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  • Singtel, Airtel to combine IP VPNs

    Singtel, Airtel to combine IP VPNs

    Singtel and India’s Bharti Airtel have announced a strategic alliance to provide high-speed connectivity to global enterprises through a single IP VPN.

    The operators have combined their infrastructure into one network providing coverage to 325 cities through 370 points of presence in APAC, MEA, Europe and the US. This will form one of the largest IP VPNs worldwide.

    The network will support MPLS and high-bandwidth business applications including unified communications, video conferencing and SDN.

    A single helpdesk and a single integrated operations and maintenance system have been jointly developed to support the combined networking operations.

    “We believe joining forces this way makes total sense. By tapping on one another’s infrastructure assets we enhance each other’s capabilities,” Singtel Group Enterprise managing director of global enterprise business Lim Seng Kong said.

    “With its wide coverage of cities in India, this network paves the way for our international customers to enter into one of the world’s most vibrant economies. Conversely, this partnership also opens the door for Indian companies to expand abroad, supported by Singtel’s high quality IP VPN network in major business cities in Asia, Europe and the US.”

    He said the agreement will allow Singtel to strengthen its lead as the largest IP VPN provider in APAC with domestic data networks in Australia, India and Singapore.

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  • Telenor wins 4G license in Pakistan for $395m

    Telenor wins 4G license in Pakistan for $395m

    Norway’s Telenor has secured a 4G license in Pakistan for $395 million as the sole bidder for an 850-MHz spectrum block.

    Telenor Pakistan will join China Mobile subsidiary Zong in holding a 4G license following the auction. The operator is seeking to capitalize on burgeoning demand for mobile broadband in a market where smartphone shipments soared 123% in the first quarter of last year.

    As of the end of April, the number of broadband users in Pakistan grew to nearly 29 million, the report states, marking a higher population penetration than India, Nepal and Bangladesh.

    Telenor Pakistan was the lone bidder for the 10 MHz block of 850-MHz spectrum, even though the auction was open to both domestic and international participants. The government had been hoping to use the auction to attract a new entrant into the market.

    The operator will be allocated the spectrum within 30 days of making its payment.

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  • McDonald’s Malaysia embraces Ramadan spirit

    McDonald’s Malaysia embraces Ramadan spirit

    McDonald’s Malaysia is marking Ramadan with a series of activities to commemorate the holy month of self-reflection and spiritual rejuvenation.

    For the third year running, the group is sponsoring McChicken burgers and apple pies once a week to 91 mosques across the nation for after-prayer meals (moreh). This time it is extending the sponsorship to the mosques of 15 universities.

    “In our 34 years in Malaysia, McDonald’s has seen that Ramadan brings out the best in us,” says MD Azmir Jaafar.

    Meanwhile, the group is offering 30,000 sets of dates and drinking water free to commuters during rush hour at five Putra LRT stations twice a week. Also, more than 100 children in need will be treated to an evening of festive cheer including a shopping spree for baju raya and school necessities, as well as an Iftar dinner.

    Ronald McDonald House Charities (RMHC) will be sponsoring the breaking-of-fast dinner at Hotel Vistana Kuantan, and also be making a donation of RM5000 (US$1215) to children’s homes. In turn, McDonald’s Kuantan will be handing out duit raya to the children while township developer Kotasas will foot the baju raya bill.

    Furthermore, McDonald’s and RMHC will join again to celebrate Ramadan at Pusat Lambaian Kasih in Kuala Lumpur next week. RMHC will contribute RM6000 to the charity home and McDonald’s employees will volunteer to spend quality time and break fast with the children.

    In Malaysia, McDonald’s serves more than 13.5 million customers a month at more than 260 restaurants.

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  • Revlon buys rival Elizabeth Arden

    Revlon buys rival Elizabeth Arden

    Revlon is to take complete ownership of Elizabeth Arden in a deal valuing the target at US$870 million.

    The two companies say that by bringing together two highly complementary, iconic brand portfolios, Revlon will benefit from greater scale, an expanded global footprint, and a significant presence across all major beauty channels and categories, including the addition of Elizabeth Arden’s growing prestige skin care, color cosmetics and fragrances.

    “The combination will leverage Revlon’s scale across major vendors and manufacturing partners, improving distribution and procurement. Cost synergies of approximately $140 million are expected to be achieved through the elimination of duplicative activities, leveraging purchasing scale, and optimising the manufacturing and distribution networks of the combined company,” the two companies said in a joint statement.

    Revlon president and CEO Fabian Garcia described the deal as “strategically and financially compelling”.

    “Elizabeth Arden and Revlon are both known for their iconic brands, entrepreneurial spirit and commitment to innovation, quality and excellence. Revlon plans to build upon Elizabeth Arden’s ongoing transformation by further enhancing the brand, with even more vibrant and relevant product development and marketing, while carefully preserving its unique heritage within prestige.

    “Combining our brands, talent, and global distribution will give our company a significant presence in all major channels and categories, while accelerating sales growth in existing and new geographic regions. We look forward to bringing together our two top-notch teams to form a global leader in beauty,” he said.

    Elizabeth Arden president and CEO Scott Beattie said the takeover recognised the unique equity in the Elizabeth Arden brand, its impressive fragrance portfolio and global footprint, as well as the positive momentum and growth potential for our business.

    “We look forward to working with the Revlon leadership team to create a leading global beauty company, able to provide accelerated growth for the Elizabeth Arden-branded products as well as our prestige licensed fragrance portfolio, and broader opportunities for many of our employees.”

    Revlon’s strength and expertise in color cosmetics, hair care, men’s grooming, antiperspirants, deodorants and beauty tools will be complemented by the addition of Elizabeth Arden’s portfolio of licensed prestige fragrances and the internationally recognised line of Elizabeth Arden-branded prestige skin care, color cosmetics and fragrance products.

    The companies believe Elizabeth Arden’s strong global reach in prestige distribution and travel retail will complement Revlon’s strength in mass and salons, strongly positioning the combined company in all key beauty channels.

    On a geographical basis, Revlon currently sells its products in approximately 130 countries and Elizabeth Arden has a strong presence in important international growth regions, including Asia Pacific, positioning both brands to better compete globally.

    After the merger, Beattie will join Revlon’s board as non-executive vice chairman. He will also serve as a senior advisor to Garcia.

    The deal should close by the end of 2016.

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  • Bangkok retail show schedule announced

    Bangkok retail show schedule announced

    With Asian retail sales projected to reach more than $10 trillion by 2018 – twice the figures for North America – trends and developments will be discussed at a three-day Bangkok retail show in August.

    Regional sales are projected to be the fastest worldwide over the next five years, and China is expected to overtake the US as the world’s biggest retail market, according to a PWC report.

    At RetailEx ASEAN 2016, at Impact Exhibition & Convention Centre in Bangkok, Thailand, from August 25 to 27, the ASEAN Retail & Shopping Mall Summit will enable businesses, regional associations and stakeholders of the retail ecosystem to network and discuss trends.

    Over two days of the expo, the conference includes expert speakers covering such topics as industry trends, business modelling, branding avenues, and retail architecture and design.

    Features of the annual expo include the POS & Auto ID Congress, a VIP hosted buyer program and site tours. It is the largest in-store equipment and solutions expo in Southeast Asia, featuring more than 200 local and international exhibitors over 5000 sqm of exhibition space.

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  • H&M collaborates with Caitlyn Jenner for its newest athleisure range

    H&M collaborates with Caitlyn Jenner for its newest athleisure range

    A new H&M athleisure wear range is to be launched in July, developed with input from the Swedish Olympic team and fronted by personalities including Caitlyn Jenner.

    The launch of For Every Victory makes H&M one of the first major multinational fashion brands to make a serious foray into the booming athleisure wear market, to date dominated by fast-growing specialist brands including Lululemon, UnderArmour and 2XU.

    H&M -For Every Victory

    H&M For Every Victory – described by the H&M as “high fashion performance sportswear made to inspire” has been developed with input from the Swedish Olympic team, and the campaign is fronted by inspirational personalities who have all achieved their own victories, whether in sport or life.

    H&M -For Every Victory 1

    The athletes advised on design, performance and wearability. H&M also designed outfits for the Swedish Olympic and Paralympic team for Rio 2016, including the opening ceremony uniform, selected competition pieces and the prize ceremony outfits.

    “This is a collection about performance with great style and the input of the Swedish Olympic team has been invaluable in the creation process,” said Pernilla Wohlfahrt, design and creative director at H&M. “The result is high fashion technical sports pieces for everyone to wear.”

    The For Every Victory collection has a similar visual expression and technical knowledge to the Swedish Olympic team collection, with its own colour palette in black, grey, dusty pink and gold. It is centered on performance T-shirts, running shorts and leggings, as well as sports bras for women.

    H&M -For Every Victory 3

    The quick-drying, breathable materials help to optimise performance and recycled polyesters prove that high-function sportswear can also be conscious and more sustainable − all showing that there’s no compromise on either fashion or performance.

    H&M -Olympic collection

    Among the personalities fronting the new range are Caitlyn Jenner with her Olympic gold medal in the decathlon; Chelsea Werner, a gymnast who has never let Down Syndrome halt her progress; surfer Mike Coots who still takes to his board even though he lost his leg in a shark attack and boxer Namibia Flores who has fought against prejudice to pursue her dreams.

    The new range and brand will be launched globally on July 21.

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  • Meet RoBoHon : Sharp new smartphone robot

    Meet RoBoHon : Sharp new smartphone robot

    A walking smartphone robot has been launched in Japan by Sharp.

    Called RoBoHon, it has an Android smartphone for a body with tiny legs and arms.

    Ronohon Japan

    Sharp is producing 5000 RoboHon units a month, each selling for about US$1850, plus monthly charges.

    Sharp says the robotic phone was developed in collaboration with Robo Garage Co CEO Tomotaka Takahashi, who is also project associate professor at the University of Tokyo’s Research Center for Advanced Science and Technology.

    Ronohon Japan 3

    Sharp says users will be able to download apps to give RoBoHon more features. The company has even launched a RoBoHon Cafe where people can try out the robot as well as order robot-inspired dishes and beverages.

    Robohon cafe

    Standing 19.5cm high, the robot can walk, dance and answer calls. It weighs 390g. and can recognise people by their face and remember their names.

    RoboHon can hold small objects with its hands, and can also be used as a projector and broadcast video.

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  • Indonesia shines for retail investment

    Indonesia shines for retail investment

    Southeast Asia’s largest economy, Indonesia, is ranked the world’s fifth most-attractive market for retail investment in AT Kearney’s 2016 Global Retail Development Index.

    In previous years it has ranked in the top 20.

    It is an exciting time to be investing in Indonesia’s retail sector, the index says. The country scores 64.3 in market size (out of a 0-100 scale) and low in country risk (38.9) – lower than the top three markets, China, India and Malaysia. Urgency to enter the market is rated at 68.9, and the overall score of 55.6 is just one point behind Kazakhstan.

    “Despite its relatively low retail sales per capita and currency volatility, Indonesia’s huge population and cities make it quite attractive to foreign retailers, which see untapped potential in the country and are investing heavily in new development,” says the report, which covers 30 developing countries that represent more than half of total global retail sales.

    This is reflected by burgeoning foreign retail investments in the country, reports the Jakarta Post. It cites Dubai-based Lulu, which opened its first hypermarket in Indonesia this month with an investment plan of US$500 million covering nine hypermarkets and a warehouse. Meanwhile, Singapore’s Courts, South Korea’s Lotte, and Ikea and H&M from Sweden all have a presence and expansion plans in Indonesia. Courts plans to open four stores by next March to add to its existing five, and has seen its sales growth double since opening in 2014.

    Indonesian convenience stores Alfamart and Indomaret have also been expanding. Indomaret plans to add 1600 outlets this year to its 12,210 stores, while Alfamart is aiming for six-fold sales growth this year driven by its upgraded online presence.

    The government has opened up eCommerce to foreign ownership where the business value is more than Rp100 billion (US$7.49 million). According to the Indonesian eCommerce Association (Idea), eCommerce transactions are expected to reach $24.6 billion this year, three times more than in 2013.

    Indonesian retailers Matahari and Mitra Adi Perkasa have launched online shopping, while grocers Alfamart and Happy Fresh are extending their online offering.

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  • Uniqlo Indonesian batik collection for good cause

    Uniqlo Indonesian batik collection for good cause

    Japanese apparel company Uniqlo has launched a special collection of items featuring traditional motifs of Indonesian batik, a heritage included on the UNESCO list of Intangible Cultural Heritages of Humanity in 2009.

    As part of a second program in the Uniqlo Factory Worker Empowerment Project, a portion of sales is be allocated toward helping with education for employees working in parent company Fast Retailing‘s affiliated factories in Indonesia. The special collection is available at five stores in Japan and on Uniqlo’s website.

    The batik patterns are part of Uniqlo’s LifeWear concept of offering clothes for a better life for everyone, every day. The collection of eight items includes men’s and women’s shirts as well as summer dresses. The batik patterns are original motifs jointly developed by Uniqlo and a designer recommended by the Indonesian Batik Foundation.

    The empowerment project was introduced last year, the first supporting female workers in sewing factories in Bangladesh through a women’s line featuring traditional Bangladesh clothing motifs. This sold in 14 markets worldwide, with a portion of sales being used for educational programs in such areas as nutrition, hygiene and health management.

    The education project is expected to run for about three years, and reach around 12,000 people.

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  • Revenue up for Global Brands Group

    Revenue up for Global Brands Group

    Branded apparel, footwear, fashion accessories and lifestyle product company Global Brands Group Holding has had a US$4118 million revenue increase for its latest reporting period – covering 15 months because of a change of the financial year end date to March 31.

    Its revenue growth was partially offset by a decrease in the euro exchange rate, the tail-end impact of exiting underperforming brands, and an unseasonably warm winter in North America.

    The core operating profit and net profit for the period were $75 million and $25 million respectively, reflecting the typically weak first quarter.

    “Since Global Brands’ independent listing two years ago, our business has progressed along a steady growth trajectory,” says CEO/vice-chairman Bruce Rockowitz. “We have focused on leveraging our competitive strengths as we grow around our core segments. Today, we enjoy a unique position in our industry as no other company operates in the same space in the categories in which we specialise, at our vast scale, across so many countries and regions.”

    Its total margin has continued to trend up since 2013, reaching $1379 million, or 33.5 per cent as a percentage of revenue. As a result of the group’s investment in key controlled brands and adding new licences to the portfolio, running costs grew to $1304 million.

    “We continue to sharpen our focus on our key product categories and high-performing brands, while expanding our platforms where relevant,” says president/COO Dow Famulak. “Our kids category remains a highly successful franchise delivering consistently positive results, while our footwear and accessories business also performed well, particularly our key footwear brands.

    “We made excellent progress expanding the direct-to-consumer reach and increasing the product offering of our key controlled brands, such as Frye, Spyder and Juicy Couture. Under Seven Global, we extended the David Beckham brand to the menswear product category through a partnership with Kent & Curwen, and recently to the men’s grooming category through a partnership with the men’s skincare brand Biotherm Homme.”

    Rockowitz says the group is committed to global growth. “We will continue to expand our footprint in Europe and in Asia, as well as look for new avenues to further build upon our already strong presence in the US.”

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  • Zara parent company boosted profit and sales

    Zara parent company boosted profit and sales

    Spanish clothes retailer Inditex, has reported its net profit for the first fiscal quarter of 2016 rose 6 per cent, after global sales lifted by 12 per cent.

    Inditex said profit for February through April was 554 million euros ($A843.61 million), up from 521 million euros for the same period last year.

    The company’s shares were up 2.7 per cent at 28.74 euros in Wednesday morning trading in Madrid.

    The company said sales reached 4.88 billion euros, a 12 per cent increase on the same period in 2015.

    Inditex says it opened 72 new stores in the period for a total of 7085 and added 11,900 jobs in the process. During the first quarter, the retailer expanded its reach to 90 markets, having opened inaugural stores in Aruba and Nicaragua. At the end of the first-quarter, the Group reported 7085 physical stores.

    Founded in 1975 by Amancio Ortega, Inditex operates eight store brands including Massimo Dutti, Bershka and Oysho.

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  • Ericsson launches 5G plug-ins

    Ericsson launches 5G plug-ins

    Ericsson has launched a line of “5G plug-ins” designed to prepare today’s networks for the next generation of mobile technology.

    The vendor has introduced a range of software-driven plug-ins focused on capabilities operators can leverage within current networks to facilitate the evolution to 5G.

    Plug-ins include massive MIMO, multi-user MIMO, RAN virtualiztion, intelligent connectivity and latency reduction.

    The plug-ins cover use cases including mobile HD video, driverless buses, haptic feedback-enabled drones and residential wireless broadband services offering fiber-equivalent speeds.

    They are currently only available for operator trials but will be made available for commercial networks starting from next year.

    Ericsson SVP and head of radio Arun Bansal said the plug-ins are designed to “enable the evolutionary steps that operators need to take as they develop networks to secure their 5G future.”

    Current Analysis VP of consumer and infrastructure services noted that while 5G has gained considerable momentum over the past year, “without spectrum allocations or ratified standards, operators need a migration tactic allowing them to leverage current network investments in synch with their 5G evolution strategies.

    “Ericsson’s 5G plug-Ins deliver this flexibility, supporting the deployment of advanced access technologies in the near-term, and in preparation for 5G.”

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  • Philippine competition watchdog to probe SMC deal

    Philippine competition watchdog to probe SMC deal

    The Philippine Competition Commission (PCC) has announced it will conduct a “comprehensive review” of the 69 billion peso ($1.49 billion) acquisition of San Miguel Corporation’s telecoms assets by PLDT and Globe Telecom.

    The regulator has sent letters to the operators informing them that a thorough review will be undertaken.

    Such a review includes an investigation into whether there will be substantial changes to the market structure and the potential impact of the transaction on public welfare.

    In a statement, the newly-formed PCC said it had decided to conduct the investigation “based on the totality of information available to us, including public statements made by the parties,” which led the authority to “believe there is a basis to conduct this review by virtue of the powers granted to the PCC by the Philippine Competition Act.”

    The PCC recently decided not to accept PLDT and Globe’s initial application for the merger, claiming it was “deficient and defective in form and substance.”

    The operators had recently resubmitted parts of their application to address the regulator’s concerns, while maintaining that their initial application was sufficient.

    PLDT and Globe announced in late May that they have arranged to acquire SMC’s telecoms assets, including its coveted 700-MHz spectrum holdings, in a deal worth a combined 69.1 billion pesos.

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  • Tata Comms launches VR/AR prize for F1 racing

    Tata Comms launches VR/AR prize for F1 racing

    Tata Communications has launched a new competition focused on how VR and AR technologies can make Formula 1 racing more immersive for fans.

    The 2016 F1 Connectivity Innovation Prize is also designed to help the teams work more effectively together in the run-up to and during each Grand Prix.

    The aim of the $50,000 prize is to inspire fans worldwide to harness their technical know-how and passion for F1 racing to drive innovation in the sport through two technology challenges.

    Tata Communications is the official connectivity provider of Formula 1, enabling the sport to seamlessly reach its tens of millions of fans across the globe.

    The first challenge, set by Formula One Management, calls on technology enthusiasts to develop a solution that uses VR and AR to enable fans at home to experience a Grand Prix virtually.

    The solution should allow fans who are not at the live event to immerse themselves into the world of F1 racing, from the pit lane and the Formula One Paddock Club, to the drivers’ parade and the starting grid formation.

    “We want to give as many fans as possible the opportunity to experience first-hand the thrill of a Grand Prix – and VR or AR could enable us to do just that,” said John Morrison, CTO of Formula One Management and one of the judges.

    “These technologies represent the next big innovation opportunity for the sport. In the not-too-distant future, they could enable fans to get virtually transported to a Grand Prix, complementing and enriching the race experience,” said Morrison.

    Julie Woods-Moss, Tata Communications’ CMO and CEO of its NextGen Business, said that in the last two years, the F1 Connectivity Innovation Prize has grown into a major platform for showcasing the huge potential of data and superfast connectivity in boosting F1 teams’ competitiveness, and in bringing fans closer to the sport.

    “We now invite fans from all over the world to share their ideas for how VR and AR could take fan engagement to the next level,” she said.

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  • India may import pulses from Myanmar, African nations

    India may import pulses from Myanmar, African nations

    Faced with the highest-ever surge in food prices in the past two years, the NDA government did some brainstorming on Wednesday to devise steps to check prices, especially of pulses.

    At a review meeting convened by Finance Minister Arun Jaitley here, it was decided to boost supply by increasing buffer stocks and imports.

    The Centre may look to Myanmar and Africa to import lentils and pulses, it is learnt. India has already submitted a draft agreement for import of tur from Myanmar via the government route.

    Many African nations have also evinced interest in supplying lentils to India.

    “The Finance Minister said imports via public and private agencies should be strengthened to meet the deficit,” Food Minister Ram Vilas Paswan told newspersons after the meeting. He added that the demand-supply gap of about 7.6 million tonnes of pulses was being met by imports and local procurement to create a buffer stock of 1.5 lakh tonnes this year.

    It is not only the runaway increase in prices of pulses, which have soared to as much as ₹170/kg, that has hurt the aam aadmi; even vegetable prices have shot up in recent weeks.

    Tomato prices in most retail markets have doubled to ₹80-100/kg in the last fortnight due to sluggish supply owing to crop damage. Potato prices have also been on the rise.

    Besides Paswan, the high-level meeting was attended by Agriculture Minister Radha Mohan Singh, Transport Minister Nitin Gadkari, Commerce Minister Nirmala Sitharaman and Urban Development Minister Venkaiah Naidu.

    Discussions involved releasing more pulses from the buffer stock whenever there is a demand from the States. However, Paswan passed some of the blame for high prices to the States.

    “If prices rise despite this move, the Centre is not responsible. In a federal structure, States have equal responsibility in controlling prices,” he said, adding that the Centre had created a buffer stock, but “not many States had shown interest.”

    Against this year’s procurement target of 1.5 lakh tonnes of pulses for buffer stocks, 1.15 lakh tonnes has been purchased, he added.

     

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