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Category: Living

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

  • Record first-half sales for Samsonite International

    Record first-half sales for Samsonite International

    Luggage company Samsonite International had record half-year net sales of US$1.5 billion, a year-on-year increase of 31.8 per cent.

    Its acquisition of the Tumi brand had “significant” positive impact on its performance in Asia, reports the company, announcing its interim results.

    Samsonite assumed direct control of Tumi distribution in China, Hong Kong, Indonesia, Macau, South Korea and Thailand. It also added 37 Tumi stores worldwide. As a result, the brand had net sales of $296.9 million for the six months.
    Excluding amounts attributable to the Tumi business, the group posted 7.5 per cent net sales growth. Net sales of the Samsonite brand grew by 7 per cent, and for American Tourister by 1.3 per cent.

    “Further down the price pyramid, our Kamiliant brand performed exceptionally well, validating our belief in the vast untapped potential of the entry-price segment,” says Samsonite International CEO Ramesh Tainwala. “We will further expand Kamiliant distribution across Asia.”

    E-commerce acquisition

    Also acquired, in May, was eBags, for a cash consideration of $105 million. The company says this significantly strengthens its platform to accelerate the growth of its direct-to-consumer e-commerce business.

    Already this grew 89 per cent during the first half (20.2 per cent excluding Tumi), driven by a 126.7 per cent increase in net sales, partly as a result of acquiring eBags.

    Net sales in Asia reached $563.3 million for the group, an increase of 19.8 per cent. Excluding Tumi, the increase was 3.8 per cent.

    Japan had 53.4 per cent net sales growth. Excluding Tumi, this was a 12.8 per cent increase, driven by the American Tourister, Gregory and Samsonite brands.

    China’s net sales grew 11.2  per cent, or 8.8 per cent with Tumi excluded. This was attributed to a strong performance from the Samsonite brand.

    Net sales in South Korea were up 18.1 per cent, but would have been down 1.6 per cent without Tumi. This was because of fewer shoppers from China and weak consumer sentiment.

    Hong Kong’s net sales soared 97 per cent, driven by the addition of Tumi. Otherwise there would have been a 1.7 per cent decrease because of fewer Mainland China visitors. This compares with the 7.4 per cent decline in the second half of last year and the 15.6 per cent drop in the first half.

    Driven by the Kamiliant and Samsonite brands, net sales in India grew by 1.9 per cent. However, there was a temporary disruption in the second quarter because of a goods-and-services tax taking effect.

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  • Mt Sapola Singapore evolves as Hysses

    Mt Sapola Singapore evolves as Hysses

    Skincare company Mt Sapola Singapore has relaunched itself as Hysses as its moves beyond its spa-at-home heritage.

    “In the past 10 years we have grown as a company to have a stronger sense of who we are and what we can deliver, which allows us to tell compelling stories while sharing our knowledge,” says founder/MD Cheryl Gan.

    Gan launched the company in Singapore in 2007 with a store in Tanglin Mall. Its products were made in Thailand, where the brand was run independently. As the business began to grow in Singapore, Gan set up Barn & Potter, a specialised laboratory with its own manufacturing arm, in 2010.

    By 2013, at least 60 per cent of Mt Sapola Singapore’s retail products were made and packed locally. New scents were exclusively sold in Singapore and Malaysia. As overseas distributors started asking for the new scents, not available in Thailand, the products were rebranded as Barn & Potter.

    Franchise requests

    Mt Sapola Singapore also started receiving a growing number of requests for franchise opportunities, so Gan decided it was time for the company to form its own brand identity. Three years later, Hysses is ready to roll out globally.
    Its bodycare range has expanded from six to 13 scents, each formulated to address a particular skin problem. Similarly, the haircare range has added bioactive ingredients to tackle such problems as thinning or hair loss.

    Meanwhile, the laboratory and manufacturing spaces have tripled in size to meet demand.

    “Hysses” is adapted from the Chinese word for “native village” as the brand’s ingredients such as essential oils, herbs, stones and earthenware are sourced from villages.

    Renovations have started on the company’s boutiques in Singapore and Malaysia, with the full transformation targeted to finish by the end of the year. This will be followed by the rollout of an online store.

  • Lush Singapore opening flagship at VivoCity

    Lush Singapore opening flagship at VivoCity

    With four stores already, cosmetics company Lush Singapore is set to open its flagship at VivoCity on September 1.

    Occupying a 107 sqm basement space, it will be the largest Lush shop in Singapore.

    “The new shop will allow us to showcase the innovation at Lush with concept product displays and exclusive items,” says Lush Singapore director Sohana Chowdhury.

    There will also be new services such as hand and arm massages, and private in-depth skincare consultations.

    Lush VivoCity will also be one of the UK brand’s 20 international shops to offer the black-label range of Gorilla Perfumes.

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  • Thailand’s No.1 Home Furnishings Stores Index Living Mall plans to open across Indonesian

    Thailand’s No.1 Home Furnishings Stores Index Living Mall plans to open across Indonesian

    ‘Index Living Mall’ (ILM), No.1 Home Furnishings Stores and ASEAN retailer with the highest number of branches across the country, self-owned factories, and a world class exporter, has declared the partnership with ‘CT Corp’: Indonesian’s No.1 business group in several business segment, including ‘Mega Group’ finance company, ‘CT Global Resources’, and ‘Trans Corp’ multi-entertainment complex/hotel and Transmart Retail. The first store opened at PT. Retail’s Transmart Carrefour, Cempaka Putih, Jakarta, on 2,500 sq.m. retail space.  The grand opening day was organized on  11th August 2017, under the concept of ‘The Best is Back’. Special sales promotion were offered to customers to celebrate the new branch launch. A further 4 stores shall open between September to December this year, followed by another 5-10 stores each year until 2020 with the goal to become the Top of Mind Home Furnishings Stores in Indonesia. The event has also been honored with H.E. Mr.Pitchayaphant Charnbhumidol, Ambassador of Thailand to Indonesia.

    Mr.Pisith Patamasatayasonthi, President and CEO of Index Living Mall Co.,Ltd revealed that “The trend of home furnishings products market in ASEAN region is expanding well. With key factors such as expansion of markets, income, and customer behavior. We are truly enthusiastic to study the possibility of investment opportunities as well as business strategies in each country, in order to lead us to becoming one of the largest home furnishings and accessories retail chains in ASEAN by 2020.  Recently, we have been able to partner up Index Living Mall with CT Corp which is the largest capital group in Indonesia. This move demonstrates that we are more than ready to expand our business internationally and set to become the leader in home furnishings business. So, right now we have been working hard to open the first Index Living Mall branch in Indonesia under the concept of ‘The Best is Back’ which represents our 6 key strategies and a special sales promotion offered to our new customers.  Moreover, the company plans to expand its additional 4 stores ranging in size from 1,000 sq.m. to 2,000 sq.m. by the end of 2017 and within Transmart Carrefour locations. We can expect to see as many as 5-10 stores next year and annually through 2020.  This clearly demonstrates our confidence in the strength of Index Living Mall in tens terms of brand and product under the 4 Joys concept.

    Mr.Ekaridhi Patamasatayasonthi, Director International Business Development of Index Living Mall Co.,Ltd said “We believe that the home furnishings business in Indonesia has a high potential to go far particularly through our partnership with Transmart Retail. Apart from the slowdown in fashion and IT gadgets, the home furnishings markets has growth potential. The expansion of our new regional market in Indonesia will help increase revenue share from International up to 14% this year from our current level of 8% and will shape Index Living Mall to become a successful regional player.”

    Besides, the potential of CT Corp under the supervision of Mr.Chairul Tanjung, Indonesian tycoon and Transmart Carrefour retail business owners, is one of the key factors that supports Index Living Mall in penetrating into the right market locations, approaching to the right target groups, as well as expanding customer bases. “We strongly hope that our franchise expansion in Indonesian market will build trust of Index Living Mall among our customers here in terms of its high quality, international standard, cutting-edge design and product which has been specially selected of the market in Indonesia” he said.

    Mr.Shafie Shamsuddin, President Director and CEO of PT. Trans Retail Indonesia highlighted that “This strategic partnership is expected to provide added value for Indonesian consumers with more and more sophisticated choices of furniture products at Index Living Mall that are integrated in one area with Transmart Carrefour. Surely this will provide a trend of positive and complementary consumer spending needs between Transmart Carrefour and Index Living Mall as well as we help to provide place and space for local products to partner with us”

    “We have successfully expanded our International Retail Business across Malaysia, Vietnam, Singapore, Cambodia, Laos, Myanmar, Nepal, Maldives, Pakistan, Russia and now Indonesia as well as having strategic partners in place for the export of our products into Japan, Korea, The America, Europe. The International Retail Business represented 8% of total retail sales against Thailand in 2016.” according to Mr.Gerard McGurk, Head of International Business Development of Index Living Mall Co.,Ltd.

    The concept of ‘The Best is Back’ which would represent the 6 Best key strategies. First, The Best Furniture Lifestyle Store, Index Living Mall sells all home furnishings products in best style and best material. Second, The Best Value, the products are worth every sen of the price. There is no need to wait for the sales promotion because Index Living Mall has own factory. Third, The Best Design, the designs are being created by famous designers from all over the world such as Italy, Sweden, Denmark and Germany. Fourth, The Best Quality, every single piece of the products is being well made from the best selection of materials to ensure the best quality for the customers. Fifth, The Best Impression, Index Living Mall customer service is beyond expectation, not just the fast shipping service but also quick installing from our professionals. With 3D designer specialist service through 360 degree perspective within 30 minutes via 3D-Rooms-to-show program. Finally, Sixth, The Best Offers, Index Living Mall offers numerous special deals, promotions and privileges during the grand opening celebration.

     

  • Don Quijote about to take tilt at Thailand?

    Don Quijote about to take tilt at Thailand?

    Japanese discount chain Don Quijote could be arriving soon in Bangkok, with its penguin mascot being spotted on the fence of Ekamai Mall, which is under construction.

    Don Quijote (or Donki) sells a wide range of Japanese products including food, household supplies, medicine, electronics, clothing, beauty products and even sex toys.

    While the company has not said anything about its move into Thailand, it announced last month that it was making its first Southeast Asian expansion in Singapore.

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  • Adairs takes double digits to the market

    Adairs takes double digits to the market

    Bedding retailer Adairs has issued its second trading update in as many months, delivering the news that like-for-like sales growth has hit double digits in the first weeks of FY18.

    LFL sales soared to 10.4 per cent in the six weeks to 13 August, following 9.1 per cent growth in the prior six weeks, turning around three consecutive months of negative growth through Q2 and Q3 in FY17.

    Still yet to book his full year result with the market, Adairs CEO Mark Ronan chalked up the increasing momentum to the company’s new line of up-market manchester, which continues to be a hit with customers.

    “Adairs improved sales performance over the last 10 weeks provides us with increased confidence that the measures taken in the first half of FY17 were successful in re-positioning the business, including our new product offering resonating with our customers,” he said.

    He did, however, signal that the company expects growth to moderate somewhat through FY18, which will be further discussed at the company’s full year result on 28 August.

    Ronan’s update was received well in early Thursday trading, with Adairs’ share price up 6 per cent, adding to the more than 50 per cent rise since it signalled the trading turnaround in July.

  • Globe Hong Kong launches ‘cabin’ in Sheung Wan

    Globe Hong Kong launches ‘cabin’ in Sheung Wan

    Skateboarding legend Rodney Mullen signed autographs for five hours when shoes, apparel, skateboards and accessories retailer Globe Hong Kong opened a “cabin” store in Sheung Wan.

    Globe CEO Matt Hill and founder Peter Hill came from the US to attend the launch.

    “The feel of a Globe cabin store is more important to us than just the look of the store,” says Peter Hill. “Boardsports is a culture with a huge emotional content.”

    The design of a Globe cabin pays homage to the Roycroft arts and crafts movement founded by Elbert Hubbard in New York in the 19th century. His philosophy was to make consumer products with craft and purpose that delivered an emotional connection to the lifestyle purchasers valued.

    “Hong Kong’s energy, sense of adventure and history as a place to step out and explore from makes it a natural choice for the Globe cabin,” says Peter Hill. “The store retains its original Hong Kong tiled floors – sadly disappearing – and meshes with the oak arts-and-crafts style from other Globe cabin stores with their Anglo influence.”

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  • Ikea joins fun in Game of Thrones caper

    Ikea joins fun in Game of Thrones caper

    Revelations that TV series Game of Thrones adapted Ikea rugs as capes for its characters have led to the retailer issuing a spoof set of instructions.

    Created by its advertising agency SMFB and shared on Ikea’s Norwegian Facebook page, the instructions feature the simple line drawings typical of the company’s furniture-assembly manuals, and offer a three-step process for turning one of its sheepskin rugs into a Game of Thrones cape.

    Step one is to cut the rug where indicated by a dotted line to create a hole for the head and neck. Step two directs the wearer to place the rug on their shoulders, while the third step shows the wearer instantly morphed into a bearded swordsman with flowing locks and a thick fur cloak.

    IKEA instruction manual shows how to make your own Game of Thrones cape

    Ikea shared the depictions last week after a story was released about its rugs being co-opted by the series’ costume designers for its seventh season – admitted by key designer Michele Clapton during an event in Los Angeles last year. Her comments have finally found their way on line.

    “These capes are actually Ikea rugs,” she said in reference to the wardrobe for the Night’s Watch, a brotherhood whose members endure the coldest climate in the fantasy land of Westeros. “It’s a bit of a trick. We cut and we shaved them, and added leather straps then broke them down.”

    After the story was reported by publications as diverse, Ikea’s UK textile sales leader Carol McSeveney said her team was flattered to be included in the show.

    SMFB creative Pia Ølstad says the agency was inspired to make the graphic because the Game of Thrones cape anecdote resonated with how the team saw Ikea’s brand identity.

    “Through our six-year-long relationship with Ikea Norway, we’ve learned that there is nothing it loves more than when people take its products and make them their own.”

    Earlier this year, the flat-pack furniture specialist released a spot-the-difference guide after its iconic blue tote bag was copied by fashion house Balenciaga.

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  • Etude House Malaysia launches flagship

    Etude House Malaysia launches flagship

    Etude House Malaysia launches its first flagship store today, at Sunway Pyramid in Selangor, complete with customisable lipsticks.

    The Korean skincare brand’s new store features a “Find Your Look” section offering a choice of nine signature looks, a makeup studio and an all-new range of personalised lipsticks.

    The customisable Dear My Glass Tinting Lips-Talk collection carries 20 lip colours and 20 pop-art-inspired lipstick cases for mixing and matching. The lipsticks are formulated with nourishing ingredients like collagen and honey to keep lips hydrated.

    As an added service, lipstick cases can be engraved with the customer’s name.

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  • Dufry Cruise services onboard the Norwegian Joy in China

    Dufry Cruise services onboard the Norwegian Joy in China

    Dufry today announced an ambitious expansion of its cruise line retail activities with the creation of Dufry Cruise Services and a related Center of Excellence, based in Miami, USA.

    The world’s largest travel retailer underlined its ambitions for the channel by also revealing that it has just started operations onboard Norwegian Joy. The Norwegian Cruise Lines vessel was especially built for and customised to the Chinese cruise market.

    Norwegian Joy is Norwegian Cruise Line’s first ship to have been built specifically for Chinese travelers.

    Dufry CEO of Division 4 Rene Riedi  commented: “The new operational offices will complement the current operations and logistics-purchasing platform, in order to have our resources close to the main cruise ship itineraries. It allows a global footprint with specialised local knowledge and regional expertise.

    Dufry’s cruise ship operations cover routes from the USA to the Caribbean, Alaska, Europe and Asia. The company operates total retail space of close to 9,000sqm, ranging from 140sqm to near 2,000s m per store on vessels owned by Norwegian Cruise Lines, Carnival and Pullmantur.

    Dufry is currently present on 17 cruise ships and offers a full range of traditional duty free products as well as brand boutiques similar to airports and specialist shops, such as the Colombian Emeralds jewellery shops.

    Dufry debuts on Norwegian Joy with nine shops covering 1,950sq m of retail space. The ship is the first Norwegian cruise liner which has been built specifically for Chinese travelers.

    The new Breakaway-Plus Class Ship caters for the 3,850 guests it can accommodate with luxurious suites in an exclusive ‘ship-within-a-ship’ complex. “For Dufry this is an important strategic step to open the Asian cruise market and further expand this growing channel,” the company said.

    According to the Cruise Lines International Association (CLIA), ocean cruise passengers reached 24.7 million in 2016. For 2017, CLIA projects another year of growth with a passenger forecast of 25.8 million.

    Part of that rise can be attributed to the development of the Asian market, whose ocean capacity was up by +9.2% in 2016, representing a +38% increase compared to 2015, Dufry said.

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  • House of Fritz Hansen world first for Bangkok

    House of Fritz Hansen world first for Bangkok

    Danish furniture design company Republic of Fritz Hansen has launched in Thailand with its world-first House of Fritz Hansen concept store in Bangkok.

    Inside a Thai modernist home-turned-showroom, the brand offers its iconic Egg, Swan and Series 7 chairs, as well as other contemporary classics. Fritz Hansen’s furniture is widely used in such places as museums, hotel lobbies, universities and public libraries – even the presidential office of the United Nations.

    Founded 145 years ago, the company is the oldest furniture manufacturer in the world. It collaborates with visionary designers such as Arne Jacobsen and Poul Kjaerholm, who in the 1950s produced the company’s most recognisable silhouettes.

    Fritz Hansen products are distributed in Thailand by Norse Republics.

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  • Miniso South Africa launches in Pretoria

    Miniso South Africa launches in Pretoria

    Miniso South Africa has officially launched with a store at Pretoria’s Menlyn Park Shopping Centre, with another 50 outlets in the pipeline.

    The Chinese discount merchandise chain is also opening at Maponya Mall in Soweto, to be followed by stores in Gauteng, Forest Hill in Kyalami and Norwood Mall in Johannesburg, reports Marklives.com.

    Cape Town and Durban stores will be launched next month.

    With more than 2000 stores in 62 countries, the Chinese discount merchandise chain had global sales of US$1.5 billion last year.

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  • Ikea Malaysia heading north to Penang

    Ikea Malaysia heading north to Penang

    Ikea Malaysia will open its first store in the north at the end of next year, in Penang.

    Ikano, which owns the franchise for the Swedish furniture giant for Malaysia as well as Singapore and Thailand, teamed up with Aspen Group to buy 99 ha of land in Batu Kawan from Penang Development Corporation to develop the Aspen Vision City (AVC), where the Ikea store will be located.

    Ikano will hold a 20 per cent stake in AVC with Aspen holding the balance. The Ikea store will be wholly owned by Ikano.

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  • CRC Sports launches Liverpool footie franchise in Thailand

    CRC Sports launches Liverpool footie franchise in Thailand

    Thai fans no longer need to travel to England to buy Liverpool Football Club merchandise, with the club’s first official shop for Thailand, CRC Sports, launching in Pattaya.

    On the second floor of Central Festival shopping mall, the shop is being run by former Pattaya City Council member Rattanachai Suthidechanai, who has invested THB3 million (US$90,000) in the venture.

    He says expects to sell between THB800,000 and THB1 million worth of merchandise a month as the latest English Premier League season starts this weekend.

  • Miniso Philippines opens two more outlets

    Miniso Philippines opens two more outlets

    Japanese lifestyle brand Miniso Philippines has opened two more outlets in Manila, with four to follow soon.

    Its first store in the Philippines, at Robinsons Place Manila, opened in June, with the latest stores in SM City San Lazaro and SM City Manila.

    Miniso has more than 1400 retail stores in more than 40 countries and regions. The grand opening of its SM City Manila outlet featured Filipino teen actor Ruru Madrid and actress Gabbi Garcia, both from GMA Network, along with City of Manila vice-mayor Honey Lacuña, Miniso partners and mall executives

    Miniso was jointly founded by designer Miyake Jyunya and Chinese entrepreneur Ye Guofu with a brand proposition of “simplicity and going back to the essence”.

    More 80 per cent of the brand’s products designs originate from China, Japan, Korea, Malaysia and Singapore. Products include home necessities, jewellery, seasonal items, digital accessories, office supplies, beauty products, stationery gifts, and food and drinks. Miniso stores can be found in Australia, China, Hong Kong, Japan, Korea, Laos, Myanmar, Nepal, Singapore, Thailand and Vietnam.

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