unmatched by any fashion player in the world.”

    The 300th Max Fashion store launch ceremony was inaugurated by famous Telugu actress Lavanya Tripathi.

    Max Fashion has witnessed a significant growth since its first store opened in 2006. The fashion company serves approximately 100 million customers across the country, using the tagline “Anytime – Anywhere”.

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  • Rihanna holds makeup workshop in Korea

    Rihanna holds makeup workshop in Korea

    Fenty Beauty has partnered with Lotte Duty-Free to organize its ‘Fenty Beauty Artistry & Beauty Talk with Rihanna’ workshop at Lotte World Tower last week.

    The beauty class was followed by an evening launch party hosted by Shinsegae Duty-Free at their store.

    Rihanna and two other global makeup artists, Priscilla Ono, and Hector Espinal, shared their beauty techniques and favorite ways of using Fenty products.

    The Barbadian singer also disclosed the manufacturing process of Fenty Beauty products and how she was inspired to start her own beauty brand after years in the music industry.

    The makeup class ended with the announcement of the new collection, which includes Diamond Bomb II All-Over Diamond Veil in ‘Holo At Me’ and Liquid Diamond Bomb called ‘Rollin Ice’.

    Seoul is the second city to host the Fenty Beauty Artistry & Beauty Talk with Rihanna after Dubai.

  • Off-White launches new store opening at Windows flagship

    Off-White launches new store opening at Windows flagship

    Off-White has opened a new space at the brand’s “Windows” flagship location in Singapore‘s Orchard Road.

    The new Off-White space launched swiftly after the brand announced a new opening in Las Vegas.

    The space will be completely dedicated to Virgil Abloh‘s Off-White womenswear collections and will feature luxurious interiors decked out in pink hues. It is designed with pink herringbone-patterned, fluted wooden walls paired with a pink marble floor. Brass decor is featured to add warmth to the store.

    Clothing at the new Off-White space is displayed on bronze shelves, and metal cage silhouette chairs are matched with marble tables with cage legs, fitting into the outlet’s theme. The changing room is fitted with draping pink velvet curtains, bright lights, and infinity mirrors.

    Other key highlights include minimalist plant pots made of smooth metal and rounded tables for displaying bags.

     

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  • Avon launches a clean beauty range Avon Distillery

    Avon launches a clean beauty range Avon Distillery

    Avon has launched its new beauty brand Avon Distillery, which it claims delivers “clean beauty without compromise”.

    The Avon Distillery range includes nine concentrated make-up and skin-care products, seven of which are waterless. The new collections are formulated with pure and vegan-friendly ingredients, as its customers are now more aware of the impact of beauty products on their skin and on the environment.

    “Compelling concepts like clean beauty without compromise not only keep Avon relevant and on-trend in the fast-moving, modern beauty space, but help make our representatives a destination,” said James Thompson, chief beauty and brand officer at Avon.

    “It’s an important step for Avon and is the result of years of research to deliver the highest-performing clean-beauty products available on the market at an accessible price.”

    The five Avon Distillery skincare products have been launched already and the make-up range will follow next year.

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  • French Connection sales fail to inspire customers

    French Connection sales fail to inspire customers

    The latest French Connection sales figures will do little to inspire prospective bidders as the company searches for a white knight.

    Pippa Stephens, retail analyst at GlobalData, says that despite the French Connection sale process being extended by three months in June, the ailing retailer has prolonged this further, as it continues talks with “several interested parties”.

    Group sales for the first half were down £7.1 million – by 12.2 per cent – to £51 million, and underlying profit remains in the red.

    “Its performance is doing little to assure prospective buyers of its future potential, however new ownership should allow for an essential revamp of its ranges and store estate to try to regain appeal among shoppers,” says Stephens.

    “French Connection’s product offer lacks originality and direction, with limited newness across seasons, lagging behind other premium competitors like Whistles and Reiss, so a fresh perspective from its design team is crucial to reignite shopper interest.”

    Although group sales are still declining due to store closures and a shift in wholesale orders into the second half of the year, the retailer’s UK/Europe like-for-like sales show an improvement having shuttered nine underperforming locations in the first half, including two off-price outlets.

    “French Connection must continue to review its remaining estate and carefully plan to transition customers to its online platform to avoid shopper desertion – especially its department store concession customers,” says Stephens.

    “Its new concept store in London, which opened in July, has shown reassuring results, with exclusive products, a large homewares offer and a coffee shop supporting footfall. If successful, this should be rolled out to a handful of its large regional stores to help reinvigorate the brand and improve shopper perception.”

    French Connection sales online have continued to decline, down £600,000, or 9.6 per cent, during the first half, despite the UK online clothing market forecast to grow by 7.4 per cent this year.

    “With a greater focus previously put on third party operations, such as Next and Asos, French Connection must ensure that this does not cannibalise its own sales. It needs to invest in its own website, with shorter delivery lead times, and enhanced style inspiration to increase engagement,” concludes Stephens.

  • Another huge loss for retailer Esprit

    Another huge loss for retailer Esprit

    More writedowns and restructuring costs have seen fashion retailer Esprit post another full-year loss, but the company is adamant its recovery plan is beginning to show results.

    With fewer stores, sales were down in all of its markets, but executive chairman Dr Raymond Or told shareholders in results filed overnight that the second half-year showed a significantly reduced operating loss.

    Group sales for the year to June 30 were HK$12.9 billion (US$1.65 billion), down from $15.5 billion last year. The group recorded a loss attributable to shareholders of $2.14 billion, an improvement on last year’s $2.55 billion.

    Or said the group’s underlying operations (before exceptional items, interest and taxation; its LBIT) improved from $909 million last year to $587 million this year.

    Esprit has launched a multi-year strategic plan to turn around its losses by improving the product, right-sizing its store network and restructure behind-the-scenes operations. Or said that plan only started to take effect in the second half of the year, when the LBIT was down from $773 million to $255 million.

    “This improvement in performance was primarily the result of our proactive and decisive cost control initiatives highlighted by actions to eliminate loss-making stores as well as bold measures to right-size the organization and our global distribution network, including the downsizing of corporate offices so as to achieve savings across all key cost lines. Taken as a whole, these initiatives resulted in savings in regular operating expenses of $1.742 million or 16.6 percent in local currency terms; thus we are well on track to achieve the targeted annualized expenses savings of $2 billion over two years from the 2017/18 level.

    “These savings have significantly reduced our cost base and will provide a leaner platform that we can leverage in the future as we embark on top-line growth,” said Or.

    “The last financial year marked a year of significant changes for the group and will be remembered as being pivotal towards the turnaround and restoration of … Esprit.”

    He said retailer Esprit now has a clear strategic plan and the right team in place to return Esprit to sustainable growth and profitability.

    The bottom line was heavily impacted by one-off restructuring costs which accounted for the bulk of $1.493 billion in exceptional expenses for the year.

    After several years of multi-billion dollar losses, one of the reasons Esprit has survived when other fashion retailers might have collapsed is that the group is debt free. At the end of June it still had a $3.282 billion cash balance.

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