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  • Shop Tesco with Google Glasses

    Shop Tesco with Google Glasses

    Tesco has become the first retailer to launch a Google Glass enabled service with a basic version of its shopping app now available for users of the wearable device.

    The Glassware has been developed by Tesco Labs, which experiments with disruptive technologies that have the potential to change the way customers shop. The Tesco Grocery Glassware lets customers browse goods, view nutritional information and add items to their shopping basket hands-free.

    Initially the service is only available in the UK, but it is likely to be rolled out in Thailand, Malaysia or Korea if there is demand, especially given Tesco’s use of its Asian divisions to test new technology, (for example its virtual stores in South Korea subway stations).

    In this, its first foray into providing services for those using wearable technology, Tesco has intentionally kept the functionality of the app simple as it evaluates the consumer response to wearables and the likelihood of increased demand.

    Pablo Coberly, innovation engineer at Tesco Labs commented: “At Tesco we want to ensure we have the means in place to allow customers to shop whenever, however they want which is why we’re testing the possibilities of customers topping up their online basket with Glass”

    The Tesco Grocery Glassware works alongside customers Tesco.com grocery accounts, automatically adding products to the customer’s online basket for them to then review and order by computer, tablet or mobile.”

    Coberly said Tesco does not envisage Glass becoming the new platform for shopping as its functionality is different, and more immediate.

    “Instead, it complements other devices and integrates shopping into everyday life because products can be ordered or added as and when customers realise they need replacing.”

    He says the future of the Tesco Grocery Glassware will be driven by customer needs and demand.

    “We’re keen to see how customers react to shopping with Glassware and welcome feedback or suggestions from customers using Glass.“

    Glass users can install Tesco Grocery Glassware through MyGlass on their mobile device or desktop.

  • Hong Kong mall coated in chocolate

    Hong Kong mall coated in chocolate

    Hong Kong’s Harbour City shopping centre is hosting its sixth annual Chocolate Trail until March 1.

    For five weeks Hong Kong’s largest shopping destination has been transformed into ‘ChocoLand’, offering visitors a unique ‘Bean-To-Bar’ journey to deepen their appreciation of how premium chocolate is produced and how to ‘maximise the tasting pleasure’.

    Chocolate Trail highlights will include an immersive and educational Chocolate Factory installation, chocolate workshops and seminars, live demonstrations by local and visiting chocolate master chefs, and interactive art exhibitions — all set against a backdrop of close to 30 participating Asian and European chocolate brands.

    Harbour City is home to 17 branded chocolate stores – the largest range under one roof in the city – including  Bvlgari Il Cioccolato (Italy), Dalloyau (France), The Library Cafe – Prestat Chocolates (England), Chapon (France) and Frederic Blondeel (Belgium).

    For the promotional period, another 10 pop-up stores have opened from chocolate brands originating in France, Belgium, Japan, Singapore and Hong Kong. Chocolate Trail will also celebrate the Hong Kong launch of The Royal Touch by Carolyn Robb (England) and zChocolat (France).

    The Chocolate Factory will take visitors of all ages on an interactive step-by-step “Bean-to-Bar” journey where they can experience the full chocolate production process – from planting a cocoa tree, fermentation and drying, to roasting, cracking, moulding and packaging. The Chocolate Factory will be in the mall, and will incorporate an interactive Chocolate Experience Gallery as well as a ChocoVan Cafe for visitors to sample a wide range of premium chocolate.

    The chocolate workshops will provide insights on subjects such as chocolate culture, awarded chocolate tasting from The International Chocolate Awards and chocolate and Chinese tea pairing recommendations. Topics include chocolate tea-pairing workshops, fine chocolate tasting, chocolate kids college and a Muji chocolate snacks cooking class.

    And the centre will host an interactive art exhibition From Cocoa to Choco – taking you through the Journey of Love by Belgian artist Ben Heine. With his original ‘Pencil vs Camera’ and ‘Flesh and Acrylic’ art forms, digital artist Heine will show a new series of artwork exclusively created  for the Chocolate Trail.

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  • Carrefour Indonesia adopts new POS tech

    Carrefour Indonesia adopts new POS tech

    German tech company Wirecard has teamed up with an Indonesian bank to roll out new point-of-sale technology for Carrefour Indonesia.

    Wirecard, with its Indonesian subsidiary PT Prima Vista Solusi and Bank Mega have joined forces to support Carrefour Indonesia with innovative Point-of-Sale (POS) solution with integrated payment capability. Customers in all Indonesian Carrefour retail stores will be able to pay contactless with their NFC cards, credit cards or debit cards.

    The new system is chip and PIN ready, and enriched with value-added services such as installment payment and loyalty. Wirecard provides the complete technical infrastructure, which is integrated in the front-end store system at the retail stores, as well as the online payment processing over the Wirecard gateway, whereas Bank Mega is credit card acquirer.

    Carrefour Indonesia has almost 100 hypermarkets in 13 Indonesian provinces under the ownership of PT Trans Retail Indonesia. It serves some 500,000 customers each day, offering groceries, fresh products, electronics, cosmetics, textile and many other consumer products. Siva Kumar, commercial and marketing director with PT Trans Retail Indonesia said the company feels committed to restoring its customers’ purchasing power in Indonesia.

    “To make this possible, we offer them a full one-stop-shopping experience through our products and support them with best-in-breed and secure payment technology from Bank Mega and Wirecard.”

    Bank Mega operates 344 branches nationwide in Indonesia, including issuing and acquiring credit card, debit card as well as its stored-value contactless payment card MegaCash. In addition, Bank Mega serves its customers through electronic banking, eCommerce and POS solutions at merchants.

    Mirtha Rahman, group head card sales and marketing with PT Bank Mega Tbk said the company looked forward to working together on further future projects.

    Wirecard AG is an independent provider of outsourcing and white label solutions for electronic payment transactions.

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  • Filipino telco unveils new retail concept

    Filipino telco unveils new retail concept

    Globe Telecom has simultaneously opened the first three stores in a new retail format named Generation 3.

    The Globe Gen3 format was designed by Tim Kobe, founder and CEO of Eight, Inc, whose most famous work is the Apple Store in New York.

    Globe says the colourful stores designed to engage with customers, set a new global standard in telco retail experience. The first three opened in SM North Edsa, Quezon City, Manila and in Limketkai Mall, Cagayan de Oro.

    “The Globe Gen3 stores will further engage and delight customers by fueling their passion in the areas of music, entertainment, productivity, and life,” the company said in a statement.

    “Globe is proud to bring to Filipino consumers another world-standard differentiated experience. Our passion for our customers inspires us to end the year on a high note by bringing innovation a notch higher in our stores, one of our key customer touch points, allowing us to truly empower our customers’ digital lifestyles,” said Ernest Cu, Globe president and CEO.

    Apart from reconfigured store displays, customers can also check out the Play Bar to explore the different featured apps and sit through one-on-one service consultations. Self-service tools are available that allow better interaction with customer representatives through a video hotline.

    “Exciting, unexpected, and experiential are the words to describe our Gen3 Stores. The concept and design of the Gen3 Stores have undergone intense research and consultation with the world’s top-notch designers and architecture experts. We are inviting customers to explore and be inspired by the stores’ four zones—music, entertainment, productivity, and life so they can fully enjoy a wonderful world,” said Joe Caliro, Globe head of retail transformation and management.

    The Globe Gen3 stores are home to various lifestyle zones with stories and exciting features for customers to experience and enjoy. These zones feature latest trends in product, people and even in business. Various lifestyle vignettes illustrate mobile and broadband technologies as connected solutions – featuring the latest devices, apps, digital connectors gadgets and services that contribute to the total interactive customer experience.

    The lifestyle zones will also highlight the stories of brand ambassadors every quarter. The store is a platform for the introduction of “must-watch personalities who are blazing new trails in their respective Art, Community and Technology spaces”.

    For the first quarter of 2015, with Music as the main theme, Globe Gen3 will feature four popular DJs: DJ Badkiss, Callum David, Mars Miranda, and Eric Capilli – who all have inspiring success stories in their chosen career. In the coming months, it will also feature the inspiring story of JR Dela Paz, a Globe myBusiness ambassador and owner of fast-rising restaurant chain Size Matters.

    The Globe Gen3 Store will also serve as a venue to introduce the latest products, devices, and services offered by Globe. To start, it is the first retailer in Asia to introduce and carry Google Cardboard, the fold-your-own virtual reality headset.

    On his design plan for Gen3, Tim Kobe shared: “The space is dynamic. It changes with new stories and experiences that support different events and moments. We have elements that move and reconfigure, the way entertainment venues support great concerts or shows.

    “Retail is one touch point where brands build relationships and sell products and services. It is important today to have a place to demonstrate what you stand for. More than 50 per cent of the reason why someone engages with a brand comes from word of mouth. Interestingly, 80 per cent of word of mouth comes from direct experience. Designing the experience is critical to building brand advocates.”

    Leading up to the launch of the Gen3 Stores, Globe collaborated with homegrown Philippine artists who took part in one of the telco’s biggest transformation projects to better serve its customers. Led by multi-awarded artist Ross Capili, the artists turned their design inspirations into live art galleries, showcasing murals exhibiting Globe’s brilliant vision, complementing the look, feel, and experience of its Gen3 Stores.

    By 2015, Globe is set to convert more of its existing stores into the Gen3 format.

  • China buying more iPhones than US

    China buying more iPhones than US

    Apple is expected to say this week that it has sold more iPhones in China than on its home turf in the US for the first time last year, highlighting the shifting power balance of the smartphone market.

    Analysts estimate that the US tech group reached the turning point in iPhone sales after expanding its presence in China last year via a deal with China Mobile, the country’s largest network operator, and after the release of the latest iPhone 6 in the country in October.

    The iPhone’s growing market share in China comes as Samsung, the global market leader by smartphone volumes, has stumbled and the region has seen the rapid rise of low-cost challenger Xiaomi.

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  • Most Taiwan mobile shoppers spend over USD32 a month

    Most Taiwan mobile shoppers spend over USD32 a month

    A large majority of Taiwanese who make purchases on mobile devices spend more than NT$1,000 (USD31.9) a month, according to a survey conducted by the government-sponsored Institute for Information Industry.

    The Market Intelligence Center (MIC) under the III, cited a survey as saying that almost 70 percent of respondents who have purchased goods through their mobile devices spent at least NT$1,001 (US$31.68) a month on such purchases.

    The survey, conducted between Nov. 20 and Dec. 3, found that 62.5 percent of respondents said they made purchases on mobile devices, such as smartphones and tablet computers.

    According to the survey, 30.4 percent of those who used mobile devices to shop spend NT$500-NT$1,000 a month on average, 33.1 percent said they spend NT$1,001-NT$2,000 a month, and 16.6 percent said they spend NT$2,001-NT$3,000 a month.

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  • Starbucks’ breathtaking ‘Shrine to Coffee’

    Starbucks’ breathtaking ‘Shrine to Coffee’

    Lovingly carved into a handsome thick timber bench at the new Starbucks Reserve Roastery & Tasting Room in Seattle is a Victor Hugo quote: “There is nothing like a dream to create the future”.

    It serves as a mantra for this ambitious ultra flagship, meant to be the forerunner of 100 Roastery cafes across the US. For this indeed is a dream brought to life with breathtaking scale, incredible quality, and painstaking detail.

    The “shrine to coffee” (as it was referred to in Wired Magazine) sits at the base of Seattle’s hipster Capitol Hill and is massive – 15,000sqft (or about 1500sqm). It’s designed to be a “totally immersive experience” (a retail cliché, which in this case is an accurate description).

    As a customer, you literally walk into a scrupulously clean, polished to within an inch of its life coffee bean roasting plant. You are greeted by a kind of coffee maître de and order your beverage from a restaurant-like menu on a clipboard – specifying your preferred bean, naturally.

    Food is also on the menu, and I selected a pretzel sesame seed bagel with smashed edamame mixed with mint and lemon, to accompany my Colombian Americano. (The premiumisation of everything is somewhat hilarious. How did we get to this? What ever happened to a cup of Joe and a plain bagel and cream cheese?)

    The service is a little slow (it takes longer to order craft coffee), so while I waited I was able to absorb the space and fitout. From the gleaming copper roasting kettle to the leather curtains; from the blackboard illustrations to the manifesto on entry (“every cup we’ve ever served has led us here”), Starbucks Reserve Roastery is seriously impressive. (If you’re hungry for more than a snack, there is also a Serious Pie gourmet pizza restaurant on the premises.)

    My only reservation is that by the time my coffee arrived, my expectations were through the (cavernous) roof. While the food was delicious, the coffee was, well… still Starbucks. Coming from Australia, I like my coffee strong and flavorful, and this was just a little “meh”.

    Nevertheless, Starbucks Reserve Roastery is remarkable, and well worth a visit. The single star motif above the signature ‘R’ should really be five stars.

    On my way out, I noticed another quote embedded into the bench where a barista was hard at work: “Crafted by hand and heart.”  That sums up the love that has gone into this store – led by designer Liz Muller and CEO, Howard Schultz. God is in the details, and they have most of the details absolutely right.

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  • CapitaMalls snaps up Malaysian centre

    CapitaMalls snaps up Malaysian centre

    CapitaMalls Malaysia Trust will pay RM540 million (US$150 million) to buy the Tropicana City Mall and its office tower.

    The four level Tropicana City Mall opened in 2008 and has a net lettable area of 448,248 sqft and 1759 car park. It is attached to a 12-storey office building.

    As of January 15, the mall had an occupancy rate of 89.2 per cent and the office tower was fully leased. CapitaMalls had previously considered buying the mall in mid 2013, but the negotiations ended after both parties were unable to agree to purchase terms.

    “The proposed acquisition will further strengthen CMMT’s position as a sizeable, well geographically diversified shopping mall real estate investment trust in Malaysia,” CMMT said in a statement.

    “Following the completion of the proposed acquisition, CMMT’s property asset value will increase by 16.7 per cent from RM3.2 billion to about RM3.8 billion. This is expected to increase CMMT’s visibility among Malaysian and international investors to support its future growth.”
    CMMT will fund the purchase through debt and/or equity fundraising, issuing new units.

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  • Massive 7-Eleven rollout planned

    Massive 7-Eleven rollout planned

    Listed Philippine Seven Corporation (PSC), the local licensee of 7-Eleven Convenience Stores, will boost its capital spend this year by 50 per cent to expand its network.

    The company says it ended 2014 with 1282 stores – 273 more than at the same time a year earlier. It opened 286 and closed 13 during the year.

    Now it says it will spend P3 billion (US$68 million) in 2015 to fund an “accelerated store expansion strategy”.

    Some 350 stores could be added by the end of the calendar year with PSC eager to take the brand further beyond metro Manila.

    Jose Victor Paterno, president and CEO, said the long-term growth prospects for convenience store retailing in the nation are favorable.

    He believes the organisation can sustain its momentum to meet earnings and store expansion goals.

    “PSC has taken steps to protect and expand its leadership in light of increased competition, recognising that rewards for market share are especially strong in the convenience store sector.”

    Philippine Seven Corporation operates the largest convenience store network in the country. It acquired the licence for 7-Eleven in the Philippines from Southland Corporation (now Seven Eleven Inc.) of Dallas, Texas in December 1982.

  • Taiwan electronics chain stores roll out CNY deals

    Taiwan electronics chain stores roll out CNY deals

    The nation’s two major electronics retailers E-Life Mall and Tsann Kuen have kick-started special sales to prepare for the upcoming shopping season for Chinese New Year. Up to 25-percent discounts are offered for their large-size televisions, and the sales are expected to generate high revenues for the two electronics stores in January.

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  • Fifty shades of lingerie to light up retail this year

    Fifty shades of lingerie to light up retail this year

    Retail experts are tipping women’s intimate apparel as one of the hot spots for the sector this year with the release of the steamy movie Fifty Shades of Grey expected to trigger a rise in sales of lingerie and related “items”.

    Being billed as the “movie event of 2015”, it is the adaption of the best-selling book and lingerie retailers can’t wait for its release.

    Although a discretionary category, lingerie sales have been higher in the past year, as consumers look to spoil themselves with a one-off purchase. This demand, which has also been out-pacing even jewellery sales, has led to the opening of more stores, including the overseas-based Victoria’s Secret outlets and the Agent Provocateur, both of which are on the hunt for more stand-alone stores across Australia.

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  • India’s Snapdeal ventures into TV commerce shopping

    India’s Snapdeal ventures into TV commerce shopping

    India’s online marketplace Snapdeal.com recently launched a 50:50 joint venture with DEN networks to launch a TV Commerce channel.

    The DEN Snapdeal TV shop is urrently available for viewers on channel number 132 on DEN cable network and will be extended to other cable and DTH networks in the course of the next six months.

    The move is seen to benefit customers who have limited access to Internet services, particularly in Tier 2 and 3 cities further hampered by lack of physical access to top retail products and brands at competitive prices.

    DEN Networks Ltd. reaches about 13 million households in over 200 cities across 13 states in the country. Snapdeal.com said it will use this distribution network to provide customers easy access to products across home, lifestyle and electronics categories with great value deals.

    “India is a country with many heterogeneous segments of consumers, and we believe that by reaching 150 million households with 600 million people that have a TV, we can create another revolution through TV Commerce,” Kunal Bahl, Co-founder and CEO Snapdeal.com said.

    The pilot was launched in September in select geographies and so far the channel has posted a growth rate of 200 percent month-on-month since inception.

    Sameer Manchanda, CMD, DEN Networks, said the response to the pilot has been very encouraging and the parters are confident the DEN Snapdeal TV Shop will be received well by viewers.

    The plan is to take the DEN Snapdeal TV shop to 100 million households across India over the next 12 months.

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  • SSI launches online store in Philippines

    SSI launches online store in Philippines

    An online store recently launched in the Philippines by Stores Specialists will soon become the nation’s online gateway to global brands.

    Stores Specialists Inc is a member of the SSI Group, the number one lifestyle specialty retailer in the Philippines, a member of the Rustan’s Group of companies. It manages leading fashion, luxury and lifestyle brands like Gucci, Prada, Anne Klein, Ferragamo, Michael Kors, Hamley’s and Pottery Barn.

    The new website, SSI Life offers shoppers the opportunity to purchase a curated array of products from the SSI Group’s roster of brands in a convenient ‘anytime-anywhere’ online platform.

    The site carries a curated array of products from 25 international brands now, with more to be added in the following months. The site currently includes a selection from Marks & Spencer, TWG Tea, Oliviers & Co, Payless Shoe Source, Nine West, Aerosoles, Bass, Superga, Steve Madden, MBT, OkaB, A/X Armani Exchange, Replay, High Sierra, Samsonite, Make Room & More and Beauty Bar.

    Anton Huang, president of SSI Group, Inc, says the website offers shoppers the opportunity to purchase from SSI’s portfolio of international brands while experiencing the same premium service the company is trusted for at store level, on an online platform.

    “We are the only eCommerce participant that is able to implement an Omni-channel approach, where our bricks and mortar stores will complement the online shopping experience of our customers and vice-versa,” he said.

    In time the company will take its growing portfolio of international brands – now numbering 106 – in over 600 store locations, to a 24-seven digital retail platform.

    “We will deliver our commitment of “Bringing the Best of the World to the Philippines” to a poised and ready growing online lifestyle shopping market,” said Huang.

    SSI says it is committed to customer satisfaction not just through its selection of brands, but with a guarantee to deliver a unique digital shopping experience. Through SSI Life, customers are able to tailor their shopping experience with options to browse and purchase online or browse online and purchase offline in stores.

    More brands will be added in the months to come following the site’s soft launch last November with an initial 17.

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  • Aeon plans 500 Thai stores

    Aeon plans 500 Thai stores

    Japanese retailer Aeon is planning to increase its supermarket network in Thailand to 500 outlets by 2020.

    But this year it has scaled back its expansion plans due to what it considers to be a subdued retail market.

    Aeon currently has 76 supermarkets in Thailand most trading under the MaxValu brand, shops which are larger than convenience stores but smaller than full scale supermarkets. Many trade 24 hours.

    The company had planned to open 30 new stores this year but now says it will open just 15 new ones. Next year will see 40 new stores, and then 100 each year through to 2020. About 80 per cent will be MaxValu stores, the rest full sized supermarkets.

    GM Keiji Ono told the Bangkok Post that Aeon would invest up to 400 million baht (US$12.3 million) on upgrading existing stores and opening new ones.

    “We will penetrate the market in provinces in the Northeast such as Ubon Ratchathani and Udon Thani in order to exploit the expected economic boom from the coming regional pact of the Asean Economic Community,” he said.

    New MaxValu stores will soon open in Laem Chabang and Pattaya.

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  • Goubuli runs Australian coffee chain

    Goubuli runs Australian coffee chain

    Goubuli, a renowned Chinese restaurant chain known for its steamed stuffed buns, said they sealed a deal with Gloria Jean’s Coffees to operate the Australian brand in China.

    Tianjin Senyongtai Food and Beverage Co, a subsidiary wholly owned by the Goubuli Group, will hold an 80 percent stake in “Tianjin Glory”, a new joint venture that will operate Gloria Jean’s coffee brand in China under the deal reached on 25 December, Goubuli’s Board Chairman Zhang Yansen said on Wednesday.

    The Australian firm will hold the remaining 20 percent, he said.

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