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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.

  • Bloomingdale’s opens Soko Glam mini store

    Bloomingdale’s opens Soko Glam mini store

    Bloomingdale’s will launch on June 10th the first ever brick-and-mortar outpost of the Korean beauty retailer at its Soho location. The new mini store will sell a selection of K-beauty products curated by Soko Glam.

    Soko Glam launched in 2012 as an online community and retailer for Korean beauty products. Fans of the brand will now be able to shop the site’s favorite K-beauty products in person at Bloomingdale’s new Soko Glam mini store. The store will officially open on Saturday, with the launch party including a meet and greet with Soko Glam co-founder Charlotte Cho.

    The physical store will still keep some ties to its digital presence at the Bloomingdale’s store. The shop will include monitors showing beauty tutorials from Soko Glam’s blog, The Klog. Visitors to the store’s launch day will be able to upload and tag photos on Instagram in order to win prizes and rewards.

    In-store advisers will also assist customers in navigating Korean beauty products. The shop will carry a mix of well-known Korean brands such as Etude House, Manefit and Neogen, and new editions to the Soko catalogue like Hanskin.

    American interest in Korean beauty products has increased significantly in recent years, with mainstream retailers like CVS carrying Korean cosmetics. In March, Barneys launched a mask bar with Alicia Yoon, founder of the K-beauty shop Peach & Lily. Yoon has also worked with Target to create a curated section of K-beauty.

    Soko Glam expanded its reach by launching a subscription box service earlier this year, however the Bloomingdale’s mini shop represents a huge step forward for the company in establishing a physical presence.

  • AirAsia partners hijab brand to create exclusive headscarf for female pilots

    AirAsia partners hijab brand to create exclusive headscarf for female pilots

    AirAsia has partnered with Naelofar Hijab to unveil an exclusively designed hijab for the airline’s female pilots.

    Starting from June 2017, Muslim female pilots from AirAsia and AirAsia X will don the white Naelofar Hijab that is specifically tailored to meet their workday needs.

    Rudy Khaw, regional head of branding for AirAsia, said this is the first time ever for the airline to collaborate with a designer in producing hijab wear for its female pilots, “We are happy to work with Naelofar Hijab to create a piece that complements our female pilots’ look while providing enhanced comfort as they perform their duty.”

    “We are currently looking into revamping hijab designs for our ground staff as well,” Khaw added.

    AirAsia female pilots were involved throughout the design process where they worked closely with Naelofar Hijab designers. The prototypes had undergone multiple wear testing by members of the airline’s pilots as well.

    “Being given the opportunity to redesign the female hijab was very exciting and it gave us the opportunity to create a special piece that is comfortable, functional and stylish,” Neelofa, founder of Naelofar Hijab added.

    Using fabric materials with enhancement properties, AirAsia said, the new hijab allows great stretch and recovery for easy movement along with adornment of the signature Naelofar Hijab symbol in Swarovski crystals for a finishing touch.

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  • H&M announces location of first store in Vietnam

    H&M announces location of first store in Vietnam

    The world-renowned brand is following in the footsteps of Zara and Topshop. Swedish fashion giant Hennes & Mauritz (H&M) has announced plans to open its first store in Vietnam at the Vincom Dong Khoi commercial complex in Ho Chi Minh City’s District 1.

    The store, which will cover 2,200 square meters across two floors, will open with the launch of the brand’s Fall-Winter 2017 Collection this autumn.

    Fredrik Famm, H&M Country Manager for Southeast Asia, said the opening of the HCMC store will offer a new shopping experience for local customers, providing more options for fashion lovers to create their own styles and personalities.

    In mid-February this year, H&M also started recruiting staff for a store it plans to open in Hanoi.

    H&M was founded in Sweden in 1947 and is listed on the Nasdaq Stockholm. H&M Group has more than 4,300 stores in 66 markets, including franchise markets.

    Other famous fashion brands like Zara and Topshop have also recently made their debuts in Vietnam.

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  • Steve Madden Asia eyes 150 China stores with new JV

    Steve Madden Asia eyes 150 China stores with new JV

    Madden Asia has entered into a joint venture with C.banner International Holdings Limited, as the distributor of Steve Madden shoes looks to roll out more than 100 new stores in China.

    The joint venture group, named SM (Jiangsu), is co-owned 50% by Xuzhou C.banner and 50% by Madden Asia. SM (Jiangsu) will oversee the promotion, marketing, and sales and distribution of Steve Madden products in China “through integration of both online and offline channels,” said C.banner, in a press release.

    In addition, the new group will open around 150 Steve Madden retail outlets in China by the end of 2020.

    The JV’s distribution rights cover brand names Madden and Steve Madden, along with variations including Madden Girl and Steven By Steve Madden.

    “We believe the brand value of Madden and Steve Madden not only offer a valuable opportunity for C.banner to further enhance its brand image, but also enable the group to further expand its business in the mid-to-high end footwear market of China,” said Hen Yixi, chairman of C.banner International Holdings Limited, in statement.

    “In addition, the company considers this will add synergy to the group’s diversified brand portfolio and overall business, as well as assist the group to enhance its market share and influence in the industry, which will further consolidate the group’s status as an international integrated retailer.”

    Footwear designer Steve Madden founded his namesake shoe brand in 1990. The Long Island, New York-headquartered company recorded revenue of $1.4 billion in 2015.

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  • Baccarat bought by China’s Fortune Fountain Capital

    Baccarat bought by China’s Fortune Fountain Capital

    Baccarat announced on Friday the centuries-old crystal maker has been acquired by a Chinese investment firm, as it looks to ramp up international expansion.

    The French luxury home and tableware brand said China‘s Fortune Fountain Capital (FFC) would acquire an 88.8 per cent in the company from U.S. investment funds Starwood Capital Group and L Catterton.

    As per the agreement, FFC will pay 222.70 euros per share, valuing Baccarat at around 185 million euros ($207 million). That is below the closing price of Baccarat shares on Thursday of 259.90 euros and the current market valuation of 215 million euros, reported Reuters.

    Baccarat said FFC plans to launch a public takeover offer for the remaining shares at the same price, but has no intention of delisting the shares from the Paris stock exchange. FFC has also committed to make “significant” investments in its core areas of activity, said the French firm, and it plans to “maintain and centralise all production and employment and will honour the company’s 250-year heritage.”

    Baccarat’s current chief Daniela Riccardi would remain at the helm.

    Founded in 1746, Baccarat makes tableware, chandeliers and jewellery. It employs 500 people and generated net profit of 2.2 million euros on sales of 148 million euros in 2016.

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  • Chow Tai Fook to build membership management JV in China

    Chow Tai Fook to build membership management JV in China

    Chow Tai Fook‘s indirect wholly-owned subsidiary Solomon has signed a joint venture agreement with Golden, Edge, and Group Program Limited, aiming to develop and operate the group’s membership program in mainland China and Hong Kong.

    Solomon and Golden will each own a 40% stake in the new joint venture, while Edge will own the remaining 20%.

    Solomon will provide HKD40 million via share subscription and shareholder loan to the joint venture as initial capital. The initial capital will be used for information technology infrastructure development, marketing, and operation.

    Chow Tai Fook said the group will benefit from the joint venture. Its directors believe the group will be able to access more potential customers covered by its cooperating partners. Moreover, the group can use its loyalty marketing plan to explore the potential values of its members in China and promote cross-sales among cooperating partners to improve the sales of the group.

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  • Changi Airport Group showcases Jewel project in virtual video tour

    Jewel Changi Airport (Jewel), the lifestyle destination being developed at Singapore Changi Airport and set to open in 2019, is the subject of a striking new video.

    Developed by Jewel Changi Airport Trustee Pte. Ltd. (JCAT), a joint venture between Changi Airport Group and CapitaLand Mall Asia, Jewel is a mixed-use complex featuring a broad offer. It includes a five-storey indoor garden, play attractions, shopping and dining options, a hotel and facilities for airport operations.

    There are two main centrepiece attractions in Jewel – the Forest Valley, a five-storey garden filled with thousands of trees, plants, ferns and shrubs, and the 40m high Rain Vortex, currently the world’s tallest indoor waterfall.

  • Breguet relocates Singapore store, eyes Asia sales

    Breguet relocates Singapore store, eyes Asia sales

    Swiss watchmaker Breguet has relocated its standalone store in Singapore, in a bid to improve retail operations in Asia, as watch sales look to increase in the region.

    Located in Marina Bay Sands, the new boutique was reopened with a ribbon-cutting ceremony attended by brand management and clients. The luxury watchmaker relocated from its 115 square-metre store to a 134 square-metre space in the premier luxury shopping destination The Shoppes.

    The Swatch Group Singapore & Malaysia management, the operators of Breguet in the region, welcomed sixty VIP guests for an evening doused in the theme “East-meets-West”, said the brand.

    It’s been a tough twelve months of trade for Swatch. In February, Swatch Group said profits were nearly halved in 2016 as global watch market weakness took its toll. However, an uptick in sales in Asia toward the end of last year, namely in China, saw the watchmaker predict a healthier year ahead.

    Watch and jewellery sales dropped by just under 11 per cent as a marked slowdown in 2015 ran into early 2016, it said.

    The end of last year, however, saw fresh movement in sales, especially in China, Swatch said.

    “The months of November, December and January showed, particularly in mainland China, very good growth in the watches and jewellery segment, with a substantial improvement in operating margin,” the group said in a statement.

    “Based on the positive development of the last three months, healthy growth is expected for the year 2017,” it said.

    Founded in 1775, Montres Breguet is synonymous with prestigious Swiss watchmaking. Swatch Group acquired Breguet in 1999 from Investcorp, placing it alongside Swatch stable mates Omega, Longines, Hamilton and Calvin Klein watches.

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  • Fornarina has opened its new Hong Kong showroom

    Fornarina has opened its new Hong Kong showroom

    The stunning showroom is in Silvercord Building, located in Tsim Sha Tsui, on the world famous shopping street Canton Road. It’s the most important location, where all international fashion brands are present.

    It will be Fornarina’s hub for Asia Pacific, and will serve as the point of reference for development and expansion strategies in the region.

    The newly renowned showroom is contemporary, designed with simplicity and flexibility to accommodate various collections and strategies of the brand. It is a creative hub and destination where Fornarina customers will be inspired and be part of.

    The opening is part of Fornarina worldwide relaunch, thanks to investments of a new ownership. Hong Kong based Bright Fame Holdings owned by the People Group (a leading global design, manufacturing & sourcing group in women’s and men’s footwear, handbags and accessories) acquired the Italian brand on November 2016.

    “The opening of Hong Kong showroom demonstrates our commitment for the global expansion of Fornarina, especially in the Asia corridor, where the brand can tap in a new generation of style conscious consumers. We are focused not only on maintaining and growing in Europe, but more importantly to expand our reach in Asia Pacific, where the brand is still in its early stages of awareness. We believe our Hong Kong showroom will become an important base, and we look forward to welcoming all our Fornarina partners and fans to our new hub!” stated Tina Liu President of the People Group.

    Fornarina’s positioning is focused on the core DNA of denim and footwear, with apparel complementing the overall brand spirit. Designed in Italy, the look is chic and contemporary, targeting the young, fun, and emerging consumer.

    “Our vision is purely international, 35% of our turnover comes from Italy and 65% from abroad. We will be present at the most important international fairs for shoes and clothing, and we are considering new distribution agreements in Europe, USA, and Asia. We plan to have a double digit growth in 2017, after 10 euro millions turnover of 2016” commented Mauro Gabrielli Managing Director of Fornarina.

  • Levi’s to start company owned stores, e-commerce platform in India

    Levi’s to start company owned stores, e-commerce platform in India

    Iconic apparel brand Levi’s is planning to open company owned stores and launch its e-commerce platform to reach deeper in India, president and CEO Chip Bergh said.

    “One of the company’s growth algorithms is to try and reach deeper into countries like India,” Bergh told the Times of India. “Our business could be twice the size of what it is now in the next five years. Investments in e-commerce and retail will help us do that.”

    When Bergh took over, the company had around 150 franchisee partners, who operated one or two stores each. Currently, it has 22 franchisee partners, each of whom operates a larger number of stores. This has helped channelise more investment into the brand.

    Currently, for one pair of jeans, Levi’s sells three tops globally and Bergh wants to reduce that number. In India, however, the ratio is 1:1 for the clothing company.

    While globally Levi’s has been reporting consecutive years of revenue and profit growth and slashed its debt by more than half, in India, it turned profitable in 2014 after nearly two decades of lull.

    It reported a net profit of around Rs 79 crore in 2015-16, up 64% over the previous year with sales growing at 18.5% to Rs 753 crore.

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  • NARS Cosmetics makes Malaysian travel retail debut

    NARS Cosmetics makes Malaysian travel retail debut

    Shiseido Travel Retail has partnered with Colours & Fragrances to open a NARS Cosmetics stand-alone boutique at Kuala Lumpur International Airport (KLIA) on 1 June.

    The 16.5sq m boutique, which marks NARS Cosmetics’ introduction to Malaysian travel retail, is located in KLIA’s Satellite Building outside the Colours & Fragrances store.

    The boutique, said to be an expression of the brand’s “audacious and modern” DNA, is designed to guide travellers on their colour journey through a number of in-store concepts. These include the High Five Tower, showcasing the five most popular product sub-categories (concealer, foundation, lipstick, cheeks and eyes); and the Full Power Pout display which sorts NARS’ range of lip products into different shade ‘families’.

    A make-up station will offer the complete NARS assortment, including seasonal launches and travel retail exclusives. A dedicated Traveler’s Exclusive wall will highlight NARS’ first Traveler’s Exclusive collection, NARSissist #Jetsetter, which has been refreshed for 2017.

    To celebrate the opening of the new boutique, a number of promotional activities will take place from 1 to 4 June. These include complimentary make-over services by NARS make-up specialist Roland Choong, who will show travellers how to create a full beauty look using the new NARSissist #Jetsetter collection and other key products in the NARS portfolio.

    Shiseido Travel Retail General Manager – Asia Pacific Kenji Calméjane commented: “The introduction of NARS at KLIA marks a strategic new step for us in the dynamic Malaysian travel retail market as the brand continues to go from strength to strength in the Asia Pacific region. With three successful NARS boutiques in the Kuala Lumpur domestic market, the brand already has a tremendous fanbase of ‘NARSissists’ who eagerly await every new release and limited-edition collection.

    “We believe the new Traveler’s Exclusive NARSissist #Jetsetter will have significant appeal here, and with the support of Colours & Fragrances we are able to offer an exceptional environment to experience the brand’s extensive assortment.”

    Colours & Fragrances Operations Director Datin Azah Bazid said: “With its bold colours, luxurious textures and edgy style, NARS Cosmetics is a refreshing addition to our portfolio of colour cosmetics brands. The opening of the stunning new boutique underlines our commitment to becoming a luxury beauty destination at KLIA and delivering a world-class airport shopping experience to the 52.6 million international passengers passing through KLIA annually.”

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  • Australia retail sales see surprise rebound in April

    Australia retail sales see surprise rebound in April

    Australia’s retail sales saw a surprise uptick in April, on the back of a revenue rebound across department stores, including David Jones and Myer, and strong sales in cafes and restaurants.

    According to the data released by the Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS), retail spending rose 1 per cent – the biggest monthly gain in close to three years – to $AU25.89 billion, surpassing market expectations of a 0.3 per cent rise.

    It’s a sound recovery for the Australian retail market, after a weak two months. Revised ABS data showed that retail sales fell 0.2 per cent in March and were flat in February.

    Cafes, restaurants and fast food sales were up 1.1 per cent in April, said the ABS, and food retailing rose 1.2 per cent. Department store sales were 2.5 per cent higher, it said.

    However, other categories merely inched forward. Sales growth in clothing and footwear was 0.3 per cent while household goods rose 0.4 per cent after falling for two straight months.

    By state, retail sales were up 2.4 per cent in Queensland after five consecutive months of falls as households replaced cyclone- and flood-damaged possessions, following Cyclone Debbie.

    Retail sales in New South Wales, Australia‘s most populous state and home to its most expensive real estate including Sydney, rose 0.1 per cent.

    Australian retail sales have been subdued over the past year or so at a time when wages growth is stuck at a record low 1.9 per cent.

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  • La Perla opens Takashimaya store in Singapore

    La Perla opens Takashimaya store in Singapore

    Italian lingerie retailer La Perla has opened a second Singapore store. Located on Orchard Road inside the Takashimaya Shopping Centre, the new store spans 182 square metres and was designed by the Italian architectural studio Baciocchi Associati.

    Consistent with La Perla stores around the world, the Singapore boutique boast three rooms with white marble floors, overlayed by lilac, blue and nude tones.

    Geometric prints and metallic accents cover the walls with golden mesh detailing, meant to look like tulle – a moniker of La Perla lingerie. Velvet couches and gold displays finish the store look.

    In August 2016, the Italian luxury lingerie label announced the appointment of Julia Haart as its new Creative Director. At the time of her appointment, Haart promised to revolutionise La Perla’s ready-to-wear line, intending to make it more comfortable while respecting its glamorous, sexy DNA.

    Founded in 1954 by Ada Masotti, the Bologna-based fashion label was acquired in 2013 by Italian businessman Silvio Scaglia.

    La Perla counts 36 points of sale in Asia, with 150 worldwide.

  • Amazon appoints new fashion head

    Amazon appoints new fashion head

    US e-commerce conglomerate Amazon has appointed a new head of its fashion division. The Seattle-based Amazon has selected Christine Beauchamp to be president of Amazon Fashion, the section that operates the corporation’s online fashion marketplace.

    Beauchamp replaces Catherine Lewis Beaudoin, following her departure last month. Beaudoin had held the role since 2013.

    Beauchamp has an extensive professional resume. She was previously CEO at Victoria’s Secret Beauty; served as brand president at Ann Taylor; and spent nine months as global brand president for the brands Lauren, Chaps, American Living and Ralph for the Ralph Lauren group in 2015.

    Beauchamp returned to the Boston Consulting Group as a senior consultant back in 2016, where she was most recently.

    A Harvard and Princeton graduate, she will oversee Amazon Fashion and continue to promote its current range and by seeking out partnerships.

    Beauchamp will take up the role as president of Amazon Fashion before the start of the summer.

    Amazon has made its fashion presence well known by sponsoring the Met Gala in 2012 and sponsoring CFDA’s NYFW: Men’s fashion week alongside Cadillac and Samsung. The deal with the CFDA ended after NYFW: Men’s in February 2017. In addition, the online retailer announced plans to launch private-label intimates and an athleisure line.

    Amazon has been reported by Yahoo to be larger than the 8 largest retailers in the U.S. combined (Macy’s, Best Buy, Target, Nordstrom, JCPenney, Walmart, Kohl’s and Sears), and is poised to surpass Macy’s this year as the biggest apparel retailer in the U.S.

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  • Massimo Dutti Opens a New Global Concept Store at Vivocity

    Massimo Dutti Opens a New Global Concept Store at Vivocity

    The establishment, with over 518 square metres of retail space on one floor, hosts the collections for both men and women.

    Interiors project

    The interior design, entirely developed by Massimo Dutti, was based on the use of new material, details and lighting. The floors are set with Serpeggiante’s Italian marble in beige and placed in spike, it contributes a note of elegance in an example of modernity and contemporaneousness mixture. The lighting has also project with supreme detail, zenith areas give the protagonist to the collections and different lamps give the perfect dose of environmental light, creating a warm atmosphere that yields the protagonist to the collection. In this new shop all the details line up to consolidate the identity and the lifestyle of the brand, sending a message of quality, a value inherent in all the Massimo Dutti’s collections. Also the furniture contributes to the warmth of the environment with the balanced combination of Krion’s big central tables with style 50’s armchairs and clear carpets.

    Advanced technology 

    Technology at the service of customers. The explosion of 3.0 technology including social networks and mobile services has led to the appearance of new, omni-channel trends that serve to connect the virtual and online world with brick-and-mortar stores, making the point of sale a space where emotions can take flight.

    Always at the cutting-edge of where fashion and technology meet, Massimo Dutti has implemented a series of activities with the aim of offering new purchasing experiences based on innovation and adaptation to customers’ new needs. These activities include:

    Dynamic marketing screens. These allow the continual publication and broadcast of the brand’s own contents, reflecting its physical and aspirational world.

    Eco-efficiency: a brand commitment

    The new store is in line with the Inditex Group’s most advanced concepts of sustainability, principles that have been followed both in the restoration project and in the store’s commercial operations. Electricity consumption has been reduced by some 30% and water consumption by 40% in comparison with conventional stores. The eco-efficiency measures implemented include a store lighting system that optimizes the lighting of the furnishings, and the exclusive use of LED bulbs. The lighting system also enables partial lighting of store spaces depending on the time of day and tasks to be carried out, as well as automatic activation when a presence is detected in internal working areas.

    Optimal air conditioning and ventilation are achieved using thermal insulation, and a ventilation control that varies according to space occupation, calculated using CO2 measurements. The equipment installed employs inverter technology capable of regulating itself depending on the demand for heating or cooling, adapting at all times to consumption needs. The air curtain is controlled by probe and allows three working levels depending on the air temperature on the premises. Finally, control and monitoring devices allow instant distance readings of consumption levels, making it possible to detect and correct any anomaly affecting the use of the facilities and their consumption.

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