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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.

  • LG Electronics starts eco-friendly clothing line with Net-A-Porter

    LG Electronics starts eco-friendly clothing line with Net-A-Porter

    LG Electronics has unveiled an eco-friendly clothing line in collaboration with British online fashion retailer Net-A-Porter as the South Korean tech giant pushes marketing for its clothing-care appliances.

    The appliance maker said it joined with the premium online fashion marketplace to launch a limited-edition range named LG X Net-A-Porter Sustainable Collection.

    The two partners cooperated with global fashion brands, including Le Kasha of France, Mara Hoffman of the US, and Bondi Born of Australia, to release 13 types of environmentally friendly apparel.

    LG Electronics said the launch of the new clothing line is part of its “Care for What You Wear” global campaign that aims to protect the environment by reducing fabric waste.

    It added that the clothes from the new brand can be easily managed through its clothing care appliances, including the Styler, LG’s steam closet that keeps clothes fresh and deodorized without dry cleaning.

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  • Pomelo roams from fashion label to multi-brand environment

    Pomelo roams from fashion label to multi-brand environment

    Thai-based omnichannel fashion platform Pomelo has launched a redesigned version of its online platform which features multiple brands.

    Besides offering in-app exclusive live streaming, the new app houses more than 100 brands on its Thai version, including Vans, Converse, L’Occitane, and local brands such as Rally Movement and Matter Makers.

    But the company told Inside Retail Asia it will continue to design and release its own Pomelo range as well.

    Pomelo, which is building a footprint across Southeast Asia, plans to expand its expanded multibrand selection into other markets next year.

    The new app has a feature called Tap Try Buy, previously called Pomelo Pick Up, which allows customers to order items online through the app or website, select a store or partner location to try on their selected items, and only pay for only what they choose to keep. Tap Try Buy orders already make up almost half of the retailer’s online orders, a percentage that has grown during the Covid-19 crisis.

    Overseeing the new multi-brand direction is Alexandra Schonfrucht, newly appointed former Zalando and JD Sports executive, who is now Pomelo’s global head of third party brands.

    “We’re thrilled to welcome Alexandra to the Pomelo team as we enter this next phase of growth as a multi-brand platform,” said David Jou, CEO, and founder of Pomelo. “We’re continuing to build a diverse brand portfolio to provide the best omnichannel experience for our users.”

    The new app also incorporates Pomelo’s new branding elements including a refreshed logo.

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  • Japanese Eyewear Brand Owndays expands India presence

    Japanese Eyewear Brand Owndays expands India presence

    Japanese eyewear brand OWNDAYS, one of the largest players in the fashion eyewear space, is now expanding its India footprint. The company announced the launch of a new store at Inorbit mall, Mumbai, others being in Kolkata, Chennai, Hyderabad, Bengaluru, and Chandigarh.

    Currently, the company has a global presence of 350 stores spread across 12 countries including Japan, Singapore, Taiwan, Hong Kong, Australia, Thailand, Philippines, Malaysia, Vietnam, Indonesia, and Cambodia. OWNDAYS’ India presence is in collaboration with GKB Opticals, which is a big name to reckon with in Indian Eyewear Industry already.

    Owndays will offer a range of around 1,500 styles from basic to functional, stylish, and fashionable eyewear for men and women starting at Rs. 2,990. With 24 brands under the parent company, Owndays offers eyewear for children, young adults, millennials, and the elderly.

    Established in Tokyo, Japan in 1989, Owndays Co., Ltd has redefined the world of optics by following Simple Pricing, Quick Servicing, and Value. With more than 1,500 designs of frames ranging from basic and functional, to stylish and fashion-forward.

    Owndays outlets have a list of a unique set of pointers to grab your interest:

    • State of the art Japanese eye testing equipment, that helps complete the process in almost half the time the regular testing process takes.
    • The company has a unique 20-minute process feature with over 2,000 lenses stocked in the store which allow glasses to be processed within 20 minutes after the eye check.
    • Pricing is simple and uncomplicated with price of best suitable lenses (minus customised ones) included with the frame

    Speaking on the launch Sanjay Malhotra Business Head – India, Owndays said, “We are thrilled to be opening yet another outlet in India as the demand for quality eyewear at affordable price is increasing considerably and our product has been loved by Indian customer’s youth and matured alike. The fact that we are even opening during the Covid environment shows that we are bullish about Indian market as we have been received exceptionally well in the country”.

    OWNDAYS Outlets in India:

    BANGALORE: Indiranagar & Phoneix Marketcity Mall

    CHENNAI: Palladium Mall

    HYDERABAD: Sarath City Capital Mall

    KOLKATA: South City Mall

    CHANDIGARH: Elante Mall

     

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  • China sales rebounds for Ralph Lauren, after Covid-19

    China sales rebounds for Ralph Lauren, after Covid-19

    Luxury retailer Ralph Lauren says sales growth on the Chinese mainland returned to pre-Covid-19 rates in the second quarter, increasing by more than 30 percent year on year.

    However sales across greater Asia decreased 7 percent to US$237 million on a reported basis, with same-store sales down by 11 percent, and a 12-per-cent decline in brick-and-mortar store sales partly offset by a 32-per-cent increase in digital commerce.

    Globally, net revenue fell by 30 percent to $1.2 billion, with declines in all regions due to the impact of Covid-19 on consumer shopping behavior.

    But the company achieved a net income of $107 million, down from $182 million in the same period last year.

    Ralph Lauren, executive chairman, and chief creative officer said despite the tough time the world is experiencing he is optimistic the company can “take the great learnings and creativity that have emerged from this time to become even stronger”.

    He said the results reflected the strength of Ralph Lauren’s timeless brand “and the values that have always been our touchstone” are continuing to anchor the business through a time of change and uncertainty”.

    “Looking across the first half of the fiscal year, we continued our elevation journey while fast-tracking connected retail and our company-wide digital transformation,” said president and CEO Patrice Louvet. “We also began the hard but necessary work of simplifying our organizational and cost structures to position the company for future growth.

    “Looking ahead, we will continue to work proactively to deliver an elevated experience that inspires consumers around the world and creates value for all of our stakeholders,” concluded Louvet.

  • Le Saunda roams from profit to loss

    Le Saunda roams from profit to loss

    Chinese footwear retailer Le Saunda saw revenue and profit fall by more than 30 percent in the last six months as the impact of the Covid-19 pandemic ravaged the fashion industry.

    Revenue for the six months to August 31 fell to US$38.7 million, 30.8-per-cent lower than the same period last year, while gross profit fell 32.1 percent to $24.24 million.

    The impact of Covid-19, which severely hit Le Saunda’s main markets of Hong Kong, Mainland China and Macau, led to a $4.4 million overall loss.

    “Overall, during the first half of the financial year, the group changed from profitable to loss-making,” the business said.

    “The group made timely adjustments to its strategy to reduce daily expenses, including a 25-per-cent pay cut for all directors for a period of six months from March and … tapped into emerging Mini Programs and social-media marketing platforms to expand its online sales channels.”

    However, the business’ e-commerce revenue also took a significant hit, down 15.7 percent during the six months.

    And now, with the worst of the virus seemingly behind it, Le Saunda is looking to learn from the “new normal” that has developed – investing in the development of goods in the athleisure space, as customers become more health-conscious, as well as sales and marketing on social media to better leverage social commerce and reach a younger consumer base.

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  • ShopWorn opens its first Hong Kong office

    ShopWorn opens its first Hong Kong office

    Authentic luxury-goods platform ShopWorn has opened a satellite office in Hong Kong ahead of a planned expansion in Mainland China and Asia-Pacific.

    Unlike other online marketplaces, ShopWorn, launched in 2015, sells designer labels at discounts of 50 to 90 percent off the Manufacturer’s Suggested Retail Price (MSRP).

    From Carl F. Bucherer to Graham and more, past season’s luxury watches, jewelry, and other accessories sourced directly from brands and authorized retailers can be found on ShopWorn with authenticity guaranteed.

    The prices are kept low because items have never been worn by the consumer or pre-owned, but merely ‘shop worn’ – an industry term for merchandise that has been used in in-store displays.

    Typically, luxury retailers would either designate specific merchandise to be used in visual merchandising displays, or write-off items that have been lightly handled but are in an unsaleable condition, selling them to staff at a substantial discount or destroy them.

    ShopWorn also launched its first overseas virtual flagship on Tmall Global to target 800 million high-end Chinese consumers, joining other luxury labels from Dunhill to Marc Jacobs as of late – just in time for Singles Day.

    The platform aims to expand to Europe and other markets during the next five years, while a presence on other major Asian marketplaces such as Shopee, Lazada, and JD are already in the works.

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  • AmorePacific opens first ‘refill store’

    AmorePacific opens first ‘refill store’

    South Korean cosmetics giant AmorePacific Corp has opened a so-called ‘refill station’ – a first for the nation’s cosmetics industry.

    The company opened the facility as a trial inside its new Gwanggyo store that opened last week in Suwon, Gyeonggi Province.

    Customers can take an empty container made of coconut shells from the store and fill it with the product of their choice, with 15 different kinds of shampoos and body washes on offer.

    After filling the container with the product of their choice and measuring the weight, they pay per gram.

    Although the price is different by product, customers can generally fill a container at savings of roughly 50 percent compared to pre-packaged cosmetics products.

    The contents for refill will be limited to those with a manufacturing date of less than 100 days prior. Returned empty containers will be sterilised before being released to be refilled.

    “We decided to run the refill station to better meet the demand of the times requiring a wider variety of sales methods and the promotion of refill products,” the company said.

  • Puma surfaces in third quarter as stores open again

    Puma surfaces in third quarter as stores open again

    Puma says its third-quarter sales rose 13.3 percent on a currency-adjusted basis to US$1.85 billion, leaving year-to-date sales down just 5.1 percent despite the impact of the pandemic.

    “The third quarter developed much better than I expected,” said Bjorn Gulden, Puma’s CEO.

    “Retail stores reopened, sports events resumed, consumer confidence improved and our sales increased week by week. I feel this strong performance confirms the strength of both PUMA as a brand and the sporting goods industry in general.”

    Puma’s gross profit margin decreased to 47 percent, largely due to negative currency impacts and increased promotional activity as the company adjusted to an unusual trading environment. However, operating expenses dropped by 3.3 percent allowing a pre-tax profit of $223 million.

    “Despite a very promotional market environment and currency developments that put pressure on our margins, we were even able to improve our EBIT compared to last year,” said Gulden.

    “This was achieved by continued strong cost control that we initiated in the extremely weak second quarter and through less but more efficient marketing activities.

    “October started well, but the recent development of Covid-19 and the number of infections we are seeing globally make us cautious for the rest of the year. We will continue to maneuver through this pandemic in the short-term without hindering Puma’s mid-term momentum.”

    Sales in Asia/Pacific declined by 1.9 percent, mainly due to slower growth in Greater China and a sales decline in India, Korea and Southeast Asian markets.

    For the first nine months of the year, including the time when lockdowns were in place across much of Asia, sales in the region fell 9.1 percent.

    Global net earnings for the nine months combined were down from $287 million last year to $63.7 million.

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  • I.T flags big loss as Covid-19 impacts shoppers’ enthusiasm

    I.T flags big loss as Covid-19 impacts shoppers’ enthusiasm

    Multibrand Hong Kong fashion retailer I.T Limited has warned shareholders it will likely post a loss of at least US$38.7 million for the six months to August, such has been the impact of the Covid-19 on sales.

    Chairman Sham Kar Wai said in a letter to shareholders that the Covid-19 pandemic had led to a decline in consumer-spending enthusiasm across the world. While it has offered extra discounts to boost sales volume amid “an incredibly difficult trading environment” sales were down substantially.

    This is the third profit warning the company has issued this calendar year, following earlier announcements in July and August. It is based on initial figures and subjects to change before final results are reported tomorrow, (October 29).

    “Although during the period ended 31 August, the group took rapid and decisive action to reduce costs considerably, the savings in operating costs were not sufficient to offset the decline in sales and gross margin,” he said.

    August’s likely half-year loss follows a deficit of $9.2 million in the same period last year.

    I.T Group operates its own brands, including Chocolate and 5cm, concept stores Izzue and Double-Park; international brands it has local licenses for including Kurt Geiger and Camper; and A Bathing Ape, which the company rescued from Japanese owners in 2011.

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  • Revolut Ramps Up Growth Efforts in Singapore

    Revolut Ramps Up Growth Efforts in Singapore

    The fintech hopes to build on the momentum it has gained amid the social and economic challenges brought about by the pandemic.

    Revolut Singapore has made a number of additions to its growing team in Singapore bring onboard digital strategist Sam Chui as marketing manager and media specialist Deborah Tan-Pink as communications manager.

    Chui joins from local marketing agency GoodStuph, while Tan-Pink resigns from her role as CEO of an edtech startup to join the company. She previously spent more than 10 years in lifestyle publishing, including a stint as editor-in-chief of Cosmopolitan Singapore. The pair will report to Pam Chuang, Revolut Singapore’s head of growth.

    Our hiring strategy is to attract top talents in the region with great expertise in specific fields. Both Deborah and Sam have on-ground knowledge of the Singapore market when it comes to our target customers, Chuang said about the new hires.

    The total number of e-commerce transactions among Revolut customers more than doubled during Singapore’s «circuit breaker» period earlier this year. Contactless payments also grew by 30 percent, and now comprises 90 percent of its transactions, Tan-Pink said.

    Revolut is currently seeing a recovery in in-store spending, particularly for restaurant dining, with close to 3x growth in total transactions. Year to date, our daily active people figure is close to pre-Covid levels and we are poised to grow this number further this quarter and into 2021, she said.

    The company said it has enjoyed «very positive momentum» since its launch one year ago, with over 70,000 customers, of which 65 percent are Singaporeans. The average age of the Revolut customer in Singapore is 35 and some three-quarters of its active customers use the Revolut card for e-commerce purchases, it noted.

    The company is preparing to bring Revolut Junior to the market in the last quarter of 2020, and expects a full roll-out of Revolut Business at end of the first quarter next year.

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  • Puma launches crossover with Chinese streetwear brand Attempt

    Puma launches crossover with Chinese streetwear brand Attempt

    Puma has collaborated with Chinese streetwear brand Attempt to launch a “hacking the archive”-themed range.

    The Puma x Attempt Collection offers a selection of footwear, apparel, and accessories, featuring both classic Puma style and Attempt’s signature minimalist and functional designs.

    “The designs feature deconstructed elements with technical designs and the tonal color palette comes alive with bold color pops, resulting in a collection that is fresh, unexpected, and raw,” the company described.

    The collection also offers a mix of Puma footwear, including the RS-2K, Oslo Pro, and Style Rider. The apparel range features five tees and outerwear items for the warmer months. The accessories range consists of a crossbody bag and a cap.

    Founded in 2015, Attempt is known for its casual clothing featuring minimalist aesthetics with functionality and fresh styling.

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  • Swiss Watchmakers Believe In-Store Shopping Will Prevail

    Swiss Watchmakers Believe In-Store Shopping Will Prevail

    Despite the pandemic, Swiss watchmakers believe in-store shopping will prevail over digital platforms. The majority of Swiss watchmakers believe that bricks and mortar stores will remain the preferred sales channels for their products and will prevail over online in the coming years. This, despite the recent impact of the pandemic and accelerated digitalization.

    In-store experiences are still viewed as an essential part of the customer journey, and companies are investing considerably in experiential brand marketing. Pessimism is rife among Swiss watch industry executives with 85 percent forecasting a grim outlook for the industry. Despite the challenging outlook, the industry is not complacent, prioritizing omnichannel strategies, delving into the pre-owned market, and shifting towards more sustainable and ethical ways of production.

    Hopes were high in January 2020 for a positive year for the watch industry after a challenging 2019. COVID-19 had other plans leading to one of the most disruptive periods in the history of the Swiss watch industry. Over two-thirds (67 percent) of watch industry executives surveyed in the Deloitte Swiss Watch Industry Study 2020 predict a gloomy outlook for the Swiss economy in general, with 85 percent forecasting a grim outlook for the industry specifically which shows the seriousness of the current situation and the monumental challenge for the industry.

    COVID-19 has hit the industry hard and the emerging second wave is a stark reminder that the crisis is not yet over. The decline in exports has affected entry-level quartz watches even more acutely, a segment suffering since 2012. The collapse of global tourism due to travel restrictions, which is likely to continue in the coming months, a drop in domestic demands due to the lockdown, and cautious spending habits are having a direct impact on the industry. Production halts in China exposed gaps in some of the producers’ supply chain and inventories, perhaps leading to a rethink of regionalizing production back to Switzerland.

    Over 70 percent of Swiss watch executives believe that offline channels will continue to dominate digital ones across all price brackets. Over 60 percent of brands surveyed are prioritizing the development and strengthening of their omnichannel strategy. The in-store experience is an essential part of the customer journey, which is why executives are looking to implement experiential brand experiences, a mobile-driven workforce, and mobile apps to enhance their in-store customer experience. Technologies like augmented reality or virtual reality are not prioritized at the moment.

    For an industry that largely relies on the emotional connection from seeing and handling luxury watches, the challenge moving forward will be how to combine physical and digital with so-called phygital experiences. This will be essential to create not only a seamless journey for customers but also increase resilience should another lockdown happen, Karine Szegedi, Head of Fashion & Luxury at Deloitte Switzerland, said.

    When it comes to which marketing channels influence consumers’ decisions to buy a watch, print ads are still most influential in Switzerland and Germany, while in France, China and the U.K., in-store events have the greatest impact. Social media and influencers are most effective in Hong Kong, UAE, and Singapore. Radio and TV are still quite important in many countries, showing the importance of getting the marketing channel mix right.

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  • Guardian unveils revamped Singapore store

    Guardian unveils revamped Singapore store

    Beauty Flash: Grooming giant Guardian’s latest and largest store, christened Guardian Plus, had officially opened at Takashimaya Shopping Centre, and boasts a number of firsts sure to make any beauty buff excited.

    For starters, the store at 6,000 square feet is an expansive wonderland of products and cool features, most notable of which is an interactive section outfitted with tablets and touchscreens. With a few swipes of their fingers, shoppers can pinpoint the location of a particular brand or product they’re looking for, as well as research on brands, compare prices and print out their own shopping lists.

    Another nifty touch is a Play, Trial & Test area. Here, you’ll get to test-drive products before you commit, get your skin analyzed by high-tech gadgets, and consult a power team of nutritionists, health, and beauty advisers.

    Choose from over 150 skincare brands and 85 haircare labels, some of which include insider favorites like No7, Mark Hill, Skincode, and Rodial. Guardian says that a mind-boggling 20,000 health and beauty products will be lining the aisles at Guardian Plus, so grab a girlfriend or two and have fun browsing over the weekend!

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  • Adidas in talks to lay off Reebok

    Adidas in talks to lay off Reebok

    For some sneakerheads who may be unaware, Reebok is owned by Adidas. Back in 2005, the brand was bought by the Three Stripes for a large sum of $3.8 billion and they have been sharing warehouses and website assets, ever since. Now, however, this business relationship could very well be coming to an end, based on a brand new report from Manager Magazin.

    This publication is based out of Germany and typically has the inside track when it comes to what’s happening over at Adidas Headquarters. Based on the report, it noted that the brand is putting together a team that will try to have Adidas sell-off Reebok by early 2021. This news comes in the midst of a disappointing Q2 sales report that showed Reebok’s revenues dip by 42 percent as a result of COVID-19.

    As for potential buyers, Manager Magazin claims Anta Sports in China or the VF Corporation are suitors. The VF Corporation is certainly an interesting candidate as it boasts properties such as Timberland, Vans, and The North Face.

    So far, Adidas nor Reebok has commented on this story. Keep it locked to HNHH as we will be sure to keep you updated on this story. Also, stay tuned as plenty of other sneaker content is coming down the pipeline.

  • Tiffany sees earnings bump during legal case

    Tiffany sees earnings bump during legal case

    In the midst of a legal stoush with one-time suitor LVMH, luxurious chain Tiffany has seen constructive gross sales momentum carry it by means of the final two months.

    Though worldwide web gross sales fell barely, working earnings grew 25 percent during August and September in comparison with the identical interval final 12 months. And e-commerce gross sales continued to point out resilience, making up virtually 13 percent of complete gross sales for the interval – virtually double the August – September interval final 12 months.

    “While we still expect full-year results to be substantially impacted by Covid-19, we are very pleased with the way the business has rebounded following the first quarter and continues to rebound in the third quarter, especially in Mainland China, and to recover in the United States,” stated Tiffany chief government Alessandro Bogliolo

    The enterprise does, nonetheless, anticipate fourth-quarter gross sales to be below these seen final 12 months, however expects greater earnings to proceed.

    The earnings announcement got here because the enterprise continues its legal battle with LVMH, which dedicated to buying Tiffany & Co. however pulled out on the grounds the enterprise had been mismanaged during the pandemic and that the French authorities had requested it to delay the acquisition – one thing Tiffany claims by no means amounted to a legal restraint.

    “LVMH’s specious arguments are yet another blatant attempt to evade its contractual obligation to pay the agreed-upon price for Tiffany,” Tiffany’s chairman Roger Farah stated in a press release final month.

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