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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.

  • Fast Retailing rolling out GU shops overseas

    Fast Retailing rolling out GU shops overseas

    Japanese retail holding company Fast Retailing intends to have 1000 shops for its low-cost GU brand overseas in 10 years, up from about 10 foreign stores now.

    GU sells clothing often priced at about half that of stablemate Uniqlo.

    Fast Retailing will expand GU first in Asia, where Uniqlo has been successful, says chairman/president Tadashi Yanai.

    After increasing its GU outlets in Taiwan and China, Fast Retailing will turn its attention to South Korea, Hong Kong, Thailand and Singapore for growth in the next five years.

    GU’s first overseas store opened in 2013. In Japan, the brand’s low prices and sensitivity to fashion trends have helped store numbers grow to around 350.

    Meanwhile, Uniqlo now has more stores overseas than in Japan, with plans to set up around 100 shops a year in China.

    Other brands under Fast Retailing’s wing include Comptoir des Cotonniers, J Brand and Princesse Tam-Tam.

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  • Paris label BA&SH eyes Asia expansion

    Paris label BA&SH eyes Asia expansion

    Parisian fashion house BA&SH has partnered with Hong Kong retail and brand management company ImagineX Group to strengthen its presence in Asia.

    BA&SH has hopes of accelerating its expansion in Hong Kong, Macau, Singapore, Taiwan and China. The label opened its first Asian store at Hong Kong’s IFC Mall in September 2014 and with ImagineX now plans 30 more openings in the region, including a second Hong Kong outlet early next year.

    “Hong Kong customers have taken to our style and our collections,” say designers Barbara Boccara and Sharon Krief. “We are very happy to share our vision of fashion and femininity.”

    Associate general directors Dan Arrouas and Pierre-Arnaud Grenade say the new partnership marks an important and supplementary stage in the company’s development strategy following its establishment in the Middle East and the US.

    They say the ImagineX Group’s expertise in fashion retail and marketing will help BA&SH expand rapidly and contribute to its globalisation.

    ImagineX Group president Alice Wong says the label’s Parisian flair, combined with its unique positioning and price point, make it appealing to Asian customers.

    Childhood friends, Boccara and Krief established BA&SH in 2003 to offer contemporary fashion in the affordable luxury sector. With 91 stores last year, the brand aims to reach 130 stores this year.

    Founded in 1992, ImagineX Group introduced luxury brands such as Cartier, Gucci, Prada and Salvatore Ferragamo to China more than 20 years ago. It represents more than 18 international brands including DKNY, Marc Jacobs and Paul Smith. The portfolio also includes such lifestyle and beauty brands as Apivita, Aveda and Natura Bisse.

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  • Hong Kong shines for Sandro Asia

    Hong Kong shines for Sandro Asia

    Paris-based affordable luxury fashion chain Sandro Asia, along with sister brand Maje and Claudie Pierlot, recorded 51 per cent year-on-year growth in Asia Pacific in the first six months of the year.

    Sandro opened its largest Asia flagship store in the heart of Causeway Bay in August, and plans to double the size of its year-old store in Tsim Sha Tsui’s Harbour City.

    This store quickly became the most lucrative of Sandro’s 410 retail outlets worldwide in terms of sales per square metre. In contrast, total tenant sales at Harbour City fell 14.7 per cent to HK$13.3 billion (US$1.7 billion) in the first half, according to financial filings by its parent company Wharf Holdings.

    Sandro now has eight outlets in Hong Kong, and plans to add another two or three more by the end of next year.

    Branding its products as “accessible luxuries”, Sandro’s CEO Jean-Philippe Hecquet says the segment became “very powerful” when people started to look inside their wallets.

    Hecquet, who previously worked for luxury group LVMH, says upper-middle-class consumers still want to enjoy their life even with less money. “They still want to buy luxury products, for sure.”

    Sandro’s launched in Hong Kong in 2012, and Hecquet admits it may have missed the “golden age” when mainland shoppers would queue up outside Chanel, Gucci and Louis Vuitton outlets. But he says that while business is slowing for the traditional luxury brands, “we still see very decent traffic”.

    He believes the emerging young upper-middle class in Asia will be the future powerhouse for luxury goods, and the right time to expand is now. Hong Kong’s retail downturn has freed up more prime retail space and rents are going down. “We have been waiting for a long time to be able to open a flagship,” says Hecquet.

    He says the average age of Sandro’s customers in Hong Kong is between 25 and 30 years, and mainland visitors contribute to a significant portion of sales.

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  • Osaka foothold for Asics Tiger Japan

    Osaka foothold for Asics Tiger Japan

    With marble shoe walls and shining white centre tables, Asics Tiger Japan has opened a store in the Shinsaibashi shopping district of Osaka.

    Street elements of the store design include mortar walls and guard rails, with a yellow accent line on the ceiling. A 6m-wide window lets passersby view the store interior in its entirety.

    Asics Tiger has also redesigned its logo, which features in the furniture and facade of the store. Designed by graphic designer Alan Peckolick, the logo adds the word “tiger” in Asics’ iconic typography.

    The store is on the first floor of Shinsaibashi Opa Kirei Kan.

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  • Hong Kong Lifestyle Comes to Bangkok

    Hong Kong Lifestyle Comes to Bangkok

    Under its mega promotion campaign “In Style ● Hong Kong,”the Hong Kong Trade Development Council (HKTDC) brings “Hong Kong Galleria,” featuring the best of the city’s   fashion, design and gourmet products, to Bangkok’s  Siam Paragon, from now until 9 October.

    HKTDC Executive Director Margaret Fong, said Hong Kong is not only Asia’s leading business hub, it is also Asia’s lifestyle trendsetter. “Hong Kong has a unique East-meets-West multicultural and multilingual environment,” said Ms Fong. “It is always at the frontier of fashion and lifestyle with a wide range of international and local design brands and innovative and creative lifestyle products. The ‘In Style ● Hong Kong’ promotion highlights Hong Kong’s vibrant and unique lifestyle, as well as creativity to Thailand’s consumers and business sector.”

    The “Hong Kong Galleria” at Siam Paragon is divided into three zones, bringing an all-round Hong Kong experience to Bangkok consumers.

    Brand ● In Style
    The HKTDC Design Gallery is collaborating with the popular online shopping site Lazada Thailand on an O2O retail service, featuring such lifestyle brands as The Candle Co, Eco Concepts, GLUSH/, Snugalicious and Tea Lab. On-the-spot ordering with immediate home delivery is available to shoppers. Meanwhile, hktdc.com Small Orders  presents a selection of stylish Hong Kong products from Everlong, Sky’s Creative, HK Keytron, Jet T Technology and PO: Selected. Online shoppers can take advantage of special offers.

    Fashion ● In Style
    Through an e-wardrobe installed at the “Hong Kong Galleria,” visitors can try on the latest collections by popular Hong Kong fashion designers, Doris Kath Chan, Bonita Cheung, Koyo William Cheung, Polly Ho, Henry Lau and Mountain Yam. The six Hong Kong designers, who have featured at international fashion events such as Tokyo Fashion Week, Copenhagen Fashion Week, New York Fashion Week and CENTRESTAGE in Hong Kong, collaborated on a “Thai Silk Crossover” series for “In Style ● Hong Kong”with the unique pieces to be showcased at the “Hong Kong Galleria”.

    Gourmet ● In Style
    Hong Kong is well known as a food lover’s paradise and Cantonese sauces always brighten dishes. The internationally recognised Chinese brand Lee Kum Kee is presenting food tasting sessions featuring its wide range of sauces and condiments. Premium Hong Kong specialty tea brands, Contact Design, Gianna, MingCha and OrTeaTM are also offering complimentary tea-tasting. A collection of Hong Kong-style restaurants in Bangkok, featured by OpenRice Thailand as well as the signature menus developed by designated “Chef ● In Style”, Denice Wai, are available at B.Duck Cafe, Four Seasons Chinese Restaurant and Gokfayuen.

    The Hong Kong Tourism Board will also stage a promotion at the Siam Paragon from 6 to 9 October to showcase Hong Kong as a top travel destination.

    Shop for Hong Kong products
    The HKTDC Design Gallery is collaborating with Betrend and The Selected to offer a range of Hong Kong brands at discounted prices from now until December. Brands to be featured include The Candles Co, Digit Band, Eco Concepts, Team Green, Herkomst, HYOne, Paris Garden、Prima Series, Tea Lab and Team Green.

    Meanwhile, a “Hong Kong Lifestyle Products” promotion is underway in Bangkok, with well-known Hong Kong fashion brands Bossini, Episode, Esprit, Giordano, G2000 and Jessica, as well as popular retail watch brand City Chain and optical boutiques eGG and Optical 88 offering discounts and other consumer incentives.

    To enjoy these offers, simply pick up a Citywide Promotion coupon booklet available at more than 100 participating outlets across Bangkok, featuring over 30 Hong Kong and local brands from 1 September to 31 October, or visit “Hong Kong Galleria” in Siam Paragon from 3 to 9 October. More exciting Hong Kong products and gourmet can also be found at online retailer Lazada Thailand and gourmet website OpenRice Thailand.

    Symposium promoting Hong Kong services
    Apart from the consumer promotions, a symposium targeting the Thai business sector will be held on 6 October at Plaza Athenee Bangkok. Officiating the opening session will be Vincent HS Lo, Chairman of the HKTDC; Rimsky Yuen, Secretary for Justice, Hong Kong Special Administrative Region Government; and Apiradi Tantraporn, Minister of Commerce of Thailand. More than 30 business leaders and experts from Hong Kong and Thailand will offer insights on how Hong Kong can facilitate the business expansion of Thai companies

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  • Cath Kidston’s new owners are taking on Asia

    Cath Kidston’s new owners are taking on Asia

    Cath Kidston Group has been acquired by Asian private equity company Baring Asia and its chairman is to step down. The lifestyle brand has attained new ownership after its previous majority stakeholder TA Associates sold its shares to Baring Asia, who have now become the controlling majority stakeholders. Paul Mason, who has been chairman of the group for six years, is to step down following the acquisition. He will be replaced by a senior advisor to Baring Asia and former chief executive of Gucci Wiliam Flanz.

    This comes as the brand continues expansion into the Asian market. With 70 per cent of its outlets located outside of the UK, Asia has been a key focus for the group in recent years. Its stores in the region have gone from 91 to 131 since 2014, when Baring Asia first invested in the company. The group was reportedly attracted to the group due to their expertise in the region, and its role as one of the most established private equity firms across Asia.

    It now has plans to open in India in Delhi and Mumbai this autumn.

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  • China cuts cosmetics consumption tax

    China cuts cosmetics consumption tax

    China will reduce or remove consumption tax on all cosmetic products, the finance ministry said on Friday, as the country looks to stimulate domestic spending to help prop up slowing economic growth.

    The new policy will see consumption tax – previously set at 30 percent for all cosmetics – waived entirely for non-luxury cosmetic products, while the tax rate on more expensive cosmetics will be cut to 15 percent, the finance ministry said in a statement.

    The move, which comes into effect from Oct. 1, fits with China’s drive to make products more affordable to domestic shoppers, many of whom have traditionally looked to buy more expensive products overseas because of high tax rates at home.

    The cuts could be of some help to imported cosmetics brands, analysts said, but are unlikely to have a major or immediate impact because other steep tariffs mean prices domestically will remain high compared to markets overseas.

    “Cosmetic brands could benefit mildly from the tax reduction with more competitive pricing,” said Jefferies analyst Jessie Guo in a note on Friday. She added, though, that it would only “moderately” boost domestic demand.

    Last year, the ministry slashed import taxes on products from skin care to shoes in a bid to “push forward structural reform” as the country looks to shift its economy to consumption from flagging manufacturing and exports.

    The head of the world’s largest advertising firm, Martin Sorrell, said on Thursday the business environment in China was the toughest he had seen in around three decades, especially hitting international brands.

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  • The top 10 cosmetics brands in China

    The top 10 cosmetics brands in China

    China’s top 10 selling cosmetics brands have been revealed.

    A report by Kantar Worldpanel concludes the beauty market remains buoyant in China over the first half of 2016 with brands battling it out for market share.

    The cosmetics sector is a major driver of growth in the FMCG market in China. The skincare and colour make-up sector grew by 12 per cent and 10 per cent respectively in the year to June 2016, far higher than the overall 3.1 per cent growth rate of the total FMCG industry.

    Kantar says the value growth is due to Chinese consumers becoming more sophisticated in their selection of beauty products, migrating to premium products.

    This also presents brand new opportunities to both international and domestic players.

    In its 2016 Cosmetics Brand Footprint ranking, Kantar Worldpanel reveals the top 10 best-selling brands in China.

    Dabao leads the ranking with 23.1 per cent of the population choice, on average twice a year, meaning Dabao products were put into shoppers baskets 76.7 million times during the year.

    Pechoin occupies second place and was the fastest riser in terms of consumer touch points, adding more than 3.6 million families to its brand over the last 12 months.

    The next eight places are revealed in the chart below.

    Top 10 cosmetics brands in China

    Despite strong growth, China’s cosmetics market remains incredibly competitive.

    Of the 4000 brands tracked by Kantar Worldpanel, only 40 per cent of them saw an increase in net sales.

    Amongst the top 20 growing brands in the market, a rise in penetration contributed 78 per cent to their collective growth, proving that the continual recruitment of shoppers is the key way to grow sales.

    “Consumers today have unprecedented choices available to them thanks to overseas travel and eCommerce, yet the growth of Chinese brands and Korean/Japanese brands are noticeable,” said Jason Yu, GM at Kantar Worldpanel.

    Brands who advocate health, efficacy and fun are winning consumers’ choices, on the back of unique product and marketing innovation as well as smart Omni-Channel deployment.

    Other key conclusions from the Kantar Worldpanel study include:

    • Premiumisation drove 82 per cent of the market’s total growth.
    • Essence will be the next star segment – products at different price points with different functions are appealing to young consumers.
    • There is still significant potential to drive trials of colour cosmetics, and cushion is becoming the point of market entry.
    • Consumers are embracing natural and safe product concepts.
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  • Uniqlo Canada takes it slowly

    Uniqlo Canada takes it slowly

    After the Japanese apparel retailer decided to open its first shop in Canada, Uniqlo Canada COO Yasuhiro Hayashi visited Toronto every month for nearly a year.

    During each visit he would spend the week taking notes on what people were wearing.

    “I didn’t expect that everyone was so unique and multicultural,” says Hayashi, who previously helped launch Uniqlo in Singapore and Indonesia. “That was very surprising in a very positive way. We don’t have a specific target customer – that’s our uniqueness. We say we are made for all.”

    Finally, the company is opening its first store in Canada on Friday, a 28,000-sqft (27,989 sqm) space in the Toronto Eaton Centre, between fast-fashion rival H&M and the newly arrived luxury retailer Nordstrom. A second store opening is planned at Yorkdale Shopping Centre in north Toronto on October 20.

    Even with more than 1000 stores worldwide, Hayashi says Uniqlo may not have the same name recognition in Canada as some of its international rivals before they entered the country. It is a challenges that needs to be overcome if it wants to continue expanding in Canada, but Hayashi says there is no rush.

    “We want to be very cautious,” he says. “Of course, I don’t want to give a name, but some other brands have had ambitious plans that didn’t work out. We want to make sure we serve the customers well and fine-tune the merchandise mix as well.”

    US retailer Target last year abruptly announced it was shutting down all its 133 Canadian stores only two years after arriving. Since then, several international retailers such as Muji, Nordstrom and Saks Fifth Avenue have taken a slower approach to opening locations in Canada.

    Hayashi says Uniqlo’s Toronto stores will largely be the same as its other locations, with a few nuanced differences for Canadian shoppers. Customers can expect more than usual plaid and flannel shirts. Most sizing will be for a North American fit, but there will also be some smaller sizes to reflect Toronto’s multicultural population.

    Uniqlo will also sell house slippers, commonplace in its stores in Asia.

  • Korea’s Etude House refreshens image

    Korea’s Etude House refreshens image

    With a new brand positioning, Korea’s Etude House has been making inroads in the global cosmetics market this year.

    Previously tagged Princess Fantasy, its new positioning line is Sweet Dream. Its makeover includes more sophisticated visuals in its advertisements and packaging designs, plus a new slogan, “Life is Sweet”. The aim is to symbolise the positive energy and values of people in their 20s as Etude House works toward its vision of becoming the “global No. 1 young makeup brand” through overseas expansion, digital content development, new services and innovative products.

    Etude House, owner by Amorepacific has about 230 stores in 12 Asian countries, and by 2020 aims to have increased its number of overseas stores by 50 per cent.

    From June, Etude House has been managing a multi-channel network, the Beautizens Club, to support the development of new beauty content creators. This has led to 25 content creators from Asia being chosen as “beautizens” to receive makeup tutorials.

    Etude House also has a new mobile app that lets customers administer their account. It also contains digital content that analyses purchasing patterns and draws on age-group general preferences to suggest colours.

    In co-operation with the Seoul Metropolitan Rapid Transit Corporation, the brand offers customers the option to pick up their online-ordered products at lockers inside subway stations.

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  • Jimmy Choo Asia sales rises

    Jimmy Choo Asia sales rises

    Jimmy Choo Asia sales are soaring, despite the downturn in the luxury market.

    While the company does not break down its Asian sales figures by market, analysts are reporting “record growth” in Hong Kong and China, in part aided by the opening of a new store in Macau.

    Total revenues from Asia (excluding Japan) rose 22.1 per cent on a reported currency basis in the six months to June 30, reaching £27.1 million. Jimmy Choo opened two new stores of its own in Asia during the six months and six franchised stores.

    Next year the company plans new flagships in Tokyo, Shanghai and Beijing.

    Sales in Japan increased by 18.2 per cent on reported currency basis with men’s footwear sales and the strong yen driving growth.

    The company plans 200 stores Asia-wide to take advantage of the region’s “untapped growth potential”.

    The UK-based company recently marked 20 years since it was founded by Malaysian cobbler of the same name, who was later forced out of the business in controversial circumstances and now runs his own exclusive, unrelated Jimmy Choo Couture boutique in London.

    One of the reasons for the brand’s success in Asia is its unconventional marketing activities.

    Last September, brides in the Philippines were able to order customised shoes from its stores, selecting texture, style and colour and adding a personal monogram. This year, the concept was expanded to include handbags.

    In Malaysia, customers can customise the color, texture and finishes of their heels and add names, initials or even dates to their handbags.

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  • Hermes Malaysia pops up in Pavilion

    Hermes Malaysia pops up in Pavilion

    Parisian luxury goods brand Hermes Malaysia has opened a pop-up store in Fashion Avenue in Pavilion KL in Kuala Lumpur.

    It showcases the brand’s latest autumn/winter Hermesistible accessories collection, featuring bracelets and necklaces in bold, bright prints and colour.

    Hermes Malaysia pops up in Pavilion

    Hermèsistible also offers a new dictionary of moods introducing such terms as “compliclarity” (a capacity for adding complexity in the search of well-ordered life), “hyperstition” (being spellbound to the point of indecision) and “bijourmandise” (insatiable appetite for the perfect fashion jewellery).

    Hermes Malaysia pops up in Pavilion 2

    On level three, the store will be open until October 9.

    For more great pictures of the Hermèsistible Pop Up Store @ Fashion Avenue, Pavilion KL, visit Sarah’s blog here.

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  • This new pop up store is a retail experience like you’ve never experienced in Singapore

    This new pop up store is a retail experience like you’ve never experienced in Singapore

    The new pop up store at Tangs Orchard is unlike any you’ve ever seen before in Singapore.

    A combination of fashion, art and technology, 庄 Zhuang – Home for Singapore Designers is an art installation that is also a retail experience featuring Singapore local designers and brands

    .庄 Zhuang is the result of a collaboration between the of Textile and Fashion Federation of Singapore (Taff) and local retailer Tangs.

    Photo: Textile & Fashion Federation (Singapore) Facebook page

    Multi-disciplinary artist, Daryl Goh was commissioned to create Installation Lucid, an art installation that uses light and colours alongside 3D projection mapping technology.

    A cool rotating collection of outfits designed by local designers will also be projected onto a mannequin showcase – perfect for a Snap or Instagram Story!

    Photo: Textile & Fashion Federation (Singapore) Facebook page

    Some big Singapore fashion brands to keep an eye out for include Frontrow by Klarra, Mash-up, Revasseur, Ying the label, plus beautiful accessories from CN Collectiv and Desti Saint.

    Award-winning lifestyle brands like Hinika by Jarrod Lim, Desinere and Love SG will be present too.

    New brands will be introduced throughout the seven months, so each time you go to the shop it will mean a new retail experience with treasures just waiting to be bought.

    庄 Zhuang – Home for Singapore Designers is located at Tangs at Tangs Plaza, Level 4 to Level 6, from September 2016 to mid-April, 2017.

     

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  • Maison Margiela Japan opens in Ikebukuro

    Maison Margiela Japan opens in Ikebukuro

    Maison Margiela Japan has opened a new boutique in the Seibu Department Store in Ikebukuro, Tokyo.

    Customers of the fifth-floor store are greeted with marble flooring and walls adorned with lush cotton drapery.

    In between merchandise displays are silver chrome and clear glass furniture.

    Margiela says its latest Tokyo store combines “Ottoman architectural influences with modernist, industrial furnishing”.

    maison-tokyo

    The French luxury fashion house, headquartered in Paris, was founded in 1988 by Belgian designer Martin Margiela. It is known for its luxury Italian-made avant garde and deconstructed ready-to-wear and leather accessories.

    It has stores in 11 major cities of Japan, along with Hong Kong and Mainland China, South Korea, Thailand and Taiwan.

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  • FJ Benjamin posts third loss in row

    FJ Benjamin posts third loss in row

    Singapore-listed lifestyle brand FJ Benjamin has posted notice of its third consecutive year of losses.

    The listed company made its announcement after Tuesday’s market closing, saying its latest six-month average daily market capitalisation was S$38.8 million (US$28.5 million).

    FJ Benjamin says it will make an immediate announcement should it be placed on the Singapore Exchange watch list.

    Companies are placed on the list if they record pre-tax losses for the three most recently completed consecutive financial years, and an average daily market capitalisation of less than S$40 million over the previous six months.

    Dating back to 1959, FJ Benjamin Holdings specialises in brand building and management through distribution and retail. With offices in Indonesia, Malaysia and Singapore, it manages more than 20 brands and has 226 stores. In August it announced it had secured the Singapore and Malaysian rights to Marc Jacobs.

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