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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.

  • Brooks Brothers Thailand opens Bangkok flagship

    Brooks Brothers Thailand opens Bangkok flagship

    Classic American menswear retailer Brooks Brothers has opened a flagship store at Bangkok’s Gaysorn Shopping Centre, to be followed by more outlets in the city.

    The new Brooks Brothers Thailand store’s interior features a finished wood floor, with shelves stocking garments of various checks, plaids, gingham and stripes. Brooks Brothers produced seersucker as early as the 1950s, and the Bangkok store displays a mannequin in a seersucker suit.

    Brooks Brothers, a private company owned by an Italian billionaire, launched in the US in 1818 and is the oldest retailer in the US. It speaks of personal wealth and achievement. Brooks Brothers suits were featured in the television drama Mad Men.

  • Zara Vietnam to launch in July

    Zara Vietnam to launch in July

    Zara Vietnam says it will open its first store in July, just as Euromonitor International reveals the Vietnamese branded goods market may reach $2.7 billion in value by next year.

    As more than more people can afford branded goods, international fashion brands such as Gap, Mango, Nine West, Ralph Lauren and Topshop have become the choice of many young Vietnamese, especially office workers, says Euromonitor.

    Zara is owned by Inditex, which at the end of its latest fiscal year on January 31 had 7013 shops in 88 markets, including 2000 Zara outlets. If the Spanish fast fashion giant follows its normal international expansion course, it will likely roll out some of its other brands in the market, including Bershka, Pull & Bear, Massimo Dutti, Stradivarius and Zara Home.

    There is already a Vietnamese website selling Zara items, with a showroom in Ho Chi Minh City, but the shop sells alternatively-sourced and end-of-season lines.

    Mango, which targets customers between 18 and 40 years old, has been in Vietnam since 2004 through a franchise contract signed with Maison JSC. It also has other franchise partners, including DAFC, a subsidiary of IPP, and BFF, belonging to Vingroup.

    In 107 markets internationally, Mango had $2.6 billion in revenue last year.

    A survey by Nielsen on Vietnamese consumer confidence has shown that Vietnamese are willing to spend money on holidays, tourism, fashion and high-technology products.

    Meanwhile, Mango and Zara are among brands that have garment factories in Vietnam.

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  • Apple China loses trademark fight

    Apple China loses trademark fight

    A small firm that sells handbags and other leather goods has won a trademark fight with US tech giant Apple China.

    A Beijing court has ruled that Xintong Tiandi Technology can keep using the name Iphone for its leather products, the official Legal Daily newspaper reports. The company registered the trademark in 2010.

    Apple filed a trademark bid for the name for electronic goods in 2002, but this was not approved until 2013.

    “Apple is disappointed the Beijing Higher People’s Court chose to allow Xintong to use the iPhone mark for leather goods when we have prevailed in several other cases against Xintong,” says an Apple spokesman. “We intend to request a retrial… and will continue to vigorously protect our trademark rights.”

    The Chinese firm’s products include leather phone cases, and its leather goods are branded “IPHONE” with a registered trademark symbol.

    iPhone leather China 1

    Apple first brought the case against the company to the Chinese trademark authority in 2012. When that failed, Apple filed a lawsuit in a lower Beijing court. That also ruled against Apple, which then appealed to the higher court.

    In its ruling, the higher court said Apple could not prove it was a well-known brand in China before Xintong Tiandi filed its trademark application in 2007 (Apple iPhones first went on sale in China in 2009).

    Meanwhile, Apple’s latest results show a 13 per cent drop in revenue on slower iPhone sales. Sales in China, its second-biggest market, plunged by 26 per cent.

    Apple also faces other difficulties in China. In March, Beijing passed a law requiring all content shown in China to be stored on servers based on the Chinese Mainland. As a result, Apple’s iBooks and iTunes services were shut down in China. Apple is hoping access to the services will be restored soon.

    Billionaire investor Carl Icahn has just sold all his shares in Apple over concerns about the technology firm’s prospects in China.

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  • Christian Dada Singapore opens flagship

    Christian Dada Singapore opens flagship

    Japanese fashion label Christian Dada has opened its first flagship store in Singapore at the 268 Orchard Road mall.

    Fumiko Takahama Architects designed the interior of the 1700 sqft (157.9 sqm) Christian Dada Singapore boutique, inspired by the Japanese karesansui garden (rock garden). Sheets of black perforated metal are folded, origami-style, to resemble rocks.

    Christian Dada Orchard road

    Founded in 2010 by designer Masanori Morikawa, the Christian Dada label is known for its deconstructed designs. He uses traditional Japanese silk-weaving techniques and the 8th- century yuzen dyeing method, commonly done by hand and used for kimonos and coats.

    Prices range from S$70 (US$51.42) for a bandana to $4620 for a jacket with rabbit-fur collar.

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  • Chow Tai Fook casino interests expand

    Chow Tai Fook casino interests expand

    Hong Kong jewellery retailer Chow Tai Fook Enterprises is diversifying into gaming, and is lead partner in a three-way joint venture developing Vietnam’s second integrated resort casino.

    After a prolonged delay, work has started on the $4 billion project’s first phase, in the UNESCO heritage city of Hoi An in Quan Nam province.

    Also involved in the Nam Hoi An Casino Resort are Vietnamese investment banking firm VinaCapital and Macau junket company SunCity Group. Chow Tai Fook acquired VinaCapital’s majority holding last September, although VinaCapital has announced it will boost its stake from 22.5 to 32 per cent, and also has a major stake in SunCity.

    Chow Tai Fook casino interests in Vietnam, through its New World Development unit, already include two large hotels in Ho Chi Minh City, the New World and the Renaissance Riverside. Three hotels will be included in the Hoi An development.

    Including resorts, an amusement park, golf course, premium villas and apartments, the first phase of the Hoi An project will cost about $500 million and should be completed early 2019. It covers 160ha. The only other integrated resort in Vietnam offering high-end gaming for international tourists is the larger Ho Tram Strip resort near Vung Tau, a beach settlement near Ho Chi Minh City.

    While the Nam Hoi An resort was licensed in 2010, VinaCapital’s original JV partner Genting Malaysia dropped out of the project two years later after deciding that the government’s demand for a minimum US$4 billion investment threshold was too steep considering the property’s gaming options would not be available to local residents.

    Chow Tai Fook, meanwhile, has been aggressively seeking out diversification via casino projects. The company has a stake in The Star Entertainment Group’s $3 billion resort casino project in Brisbane, and in November the Korea Herald reported that Chow Tai Fook had signed a letter of intent to invest $1.6 billion in creating a casino resort at Incheon, near Seoul.

    Chow Tai Fook is a privately held conglomerate controlled by the family of Hong Kong businessman Cheng Yu Tung, Hong Kong’s fourth-richest person who is a longstanding business partner of Stanley Ho Hung Sun, a founder of Macau casino investor SJM Holdings. For the Vietnam project, Chow Tai Fook is working through its entity Gold Yield Enterprises.

    Reuters has quoted industry analysts as saying that Vietnam is within easy reach of wealthy Chinese who provide the lion’s share of gaming revenue in Asia.

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  • Gucci America follows Michael Kors out of IACC

    Gucci America follows Michael Kors out of IACC

    Gucci America has become the second brand to quit the International Anti-Counterfeiting Coalition(IACC) since the US-based group allowed Chinese eCommerce giant Alibaba to become a member last month.

    Describing Alibaba as “our most dangerous and damaging adversary”, Michael Kors left the IACC just after the Washington, DC group let Alibaba on board.

    Gucci, along with other Kering Group brands like Balenciaga, is suing Alibaba in New York, accusing it of knowingly encouraging and profiting from the sale of counterfeit goods on its eCommerce platforms. Alibaba has dismissed the suit as “wasteful litigation”.

    “The IACC stands by its decision and is committed to lean into the future and lead a coalition of the willing,” IACC president Robert Barchiesi says. “Whether it’s payment processors or online marketplaces, the choice is clear, they must be an integral part of the solution.”

    Alibaba’s membership is in a special category without voting rights, originally created when eBay asked to join the coalition, which it has not done as yet.

    Alibaba says its membership will allow it to work more closely and effectively with brands to enforce intellectual property rights.
    There are more than 250 members of the IACC including Apple, Chanel and Cisco Systems.

    Meanwhile, Alibaba Group boss Jack Ma has been confirmed as the IACC’s spring conference speaker.

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  • Furla prepares for IPO

    Furla prepares for IPO

    Italian luxury goods brand Furla has taken its first steps towards a public share offer.

    After extensive negotiations, the shareholders of Furla have reached an agreement with TIP – Tamburi Investment Partners – over the issue of a bond which will later be converted into shares in the company’s future IPO.

    Giovanna Furlanetto, president of Furla says he is “very happy with the step that the company has taken, opening up to the contribution of highly-qualified and ethical professionals, in order to become stronger and more competitive globally to pursue the future growth its heritage deserves”.

    Giovanni Tamburi, TIP president and CEO, said his company was proud to be linked with “one of the most prestigious Italian entrepreneurial excellences, a brand recognised worldwide, which has decided to undertake its IPO with us to further accelerate its already remarkable growth, both in terms of sales and of profitability”.

    No timing has been revealed as yet for the IPO.

     

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  • DFS and Luxottica seek differentiation with Ray-Ban concept in Hong Kong

    DFS and Luxottica seek differentiation with Ray-Ban concept in Hong Kong

    Luxottica says the opening of its Ray-Ban shop-in-shop at Hong Kong International is part of a strategy to differentiate the sunglasses offer in travel retail.

    The company worked with DFS Group to open the first of its kind shop-in-shop in Asian travel retail at the airport’s Midfield Concourse.

    The 15sq m concept features the largest range of Ray-Ban products at any airport in Asia, the companies said. There are dedicated areas for different segments in the Ray-Ban range, including Icons, Tech and Lifestyle, as well as a section for Ray-Ban Kids.

    Shoppers are also being given the opportunity to experience the benefits of polarised lenses through Ray-Ban’s Polarised Tester technology.

    “Ray-Ban has the brand equity, range and product innovation to sustain a dedicated shop-in-shop,” said Luxottica Head of Global Channels Francis Gros. “At a major global hub airport like Hong Kong, with a large multi-site retail footprint, it’s important to differentiate the sunglasses offer, and our new Ray-Ban shop-in-shop is part of this strategy.

    “DFS constantly strives to offer shoppers something exceptional and new and they have been very supportive of our vision to make travel retail the expert channel for sunglasses.”

    DFS Group Director Merchandising for Sunglasses, Fashion Jewelry, and Watches Jason Blejwas commented: “Sunglasses continues to be a strong category for DFS and we are committed to bringing our customers the products they love in an engaging and enticing environment.”
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  • Princess of Thailand’s Sirivannavari to Debut Pop-up at La Rinascente

    Princess of Thailand’s Sirivannavari to Debut Pop-up at La Rinascente

    Sirivannavari, the women’s label founded by Sirivannavari Nariratana, the Princess of Thailand, is debuting a pop-up shop at Milanese department store La Rinascente.

    A look from Sirivannavari spring/summer 2016 collection

    Opening from May 18 to June 14, this will be located on the store’s fourth floor dedicated to women’s wear.

    The pop-up shop will carry the latest collection of the luxury Thai label, which was founded in 2005. For spring, Nariratana, who studied fashion at Paris’ École de la Chambre Syndicale de la Couture Parisienne, was inspired by the Versailles Castle to design a lineup incorporating a range of art references from the Romantic and Impressionistic periods. The collection is focused on the combination of rich graphics and details with sculptural shapes. It includes a tulip dress; a blazer with rounded shoulders; a gown with a bodice embroidered with 3-D flowers, as well as a bolero jacket showing gooseberry-like embellishments.

    Sirivannavari operates a flagship at Bangkok’s Siam Paragon shopping mall.

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  • Hong Kong mars Estee Lauder Asia result

    Hong Kong mars Estee Lauder Asia result

    Beauty giant Estee Lauder says its Asian sales rose in every country except Hong Kong in the last quarter.

    Estee Lauder Asia achieved double-digit growth in Korea, Japan, Australia and Taiwan and achieved “solid” constant currency sales gains in China and Thailand.

    “The higher sales in China reflected sales gains in most brands due to continued distribution expansion and increased online activity,” the company said in an earnings statement.

    “In Hong Kong, the reduction in tourism from China continues to negatively impact business, particularly for the Estee Lauder, Clinique and La Mer brands. The company remains cautious of the near-term slower growth there.”

    Foreign currency translation unfavorably impacted reported sales by 5 per cent with the largest impact affecting China, Korea and Australia.

    In Asia-Pacific, operating income decreased, with lower results reported primarily in Hong Kong and China.

    “The lower results in Hong Kong were primarily due to the lower sales, and in China were attributable to increased marketing, selling and store operations costs. These lower results were partially offset by higher operating income in Japan and Singapore,” the company said.

    In its outlook for the full 2016 year, now nine months complete, Estee Lauder said it expects the global prestige beauty market  to continue to generate solid growth.

    “However, volatility and economic challenges are expected to continue to negatively impact Hong Kong and some emerging markets challenged by weak currencies. The company’s growth has outpaced global prestige beauty and is expected to continue growing faster than the industry, demonstrating the company’s ability to successfully navigate volatility. The company expects to increase targeted investment spending in the fiscal 2016 fourth quarter compared with the prior year, behind areas with good momentum or with opportunities for share gains, as well as in capabilities to sustain future growth.”

    Globally, net sales for the company’s third quarter to March 31 totalled US$2.66 billion, a 3 per cent increase compared over the $2.58 billion in the prior-year quarter. Net earnings were $265.6 million, down on the $272.1 million of last year.

    Meanwhile, Estee Lauder has revealed plans to save between $200 million and $300 million a year through a series of job cuts, retraining and restructuring initiatives.

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  • New finger ‘food’ from KFC Hong Kong

    New finger ‘food’ from KFC Hong Kong

    Advertising agency Ogilvy & Mather (Ogilvy) has pushed the boundaries of creativity by launching two edible nail polishes for KFC Hong Kong, bringing the fast-food giant’s tagline “Finger Lickin’ Good” to life.

    Working with food technologists at flavour giant McCormick, which makes KFC’s 11 secret herbs and spices mix, Ogilvy used natural ingredients for the edible nail-polish flavours, basing them on the brand’s popular recipes, Original and Hot & Spicy.

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    Packaged in a designer bottle and box, the product has been teased on social-media platforms, including Facebook and YouTube, for the past two weeks ahead of an exclusive launch and tasting.

    An online music video has also been released, asking Hong Kongers to choose which flavour to go into mass production.

    KFC Finger licking good nail polish 2

    Ogilvy creative director John Koay says the recipe for the nail polish was designed to hold the flavour yet also dry with a glossy coat similar to normal nail polish.

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  • Guess Malaysia goes white in KL

    Guess Malaysia goes white in KL

    Fashion brand Guess Malaysia has revamped its Suria KLCC branch to incorporate its contemporary white store concept.

    US-headquartered Guess, launched in Malaysia in 1992, now has 33 stores in the market – 20 Guess, seven Guess Accessories and six Guess Kids.

    Its its new minimalist 2300 sqft (214 sqm) space, Guess KLCC carries ready-to-wear styles for men and women, accessories and jewellery, and its more exclusive apparel (the Guess Pavilion KL flagship is the only other outlet in Malaysia carrying the exclusive collections).

    Denim is still a big focus for the brand, and the new store features a “denim menu” arranged according to the wash of the jeans.

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  • ZALORA Ties the Knot with Customers through Oracle Marketing Cloud

    ZALORA Ties the Knot with Customers through Oracle Marketing Cloud

    ZALORA, the largest e-commerce fashion company in Southeast Asia, has extended its partnership with Oracle Marketing Cloud. ZALORA has relied on Oracle Marketing Cloud technology since 2013 to send its customers targeted and personalized marketing communications at scale.

    ZALORA is the fastest growing online fashion retailer in Asia, operating across eight countries (Singapore, Indonesia, Malaysia & Brunei, the Philippines, Thailand, Vietnam, Hong Kong and Taiwan). The e-commerce platform works with a good mix of over 500 international and local labels, providing consumers with a diverse range of apparel, footwear and accessories, tech products, beauty essentials, sporting equipment and more.

    “We are happy to have achieved the success we have today, and want to continue offering the best-in-class customer experience across our digital channels. For us it is not just about understanding our customers preferences, but making sure we listen and respond to their digital body language to develop a personalised dialogue with each and every customer,” said Joshua Tan, Head, Regional CRM, ZALORA.

    ZALORA communicates with more than 10 million app users, 7 million Facebook fans, 500,000 Instagram followers, 120,000 Twitter followers, and over 2.2 million email, call and online chat requests. Today, the platforms cater to the varying customer profiles where ZALORA provides individualized experiences for each of their customers’ interests.

    “Our earlier marketing efforts were batch and blast, but as the business evolved, we saw the need to respond to increased expectations from our customers for a personalized dialogue. Being able to orchestrate individualized communications and make informed, data-driven decisions is key. Having the right tools makes our job much easier, that’s why we chose to extend our investment in Oracle’s Marketing Cloud technology,” said Mr. Tan.

    With Oracle Marketing Cloud, ZALORA is able to speak to customers in a relevant and personalized way. Automated programmes equip ZALORA with the ability to analyse customer behaviour and better understand how to incentivise customers.

    ZALORA has since managed to half the time needed for lead conversion to capture a larger customer base, which has resulted in a multifold increase in revenue. Oracle’s marketing cloud technology allows ZALORA to create automated programmes that have helped reduce the resources previously required.

    “ZALORA is an innovative company that appeals to a young, constantly engaged audience. We are happy that Oracle Marketing Cloud is able to support their marketing organisation with a platform that allows them to intelligently and creatively communicate a cohesive brand message across channels, and deliver a world-class customer experience,” said Paul Cross, Group Vice President, Customer Success, Oracle Marketing Cloud Asia Pacific.

    ZALORA currently has 10 automated programmes in place and has plans to expand the number of triggered touchpoints with customers, to further enhance cross-channel marketing and grow their customers into strong brand advocates.

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  • SEVVA Tailors an All American High Tea in Collaboration with RALPH LAUREN May 12th to June 11th

    SEVVA Tailors an All American High Tea in Collaboration with RALPH LAUREN May 12th to June 11th

    If the thought of high tea feels quintessentially British, think again. Tastemaker extraordinaire Bonnae Gokson is creating another stylish afternoon tea set for yet another luxury fashion house – Ralph Lauren, to celebrate the launch of womenswear at the Landmark Prince’s flagship store. The brand has collaborated with SEVVA and will hold an All American Afternoon Tea there for the month – a high tea founded on favourite American flavours and inspired by the exclusive Cut Lace Capsule collection’s lace pattern.

    Ms Gokson has been a fan of the brand for years and it was just 2014 when Mr Ralph Lauren himself, held a big book launch party at his Madison mansion in New York for Bonnae’s award winning book launch.

    American Splendour

    Ralph Lauren made waves among the fashion glitterati when it opened a stunning womenswear level at Landmark Prince’s, where interiors and collections at the store are the epitome of cool and calming chic. The 10,000 square-foot Ralph Lauren Landmark Prince’s store will now feature a premium assortment of the luxury Women’s Collection, in addition to the existing Men’s Purple Label apparel and accessories. The availability of womenswear adds a new dimension to this Ralph Lauren flagship store and enhances it as a must-visit luxury shopping destination in Hong Kong.

    “Ralph Lauren stands for American traditional aesthetics, so I’ve created a high tea with time-honoured American favourites and including Ralph Lauren’s signature homemade carrot and cheese cake recipes to showcase the truly American taste” says Ms. Gokson, SEVVA’s stylish icon and founder.

    The master of American fashion and the Mistress of Hong Kong high society put their heads together and formed a remarkable new take on an old classic, to be presented at SEVVA, Hong Kong’s most fashionable dining address located just minutes from Ralph Lauren’s Landmark Prince’s store.

    Star Spangled

    Guests will be able to enjoy a plush tea set of 12 varieties of delectable nibbles such as Devilled Eggs with Bacon Crisps, Mac ‘n Cheese Spring Roll, Lobster & Avocado Sandwich, Chicken Waldorf Cup, Wagyu Beef Burger, Kurobuta Hot Dog, Peaches & Cream, Apple Crumble with Shaved Cheddar, Chocolate Dipped Strawberries and Ralph Lauren’s Signature of Chocolate Brownie, Carrot and Cheese Cake.  Also complimenting this scrumptious 3 tiered set will be a mini cake of chocolate print of Ralph Lauren classic handbag; The Soft Ricky, cut in lace effect. What can be more American than a banana split sundae in a cake to pare with this gorgeous design!

    Ralph Lauren Landmark Prince's Women's Floor 3 - 1MB

    Wistful lace designs seen on pieces in the Cut Lace Capsule Collection are honoured in chocolate on Ms. Gokson’s signature cherry-topped Banana Split Sundae cake – itself a culinary classic. Chewy brownies are fashionably attired in red, white and blue stripes or in Ralph Lauren Spring Collection colours. Strawberries coated in white chocolate furnish the striking sweets display.

    A full menu of curated teas is offered for selection to be enjoyed with SEVVA’s All American High Tea. Available at HK$820*.

    SEVVA’s All American High Tea will be offered exclusively for just one month only, beginning May 12th until June 11th, 2016. High Tea is available on weekdays from 2:30pm – 5:00pm, and Saturdays from 3:00pm – 5:30pm.

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  • Revlon to present two major launches in Singapore

    Revlon to present two major launches in Singapore

    Photo of Mascara 251x300Cosmetics brand Revlon will showcase two major launches at the Tax Free World Association Asia Pacific show in Singapore. This year, the company will present its Ultimate All-in-One Mascara, the number one eye launch in the US and Ultra HD Matte Lipcolor.

    According to the company the Revlon Mascara Collection provides the looks the beauty shopper wants without confusing product names and claims.

    Revlon has created five new mascara and brush combinations: Revlon Volume Mascara, Revlon Length Mascara, Revlon Definition Mascara and Revlon Volume & Length Mascara.

    Additionally, with results indicating users are layering different mascaras to satisfy multiple lash benefits, Revlon has created Revlon Ultimate All-in-One Mascara. This all-in-one mascara features all five lash transforming benefits, allowing consumers to achieve volume, length, definition, lift and intense colour using just one product.

    Revlon Ultimate All-in-One also Mascara features a new Revlon Power Mini Brush with a hollow core designed for mega lash impact and easy application. It is available in both waterproof and non-waterproof formulas.

    Meanwhile, Revlon has also enjoyed success with its Ultra HD Mate Lipcolor, the number one lip launch in the US this year. Formulated with Revlon’s 100% wax-free gel technology providing high-definition colour, it is available in travel-retail in seven sultry shades, scented with fragrance of whipped vanilla and creamy mango. Each Revlon Ultra HD Matte Lipcolor comes with a plush, velvety applicator.

    Revlon global travel retail director, Jerusa Moura said: “In the highly competitive world of colour cosmetics, having both the number one new eye launch and number one new lip launch in the US. this year is an incredible achievement. At Revlon, we know and understand the importance of exclusive packs for the travel-retail channel and they form a key part of our portfolio.

    “However, offering top selling cosmetics singles is equally important, so we’re delighted to now be offering the Revlon Ultra HD Matte Lipcolor and Revlon Ultimate All-in-One Mascara to the travel retail channel—the latter as part of a great new mascara collection from Revlon.”

    Moura added Revlon’s new products were sure to be a hit in travel-retail on the back of their success in the US. She also acknowledged Asia Pacific as the fastest growing region for the industry and source of strong growth as Revlon seeks to build distribution in the region.