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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.

  • Adidas Originals to open renewal flagship store in Gangnam, Seoul

    Adidas Originals to open renewal flagship store in Gangnam, Seoul

    The Adidas Originals Seoul flagship store, which closed last Monday, will open on July 28 again. Adidas Korea renewed its flagship store and reopened to commemorate the third anniversary of the opening of this year.

    “Adidas Originals” will provide consumers with the store as a space to express their individuality and creativity, not just a place to sell products.

    The store, which opened in 2014, attracted attention as the third flagship store of Adidas Originals in the world. While expressing the aspiration to become Seoul’s leading street fashion and cultural center, it was loved by sneakers mania with various collaborations and limited edition items of “Adidas Originals” as well as parties and events.

    “Adidas Origins” has organized a variety of events on the theme of ‘CREATIVE CANVAS’ that fans of the brand can participate and enjoy before re-opening.

    On Saturday, July 29, the first weekend of reopening, the ‘Do The Over’ party, which has been taking part in celebrated cities all over the world starting in LA in 2005, is held in the back yard of the flagship store .

    The famous DJs will show DJing performances in ‘Do The Over’. Anyone who is a fan of “Adidas Originals” can apply through the event page.

    As part of the NMD ‘NEVER FINISHED’ campaign from September 29th to August 9th, various inspirational pictures of the city taken by customers will be displayed in the store.

    On August 5th, it will hold ‘ADIDAS MAKER LAB’ event where you can create your own sneakers miniature of your desired design and color.

    On August 12, “Adidas” sneaker collector “Quat” of Berlin, Germany will visit the flagship store. He will display 200 pairs of “Adidas” vintage sneakers in his collection and have a time to meet domestic consumers, talking about street culture.

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  • Puma sportswear finds traction with footwear

    Puma sportswear finds traction with footwear

    German sportswear brand Puma achieved double-digit growth in all regions and in both footwear and apparel in the second quarter.

    CEO Bjørn Gulden says the company’s gross margin improved 90 points and sales grew 16 per cent on a currency-neutral basis. He credits the success to re-establishing strong traction in the footwear category and success with its women’s lines.

    In Asia/Pacific, sales increased 19.5 per cent on a currency-neutral basis in the quarter to €229 million (US$268.8 million).

    Overall sales jumped to €968.7 million (US$1.14 billion), footwear leading the way with sales of €463 million, up 27.2 per cent on a currency-neutral basis.

    Apparel revenues were €334.8 million, up 11.4 per cent, while accessory sales reached €170.9 million, up 1.3 per cent.

    Despite negative currency effects, the gross profit margin improved from 45.6 per cent in the quarter last year to 46.5 per cent, thanks to improving sourcing and price adjustments.

    EBIT increased from €11.9 million to €43.4 million, or 4.5 per cent of sales.

    Gulden says Puma started its turnaround plan four years ago with a mid-term aim to re-establish the brand “stone by stone”, but says revenues grew faster than expected.

    He says footwear is leading the way, which is critical for a sports brand because that’s where innovation and technology lie “and that’s where you get a niche for your brand”.

    But Gulden says there is still much that needs to improve, with the turnaround still a work in progress. But it is a step in the right direction as its operating margins still significantly lag competitors.

    “We feel more comfortable now than a year ago, and a year ago we felt more comfortable than the year before.”

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  • Michael Kors should tread carefully with Jimmy Choo

    Michael Kors should tread carefully with Jimmy Choo

    Both Michael Kors and Jimmy Choo can extract significant benefits from the acquisition announced this week, says Pascal Martin, partner with OC&C Strategy Consultants.

    But he warns there “are limits” to how much and how fast a luxury brand can expand its network before starting to dilute its equity.

    “Michael Kors has been enjoying very rapid expansion and could be feeling that it has reached saturation in certain markets – for example, 300+ stores in the US, 50+ in Japan and 50+ in China.

    “Louis Vuitton and Coach have run into this problem where they really pushed growth but realised they had to slow down and even shut down a few stores to regain some level of “scarcity”.

    “Burberry is another brand which flirted with that risk, particularly in China and Hong Kong, before it also took some measures to prune its network. When this happens, and if the brand is cash-rich, the best way to continue to grow is to buy another brand that is still relatively under-distributed and has room to grow without the risk of brand erosion – this is probably how Michael Kors sees the Jimmy Choo opportunity. Likewise, we could potentially see Burberry adopt a similar strategy under the leadership of its new CEO Marco Gobbetti,” says Martin.

    “Being acquired by Kors is a great opportunity for Choo to benefit from Kors’ global reach and experience to help accelerate its growth. There is good complementarity between the two brands, in terms of target customers: more premium for Choo; geographies – Asia and US are more developed for Kors, but Europe stronger for Choo; and product range – Kors isn’t really strong in shoes.”

    Martin says that looking forward, Kors will need to keep an eye on Choo’s positioning within the premium shoe market, as it is more selective than Kors’ positioning within luxury.

    “Kors is more like Coach or Tory Burch on the access luxury side of the market. Choo is closer to a Christian Louboutin – very high-end and expensive, with a significant custom-made offering.”

    Martin says there is a risk that expanding Choo’s distribution too fast – as Kors has done with its own brand – may create operational issues relating to quality and logistics, and brand damage.

    Furthermore, stock management in shoes comes with added complexity due to multi-sizing, and possibly multi-shapes – for example to cater to Asian customers.

    “Shoe retail channels are more complex than for accessories. There is actually a lot of value from a customer’s standpoint in being able to try shoes in an multi-brand environment. Therefore, the Choo distribution expansion will be different in nature to that of Kors, with much more reliance on department stores than on stand-alone branded stores,” Martin concludes.

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  • K-Style Lab launches second pop-up store

    K-Style Lab launches second pop-up store

    Premium multi-brand Korean fashion boutique K-Style Lab has opened its second Hong Kong pop-up store, in Hollywood Road in Central.

    ts K-Style Wardrobe pop-up presents edited collections of one-off pieces and lifestyle products from such Korean designers and brands as Baron Oh, Big Park by Park Your-Soo, Heich Es Heich by Han Sang-Hyuk, Jinteok and Nohke by Jung Mi-Sun.

    There are also newcomers Ara Cho (leather bags), Daze Dayz, Lash and Mirumbeau, which specialises in 3D paper-art lifestyle pieces inspired by Korean traditions and materials.

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  • China star performer for L’Occitane International

    China star performer for L’Occitane International

    With 26.9 per cent growth in sales, China led the charge for wellbeing company L’Occitane International for the three months to the end of June.

    China had same-store sales growth of 14.7 per cent, with “staggering” 250 per cent first-quarter growth for marketplaces, says the company. A marketing campaign with Chinese artist Lu Han launched in May drew traffic online and offline.

    In Japan, sales growth remained healthy at 4 per cent in local currency, with same-store sales growth of 2.4 per cent. The company’s e-commerce channel performed well, helped by new Line promotion campaigns and “encouraging” growth by emerging brand Melvita.

    Travel-retail and distribution channels were the main props for Hong Kong’s sales growth of 2.9 per cent.

    Overall group net sales grew to €279.5 million (US$325.7 million) by 4.1 per cent at reported rates and 2.7 per cent at constant rates, both rates an improvement from the financial year ended March 31.

    Web sell-out channels (own e-commerce and marketplaces) delivered “encouraging” growth of 27.3 per cent to reach 13.2 per cent of total sell-out sales.

    During the first quarter, sell-out sales accounted for 73.8 per cent of net sales, amounting to €206.4 million. This was growth of 3 per cent at reported rates or 1.5 per cent at constant rates. Major growth drivers were new and renovated stores, marketplaces, and its cafe and spa businesses.

    Same-store sales for the period eased by 0.6 per cent, an improvement from the 1.3 per cent drop for the same period last year, thanks to double-digit same-store growth in China.

    Sell-in sales at €73.2 million accounted for 26.2 per cent of total sales, an increase of 6.2 per cent at constant exchange rates. The company says this was primarily driven by dynamic growth in distribution, travel retail, B2B and web-partner channels of the L’Occitane brand. Emerging brands also drove overall sales growth.

    The group maintained its selective global retail expansion with four store openings during the quarter, compared with 23 for the same period last year. Twenty stores were refurbished (13 during the same period last year).

  • H&M continues New Zealand expansion

    H&M continues New Zealand expansion

    Swedish fast fashion chain, Hennes & Mauritz AB (H&M), has confirmed its second store in New Zealand will open on September 9.

    Located at The Crossing in Christchurch’s CBD, the new location follows the opening of H&M at Sylvia Park Shopping Centre in Auckland last October.

    Spanning 2535 square metres and set over two levels; the Christchurch store will house apparel, underwear and accessories for men, women, kids and baby, as well as being the first H&M store in New Zealand to offer the Home concept.

    “We are also looking forward to introducing our H&M Home concept to our customers for the first time and cannot wait to see the response on opening day,” said Hans Andersson, Australia & New Zealand Country Manager for H&M.

    The global fashion chain entered the New Zealand market in 2016 with the opening of its first store in Sylvia Park Shopping Centre, Auckland, and will open its first store in Wellington at Queensgate Shopping Centre later this year.

    In its most recent results, H&M saw revenue including VAT increase by 7 per cent in local currencies during June compared to the same month the previous year.

    The total number of stores in the group amounted to 4,517 at the end of June compared to 4,095 the previous year.

    In its recent half-year results, sales, including VAT, grew by 9 per cent to SEK113.907 billion (US$13.4 billion) for its first half.

    Meanwhile, H&M said it will no longer publish monthly sales figures, instead opting to report its results on a quarterly basis and begin holding capital market days for company shareholders.

    Karl-Johan Persson, CEO of H&M, said that a month is “far too short a period over which to assess how sales are developing and in fact, a single month’s sales can actually be misleading, since calendar and weather effects – among other things – may significantly affect the outcome.”

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  • Louis Moinet watches pay tribute to Singapore

    Louis Moinet watches pay tribute to Singapore

    A range of limited-edition watches that pay tribute to the history and tradition of Singapore are being launched by Swiss brand Louis Moinet.

    FreshOut.Today reports the watches will be revealed on Singapore’s National Day, August 9, the city state’s 52nd birthday.

    Louis Moinet says the special timepieces mix Swiss precision with Singaporean soul.

    “Two different continents and cultures merge in this project as a tribute to Singaporean history,” says the company.

    The limited-edition collection comprises 84 pieces with decorative elements that reference symbols and the past of the Lion City.

    Features such as the ArtScience Museum, Gardens by the Bay, Marina Bay Sands Hotel and the Singapore Flyer are engraved across the lower part of the dial, and over skyline the moon faces five small stars, a reference to the flag of Singapore.

    An opening in the dial reveals part of the inner workings. “This also shows the passing of time and powerfully represents and allows us to reflect on each second of Singapore’s independence,” says the company.

    Available in Louis Moinet stainless-steel (65 pieces) and 18k rose-gold Neo cases (19 pieces), the watch has been created in co-operation with Wealth Solutions Singapore, a branch of the Polish company specialising in creating collector items, and the Singapore Watch Club.

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  • Kerastase launches own counter at Facesss Harbour City

    Kerastase launches own counter at Facesss Harbour City

    Previously available only in dedicated salons and professional hair-product stores, French luxury haircare brand Kerastase has launched its first dedicated counter, at Facesss Harbour City.

    It offers consultations and offers hair and scalp analysis at the counter.

    One of the main product lines available at the counter is the Chronologiste collection, which is based on a regenerative “mimetic pearl essence” and active marine ingredients. The star product of the collection is a scented hair perfume from a collaboration between Kerastase and perfumer Alberto Morillas.

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  • Michael Kors to buy luxury shoemaker Jimmy Choo for $1.2 billion

    Michael Kors to buy luxury shoemaker Jimmy Choo for $1.2 billion

    Michael Kors has been struggling in recent quarters with declining same-store sales as fewer people visit its shops. U.S. retailer Michael Kors has agreed to buy luxury shoemaker Jimmy Choo for $1.2 billion, snapping up a British brand launched in the east end of London and made famous by celebrity fans including Princess Diana.

    Founded in the 1990s by bespoke shoemaker Jimmy Choo, the brand is known for its stiletto heals and accessories and sells in cities from London to Paris, New York and Tokyo.

    It put itself up for sale in April after its majority owner JAB signaled its intention to focus on consumer goods. At 230 pence in cash per share, the group is receiving a premium of 36.5 percent to its share price before the sale process was announced.

    Michael Kors, once the hottest name in affordable luxury with a hugely popular handbag range, has been struggling in recent quarters with declining same-store sales as fewer people visit its shops.

    In response, it has expanded into dresses and menswear, and invested in its online business. It said Jimmy Choo would continue to operate as it does today, under its existing management team.

    “Jimmy Choo is an iconic premier luxury brand that offers distinctive footwear, handbags and other accessories,” said Michael Kors, honorary chairman and chief creative officer.

    “We admire the glamorous style and trend-setting nature of Jimmy Choo designs.”

    Jimmy Choo floated on the London Stock Exchange at 140 pence in 2014. It closed on Monday at 195 pence.

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  • Poets’ words grace Uniqlo t-shirt collection

    Poets’ words grace Uniqlo t-shirt collection

    Poets Sarah Kay and Phil Kaye’s works are to appear on a special Uniqlo t-shirt collection.

    The Japanese fast-fashion brand has released a range called “Poetry Beyond the Page”, which highlights the works of the two poets, including lines from their most-liked poems, including Kaye’s “Beginning, Middle & End,” and Kay’s “Useless Bay” along with their collaborative work “When Love Arrives.”

    “One of my favorite things in the world is to keep track of the way poetry and poets find their way to surprising places,” wrote Kay on her Facebook page.

    “I’m excited to see the surprising places these poems wind up!” she said.

    The collection has been released in Uniqlo stores in Japan, New York, Chicago and across Europe. Kay says they’ll soon be in-store in the Philippines as well.

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  • Lacoste opens a store at Lotte duty free World Tower

    Lacoste opens a store at Lotte duty free World Tower

    Lacoste has bolstered its Asia Pacific presence with the opening of a 38 square meters store at Lotte Duty Free World Tower in Seoul.

    The new store reinforces Lacoste’s aim to strengthen and expand its presence in new geographical areas and find new ways of connecting with consumers before, during and after their trips.

    Lacoste CEO Asia Pacific & Global Travel Retail Jean-Louis Delamarre said: “We are thrilled to open this store in Lotte Duty Free World Tower.

    This opening in partnership with Lotte will allow us to further enhance our presence in Asia.”

    France’s premium casual brand Lacoste has been launching a ‘Life is a beautiful sport’ campaign based on the three values of authenticity, joy and elegance in the branding industry since 2014.

    Also in May, Novak Djokovic, world-renowned tennis player, was chosen as a brand new face to represent the brand. Lacoste selected Novak Djokovic as the new face of the brand to inherit the strength and fair play spirit that the brand has pursued since its founding.

    The comfortable elegance that Novak Djokovic shows and his unique play fit perfectly with the DNA of the brand, and it is raising expectations.Novak Djokovic has signed a five-year contract with Lacoste and will be active in and out of the court as an icon representing Lacoste’s brand.

    Lacoste was created by René Lacoste in 1933, a tennis legend. Rena Lacoste, famous for his persistent and robust play, has had the nickname of a crocodile, which symbolizes his brand. Meanwhile, as reported, Lotte Duty Free partially reopened the store on 15 January, 193 days after it was forced to close on 26 June 2016, following its unsuccessful 2015 bid to retain its licence.

    The 17,334 square meters store is the second-biggest in Asia and the world’s third-largest. The new space is +52 percent bigger than the original 14,011sq m shop. The integrated retail offer connects the new World Tower space with the existing adjacent store in the Avenuel building.

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  • Lululemon fined for violating guarantee rights

    Lululemon fined for violating guarantee rights

    Sportswear retailer, Lululemon Athletica Australia, has paid penalties totalling $32,400 following the ACCC issuing three infringement notices for violating consumer guarantee rights.

    In May earlier this year, Lululemon listed sale items on its website under the heading “We Made Too Much”. The web page read “We made a little extra – don’t be shy, help yourself. It’s yours for keeps so no returns and no exchanges”.

    The ACCC said that, by this statement, Lululemon represented that consumers were not entitled to return and obtain a refund for, or exchange, these products under any circumstances.

    Lululemon has also posted this return policy on its website stating: “Final sale items like underwear, water bottles + We Made Too Much gear are yours for keeps”.

    The statements, according to the consumer watchdog, represented that consumers were not entitled to a remedy for these products under any circumstances.

    The ACCC also mentioned in November last year, a customer has contacted Lululemon requesting a refund for products she considered were faulty but received an e-mail from a Lululemon representative that said “We do not offer refunds for quality affected garments”.

    “The ACCC alleges that Lululemon made representations to customers that they were not entitled to a refund or replacement for products under any circumstances, when that was not the case,” ACCC deputy chair Delia Rickard said.

    Rickard said if a product or service fails to meet a consumer guarantee, people are automatically entitled to a remedy under the Australian Consumer Law.

    “If products develop a fault which constitutes a major failure, customers are entitled to a refund, even if the product was purchased on sale,” she said.

    “Businesses must ensure their refund and returns policy do not breach consumer law, and that representations they make about consumers’ rights to return goods or obtain a refund accurately reflect the consumer guarantee rights under the Australia Consumer Law,” Rickard said.

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  • Peak Philippines launches concept store

    Peak Philippines launches concept store

    After 10 years in the market, activewear brand Peak Philippines has opened its first concept store, at Robinsons Place Manila.

    Fuelled internationally with collaborations with such entities as the US National Basketball Association and world basketball governing body FIBA, the Chinese brand has widened its product offering to include training, running and women’s gear, all of which are featured in the new concept store.

    “As Peak is competing with the big brands, it is time to position ourselves,” says store owner Jonathan Chenglay, who also owns the Peak outlet store at Riverbanks Center in Marikina City.

    “Some of the items in the concept store you will not find in shopping malls carrying the Peak brand, like Gaisano, Robinsons and SM, or sports shops like Olympic Village and Toby’s.”

    To mark the opening of the store, Peak brought in NBA player and brand ambassador Matthew Dellavedova of the Milwaukee Bucks, who also promoted his first signature Peak shoes, the Delly 1. Featuring Peak’s latest technology in design and cushioning, it is available in different colors.

    Chenglay says more Peak concept stores will be added down the line. “There is definitely still room for expansion.”

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  • Balmain Singapore launches at Marina Bay Sands

    Balmain Singapore launches at Marina Bay Sands

    Balmain Singapore has launched the first Southeast Asian outpost for the French fashion house with an emporium at The Shoppes at Marina Bay Sands.

    It houses men’s and women’s ready-to-wear pieces from Balmain’s seasonal collections, including bags, shoes and accessories.

    Echoing the brand’s historic Parisian flagship store, the 153 sqm space features parquet flooring, gold accents, floor-to-ceiling mirrored pillars and marble displays set against cream walls.

    Balmain was founded by Pierre Balmain in 1946. Starting as a fashion assistant to master Parisian couturier Lucien Lelong, he worked alongside Christian Dior and Hubert de Givenchy. His signature style soon attracted the world’s great actresses including Audrey Hepburn, Ava Gardner, Brigitte Bardot, Josephine Baker, Katharine Hepburn, Marlene Dietrich and Sophia Lauren.

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  • Esprit restructures its marketing division

    Esprit restructures its marketing division

    Back in April, Vincent Jeanniard already joined the Esprit fashion group as Head of Global Marketing. The 46-year-old executive is leading the fusion of the company’s brand and go-to-market marketing teams into one department.

    The move is intended to ramp up Esprit’s marketing efforts and make them more dynamic to be able to react more quickly to customer needs and a younger target group. The fusion is also part of the restructuring program Esprit has rolled out to fight its recent decline in sales.

    “Vincent and the merged team will be responsible for the development and implementation of the marketing strategy and activities across all departments, markets and channels,” the company said in a statement.

    Vincent Jeanniard has held various positions in the global brand and marketing sector, especially executive roles in the beauty and fashion industry. Most recently Jeanniard was vice president of Burberry Beauty in London.

    Between 2006 and 2013, he worked as a general manager in the beauty industry for companies like Christian Dior in the UK and Ireland, L’Oréal Luxury Division in Brazil and Shu Uemura in Tokyo.

    He will be assisted by Rob McIntosh, who will join the brand as Chief Brand Officer on 1 August 2017 and a member of the Executive Management Team (EMT) at Esprit.

    McIntosh has already worked in various creative positions for major brands such as Apple, J.Crew and BMW. Most recently, he was Head of Experience Design at AKQA London, an innovative creative agency.

    Esprit Holdings Ltd. currently operates 6,137 stores in 40 countries. Its recent sales posted a double-digit loss when adjusted for exchange rates, which management says will continue unchanged in the fourth quarter as well.

    Further changes under the restructuring plan include the closure of unprofitable stores, the reduction of advertising measures, price reductions and streamlining of operating costs.

    Esprit’s headquarters are located in Ratingen near Düsseldorf, Germany and in Hong Kong. The brand will be celebrates its 50th anniversary in 2018.

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