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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.

  • Celebrating Lunar New Year with offers from DFS

    Celebrating Lunar New Year with offers from DFS

    To celebrate Lunar New Year and the arrival of the Year of the Dog, luxury travel retailer DFS Group will offer special promotions and interactive activities at certain T Galleria and DFS stores worldwide next month.

    There will also be exclusive offers from the group’s Give Joy Together gift guide.

    In-store activities will include a Pokemon Go-inspired game featuring the DFS Lunar New Year dog character Lolo. This will be available at T Galleria by DFS, Hong Kong, Canton Road; T Galleria Beauty by DFS, Hong Kong, Causeway Bay; and T Galleria by DFS, Angkor. It will also be at outlets in Hawaii and Sydney.

    Other activities include a Fortune Tree and Wishing Tree with lucky prize envelopes, and a personalised charm giveaway set for customers taking advantage of Give Joy Together promotions.

    Exclusive products for the month include: Anne Klein Blush women’s ceramic watch with Swarovski crystals; Bulgari Serpenti Twist Your Time, with either mother-of-pearl or red dial; Emporio Armani Connected touchscreen smartwatch; Estee Lauder limited-edition Pure Color Envy Sculpting Eye Shadow & Lipstick; Hamilton’s Ventura Elvis 80 automatic men’s watch with a complimentary exclusive Elvis Presley tote bag; Marc Jacobs exclusive tote bag; Marc Tetro Hong Kong Pug cosmetic bag and Westie tote bag; Swarovski Haves bracelet, pendant and earrings; and Tiffany & Co Keys Fleur de Lis Key and Keys Petals pendants.

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  • Trunk Clothiers to pilot own-brand wholesaling in China

    Trunk Clothiers to pilot own-brand wholesaling in China

    Gearing up to launch in China, UK menswear boutique Trunk Clothiers is considering a wholesale push of its own-brand offering.

    It plans to trial this through Lane Crawford in Hong Kong, where it already has space, this coming autumn. MD Mats Klingberg says it will pilot a mix of own-label tailoring, shirts and trousers.

    Trunk began collaborating with Lane Crawford last year with a tailoring space at its stores in the Central, Causeway Bay and Tsim Sha Tsui.

    “Coming from a retail background, we have good experience as buyers,” says Klingberg. However, when it comes to taking orders “there’s a lot to learn”.

    “We’re not really set up as a wholesale business. We work with many brands that are also manufacturers, so it would be a natural step for us to do our own thing. It offers more flexibility, because we’re less bound by the seasons. We can also develop our own things based on what we see selling well in the shop, and there’s the creative aspect, too.”

    Meanwhile Trunk’s own-brand offering, which it introduced in 2011 with polo shirts and sweaters, is expanding to t-shirts, outerwear and leather accessories.

    Trunk launched with a shop in London in 2010, followed by its accessories store, Trunk Labs, in 2013.

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  • Cotton On’s Factorie to step out from two markets

    Cotton On’s Factorie to step out from two markets

    Cotton On Group has confirmed it is withdrawing its fashion brand Factorie from Malaysia and Singapore.

    A spokesperson says the move impacts eight outlets, four in each country, but the company will seek to improve its store footprint across the markets. “We value the incredible contribution our team members have made to Factorie …they remain our number-one priority and we’re working closely with them to identify opportunities for their redeployment within the business.”

    The spokesperson would not comment on the reason behind the closure. While the stores are scheduled to shutter by the end of next month, Factorie products will still be available online on Zalora.

    Factorie entered the Asia Pacific market in 2013. Its latest move follows fashion brands such as Celio and New Look leaving the Singapore market.

    Meanwhile, the retail industry in Malaysia saw sales dip 1.1 per cent in the third quarter last year. According to a Retail Group Malaysia report, this was because of a drop in purchasing power among Malaysians.

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  • Shiseido launches new teen brand Posme

    Shiseido launches new teen brand Posme

    Shiseido looks to increase teen beauty sales with the launch of its open innovation project, Posme Me.

    Posme will consist of a variety of cosmetic and non-cosmetic products and services, which are collectively created by high school girls.

    According to the Japanese cosmetics giant, high school girls are becoming a major source of a new pop culture, following the “Millennials movement in Japan.”

    For the project, Shiseido has gathered an array of high school students and formed a team called Posme ＆ Co. The team currently consists of 40 members who live mainly in Tokyo.

    The influencer-group have been partnered with several companies to develop beauty products and services, as well as items beyond cosmetics, to fall under a new Posme brand, targeted at their peers.

    New products will include items favoured by high school girls such as sweets, stationery and fashionable accessories.

    The first product to launch will be a multi-use colour item, Play Colour Chip. It can be used in a variety of ways; be it, an eye colour or blush.

    “This product was developed through communication with more than 150 high school girls and will be sold in a set of six disposable chips of the same colour,” explained Shiseido in a press statement.

    “Play Colour Chip marks a change in cosmetics, transforming an item to be used individually into something that can be ‘shared or swapped’, creating a new form of enjoyment. The new chips offer more freedom in makeup, allowing users to coordinate colours with friends, try a new colour more easily, or enjoy a special colour for a special occasion.”

    A recent survey conducted by Shiseido revealed that 93% of female school girls perceived the novelty of the items because they can be swapped with friends, are easy to carry around, are good for a gift, and are perfect to try a new colour.

    Going forward, Shiseido plans to gather hundreds of Posme members throughout Japan with more products expecting to be released.

    The company is also launching a new shop, Posme Lab Shibuya, on 26 January, which will serve as a communication space for Posme members.

     The teen beauty initiative is the first project to form part of Shiseido’s Innovation Design Lab, a division first established by the company in January 2017.

    The Innovation Design Lab comes under Shiseido’s ‘Vision 2020’, and aims to “foster innovation”, a major goal of the firm’s mid-to long-term strategy.

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  • Is Amazon ready to dominate cosmetics market?

    Is Amazon ready to dominate cosmetics market?

    Reading through recent headlines about Amazon disrupting the beauty industry, one would think that it is time for Sephora and Ulta to panic and rethink their strategies.

    However,  beauty needs retailers to provide compelling customer experiences and a sense of community to succeed.

    According to a report by 1010data, Amazon’s marketplace captures 21.1% of the U.S. market share, with Macy’s coming in second with 17.4% and Sephora in third place with 15%.

    Amazon is clearly making strides to increase their presence in beauty by partnering with cosmetic giants like Coty to launch their “Let’s Get Ready” skill for Amazon Echo Show, a company that made headlines with Amazon last year for banning third-party platforms like Amazon from selling their prestige products.

    Prestige beauty brands like Coty and the Estee Lauder Cos have tended to stay clear of selling their products on Amazon supposedly because it lacks the cachet of traditional luxury beauty retailers. While that may be somewhat true, I also think it is because luxury brands are terrified of the lack of control on Amazon – the possibility of consumers unknowingly purchasing knockoffs from China or older products at a discount.

    If prestige brands are so bothered about being sold under the same roof as mass market, why are luxury brands like Lancome, Benefit, and MAC pleased as punch to be top-sellers at Ulta, where mass market rules? Because brands can work with retailers like Ulta to ensure consumers get the right experience and right product for that matter.

    While virtual reality and augmented reality are becoming key technologies for helping beauty consumers make informed decisions, it doesn’t mean these technologies can replace the brick-and-mortar experience.

    Sephora and Ulta continue to drive foot traffic and sales with innovative in-store experiences and workshops, making visiting their brick-and-mortars more of a fun encounter than an errand.

    Seeing how a lipstick looks via an augmented reality app is novel but it cannot replace actually trying it on to feel its texture or test if it bleeds. Testing a cream on the back of your hand to see how it makes your skin look and feel is something that even Amazon can’t duplicate without a brick-and-mortar.

    Building a sense of community like its competitors in the beauty space will also be an uphill battle for Amazon. Sephora launched their Beauty Insiders Community last August, offering multiple channels for consumers to find each other, discuss beauty, post and view photos, and unlock shopping benefits through usage.

    While Amazon may have a comprehensive rating and review system, the e-tailer giant also has a bad reputation for bot reviews, which doesn’t lend well to a sense of community.

    While Amazon will probably continue to dominate in online sales, Amazon is going to have a tough time dominating the beauty industry until they can grab the brick-and-mortar traffic too.

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  • The Shilla Duty Free aims high with new Terminal 2 perfume & cosmetics offer

    The Shilla Duty Free aims high with new Terminal 2 perfume & cosmetics offer

    The Shilla Duty Free has pledged “brand new kinds of customer experience that the airport has never seen before” at its new Incheon International Terminal 2 perfumes & cosmetics stores.

    T2 opened on 18 January. The Shilla Duty Free was awarded the terminal’s perfumes & cosmetics contract after an open tender in 2017.

    The travel retailer offered KW100 billion (US$87.9 million) in first-year guarantees for the five-year contract, which covers six stores and 2,105sq m of space.

    Shilla said that the T2 stores will offer “the best beauty experience in Incheon”. The overall retail concept will major on two key themes – “interactive” and “experience”.

    Seven interactive experience zones will enhance brand identity through promotional campaigns and product demonstrations.

    Customer interactive elements will include a ‘Digital Beauty Bar’, powered by what Shilla described as “cutting-edge display and information & communication technology”. It will provide a combination of information services, in-store promotions and virtual make-up previews, using a “gigantic” LED screen and interactive kiosk.

    Around 110 cosmetics & perfume brands, Korean and international, will be on offer. Chanel, Dior, Lancôme, Estée Lauder, SK-II and Sulwhasoo will each have flagship stores within an area of approximately 360sq m. The flagships are three times larger than the brands’ existing shops at the airport, Shilla said. Each has been independently conceptualised and designed by the respective beauty houses to create unique brand experiences. Key aspects of each offer are as follows:

    Chanel: “Brand new skincare experience”, featuring in-store product demonstrations and new product awareness using VR technology.

    Dior: Professional make-up artist’s product recommendations and demonstrations; Digital beauty tool including skin type analyser and lip test tablet.

    Lancôme: Virtual make-up mirror to showcase popular items and new arrivals; Digital screen covering entire store interior for video demonstrations.

    Estée Lauder: In-store engraving for various products, including fragrances and lipsticks.

    SK-II: Skin type analysis for personal counselling and product recommendation.

    Sulwhasoo: Hands & eyes massages; skin analysis and related product recommendation service with in-store moisture-measuring device.

    The offer will not just be about established brands. The Shilla Duty Free is also promising nine brand newcomers. Five are Korean – Primera, Too Cool for School, Cell Fusion C and Atopalm – and four imported – Caudalie, Foreo, Santa Maria Novella, Acqua di Parma and Atelier Cologne.

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  • DFS Celebrates Lunar New Year ‘The Year Of Dog’ With Exclusive Offers

    DFS Celebrates Lunar New Year ‘The Year Of Dog’ With Exclusive Offers

    DFS Group, the world’s leading luxury travel retailer, will celebrate Lunar New Year 2018 ‘The Year of the Dog’ with a series of fabulous promotions, exclusive offers and fun interactive activities at selected T Galleria and DFS stores worldwide throughout February 2018.

    DFS Group’s 2018 Happy Lunar New Year campaign celebrates all that’s important about this very special time of year, also offering customers a range of exclusive offers from its Give Joy Together gift guide. DFS President Merchandising and Consumer Marketing Sibylle Scherer said Lunar New Year is one of the world’s most
    celebrated festivals and is a time for family, friends, giving, happiness and good fortune.

    “Our Give Joy Together gift guide, in conjunction with DFS’ 2018 Happy Lunar New Year campaign, is sure to delight anyone who visits our stores this festive season. As we welcome the Year of the Dog, we proudly thank our loyal customers and look forward to welcoming new shoppers who seek a warm, friendly and luxurious shopping experience that only DFS can offer.

    “Our gift guide showcases all that is fun about giving and sharing, offering our customers the chance to show their
    appreciation to their loved ones, or treat themselves to something special this Lunar New Year,” said Sibylle.
    In celebration of Lunar New Year 2018, DFS will host a range of exciting in-store activities, including ‘DFS Game’, a Pokémon Go-inspired game featuring the DFS Lunar New Year dog character Lolo, who will lead customers to ‘catch’ incentives, experiences or blessings in-store. The game will be available at T Galleria by DFS, Hong Kong, Canton Road, T Galleria Beauty by DFS, Hong Kong, Causeway Bay, T Galleria by DFS, Angkor, T Galleria by DFS, Hawaii and T Galleria by DFS, Sydney in February.

    Other in-store activities include ‘Catch Your Luck’, a Fortune Tree and Wishing Tree with lucky prize envelopes, and a personalized charm giveaway set offer when customers take advantage of DFS Give Joy Together promotions.

    DFS 2018 Lunar New Year exclusives also feature products from Tiffany & Co., Burberry and Coach, as well as the new Marc Tetro Westie and Boston Terrier cosmetic and tote bag range, a perfect gift to symbolize the Year of the Dog, and exclusively available for Hong Kong shoppers. Marc Tetro celebrates color, style and fun and demonstrates DFS’ commitment to stocking unique, world-class fashion, jewelry and cosmetics from design houses across the world.

    DFS also offers customers savings on classic, timeless pieces from brands such as Estée Lauder, Anne Klein, Hamilton and Emporio Armani.

    Products exclusively available at DFS this Lunar New Year include:
    • Estée Lauder – Pure Color Envy Sculpting Eye Shadow & Lipstick, Limited Edition
    • Anne Klein – Blush Ceramic Watch with Genuine Swarovski Crystals Women’s Watch
    • Marc Jacobs – DFS exclusive Tote Bag
    • Hamilton – Ventura Elvis 80 Automatic Rubber Strap Men’s Watch – Receive a complimentary exclusive Elvis
    Presley tote bag with your purchase
    • Emporio Armani – CONNECTED Touchscreen Smartwatch
    • Bvlgari Serpenti Twist Your Time with Mother of Pearl Dial
    • Bvlgari Serpenti Twist Your Time with Red Dial
    • Swarovski Haves Bracelet, Pendant and Earrings
    • Tiffany & Co. Keys Fleur de Lis Key Pendant and Tiffany & Co. Keys Petals Key Pendant
    • Marc Tetro Hong Kong Pug Large Cosmetic Bag
    • Marc Tetro Hong Kong Westie Tote Bag

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  • Nine West Close to Filing for Bankruptcy

    Nine West Close to Filing for Bankruptcy

    A Nine West bankruptcy filing appears likely, according to reports from the US overnight.

    Retail Dive has reported that the embattled shoe retailer has found a buyer for some of its assets and plans to work to restructure its debt as soon as a sale is complete. However, Debtwire and Bloomberg both report NIne West is prepared to file for Chapter 11 bankruptcy if necessary, suggesting there is pressure form lenders.

    Neither NIne West or its private equity owner Sycamore, which paid $2.2 billion for the business in 2014, responded to requests for comment on the matter.

    Debtwire associate editor Reshmi Basi says the timing is likely to be determined by a March 15 payment deadline.

    The company has been struggling with its debt since late 2016 and last year was named by ratings agency Moody’s in a list of “at risk” retailers, citing “weak operating performance and very high debt and leverage burden”.

    Basu told Retail Dive Nine West’s outlook was decidedly uncertain. “Time will tell how it works. They’re going back and forth between creditors about how to address maturities,” she said.

    Nine West is steadily losing market share to online retailers in a market of softening apparel sales.

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  • Asos posts massive growth across globe

    Asos posts massive growth across globe

    Online fashion retailer Asos has reported a 30 per cent rise in retail sales during the last four months of 2017.

    Across its international marketplaces including Australia, the retailer said sales were up 35 per cent to 489.5 million pounds.

    The UK-based retailer saw sales increase 23 per cent to hit 300 million pounds in its home market during the period, which the retailer said was driven by a range of initiatives.

    “We acquired 2.6 million active customers year on year and saw encouraging movements across all key customer KPIs,” said Nick Beighton, CEO.

    “Velocity in our technology programmes continued, with a record number of releases.”

    Beighton said its customer proposition was further enhanced in the U.K. by the launch of ‘Try Before You Buy and ASOS Instant, the retailer’s same day delivery proposition.

    “Following this strong start to the year, we remain confident in our full year guidance and delivery of our planned investments in infrastructure to support our global ambitions.”

    The retailer expects its full year capital expenditure to now be around the upper end of the previously indicated range of £200-220m.

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  • Singapore’s A DrBrand to expand overseas

    Singapore’s A DrBrand to expand overseas

    Singapore skincare and haircare company A DrBrand is about to expand overseas.

    Distributors have already be signed for its DrGL and DrHair lines in China, France, Germany, Hong Kong, London and the US, progressively from the second quarter this year. A number of partners are in negotiations with the business to open concessions and brick-and-mortar stores and to sell online.

    Dr Georgia Lee is the co-founder of the brand, which encompasses DrGL skincare products, DrHair hair products and the DrSpa chain. What started as a handful of skincare products in 2009 has evolved into a 40-product line. Since 2016, A DrBrand’s revenue has grown 500 per cent year on year.

    In 2011, Dr Lee opened DrSpa, offering face, body and scalp treatments. There are four outlets – at Tangs at Tangs Plaza, Orchard Gateway, Palais Renaissance and TQL Suites, a residential development in Bugis.

    Dr Lee’s friend Patsy Ong-Hahl joined A DrBrand in 2016 as co-founder and chief executive. An angel investor who has grown businesses in various industries, including fashion and tourism, decided to join the company partly because she had seen “the amount of blood, sweat and tears” Dr Lee had put into formulating the products.

  • LVMH hits up record revenue in 2017

    LVMH hits up record revenue in 2017

    It has been another record year for luxury products group LVMH Moet Hennessy Louis Vuitton.

    Revenue increased by 13 per cent year on year to reach €42.6 billion (US$52.9 billion), while organic revenue growth was 12 per cent.

    All business groups recorded double-digit organic growth with the exception of wines and spirits, where second-half growth was hit by supply constraints.

    Profit from recurring operations reached €8.2 billion, up 18 per cent. Operating margin reached 19.5 per cent, while the group share of net profit was €5.1 billion, growth of 29 per cent.

    Describing the performance as “excellent”, LVMH chairman/CEO Bernard Arnault says the record year was partly because of a buoyant environment but above all a result of the creative strength of the group’s brands “and their ability to constantly reinvent themselves”.

    Key highlights of last year listed by the group include:

    ● Record revenue and profit from recurring operations.

    ● Growth in Asia, Europe and the US.

    ● The success of both iconic and new products at Louis Vuitton, “whose profitability remains at an exceptional level”.

    ● The acquisition of Christian Dior Couture.

    ● Growth at Fendi and Loro Piana.

    ● The first year of integration of Rimowa luggage.

    ● Strong momentum at Parfums Christian Dior, driven by product innovation.

    ● An excellent year for Bulgari and good progress at Hublot and Tag Heuer.

    ● Growth at Sephora.

    ● Free cashflow of €4.7 billion, up 20 per cent.

    “Significant” growth in China helped Hennessy cognac volumes grow by 8 per cent, with 7.5 million cases shipped despite the second-half supply constraints.

    In fashion and leather goods, key events of the year were products arising from collaborations with artist Jeff Koons as well as the Supreme brand, the launch of the brand’s first smartwatch and the inauguration of the Maison Louis Vuitton Vendome in Paris.

    There was rapid growth in Asia for the perfumes and cosmetics segment, and growth was particularly strong in Asia for Bulgari. Asia again shone in the selective retailing group with Sephora continuing to gain market share.

    LVMH says the year was a positive turning point for DFS, with new stores in Cambodia and Italy continuing to grow sales.

    Despite unfavourable currencies and geopolitical uncertainties, LVMH says it is well equipped to continue its growth momentum across all business groups this year.

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  • UNIQLO Thailand to Open First Roadside-Type Store in March

    UNIQLO Thailand to Open First Roadside-Type Store in March

    UNIQLO announced it will introduce a new type of store – its popular roadside store model – to Southeast Asia, with the first store of the region to be launched in the bustling east Bangkok at Phatthanakan Road on Friday, March 23 this year.

    UNIQLO Phatthanakan roadside store will showcase the brand’s full assortment of LifeWear in men’s, women’s and kids’, as well as provide a brand new, world-class shopping experience for customers in Thailand with the new format.

    “We are honoured, and excited to bring our first roadside-type store from Japan to the Southeast Asia region. We believe this new store format will deliver greater convenience for our customers, where each store will serve as a focal point that brings communities together”, said Satoshi Hatase, CEO, UNIQLO Southeast Asia. “Eastern Bangkok, like some other places in Southeast Asia, is ideal for this type of store. Spacious parking space exclusively for UNIQLO customers from the neighbourhood and a considerate store design make the roadside-type store a great place for customers to drop by for a visit with the whole family”, he added.

    A UNIQLO roadside-type store usually features ample parking space for customers, and becomes the centre point of its community through considerate, localised store design. Historically, roadsidetype stores have played a very important role in UNIQLO’s growth throughout Japan, and the model has also been very successful outside Japan, including Korea and Taiwan.

    While carrying on the tradition of a UNIQLO roadside store, UNIQLO Phatthanakan will take the needs of its local customers into consideration to create a truly community-focused store that provides great happiness and convenience through a unique mix of services and products.

    UNIQLO Phatthanakan store will feature an extensive range of the latest line ups for women, men, kids and babies, across a sales area of approximately 1,440 square metres. The store, located at Phatthanakan Road, will open on Friday, March 23 2018.

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  • Honda, Forever 21 to Collaborate on Vintage Collection

    Honda, Forever 21 to Collaborate on Vintage Collection

    Forever 21 has launched a collection featuring classic Honda racing motifs.

    The brainchild of Honda’s brand management agency Earthbound, the F21xHonda racing capsule collection consists of iconic Honda designs from the early 1980s and action sportswear of the 1990s.

    “Pairing nostalgic Honda racing iconography with updated silhouettes and fabrics to create a modern yet timeless aesthetic, the latest collection includes a variety of men’s and women’s apparel,”said the two companies in a statement.

    The women’s collection offers vintage inspired styles from long and short sleeved crop-tops, long sleeve t-shirts and skirts, including items in the Plus size range. The men’s collection features street-wear ready pieces including t-shirts, pull-over sweaters and racing jackets.

    “We are always looking for new and unexpected partnerships,” said Linda Chang, VP of marketing for Forever 21. “This collaboration with Honda racing is especially relevant now with the popularity of racing and motorsport designs. We hope that fans of both Honda racing and our customers will celebrate with us through this collection.”

    Honda Powersports Marketing’s senior manager Mike Snyder said collaborating with a brand like Forever 21 allows Honda motorcycles to access a completely new audience.

    “We are very happy with the collection they have developed. It does a great job of blending Honda’s Racing history with Forever 21’s fashion sense.”

    The F21 x Honda racing collection launched in stores throughout North America and on Forever21.com this week.

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  • Mary Katrantzou pursues China expansion with an investment from Yu Capital

    Mary Katrantzou pursues China expansion with an investment from Yu Capital

    To boost its presence in China, London-based womenswear brand Mary Katrantzou has received funding from fashion investor Wendy Yu’s investment fund Yu Capital.

    With only two points of sale on the Chinese mainland – in the stores of multi-brand retailer Joyce in Beijing and Shanghai – and one in Hong Kong at On Pedder, the Greek designer firmly believes her brand has expansion potential in China.

    Katrantzou and Yu are friends, and the designer believes Yu to be an investor with “a pragmatic and forward-looking vision”.

    Daughter of Chinese billionaire Jingyuan Yu, the owner of wooden goods company Mengtian, Wendy Yu attended boarding school in the UK, and as an investor aims to “bridge the economic and cultural gap between China and the rest of the world”, reports Fashion Network.

    As well as philanthropic activities, notably with the British Fashion Council, the British Museum and the V&A Museum, she founded Yu Capital in 2015, an investment fund specialising in technology, lifestyle and fashion.

    Along with Yu Culture, which aims to enrich the Chinese cultural scene through international projects and partnerships, and Yu Fashion, which has the goal of working with brands and designers to promote creativity, Yu Capital is part of Yu Holdings, a platform launched by Yu this month with the aim of investing US$20 million in emerging businesses this year.

    Already Yu Capital has invested in brands such as ASAP54, now Fashion Concierge, a fashion-centered search application, and Bottletop, a British leather goods label.

    By becoming a minority shareholder in Mary Katrantzou’s brand, Yu has entered the luxury sector. She says the brand, which has its tenth anniversary this year, owes its fame to its whimsical prints and collaborations with Adidas and Longchamp.

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  • I.T group positive sales despite store closures

    I.T group positive sales despite store closures

    Improved consumer sentiment across Greater China and strong sales growth in Hong Kong helped boost third-quarter business for Hong Kong multi-brand fashion group I.T Limited.

    With fewer discounts offered, the group also enhanced its gross margin for the three months to the end of November.

    However, store closures continued in Hong Kong in the face of a persistent upsurge in running costs, causing downward pressure on sales.

    I.T Group operates its own brands, including Chocolate and 5cm, concept stores Izzue and Double-Park; international brands it has local licences for including Kurt Geiger and Camper; and A Bathing Ape, which the company rescued from Japanese owners in 2011.

    While comparable-store sales growth in Hong Kong and Macau rose 2.4 per cent for the quarter, there was a 3.9 per cent dip for the first nine months.

    For Japan and the US, sales growth soared by 25.5 per cent for the quarter and 30.7 per cent for the nine months, while for China the growth was 1.5 and 1.1 per cent respectively.

    Gross profit margin for the quarter was up 1.6 points to 62.9 per cent in Hong Kong and Macau, edging up 0.8 points to 60.9 per cent for the nine months.

    For Japan and the US, the margin fell 0.8 points to 68.9 per cent, and eased 0.1 points to 70.8 per cent for the nine months, while in Mainland China it edged up 0.3 points to 64.8 per cent for the quarter, and rose 2.1 points to 62.8 per cent for the nine months.

    For the group overall, the rise was 1 point to 64.9 per cent for the quarter, and 1.6 points to 63.4 per cent for the nine months.

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