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Category: General

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

  • Lower AirAsia passenger service charge starts today

    Lower AirAsia passenger service charge starts today

    AirAsia’s reduced passenger service charge (PSC) of RM50 starts today at KLIA2 and other international airports in Malaysia.

    This follows Transport Minister Anthony Loke’s announcement last month that the Cabinet has decided to reduce the PSC for passengers traveling outside of Asean from RM73 to RM50 effective Oct 1.

    AirAsia Group president (airlines) Bo Lingam said as the airports belong to the government, the Cabinet has every power to implement changes to the PSC.

    Bo thanked the government for supporting its cause towards a fair PSC and making air travel affordable. “This will hugely benefit not only air travelers but also the tourism industry and economy as a whole, ” he said.

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  • Shoppers Stop reveals new store concept in Delhi

    Shoppers Stop reveals new store concept in Delhi

    Indian department store chain Shoppers Stop has opened a new 33,000sqft outlet in Delhi.

    The store was designed by the Dubai office of Schwitzke & Partners to reflect the latest international trends in retail strategy. This includes aspects such as merchandise presentation, customer movement and navigation, and department adjacency.

    Having expanded operations to more than 80 locations across India, Shoppers Stop was looking to evolve its stores’ aesthetic and presentation to upgrade customers’ shopping experience.

    The design features specific materials and elements to highlight each division in order to boost recognition. Another objective was to design the brand areas to be unobtrusive, so all brands have sufficient space to express themselves.

    The departments implement new merchandise presentation solutions, which includes fixture designs to accentuate individual products. Customer touchpoints were also given a m

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  • Aeon Stores Hong Kong fined over TV sale

    Aeon Stores Hong Kong fined over TV sale

    Aeon Stores Hong Kong has been convicted and fined HKD1200 (US$153) at Eastern Magistrates’ Courts for contravening the Product Eco-responsibility Ordinance (PERO) as a result of not informing a customer about its statutory obligation when selling a television set.

    A spokesman for the Environmental Protection Department (EPD) said the department had received a complaint earlier about Aeon Stores failing to provide him with a free statutory removal service after the sale of a television set. EPD enforcement officers carried out investigations at the store and discovered that when selling television sets, staff of Aeon Stores made a false claim that customers must contact a recycler on their own to recycle their old television sets. In addition, staff of Aeon Stores did not inform customers of the sellers’ obligation to arrange a statutory removal service as well as the relevant terms. After collecting evidence, the EPD prosecuted Aeon Stores for contravening the relevant requirements under the PERO.

    The spokesman emphasised that according to the PERO, which came into effect on August 1 last year, when distributing regulated electrical equipment (REE), sellers must have a removal service plan endorsed by the EPD and proactively inform consumers in writing of the sellers’ obligation to provide a free statutory removal service as well as the relevant removal terms. Moreover, sellers must arrange a free removal service for consumers to dispose of waste equipment of the same type and provide a recycling label as well as a receipt containing the prescribed wording when distributing REE.

    The spokesman reminded all the relevant sellers that they must not make false statements to consumers or deliberately conceal the terms of their statutory removal service with a view to avoiding the relevant legal liabilities. Otherwise, they may contravene the PERO.

    First-time offenders are liable to a maximum fine of HKD5000 to HKD100,000 ($637–$12,755). A maximum fine of HKD10,000 to HKD200,000 ($1275–$25,500) may be imposed on a subsequent conviction.

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  • Hong Kong retail sales crash by steepest rate on record

    Hong Kong retail sales crash by steepest rate on record

    Hong Kong retail sales crashed 23 percent in August as extradition-bill protests saw stores shuttered and visitors staying away.

    August’s decline was the worst month on record, even worse than September 1998 when the Asian Financial Crisis hit.

    According to the Census and Statistics Department (C&SD) the value of retail sales was provisionally estimated at HKD29.4 billion, down 23 percent year on year, following a revised 11.5 percent decline in July.  After netting out the effect of price changes, retail sales in August fell by an estimated 25.3 percent.

    “Apart from the weak consumer sentiment amid subdued economic conditions, the plunge in August mainly reflected the severe disruptions to inbound tourism and consumption-related activities caused by the local social incidents,” said a government spokesperson.

    “Retail sales will likely remain in the doldrums in the near term, as the worsened economic outlook and local protests involving violence continue to weigh on consumer sentiment and inbound tourism.”

    For the first eight months of this year, sales are down by 6 percent.

    Worst hit in August, understandably, was the tourist-reliant luxury goods sector, with sales of jewelry, watches and clocks, and valuable gifts down a massive 47.4 percent – proving widely discussed anecdotes of retailers suffering a 50 percent decline in sales during the month.

    Sales by department stores plunged 29.9 percent and of cosmetics by 30 percent. Apparel sales were down by 33.4 percent and both by optical shops and of footwear and accessories by 26 percent. Sales of Chinese drugs and herbs fell 25.5 percent.

    Electrical goods sales fell by 15.4 percent, and miscellaneous consumer goods by 20.1 percent.

    However, categories shopped mainly by local residents were significantly less affected: sales of food, liquor and tobacco were down by just 0.3 percent, books, newspapers and stationery by 2.5 percent and furniture and homewares by 7.4 percent. Supermarket sales were up by 1.9 percent and fuels by 0.4 percent.

    August marked the third consecutive month of disruption due to protest action. Sales for the three months combined fell by an estimated 12.4 percent quarter on quarter.

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  • Thai Airways adds a sixth weekly flight between Brussels and Bangkok

    Thai Airways adds a sixth weekly flight between Brussels and Bangkok

    Thai Airways is very pleased to announce the launch of its 6th weekly non-stop flight Bangkok – Brussels  – Bangkok every Monday.

    As from 28th of October 2019, THAI will operate 6 non-stop flights per week on the route Brussels – Bangkok and return, all operated by Airbus A350-900 including Royal Silk Class (Business) and Economy Class.

    TG934 BKK 00:30 - 07:40 BRU A359 12-4567
    TG935 BRU 13:30 - 05:35+1 BRU A359 12-4567

    Tickets on the new Monday flight can be booked as from today via https://www.thaiairways.be or via any travel agent in Benelux.

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  • Singapore Airlines To Trial Business Class Dine On Demand

    Singapore Airlines To Trial Business Class Dine On Demand

    For decades Singapore Airlines has been known for being one of the best airlines in the world, though I can’t help but feel like they’ve somewhat been resting on their laurels. I feel like the airline used to be super innovative, but is less innovative nowadays:

    • For the most part, I don’t find Singapore Airlines’ new cabins to be that cutting edge, and their business class seat hasn’t evolved that much in the past decade
    • Their meal services in business class are good, though nothing special
    • I will say that their cabin crew are consistently exceptional, and they’re one of the best parts of flying with the airline

    This is due to customer feedback, though Singapore Airlines is careful to note that they want to make sure they develop a system that works before fully implementing this.

    Part of that will be ensuring that flight attendants can deal with the increased work required from dine on demand while maintaining high levels of customized service.

    Is Business Class Dine On Demand A Good Thing?

    On the surface, the addition of dining on demand sounds like a good thing. Especially for an airline like Singapore Airlines, where I sometimes can’t figure out the flow of their meal service.

    But I’ve also sometimes in the past noticed that I don’t always think a dine on-demand system is best. Sure, in an ideal world dine on demand is great, but there are some downsides:

    • It significantly increases the workload for the crew, and will make them more stressed, and perhaps not provide the same level of service
    • If you’re like me and are a sensitive sleeper, I find that the sounds, lights, and smells, from people dining throughout the flight, can make it much harder to sleep

    So while I’m generally in favor of dine on demand, there are also some downsides that are at least worth acknowledging.

    I’d note that quite a few airlines have done dine on-demand trials in business class, but ended up deciding against it. Take Emirates, for example — they trialed it for a while, but then decided not to implement it on a widespread basis (meanwhile both Etihad and Qatar offer dine on demand).

    Bye Bye Lobster Thermidor?

    Singapore Airlines offers a “Book The Cook” menu, where you can order from a much larger menu before your flight. One of the most popular options is their lobster thermidor dish.

    It looks like that may not be on the menu forever in its current form:

    “Like everything, the Book The Cook programme evolves. The lobster thermidor is a perennial favourite but we’re looking at opportunities to modernise that, whether it be a lobster thermidor-type of dish or something similar and lobster- themed which is a little bit more modern, a little bit more healthy perhaps.

    People like lobster, but we’re moving to an environment where people are becoming more health-conscious so maybe the creamy lobster dish is not the right one… maybe a beautiful grilled lobster with fresh asparagus or veggies might be another alternative, as long as we maintain the integrity of the dish.”

    Bottom Line

    I’ll be curious to see what kind of a dine on-demand trial Singapore Airlines runs, and how successful it is. Generally, I’d say dine on demand would be a positive development, though assuming it allows the crew to maintain their high service standards.

    As someone who struggles to sleep without perfect conditions, I’m also generally somewhat apprehensive about dine on demand, though I realize that’s mostly just my problem.

  • AirAsia X Eyes Flights To California

    AirAsia X Eyes Flights To California

    AirAsia X’s ambitions to fly to mainland North America aren’t new. AirAsiaX has long talked about using their A330neos and Tokyo’s Narita airport as a starting point for flights to California. With the first of the aircraft now being delivered, the low-cost carrier breathed new life into the story at an aviation conference yesterday, Monday, September 23, 2019.

    AirAsiaX’s Muhammad Sharir was discussing the route at the Routes Online annual conference in Adelaide, Australia. Mr Sharir says the flights to the US mainland could start as soon as 2021, but was coy about where the flights would originate from or where they would fly to. Quite possibly because they haven’t sorted that out yet.

    Not yet a truly long haul carrier

    AirAsiaX has some form as a long haul low-cost carrier. It started flights to both London and Paris around ten years ago. But the economic downturn doomed the flights and within a few years, the flights were canceled.

    From their Kuala Lumpur hub, AirAsiaX now gets as far afield as Australia, Japan, China, South Korea and Hawaii. Strictly speaking, medium-haul rather than long haul but AirAsiaX wants to get back into the long haul business.

    2021 is the proposed starting date for California flights, because Mr. Sharir said that’s when the A330neos they need to operate the route would be delivered and ready to fly. AirAsia X has confirmed orders for 78 A330neos.

    Oakland out of favour

    Oakland, California, has long been on AirAsiaX’s horizon. As Edward Russell notes, AirAsia X held a media event at the airport back in 2012 and wheeled out a plane painted in a local sports team’s colors. All very nice, but AirAsia X flights never appeared on the arrivals board at Oakland.

    It seems Oakland has lost some of its allure for AirAsiaX, their preference swinging towards Los Angeles. But The Points Guy story thinks San Francisco is the most preferred option for the first AirAsia X North American flights.

    North America via Honolulu?

    It also offers the rather delicious option of pinging out of Honolulu on the back of existing Osaka-Honolulu AirAsia X flights.

    Whilst not a nonstop transpacific flight, it would make AirAsiaX the first low-cost carrier to offer a transpacific service. At this time, low-cost carriers coming from both east and west directions all terminate and coalesce at Honolulu. You could, technically, do the crossing on say, Southwest to Honolulu and then AirAsiaX on the last leg – which sounds like a lot of fun.

    California flights via Honolulu are an interesting scenario for AirAsia X. Photo: AirAsia.
     

    It would also see an Asian based low-cost carrier give the US low-cost incumbents a run for their money on the Hawaii-US mainland routes. The reaction at Southwest’s Dallas HQ would be priceless to see.

    While this is an interesting scenario, nonstop flights out of Japan remain a live option. AirAsia X currently flies from Kuala Lumpur to Narita. Those flights could continue onto the US mainland. It is also worth noting that AirAsia X has a history of announcing flights to North America that don’t eventuate. Whilst they do have the aircraft being delivered capable of making the flights, the 2021 starting date is still a while off and no routes have been announced

    It will be a case of wait and see.

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  • Rituals in Hong Kong doubles down on growth

    Rituals in Hong Kong doubles down on growth

    Following its debut flagship in Times Square this summer, the second store of Dutch bath-and-body label Rituals in Hong Kong launched yesterday at IFC.

    The brand plans to open two more stores in the city this year, along with its first travel-retail venture in South Korea.

    Two decades after its launch, the concept of “slowing down” which Rituals’ promotes as the founding pillar of the brand, was probably a little ahead of its time. Now, however, the ‘mindfulness and wellness’ trend is both well established and growing.

    Raymond Cloosterman, founder and CEO, told Inside Retail Asia that Rituals in Hong Kong has received a positive reception since its launch there: “The people of Hong Kong have really embraced our ‘slow-down’ ethos, promoting the importance of self-care for body, mind and spirit. We look forward to making Rituals accessible to new audiences in Hong Kong as we expand in the future.

    “Besides this there is a clear, strong positioning and tangible consistency in everything the brand presents, from product to packaging to our retail concept. And the quality for an affordable price is another cornerstone of our strategy.”

    Digital plans and future growth

    With a historic presence in concessions, especially in travel retail, Rituals has more recently been focusing on expanding with standalone stores. In Asia Pacific, it plans to continue developing this model with more than 10 new travel-retail locations to open this year.

    While a European brand, the roots and ideology of Rituals was inspired by Eastern philosophy.

    “Asia was always in the long-term global vision for Rituals and we are so happy and proud to have opened our first store in Hong Kong,” Cloosterman said. “You can almost say it’s where Rituals was really founded, since the ideology of the brand is very much inspired by honoring Eastern philosophy.”

    To embark on its Asia expansion, Rituals had opened up a new regional head office and warehouse facility in Hong Kong. Now it is turning its focus to digital engagement as well.

    “Hong Kong is a true metropolis as well as a leader in the digital retail experience,” Cloosterman told Inside Retail Asia. “To be at the centre of it provides a great opportunity for Rituals to launch our brand.

    “We are constantly working on our digital proposition as it is one of our four pillars aside from Domestic Retail, Travel Retail and Wholesale.”

    The brand will also be launching its own e-commerce store soon, along with a Rituals app that provides guided meditations and yoga classes.

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  • DFS Group launches ‘World of Watches and Jewelry’ event

    DFS Group launches ‘World of Watches and Jewelry’ event

    Travel retailer DFS Group is launching its first ‘World of Watches and Jewelry’ event through October, targeting millennial, fashion-minded clientele and first-time watch buyers.

    The event is described as “a celebration of watches and jewelry” and will be held in five T Galleria by DFS stores globally: Macau, Hawaii, Okinawa, Guam and Saipan.

    The stores will host a series of activations featuring more than 40 watch and jewelry brands, including 10 that are new to DFS.

    “With our discerning millennial customers in mind, we have sought to develop and curate relevant products and experiences that respond to their needs with creativity and flair,” said Matthew Green, senior VP watches and jewelry at DFS Group.

    The ‘World of Watches and Jewelry’ is interpreted through four themes that reflect the different moods and lifestyles of our consumers.” Those are: Time to Move, Time to Think, Time to Play and Time to Style.

    In addition to this, in Macau, DFS has teamed up with SevenFriday to create a curated pop-up that includes a relaxing lounge bar and a game of chance to win a range of prizes. A Swarovski pop-up featuring mystical moon and star motifs adorns the space, highlighting the Swarovski Symbolic and Swarovski Remix Collections. And Tag Heuer will celebrate it heritage and its presence in motor-racing in collaboration with Aston Martin. Limited-edition watches will be on sale, inspired by Aston Martin’s racing cars.

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  • Bamboo Airways hopes to triple market share to 30 pct

    Bamboo Airways hopes to triple market share to 30 pct

    New kid on the block Bamboo Airways wants to expand its current 10 percent market share to 30 percent by next year. For this, it first plans to expand its fleet and increase the number of domestic routes before starting international services to destinations like South Korea, Thailand and Taiwan.

    Its chairman Trinh Van Quyet last month said it would be the first Vietnamese airline to fly directly to the U.S.

    The carrier is preparing for an evaluation by the International Air Transport Association for issuing a safety certificate, which would allow it to partner with international airlines, the statement said.

    It is preparing to file for permission to operate direct flights to the U.S. using wide-bodied Boeing 787-9 aircraft.

    The firm plans to raise $100 million next year in an initial public offering, Reuters reported recently.

    Its entry has eaten into the market share of other airlines. The passenger market share of national flag carrier Vietnam Airlines and its two affiliates, Jetstar Pacific and VASCO, as of June was down 5 percentage points from last year to 51 percent.

    Budget carrier Vietjet suffered a 2.7 percentage point drop from 44 percent to 41.3 percent.

    Bamboo Airways, which began flying in January, last month received permission from the government to expand its fleet from 10 to 30.

    Vietnam expects the aviation market to grow by 16 percent a year in 2015-20 and 8 percent in 2020-30.

    This means there will be a possible 117 million air travelers by 2023, 85 percent by Vietnamese carriers, which will require 340 aircraft, according to the Civil Aviation Authority of Vietnam.

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  • KrisShop Singapore souvenir store pops up at Sentosa

    KrisShop Singapore souvenir store pops up at Sentosa

    KrisShop has collaborated with Enterprise Singapore to open a pop up Singapore souvenir store featuring the city’s most distinctive trinkets.

    The new store displays products from different local brands ranging from Singapore gin to its ubiquitous satay, with a tagline “With Love, SG”. Served as a platform for domestic brands, With Love, SG is curated to demonstrate Singapore’s culture and heritage.

    Singapore Airlines’ KrisShop says it aims to help local brands expand their retail network internationally and to strengthen their brand equity amongst local and international customers.

    KrisShop features more than 2000 products ranging from cosmetics and fragrance to electronics and exclusive co-branded items, sold online and on its aircraft.

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  • Apple Japan opens its largest store today

    Apple Japan opens its largest store today

    Apple Japan has opened its largest flagship store this month in Marunouchi, Tokyo.

    The new stores was designed by Foster + Partners, one of several architecture practices commissioned to build the tech giant’s retail stores around the world. Foster + Partners also recently completed the revamp of the Fifth Avenue ‘cube store’ in New York City.

    A Foster + Partners spokesperson said the company wanted the Apple Japan store to embody “an honesty of materiality”.

    Located adjacent to the busy Tokyo Station, Apple’s fifth store in Tokyo features a facade featuring two-storey glass display windows framed with aluminium and with 3-dimensional, rounded corners.

    Inside, locally sourced bamboo was planted to create a vibrant greenery atmosphere.

    “The opening of Apple Marunouchi marks a significant moment in Apple’s long relationship with Japan,” said Deirdre O’Brien, senior VP of retail and people at Apple.

    “We wanted to create a restrained presence amid the bustle of Tokyo,” said Stefan Behling, head of studio at Foster + Partners. “The beautifully crafted aluminium vitrines (display windows) define the boundary of the store and Apple’s presence, offering everyone walking by a glimpse into the store. The structural grid gives the entire volume a certain rhythm, while the calm interior is enhanced by the bamboo that lines the perimeter.”

    Later this month Apple Japan will also relocate its Apple Fukuoka to a new and expanded location and complete the remodelling of Apple Omotesando.

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  • Kakao Friends expands to Europe with IMG

    Kakao Friends expands to Europe with IMG

    Korean mobile lifestyle platform company Kakao has associated with IMG to exclusively license its character brand Kakao Friends in Europe.

    Originating from South Korea’s leading messenger platform Kakao Talk, Kakao Friends’ characters have gained millions of fans with its charisma and unique personalities. As K-pop culture has become a global phenomenon, Kakao Friends decided to enter Europe markets by launching an European online store to reach its global fans.

    Eight Kakao Friends’ characters have already collaborated with some of premium brands such as Louis Vuitton or Nike. There will be approximately 30 Kakao Friends stores opened in South Korea and Japan in the future.

    “Having already connected emotionally with millions of fans and aspirational brands, Kakao Friends is a leading K-POP culture export and is powerfully on trend in Europe,” said Matthew Primack, senior vice president of licensing at IMG. “Now is the perfect time for a social and culturally rich lifestyle brand like Kakao Friends to explore new product opportunities that reflect its unique identity and booming popularity.”

    Kakao Friends in Europe will primarily feature apparel and accessories, homeware with future extension into additional categories.

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  • Metro Retail Stores Group shares vision for sustainable shopping

    Metro Retail Stores Group shares vision for sustainable shopping

    Philippines retailer Metro Retail Stores Group Inc (MRSGI) is planning to open up more opportunities for sustainable shopping.

    Speaking at the recent Regional Forum on the Promotion of Sustainable Consumption in the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (Asean), MRSGI VP for corporate affairs Anna Marie Periquet shared that “as engines of economic growth and shapers of consumer taste, retailers can make a difference in the world.”

    Organized by Asean and the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI), the forum brought together delegates from Asean member states, representatives from relevant government bodies, and non-governmental organizations as well as regional and international experts.

    Periquet added that social responsibility is “part of MRSGI’s corporate DNA”. The company works alongside the Vicsal Foundation to create programs that holistically take on the challenge of providing sustainable solutions for society’s most pressing needs. Vicsal Foundation is the corporate social responsibility arm of Vicsal Development Corporation, which owns and operates MRSGI.

    “Together with Vicsal Foundation and our other CSR partners, we are able to actively pursue programs that support the United Nations’ 17 Sustainable Development Goals,” said Periquet. “We focus on helping eradicate poverty, provide quality education, ensure decent work and foster economic growth, and build stronger partnerships.”

    Among MRSGI’s programs are initiatives that promote inclusive business for local farmers, fisher folk and weavers. The company also helps consumer mindsets by providing them with socially-responsible and high-quality products.

    “The socially responsible goods on our shelves are not pity purchases,” emphasized Periquet. “They have passed strict tests on consumer safety, health, sanitation, and are government-registered.”

    Among the CSR brands mentioned were Caritas Margins, an organisation that works with micro-entrepreneurs from marginalised communities to create various products like food, artwork, home decor and accessories; St Arnold Janssen Kalinga Center, which provides care and livelihood for people experiencing homelessness; and the Bureau of Jail Management and Penology, which facilitates the sale of fashion and homeware products made by persons deprived of liberty.

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  • South Korea’s CU convenience store chain to open in Vietnam

    South Korea’s CU convenience store chain to open in Vietnam

    South Korea’s CU convenience store chain will expand its footprint to Vietnam, its second international market after Mongolia.

    BGF Retail, the operator of CU, signed a master-franchise agreement with CUVN, a Vietnam-based convenience store operator, on Tuesday. CUVN will be in charge of investment and operations in Vietnam market as BGF Retail contributes its brand and business background.

    BGF Retail and CUVN plan to open their first store in Vietnam by June next year.

    Park Jae-koo, CEO of BGF Retail, said the company will continue to expand internationally making forays into growing emerging markets.

    With the new expansion, the South Korean convenience store operator expects to gain a strong position in the Southeast Asian market as Vietnam’s economy has witnessed significant growth during recent years.

    Rival network GS25 has already launched in Vietnam, opening stores in Ho Chi Minh City.

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