Retail News CRM

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.

  • Fruitas to launch grilled chicken, fresh foods concepts

    Fruitas to launch grilled chicken, fresh foods concepts

    Philippine food-and-beverage kiosk operator Fruitas Holdings will soon launch two new concepts in addition to their popular fresh-fruit shakes concept.

    The first is a store concept under Babot’s Farm brand, while the second represents Fruitas Holdings’ new forway into the fast-growing grilled chicken market segment.

    “Babot’s Farm is a collection of fresh products which Fruitas is excited to serve to Filipino consumers. Our mission is to make fresh products easily accessible to Filipinos, thus bringing the farm closer to them,” said FHI president and CEO Lester Yu.

    Babot’s Farm will initially have three verticals of fresh products in its own portfolio,

    including the company’s buko beverage line, a new soy range under Soy & Bean, featuring products from its recent acquisition, The Tofu Store, and fresh dairy.

    Soy & Bean’s soy-based products will initially include fresh soy milk, tofu, taho, and soy-based ice cream.

    Meanwhile, Fruitas’ grilled-chicken business will be offered through its existing kiosk network along with new solus stores to be opened in strategic locations. The firm will leverage off its recently acquired Heat Stroke Grill and Kuxina Ihaw na.

    Yu said the company is excited about its impending entry into the chicken business and confident it can do so in a cost-effective manner and develop a “well-loved product”.

    Fruitas Holdings started in 2002 from a single Fruitas stall. The company ended last year with 1068 stores across the country.

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  • Shopee starts selling fresh foods online in Malaysia

    Shopee starts selling fresh foods online in Malaysia

    Shopee Malaysia has launched a fresh food grocery delivery service, including vegetables, seafood, and poultry.

    Ian Ho, regional MD of Shopee, says Malaysia’s e-commerce market is in a hyper-growth stage. “For us, that means it is not time to slow down. We are identifying more areas to tap into, such as the fresh segment, to create a more dynamic online shopping and selling environment. We aim to empower and drive inclusive economic growth by working directly with fishermen and farmers in rural Malaysia for this project,” he said.

    Fresh foods will initially be available in the Klang Valley area of Greater Kuala Lumpur in a pilot program before Shopee Malaysia rolls the service out nationwide.

    The e-commerce company is partnering with local brands including Fresh Tap and Fish Club, the latter of which will sell fish from Pontian fishing village, vacuum-packed and blast frozen immediately after scaling and filleting to maintain freshness.

    Orders from Fresh Tap and Fish Club bought via Shopee Malaysia will be delivered within one to three days.

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  • Taiwan’s Chun Fun How opens new outlet in Singapore

    Taiwan’s Chun Fun How opens new outlet in Singapore

    Taiwanese bubble-tea chain Chun Fun How is preparing to launch a flagship store at the Esplanade in Singapore this month.

    The floral-themed store will offer takeaway drinks only in its new outlet – mostly premium fruit tea blends in attractively designed “Instagrammable” cups – with a heavy emphasis on sanitization as the coronavirus outbreak continues. The brand is expected to be offering new drinks and menu items exclusive to the Singapore market.

    The brand is known for its low profile in Taiwan, with the majority of its stores targeting students and local business people rather than tourists.

    Chu Fun How has 14 outlets within Taiwan, a franchise outlet in both Hong Kong and Canada, and plans to expand in Indonesia as well as Singapore.

  • Minor International’s food division turns a corner while hotels deliver huge profit boost

    Minor International’s food division turns a corner while hotels deliver huge profit boost

    Minor International has boosted its full-year profit by 137 percent, largely due to the consolidation of its recent acquisition, the NH Hotel Group.

    Fourth-quarter profit of US$119.3 million, represented a 569-per-cent increase year on year, but this included a gain on sale of three hotels in the Maldives. Excluding non-recurring items, profit grew 23 percent for the full year and 53 percent for the fourth quarter.

    Minor’s food division, which operates more than 2300 outlets in 26 countries trading under banners including The Pizza Company, The Coffee Club, Thai Express, Bonchon, Swensen’s, Sizzler, Dairy Queen and Burger King, recorded a mild reduction in profit for the quarter, from $8.6 million to $8.2 million.

    “Minor Food continued to invest in its digital capabilities to increase competitiveness and to address the soft market going forward,” the company said in a results release. “Thailand hub’s increased engagement with third-party aggregators (as a complement to its own delivery platform), coupled with continuous new product launches, resulted in much-improved same-store-sales.”

    In Australia, new product launches, a digital loyalty program and a partnership with Uber Eats saw same-store sales turn into positive growth.

    “Improving operations during the quarter, together with the consolidation of Bonchon since mid-November, helped offset softer performance in other parts of the operations. As a result, Minor Food’s performance is showing signs of recovery with a lower decline in its net profit in the fourth quarter compared to other quarters in the year,” the company said.

    After the close of the quarter, Minor International announced a plan to privatize Singapore-based BreadTalk Group, which would see it take a 25.1 percent stake in partnership with founder George Quek and his associates.

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  • South Korean cafe ranks continues to grow

    South Korean cafe ranks continues to grow

    The number of South Korean cafes continues to grow at a brisk pace, according to a government recent study.

    The Korea Fair Trade Commission reported there were 15,036 coffee shops in South Korea as of 2018, an increase of 7.9 percent (1105 shops) over the previous year. The rate of increase was the highest among all types of restaurants.

    The data may be a year out of date, but anecdotal feedback from the industry suggests the trend endured into last year

    As of 2018, average annual sales for South Korean cafes amounted to 231 million won (US$190,000), which was 6.5 percent more than in 2017.

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  • Starbucks Japan to open greenhouse store in theme park

    Starbucks Japan to open greenhouse store in theme park

    Starbucks Japan is to open a greenhouse store in western Tokyo this month, set in a theme park celebrating flora and fauna.

    Located inside the Hana Biyori greenhouse operated by Yomiuriland park, the Starbuck greenhouse cafe occupies a 1500sqm area, featuring colorful flower chandeliers and abundant greenery including begonia, fuchsia, petunia, geranium and bellflower.

    As can be seen from the artist’s impressions, large aquarium tanks will also be a central feature of the store.

    With 20 projectors and 18 speakers, the cafe will present an audio-visual experience filled with digital and real flora several times a day.

    Starbucks Hana Biyori will open its doors to the public on March 14.

  • First MOS Burger store opens in Manila

    First MOS Burger store opens in Manila

    The first MOS Burger store in the Philippines opened this week, on the second floor of Robinsons Galleria, Ortigas Center.

    MOS Food Services Inc chairman Atsushi Sakurada said the store is just one of many branches planned for Metro Manila this year.

    MOS Burger Philippines was formed last year by MOS Food Services Inc of Japan and Tokyo Coffee Holdings in a joint venture agreement.

    The first MOS Burger store in the Philippines brings the chain’s internationally popular burgers to the local market, including cheeseburgers, Wagyu Burger and Wagyu Rice Burger.

    Founded in 1972, MOS Burger describes itself as fast casual. It is now Japan’s second-largest fast-food chain with 1300 stores domestically and 300 others around the world. In Asia it already has outlets in Thailand, Singapore, Hong Kong, Indonesia and South Korea and it plans to launch in Vietnam later this year.

    Like other fast-food chains targeting rapidly growing Southeast Asian markets, MOS Burger faces a challenge in changing local consumers’ habits of eating cheap street food to trade up to burger meals which are comparatively expensive.

    The chain’s unique selling point is its burger buns, which are made of rice mixed with barley and millet. It positions its meals as healthier than traditional fast-food fare.

    Prior to its Philippines opening, MOS Burger offered the public burgers for two days last month to tease the market and test its operations.

    Alongside burgers, the first MOS Burger store in the Philippines serves fried chicken, coffees, teas and its signature lemonade. Burgers are priced from PHP 189 (US$3.72) to PHP 309 ($6.08) for the upscale Wagu burger, with beverages from PHP 68 ($1.34) to PHP 149 ($2.93).

    MOS stands for Mountain, Ocean and Sun.

  • Jamie’s Italian Restaurants closing in Hong Kong and Taipei

    Jamie’s Italian Restaurants closing in Hong Kong and Taipei

    Celebrity chef Jamie Oliver’s Italian restaurant franchise Jamie’s Italian will close its locations in Hong Kong today, while its restaurant in Taipei was shuttered yesterday.

    After facing significant setbacks to the business following its collapse in the UK last May, the local franchisee Big Cat Group ultimately faced its greatest setback during Hong Kong’s anti-government protests last year – with sales dipping 20–35 percent year on year. The ensuing coronavirus outbreak proved to be the chain’s final stand.

    “I’m deeply saddened that our restaurants in Hong Kong have had to cease trading,” Big Cat’s head William Lyon told the South China Morning Post. “Our absolute priority was to ensure that all affected staff were paid in full. We do not forecast a marked improvement over the next few months and have therefore made the difficult decision to close all three restaurants with immediate effect.

    “Despite the support from our Causeway Bay landlord, our other landlords have not been supportive enough during this period. We’d like to thank our fantastic staff and the thousands of customers we’ve had the pleasure of serving over the past few years.”

    Jamie’s Italian has not exited Asia, however. It operates two restaurants in Singapore and another in Bangkok under different licensees.

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  • Minor International’s food division turns a corner while hotels deliver huge profit boost

    Minor International’s food division turns a corner while hotels deliver huge profit boost

    Minor International has boosted its full-year profit by 137 percent, largely due to the consolidation of its recent acquisition, the NH Hotel Group.

    Fourth-quarter profit of US$119.3 million, represented a 569-per-cent increase year on year, but this included a gain on sale of three hotels in the Maldives. Excluding non-recurring items, profit grew 23 percent for the full year and 53 percent for the fourth quarter.

    Minor’s food division, which operates more than 2300 outlets in 26 countries trading under banners including The Pizza Company, The Coffee Club, Thai Express, Bonchon, Swensen’s, Sizzler, Dairy Queen and Burger King, recorded a mild reduction in profit for the quarter, from $8.6 million to $8.2 million.

    “Minor Food continued to invest in its digital capabilities to increase competitiveness and to address the soft market going forward,” the company said in a results release. “Thailand hub’s increased engagement with third-party aggregators (as a complement to its own delivery platform), coupled with continuous new product launches, resulted in much improved same-store-sales.”

    In Australia, new product launches, a digital loyalty program and a partnership with Uber Eats saw same-store sales turn into positive growth.

    “Improving operations during the quarter, together with the consolidation of Bonchon since mid-November, helped offset softer performance in other parts of the operations. As a result, Minor Food’s performance is showing signs of recovery with a lower decline in its net profit in the fourth quarter compared to other quarters in the year,” the company said.

    After the close of the quarter, Minor International announced a plan to privatize.

    Singapore-based BreadTalk Group, which would see it take a 25.1 percent stake in partnership with founder George Quek and his associates.

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  • Chinese bubble-tea chain Naixue Tea eyes IPO

    Chinese bubble-tea chain Naixue Tea eyes IPO

    Chinese bubble tea chain Naixue Tea – also known as Nayuki – is eyeing a listing in the US.

    The move could raise around US$400 million in capital, although many important details of the potential offering remain in flux as private discussions continue between the firm and its advisors.

    Naixue, which sells fresh fruit tea, cold-brew tea and cheese-tea blends as well as bakery items, operates more than 230 locations within China. The firm was launched in 2010 by Shenzhen Pindao Restaurant Management.

    Sources familiar with the transaction asked not to be identified, as the potential listing is still being discussed in private. Any plans may be impacted by the current coronavirus outbreak, which is still having a major effect on business within the country.

  • BreadTalk Group to be privatised by founder and Minor International

    BreadTalk Group to be privatised by founder and Minor International

    A small group of key Breadtalk Group stakeholders, including founder and chairman Dr George Quek, have offered to acquire all the ordinary shares in the firm and delist the company.

    The group, including Quek’s wife Katherine Lee and existing shareholder Minor International, has formed a new company BTG Holding Company which aims to buy all the shares in Singapore-listed BreadTalk which has just posted a US$3.7 million loss for the year.

    Minor International is a Thai-based multinational food & beverage and hotel operator, whose food businesses include The Coffee Club, Sizzler, Dairy Queen and franchises in some markets for Bonchon and Burger King.

    The new company will be 74.9-per-cent owned by Dr Quek and related parties and 25.1-per-cent owned by Minor.

    Mint and Quek say they plan to undertake a review of the business following its delisting with a view to streamlining such business activities, refocus on and strengthen core business activities and explore the potential disposal of non-core property assets.

    Poor performances in China and Thailand have been implicated in the firm’s losses, as has the effect of social unrest on its businesses in Hong Kong. The current coronavirus outbreak is expected to continue to affect operations going forward.

    BreadTalk Group operates established food brands, including BreadTalk, Toast Box, Food Republic and Din Tai Fung, together numbering more than 1000 outlets.

    “I believe in the growth potential of the BreadTalk brands, building on today’s solid network of outlets and underpinned by Asia’s continued rise in household income,” said Quek.

    Group CEO of Minor International, Dillip Rajakarier,  said hsi company has invested in BreadTalk Group since 2012 because it believes in the brands and the company’s potential. “Today, we are delighted to further strengthen our partnership with Dr George Quek. With BreadTalk Group’s strong brand recognition, market knowledge of Singapore and China and expertise in the food industry, we have a strong growth platform.”

    The offer is being made under expectations that privatization will allow greater flexibility, as well as ease of management, with significant funding saved on maintenance costs involved with remaining a listed firm. It will only go ahead if acceptances are received for 90 percent of the shares by the time the offer closes, but given Quek and Minor between them currently hold 70.5 percent of the shares, acceptance would seem to be a formality.

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  • Macau chain Koi Kei Bakery shuts stores as tourists stay away

    Macau chain Koi Kei Bakery shuts stores as tourists stay away

    Macau souvenir bakery Koi Kei Bakery, known for its peanut brittle and almond biscuits, will be closing its Hong Kong branches in Tsim Tsa Tsui, Causeway Bay and Mong Kok this Saturday, leaving the airport outlet (pictured) its sole remaining store in the territory.

    Hong Kong’s tourism board says inbound visitor numbers have plunged 98 percent this month against last year’s figures, affecting businesses that are heavily reliant on foreign and mainland visitors, including chains such as Sasa, watch and jewelry stores and luxury retailers.

    Koi Kei Bakery says the ongoing epidemic has led to problems sourcing raw materials, managing logistics and labor shortages at their Macau headquarters. While production lines are expected to resume soon, the company sees few signs of tourist numbers rebounding in the near future.

    Despite the retailer strikes against shopping center owners last week, some tenacious landlords are still unwilling to ease rents.

    Even though several property groups, such as Hysan Development and MTR Corp, have offered rent relief to tenants, many retailers are unable to keep afloat due to the effect of the tourists disappearing.

    Annie Tse, chairwoman of Hong Kong Retail Management Association, told the South China Morning Post she predicts more than 7000 retailers will be forced to close their stores if landlords fail to show leniency.

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  • Vinamilk signs $20 mln Dubai export contract

    Vinamilk signs $20 mln Dubai export contract

    Vinamilk has signed a $20 million deal with a distributor in Dubai to supply dairy products from the second quarter of 2020.

    Vietnam’s biggest dairy company said in a statement that the deal with the distributor, whom it did not identify, was signed at the Gulfood Dubai 2020 trade exhibition this week.

    The Middle East currently accounts for 75 percent of Vinamilk’s exports. Its other major foreign markets are Japan, South Korea, Singapore, and China.

    Vinamilk, one of the world’s 50 largest dairy producer, saw its export revenues rise 14.8 percent last year to VND5.17 trillion ($223 million).

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  • Deliveroo Hong Kong doubles virtual restaurant ranks

    Deliveroo Hong Kong doubles virtual restaurant ranks

    Hong Kong food-delivery service Deliveroo has doubled the ranks of virtual restaurants supplying meals through its platform to 200.

    Virtual brands are concepts developed by existing restaurant operators to trial new menu collections or options not available in physical stores, available only through the Deliveroo app. Examples include a Greek restaurant offering healthy protein bowls, or a pizza outlet delivering wraps.

    Brian Lo, GM of Deliveroo Hong Kong, says in other international markets, restaurants launching virtual brands on Deliveroo have seen an average a 70-per-cent increase in sales as a result.

    “In Hong Kong this is higher at 85 percent, thanks to the city’s enthusiasm towards ordering in and eagerness to try new things.”

    At a time when the number of physical restaurants in Hong Kong has fallen by between 1.5 percent and 5 percent due to falling footfall since January, virtual brands offer an opportunity to recover lost ground – all without the overheads of a physical store.

    Deliveroo encourages the development of virtual brands by using its data to identify hotspots for growth and cuisine types which might be missing in some neighborhoods. Lo says the company also helps by offering strong marketing support, access to its global network for more cost-effective ingredient sourcing and new recipes, and the chance to license foreign brands.

    One successful virtual brand Deliveroo has fostered in Hong Kong is Caramba Mexican Cantina, owned by Eclipse Hospitality Group. Caramba was a popular restaurant in Soho for 16 years until rising rents and competition forced it to close its doors in 2016.

    Deliveroo encouraged Eclipse, which also owns Cafe Siam in Lan Kwai Fong, to revive Caramba as a virtual brand because there was a space in the market for Mexican cuisine in Central. Since launching on the app in November, the company’s revenue has grown four-fold.

    “We’re grateful to Deliveroo for coming to us with their expertise and advising us to bring back a part of our history we thought we had to say goodbye to for good,” said William Chan, marketing manager at Eclipse. “The food industry may be changing rapidly but it’s for the better, and bringing back Caramba is a sure sign of it.”

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  • PepsiCo plans to buy Chinese snack Be & Cheery

    PepsiCo plans to buy Chinese snack Be & Cheery

    PepsiCo is poised to purchase Chinese online snack vendor Be & Cheery owned by Haoxiangni Health Food Co.

    PepsiCo had proposed the Be & Cheery acquisition before the coronavirus outbreak began in China.

    Valued at US$705 million, the acquisition will help PepsiCo strengthen its position in Mainland China as the company suffers slowing business growth globally.

    “Be & Cheery adds direct-to-consumer capability, positioning us to capitalize on continued growth in e-commerce, and a local brand that is able to stretch across a broad portfolio of products, through both online and offline channels,” said Ram Krishnan, CEO of PepsiCo Greater China.

    “We also expect to leverage Be & Cheery’s innovation and consumer insights capabilities to drive innovation in other key PepsiCo growth markets.”

    The acquisition still needs approval from Haoxiangni’s shareholders and other customary conditions, according to the company.

    Founded in 2003, Be & Cheery is one of the China’s largest online snack companies. Its products include nuts, dried fruits, meat snacks, baked goods and confectionery.

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