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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.

  • AirAsia India Offers Flights To Goa

    AirAsia India Offers Flights To Goa

    AirAsia India is offering flight tickets starting below Rs. 1,400 on select routes in a limited-period sale. AirAsia India is offering tickets starting at Rs. 1,399 on flights from Bengaluru to destinations including Goa under a promotional scheme, according to the airline’s website – airasia.com. The AirAsia India offer requires flyers to make advance bookings, which are open till December 31, 2017, the airline noted. The all-inclusive fares offered under the scheme are applicable on travel till June 30, 2018, AirAsia India noted on its website. Flight tickets starting at an all-inclusive Rs. 1,399 are also available on flights from Bengaluru to Hyderabad and Kochi, it noted.

    AirAsia India offers on flights come days before New Year 2018, amid high competition in the domestic civil aviation market. Many airlines operating in the domestic market offer discounts around the New Year holiday season to attract passengers during a period marked with high demand, say analysts.

    A search on the AirAsia bookings portal on Friday showed tickets for flights from Bengaluru to Goa on January 17 were available for booking at Rs. 1,899.

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  • AirAsia X appoints a new CFO for its Operations

    AirAsia X appoints a new CFO for its Operations

    AirAsia X, The leading low-cost, long-haul carrier today appointed Wong Mee Yen as chief financial officer (CFO) effective Jan 1, 2018.

    She is replacing outgoing CFO Cheok Huei Shian, who has led the AirAsia X finance team since Feb 25, 2015. Cheok, who is leaving the company to pursue personal interests, will continue with through December 2017 to ensure a smooth transition.

    Wong will report directly to chief executive officer Benyamin Ismail and will be responsible for corporate finance, treasury, financial planning and analysis as well as investor relations.

    “We are pleased to bring back Mee Yen to join our management team at AirAsia X,” group CEO Datuk Kamarudin Meranun said in a statement.

    “She was part of the core team in the early days of AirAsia and has played an instrumental role in the success of AirAsia and getting the company listed on the Bursa Malaysia,” Kamarudin said.

    he also thanked Cheok for her contributions towards realising the company’s transformation.

    “Her hard work helped us to return to the black, and she will always be the paragon of an Allstar to us,” Kamarudin said.

    Wong was with AirAsia between 2004 and 2007 as group financial controller. Prior to AirAsia X, she was chief financial officer (MRT project) at LMG Rail Car Sdn Bhd.

     

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  • More disruption ahead in China, warns KPMG survey

    More disruption ahead in China, warns KPMG survey

    As their spending power grows, Chinese millennials are set to disrupt the nation’s retail sector, says a joint survey by KPMG China and shopping platform Mei.com.

    Already retailers are transforming their businesses in response with new strategies such as omnichannel platforms, says the fourth annual China’s Connected Consumers survey. It analyses responses from 3004 mainland consumers to understand their current and future shopping habits.

    Online shopping has effectively become a national pastime in China, the research shows, with 77 per cent of respondents identifying it as their favourite leisure activity. This is reflected in the popularity of online shopping festivals such as Double 12 and Single’s Day.

    Nearly nine in 10 millennials are shopping online more than once a week, and 80 per cent expect the frequency to increase in the year ahead. As well as this, 31 per cent of millennials say they are expecting a significant increase in income over the next five years.

    “The modern retail industry is less about what companies can create, but more about what consumers want,” says KPMG China partner/head of consumer and retail Jessie Qian. “We’re living in an increasingly customer-centric world, and the strategic focus of businesses should be on how they can build customer engagement and product distribution based on immediate demands.”

    With the rise of the experiential generation there has been a surge in demand for luxury and affordable-luxury products. In the next year, say 70 per cent of millennials, they plan to spend more on luxury goods and services, mainly clothing, shoes, cosmetics and perfume.

    “It is increasingly difficult for a single brand to be able to fill multiple segments,” says Qian. “As China’s retail market continues to develop, more consumer groups such as millennials will rise to prominence. It is imperative for companies to diversify and maximise their relevance to different groups of consumers.”

  • Indonesian Retail Sector Sees More Growth

    Indonesian Retail Sector Sees More Growth

    Despite the expected sluggish economic growth this year, Indonesian food and clothing retailers are gearing up for expansion to capture a greater share of the middle class and its higher income.

    “Expansion is crucial for the retail industry to boost sales turnover, other than renovating old branches,” said Tutum Rahanta, executive at Indonesian Retailers Association (Aprindo), adding he estimated sales turnover from the nation’s retailers to grow between 10 percent and 12 percent this year.

    Last year, Aprindo’s data showed turnover at Rp 150 trillion ($12.75 million).

    Tutum added that competition between retailers is intensifying, so companies must take risks by expanding.

    He said if expansion is delayed, a retailer may lose its market share.

    One retailer eager to expand is Hypermarket operator Matahari Putra Prima, which plans to open 20 new branches over this coming year.

    The company, which is controlled by the Lippo Group, has set aside Rp 700 billion for capital expenditure this year, an increase of 7 percent from 2013, most of which will be used for financing expansion of outlets in eastern Indonesia.

    Danny Kanjongian, corporate communication director at MPP said in January the company plans to open up to 22 outlets this year, mostly in the eastern islands of the country.

    “The company’s cash generation capability is strong, so it can support expansion plans,” Danny told reporters on Friday on the sidelines of an inauguration ceremony of a Foodmart Gourmet outlet in Cilandak Town Square, South Jakarta.

    As of the end of last year, MPP operated 99 Hypermart outlets in as well as 97 Boston Health & Beauty stores and 30 Foodmart outlets.

    Other retailers in different segments, including supermarket chain operator Indomarco Prismatama, department store Ramayana Lestari Sentosa, fashion retailer Mitra Adi Perkasa and electronic retailer Ace Hardware are also in expansion mode.

    Indomarco, controlled by Salim Group through Indoritel Makmur Internasional, the operator of Indomaret, plans to spend Rp 1.3 trillion adding 1,300 new outlets.

    Ramayana, which sells clothes to low-income consumers, plans to spend Rp 350 billion adding six branches this year.

    Mitra Adi Perkasa, which sells a number of well-known fashion brands, is also keen on a massive expansion with previous reports suggesting plans to spend up to Rp 600 billion opening 250 new outlets across the country.

    Despite increasing competition and ballooning expenses, retail businesses in Indonesia will continue to grow over the next few years, according Maybank Kim Eng Securities analyst Janni Asman.

    The country’s growing purchasing power and living standards are the catalyst to that growth, Janni said.

    Indonesia, over the past few years, has been the darling of the investment community, with economic growth of around 6 percent each year since 2007 to 2012 though it is predicted to slow in 2014.

    Gross domestic product has increased five times within 10 years and GDP per capita has increased four times to around $5,000 now.

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  • Cebu Pacific apologizes for delays in morning flights, cancels one flight due to bad weather

    Cebu Pacific apologizes for delays in morning flights, cancels one flight due to bad weather

    Cebu Pacific cancelled one domestic flight to Cauayan, Isabela, on account of bad weather Wednesday, even as it apologized for the inconvenience caused by an average 45-minute delay in early morning flights.

    Cancelled due to bad weather was 5J 196/197, Manila-Cauayan-Manila 5J- Cebu Pacific.

    In a separate advisory, Cebu Pacific attributed the flight delays to a temporary slowdown in the production of its flight plans.

    “Early morning flights were delayed by approximately 45 minutes as a consequence and this will also cause a domino effect for flights throughout the day,” said the leading low-cost carrier.

    “We are currently putting measures in place to make up time and thus minimize delays to our schedule. Our airport personnel are on-hand to assist affected passengers. We sincerely this has caused, and appeal for patience and understanding,” said the airline.

  • Malaysian Senators Think AirAsia’s New Uniforms Are ‘Too Revealing’

    Malaysian Senators Think AirAsia’s New Uniforms Are ‘Too Revealing’

    Malaysian legislators this week criticized the uniforms issued to female crew by two Malaysian airlines, calling them “too revealing” and suggesting they conflict with the country’s Muslim values.

    Senator Datuk Abdullah Mat Yasim targetted the uniforms of AirAsia and Firefly, a subsidiary of Malaysia Airlines. Abdullah called on the Malaysian Aviation Commission to investigate the issue during debate on an aviation bill in the Dewan Negara, the upper house of Malaysia’s parliament.

    Another Senator, Datuk Megat Zulkarnain Omardin, agreed, and added another culprit to the list, saying “My wife is worried whenever I fly alone on Malindo or AirAsia .  This is a real hassle for me.”

    Abdullah replied that he found the uniforms for Indonesia-based Malindo Air acceptable, because they covered attendants’ “sensitive areas.”

    AirAsia is Malaysia’s largest airline, with operations across East Asia and India. Though Americans might not see AirAsia or Firefly’s uniforms as particularly revealing, female flight crew members feature prominently in AirAsia’s marketing materials. AirAsia also says its crew “loves to sing and dance.” It should be noted, though, that the airline does have male flight attendants – including one whose racy Britney Spears dance routineon an Airbus A330 went viral earlier this year.

    The debate follows comments last week by another Malaysian senator that flight attendants should wear Shariah-compliant uniforms to comport with Malaysian religious standards. Islam is Malaysia’s official religion, though only about 60% of Malaysians are Muslim, and Malaysia touts itself as a tolerant multicultural and multiethnic society.

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  • Don Quijote eyes more Asia stores

    Don Quijote eyes more Asia stores

    After opening its first outlet in Singapore (called Don Don Donki) this month, Japanese discount retailer Don Quijote plans to expand with even more outlets in Asia.

    Founding chairman Takao Yasuda sas the group is looking to open stores in Hong Kong, Malaysia, Taiwan and Thailand.

    When moving to Singapore to retire two years ago, Yasuda was surprised at the price of food ingredients and other products imported from Japan. “I realised my new mission was to lower the prices to affordable levels.”

    He says the Singapore store has been so popular it has had to limit customer numbers at weekends. “We’ll increase to around 10 stores in Singapore in two to three years so customers can enjoy shopping at leisure.”

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  • JD.com will open hundreds of unmanned convenience stores

    JD.com will open hundreds of unmanned convenience stores

    Following a trial at its Beijing headquarters, online retail giant JD.com plans to open hundreds of unmanned convenience stores.

    This effectively dwarfs Amazon’s plans to open checkout-free stores, as reported.

    JD.com’s stores will use facial recognition and other technology to identify products and record payments so customers do not need to wait in a checkout line. Ceiling cameras will track shopper movements and generate heat maps to monitor activity and traffic flow, product choice and customer preferences.

    This will all help store owners to stock efficiently, says the company, while facial recognition will allow for customised advertising based on an individual’s shopping behaviour.

    “From helping small-store owners streamline their supply chains and increase stocking efficiency, to speeding up check out, this is a massive jump beyond anything in use today,” says JD.com VP Song Ma.

    As well as plans to eventually license its store technology to third parties, the online retailer is also considering driverless vehicles with pre-programmed routes as well as secure lockers for deliveries. In May, JD.com said it planned to develop heavy-duty drones for long-distance deliveries.

    Also earlier this year, Amazon announced its intention to roll out Amazon Go, a checkout-free, cashless store.

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  • Suspected North Korean cyber group seeks to woo bitcoin job seekers

    The surging price of cryptocurrencies in global markets is catching the eye not just of ordinary retail investors but a cybercrime gang with links to the North Korean government, according to cyber researchers tracing the group’s activities.

    The Lazarus cybercrime group is mounting an ongoing scheme to steal the online credentials of bitcoin industry insiders, a report published by researchers at U.S. cyber security firm Secureworks’s Counter Threat Unit (CTU) said on Friday.

    Cybersecurity firms including Secureworks suspect North Korea to be behind the Lazarus group, which they link to an $81 million cyber heist last year at the Bangladesh central bank and a 2014 attack on Sony’s Hollywood studio.

    “Given the current rise in bitcoin prices, CTU suspects that North Korea’s interest in cryptocurrency remains high and (it) is likely continuing its activities surrounding the cryptocurrency,” Secureworks said in a statement to Reuters.

    Prices for the volatile cryptocurrency surged past $10,000 late last month and have continued to race upward toward $20,000. A single bitcoin traded above $17,500 on Friday, up more than 7 percent on the day and more than 18 times in the year to date.

    Secureworks said that as recently as last month it had monitored a targeted email campaign aiming to trick victims into clicking on a compromised link for a job opening for a chief financial officer role at a London cryptocurrency company.

    Those who clicked on the hiring link were infected by malicious code from an attached document in the email that installed software to take remote control of a victim’s device, allowing hackers to download further malware or steal data.

    This malware shares technical links with former campaigns staged by the mysterious cybercrime group Lazarus, which Secureworks has labelled “Nickel Academy”. Secureworks did not say whether anyone who received the email actually clicked on the link.

    The so-called “spearphishing” attempt appears to have been delivered on October 25, but initial activity was observed by Secureworks researchers dating back to 2016. The researchers said in a statement they believe the efforts to steal credentials are still on-going.

    Recent intrusions into several bitcoin exchanges in South Korea have been tentatively attributed to North Korea, it said.

    Secureworks researchers have found evidence dating back to 2013 of North Korean interest in bitcoin, when multiple user names originating from computers using extremely rare North Korean internet addresses were found researching bitcoin.

    The same internet addresses were linked to previous North Korean cyber attacks.

    A spokeswoman for Secureworks said the company was releasing its preliminary findings now and a more complete report would be published later.

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  • Facebook defends itself against critics of social media

    Facebook defends itself against critics of social media

    Facebook Inc on Friday struck back against scientific researchers and tech industry insiders who have criticized the world’s biggest social media network and its competitors for transforming how people behave and express emotion.

    Facebook, in a corporate blog post, said that social media can be good for people’s well-being if they use the technology in a way that is active, such as messaging with friends, rather than passive, such as scrolling through a feed of other people’s posts.

    It was the second time this week that Facebook had published such a rebuttal, signaling a new willingness to defend a business model that translates users’ attention into advertising revenue.

    On Tuesday, the company released a statement saying that former executive Chamath Palihapitiya, who at a conference publicly blamed Facebook for “destroying how society works,” had been gone for six years and was unfamiliar with the company’s recent efforts to improve.

    Palihapitiya on Thursday revised his view, writing in a Facebook post that the service “is a force for good in the world.”

    Online services such as Facebook and its Instagram unit, Twitter Inc, Snap Inc’s Snapchat and Alphabet Inc’s YouTube are under attack for their seemingly addictive nature and perceived promotion of anti-social behaviors.

    A study in March by U.S. researchers found that using such services at least two hours daily was correlated with reporting feelings of social isolation.

    A nonprofit organization called Time Well Spent, led by a former Google design ethicist, is pressuring tech companies to move away from products that try to hook people’s attention.

    In its blog post, Facebook acknowledged what it called “compelling research” on the negative effects of social media and cited two such academic studies.

    The company said, though, that those studies are “not the whole story.” It went on to cite other studies suggesting that the dangers of social media may be exaggerated, and that it has potential benefits if used correctly.

    “We employ social psychologists, social scientists and sociologists, and we collaborate with top scholars to better understand well-being and work to make Facebook a place that contributes in a positive way,” said the blog post, written by Facebook Research Director David Ginsberg and Research Scientist Moira Burke.

    Fundamental change would require turning away from “where the money is,” said Roger McNamee, a venture capitalist and early Facebook investor who recently has criticized the social network.

    “Facebook’s business model depends on monopolizing consumer attention, and content that appeals to fear and anger is the most profitable way to do that,” McNamee said in an email on Friday.

    A Facebook representative declined to comment beyond the blog post.

    Facebook is spending $1 million on research into the relationship among technology, youth development and well-being, the blog post said.

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  • Vietjet launches two routes from Ho Chi Minh City to Phuket and Chiang Mai in Thailand

    Vietjet launches two routes from Ho Chi Minh City to Phuket and Chiang Mai in Thailand

    Today, at Tan Son Nhat Airport (Ho Chi Minh City), Vietjet held a jubilant inaugural ceremony to celebrate the debut of the airline’s Ho Chi Minh City – Phuket (Thailand) route. On the inaugural flight, passengers were thrilled to receive lovely, surprise gifts from Vietjet.

    Prior to that, Vietjet also welcomed the first flight of the Ho Chi Minh City – Chiang Mai (Thailand) route, which arrived to great excitement of both passengers and onlookers. Both these new routes serve the transportation and travel demands of locals and tourists while contributing to the promotion of trading and integration in the region. With the two new routes, Vietjet now operates six flights to “the Land of Smiles” from Vietnam.

    The ceremony was witnessed by Mr. Manopchai Vongphakdi – Ambassador of the Kingdom of Thailand to Vietnam, leader of Aviation Administration of Vietnam, Culture, Sport and Tourism Department of Ho Chi Minh City and leaders of industries of Vietnam and Thailand.

    The Ho Chi Minh City – Phuket route operates a return flight every Monday, Wednesday, Friday and Sunday involving about two hours per leg. Flights depart Ho Chi Minh City at 10.15 am and arrive in Phuket at 12.10 pm. Return flights take off at 1.05 pm from Phuket and land in Ho Chi Minh City at 3.10 pm.

    The Ho Chi Minh City – Chiang Mai route operates a return flight every Tuesday, Thursday, Friday and Sunday with a flight time of just under two hours per leg. Flights depart Ho Chi Minh City at 11.35 am and arrive in Chiang Mai at 1.30 pm. Return flights take off at 2.20 pm from Chiang Mai and land in Ho Chi Minh City at 4.25 pm.

    Customers can also call the Vietjet hotline +84 19001886 or visit any authorized domestic or international ticketing office/agent.  Payment can be made immediately with debit or credit cards Visa/ MasterCard/ AMEX/ JCB/ KCP or an ATM card issued by one of 32 Vietnamese banks that have been registered for internet banking.

    Aiming to become a leading consumer airline, Vietjet has continually opened new routes while adding brand-new aircraft to its fleet, investing in modern technology and offering more added-on services and products to serve all customers’ demands. Since its establishment just a few years ago, Vietjet has continuously contributed to the community and created flying opportunities for tens of millions of domestic and international passengers.

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  • AEON and Siam Paragon spread the cheer year end

    AEON and Siam Paragon spread the cheer year end

    Mr. Praphan Rangsiyopas (Right), Executive Vice President of AEON Thana Sinsap (Thailand) Public Co., Ltd. together with Mrs. Jiraporn Srisa-an (Left), Senior Deputy Managing Director for Business Promotion, Siam Paragon Development Co., Ltd. celebrate the 12 years of successful.

    The festive “Siam Paragon the 12 Glorious Years” campaign brings happiness to all special customers of Siam Paragon. Exclusively for AEON credit card members, simply by making a purchase by using AEON credit card at Siam Paragon Shopping Center reach the specified amount, be eligible to receive many special prizes such as gift voucher from participating restaurants, Siam Gift Card worth up to 4,500 Baht and AEON Surprise that give credit cash back up to 10,500 Baht. Your happiness starts now until January 15th, 2018.

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  • Lotte Group boss facing jail terms

    Lotte Group boss facing jail terms

    In a new headache for South Korean retail giant Lotte Group, its boss faces jail terms over bribery and other charges.

    Chairman Shin Dong-bin has been accused of giving KW7 billion (US$6.4 million) in bribes to a foundation run by former President Park Geun-hye’s friend Choi Soon-il while seeking favours to win a government licence to run a duty-free business in Seoul.

    Prosecutors demanded a four-year jail term for Shin for the alleged bribery, while his lawyers have denied the accusation.

    Separately, prosecutors asked a court to hand down a 25-year prison term for Choi, who was at the centre of the corruption scandal that led to impeachment and arrest of Park.

    Seoul Central District Court will hand down its judgment on Shin on January 26. The court is also set to issue a separate sentence on Shin next Friday on charges of embezzlement and breach of trust.

    Prosecutors suspect Shin paid KW50 billion in wages to people who had never worked for its affiliates, and inflicted KW130 billion in losses on the business group’s subsidiaries by forcing them to cover the losses of other units. Prosecutors have demanded a 10-year jail term.

    “We will go through the remaining court procedures in a sincere manner,” says a Lotte official.

    Two months ago Lotte established the holding company Lotte Corp in a bid to solidify Shin’s leadership.

    Meanwhile, the group is said to have incurred about KW2 trillion in damages in recent months amid the Seoul-Beijing diplomatic spat over the deployment of a US missile defence system in South Korea.

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  • Jetstar’s airfares to Bali take off after AirAsia cancels its service

    Jetstar’s airfares to Bali take off after AirAsia cancels its service

    Jetstar prices for flights to and from Bali have jumped by as much as 570 per cent in the wake of AirAsia’s announcement it would be cancelling its services on the route. Earlier this week, Jetstar was advertising flights to Bali in February for $99 and return flights for just $44.

    However, after AirAsia confirmed on Wednesday that it would be scrapping its flights between Darwin and Bali, prices jumped. Fares to Bali for $99 are still available in January, however return fares have leapt to between $182 and $242. In February fares to Bali increase to $179 and return flights are between $122 and $295.

    A Jetstar spokeswoman said the airline remained committed to delivering cheap flights between Darwin and Bali.

    “Bali remains an important market for us from Darwin and our flights from Darwin to Bali will continue to operate as normal well into the future,” she said.

    “There are many factors that determine the pricing of air tickets, and we take into strong account our mission of every day low fares, making air travel affordable and the world more accessible to our customers.”

    Territorians guessed the prices would jump as soon as they heard the announcement of AirAsia’s cancellations.

    “They won’t get the $69 return fare to Bali anymore,” Scott Gorrell posted on Facebook on Thursday.

    “Now Jetstar will hike its prices up between Darwin and Bali as there is no competition,” Bev Phelts commented.

    “Watch the prices rise now,” Nigel Rankine posted.

    It took more than two full days for Jetstar to up its prices.

    Jetstar earlier this week confirmed it would be looking at increasing the number of services it offers on the Darwin-Bali route.

    In the 2016-17 financial year, Jetstar flew 35,000 passengers between the Indonesian island and the Top End.

    AirAsia confirmed on Wednesday it would cancel its routes between Darwin and Bali from January 28.

    “AirAsia Indonesia will suspend its service connecting Bali with Darwin as part of a network restructuring aimed at improving operational efficiency,” a spokesman said.

    Previously Garuda Indonesia operated flights between Darwin and Bali, however the airline pulled out of the Top End in 2009, after 30 years.

    AirNorth has also previously operated the route.

  • Monthly salaries in Vietnam rise fastest in Southeast Asia

    Monthly salaries in Vietnam rise fastest in Southeast Asia

    Salaries in Vietnam are rising faster than in any other Southeast Asian country, according to a recent survey released by employment website Jobstreet.com.

    The average annual growth rate of Vietnam’s payroll stands at 20-24 percent, compared to 14-20 percent in Thailand, the Philippines, Indonesia, Myanmar and Singapore.

    In Vietnam, management and executive salaries grew fastest, at 26 and 35 percent respectively.

    The survey found that 68 percent of companies operating in Vietnam want to expand their businesses in the future, so they have high recruitment demands. Jobstreetforecast that salary growth will continue with this demand.

    Vietnam’s minimum wage, however, doesn’t enjoy such a large jump. On Monday, the prime minister signed off on a decree raising the minimum wage for 2018 by 6.5 percent, the lowest nominal bump in 11 years.

    The rise brings the minimum wage for Region I to VND3.98 million ($175) a month. Region II to VND3.53 million, Region III to VND3.09 million and Region IV to VND2.76 million.

    In Vietnam, there are four different minimum wage regions, which are supposed to reflect the cost of living in each area. Region I, including Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City, has the highest minimum wage, while region IV, which is for rural areas, has the lowest.

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