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Category: Food

Retail News Asia is committed to providing both local and global retailers with the latest Food and Food & Beverage news throughout the Asian market. This on a daily base.

  • Pernod Ricard calls for Hong Kong to mind its throw-away fashion and glass this Responsib’ALL Day

    Pernod Ricard calls for Hong Kong to mind its throw-away fashion and glass this Responsib’ALL Day

    Hong Kong-based entities of Pernod Ricard – Pernod Ricard Asia HQ, Pernod Ricard Hong Kong and Macau and Pernod Ricard Travel Retail Asia – will be helping to tackle the growing problem of throw-away fashion and glass by partnering over 200 of its employees with non-profit organisation ‘HandsOn Hong Kong’, turning waste into reusable items for people in need.

    Known globally as ‘Responsib’ALL Day’, it will see local employees creating street mats for the homeless and bath mats for the elderly out of discarded t-shirts and upcycling unwanted bottles into glass lamps that will all be donated to four respective non-profit organizations and schools in need.

    Cyril Sayag, Vice President, Corporate Affairs of Pernod Ricard Asia, says that by participating in upcycling workshops such as these, we all have the chance to bring life back to glassware and textiles that would otherwise be going to landfill.

    “Sustainability and Responsibility have always been at the heart of Pernod Ricard and that’s why we want to foster circularity across the business, to encourage employees to reimagine the way they use, dispose, and minimise waste,” says Mr Sayag.

    “For the 9th consecutive year, all 19,000 employees of Pernod Ricard in 86 countries are mobilized on the Responsib’ALL Day to minimizing waste and make the most of resources in their local community.”

    Every minute in Hong Kong, 1,400 t-shirts are being sent to landfill as a wasted resource, adding up to 110,000 tonnes of textiles thrown away each year. Textile waste is also the second largest source of pollution in the world.*

    This is in addition to the 300 tonnes of glass, mostly bottles, sent to landfills every day, despite a local levy on imports made of them into Hong Kong.**

    Sue Toomey, Executive Director of HandsOn Hong Kong, says that the generation of waste has been growing at an increasingly alarming rate and Hong Kong’s consumption-led lifestyle is putting enormous pressure on local landfills.

    “With more than 300 tonnes of textile waste discarded in the city’s landfills each day, there is a greater need than ever to raise awareness around the importance of reclaiming discarded items and recycling them for local use,” says Ms Toomey. “That’s why partnerships such as this with Pernod Ricard are so valuable to the environmental health of the local community.”

    The initiative follows Pernod Ricard’s 2030 Sustainability & Responsibility roadmap , “Good Time from a Good Place”,  which focuses on all aspects of the business from ‘grain to glass’ and supports the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals.

    Its four pillars, Nurturing Terroir, Valuing People, Circular Making and Responsible Hosting, bring alive the Group’s vision ‘créateurs de convivialité’ by mobilising all employees to engage with local communities on Responsib’ALL Day across the world on the same day.

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  • Her in Causeway Bay mixed fashion and food

    Her in Causeway Bay mixed fashion and food

    Hong Kong stylist Hilary Tsui has opened a cafe connected to her fashion boutique designed to “transport guests to a new planet”.

    The store – Her in Causeway Bay – serves coffee, cookies and ice-blended coffees to browsing customers, marrying Tsui’s passion for fashion and gastronomy. It was designed by studio Clap, based in Valencia, Spain.

    According to design news site Dezeen, the retail space features stacked terracotta display plinths and celestial aluminium partitions help create “an other-worldly atmosphere”.

    “Tsui’s desire was to create a retail space dedicated to contemporary women that brings together her two passions in one place: fashion and gastronomy,” explained the studio’s design team.

    “So we imagined Her as a sinuous landscape, with impressive mountains and pure materials – all together as a new space that’s yet to be discovered, like planet Mars.”

    Clothing items are hung from wavy racks that are suspended from the ceiling. Jewellery is presented on pale circular tables supported by thin metal stems, intended to resemble “small white lotus leaves that grow from the mountains”.

    Terracotta tiles are stacked to form a series of blocky plinths that the studio likens to “reddish mountains”, where accessories can be displayed or visitors can sit and rest.

    See more images and further commentary about Her in Causeway Bay here on Dezeen.

  • Shakey’s Pizza Asia Ventures acquires Restaurants

    Shakey’s Pizza Asia Ventures acquires Restaurants

    Shakey’s Pizza Asia Ventures has fully acquired local Philippines restaurant chain Peri-Peri Charcoal Chicken.

    The firm has also recently signed a memorandum of understanding to buy artisanal pizza brand Project Pie, including all assets and intellectual property. The brand was previously owned by Shakey’s parent firm Century Pacific Group and Singaporean sovereign wealth fund GIC.

    As of June 1, Shakey’s is now the owner-operator of all Peri Peri stores owned by the company, as well as brand owner and franchisor of the remaining outlets.

    Peri-Peri now has 23 locations throughout the Philippines.

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  • Eco-friendly pop-up store Mosscape opens at Scotts Square

    Eco-friendly pop-up store Mosscape opens at Scotts Square

    Verteran horticulture company Nyee Phoe Group has opened its first pop-up store, Mosscape Concept.

    Located on the first level of Scotts Square, the 2800sqft space combines horticulture and entertainment – aptly named “HortiTainment” – blending a retail space, food-and-beverage counter and an educational zone.

    Products for sale include preserved nature installations which come in several forms such as moss, foliage, flowers and trees, sold for decorations. They have been preserved so they do not need water or sunlight, making them suitable for nature lovers who are away from home often.

    Visitors can also sign up for moss art workshops where they will be able to make their own moss terrarium.

    For dining, the store offers locally grown farm-to-fork salads and desserts.

  • Online FMCG sales to soar in four years

    Online FMCG sales to soar in four years

    Online FMCG sales are forecast to grow 163 per cent by 2023 across major markets, according to a new report from research organisation IGD, in association with The Consumer Goods Forum.

    The report explores three digital retail models of the future and predictions for an increasingly digital food and consumer goods industry. It finds that Asia and North America will lead the way on the rate of growth, with Europe set to develop this channel at a comparatively slower pace. Major grocery e-commerce markets will continue to expand rapidly, growing at almost four times the rate of any other channel.

    Online FMCG sales in Asia-Pacific are set to triple over the five year period, with IGD forecasting that in 2023, e-commerce’s share of grocery in Asia (7.5 per cent) will be twice that of North America (3.4 per cent), and close to three times larger than Europe’s (2.5 per cent).

    Asia-Pacific’s online grocery market will grow by 196 per cent by 2023, adding US$198 billion to the industry.

    “We are living in exceptional times,” said IGD CEO Susan Barratt, “with an extraordinary burst of retail innovation, driven largely by digital developments. With this research we explore the global proliferation of retail innovation from three different directions: established players, online specialists and the new ecosystems. We believe that plenty of the new emerging models are set to grow and prosper, which means established retailers will need to work hard and swiftly, either to limit their impact or to emulate them.”

    “While of course growth remains challenging for all of the established players in the industry, many are nevertheless finding that the ongoing disruption presents exciting opportunities,” said The Consumer Goods Forum MD Peter Freedman.

    “This report presents several ideas for consumer goods and retail companies looking to secure their long-term future, and we’ll be discussing some of these themes at the Global Summit in Vancouver: how scale and agility can impact your business model, how digital technologies will permeate decisions and how new forms of collaboration will help drive the sustainable evolution of our industry.”

  • Whittard of Chelsea launched in Taiwan

    Whittard of Chelsea launched in Taiwan

    Fine beverages retailer Whittard of Chelsea has partnered with Ruentex Group to launch its first stores in Taiwan. The new venues, located in Breeze Nanshan department store and Mitsui Mall in Taichung, are early steps in the firm’s emerging international expansion. The firm chose Taiwan following considerable interest in the brand among Taiwanese tourists in the UK.

    Three more outlets are expected to open in the territory later this year.

    “After seeing evidence of the appeal of our brand to the Taiwanese consumer in our home market, we became very excited by the opportunity to introduce the brand to Taiwan and started looking for the right partner,” said Whittard of Chelsea’s CEO Mark Dunhill.

    “We are delighted to have secured a partnership with Ruentex Group; they have an excellent record in bringing international brands to Taiwan and we share the same passion and ambition for Whittard. Together with my colleagues in England, I look forward to working closely with them to build a successful business in the years to come.”

    Whittard recently opened on China’s Tmall platform and has also made entries into Japan and Southeast Asia.

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  • Bubble-tea chain Milksha opening Stores in Singapore

    Bubble-tea chain Milksha opening Stores in Singapore

    Taiwanese bubble-tea chain Milksha is opening two outlets in Singapore by the end of this month.

    The first flagship outlet will open at Suntec City Mall, and a second in Funan mall, which is scheduled to open on the 28th.

    Known as Milkshop in Taiwan, and Milksha outside of Taiwan, the chain has five signature products: Azuki Matcha Milk, Fresh Taro Milk, Refreshing Orange Green Tea, Earl Grey Latte with Honey Pearl and Valrhona 100% Cocoa Milk.

    The brand is also known for its honey pearls, which are made in Taiwan and frozen using ‘quick-freeze’ technology to maintain the texture of the pearls, before being flown to Singapore.

    The local outlets will offer four varieties: Fresh Milk Series, Fresh Milk Tea Latte Series, Premium Tea Series and Special Concoctions.

    Milksha currently has more than 230 outlets in Taiwan, 20 in China and two in Hong Kong.

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  • Janice Wong continues expansion outside Singapore

    Janice Wong continues expansion outside Singapore

    Confectionery and food brand Janice Wong is expanding its reach both within Singapore and beyond as it chases a broader customer demographic.

    In Singapore, the local foodie’s popular three-year old restaurant at the National Museum will close after its current lease expires this month, allowing the company to focus its attention on her retail business. Janice Wong plans to expand beyond Paragon, Raffles City Shopping Centre, T Galleria and Changi airport Terminal 3, working closely with brands and key partners, as well as developing the menu of the 2am Dessert Bar, which has just marked its 12th year.

    Chairman of Janice Wong Singapore, Manoj M Murjani, says the company has created “a fun-loving and whimsical brand” that has brought joy to customers in creative and innovative markets like Japan, Singapore, Korea and even London.

    “This is the right time to capitalise on our success and expand our presence in the region and globally. We believe the Janice Wong brand also provides a unique platform for strategic corporate partners who want to engage their customers in a bold and memorable way.”

    In the first quarter of this year, Janice Wong has announced partnerships including new concessions at DFS T Galleria in February and at Changi Airport’s Terminal 3 in March, allowing travellers to get a taste of a Singaporean creative chocolatier brand on home ground and broadening the brand’s exposure to a larger demographic.

    Taking her edible art exhibitions abroad, Janice Wong launched her latest installation at the Solaria Plaza shopping mall in Fukuoka, Japan, a 10-day edible-art exhibition featuring 12 ‘edible-flower walls’ made from chocolate and lollipops.

    In South Korea, Janice Wong’s longest-spanning exhibition to date, Wonderbox, in Seoul, will become a permanent work for the next three years, moving to South Korea’s newest indoor theme park, Paradise City in Incheon. It will feature creations such as her Lollipop Ceiling and a four-metre-tall Chocolate Drip Paint.

    In addition to the long-term installation, Janice Wong’s first Wonderbox retail store in South Korea opened last month, featuring a selection of her signature products, such as boxed chocolate collections, chocolate bars and lollipops.

    Three years after entering Japan, the company has formed a new local venture Janice Wong Japan Company. “This newly registered business represents the next steps in affirming a long-term plan in Japan and to significantly growth the brand within this market,” the company said.

    Beyond Asia, Janice Wong is looking to follow up last year’s launch in Harrods in London, with forays into Dublin and Berlin by the end of this year.

    Murjani says that as convenience becomes more significant, the brand will shift its efforts towards innovation and product development within the retail section of the company to meet consumer demands. That will see the brand focus on expanding its retail selection of chocolate-coated products and other confectionery offerings.

  • Godiva completes sale of APAC operations

    Godiva completes sale of APAC operations

    Belgian manufacturer of gourmet chocolates, Godiva Chocolatier, has completed the sale of selected assets of its Asia Pacific business to South Korea’s MBK Partners.

    Godiva, a subsidiary of Turkey’s Yildiz Holding, said the deal with the private equity firm includes Godiva’s retail and distribution operations in Japan, South Korea and Australia as well as the future rights to develop New Zealand.

    The transaction also includes the Godiva production facility in Brussels that supplies product to these markets.

    No financial terms were disclosed, but according to a previous Reuters article about the announcement of the sale, the transaction could be worth between $1 billion and $1.5 billion.

    Godiva, which will retain exclusive brand ownership in all global markets, said the deal is in line of its global strategy to grow its business five-fold.

    Godiva said it is granting perpetual license to MBK Partners but will continue to own and operate the remaining markets in over 100 countries.Adtech Ad

    According to the chocolatier, it will maintain its R&D Center of Excellence in Brussels, Belgium, and will continue to source its products from the Belgian facility, the Godiva-owned production facility in the US and from its affiliate facilities in Istanbul, Turkey.

    The company previously announced it will use the proceeds of the sale to finance diversification, including an expansion of its cafe business from 20 stores to more than 2000 globally in the next six years.

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  • Foodstuffs to open self-checkout-only store

    Foodstuffs to open self-checkout-only store

    Foodstuffs is opening a self-checkout-only grocery store called Pams Pantry – an extension of its Pams private label range.

    The store, which will open in Amberley, North Canterbury, in July will primarily stock Foodstuffs’ Pams, Pams Finest and Value private labels.

    According to Foodstuffs South Island general manager of retail Tim Donaldson, the store will offer ease, convenience and great value to customers.

    “There’s something else new. The store will be 100 per cent self-checkout, freeing up our team members to help customers get what they want, how they want it,” Donaldson said in a statement.

    “There will still be an opportunity to catch up on local gossip and news with our people, but these customers who love the ability to get in and out quickly with no fuss will enjoy the ease of self-checkout.”

    The concept store is serving as a trial, and if things go well, it will lead to a broader rollout into other parts of New Zealand.

    Donaldson said he has long had this project in mind, and is looking forward to seeing how customers respond to the self-service experience.

    “When the opportunity came up to revisit one of our Four Square stores, we wanted to do something very different for customers,” Donaldson said.

    “Aside from the fact we get to celebrate one of New Zealand’s most iconic grocery brands, Pams, we also have the chance to create a new, one-of-a-kind shopping experience for our customers in Amberley.”

  • Changi Airport liquor & tobacco concession Open

    Changi Airport liquor & tobacco concession Open

    The Changi Airport liquor & tobacco concession is up for grabs after DFS Venture opted not to proceed with a two-year extension.

    Changi Airport Group (CAG) will launch a tender for the concession on June 4, covering 18 stores, spanning more than 8000sqm of retail space across the airport’s four terminals. It will run for six years from June 9 next year.

    CAG is seeking a strong partner with retail concepts to augment the passenger experience for the liquor and tobacco concession.

    From store design and product range, to in-store activations and e-commerce strategy, the retailer should put forth a robust and compelling proposal, leveraging new technologies and innovations, to elevate travel retail at Changi, CAG said.

    The Changi Airport liquor & tobacco concession will serve more than 66 million international travellers who pass through Changi Airport annually.

    “We look forward to new retail concepts to take the liquor & tobacco concession to new heights,” said CAG VP for commercial, Lim Peck Hoon.

    “Changi is fully committed to growing with our concession partners through impactful innovation and effective collaboration. There will be a wealth of opportunities for the liquor & tobacco partner to showcase its offerings to Changi’s global audience, delivering revolutionary best-in-class retail experiences, to build and grow its business.”

    Interested retailers will be required to attend a compulsory tender briefing and site visit scheduled on June 25. The deadline for submissions is August 5.

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  • A&W Singapore opening second outlet

    A&W Singapore opening second outlet

    American fast-food chain A&W Singapore will open second outlet in Ang Mo Kio Hub in July.

    The outlet at AMK Hub’s basement will span 2812sqft and seat up to 142 diners.

    Unlike the Jewel Changi outlet, the AMK one will be ‘family-oriented’ and more flexible to accommodate larger groups of diners.

    There will also be a counter for customers to watch waffles being made, and a selfie corner to satisfy millennials.

    A retail section will sell merchandise such as t-shirts, caps and pins will be set up.

    “The A&W brand is something people remember from childhood,” A&W international manager for business development Sally See said.

    “We see baby boomers taking their children to the Jewel outlet. With the AMK Hub outlet, we hope they can relive those memories of the time when A&W used to be in Ang Mo Kio.”

    Initially, the new store will trade during normal mall hours but it will eventually be open 24-seven.

    The menu will feature A&W signature items, and will expand to include breakfasts as well.

    More A&W Singapore stores are scheduled to open from the second quarter of next year with the Tampines and Jurong areas targeted.

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  • Xin Dau Ji expands into Malaysia

    Xin Dau Ji expands into Malaysia

    Michelin-starred Hong Kong seafood restaurant Xin Dau Ji has opened in Ekovest’s mixed development project, EkoCheras Mall in Malaysia.

    The opening in the integrated development, which features 1 million sqft of retail space, is a significant step forward for Ekovest’s F&B division Duke Dinings.

    “We are pleased to introduce this established brand to Malaysia, which is also a first in Southeast Asia,” said Duke Dinings group director Jong Wei Wei. “As Malaysia’s F&B sector is booming, it is our intention to fill the gap in the market for affordable lifestyle-driven dining concepts and Xin Dau Ji fits well with this objective.”

    “To be recognised by the prestigious Michelin Guide is a tremendous motivation and affirmation for the entire team at Xin Dau Ji,” said the restaurant’s representative Jonathan Chou. “It is our vision to make every dining experience at Xin Dau Ji truly exceptional and memorable.”

    Xin Dau Ji has been recognised for high-quality and nostalgia dishes since it opened in 1972.

  • Restaurant Brands is Expanding Again

    Restaurant Brands is Expanding Again

    KFC Australia enjoyed a 6 per cent increase in same-store sales in its first quarter of FY19 and a 1.9 per cent increase in total sales, despite the temporary closure of several stores for refurbishments.

    KFC saw $37.3 million (NZ$39.7m) in same-store sales and $40.7 million in total sales in the quarter.

    This helped drive total sales for parent company Restaurant Brands up 1.6 per cent to $182.8 million, due to increased same-store-sales in all of its markets; Australia, New Zealand, and Hawaii.

    In New Zealand, KFC saw a same-store sales increase of 5.2 per cent to $73.8 million (NZ$78.4m), up from $70.2 million (NZ$74.6m) during Q1 of FY18. Restaurant Brand’s Pizza Hut operations in New Zealand, however, saw a significant drop in sales over the period.

    While same-store sales fell 4.6 per cent, the pizza chain’s total sales fell 16.1 per cent to $7.2 million (NZ$7.7m), compared to the $8.57 million (NZ$9.1m) seen during the same period of FY18.

    Looking forward, Restaurant Brands’ management notes that it is no secret they intend to turn the operation into a billion-dollar company, in both market capitalisation and in total revenue.

    “As to our total revenue, in just over two years we’re well on the way having doubled in size through international acquisitions,” the group wrote in a statement to shareholders.

    “Now that consolidating new operations and transitioning the company to a new ownership structure are behind us, we are set to resume our aggressive expansion strategy with gusto.”

    Over the next five years, the group expects to open 30 new KFC stores across Australia and New Zealand, acquire independent KFC franchises in Australia, launch and roll out Taco Bell in New Zealand and Australia and establish a larger presence in the United States.

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  • Song Fa Bak Kut Teh Restaurant Chain to enter Taiwan

    Song Fa Bak Kut Teh Restaurant Chain to enter Taiwan

    Food Republic Taiwan is to open Song Fa Bak Kut Teh restaurants in Taiwan.

    The BreadTalk subsidiary has entered a franchise deal with Song Fa Holdings to develop and operate the Teochew pork-rib stew brand in Taiwan for the next 10 years.

    The first two outlets in Taiwan will be opened in popular Taipei malls.

    “Both malls have strong existing tenants and are household names among the local populace and tourists alike,” said Henry Chu, BreadTalk CEO.

    “With the addition of a star attraction like Song Fa Bak Kut Teh, we are confident to deliver the illustrious Song Fa experience to our customers in Taiwan.”

    Founded in 1969, Song Fa Bak Kut Teh has 10 outlets in Singapore, seven in Indonesia, six in China, and one in Thailand.

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