Retail News CRM

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.

  • Asia drives All Saints growth

    Asia drives All Saints growth

    Asia has proven the major driver of All Saints growth in the last year’s reported sales.

    A stellar set of results was led by international sales growth of 12 per cent to £108.2 million, as it opened 23 new stores internationally in countries including Japan, South Korea, Taiwan and the US.

    The retailer has big ambitions for its international arm, as it aims for international sales to account for nearly two-thirds of the business by 2020 (currently 43 per cent), with Asia and the Middle East being the prime focus. All Saints has also performed well in its home market, with UK sales up 7.4 per cent to £144.3 million, while online sales grew 33 per cent to reach £47.3 million – 19 per cent of total sales.

    All Saints’ continued success is evidence of how having a distinct design signature, desirable brand image and a loyal shopper base is imperative in a tough trading environment, as it keeps the brand front of mind for shoppers. The retailer has remained true to its edgy design aesthetic, and translated it effectively into range extensions such as its Capital collection of women’s handbags. It is also capitalising upon its relatively unique position of being equally desirable for both men and women (sales are split almost equally) by launching a men’s bags and accessories ranges, following the success of the Capital collection. All Saints continues to keep shoppers engaged via regular product drops, a broad but well-edited collection and a distinct instore customer experience.

    All Saints

    All Saints has maintained tight control over its brand image, and chosen to enter new markets directly through own stores and partnerships with department stores, rather than through wholesale and licensing – a strategic move that has helped make its mark in new territories without diluting the brand.

    It has also managed to control online costs effectively as it owns its distribution centres and does its website coding in-house; while its diversified market presence and direct sourcing model has helped it achieve a natural hedging position, broadly protecting it from currency fluctuations.

    All Saints’ focus on controlling costs and protecting brand image as it expands, will continue to stand it in good stead, and help achieve sales growth in 2016/17.

    –Nivindya Sharma

    Lees ook:

  • Art feature of Gentle Monster flagship

    Art feature of Gentle Monster flagship

    Luxury eyewear brand Gentle Monster from South Korea has opened a flagship store, The Artisan, in Shanghai.

    It is on a tree-lined stretch of Huaihai Zhong Lu, an artery road in the former French Concession.

    Gentle Monster flagship - Shanghai 8

    Gentle Monster has opened several flagship stores in the past two years, in Seoul, Beijing, Hong Kong and New York City.

    Supervised by creative director Hankook Kim, the design concept for the store is loosely inspired by an artisan’s workshop, and features several rooms each with a distinctly different design. The settings are either functional or experiential, but always feature specially designed fixtures and furnishings to give each flagship store an individual touch.

    Gentle Monster flagship - Shanghai 1

    Looking more like an art gallery than an eyewear shop, it includes kinetic art that produces sound, with a multi-layered entrance.

    A feature is a motorised installment of wood and metal, appropriately named Sound Wave, that produces a repetitive dull sound with its flowing movement.

    Gentle Monster flagship - Shanghai 6

    Gentle Monster flagship - Shanghai 5With a distressed wall, the Carpenter Artisan space holds a tree trunk on its side, its top resting on a pile of bricks from a broken wall. It is dissected by metal boxes, and expresses the process of crafting via a gradual transition from tree to lumbar. Other features include a fanned “stairway” of plans, a table full of wood shavings and timber “artworks”.

    Gentle Monster flagship - Shanghai 2

    Gentle Monster flagship - Shanghai 4

    Behind the entrance ceiling light is a triangular wooden roof structure, formerly supported by the bricks that now lay under the tree in the wooden artisan space. It expresses the passion of artisans and their willingness to deconstruct and tear down in order to create something new.

    Gentle Monster flagship - Shanghai 7

    With two circular rooms, the Metal Atelier of Artisan space features lines flowing in from the stairs and the black walls, expressing the processing of metal. The larger room shows raw metal with repetitive images of pipes, while the smaller room displays polished and machined metal.

    Gentle Monster flagship - Shanghai 9

    To highlight the contrast between metal and wood, an installation inspired by the intangible sounds on the first floor features vertical boards on a stairway, indicating crafts flowing through the corridors and representing the resting mind of a troubled artisan.

    gentle-monster

    Amid all this, the Shanghai store displays the brand’s full range of prescription eyewear and sunglasses, as well as collaboration models with brands such as Hood by Air, Opening Ceremony and Six Lee.

    Lees ook:

    Lees ook:

  • Labuan duty-free shops not ready

    Labuan duty-free shops not ready

    Shops that applied for the Customs Kedai Bebas Cukai (Duty-free Shop) licence to enable them to continue being engaged in the sale of duty-free cigarettes, liquor and beer, have not been successful in obtaining approval.

    An observation of the premises operated by the applicants showed that the applicants had failed to meet the main requirements needed before a licence could be issued.

    The three main requirements are: 1. A desk at the premises for a Customs official to be stationed to monitor the daily sales of the items. 2. A computer 3. Internet connection

    Failure to comply with these requirement will result in the application for licence not being approved.

    This was stated in a circular issued by Customs officer Hjh Mirani Hj Majidi who signed on behalf of the Labuan Customs Department Director. The circular was issued to all applicants.

    Labuan Chinese Chamber of Commerce (LCCC) Chairman Datuk Wong Kii Yii (pic) said it is obvious that the market is not ready for the implementation of the new system to monitor sales at the point of sale.

    He suggested that under the circumstances, it was best the new rules be deferred until such time when the applicants were ready to invest in the fittings and space as required by the department.

    Wong said in the meantime the department could beef up its enforcement at well-known spots on the island where contraband cargoes were loaded into small boats.

    “This will cost less money for the department than basing an official in all the duty-free shops which could be about 20.

    This is a simple solution. We support the Government and public,” said Wong. The new Customs rules on retail sales of cigarettes, liquor and beer should have been effective from yesterday (Nov 1).

    A random survey showed most of the shops were selling the items as before. Some, however, took them off their shelves for fear.

    Lees ook:

    Lees ook:

    Lees ook:

    Lees ook:

  • Why Victoria’s Secret needs to push a lot of bras at new shop

    Why Victoria’s Secret needs to push a lot of bras at new shop

    Nothing lasts forever.

    Fashion retailer Forever 21 is to withdraw from its Causeway Bay mega flagship store, billed as the most expensive commercial store by rent in Hong Kong.

    The iconic location on Jardine Crescent, which serves as a meeting point for young locals who seek to avoid the hordes of mainlanders outside Sogo, will be taken up by Victoria’s Secret.

    Media reports say the US lingerie chain, which is well known for its sexy bras and gorgeous models, has inked a 10-year lease for the 51,188-square-foot property at HK$7 million a month. 

    That is almost half what Forever 21 is paying now in monthly rental for the six-storey retail space.

    The fashion retailer is coughing up about HK$13.8 million per month, making the space the most expensive of the firm’s over 500 outlets in nine countries, after signing a six-year lease in 2010.

    To get the prime property, Forever 21 was said to have offered a 100 percent increase in rents that started at HK$11 million, helping it dislodge long-time tenants such as Giordano, Watson and Café de Coral.

    That lease will end next August.

    With its decision now to move out of the premises, the US fast-fashion chain has joined a group of foreign brands such as Coach and Gap that have stopped expanding in Hong Kong due to a weak retail sector outlook amid a fall in mainland visitor numbers to the city.

    Last year, Coach made a multimillion-dollar payment to walk out of a lease at Hing Wai Building at 36 Queen’s Road in Central.

    The 13,000-square-foot shop was then taken up by Adidas for HK$4.34 million a month, significantly less than what Coach had been paying.

    Opposite to the former Coach flagship store was the former Gap flagship store, which had been leased for HK$5 million per month since 2010.

    But this year, Gap has discontinued its Mongkok shop in MPM Plaza, according to Apple Daily.

    Meanwhile, Forever 21 moved across to Mongkok in September, opening a 19,000-square-foot outlet at the Pakpolee Commercial Centre, its second outlet in Hong Kong.

    Now, coming back to the new tenant that will replace Forever 21 at Capitol Centre in Causeway Bay, the question for Victoria’s Secret is this: how many sexy bras will it need to sell to be able to pay the rent?

    Assuming an average HK$500 price for push-up bras, the premium lingerie maker would need to sell at least 466 bras per day to meet the rent.

    As rent usually accounts for a third of the cost of sales, that would mean that Victoria’s Secret will have to peddle 1,400 bras per day before making a single dollar of profit.

    In other words, they need to sell more than half a million bras in one store alone in a year.

    Over the 10-year rental period, the store will need to sell over 5 million bras, something we would imagine wouldn’t be too easy.

    Given this, don’t be surprised if you see the retailer opt for a lift in its product prices.

     

    Lees ook:

    Lees ook:

    Lees ook:

  • Esprit Holdings’ sales decline is no surprise

    Esprit Holdings’ sales decline is no surprise

    In line with expectations, a first-quarter decline of 11.8 per cent in sales has been recorded by clothing, footwear, accessories, jewellery and housewares manufacturer Esprit Holdings.

    It says the results for the quarter ended September 30 were as expected following a reduction in operating costs and store footprint. The company reduced total controlled space (retail and wholesale) by 14.5 per cent, closing unprofitable stores. During the quarter it closed 9240 sqm of retail net sales area, (mainly concession counters in China), further reducing the group’s retail net sales area to 282,332 sqm.

    Because of structural pressure in its wholesale channel, its controlled space was also further reduced, by 13,304 sqm in the quarter to 343,448 sqm. Notwithstanding this, the decline in wholesale revenue was 11.4 per cent, reflecting an improvement in space sales productivity, Esprit said.

    While sales productivity continued to improve in July and at the beginning of August, this turned negative in line with general market developments. Since mid-August temperatures in Europe were far higher than during the same period last year, significantly impacting store traffic and initial sales of the autumn collections both offline and online.

    For the Asia Pacific, lower consumer traffic hit sales, as well as a strategic decision to restructure the company’s retail footprint and cut back on promotional activity. “As expected, these measures put short-term pressure on revenue, but they are crucial for Esprit to regain profitability in the mid-term,” said the group.

    “Despite the weak sales development in the first quarter, the group’s results remain on track and management stays focussed on the execution of the strategic plan: developing the vertical and omnichannel models; tackling the challenges in the wholesale channel and in Asia Pacific; and pushing the reduction of structural costs further in order to continue the recovery of the group’s overall profitability.”

  • Indonesian Muslim fashion brand penetrates British market

    Indonesian Muslim fashion brand penetrates British market

    Indonesian Muslim fashion brand Elzatta Dauky by Elhijab successfully penetrated the UK market at the Muslim Lifestyle Expo in Manchester city over the weekend.

    “Elzatta Dauky is participating in this exhibition for the second time, having appeared previously at the Indonesian Weekend,” the companys Head of Brand Strategy Ina Binandari said here on Tuesday. In addition to exhibiting Muslim fashion products, Elzatta Dauky also showcased 10 designs at a fashion show themed “Gloomessence.”

    The Muslim Lifestyle Expo, one of the biggest Muslim-focused fairs in the world, saw participation from over a hundred exhibitors from various countries, including the United States, Turkey, Germany, Russia, Austria and Malaysia.

    Elzatta Dauky was the only Indonesian participant.

    The organizers said more than 10,000 people from across the city had visited the exhibition.

    Speaking of the brands future plans, Binandari explained that Elzatta Dauky by Elhijab was gearing up to launch an online store in the United Kingdom.

    “Hopefully, with the online store, we will be able to meet the fashion demands of the Muslim community here,” Binandari stated.

    Reports from Thomson Reuters suggested Muslim consumer spending on food, lifestyle products, and services will reach an estimated 1.9 billion pounds sterling in 2020, up from the 1.3 billion pounds sterling seen in 2014.

    Data from the Office for National Statistics, released in late January 2016, show that the number of Muslims in the United Kingdom has, for the first time, exceeded three million, amounting to 3,114,992 people in 2014, equivalent to 5.4 percent of the total population of the country.

    Lees ook:

    Lees ook:

  • DFS Group, will launch the eighth annual Masters of Time exhibition on December 3

    DFS Group, will launch the eighth annual Masters of Time exhibition on December 3

    DFS Group, the world’s leading luxury travel retailer, will launch the eighth annual Masters of Time exhibition on December 3, 2016 with a gala event at T Galleria by DFS, Macau in partnership with Shoppes at Four Seasons. Widely recognized as the world’s leading retail exhibition of fine watches and jewelry, this year’s Masters of Time event embraces the theme of relationships and is inspired by the close bonds that inspire collectors when building their watch collections.

    By recognizing the significant life moments that are often commemorated through purchasing a timepiece, and understanding the thought process that accompanies the selection of a new watch, DFS Group becomes a part of every watch’s story. The relationships between luxury retailers and their prestigious clientele, between a customer and their timepiece, are all explored throughout the program. The exclusive exhibition of over 400 pieces from 27 brands will be shown in store at T Galleria by DFS and available for purchase until February 28, 2017.

    This year DFS expands the experience to members of the public as, in addition to the prestigious gala event, they will be able to experience and enjoy a wide array of activations. TAG Heuer will offer a virtual reality experience from August to December; the Franck Muller flagship boutique opens at the end of November; Girard Perregaux celebrates its 225th anniversary with an exhibition during December; and Bulgari will house the Finissimo Minute Repeater exhibition with experiential and educational activities from November to February 2017. Cartier will celebrate the concept of time with a showcase of some of the maison’s most exceptional creations from the high watchmaking and high jewelry worlds.

    “For over 500 years, the watchmaking industry and its craftsmen have worked to encapsulate time in the form of a watch. This year’s Masters of Time not only celebrates the relationship between man and machine, but also the pivotal moments and relationships in life we all seek to commemorate. We’re thrilled to once again host the world’s top collectors and explore  those relationships and the meaning behind these precious pieces, and of course to take a privileged first look at this exceptional Masters of Time collection,” said Philippe Schaus, DFS Group Chairman and Chief Executive Officer.

    Christophe Chaix, DFS Group Senior Vice President Fashion, Watches, Jewelry and Accessories, added, “This year’s Master of Time exhibition showcases an exclusive range of luxury watches and fine jewelry that perfectly epitomizes the latest and most cutting-edge innovations and designs in watchmaking. Through our partnerships with the world’s leading watch and fine jewelry brands, we are able to curate a truly unique and unparalleled exhibition and provide our loyal customers with an unmissable opportunity to build their collection with DFS.”

    2016 DFS MASTERS OF TIME COLLECTION

    This year’s exhibition includes exclusive pieces from brands including: Arnold & Son; Angelus; Blancpain; Breguet; Bulgari; Cartier; Chopard; Franck Muller; Girard-Perregaux; Glashütte Original; Hautlence; H. Moser & Cie; Hermès; Hublot; IWC Schaffhausen; Jaeger-LeCoultre; Jaquet Droz; Manufacture Royale; Officine Panerai; Omega; Piaget; Roger Dubuis; Speake Marin; Tiffany & Co.; Vacheron Constantin; Van Cleef & Arpels; Zenith and more. 

    Highlights include:

    • Breguet’s Tradition Independent Chronograph 7077
    • Bulgari’s Octo Finissimo Répétition Minutes
    • Cartier’s Panther High Jewelry Watch with two panther heads decor
    • Girard-Perregaux’s La Esmeralda Tourbillon
    • Glashütte Original’s Senator Excellence
    • Hautlence’s Labyrinth
    • Moser & Cie’s Swiss Alp Watch S.
    • Jacquet Droz’s Petite Heure Minute Thousand Year Lights
    • Jaeger-LeCoultre’s Rendez-vous Moon
    • Roger Dubuis’ Blossom Velvet Blue
    • Vacheron Constantin’s Overseas World Time
    • Van Cleef & Arpels’ Jour Nuit Fée Ondine
    • Zenith’s Heritage Pilot Ton-Up 

    DFS Masters of Time is part of the DFS Masters Series, a signature program of exhibitions that also includes Masters of Wines and Spirits that takes place in Singapore. The Masters Series is a showcase of the pinnacle of DFS’ leadership and innovation in curating and creating exceptional experiences across its five pillars of luxury: Wines and Spirits, Beauty and Fragrances, Watches and Jewelry, Fashion and Accessories, and Food and Gifts.

  • Football Club Barcelona to Launch Exclusive Store on JD.com

    Football Club Barcelona to Launch Exclusive Store on JD.com

    JD.com (Nasdaq:JD), China’s largest e-commerce company by revenue, and FC Barcelona, one of the world’s most popular football clubs, today announced the launch of the FC Barcelona Flagship Store on JD.com’s cross-border e-commerce platform, JD Worldwide. The exclusive store, FC Barcelona’s first store on a Chinese e-commerce platform, will offer a wide selection of authentic merchandise to the millions of FC Barcelona fans around China.

    FC Barcelona Flagship Store on JD.com
    FC Barcelona Flagship Store on JD.com

    FC Barcelona’s store on JD.com will feature a selection of official and authentic FC Barcelona merchandise from the world-famous club, including football kits, training gear, accessories and others. It will also feature special branded shirts from some of the club’s players, including Lionel Messi, Luis Suarez, Neymar, Andrés Iniesta and Gerard Piqué.

    “Fans of FC Barcelona from across China are getting an early Singles Day present with the launch of this store,” said Ting Qi, General Manager of JD Worldwide. “FC Barcelona is one of the best-known brands in global sports and we look forward to working with them to grow that position in China.”

    The FC Barcelona store on JD.com builds on the success of the club’s retail partnership with the Hong Kong-headquartered EZshopnet International Limited, which specializes in football e-commerce.

    Lees ook:

  • Multi-brand boutique Project X launches

    Multi-brand boutique Project X launches

    Project X, a multi-brand boutique that caters to young creative minds, has launched at Plaza Indonesia in Jakarta.

    From Time International, Project X offers a new take on men’s and unisex casual fashion and lifestyle. Its curated retail concept introduces 22 international brands and includes innovative designs in apparel, bags, shoes and accessories such as sunglasses and watches.

    project-x

     

    From Australia, Japan, South Korea and the US, the products are displayed in fun and creative surroundings, including a dessert stall, Sweet Monster, which features popcorn soft ice cream.

    The store has a palette of white and grey with wooden accents.

    “People like to shop and discover edgy pieces, and they like to hang out. It is a lifestyle,” says Time International president director/CEO Irwan Danny Mussry. “We see an opportunity here.”

    A second Project X is planned for Pondok Indah Mall 2.

    Featured brands at the boutique are Andersson Bell (South Korea), Beyond Closet (South Korea), Blankof (South Korea), BLC & BLC Gray (South Korea), Buddy Happy (Japan), Kapten & Son (Australia), Kiruna (Japan), Lapiz+ (South Korea), Luccica (South Korea), Mascolanza (South Korea), Miel Homme (South Korea), Monofold (South Korea), National Publicity (South Korea), PKG (Canada), Rawrow (South Korea), Riokairyu (South Korea), Salad Bowls (South Korea), Supercomma B (South Korea), Thank You Studios (South Korea), Thread Etiquette (US) and Ul: Kin (South Korea), United by Blue (US).

    Founded in the 1960s, Time International manages and runs both multi-brand retail stores – including @Time, InTime, The Time Place and Urban Icon – as well as mono-brand boutiques for such brands as Cartier, Chanel, Chopard, Diesel, Fendi, Fossil, Liebeskind, Poney, Rolex, Tag Heuer and Tory Burch.

    Lees ook:

    Lees ook:

    Lees ook:

    Lees ook:

  • Kering sales soar – even in China

    Kering sales soar – even in China

    Luxury goods and apparel giant Kering has reported a 10.5 per cent global rise in revenues in the latest quarter, with luxury sales up 11.3 per cent and sports and lifestyle brands up 9.3 per cent.

    Most significantly, at a time its peers are battling falling sales in Hong Kong, Macau and some brands even in Mainland China, Kering seems to have experienced respectable results in those core markets.

    Paris-based Kering’s brands range from luxury labels Gucci, Bottega Veneta and Yves Saint Laurent through to lifestyle brand Puma. The company says sales in directly operated luxury stores enjoyed double-digit growth across all geographic regions excluding Japan, with strong growth of 24 per cent in Asia-Pacific, a very steady 17 per cent increase in North America and an “extremely good performance” in Western Europe, which expanded by 12 per cent.

    “In a complex environment, we stepped up the pace of revenue growth and continued to gain market share,” said Francois-Henri Pinault, chairman and CEO. “Thanks to the creativity of our brands and the outstanding customer experience they offer, we achieved double-digit increases across all geographic regions excluding Japan.

    “We have laid the foundations for steady, sustainable growth, and are highly confident about the full year.”

    Kering’s headline brand Gucci achieved a sales increase of 17 per cent, while Yves Saint Laurent sales soared 33.9 per cent, both gaining market share from rivals. Sales were up sharply across all product categories and regions, excluding Japan, where market conditions were lacklustre for the sector as a whole. Gucci sales in directly operated stores rose by 19 per cent. Sales from Gucci’s e-commerce website increased by more than 50 per cent during the quarter.

    Overall, Kering’s luxury activities generated €2.115 billion in revenue during the period, the 11.3 per cent same-store growth its fastest quarterly figure in three years.

    But at Bottega Veneta, third-quarter sales were again impacted by slower tourism, particularly in the mature markets of Western Europe and Japan. Revenue was down 10.9 per cent on a comparable basis.

    Here, Hong Kong’s luxury retail decline impacted on the brand, the company said, without divulging figures: “While sales in directly operated stores were lower in the quarter, they delivered a slight improvement compared to the second-quarter trend thanks to resilient sales to local customers in Europe and growth across all main markets in Asia Pacific, with the exception of Hong Kong.”

    Puma’s leap

    Puma’s 10.8 per cent same-store sales leap was the result of the brand building on innovative products and renewed appeal, Kering said. Shoes performed particularly well, posting 17 per cent growth, fuelled by the success of new models such as Ignite, Fierce and Fenty. Revenue from apparel was up a solid 10 per cent.

    “With the exception of Japan, Puma achieved double-digit growth across all geographic regions, enjoying strong performances in Europe and the Americas, and sustained expansion in Mainland China.”

    Kering has an ensemble of luxury fashion, leather goods, jewellery and watch brands: Gucci, Bottega Veneta, Saint Laurent, Alexander McQueen, Balenciaga, Brioni, Christopher Kane, McQ, Stella McCartney, Tomas Maier, Boucheron, Dodo, Girard-Perregaux, Pomellato, Qeelin and Ulysse Nardin.

    Kering also has the sports & lifestyle brands Puma, Volcom and Cobra. The group generated revenues of more than €11.5 billion in 2015 and had more than 38,000 employees at year end.

    Lees ook:

  • Selfridges shines, Debenhams flounders

    Selfridges shines, Debenhams flounders

    Two iconic British department store brands released their annual trading figures overnight – and the contrast was blinding.

    Debenhams underwhelmed with like-for-like figures showing a decline in sales of 1.1 per cent, ts growth driven purely by the addition of five new stores and online advances.

    Yet Selfridges’ “winning formula” delivered another year of robust sales growth, in the words of Verdict Retail lead analyst Honor Strachan.

    “Its ability to bring on board the right mix of brands, tailor each of its stores to the local audience and create an ever-changing in-store shopping experience has ensured Selfridges remains relevant and an exciting destination among an increasingly demanding shopper base,” said Strachan.

    His colleague Kate Ormrod, a senior analyst, was less complimentary about Debenhams, describing the company’s UK gross transactional value of £2.352 billion as “underwhelming”.

    “Debenhams is slightly in limbo at present while new CEO Sergio Bucher familiarises himself with the company and forms his strategy to revitalise the business. Focus on clothing and homewares is much needed in FY2016/17, as well as ensuring the instore experience is consistent across its UK store portfolio.”

    Ormrod said Debenhams’ online business remains a key asset, and now represents 14.7 per cent of group sales – aided by its focus on mobile, its click & collect service, and investment in IT and systems, which bode well for the Christmas peak.

    “Refocusing the business away from clothing has been successful with solid growth achieved in beauty, gifting and accessories. While trading in the overall clothing market has been volatile, Debenhams must review and refresh its ranges to maintain its appeal and relevance in the market – or face further market share erosion. Selected Designers at Debenhams sub-brands such as Star by Julien Macdonald and J by Jasper Conran feel dated, along with core ranges such as Red Herring and Mantaray. Though Debenhams appears hesitant to rectify its problems in clothing, there is opportunity to target mature shoppers and better compete with the likes of JD Williams,” she said.

    “Debenhams’ strength lies in beauty and the addition of cult brands such as Kat Von D ensure the retailer garners destination appeal both instore and online. Driving cross-sector spending is essential to turn younger beauty shoppers into core Debenhams customers. Plans to introduce lighting to 30 stores, a clear attempt to muscle in on area BHS excelled in, and introduce furniture hubs in eight branches are positive steps, though Debenhams’ overall homewares offer pales in comparison to rival John Lewis in terms of breadth and destination appeal.

    Selfridges deflects the pressure

    Strachan paid tribute to Selfridges’ ability to prosper while facing “immense pressure from sector specialists and online pureplays”. Gross transactional value rising 5 per cent to £1.4 billion.

    A £300 million commitment to refurbishing its Oxford St, London, flagship dented its operating profit, which slipped marginally to £152 million, trimming margins to drop one percentage point to 10.9 per cent.

    “The modernisation of its flagship London store, taking over two years and due to be completed in spring 2018, is central to Selfridges’ strategy in creating destination departments, such as its 2016 openings of the Body Studio and Designer Studio, off the back of its success of its Denim Studio (2013) and Shoe Galleries (2010),” said Strachan.

    “The accessories department is currently being overhauled with the first phase due to open in time for peak Christmas trading, and will undoubtedly benefit from the influx of tourists taking advantage of the weak pound.”

    He said with Selfridges’ proposition heavily skewed to the luxury end of the market, he expects Selfridges to have a very strong second half in 2016/17, resulting in full year growth exceeding its 2015/16 financial year and an increase in its UK department store market share.

    “Selfridges continues to raise the bar by surprising its shoppers – with brand launches including Missguided for example – which is key as we approach a period of more considered spending among domestic consumers.”

  • Asia to account for 50% of Prada sales

    Asia to account for 50% of Prada sales

    Prada expects that its sales in Asia will account for half of its total sales within one year, while sales in China will be 3 times of current sales in the next 2-3 years.

    Deputy Chairman Carlo Mazzi said, “Currently 40 percent of our business comes from Asia, it will rise to 50 percent in the coming year, and I do not think China’s economy will be much affected by the current European economic crisis.”

    Prada Brand completed its listing at Hong Kong stock market in June 2011. It also held its spring and summer fashion show in January, 2011 in Beijing.

    The brand announced that its sales for the first six months of 2011 rose 38 percent year on year to €223 million.

    In addition to Prada Brand, other global fashion brands, such as Burberry, Christian Dior, Rebecca Minkoff are also keenly eyeing the Chinese market.

    Lees ook:

  • Citizen Watch signs Takeshi Kaneshiro for new campaign

    Citizen Watch signs Takeshi Kaneshiro for new campaign

    The summer of 2010 sees Citizen Watch (China) Co., Ltd., and Citizen Watches (H.K.) Ltd. revamping their brand image based on the fitting theme “Innovation, Powered by Willpower”. One of Asia’s top international actors, Takeshi Kaneshiro has officially been signed as the new brand ambassador to launch Citizen’s largest campaign in the history in China and the Asian region.

    In the world of wrist watches, Citizen has always been in the forefront in the deliverance of innovative functionalities. Eco-Drive, Radio-Controlled, and Titanium watches are just some of innovations by Citizen that revolutionised the world of wrist watches. And now with Takeshi Kaneshiro – who personifies sophistication, intelligence and inventiveness – fronting the new “Innovation, Powered by Willpower” themed campaign, Citizen will be embracing its vision to “extend the experience of the world embodied by the Citizen brand to individuals with innovative visions, who aspire to be innovative, and who are always one step ahead of the others”.

    Born on October 11th 1973 in Taiwan of mixed Japanese and Taiwanese parentage, Takeshi Kaneshiro has spread himself between cinema, dramas, and commercials. Some of Kaneshiro’s notable works include: the box-office hit Red Cliff (2008, 2009), K-20 Kaijin Nijumenso Den (2009), The Warlords (2008).

    The shooting of Takeshi Kaneshiro for Citizen’s new campaign was commissioned to world-famous photographer, Kaoru Ijima, who successfully captured Kaneshiro’s steely willpower and sophisticated aura in the advertisements that will resonate with consumers everywhere. Thus, through the astute collaboration between Kaneshiro and Ijima, was born a new innovative campaign visual for Citizen that will reinforce its image as the “ Symbol of Innovative Thinking “.

    True to its brand DNA, Citizen’s new range of Eco-Drive Super Titanium watches – to be launched in Malaysia in Sept 2010 – promises to be highly innovative, with eco-friendly features and sophisticated designs.

    Lees ook:

  • H:Connect brings Korean style to Singapore

    H:Connect brings Korean style to Singapore

    Contemporary South Korean fashion brand H:Connect, fronted by Korean celebrity Yoona of Girls’ Generation, has officially opened its first Southeast Asian store at Bugis Junction in Singapore.

    The brand plans to make the most of the rising appeal of hallyu, or the Korean Wave, across Southeast Asia, which is driving Korean exports of fashion, entertainment and cosmetics in particular.

    It joins more than 300 H:Connect stores across South Korea, China and Taiwan, including a flagship store in the Gangnam district of Seoul.

    In its new Singapore store, the 10-year-old brand features it latest collection for men and women, separated into three themes: City Dweller (understated designs), Nostalgic Insta (combining vintage denim with floral prints and embellishments) and Athleisure (statement sweaters, pullovers and denim with a Korean street-style vibe).

    Prices range from S$19 (US$13.64) for basic tops to $129 for jackets and overcoats.

  • Zalora Support Three Local Designers at Singapore Fashion Week

    Zalora Support Three Local Designers at Singapore Fashion Week

    ZALORA, Asia’s online fashion destination, today announced its partnership with Singapore Fashion Week as the Official E-Tail Partner. This is the second time the online fashion brand is taking part in one of the region’s biggest fashion events of the year. ZALORA will be presenting three Singapore designers and labels namely, Stolen, Aijek, and Max Tan in the Fashion Futures Showcase. Fashion fans in Singapore can purchase the collections on ZALORA from today onwards.

    As the Official E-Tail Partner, ZALORA will be hosting a shoppable Singapore Fashion Week microsite on ZALORA.com that will feature curated collections from Fashion Futures Showcase and Singapore Fashion Week Access, a dedicated show segment for Singapore designers. As part of ZALORA’s commitment to stay up-to-date with the latest trends within the industry, ZALORA is embracing the ‘see now, buy now’ model enabling fashion show goers to purchase their favourite looks immediately.

    Shop Max Tan Spring/Summer 2017, Stolen Spring/Summer 2017, and Aijek Fall/Winter 2016 collections at www.zalora.sg/fashion-week-singapore and on the ZALORA mobile app.

    “ZALORA is proud to be supporting local designer talent in one of the most anticipated fashion events of the year,” said Parker Gundersen, Chief Executive Officer of ZALORA Group. “We’re very passionate about supporting the local fashion industry across all of our markets in Asia, and Singapore Fashion Week provides a great opportunity for us to give the region’s top designers exposure to millions of new consumers on our online platform. It’s also an exciting way for our customers to discover new fashion and to buy product straight from the runway.”

    “Singapore Fashion Week is delighted to be working with ZALORA again this year, as we recognise the growing impact and importance of digital and social media, and connecting designers and labels

    with customers via e-commerce. With the growing trend of ‘See Now, Buy Now’ as well, I believe that online retailers like ZALORA will play an ever-growing role in partnerships with fashion weeks around the world,” commented Tjin Lee, Founder and Chairman of Singapore Fashion Week.

    ZALORA also strongly believes in making fashion more inclusive and accessible. To further engage fashion consumers, the Fashion Futures Showcase will be live-streamed on ZALORA where viewers at home can watch the shows and access exclusive content. Catch all the exciting happenings at Singapore Fashion Week Fashion Futures Showcase on social media at #ZALORAxSGFW.

    Lees ook: