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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.

  • FirstCry talking with potential investors

    FirstCry talking with potential investors

    Indian online baby products retailer FirstCry is talking with potential investors, including Singapore government investment fund Temasek Holdings, to raise equity financing of about US$100 million (Rs665 crore).

    FirstCry owner Brainbees Solutions is ultimately seeking to raise $400-500 million, reports The Economic Times. The Pune-based company was estimated to be worth $300-350 million when it last raised capital 12 months ago.

    Two years ago, FirstCry spun off its logistics arm Xpressbees Logistics as an independent business. A year ago it acquired Mahindra Retail for about Rs362 crore. The Mahindra Group subsidiary owned the Babyoye brand.

    Government-backed investment company Temasek manages assets worth about $275 billion globally. In India it has backed online marketplace Snapdeal, automobile classified portal CarTrade, and online insurance aggregator PolicyBazaar, as well as other companies.

    Meanwhile, India’s baby and child-specific product market is expected to grow at a CAGR of 8 per cent, reaching Rs2940 crore by 2021, according to a Euromonitor report.

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  • Sales heat up for Uniqlo Japan

    Sales heat up for Uniqlo Japan

    Cool weather and strong advertising campaigns helped boost sales for Uniqlo Japan last month.

    It says same-store sales, including online sales, increased by 6.3 per cent year on year, while sales at its own stores grew by 5.5 per cent. Total sales increased by 6.9 per cent, says the Fast Retailing Group subsidiary.

    During the month, Uniqlo Japan opened four stores and closed two. It also opened its first store in Spain, Uniqlo Passeig de Gracia Store in Barcelona.

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  • YP Basics taking caps to the world

    YP Basics taking caps to the world

    Hong Kong-based YP Basics has launched an online store, YPbasics.com, designed to take its basic caps to the world.

    Since 1974, YP (short for Yupoong) has created and refined a series of headwear styles embracing sport, action and street fashion. Its products have included the Snapback, Dad Hat, and Flexfit.

    YP Basics is the curated selection of Yupoong’s most popular styles, offered as the logo-free alternative to its private-label products. After a test roll-out in Taiwan last year, YP Basics is aiming its redesigned online shopping experience at customers across America, Asia, Europe and Oceania.

    The global online store lets customers compare fits and view lookbooks when making their choice from more than 100 styles of basic headwear.

    YP Basics is managed by Premium Direct Imports.

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  • Sephora opens 12th Aussie location at Central Coast

    Sephora opens 12th Aussie location at Central Coast

    Global beauty retailer Sephora has today opened a new store today at Erina Fair, the company’s 12th Australian retail location, and seventh New South Wales store.

    Continuing their investment in brick-and-mortar stores, Sephora’s country manager, Libby Amelia, said “freedom to experience” is at the core of the cosmetics chain’s model.

    “After almost three years in the market our core customers know all about our exclusive brands like Tarte, Marc Jacobs Beauty, Fenty Beauty, Kat Von D and Huda, but with an ever-increasing list of new makeup, skincare, hair care and lifestyle brands, we know our customers are crying out for the opportunity to touch, play experience our brands, products and services too,”Amelia said.

    “We want our customers to be able to come into our stores whenever they like, for as long as they like,” she said. “You can touch and feel and play – being left to your own devices, or you can ask one of our experienced Beauty Advisors to guide you.”

    Stephen Ross, centre manager, said adding Sephora to Erina’s mix meant consumers “no longer have to travel outside the region to get their beauty fix of Sephora’s brands”.

    The global chain recently opened in concept stores in Spain and France, hinting at the LVMH-owned cosmetics retailer’s future design direction.

  • Rich Sport seeks IPO for international expansion

    Rich Sport seeks IPO for international expansion

    Thailand’s sole distributor of Converse footwear and sportswear, Rich Sport has submitted its filing for an IPO on the Stock Exchange of Thailand this year.

    It is hoping to raise funds to expand internationally.

    Rich Sport has been making and distributing the Converse brand in Thailand for 14 years. It has 41 retail shops and 11 counters in department stores. It reported revenue of THB601.12 million and net profit of THB122.16 million for its first half this year.

    According to its filing, the company is looking at issuing 200 million IPO shares, equivalent to about 26 per cent of its registered capital. Of that, 195 million shares will be offered to the public while the balance will be allotted to employees and subsidiaries.

    Rich Sport Holdings owns 30 per cent of shares, and the rest is held by three members of the Wongpaitoonpiya family at 23.33 per cent each. After the IPO, Rich Sport Holdings’ share will be diluted to 22.21 per cent.

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  • Superga Singapore opening third store

    Superga Singapore opening third store

    Superga Singapore will open its third retail store on Friday, at Westgate Mall, Jurong.

    It will be the biggest Singapore store yet for the Italian shoe brand, covering 800sqft (74sqm).

    As well as the brand’s signature white interior, the store features a red background for the first time.

    To celebrate the launch of the store, five exclusive sneakers will be available at Superga Westgate, as well as the launch of the Superga X Marvel collection inspired by Captain America.

    Also exclusive to the store will be new items like the Superga 2750 Multi Sole and Superga 2750 Espadrille from the seasonal range – on sale for just the first week.

    For each of the first three days, the first 30 customers will receive a S$30 (US$22) Superga voucher.

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  • Uniqlo’s Hana Tajima collection displayed at Museum of Modern Art

    Uniqlo’s Hana Tajima collection displayed at Museum of Modern Art

    Japanese fashion retailer Uniqlo’s Hana Tajima range is being exhibited at the Museum of Modern Art (MoMA) in New York.

    The exhibit, “Items: Is Fashion Modern?”, is the first that MoMA has  dedicated solely to fashion design since 1944, and highlights 111 influential garments and accessories that have had a profound effect on the world over the last century.

    The items that were chosen by the Museum include the Hana Tajima for Uniqlo AIRism Printed Stole and Hana Tajima for Uniqlo AIRism Inner Hijab. Both were selected for the exhibition’s modesty-themed section  entitled “Emancipation/Modesty/Rebellion”.

    The hijab items employ AIRism – a unique, smooth texture, breathable fabric with cooling properties to enhance comfort.

    The partnership between Uniqlo and New York-based, British-born designer Tajima first appeared in the company’s Fall/Winter 2015 line in Malaysia, Singapore, Thailand, and Indonesia. Following its success, the collection later appeared in the US, the UK, and Philippines for Spring/Summer 2016 and now in 15 countries.

    According to the retailer, the purpose of the partnership is reflective of Uniqlo’s commitment to offer apparel that complements diverse lifestyles and cultural settings.

    It added the collection is intended for women who seek comfortable clothing that is not too tight and versatile enough to appeal to all women of all backgrounds, regardless of age, race or religious belief.

    “Hana was a clear choice of partners when we set out to create this collection, as we have a shared aesthetic and a similar approach to design,” stated Shu Hung, Global creative director, Brand Experience and Special Projects at Uniqlo. “With Hana, we have achieved distinctive collections that combine her creativity with our commitment to high-quality, advanced materials that provide the best experience for our customers who seek modest wear.”

    The exhibit is open to the public from October 1, 2017 to January 28, 2018.

  • H&M’s profit falls in latest quarter

    H&M’s profit falls in latest quarter

    H&M’s profit fell 20 per cent in the last quarter as the Swedish fast-fashion retailer

    experienced reduced footfall in stores and increased competition.

    Net profit for the three months to end-August, the third quarter of the retailer’s financial year, came in at 3.84 billion kronor (US$469 million). Sales grew 4.6 per cent to 51.23 billion kronor.

    Despite the drop, which was in line with analysts’ forecasts, there was rapid and profitable growth of the retailer’s online sales, which in some established markets already account for 25 to 30 percent of total sales.

    “The fashion retail sector is growing and is in a period of extensive and rapid change as a result of ongoing digitalisation,” said Karl-Johan Persson, CEO, H&M.

    “The competitive landscape is being redrawn, new players are coming in and customers’ behaviour and expectations are changing, with an ever greater share of sales taking place online.”

    Persson said the shift to online was “clearly reflected” in H&M’s increasing online sales, however did not fully compensate for reduced footfall to stores in several of its established markets.

    “This is of course something that we are not satisfied with and which, among other things, resulted in that we entered the third quarter with inventory levels that were too high,” he said.

    “Through our aggressive summer sale we succeeded in improving the inventory position. This contributed to the autumn collections getting off to a good start, although sales slowed somewhat towards the end of September.”

    The fashion retailer is now looking to refine its store portfolio, with a raft of renegotiation, rebuilds, relocations and closures to take place.

    “Overall we will be closing around 90 stores during the year, resulting in a net addition of approximately 385 new stores,” said Persson.

    “We still see good potential for more physical stores primarily in many of our growth markets. In the year to date we have opened four new H&M store markets: Kazakhstan, Colombia, Iceland and most recently Vietnam. With Georgia which will open later this year.”

    H&M will be present in 69 markets.

    H&M said there had been a successful reception of its new brand, Arket, in London as well as online in 18 markets.

    “Creating and launching new brands is an important part of our growth strategy, and next year we plan to launch another new brand,” said Persson.

  • Emporio Armani Hong Kong launches star hunt

    Emporio Armani Hong Kong launches star hunt

    High-fashion brand Emporio Armani Hong Kong has launched its first-treasure hunt app, with augmented-reality technologies to enable users to track down a special quarry, Shanghai actor Hu Ge.

    Until October 17, the EA Collector app can be downloaded to scan AR images on four Hu Ge posters scattered around Harbour City. Users will then be able to take virtual photos with the Emporio Armani brand ambassador for Greater China and Asia Pacific.

    Users who present one of Hu Ge images can redeem a gift at the Harbour City Emporio Armani store, with a limited-edition postcard holder for anyone collecting all four images. There are limited daily quotas for this offer.

    Furthermore, there is a a chance to win an invitation to Emporio Armani’s party to meet Hu Ge by using the app to submit a virtual photo with the actor before October 15. The actor himself will choose 10 winners to attend the party, on October 18.

    To celebrate the event, a limited-edition Hu Ge Octopus Card will be launched at all Emporio Armani stores across Hong Kong.

  • Michael Kors Philippines updates Makati flagship

    Michael Kors Philippines updates Makati flagship

    Michael Kors Philippines has completed the renovation and reopening of its flagship store at Greenbelt 5 in Makati.

    The US affordable luxury brand is distributed in the Philippines by Stores Specialists Inc (SSI) and has other stores at Central Square on Bonifacio High Street, Newport Mall, Power Plant Mall, Rustan’s Makati, and Shangri-La Plaza Mall.

    “Michael Kors has contemporary styling and great value. It is very up to date with trends interpreted in a way that resonates with every kind of style,” says SSI Group president Anton Huang.

    He says Michael Kors Philippines has noted a recent upturn in sales of ready-to-wear lines, while bags and accessories and footwear are the most popular categories in the local market. “Up-to-date, ready-to-wear apparel has become more important to our customers. It’s been successful.

    “For apparel, there’s growth season after season.”

    Huang says the brand’s fortunes are rising along with the evolving sophistication of Filipinos’ lifestyles.

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  • Calvin Klein China opens lifestyle store in Shanghai

    Calvin Klein China opens lifestyle store in Shanghai

    Calvin Klein China has opened a multibrand lifestyle store in Raffles City Shanghai.

    A wholly owned subsidiary of PVH, Calvin Klein has simultaneously opened a similar store in Düsseldorf, Germany.

    Shanghai’s two-storey store offers men’s and women’s CK Calvin Klein, Calvin Klein Jeans, Calvin Klein Underwear and Calvin Klein Performance apparel and accessories.

    Its design concept communicates the brand’s minimal, modern aesthetic with added colour and sumptuous materials to enhance the consumer experience, says the company. Cobalt-blue curtains frame the entrance, while geometric rugs in soft pink offset the grey concrete. Kvadrat/Raf Simons fabric is used throughout as well as Utrecht chairs by Gerrit Thomas Rietveld.

    Oversized silhouette cut-out images of models in the brand’s latest styles hang from the ceiling.

    Digital technology offers a personalised shopping experience. Interactive video and denim-fit guide walls enable customers to browse and try on items featured in the brand’s current campaign.

    An interactive video table invites customers to explore the brand on a deeper level via newspaper, magazine and online articles about the brand, key milestones, runway show videos and events, as well as the official Calvin Klein social-media platforms.

    “As we continue to focus on expanding Calvin Klein’s global footprint, it is our objective to bring a best-in-class retail experience to key markets and shopping destinations,” says CEO Steve Shiffman.

    Founded in 1968 by the designer and his business partner Barry Schwartz, the brand’s global retail sales exceeded $8 billion in more than 110 countries last year.

    Owner PVH also has such brands as Speedo, Tommy Hilfiger, Van Heusen and Warner’s in its portfolio.

  • Recycled-plastic fabric launched by Esprit

    Recycled-plastic fabric launched by Esprit

    A special capsule collection for women and men featuring recycled-plastic fabric has been launched by Esprit.

    The Good Collection includes classics like a denim jacket, pencil skirt with straps, oversized sweatshirt with school logo, culottes, rain cape, bomber jacket, knit styles with humorous all-over letter print or striped longsleeves with the brand’s logo, as well as denim in trendy silhouettes and washings.

    In total, there are 21 articles for women and 15 for men available, ranging from tee-shirts to a knit dress.

    The company describes it as a stylistic tribute to the brand’s beginnings, saying Esprit’s basic manifesto has always included an awareness for mankind and the environment, long before terms like “sustainability” or “social conscience” came along. Consequently, much of the collection features natural styles made from organic cotton or recycled materials such as cellulose (PET).

    Susie Bell and Doug Tompkins started Esprit in California in 1968, and as children of the hippie and peace movements regarded compliance with social and environmental aspects as normal.

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  • Margins decline for Nike, but growth in China

    Margins decline for Nike, but growth in China

    Footwear giant Nike Inc lost traction in its first quarter to the end of August, its gross margin declining 180 basis points to 43.7 per cent.

    It attributes this mainly to unfavourable currency exchange rates and, to a lesser extent, more discount sales.

    Sustained revenue growth in international markets, particularly China, was offset by an expected decline in North America wholesale revenue.

    Chairman/president/CEO Mark Parker says the group captured near-term opportunities during the quarter through its new company alignment, simplifying its geographical structure from six regions to four – North America; Europe, Middle East and Africa (EMEA); Greater China; and Asia Pacific and Latin America (APLA).

    Nike’s revenues at $9.1 billion were flat on both a reported and currency-neutral basis.

    Revenues for the Nike brand were $8.6 billion, up 2 per cent, driven by growth in Greater China, EMEA and APLA, as well as growth in sportswear. Converse revenues, at $483 million, were down 16 per cent.

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  • Three fashion pop-ups for Hong Kong

    Three fashion pop-ups for Hong Kong

    Three fashion pop-ups will be in full swing in Hong Kong next month. Already open is a Prada pop-up store in Harbour City offering a special selection of men’s travel goods and accessories including backpacks, pouches, wash bags, luggage tags, eyewear cases and leather patches. The space features urban graphics inspired by the avant-garde black-and-white cinema of the 1930s as well as black Saffiano trunks and three life-size “trick robots” iconic to the brand.
    The store runs until October 8.

    From October 4 to 8, Giorgio Armani will be offering a made-to-order pop-up service for its key bag of the season, the Le Jeu bag, which can be worn as a shoulder bag, a shopper, or a wrist bag. With the pop-up service, bags can be customised with various combinations of materials, colours and linings. Customers can also have their name engraved on the metal plate inside the bag.

    The service is available at Giorgio Armani Canton Road store in Harbour City from October 4 to 8, and at Giorgio Armani Central store in Chater House, Central, from October 10 to 13.

    Another made-to-order pop-up service is being run by German fashion brand MCM, its first such venture. It is based around the Patricia bag, inspired by the brand’s Patty bag in the 1970s and featuring a structured satchel-inspired silhouette. With the pop-up service, customers will be able to customise every element of the bag from the type of leather and colour of the flap, to the front panel and the two side panels.

    The metal push-lock is available in either gold or silver, and customers can opt to add a studded trim. Each bag also comes with a leather charm to which customers can add up to three initials. Each order takes about five to eight weeks to produce, and comes with a special MCM certificate.

    At the MCM shop at IFC mall in Central, the service runs until January 5.

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  • Harrys of London taking steps toward India

    Harrys of London taking steps toward India

    Luxury men’s footwear and accessories brand Harrys of London has plans to enter India. Its first outlet will be in Delhi, followed by Mumbai early next year.

    Founded in 2001 and with stores in more than 20 countries, Harrys of London is seeking franchise partners in India.

    “India is an important market for us with our target group being businessmen and travellers between 25 and 60 years old,” says CEO Steven Newey. “Our collection ranges from contemporary London and formal footwear to sneakers.”

    The company also sells travel bags, wallets, shoe-care products, scarves and belts.

    Harrys plans to open five to six stores in India over the next five years and expects to earn £1 million (US$1.3 million) a store.

    “We have been growing at an annual rate of 20 to 25 per cent, and we sell 25 pairs of footwear every month, on average,” says Newey. “In five years, our India stores will be able to earn five to six million pounds.”

    The company, which has its own e-commerce platform, has its footwear manufactured in Italy.

    About 60 per cent of India’s branded footwear market is for men, according to KPMG figures.

    While the branded market is dominated by old brands like Bata, Liberty and Relaxo, much of the segment is unorganised.

    Meanwhile, with increasing disposable income and brand awareness, the men’s footwear segment is growing at a rate of 10 per cent while the women’s category is growing at 20 per cent, says KPMG.