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.

  • Maison Kitsune opens first store in Vietnam

    Maison Kitsune opens first store in Vietnam

    Luxury fashion house Maison Kitsune has opened its first physical presence in Vietnam in conjunction with local distributor Tam Son International.

    The store, located on Trang Tien, one of Hanoi’s busiest streets, combines French and Japanese influences, as well as Vietnamese fine arts and local cultural identity.

    The store features a stone-paved facade and a warm colour tone running throughout, with four interconnected sections divided by wooden walls inspired by wicker art, furniture, and ceiling lighting, trying to commemorate Vietnamese heritage and workmanship.

    According to the firm, Maison Kitsune’s store setting captures the essence of the “Paris – Tokyo meets” lifestyle. Kitsune’s signature is light oak, herringbone floors, and marble counters, which highlight the brand’s minimalist design philosophy.

    Created in 2002 by Gildas Loaëc and Masaya Kuroki, Maison Kitsune offers a variety of brands, including Art de Vivre, integrating a fashion brand (Maison Kitsune), music label (Kitsune Musique), and coffee shops (Cafe Kitsune).

    The company operates in several countries and territories, including Thailand, Hong Kong, Japan, and the United States. In 2021, the brand made its debut in Beijing, China.

    Lees ook:

    Lees ook:

  • H&M launches on Shopee in Singapore and Malaysia

    H&M launches on Shopee in Singapore and Malaysia

    H&M has launched an online store on Shopee in Singapore and Malaysia in preparation for its Super Brand Day.

    H&M’s engagement with e-commerce platform Shopee is part of the company’s continued efforts to digitalize and provide customers with an optimal omnichannel experience, intending to give them a more “flexible and meaningful” shopping experience that matches their changing demands. With H&M’s presence on the platform, more customers can access the brand’s offer of fashion and quality at the best price in a sustainable manner.

    H&M also celebrated its first Super Brand Day on Sunday in Malaysia; another one will be held on Thursday, September 28 in Singapore.

    “With its strong presence in Singapore and Malaysia, Shopee complements and strengthens our existing network of physical stores, digital stores at hm.com, as well as marketplaces,” said Oldouz Mirzaie, MD of H&M South Asia.

    “We see a great opportunity for our brand to grow on this platform and further our vision of democratizing sustainable fashion by meeting our customers where, when, and how they choose.”

    Customers can now shop the whole spectrum of H&M’s fashion offers, including the trendy and bold pieces from the brand’s Fall/Winter collection, in the ladies, divided, mens and kids categories.

  • Boucheron opens giant Ginza flagship store

    Boucheron opens giant Ginza flagship store

    Maison Boucheron has opened its second largest store in the world – in Tokyo’s Ginza shopping district – following on from the launch of the brand’s first in Paris, France.

    ‘From Paris to Tokyo: a cutting-edge and creative journey’ is the brand’s slogan for the new location. Spanning four floors, the store features more than 1000sqm and is designed as a combination of French and Japanese culture. This boutique is described as a bit of Paris in the heart of Japan’s metropolis.

    “Complementary to our strong existing network of 17 boutiques, the opening of our new Ginza flagship – the largest one after our historic boutique 26 Place Vendome – marks a major shift in our Japanese business,” said Helene Poulit-Duquesne, CEO de la Maison.

    “It will undeniably contribute to brand awareness and to the reputation of the Maison in Japan, which we have rigorously built over past years.”

    The architectural patterns of the Jardin d’Hiver are featured on the store facade. According to the brand, this facade is transparent throughout the day, revealing the four floors of the Ginza Boutique. By night, a larger-than-life forest is exhibited on the building’s face, changing by the hour and the four seasons.

    The maison has created an interactive experience called “The Wishing Tree” in conjunction with Random Studio. Every couple will have the option to write their wish in this forest dedicated to marriage, which will be turned into an animation of sounds and light by technology.

    Since 1973, The Maison has continued to strengthen its presence in Japan, with 17 stores in the country, including the new flagship store.

    Lees ook:

    Lees ook:

  • Fashion giant Decjuba plots Asia expansion with first store in Singapore

    Fashion giant Decjuba plots Asia expansion with first store in Singapore

    Fashion retailer Decjuba is working on establishing a physical store in Singapore later next year and expanding into selling menswear and beauty products.

    “We continue to look around the world, and we don’t see another brand doing what we are doing as well as we do it,” said Tania Austin, owner and CEO at Decjuba.

    The upcoming location in Singapore will be Decjuva’s first brick-and-mortar store in Asia. The company decided to set it up after it witnessed growth in its international e-commerce operations, which now share 20 percent of the group’s total sales.

    “I thought for a long time we didn’t need to have physical stores abroad. But every time I go into a good shopping centre I’m like, ‘It is that experience piece that we are seeing consumers come back to.’ They enjoy it. There’s definitely a demand for it,” said Austin.

    Austin said that the opening of the store in Singapore in late 2024 is now Decjuva’s “No 1 focus” for the company’s expansion plans in Asia.

    According to the report, the company will also start selling products under the Decjuba Kids brand in eight new D-luxe concept stores this month.

    In addition, Decjuba has partnered with Melbourne-based menswear brand Mr Simple, to offer its first men’s undergarments, which will be available online and in 15 Decjuba’s larger stores.

    In addition, the company will launch a pop-up store at Melbourne’s Southland shopping centre in October this year. The company will also launch Decjuba Beauty, which will offer 34 beauty products for lips, nails, cheeks and eyes, in the same month.

    Decjuva took 12 months to develop the beauty brand, with the company working with an Australian for some of the products.

    “We are not a beauty retailer or a skin retailer. So this is really about the Grab and Go handbag essentials that you are popping in as an extension of the Decjuba brand,” said Austin.

    Decjuba is in the final stage of construction of its new head office in Cremorne, a suburb in Melbourne, scheduled for opening early next year.

    Lees ook:

  • Unilever hires consultants to sell ‘non-core’ beauty portfolio

    Unilever hires consultants to sell ‘non-core’ beauty portfolio

    Unilever has hired Morgan Stanley and Evercore to sell a portfolio of non-core beauty and personal care brands as the company struggles with the impact of inflation.

    The portfolio includes Q-Tips, Impulse, Caress, TIGI, Timotei, Monsavon, St Ives, Zwitsal, Ponds, Brut, Moussel, Alberto Balsam and Matey.

    Two years ago, Unilever hired Credit Suisse to divest Elida Beauty portfolio but later scrapped its plan as other companies cherry-picked brands from the portfolio and did not satisfy the multinational FMCG company’s expectations.

    Now the plan has been revived under the leadership of new CEO Hein Schumacher, who focuses on streamlining the business due to inflation, Reuters said in an exclusive report.

    The report noted that Elida Beauty booked revenue of about $760 million in FY22, according to sources of the newswire.

    Morgan Stanley and Evercore have already reached out to potential buyers to measure interest for the portfolio, which could be a multibillion-dollar deal, the sources said.

  • Miniso to open its first UK ‘Blind Box’ store

    Miniso to open its first UK ‘Blind Box’ store

    Chinese lifestyle brand Miniso will open its first UK “Blind Box” store on Shaftesbury Avenue, London on September 29.

    The new store will offer customers more than 50 blind boxes, capitalizing on the blooming blind box craze. According to Miniso, the new store “represents an exciting new shopping experience”, bringing Miniso’s characteristic sense of choice to the heart of downtown London.

    The new 40sqm store will house Miniso’s co-branded blind box collections with some of the IP owners. Shoppers will find Sanrio, Disney Pixar, Tokidoki, We Bare Bears, Minions, and Winnie the Pooh blind boxes. Miniso’s original products, including plush toys and accessories, will also be available at the store.

    “Our first blind box store marks a major milestone for Miniso,” said Saad Usman, COO of Miniso UK.

    “The unknown element of blind boxes adds mystery and excitement to the shopping experience, and we’re delighted to bring this special store to London. Blind boxes are now a major part of our global strategy, and this new store marks the latest development as we move forward with our global expansion.”

    Launching Miniso’s first “Blind Box” store is the latest step in the brand’s ongoing global expansion plan as it strives to become a global lifestyle super-brand. The company has around 5800 outlets worldwide, with more than 20 of them located in the UK, including London, Manchester, Nottingham, Belfast, and others.

  • Aussie sunscreen brand Ultra Violette debuts in the Middle East

    Aussie sunscreen brand Ultra Violette debuts in the Middle East

    Australian sunscreen brand Ultra Violette is set to expand its global presence with a launch in the Middle East through retail giant Sephora.

    The expansion marks a significant milestone for the brand, reaching 25 countries and more than 250 stores worldwide, including Australia, New Zealand, the UK, Europe, Southeast Asia, and now the Middle East.

    Ultra Violette’s debut in the Middle East will see its full range available in 89 brick-and-mortar Sephora stores across five countries, including a brand fixture in the retailer’s highest-volume store, the Dubai Mall.

    Founded by Ava Mathews and Bec Jefferd in 2019, the brand aims to redefine sunscreens with a collection designed for those who dislike using traditional SPF products.

    Its Skinscreens range combines innovative textures, skin-enhancing ingredients, and compatibility with other skincare and makeup products, which, in turn, garnered the brand a “cult following”.

    Earlier this year, the company expanded its presence in Europe and with products available in more than 450 Sephora stores across multiple countries, including France, Spain, Italy, Poland, the Czech Republic, Portugal, Greece, Germany, and Switzerland.

    Ultra Violette initially partnered with Sephora ANZ in 2020, and the collaboration has helped grow the brand significantly since.

    “Our ultimate goal is to bring Ultra Violette to as many faces in as many countries as possible worldwide,” said Mathews.

    “The Sephora global team has been incredibly supportive in championing an Australian brand, and we are thrilled to expand within their network in the Middle East, with Sephora being the number one prestige beauty retailer globally.”

    In addition to Sephora, Ultra Violette’s products are available in major beauty and luxury retailers worldwide, including SpaceNK, Harrods, Liberty, Cult Beauty, and David Jones.

    Lees ook:

    Lees ook:

  • Inditex sees higher sales, profit across all brands

    Inditex sees higher sales, profit across all brands

    Zara owner Inditex on Wednesday beat expectations with a 40% jump in half-year net profit despite the world’s biggest fast fashion company slowing the pace of its price increases.

    Inditex has widened its lead over Swedish rival H&M this year by delivering fashion trends faster from nearby suppliers at prices that allow it to cope with inflationary pressures. The company posted a net profit of 2.5 billion euros ($2.7 billion) for the six months to July 31, outpacing a 2.38 billion euro market forecast, according to data from LSEG.

    However, its shares fell 1.5% in early trading in Madrid as investors booked profits following a 58% rise over the past year.

    “Given recent performance, many investors just question how long the strength can go on for,” said Bernstein analyst William Woods.

    Most analysts expect Inditex’s strong financial position will allow it to keep prices stable or even cut them in the face of weakening demand and lower inflation

    The retailer’s flagship brand Zara plans further store expansion in the United States, a market that two years ago became Inditex’s biggest after Spain.

    Inditex sales rose 13.5% to 16.9 billion euros and a gross margin of 58.2%.

    The group, which also owns Bershka, Pull & Bear, and other brands, said sales at constant currencies between Aug. 1 and Sept. 11 were 14% higher than a year earlier, showing that the pace of summer sales continues as autumn collections start to arrive.

    “I expect pricing increases to moderate now through the course of the next year,” said RBC analyst Richard Chamberlain, adding that the results beat his expectations.

    With a big share of its costs in euros, Inditex said it expects currencies to have a -3.5% impact on sales this year, worse than the -2.5% impact it expected previously.

    The company kept its outlook unchanged, saying it “continues to see strong growth opportunities” as it currently has low market share in the 213 countries where it has a presence.

    Inditex was among the first fashion retailers to raise prices in response to surging inflation early last year. Its higher and more diverse pricing strategy outside its home market of Spain helped it post record margins.

    With inflation easing, analysts at Bank of America and the Royal Bank of Canada are betting that Inditex is better placed than its peers to compete by offering stable prices and even lowering them next year to continue growing globally.

    Worldwide Inditex reduced its stores to 5,745 from 5,801 in the second quarter, showing how the retailer has managed to increase sales while reducing space.

    Zara has sought to attract more aspirational shoppers by associating its brand with luxury instead of fast fashion. Last week it launched a collection with celebrated fashion photographer Steven Meisel, with a campaign featuring supermodels, including Linda Evangelista.

    Since July, Inditex has been renewing anti-shoplifting devices at its stores, replacing tags with chips sewn into garments in the autumn and winter collections, the company said.

    The switch to a soft-alarm system aims to reduce checkout times by up to 50%, though only a few items have them now.

    Lees ook:

  • Bondi Sands expands presence on US shores with Walmart launch

    Bondi Sands expands presence on US shores with Walmart launch

    Australian tanning brand Bondi Sands is expanding its presence in the US market with a nationwide launch in Walmart. This partnership represents the eighth major US retailer to list the brand’s product range within the past six years.

    Walmart will make eight of Bondi Sand’s bestsellers available – in-store and online – including the Self Tanning Foam, Self Tanning Foam 1-Hour Express, Everyday Gradual Tanning Milk, and Self Tan Eraser.

    Through this expansion, the company said it aims to make salon-quality, affordable, vegan, and cruelty-free tanning products accessible to a broader audience.

    “We are thrilled to cultivate a new relationship with Walmart and introduce our self-tanning range to a new category of shoppers,” said Blair James, co-founder of Bondi Sands.

    “Propelling our global presence with Walmart is an unmatched growth opportunity for us, and we’re excited to offer the beauty consumer what they’re looking for – salon quality tanning products at an affordable price.”

    Established in 2012, Bondi Sands offers a range of self-tanning and suncare products.

  • Freshwater Farm launches Indigenous-inspired products

    Freshwater Farm launches Indigenous-inspired products

    Freshwater Farm, the family-run bath and body care company, has launched limited-edition products designed by an Indigenous artist to commemorate a partnership with the Indigenous Literacy Foundation (ILF).

    Worimi artist Brittney Paulson made the limited edition packaging designs. The artwork is present on six items, including the body bars, hand washes, and 1L body washes from Freshwater Farm with Lemon Myrtle and Rosewater.

    Paulson added that this is her second time working with Freshwater Farm to produce these special items that honor her background.

    Freshwater Farm will donate 50 cents for every limited edition product purchased to the ILF, up to $50,000, which will be used to provide 5000 books to children in isolated Indigenous communities.

    “The farm where we grow many of the plants which are used in our products is based on Worimi Country on the NSW Mid North Coast,” said Freshwater Farm GM Al Hutcherson.

    “This is the second year running where we’ve donated to the Indigenous Literacy Foundation, to acknowledge the Worimi Aboriginal Community as the Traditional Owners of the land that Freshwater Farm is on.”

    The Indigenous Literacy Foundation (ILF) is a national non-profit organization that works with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander remote communities in Australia.

    The products are available for purchase through the brand’s website, as well as in-store and online at Woolworths.

  • L’Oreal names Adrien Koskas GM for consumer products

    L’Oreal names Adrien Koskas GM for consumer products

    Cosmetics giant L’Oreal has named Adrien Koskas as GM for the consumer products division (CPD) of its South Asia-Pacific, Middle East and North Africa regions (SAPMENA).

    Koskas will report directly to Vismay Sharma, president of SAPMENA, based in Singapore, in his new role.

    L’Oreal’s CPD houses four of the company’s major brands: L’Oreal Paris, Maybelline New York, Garnier, and NYX Professional Make-Up.

    Described as a “pioneering brand builder,” Koskas brings extensive experience in global leadership and marketing to his new role, with an 18-year career at L’Oreal.

    He previously served as the global brand president of Garnier since 2019, where he achieved record growth and launched Green Beauty, the flagship brand for the group’s sustainability commitment.

    Koskas has also held various leadership positions in France, Brazil, and the UK, including serving as GM, CPD for L’Oreal UK & Ireland.

    “With 3 billion people, SAPMENA is a highly strategic region full of opportunities and new ways to engage with young, digital and beauty-savvy consumers who represent many cultures and beauty aspirations,” said Koskas on his new appointment.

    “It is also the perfect environment to embrace cutting-edge innovations in many fields to deliver our high growth ambition.”

    Koskas succeeds Manashi Guha, who takes on a new role as MD, CPD for L’Oreal UK & Ireland.

    Lees ook:

  • H&M Indonesia Boosts Productivity, Compliance, Employee Engagement, and Sustainability with YOOBIC

    H&M Indonesia Boosts Productivity, Compliance, Employee Engagement, and Sustainability with YOOBIC

    H&M Indonesia today revealed outstanding results from its partnership with YOOBIC, the leading employee experience platform for frontline teams in the retail and hospitality spaces. Adopted across the global retailer’s more than 60 stores and 290 frontline staff in Indonesia, YOOBIC’s all-in-one solution has significantly elevated employee engagement, communication, and productivity, as well as enhancing efficiency, compliance, and sustainability.

    Recognizing the considerable progress made since rolling out YOOBIC in 2022, H&M Indonesia received the coveted “Project Launch of the Year” title at this year’s YOOBIC Frontline Excellence Awards. The judges commended the retailer for achieving an impressive 99% user engagement rate and 97% compliance in operational, visual, and cash office standards since implementing the YOOBIC platform.

    The adoption of YOOBIC’s comprehensive frontline employee experience platform has greatly improved communication within H&M Indonesia. With features like private messaging, video calls, and group chats, staff members can easily interact with each other, fostering a strong sense of community and teamwork. Social media-style newsfeeds further enhance this environment by providing a space for co-workers to share announcements, success stories, and sources of inspiration. Frontline staff can also use the platform to directly communicate with store managers and company leaders, sharing advice, concerns, and feedback.

    Armed with YOOBIC’s unified digital platform, H&M Indonesia’s customer-facing staff also have the ability to automate and expedite manual tasks, enabling them to better manage their time and focus on higher value objectives, including building customer relationships. The clothing brand’s retail leaders, meanwhile, have hailed YOOBIC’s digitization of daily operations as a game-changer. Electronic checklists give store managers the ability to easily follow their team’s task completion, while the inclusion of real-time analytics and automated dashboards allows for the tracking of key performance indicators (KPIs) and compliance by HQ, ensuring that shopper experiences consistently meet the highest standards across all locations.

    YOOBIC’s extensive L&D capabilities have proved a hit with H&M Indonesia as well, bolstering the company’s dedication to ongoing employee growth. Store leaders can now seamlessly integrate training into their team members’ workflows, delivering interactive courses directly to their mobile devices in easily digestible chunks. This microlearning approach is enriched with data, providing managers with comprehensive insights into their employees’ progress and needs.

    “With YOOBIC, we’ve been able to harness frontline digitization and real-time analytics to solve a number of stubborn operational challenges, including difficulties around communication, productivity, compliance, and training,” said Karina Soegarda, Communications Manager, H&M Indonesia. “YOOBIC’s digitization of manual processes has also allowed us to cut paper usage by 30%, boosting our company-wide commitment to greater sustainability.”

    “Through real-time data sharing and digital task management, H&M Indonesia boosted productivity, launched 25 campaigns in six months, and elevated decision-making with analytics, all while making a significant reduction to paper usage,” said YOOBIC’s Paul Mabire, Head of Sales, APAC. “We’re proud to partner with a brand so committed to operational excellence and employee engagement — we can’t wait to keep innovating together!”

    YOOBIC’s collaboration with H&M Indonesia is an important element of the company’s wider expansion strategy in the Asia Pacific (APAC) region. According to the CBRE Asia-Pacific Retail Flash Survey report of January 2023, 71% of APAC retailers are planning to expand or open new stores this year. By 2025, retail sales in Southeast Asia, Australia, and New Zealand are projected to reach $1.77 trillion, positioning the region as the fourth-largest global market by 2050.

    YOOBIC stands ready to support APAC’s retail boom, providing a mobile-friendly and digitally-enabled workplace experience that enables retail staff to excel while fostering engagement and loyalty. YOOBIC’s comprehensive platform for frontline employee experience has been extensively tested and proven successful in hundreds of thousands of retail stores worldwide. Constantly evolving with product innovations and incorporating new technological features including AI features, YOOBIC effectively drives frontline employee communication, training, and operations, meeting the evolving needs of the industry.

    Lees ook:

    Lees ook:

    Lees ook:

    Lees ook:

  • Shein x Klarna Collaborate to Create One-Stop Pop-Up Shop in Melbourne

    Shein x Klarna Collaborate to Create One-Stop Pop-Up Shop in Melbourne

    Global integrated fashion and lifestyle marketplace, SHEIN and leading buy now, pay later service, Klarna are collaborating to launch Styletopia, the ultimate pop-up shopping experience.

    The pop-up will showcase SHEIN’s on trend and affordable clothing and accessories for all genders and ages, with a wide size range on offer, as well some of SHEIN’s newest collections across beauty, home, activewear, electronics, shoes and even some cute outfits for pets!

    A DJ will be playing tunes while shoppers will also get to enjoy a beauty bar, photo booth, complimentary coffee from the  Styletopia Cafe and a custom tote-bag personalisation station.

    The pop-up partnership, which has been a hit in overseas markets, is the first one of its kind in Australia.

    The SHEIN x Klarna one-stop pop up store will be located at Clifton Street Markets, 41- 43 Clifton St, Prahran, Melbourne and will be open from 10am to 6pm from Friday 8th September to Sunday 10th September 2023.

    Lees ook:

  • H&M probes alleged Myanmar factory abuses as pressure intensifies

    H&M probes alleged Myanmar factory abuses as pressure intensifies

    H&M is investigating 20 alleged instances of labour abuse at Myanmar garment factories that supply the world’s second-largest fashion retailer, it told Reuters, just weeks after top rival Zara-owner, Inditex, said it was phasing out purchases from the Southeast Asian country.

    A British-based human rights advocacy group tracked 156 cases of alleged worker abuses in Myanmar garment factories from February 2022 to February 2023, up from 56 in the previous year, indicating a deterioration of workers’ rights since a military coup in February 2021.

    Wage reduction and wage theft were the most frequently reported allegations, followed by unfair dismissal, inhumane work rates, and forced overtime, according to a report by the non-governmental organisation, the Business and Human Rights Resource Centre (BHRRC).

    “All the cases raised in the report by BHRRC are being followed up and, where needed, remediated through our local team on the ground and in close co-operation with relevant stakeholders,” H&M said in a statement.

    “We are deeply concerned by the latest developments in Myanmar, and we see increased challenges to conduct our operations according to our standards and requirements,” the Swedish retailer said.

    The BHRRC has been tracking allegations of workers’ rights abuses in garment factories since the military junta took power in Myanmar, plunging it into political and humanitarian crisis. The tracker includes abuse cases at 124 separate factories.

    The BHRRC said it tracks cases of alleged abuses through sources including union leaders, international media, and local media such as Myanmar Labour News, and seeks to verify reports by checking with brands and interviewing workers. Reuters did not independently verify its findings.

    There have been 21 cases of alleged abuses linked to Inditex suppliers over the two-year period, and 20 linked to H&M suppliers, according to the report. Inditex declined to comment on the report.

    A spokesperson for Myanmar’s military government did not reply to a request for comment on the findings. The Myanmar Garment Manufacturing Association did not reply to a request for comment.

    The decision by Inditex to exit came after Primark and Marks & Spencer announced plans to exit last year, in a trend that some say could ultimately leave garment workers worse off. Spanish fashion retailer Tendam also plans to stop sourcing from Myanmar, it said in its response to a BHRRC survey of brands published alongside the report.

    “We do have a plan to leave the country but it has not been announced yet,” Tendam wrote, without detailing its reasons. Tendam did not immediately reply to a request for comment.

    Primark told Reuters it expects its final orders from Myanmar suppliers to ship before the end of this year, but has also increased its presence on the ground. “As we work towards our exit, we’ve doubled the size of our Ethical Trade team on the ground, enabling us to more regularly visit the factories we still work with and giving us greater visibility,” Primark said.

    Lees ook:

    Lees ook:

  • Gentle Monster to launch in Thailand

    Gentle Monster to launch in Thailand

    Set to open this August 25, the first flagship store in Thailand will occupy a 340 sqm space in Emquartier, marking another milestone for the luxury brand’s success. Drawing inspiration from its signature futuristic and avant-garde aesthetics, the store promises to echo the brand’s experimental approach to design.

    Gentle Monster’s fans can eagerly anticipate an array of exclusive offerings, including the Bold Collection with its galactic motifs and the collaborative collections with the French luxury house, Maison Margiela.

    To commemorate its store launch in Bangkok, the brand is set to release a ‘Bangkok Limited Edition’ collection this coming September.

    Originating from Seoul in 2011, Gentle Monster, founded by Hankook Kim, has consistently captivated audiences with its unconventional beauty and boundary-pushing designs.

    Lees ook: