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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.

  • H&M’s Cos launches online reseller marketplace

    H&M’s Cos launches online reseller marketplace

    H&M’s subsidiary Cos has launched a pre-owned fashion platform called Resell.

    Resell allows the brand’s customers to buy and sell their used Cos pieces, “re-inventing their wardrobe in a considered and sustainable way,” according to a statement from H&M.

    The launch is part of the brand’s program of developing circular fashion and renewable solution strategies.

    “Resell reinforces Cos’ ambition and journey to becoming fully circular and renewable, developing innovative ways to continue the brand’s commitment to quality and longevity by re-imaging the lifecycle of each pre-loved piece,” the company said.

    Resell will charge a 10-per-cent commission to cover “operational costs” for every item sold on the platform. The digital platform is now available in the UK and Germany and will go global this Autumn.

    “By extending the life cycle of your Cos item, we believe we can work together to make better environmental choices,” the company said.

  • CJ Corp unveils plans to open Olive Young up for public investment

    CJ Corp unveils plans to open Olive Young up for public investment

    South Korean health-and-beauty business Olive Young is gearing up for an IPO next year, with the aim to list on the stock market in 2022.

    The business owner CJ Corp is currently recruiting for pre-IPO funders and is looking to sell around 20 to 30 percent of the owner’s family’s stake before it goes public, although CJ Group will not sell any of the 55 percent stakes it holds.

    Olive Young CEO Koo Chang-geun said the pre-IPO sale would not impact CJ Group’s management rights, and that the move would allow the business to pursue growth opportunities into the future.

    Shinhan Investment and Credit Suisse have been listed as joint advisors to the sale, and while there is some chatter that the business could be sold off as a whole, it is more likely that the IPO will be used to secure further funding to boost enterprise value.

    The business has long been one of South Korea’s largest beauty firms, seeing operating income grow 81 percent to US$74 million after $1.65 billion in sales last year.

  • Pomelo speeds up Southeast Asian retail expansion

    Pomelo speeds up Southeast Asian retail expansion

    Pomelo is speeding up its retail expansion plans across Southeast Asia as part of a multi-market retail strategy.

    The company said it will enter Indonesia and Malaysia next. Indonesia’s first store will open at Central Park mall this November, while Malaysia’s first store is expected to launch in the first quarter of next year.

    “Creating a seamless omnichannel experience has always been at the core of what we do at Pomelo, and it’s what allows us to continue expanding our retail presence at a time when other brands may be doing the opposite,” said Anders Heikenfeldt, chief retail officer at Pomelo.

    Last month, Pomelo Thailand opened two retail stores – at The Mall Ngamwongwan and Terminal 21 in Bangkok. By November, the brand will roll out three more stores in the city’s popular shopping locations, including Fashion Island and Siam Center. The company said it plans to reach 20 stores in the country by the end of this year.

    In Singapore, Pomelo will open the city’s second store at Nex mall in November.

    Pomelo’s Tap Try Buy, a rebranded iteration of the Pomelo Pick Up service, makes up almost half of Pomelo’s online orders, with this percentage continuing to increase during Covid-19.

    “With Tap Try Buy, we’ve seen a huge increase in user adoption, especially as Thailand started to ease lockdown restrictions,” said Heikenfeldt. “For us as a brand, this emphasized the importance of opening more physical touchpoints to both engage with our existing customers as well as enable new shoppers across the region to experience our unique omnichannel approach.”

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  • Massive China retail sales boost for Tiffany & Co

    Massive China retail sales boost for Tiffany & Co

    Aided by a massive sales boost in Mainland China, luxury jewelry retailer Tiffany & Co returned to profitability in the second quarter of this year.

    “Retail sales in Mainland China began to rebound in April and continued to accelerate in the month of May, during which retail sales increased approximately 90 percent as compared to the same period in the prior year,” said CEO Alessandro Bogliolo.

    “This robust recovery continued throughout the balance of the second quarter with retail sales up approximately 80 percent for the full quarter as compared to the same period in the prior year.”

    Tiffany’s second-quarter, worldwide net sales declined 29 percent from the prior year to $747 million and comparable sales declined 24 percent from the prior year. Net earnings of $32 million were down by 77 percent against the previous year’s $136 million. But that marked a welcome return to profit after a torrid, Covid-19 hit first quarter.

    For the half-year to July 31, worldwide net sales declined 37 percent year on year to $1.3 billion and comparable sales declined 34 percent. The company reported a net loss of $33 million compared with net earnings of $262 million the prior year.

    In the Asia-Pacific region, total net sales were flat in the second quarter and decreased 24 percent in the first half, to $299 million and $473 million, respectively, which included a comparable sales increase of 17 percent in the second quarter and a decrease of 16 percent in the first half.

    Besides the stellar China performance, Tiffany said its sales in South Korea rebounded strongly, however these increases were offset by softness across other markets and a decline in wholesale travel-retail sales, all related to the Covid-19 outbreak.

    In Japan, Tiffany’s net sales decreased by 28 percent in the second quarter and 34 percent in the first half to $111 million and $197 million, respectively.

    Bogliolo said the company’s global sales strengthened in August, with preliminary month-to-date worldwide sales through to August 25 “slightly positive” compared to the same month-to-date in the prior year.

    “Our focus on effective local market messaging continued with a marketing campaign, featuring the new Tiffany T ambassador Chinese singer Jackson Yee, which generated impressive levels of social media fan growth and consumer engagement that well exceeded our expectations.”

    Meanwhile, the company’s total e-commerce revenue was up 123 percent during the second quarter, accounting for 15 percent of overall sales – significantly higher than the 6-per-cent rate of the preceding three fiscal years.

    Bogliolo is bullish about the jeweler’s future prospects, despite the Covid-19 crisis. “I firmly believe that Tiffany’s best days remain in front of us because of the team’s demonstrated agility in response to unforeseen hurdles and our stated strategies, which continue to prove sound.

    “Our second-quarter results and August trends to date, in light of these challenging times, confirm the power and resilience of this venerable brand.”

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  • Clarins opens first kiosk-style store in Singapore

    Clarins opens first kiosk-style store in Singapore

    French beauty brand Clarins has opened its first kiosk-style concept store in Singapore, its fourth boutique in the city.

    Located in the heart of the Nex shopping center, the store occupies just 20sqm, but offers a wide range of products, including the Clarins hero product Double Serum and the V Shaping Facial Liftline.

    To celebrate the opening, the store introduced the brand’s Clarins Scented Collection which is made from plant ingredients and available in a series of products, including foaming gel, body lotion, home fragrance, and scented candles.

    “The new Clarins kiosk at Nex is perfect for time-strapped shoppers who appreciate the convenience of grab-and-go,” the company said in a statement.

    Clarins operates stores in more than 140 countries including Mainland China, India, Japan, and South Korea.

  • Bonjour to embrace digital technologies, live streaming used to battle profits

    Bonjour to embrace digital technologies, live streaming used to battle profits

    Bonjour, the Hong Kong-headquartered beauty retailer, says it plans to reduce its reliance on brick-and-mortar stores and focus on developing e-commerce and in-store digitalization.

    It will modify some of its existing stores adding technology that it anticipates will attract and engage customers and create a better shopping experience while also improving operational efficiency.

    The plans were revealed by the chairman and executive director Chen Jianwen along with the company’s results for the half-year to June 30, which included a loss attributable to shareholders of US$17.93 million on sales down 59.7 percent to $42.93 million. The decline was due to the borders being all but closed to foreigners due to the Covid-19 pandemic, including the ranks of mainlanders who traditionally head to the territory for shopping.

    Chen said the company has responded to the absence of tourist spending by diversifying its product portfolio to appeal more to local consumers.

    But the main focus moving forward is on transforming from a traditional retail model to New Retail, he said.

    “Digitalisation of the operating system and business model will help the group to better understand customers’ needs and wants and build a long-term relationship with the customers. Starting with training our frontline staff to broadcast product information online, the group will grasp the market opportunity and further develop the e-commerce platforms.”

    Already, frontline Bonjour staff are being trained in live-streaming skills to become influencers and interact with customers online.

    “At the same time, the group has also established its foothold at major online platforms spanning across 16 countries, including ShopShops, Tmall Global, Kaola.com, JD, Facebook, Youtube, Instagram, and Haitao.com, as well as establishing a WeChat store to connect with VIP users,” said Chen.

    In stores, the company is embracing digital transformation, backed by a new retail innovation center with a broadcast studio and testing self-service equipment, planned for launch into physical stores soon.

    In the future, customers will be able to scan the QR code of a product to learn information before they make a purchase and self-service kiosks will be installed at physical stores so that customers can check out by themselves.

    “With the rise of augmented reality and virtual reality, the group will keep an open mind to embrace new technology that helps customers to virtually try the products on which to help them to explore the most suitable products,” said Chen.

    Meanwhile, Bonjour will continue to review its store network, closing underperforming outlets and negotiating rent discounts with landlords.

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  • Gap closing over 225 stores globally as sales continue to drop

    Gap closing over 225 stores globally as sales continue to drop

    Struggling US apparel retailer Gap Inc has revealed plans to shutter more than 225 stores globally this year with another batch to follow next year.

    The company has reported a second-quarter net loss of $62 million on sales down 18 percent. Sales through physical stores were down by 48 percent, offset by a meteoric 95-per-cent rise on online sales. The company gained more than 3.5 million new customers during the period.

    The company did not give any indication of where in the world its stores would close, or which banners are most affected by the plan, although its namesake Gap network and Banana Republic stores seem to be performing the worst. As at August 1, Gap Inc had 1643 stores trading under those two brands.

    The decline in sales in physical stores during the quarter was caused by enforced temporary closures due to the Covid-19 pandemic, with shops beginning to reopen from May. As of August 1, about 90 percent of its stores globally were trading again.

    Worldwide sales by the Gap brand were down 28 percent and at Banana Republic by 52 percent. Old Navy performed better, down by 5 percent overall, and aided by a 136-per-cent increase online.

    Athleta was the standout, boosted by consumers purchasing more relaxing apparel as they moved to work from home. Sales were up 6 percent overall, and online by 74 percent.

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  • Daphne closing all physical retail stores

    Daphne closing all physical retail stores

    Hong Kong-listed women’s footwear label Daphne International is withdrawing its physical retail stores from Mainland China and Taiwan in the face of steep losses.

    The brand’s most recent interim financial report shows an 85-per-cent drop in turnover to US$27.35 million and a loss of $18.2 million. The loss reflects the firm’s continuing strategy of closing Daphne and Shoebox-branded sales points, as well as the impact of the coronavirus pandemic.

    The firm has had longstanding issues with its sales performance and had already shuttered 900 stores by March last year.

    Daphne reported 2208 physical stores in June last year, which had dropped to 293 by the same time this year.

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  • Bata plans hundreds more stores within the next three years

    Bata plans hundreds more stores within the next three years

    Footwear brand Bata in planning to launch 100 new stores in India against the backdrop of the coronavirus pandemic.

    The openings are part of the firm’s plans to have 500 more outlets operating by 2023 in the territory above its current 1500 stores. The move is expected to improve Bata’s market penetration in semi-urban and rural areas.

    “We will open around 100 stores this year,” said Bata India chairman Ashwani Windlass, “and 80 percent of these outlets will be opened through a franchise model in tier-II and tier-III cities.”

    Stores will be selectively opened in areas that performed comparatively well economically despite the impact of the pandemic. More urban customers may be targeted with mobile shops driving into more remote regions and setting up temporarily in residential complexes.

    The firm is also boosting its efforts in e-commerce, making deliveries in more than 1300 cities. Bata management currently estimates that online sales make up 5 or 6 percent of total sales.

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  • Japan’s 2nd Street to launch in Taiwan

    Japan’s 2nd Street to launch in Taiwan

    Japanese pre-owned fashion retailer 2nd Street is launching in Taiwan with its first outlet set to open in Taipei. Located in the Ximen neighborhood, the store offers some 7000 items, including clothing, handbags, shoes, and accessories from Japanese designer brands such as Comme des Garcons and Under Cover as well as luxury brands like Louis Vuitton and Chanel.

    The brand plans to open three 2nd Street shops in Taiwan by next March.

    The 2nd Street Taiwan store’s layout and service will follow that of the stores in Japan. Prior to the launch, 2nd Street opened a pop-up store in Breeze Nan Shan mall to test the potential of the brand in the country.

    “Our aim is to expand the fan base for 2nd Street with a combination of the experience developed in Japan for the re-use business and the retail management skills beloved by the people of Taiwan,” said Sadaharu Deguchi, chairman, and GM at 2nd Street.

    “I sincerely hope that 2nd Street Ximen Taipei will become an attractive location for many customers,” Deguchi said.

    Launched in 2018, 2nd Street handles the sales of pre-owned products, including clothing, furniture, and appliances.

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  • 6ixty8ight expands online into two more SEA countries

    6ixty8ight expands online into two more SEA countries

    Lingerie chain 6ixty8ight is expanding its e-commerce network into Thailand and the Philippines, less than two months after it launched in Japan.

    “With an increasing proportion of customers who prefer to shop online, 6ixty8ight puts e-commerce business as the top business priority,” the company said in a statement.

    The Hong Kong-headquartered brand said it uses online stores as a means to start building brand awareness in new markets before progressing into physical stores. In two months, 6ixty8ight has opened a presence in three new markets in Asia.

    The 6ixty8ight online stores in Thailand and the Philippines will feature a full range of lingerie, homeware, casualwear, and accessories. The brand will also introduce its new collections, including Modern Lace Collection and Summer Styles.

    Founded in 2002, 6ixty8ight operates more than 200 stores across Greater China, South Korea, Singapore, and Malaysia.

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  • Men’s swimwear label Debayn kicks off in Hong Kong

    Men’s swimwear label Debayn kicks off in Hong Kong

    French swimwear brand Debayn has launched in Hong Kong with a five-month pop-up store.

    Located on the walkway between Pacific Place and Admiralty Centre into the Lab Concept, the pop-up store offers Debayn’s full collection and new products, including tailored polo shirts featuring the label’s distinctive color strips, and caps named after a village in French Riviera.

    “True sea lovers at heart, and thirsty to find daily functional swimwear edits that are for both sea and land… our pop-up is the right place to visit,” said the company’s CEO Eric Delplanque. “We’ve limited our color palette to ensure the mix and match of our products and essentially, to provide a long-term degree of comfort.”

    The Debayn Hong Kong pop up will remain open until November 25.

    At the same time as it builds a consumer profile through a single-brand retail space in Hong Kong, the company is also working with independent retailers, 5-star hotels, and clubs in both Hong Kong and Macau.

    “Our main target this year is retail as it brings more exposure than hotels and clubs,” Delplanque told Inside Retail Asia. “Moreover, having our own store or popup is part of our strategy.”

    Debayn’s founder also created Albatros CX, a global customer-experience agency for premium and luxury brands, specializing in capturing and analyzing experience feedback. That pedigree has helped attract investors into the brand which will provide a significant budget to fund brand awareness.

    Delplanque says the company plans to open its first European brick-and-mortar store in St Tropez village in France next year. It is also expanding its product range to include items such as shirts, t-shirts, kids swimwear and rash guards.

    Founded in France in 2017, Debayn focuses on ‘Slow Fashion’, a sustainable approach entailing better-quality materials that will last longer.

  • Shiseido selects transgender Hunter Schafer as global ambassador

    Shiseido selects transgender Hunter Schafer as global ambassador

    Japanese beauty label Shiseido has appointed Hunter Schafer as its global brand ambassador, a move aimed at broadening its appeal to new, younger generations of customers.

    The 21-year-old transgender actress made her acting debut last year in HBO American drama Euphoria. Besides acting career, Hunter has also modeled for fashion houses, including Dior, Miu Miu, Calvin Klein, and Versus Versace.

    In a statement, Shiseido described Schafer as “a multifaceted Generation Z” who “inspires, ignites change and transcends boundaries by celebrating individuality on and off the screen”.

    “Hunter Schafer really represents the current zeitgeist of beauty in that there are no rules, no boundaries, and no restrictions,” said James Boehmer, global artistic director for Shiseido Makeup.

    “Similar to Shiseido, she is both modern and timeless, continues to write her own narrative, which is what we encourage people to do with makeup.”

    With Schafer as a global brand ambassador, the brand aims to empower customers by helping them push their own unique beauty further, according to Yoshiaki Okabe, chief brand officer at Shiseido.

    “Nobody embodies this concept better than American actress and artist Hunter Schafer,” the company said in a statement.

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  • Uniqlo launches new range with French fashionista Ines de la Fressange

    Uniqlo launches new range with French fashionista Ines de la Fressange

    Uniqlo has teamed up with former French fashion model Ines de la Fressange to produce a range of clothing where comfort meets luxury style.

    Born and raised in France, de la Fressange became a top international model soon after starting her career at the age of 17. In 2013 she created her own brand Ines de la Fressange Paris and first collaborated with Uniqlo in 2014.

    The new range, which goes on sale this Friday (August 28), will feature three themes.

    Bohemian is inspired by the free-spirited culture of the 1970s, celebrated in a variety of flowy, twist pleated skirts and dresses with paisley and polka dot prints.

    Neobourgeois features 100-per-cent silk blouses and wrap dresses, while the third, Mannish, includes coats, classical tweed jackets, corduroy pants, and other essentials for “masculine coordination”.

    De la Fressange says the new lines are influenced by the styling of fashion adopted by women she admires from the 1970s. Among them: actress, songwriter, and model Jane Birkin and singer-songwriter Francoise Madeleine Hardy.

    “Back in the seventies, many women were determined to emancipate themselves from traditions,” de la Fressange explains. “These liberated individuals took fashion and their lives in exciting new directions.”

    The new collaboration will be sold through Singapore Uniqlo stores (excluding at Changi Airport) and online, as well as other selected Uniqlo stores throughout Asia.

  • Japan’s Nanamica landing in New York City for US debut

    Japan’s Nanamica landing in New York City for US debut

    Japanese clothing label Nanamica is to open its first international store in New York City.

    Located on Worcester St in the Soho arena, the Nanamica New York store occupies 1200sqft, offering a selection of designer Akumate Nanamica’s lines together with a limited collection from other brands, including a collaboration with The North Face, Purple Label.

    Designed by Taichi Kuma, the store design features a “house of the sea” theme, illustrating the open and relaxing ambiance of the sea, according to the company.

    “With the message of One Ocean, All Lands (the sea is one and the world is connected), we will send it from New York to the world so that the style proposed by Nanamica, a high-dimensional mix of fashion and function, will become a standard for various countries,” the company said in a statement translated from Japanese.

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