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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.

  • Apple drops iOS 13.3, iPadOS 13.3, tvOS 13.3 and more

    Apple drops iOS 13.3, iPadOS 13.3, tvOS 13.3 and more

    Today is a day of operating system updates for Apple as the company dropped iOS 13.3, iPad OS 13.3, HomePod 13.3, tvOS 13.3 and watchOS 6.1.1. The update to iOS 13.3 for the iPhone and iPad OS 13.3 for, well, you know, adds Communication Limits support in Screen Time. The latter measures how long you use your phone or tablet, what apps you use the most, and allows parents to limit their children’s use of certain apps.

    With the new feature, users can decide who they can communicate with and when they can communicate with them during “Downtime.” This is a setting on Screen Time that when enabled, prevents the user from opening certain apps, receiving notifications and getting phone calls during certain time periods except for apps and callers that are selected as “Always Allowed.” By default, Downtime, when enabled, will run from 10 pm to 7 am local time. With the new Communication Limits, parents can prevent their kids from calling, texting or using FaceTime with anyone else but them after a certain time of day.

    With the update, Apple answered complaints from users about Memoji and Animoji stickers. The stickers were showing up alongside the emoji keyboard and users went into a conniption. But after installing iOS or iPad OS 13.3, users can disable this feature by going to Settings > General > Keyboard > Emoji.  In Apple News+, stories from The Wall Street Journal and other newspapers now have a new layout and stories can be liked or disliked with a tap. In Canada, articles in the Stocks app are now available in both English and French. Top stories can now have a “Breaking” or “Developing” label to users find the latest and most important content.

    Several bug fixes and improvements are part of the new update. When trimming a video in Photos, users will be able to create a new video clip. Bugs have been exterminated that prevented a message from being deleted in Gmail and prevented new messages from loading in Mail. With the update, screenshots shouldn’t look blurry any more when disseminated via Messages, and if you cropped or used Markup on a screenshot, it will save with the changes that were made. Missed call badges should now disappear, and Voice Memo recordings can now be shared with other audio apps. In addition, Apple says that the update addresses an issue that made some wireless chargers charge more slowly than expected. It also corrects an issue that had the Cellular Data setting incorrectly show as being “off,” and one that prevented users from turning off Dark Mode when Smart Invert was enabled. The update also takes care of an issue that caused incorrect characters to show up in Messages and duplicate sent messages in Exchange accounts.

    In tvOS 13.3, Apple gives users the option to bring back the “Up Next” queue in the Top Shelf app. Apple had changed this to show clips of previews and trailers called “What to Watch.” This is found in the Home Screen section and after updating to tvOS 13.3 users can go to Settings > Apps > TV to make the change. Apple is also disseminating watchOS 6.1.1 for Apple Watch users. There are no new features in the update, but it does contain some bug fixes and performance improvements.

    And HomePod OS 13.3 has also been released.  With the update, Apple’s smart speaker will do better at recognizing the voice profile of family members. It also will allow family members to enable or disable personal requests and fixes an issue that could prevent music playback from resuming on a stereo pair after a phone call.

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  • Traditional match producer to shift focus

    Traditional match producer to shift focus

    Vietnamese matchmaker Thong Nhat Match JSC plans to modernize operations due to dwindling sales. The company’s board said it would halt match production next year and delist its DTN shares from the unlisted public companies bourse (UPCoM).

    Annual match sales hit near 100 million boxes last year, down 45 percent from 10 years earlier, and set to plummet further this year, a business report shows.

    The domination of lighters is largely to blame for falling demand, along with the rising cost of wood, it added.

    The company plans to focus on lighter production, though it sold only 80 percent of a targeted 18 million units last year.

    Thong Nhat Match was established in 1956 as a state-owned company, operating the first factory in northern Vietnam. It was equitized in 2002, and now has charter capital of VND22 trillion ($950 million).

    Its after-tax profit was VND2.27 billion ($98,000) in 2018, up 10 percent year-on-year.

    The Thong Nhat matchbox, featuring a printed flying dove, boasts decades of popularity.

    Alongside other traditional companies like Thuy Ta Ice-cream and Thuong Dinh Footwear, all operating over 60 years, Thong Nhat Match has been struggling to grow in the modern competitive market.

  • The Shilla Duty Free unveils new brands in Singapore

    The Shilla Duty Free unveils new brands in Singapore

    Travel retailer The Shilla Duty-Free has launched a raft of new brands at its Changi Airport health-and-beauty concessions, marking its fifth anniversary in Singapore.

    The new brands are on display at a refreshed retail space at the Terminal 3 Departure Check-in Hall store (in the public area) which features a modern, tropical look, with earthy hues of woods and whites.

    The new brands are from South Korea, Singapore and Europe, ranging from Banyan Tree and Too Faced to cult beauty favorites including COSRX and Too Cool For School. They will also be stocked at selected stores airside.

    The new brands also include Annick Goutal from France, Age 20’s, Vidivici, First Aid Beauty, Too Faced, Cosme J-Cos and JM Solution.

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  • Indonesia retail sales growth at five-month high

    Indonesia retail sales growth at five-month high

    Indonesian retail sales grew at their fastest rate in five months, according to government data.

    Growth levels are currently at 3.6 percent, the highest increase over last year’s figures in five months. Growth for the previous month stood at just 0.7 percent.

    The figures were released as part of a central bank survey, which showed that sales of food and auto parts were largely behind the measured increase. Sales of communications equipment, however, were lower than expected during the period.

    The survey results predict growth in Indonesian retail sales for November at 3.4 percent.

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  • Gmail update lets users send emails as attachments

    Gmail update lets users send emails as attachments

    Google is making it easier to forward emails to multiple recipients via Gmail. The latest update lets you attach emails to other emails in Gmail without having to download them. Simply drag and drop the email you want to forward inside your email. In fact, you can drag multiple emails into a new thread, which makes the new feature even more useful.

    Another method to insert emails in a new thread to select the emails from the Gmail inbox and then choose to “Forward as attachment” from the three-dot menu. You can even reply to an email by adding multiple emails in the compose window via drag and drop.

    There are a couple of important details that Google mentions in the announcement. First off, all attached emails become .eml files. Secondly, you can attach as many emails as you want. Last but not least, every attached email will open in a new window.

    The new feature revealed by Google today will be available to all Gmail users, not just Gsuite members. However, according to Google, the rollout may take up to 15 days starting on December 9, so everyone should get it by the end of the year.

  • Google Maps’ incognito mode now available for iOS users

    Google Maps’ incognito mode now available for iOS users

    You might recall that back in October, Google disseminated an update that added incognito mode to the Android version of Google Maps. First, we do need to get something straight for all of you philanderers our there. This mode doesn’t allow you to travel to your weekly rendezvous sight unseen as though you were wearing Harry Potter’s “Cloak of Invisibility.” Instead, when Maps’ incognito mode is enabled, searches made on the app and places you navigate to are blocked from being added to your Google account. As a result, you won’t receive any personalized recommendations in the Maps app (like places to dine) and your Location History will not be updated. Today, Google has announced that this feature is now available on the iOS version of Google Maps.

    In addition, Google points out that a new feature called bulk delete will be coming to Android users next month; this will allow them to find and delete multiple places from their Timeline and Location History in one fell swoop. But Google wants you to make sure that you know what you’ll be missing by not allowing it to keep your Location History. If you use incognito mode or delete Location History, you won’t be able to see wait times at restaurants and grocery stores (which is computed using “aggregated and anonymized Location History information”). You also won’t be able to see previews of the parking situation at your destination, be given a time-to-leave alert, use “Your Match” to calculate how much you might enjoy a particular eatery and use the Explore tab to find nearby coffee shops, parks restaurants and more.

    Lastly, Google is adding a much needed new feature to the Android version of the Google Opinion Rewards app. The app allows you to build up Play Store credit by answering survey questions. Depending on what is being asked, users can score 10 cents to nearly $1 each time they participate. The credit must be used within a year, something that not every user knew. Recently, there were some complaints about credits disappearing from the app after they had expired. To make sure that users don’t waste any credits, an expiration date for the oldest credit will now appear underneath the account owner’s current balance.

    We’ve used the app during the year and all it takes is a few seconds of your time. And the credit can be used to purchase videos, books, apps and to make in-app purchases. Android users can install the app from this link. Because Google Play Store credits would be useless to iOS users, this version of the app pays out in small cash credits that are deposited into a PayPal account.

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  • Foreign retail companies rushing into tap China retail market

    Foreign retail companies rushing into tap China retail market

    Continuously more and more retail companies of foreign market are looking for speeding up their business in China’s retail market. The expansion is taking place at a great speed as China has proved to be a good thriving ground for expansion of businesses. China has been hugely and dedicatedly developing the structure of its consumption which has been reported in studies. Many foreign retail companies have opened their branches in the China market in recent years. Many online casinos like happylook have opened their site in China.

    This has been done by introducing new flagship stores of famous brands plus innovative business structures. The very famous retail giant of the US, Walmart, has started with the trend. Subsequently, many other companies have invested in China’s retail market because if the growth and benefits. It has been reported that, in the next 5 to 7 years, Walmart has proposed to open up at least 500 more new stores in China. Walmart has taken this decision so as to double its footprint in the country which is an effective move.

    Furthermore, Walmart also announced that they will add almost 200 plus stores, in the following 3 years, in China. Along with this, they also planned to upgrade their stores and add many hi-tech features for maximum customer satisfaction. This will further include a first class digital experience for payment which can only be done through face recognition. Walmart has been growing tremendously at a 6.3 % which is on a year to year basis with respect to the sales. This was their third quarter earnings, only in China, as compared to global sales of 2.5 %.

    The main contribution to this growth has been done by the Sam’s club, since the last 5 years, in China retail market. Costco, another retail chain in the US, inaugurated their first store in Shanghai, China. This was in August when the first day itself everyone made go berserk and crazy. Such is the impact and such is the market in China and it is right to say that they are a hit in the retail sector.

    Aldi, a well known fresh vegetables and fruit retailer of Germany, has also entered the market of China. They have opened 2 new stores in the last 6 months, in Shanghai and have drawn huge number of consumers. Steps like these are taken to show how the Chinese retail market is open and reciprocating and the end result is known to all. The growth that is being measured is beyond expectations and rapid. The report of the sales only indicates that the market of China’s retail sector is constantly flourishing which also invites other opportunities in the foreign market.

    The January to October period has shown a growth in sales at an 8.1 percent which is 4.8 trillion dollars. This amount equals to almost 33.48 trillion Yuan and has been included in studies by the NBS. The NBS or National Bureau of Statistics conducted a study in the Chinese retail market. This growth percentage accelerated to a 9 % which excludes the automobile industry and its sales.

    Meanwhile, some foreign retailers have taken this in a different manner and have stopped from venturing into the sector. They could see the immense competition and the challenges that they could face with this expansion. The perception of each retailer is different and they do what they think is best for them. However one can venture and see the results for themselves. A couple of months back, Metro, German wholesaler giant, sold off a major share to the Chinese operational team. They did this by selling off around 80 % of their shares to Wumei technology. Wumei technology is a Beijing based industry and Metro retained only 20 % of their shares.

    A similar step has been taken by Carrefour, the chain of French supermarket by selling off 80 % of their stakes. They sold their stakes to Suning International Group Co., which is a big and important unit of the Chinese retail market giant Suning.com. These stakes were approximately 4.8 billion Yuan. Carrefour China has seen some major decline in its sales from its 24 and 210 convenience stores and hypermarkets, respectively. It is estimated that the transaction will be complete by the end of this year.

    The Chinese retail market welcomed these international retail giant’s many years ago, but the acceleration has been noticed recently. Apart from the growth, there have been cases where retailers have faced huge losses too. Many of them struggled to keep up with the ever increasing and competitive market and hence died out soon. The major reason behind this was that they were unable to keep up with the up gradation of their business strategies and plans. It was also important on their part to do some research on the Chinese consumers and the market there.

    A vital step to become successful that they should have applied was the use of innovation and creativity. This directly implies to the use of technology as the time has been continuously changing over the last two decades. A business house can only go wrong when their homework about the market they are venturing into is not complete. China’s retail market is undoubtedly a good base for international retailers to look for as a business opportunity. Yet, many have seen a downfall and this is because of their shortcomings. Most of the Chinese consumers procure many items that also include luxury goods.

    This sector had gone down for sometime but there are chances that this might bounce back. What is required is an understanding of customer needs as with each passing year, the sales are increasing. Around 3 years back, in 2016, it was recorded to contribute only 7 percent on global luxury goods sales and this data has increased positively. That said, Chinese retail consumers contributed to 30 percent of the cumulative global sales of luxury goods. Business houses that are shooting their sales have a good understanding of their customer requirements and cater accordingly. It is pivotal that one constantly updates and brings innovative ideas to their business models to benefit both ways of the scale.

     

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  • Asia is leading its way in the digitization of the retail market

    Asia is leading its way in the digitization of the retail market

    The digitization of retail market in Asia is growing at a faster rate along with Korea, China and India over US and Europe while India is at the forefront. The digital penetration in India is much deeper when compared to any other countries worldwide which lead to the creation of an ecosystem that is comfortable for consumers and retailers as well. There have been dramatic changes in the retail system and it’s at a great boom in Asia. In terms of the retail growth Asia is in the leading position with an amazing growth rate that is twice the rate of the rest of the world. Many casino companies are also opening their slot machines there.

    Online retailing is growing at about 3 times the rate. It has also been estimated that in Asia Pacific the online retail sales will double in the next 5 years and will grow from $1.3 trillion in the year 2018 to $2.5 trillion in the year 2023. CAGR which is nothing but the compound annual growth rate is 14.0% which is accounting for about 28% of the total retail sales. When we look at the online retail sales globally, Asia Pacific still remains to be the largest regions.

    China was the first country to reach its online retail sales market to $1 trillion in the year 2018 and since then had continued to be the largest markets around the world with about 82% of the entire Asia Pacific retail online sales. By the end of 2023 it is also expected to reach around $2 trillion. India also continues to be one of the fastest growing countries in the world with about a compound annual growth rate of 25.8% and it is expected to reach around $85 billion by the year 2023. There have been 72% of online mobile retail sales in Asia Pacific and it’s mainly due to the usage of Smartphones particularly in India and China. By 2023 it is also expected to have 16.9% of CAGR and may reach $2 trillion which was $911 billion in the year 2018 and it may account for about 81% of online retail sales in the year 2023.

    The online retail sales in 2018 accounted for $232 billion which was mainly through the online fashion that included footwear and apparel. Another online retail sector which is growing at a faster rate is Grocery. China again remains to have the largest marketplace for online grocery which is then followed by other countries like South Korea and Japan. The online grocery sales may grow at 26.5% CAGR and will reach about $260 billion by the year 2023.

    A retail ecosystem would consist of various communities of retailers, consumers and the partners that always work on reshaping the retail landscape for a better experience for their consumers. The ecosystems are not just confined to China but even in India there are several companies which are leading it. Ecosystem delivers their consumers with a great combination of various services including online chat, e-commerce, gaming, streaming, payments in apps or single platforms etc.

    By becoming the universally adopted payment and shopping platform the consumers will definitely enjoy their online shopping experience. The best part of ecosystem is that it provides retailers an access which is very hard to replicate the capabilities like data analytics, last mile fulfilment or the cloud services with their platform. These ecosystems show a significant influence over the overall retail sector both in brick and mortar retailers and online retailers as well.

    The pace and extent of development of the ecosystem will not remain the same or uniform all around the geographic markets. According to the research report, there are actually 10 factors that explain why is it that the ecosystem in certain countries of Asia had developed so rapidly and also includes various other social factors like the age, urban density etc. in a country. The emerging retail ecosystem has been raising new set of choices and interests for retailers on how to go on with the new retail landscape. It’s definitely a great opportunity for the new bees want to play in the market while it has the ability to change the entire set of rules of the game and may be a loss of control as well. It’s important for retailers to make sure they have the capital, capabilities and customer franchise in order to complete in an ecosystem.

    For those responsible retailers generally, there are 5 strategic options with which they can now respond to the changes and rise of ecosystem. They should always make sure to play and focus solo over building out competitive omni channel model and differentiate while making sure not to participate in the ecosystem. The retailers can participate in ecosystem and utilize the open ecosystem platform while they can leverage the capabilities of ecosystem partners. One can also build their proprietary ecosystem with the help of alliances, partnerships or JVs with the key external partners too.

    The retailers can also become open ecosystem where in they can provide access while they can monetize their own capabilities, assets or the infrastructure as the open ecosystem platform. One can maximize their shareholder value by trying to get acquired by the potential ecosystem players. Based on the feasibility of the retailers they can choose any of the above-mentioned strategies that will help them to deal with the rise of ecosystem.

    With the expanding digitization in retail sector in Asian and global markets, based on the requirements of consumers and retailers, the ecosystem continues to evolve. After analyzing the various aspects of each market and what happens there, the global companies can now decide and adopt these platform models so that they can prepare for the future retail. This also ensures to provide better performance of the retailers and there will be less chances of loss that may be incurred by them in the ecosystem. Stay ahead by taking right steps in the rapid changing world.

     

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  • Hong Kong giftware retailer G.O.D opens new concept store

    Hong Kong giftware retailer G.O.D opens new concept store

    Hong Kong lifestyle design and retail brand G.O.D. has launched a new concept store at PMQ.

    The store is conceived as a gallery of contemporary Hong Kong art and design to provide a platform for progressive artists from all corners of the globe who will be exhibiting works inspired by Hong Kong.

    “We aim to push creative techniques and bring collections, which merge boundaries, foster collaboration across artists/artistic discipline and merge East and West,” a spokesperson from the giftware retailer G.O.D said.

    The store features a new snack shop “The Mess”, serving Home Kong-style rice rolls and milk tea or Gaggia Milano coffee.

    Contributing local artists include Ernest Chang, Godown Collection, Keyon Lee, Lousy, Mick Chan, Paul Turner, Parents Parents, Wong Ting Fung and Xeme.

  • Shops without stock draw crowds in South Korea

    Shops without stock draw crowds in South Korea

    There’s a new trend capturing South Korean consumers’ attention: shops without stock, focusing on experience rather than instant retail sales.

    With a growing number of consumers choosing and purchasing products online or on mobile devices, hands-on stores that target such customers are becoming a new marketing trend.

    Amore Seongsu, which opened in early October as a customer experience-oriented store of AmorePacific, a South Korean cosmetics giant, had surpassed 24,000 cumulative visitors as of December 5, about two months after its opening.

    At Amore Seongsu, customers can test and experience the brand’s cosmetics – but nothing is for sale in this shop without stock.

    Visitors can apply and spray products tailored to them from the beauty library, which features more than 30 brands and 2300 products from AmorePacific.

    Furthermore, Amore Seongsu offers various other services, including makeup classes, flower box- and perfume-making classes every month to encourage customers to participate.

    “We only offer customers the opportunity to check out products suitable for them at our stores, and customers purchase the products online afterward,” said an official from AmorePacific.

    Online shopping transactions of cosmetics reached 1.15 trillion won (US$966 million) as of October, up 28 percent year on year. Meanwhile, sales via mobile devices rose 32 percent to 648.8 billion won, according to Statistics Korea.

    In fact, data shows that 20 percent of customers who visit Amore Seongsu purchase products from the brand online within a week of their visit.

    In addition, AHC, a cosmetics brand operating under Carver Korea, opened its flagship store “Future Salon” in Myeong-dong, Seoul, in late October.

    American mattress maker Simmons opened a cultural complex, Simmons Terrace in Icheon, Gyeonggi Province, last year.

    Moreover, Aekyung Industrial Co, a South Korean household-goods and cosmetics maker, also launched Luna Signature, a hands-on cosmetics store near Hongdae in Seoul, in June. The two stores also place more weight on experience rather than sales.

    “We don’t put much importance on sales performance at experience stores,” a source from Aekyung said. “If we increase brand awareness by communicating with more consumers, it will lead to an increase in sales online.”

    The furniture industry, which already operated showrooms and flagship stores, has also recently attracted visitors by decorating exhibition and sales halls as cultural spaces.

    American mattress maker Simmons opened a cultural complex, Simmons Terrace in Icheon, Gyeonggi Province, last year. It has welcomed more than 100,000 visitors in just one year since its opening.

    In addition to the showroom-like shops, museums and exhibitions featuring gardens, lounges and brand stories have been set up at Simmons Terrace.

    “Customers do not purchase products immediately on site, but visitors become strong potential customers,” a furniture industry source said.

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  • Stores close, jobs shed as Hong Kong retailers survive downturn

    Stores close, jobs shed as Hong Kong retailers survive downturn

    Thousands of stores will close and 5600 jobs will be lost as Hong Kong retailers try to recover from a “severe” sales decline brought on by social unrest and declining mainland visitor numbers, according to a survey by the Hong Kong Retail Management Association.

    Conducted between October 29 and November 22, the survey revealed that 97 per cent of retailers polled have recorded losses since the protest activities began in June with the vast majority of those describing their losses as “heavy” or above moderate.

    The HKRMA said retailers planned to lay off staff if trading conditions did not improve. Based on survey responses, the association calculated that with some 270,000 people working for Hong Kong retailers currently, cuts “may exceed 5600 in the next six months”. And with 64,000 retail outlets currently operating in Hong Kong, as many as 7000 retail stores may close.

    Some companies have stated that even if they have not reached a severe level of trade decline, they anticipate closing stores within the next six months.

    The HKRMA urged shop owners to offer different rents to their retail tenants according to the degree of loss of the shop. Rent and staff costs are the biggest expenses retailers face in doing business and would naturally be the first to need adjusting to maintain commercial viability.

    Chairman Xie Qiu Anyi said rent reductions of 30 per cent were required to provide a lifeline to retailers.

    “All stakeholders need to support the retail industry in the future,” she said in a statement translated from Chinese. Currently, 80 per cent of survey respondents reported inadequate rent relief from landlords.

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  • New carrier KiteAir plans June takeoff

    New carrier KiteAir plans June takeoff

    KiteAir, an airline established by hospitality group Thien Minh, hopes to launch its first flight next June after getting the Prime Minister’s nod.

    The delay of three months over the original schedule was required as Thien Minh Group awaited investment approval from Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc, its Chairman Tran Trong Kien said.

    The Ministry of Transport had in September voiced support for the establishment of KiteAir, but required that it be more specific in its plans to make profits, as the airline had envisaged a loss of VND350 billion ($15 million) in the first three years of its operations.

    KiteAir is set to be headquartered in the central province of Quang Nam with a charter capital of VND1 trillion ($43 million), entirely invested in by Thien Minh Group.

    It plans to operate six short-haul ATR-72 aircraft with a capacity of 78 seats in the first year of operation, and expand the fleet to 30 jets by the fifth year, including 15 narrow-body Airbus A320/321 aircraft.

    The transport ministry has also supported the establishment of two other airlines, Vinpearl Air, a unit of private conglomerate Vingroup, and Vietravel Airlines, promoted by leading travel agency Vietravel.

    All three airlines have to get approval from the PM, and later the air operator certificate (AOC) from the Civil Aviation Authority of Vietnam before they can launch operations.

    Vietnam now has six licensed airlines: Vietnam Airlines, Vietnam Air Services Company (VASCO), Jetstar Pacific, Vietjet, Bamboo Airways, and military-run Vietstar Airlines, the last two making their debut this year.

    Last year, Vietnam’s 21 state-run airports served 103.5 million passengers, up 11 percent year-on-year, and the figure is set to rise to 112 million this year, according to the Airports Corporation of Vietnam.

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  • Vietnam Airlines wants caps removed on domestic ticket prices

    Vietnam Airlines wants caps removed on domestic ticket prices

    National flag carrier Vietnam Airlines has proposed that price caps on domestic air tickets be removed to allow carriers more pricing flexibility.

    The current price ceiling makes it difficult for airlines to diversify their prices, increase profits during certain periods of time like peak seasons, and in turn, lower prices on some routes, Le Hong Ha, Deputy General Director of Vietnam Airlines, said at a tourism forum on Monday.

    Vietnam should abolish the domestic price ceiling, and allow market forces to decide prices. “The aviation market is already operating like a free market, so airlines should be allowed to freely adjust prices based on supply and demand,” Ha said.

    The Civil Aviation Authority of Vietnam (CAAV) supports the proposal, as Vietnam is one of the few countries in the world still have a price cap, said Vo Huy Cuong, deputy head of the authority.

    The CAAV has proposed the removal of the price cap every time amendments or supplements are made to the Civil Aviation Law, but these were not approved because the National Assembly felt it was necessary to protect the interest of many classes of civilians traveling by air, he said.

    If this regulation is not amended, airlines will focus on operating and developing international routes rather than domestic ones, he added.

    In mid-2018, many airlines requested the government to raise domestic price caps because they were losing money on many routes after cost of fuel and labor increased, but this was not approved either.

    Currently, air tickets on routes under 500 km operated to promote socio-economic development have a maximum price of VND1.6 million ($69), ordinary routes under 500 km VND2.2 million ($95), while the highest ceiling is VND3.75 million ($162) for routes of 1,280 km or above.

    According to the government portal, the air distance between the northernmost point of Vietnam to the southernmost point is 1,650 km.

    Local airlines served 50.3 million passengers from January to November, up 10.7 percent year-on-year, according to the General Statistics Office.

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  • Aeon opens second mall in Hanoi, Vietnam

    Aeon opens second mall in Hanoi, Vietnam

    Located in Hanoi’s southwestern district of Ha Dong, the three-story mall occupies a 22,700sqm area, featuring 221 retail tenants covering food, fashion, household goods and entertainment. The new mall brings more than 40 brands new to the city including Koi tea, The, Dune London, Idoome, Jack & Jones, Kipling and Typo.

    Before the opening ceremony, the general director of Aeon Vietnam, Nishitohge Yasuo, said the Vietnam retail market is changing and becoming increasingly competitive. He said Aeon Mall wants to bring new experiences to customers, not only for shopping but also for fun, entertainment and family connection.

    A spokesperson for the Japanese Embassy in Vietnam said he hoped Ha Dong Aeon Mall will become a place to provide information about Japanese culture. “And I hope more people in Hanoi come to Aeon Mall Ha Dong to be able to feel a very ‘Japanese’ atmosphere in Hanoi’s heart”.

    The first Aeon mall in Hanoi was opened in 2015. The Japanese group has expanded its network with three others in Binh Duong province and Ho Chi Minh City. Another Aeon shopping mall is under construction in the port city of Hai Phong.

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  • Hong Kong’s I.T to open new Orange Forest retail concept on Friday

    Hong Kong’s I.T to open new Orange Forest retail concept on Friday

    Hong Kong’s I.T Group will open its new Orange Forest concept in Tsim Sha Tsui on Friday, December 13.

    Located at The One shopping mall, the new store occupies an 18,000sqft area, spanning two floors. I.T’s space is divided into different areas including store-in-store concept, Stylenanda, casual footwear, and fashion accessories zone, Afuri ramen restaurant and Deus Ex Machina & Deus cafe.

    The I.T Orange Forest flagship features store-in-store of brands such as Baby Milo store, Beams Boy, Burton, Deus Ex Machina, and The North Face. The store’s displays are enriched with outdoor elements resembling sports ground or stadium. Pastel tones contrast with bold hues intended to “accentuate an exuberant and youthful vibe”.

    Different from its usual pinky design, the new Stylenanda at I.T Orange Forest embraces the ‘Urban Concrete’ concept of the latest Seoul and Beijing flagships inspired by minimalism.

    Adorned with nets, casual footwear and fashion accessories zone feature more than 100 New Era caps, sneakers, and backpacks.

    I.T Orange Forest also presents Japanses ramen restaurant Afuri which will offer the famous Yuzu Shio Ramen and Yuzu Shoyu Ramen in the chicken broth infused with the yuzu together with homemade dumplings, tsukemen and Japanese sakes.

    Another eatery is Deus cafe, which will serve Australian light meals and hand-brewed organic coffees.

    I.T Orange Forest has partnered with design studio Mighty Jaxx to open its first pop-up store in Hong Kong. To celebrate the grand opening, both brands collaborate with Sesame Street x Jason Freeny to launch a ready-to-wear collection for an immersive return to childhood memories. There are also 1:1 sculptures of Bert and Ernie from Sesame Street, coupled with AR photo booth for customers to take Instagram-worthy selfies this Christmas.

    Since 1988, I.T has introduced local fashionistas to brands from across the world. The venture now has 10 I.T stores in Hong Kong.

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