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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.

  • Golden sales for Luk Fook’s first quarter

    Golden sales for Luk Fook’s first quarter

    Same-store sales of gold products have restored growth, jewellery retailer Luk Fook says in announcing the performance of its self-run retail shops for the first quarter, to the end of June.

    It says a relatively low base and “an effective strategy of an enhanced offering of good-value-for-money gold products” helped boost SSSG 5 per cent, a progression over the previous quarter.

    SSSG of 32 per cent in China and 10 per cent in Hong Kong/Macau for gold and gemset jewellery led to 23 per cent growth overall for the period, a significant improvement over the previous quarter.

    On the other hand, the SSSG of gemset jewellery products in the Hong Kong/Macau market rose 9 per cent while gold products stayed flat, a turnaround from a declining trend for more than a year. This resulted in a 3 per cent improvement in the market overall.

    While the group closed two shops in Hong Kong during the quarter, the number of shops in Hong Kong and Macau for the whole year is expected to be about the same. During the period, 14 Luk Fook shops were added on the mainland, five of these licensed outlets.

    As at the end of last month, the group had a total 206 self-run shops – 142 in China, 45 in Hong Kong, 10 in Macau and nine overseas. There were also 1301 licensed shops in China and one in Korea, making a total of 1508 outlets worldwide, of which 1443 were on the mainland.

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  • A Bathing Ape launches online store

    A Bathing Ape launches online store

    Established in Tokyo in 1993, street-fashion brand A Bathing Ape has launched a global online store.

    Also known as Bape, the brand is known for its graphics, patterns and characters such as “Ape Head”, “Bape Camo”, “Bape Sta”, “Shark Hoodie” and “Baby Milo”. The  brand has expanded from being a men’s line to include women’s and children’s items.

    Bape has stores throughout Japan, in the UK and US, Hong Kong, China and other regions in Asia. BapeOnline is initially available for customers in Europe, with plans to expand to a more worldwide presence soon. To celebrate the launch, a special limited-edition t-shirt is being offered.

    A Bathing Ape was created by Nowhere Co, in the Tokyo suburb of Harajuku, and continues to expand with Bape Store, BapeExclusive, Bape Kids and A Bathing Ape Pirate Store.

  • Cortefiel opens first stores in India

    Cortefiel opens first stores in India

    After announcing last December a distribution partnership deal with Tablez Retail to enter India, Cortefiel group has opened its first retail stores. The contract will see 60 store openings in India, as well as nearby Sri Lanka.

    On July 17, mixed apparel retailer Springfield and lingerie chain Women’secret debuted inside the Phoenix MarketCIty shopping centre, located in the city of Bangalore.

    In autumn, the Spanish group, which also owns the brands Corefiel, Pedro del Hierro and Fifty Factory – but not in the India market – will open a further eight stores in Bangalore, as well as in Bombay and Chennai.

    By entering India, the Madrid distributor intends to take advantage of the growing appetite of young adults in the country for international brands, focusing its communication on city fashion, as the urbanisation of the country continues at high speed.

    The goal of the group is to “achieve rapid growth across the two brands, thanks to the growing percentage of young people in the country,” as well as the explosion of commercial property in the nation.

    The group, which according to several sources is in the process of being sold by the three funds that have retained ownership since 2005 (PAI Partners, CVC Capital Partners and Permira), also made its debut in Cuba a few weeks ago, setting up a Women’secret store in Havana.

    Sales at Cortefiel, which boasts more than 2,000 stores across 90 countries, recorded an increase of 3.1%, to 1.13 billion euros for the year ending February 28.

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  • Moschino launches first cosmetic collection with Sephora

    Moschino launches first cosmetic collection with Sephora

    Italian luxury fashion label Moschino is making its first leap into cosmetics, teaming up with global beauty retailer Sephora to distribute its debut make-up collection.

    The Moschino x Sephora collection is centred on bright colours and features quirky packaging, such as Moschino’s signature teddy bear in gold.

    The seven items include lip-gloss, brushes, a highlighter and an eye shadow, the latter housed in a palette designed to look like a shopping bag.

    Collection prices range from US$23 for the miniature shopping bag eye shadow to $68 for the teddy bear brush set.

    It marks the first cosmetics collection to come out of the Jeremy Scott-helmed Moschino. Part of the Aeffe group since 1999, the Italian brand already has a retail history with Sephora, with its multiple fragrances being sold there.

    The cosmetics debut follows up Moschino’s foray into furniture when, in March, it released a capsuled collection designed in collaboration with furniture company Gufram.

    In the APAC region, Sephora has stores in China, Hong Kong, Indonesia, Malaysia, The Philippines, Singapore, Thailand, and Australia and New Zealand. It’s also present in Europe, and in North and South America.

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  • Burberry sales boosted by China

    Burberry sales boosted by China

    Britain’s Burberry reported an increase in sales in the three months ending June, on the back of double-digit percentage sales growth China and positive demand APAC-wide.

    Total retail sales generated £478m in the three-month period, the London-based brand said, helped by strong performances in the UK and mainland China.

    The luxury fashion retailer said for the first quarter of the 2017-18 year, comparable sales increased 4%. In China, sales growth was in the “mid-teens”.

    Underlying sales rose by about 15% in mainland China as the chief operating and financial officer, Julie Brown, said “Chinese consumer confidence continued to build.”

    Brown said there had also been a rise in Chinese shoppers heading to Hong Kong, after a long period of decline.

    Being the first set of results to be reported under chief executive, Marco Gobetti, the new Burberry head praised the brand’s former-CEO, Christopher Bailey, for his efforts, after he was returned to perform the sole role of creative director for the brand.

    “We are pleased with our performance in the first quarter, while mindful of the work still to do,” said chief executive Marco Gobbetti.

    “This is a time of great change for Burberry and the wider luxury industry. I look forward to building on the foundations Christopher and the team have put in place and creating new energy to drive growth.”

    Luxury leather goods and a new lightweight version of the classic trenchcoat, designed for tropical climates, led the growth. Burberry’s backpacks were the best seller, overtaking the Banner bag, it said.

    The company said it wants to save at least £100m by 2019 and said it is on track to deliver £50m in savings in 2018.

    This recent rise in sales comes after Burberry reported a fall in annual profits for the 2016-17 year.

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  • T Galleria By DFS, City of Dreams Kicks Off Fall With Curated Collection

    T Galleria By DFS, City of Dreams Kicks Off Fall With Curated Collection

    T Galleria by DFS, City of Dreams kicked off the Fall 2017 season with an evening of fashion and fun on July 15, co-hosted by some of the

    fashion world’s best-known international stylists. Celebrity stylist and fashion blogger Tina Leung, Men’s Uno Hong Kong style director Declan Chan, and fashion stylist and blogger Faye Tsui curated their top picks for the season, showcasing the Fall trends and must-have items from across T Galleria by DFS’ collection of more than 40 fashion and accessories brands.

    Hosted within T Galleria by DFS, City of Dreams’ expansive 30,000 square foot shoe hall, guests including socialites, influencers and DFS LOYAL T members, explored a bevy of games and activations reflecting the curated collections and Fall seasonal trends. At Declan Chan’s Garden Party, inspired by the classic English garden, guests enjoyed a giant game of dice, while sipping bespoke cocktails from Johnnie Walker and perusing Declan’s selections from Aquazurra, Burberry, Chloe, Dolce & Gabbana and La Perla.

    Just steps away, Club CUBIC’s own DJ Copan Kasten spun the latest hits at Tina Leung’s Music Room. Known as the “Fashion Queen of Asia”, Tina showcased her favorite pieces for dancing the night away from Alexander McQueen, Jimmy Choo, Rene Caovilla and Sophia Webster. Adding an extra element of discovery, guests entered the Music Room through the “Boom Boom Room,” an interactive video booth where they could dance and pose for their best Boomerang shot.

    To help beat the heat in the last days of Summer, guests headed to Faye Tsui’s Pool Party where they competed in a carnival-style duck pond game for a chance to win exclusive prizes. Faye’s curated collection of sandals, swimsuits and accessories from Kate Spade, Marc Jacobs and Tory Burch are the perfect picks for a day at the pool.

    The evening continued with a unique culinary experience crafted by Chef Fabrice Vulin, the celebrity chef behind City of Dreams’ two-Michelin-starred The Tasting Room. From the world’s finest caviar to the world exclusive beef from Alexandre Polmard which The Tasting Room is the only restaurant in Asia to offer, guests enjoyed a sophisticated and extraordinary gastronomic journey.

    The night then wrapped with the after party at Club CUBIC featuring a spectacular performance by Cirque le Soir.

    Spanning two floors and nestled in the heart of Asia’s leading integrated resort City of Dreams, T Galleria by DFS’ shoe salon features over 50 men’s and women’s shoe brands and is the largest shoe salon in Hong Kong and Macau, offering shoppers exclusive-to-Macau brands such as Aquazzura, Bing Xu, Church’s, Corthay and Rupert Sanderson. Highlights include a dedicated sneaker wall featuring popular brands such as Adidas Originals, Alexander McQueen, Giuseppe Zanotti and Valentino as well as the Louvre Café, where shoppers can relax and enjoy enticing selection of pastries, cakes and bistro favorites inspired by the tranquil, lusciousEuropean garden courtyards.

    From now until July 31, DFS LOYAL T members have a chance to earn 2X LOYAL T points on purchases in Fashion and Accessories and Watches and Jewelry at T Galleria by DFS, City of Dreams. Shoppers who sign up for City of Dreams’ City Club membership also have a chance to win a 365-day unlimited flight pass, among many other prizes and promotions*, as part of the resort’s “Travel Without Limits” campaign.

    July also marks the launch of T Galleria by DFS’ Let’s Travel Together campaign. Following DFS’ crew of global adventurers as they explore the most exciting places in the world, July’s episodes feature travel writer Maoli (猫力) as she discovers Auckland, New Zealand, and chef Marcus Samuelsson as he visits Siem Reap, Cambodia. Each month, T Galleria by DFS will unveil new episodes letting fans of @DFSOfficial get inspired for their next getaway.

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  • Brunello Cucinelli’s Greater China sales up 34 per cent

    Brunello Cucinelli’s Greater China sales up 34 per cent

    Brunello Cucinelli’s Greater China sales, up 34.6 per cent, outshone all other markets for its first half.

    North America sales grew 9.4 per cent, Europe 9.9 per cent and rest of the world 11.4 per cent, the Italian luxury goods maison’s preliminary figures show.

    First-half net revenues grew overall by 10.7 per cent to  €243.3 million (US$278.9 million).

    For Greater China revenues reached €18.4 million, up 7.5 per cent from €13.7 million for the same period last year. To maintain allure and exclusivity, says the company, it is maintaining a limited presence in the region.

    Brunello Cucinelli’s retail distribution channel saw an overall 21.7 per cent growth in sales, or €121.1 million compared to €99.6 million for the same period last year..

    As at the end of June, the brand’s network comprised 91 direct boutiques, with just one opening over the 12 months.

    “We feel that this year is the start of a ‘new world’ where the internet will have an enormous impact on humanity,” says chairman/CEO Brunello Cucinelli. “We believe this will change buyer/seller relationships forever, making it even more important to care for and protect the brand.”

    The brand’s online boutique is being directly managed from its headquarters in Solomeo with special attention to customer service, packaging and visual merchandising.

    “If we take a look at the general context and at the very good start of the second half of the year,
    We feel pretty confident that the full year will deliver double-digit growth in terms of both sales and margins,” says Cucinelli.

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  • Sa Sa has mixed quarter

    Sa Sa has mixed quarter

    Sa Sa sales in Hong Kong and Macau grew by 2.4 per cent for the first quarter, but same-store sales dropped by 2.5 per cent.

    Sa Sa says the unaudited figures were weaker than the previous quarter, affected by a particularly quiet June which was marked by typhoons and extended torrential rain. With a cool-down in Korean products and less store traffic, sales volume fell with fewer transactions by local and mainland tourists, down 4.1 and 6.4 per cent respectively.

    “However, some customers switching out of Korean products and into broader alternatives resulted in demand for higher-priced products,” says the retailer. “As a result, the average purchase per transaction of local and mainland customers has started to rise gradually, up 3.1 and 2.9 per cent respectively.

    “Our strenuous efforts to improve house-brand offerings is beginning to bear fruit, with the first quarter seeing improvement in the house-brand mix as well as gross profit margin in the Hong Kong and Macau markets. However, the increase in gross profits is not yet sufficient to offset the weakness in June’s sales performance and the one-off costs of Hong Kong warehouse relocation.”

    The group says it is cautiously optimistic about the Hong Kong and Macau markets and continues to invest in residential shops and extra staffing as well as launching a new own-label brand.

    It says these strategies will increase the group’s competitiveness but also exert short-term cost pressure.

    Sa Sa’s unaudited figures for the quarter to the end of June show retail and wholesale turnover increased by 2.1 per cent. In Hong Kong and Macau, the number of transactions eased by 0.4 per cent, while the average sales per transaction grew by 2.8 per cent.

    The group’s retail and wholesale turnover in other markets (including China, Malaysia, Singapore, Taiwan and e-commerce) rose by 0.5 per cent for the quarter.

    “Stepping into the second quarter, sales performance in the Hong Kong and Macau markets has
    shown conspicuous improvement,” says chairman/CEO Kwok Siu Ming Simon. “While the group is strengthening choices in selected product categories, it is anticipated sales in Hong Kong and Macau will continue to improve in the second quarter.”

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  • Jordan 9 Guanghua store marks China milestone

    Marking two decades in greater China, Jordan Brand has opened its largest store for Asia in Beijing, Jordan 9 Guanghua.

    “We are excited to bring Jordan Brand’s vision to life in Beijing by creating a retail experience that not only pays homage to the brand’s legacy and the city’s culture, but also inspires the future,” says Jordan Brand president Larry Miller.

    Jordan 9 Guanghua, which opened with a special ceremony, will serve as a key source for pinnacle products and personalised Jordan experiences in Mainland China. As part of the opening, visitors to the store can sign up for services and take part in lucky draws for products, as well as use social media to gain special access to launches.

    Product customisation is offered at the store with 365 brand icons and the debut of Beijing Icons inspired by the city’s courts and landmarks.

    There is also a regulation-size Jordan basketball court in the store where customers can trial products, with Jordan Flight Club services at weekends.

    Showcased in the store are works by international artist Jayson Atienza with Michael Jordan themes.

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  • Michael Kors, Chinese in battle to buy Jimmy Choo

    Michael Kors, Chinese in battle to buy Jimmy Choo

    Michael Kors has joined the list of known bidders for luxury shoe brand Jimmy Choo.

    According to Sky News, the US brand will lodge an indicative bid for Jimmy Choo prior to next week’s deadline.

    Rival US fashion label Coach has already declared its interest along with Chinese investor Hony Capital, which owns Pizza Express.

    Sky News reports private equity company CVC Capital and at least one other party are also preparing bids.

    Jimmy Choo was put on the market in April, by majority parent JAB Luxury. It is estimated to be worth about £800 million. JAB, which is also selling Bally, says it wants to focus on its food investments, which include Panera Bread, Caribou and Krispy Kreme Doughnuts.

    Hony Capital has reportedly also entered discussions with Interparfums on a joint takeover. Interparfums owns the license to make Jimmy Choo-branded perfumes.

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  • Inditex sales soar 14 per cent

    Inditex sales soar 14 per cent

    Inditex sales grew 14 per cent in the quarter to April 30, to €5.6 billion, underpinned by a solid business performance in all markets.

    Sales growth in constant-currency terms was 12.5 per cent and net profit amounted to €654 million, up 18 per cent year-on-year.

    Growth was achieved across all regions and all of the group’s brands – Zara, Stradivarius, Pull & Bear, Massimo Dutti, Oysho, Uterqüe and Zara Home – increased their international presence, expanding their integrated physical and online store platforms.

    Four new e-commerce markets were added during the quarter, with Zara launching online in Thailand, Malaysia, Singapore and Vietnam. In parallel, the group continued to expand and refine its presence in its 93 operating markets, ending the period with 7385 stores.

    Zara is due to launch online in India during the second half of the year.

    Highlights of the group’s physical store openings included a Zara Home flagship store on Shanghai’s West Nanjing Road and a new 4800 sqm Zara flagship in the Ismail Building in Mumbai, India.

    Inditex said it was committed to continuing to invest in growth through the constant modernisation and renewal of its stores and facilities.

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  • Louis Vuitton x Supreme draws queues

    Louis Vuitton x Supreme draws queues

    Louis Vuitton’s heavily-hyped collaboration with streetwear label Supreme has gone on sale in Hong Kong – and elsewhere around the world – with long queues.

    The products in the Louis Vuitton x Supreme collection range from a HK$565,000 luxury red trunk and a $445,000 skateboard to more affordable items like sneakers – and even a bumbag at $18,200.

    Such was the demand for the streetwear range, Louis Vuitton organised appointments for would-be buyers, limiting each person to one, non-transferable visit and a maximum purchase of two items.

    In Singapore, people queued for more than 48 hours, with some shoppers hiring queue-sitters and swapping shifts to be sure of getting in the door. On Friday, there were still short queues outside some Louis Vuitton outlets in Hong Kong. Louis Vuitton customers wanting to browse other items were allowed in via other entrances.

    The Louis Vuitton x Supreme range – which has a strictly limited volume – was pre-launched on June 30 in Beijing, Miami, Seoul, Los Angeles, Tokyo and several other cities via pop-up stores, which have since closed.

    In China, Louis Vuitton launched a WeChat campaign for fans to register to get their hands on the collection.

    Despite Louis Vuitton’s efforts to limit purchases per customer, the Louis Vuitton x Supreme items are already being resold online at a premium. A box logo hoodie was reportedly being advertised at US$25,000.

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  • Asics New Zealand launches in Auckland

    Asics New Zealand launches in Auckland

    Sneaker company Asics New Zealand has opened its first retail store in Auckland – one of only nine concept stores for the Japanese brand.

    Covering 203sqm over two levels, the store houses the nation’s only 3D foot-mapping system.

    “If you walk into the store in New York or New Zealand you have the same look and feel – it’s welcoming and comfortable. We are using a lot of wood, for example,” says Asics GM Greig Bramwell.

    “We are showcasing the full range of product, ‘head to toe’, with a focus on developing our apparel business.”

    He says the Shortland Street site is great. “It grabs your attention with big screens on the mezzanine.”

    It is only the second company-owned outlet in Australasia for Asics. It has a Family and Friends Outlet Store in New South Wales, with most of its stores being in Asia and Europe. Asics was founded in Japan in 1949 and has its head office in Kobe.

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  • Lanvin opens menswear store in Kuala Lumpur

    Lanvin opens menswear store in Kuala Lumpur

    Lanvin has opened its first flagship store in Malaysia, with an emphasis on the French maison’s men’s fashion and women’s accessories collections.

    Located at the Pavilion in Kuala Lumpur, the store covers 2040 square feet of floor space and is situated on level 2 of the prestigious mall.

    The store features Lanvin’s signature retail design accenting sleek interiors with cream-coloured shelves and marble floors, largely minimalist with an emphasis on the high-end clothing and accessories.

    Focused on Lanvin’s male customer, the shop boasts a range of men’s formalwear, black tie suiting, casualwear, as well as a skater and sneaker offerings from Lanvin’s Pre-Fall Collection.

    For women, Lanvin Kuala Lumpur also carries the latest women’s accessories including bags and leathergoods. It has not been disclosed if the French luxury brand has plans to open a women’s store in the Malaysian capital.

    Lanvin retail sales have faced difficulty the past two years ever since the house’s Taiwanese owner Madame Shaw abruptly sacked Alber Elbaz, its long-serving and critically acclaimed creative director.

    Shaw appointed Bouchra Jarrar, but the new designer head failed to turn fashion into revenues in her sixteen-month tenure.

    In a turnaround move last week, Lanvin named Olivier Lapidus to be its new artistic director, replacing Jarrar just four days after she was fired.

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  • Escada hires new Marketing Head

    Escada hires new Marketing Head

    German designer brand Escada has poached an experienced marketing expert from Red Bull to become its new vice president of marketing and communications.

    The high end label announced on July 13th that Marco Raab is to lead all marketing and communication activities of Escada from 15 August, particularly focusing on reshaping the brand “with a more contemporary edge”.

    Raab, who has been described as a “digital-native” with an understanding of millennial mindset, joins from Red Bull where he held several brand, marketing and communications position over the last 10 years. He was most recently global marketing manager for special projects, tasked with leading innovation and change for the fast moving digital age.

    At Escada, he will be part of the executive team and report to CEO Iris Epple-Righi.

    “Escada is at an exciting point in its journey with Iris Epple-Righi as new CEO and Niall Sloan as Global Design Director. I was attracted by the idea of being part of this leadership team tasked with re-shaping the brand with a more contemporary edge. I have a passion for creative approaches and believe Escada’s brand and its strong heritage offers numerous opportunities to engage with our established clientele as well as excite new customers about the beauty of Escada’s products,” said Raab.

    Escada CEO Iris Epple-Righi added: “Our vision is to build on Escada’s rich heritage in a relevant, modern and contemporary way and our marketing and communication is a very important part of this. We have the potential to reposition Escada at the cutting edge of fashion again and I believe Marco’s experience at Red Bull is extremely relevant for us.”

    Escada is also set to welcome its new design director Niall Sloan on 1 August. Sloan comes from Hunter and has revealed he plans to focus on Escada’s fun, bold and feminine heritage.

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