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Tag: asia

  • Halal zone to appear in Pulogadung Industrial Area

    Halal zone to appear in Pulogadung Industrial Area

    Halal Zone will soon arrive in Pulogadung Industrial Area, East Jakarta, serving as a showcase for Indonesias halal industrial products, officials said.

    “Halal Zone will have facilities that support halal management and halal product distribution,” Financial and Supporting Director of PT Jakarta Industrial Estate Pulogadung (JIEP) Sitta Izza Rosdaniah stated here on Friday.

    The zone will feature Moslem Fashion Hub, MICE (Meetings, Incentives, Conferences, and Events), Halal Warehouse, Halal Laboratory, Shariah Finance Centre, National Creative Industry and Training Centre, Halal Lifestyle Showcases, National Logistics Centre, Halal Culinary Centre, and Organic Urban Farming.

    “We want establish a halal laboratory in the industrial area,” Sitta noted, adding that the facilitys management will prioritize small and medium enterprises to help them develop their businesses.

    According to her, these enterprises need support to meet halal standards for their products.

    “This is the meaning of a halal zone, where people can get assistance and the opportunity to consult with experts,” Sitta remarked.

    JIEP also provides special facilities for all business sectors in the industrial area.

    On August 2016, in Jakarta, JIEP signed a Memorandum of Agreement (MoA) with the Indonesian Port Corporation (IPC) on the Study of Development and Operation Cooperation in the Pulogadung Industrial Area.

    The agreement was for the preparation of a study of an Integrated Logistics Area for an International Halal Hub in the JIEP area.

    The MoA is aimed at establishing a partnership and synergy between JIEP and Pelindo to develop the International Halal Hub and Halal Port.

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  • Cambodia sets final deadline for SIM registration

    Cambodia sets final deadline for SIM registration

    The Telecom Regulator of Cambodia (TRC) has given operators until the start of next month to register all customers’ SIM cards or disconnect any remaining unregistered SIMs.

    Operators will need to alert customers at least seven times within seven days before deactivation, the Phnom Penh Post reported.

    The TRC gave the order after data submitted by Cambodia’s mobile operators showed that despite the yearlong campaign to crack down on unregistered SIMs, around 1.5 million of the nation’s 19.3 million active SIMs are not properly registered.

    The government also plans to take a more active role in monitoring operators’ databases to ensure they are not allowing unregistered SIMs to be sold, by using an online management system. The TRC has indicated there will be more enforcement activity in the future once this system is in place.

    According to the report, despite the crackdown, unregistered SIMs can still be found in most Phnom Penh markets selling for as little as $0.50. SIM card sales at legitimate outlets have also declined in rsponse to the anticipated crackdown, as customers prefer the convenience of unregistered cards.

    Cambodia has presented the crackdown on unregistered SIMs as an effort to protect national security and reduce crime.

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  • India auto sales soar 20% in September ahead of festive seasons

    India auto sales soar 20% in September ahead of festive seasons

    Demand is expected to slowdown in the coming months, however.

    During Sep-16, domestic sales of passenger vehicles rose 20% YoY and two wheelers grew 22% YoY, ahead of Diwali and Dussera in Oct-16.

    MayBank KimEng’s channel checks suggest the demand for automobiles is 10% more than in the previous two festive seasons.

    “We expect demand to normalize lower in Nov and Dec as dealers start cutting inventories,” it said in a report.

    The Society of Indian Automobile Manufacturers (SIAM) confirmed the uptrend by revising up its sales growth forecast to 10-12% for FY17 from 6-8%.

    “We will wait for two more months of retail sales data before deciding whether to revise up our growth forecasts,” said MayBank KimEng.

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  • Hooters Taiwan launch marks Asian expansion

    Hooters Taiwan launch marks Asian expansion

    Atlanta-based operator and franchiser Hooters of America will enter Taiwan with five new locations.

    The Hooters Taiwan restaurants will be opened by Hooters’ Asian partner, Bangkok-based franchisee Destination Resorts.

    The first is scheduled to open in Taipei, with typical menu including wings, burgers and salads. The other four will be in Kaohsiung, Taichung, Taoyuan and Tainan.

    “With existing bustling locations throughout Asia, we’ve seen proven demand for Hooters’ world-famous chicken wings served with iconic Hooters Girl hospitality,” said Gary Murray, CEO, Destination Resorts.

    hooters-hong-kong

    Hooters expects good growth in Taiwan thanks to a robust economy and strong brand recognition in the market.

    Earlier this year the franchisee opened two more Thailand locations, the largest international Hooters in Pattaya, and the nation’s fourth location in Bangkok’s Nana district.

    It also recently opened the first Hooters in Hong Kong. (pictured)

    Four more are planned this year – in Samui, Thailand; Manila Eastwood in Philippines; Marina Bay in Singapore and in Phnom Penh, Cambodia.

    The new locations will incorporate the latest design features that deliver “the familiar, fun-loving persona of the Hooters brand along with contemporary elements that combine to deliver a one-of-a-kind guest experience”.

    Hooters is the franchisor and operator of more than 420 Hooters restaurants in 42 states of the US and 26 countries.

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  • McDonald’s Malaysia ‘not in hurry’ to sell

    McDonald’s Malaysia ‘not in hurry’ to sell

    Despite shortlisting several bidders for the McDonald’s Singapore and McDonald’s Malaysia franchise rights, Malaysian subsidiary Golden Arches Restaurants says it is not in a hurry to sell.

    MD Azmir Jaafar says the deal is being discussed with the shortlisted bidders, but no time frame has been set to complete the transaction.

    “We want to find the right partner who understands the local market and can ensure continuity of McDonald’s value and tradition, as well as be backed by strong capital.”

    He says it has always been the group’s idea to sell the franchise rights to a local partner, which would be more efficient than management by a corporate entity.

    McDonald’s Corp announced a revamp of its ownership models throughout Asia in July, including plans to offload its China, Hong Kong, Malaysia, Singapore and South Korea master franchises.

    CEO Steve Easterbrook’s plan covers about 4000 restaurants with an ultimate goal of having at least 95 per cent of the group’s restaurants franchised.

    Meanwhile, Azmir says that as the Malaysian deal is a business transaction “we will ensure the valuation is done properly”.

    “Still potential”

    There are 260 McDonald’s restaurants in Malaysia, with Golden Arches managing 200 and the rest in the hands of a third party. Though Malaysia has a population of only about 30 million people, which is relatively smaller than China and Indonesia, Azmir still sees huge potential in the market.

    “There are still many underserved areas,” he says. “As the government is improving the infrastructure in Sabah and Sarawak, I think we can expand our footprint into Kota Kinabalu and Kuching and other cities.”

    Azmir says the company intends to open 30 stores in the Klang Valley, Johor, Melaka and Penang as well as Sabah and Sarawak in the next three years. Five to seven new stores are targeted for this year, with one in Presint 2, Putrajaya, and another in Chukai, Terengganu, already open.

    “Our expansion plan is focussed on stand-alone stores as this model works very well, especially in terms of accessibility and convenience. Our ultimate goal is to have 500 stores in the country.”

    Azmir says the company also intends to renovate and remodel up to 30 outlets, each to cost about RM1 million (US$241,700). They have been open for nearly 30 years and will also have their technology upgraded.

    Combined, McDonald’s Singapore and McDonald’s Malaysia have enjoyed record sales in the past few months and is still targeting higher double-digit growth this year.

    Even following the introduction of the goods and services tax in Malaysia in April last year, Azmir says the company raised its selling prices by only about 1 per cent to offset the higher raw-material cost.
    He believes McDonald’s has captured up to 42 per cent market share in the Malaysian fast-food market.

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  • Wal-Mart Boosts Stake in JD.com, Expands Further in China

    Wal-Mart Boosts Stake in JD.com, Expands Further in China

    Wal-Mart Stores Inc. has reportedly increased its stake in Chinese eCommerce website, JD.com Inc., to 10.8% from 5.9%, aiming to grab more market share in the world’s largest online market. Shares of JD.com jumped 7.5% in after-hours trading following the news.

    The move comes nearly four months after Wal-Mart inked a deal with JD.com. to sell its Chinese eCommerce business, Yihaodian to JD.com in exchange for a 5% equity stake in the company.

    JD.com is the second-largest online retailer in China after Alibaba Group Holding Ltd. in terms of market cap. The expanded deal with JD.com is expected to offer Wal-Mart a better chance of competing in the cut-throat retail industry in China and expand its reach in the country. Evidently, it expects to generate 25% of global retail growth from the region over the next five years. Further, this will benefit Wal-Mart with JD.com’s huge customer base and its same-day delivery network.

    WAL-MART STORES Price and Consensus

    We note that Wal-Mart has been struggling of late to expand its reach in China. The retailer opened its first store in the country in 1996, but only has about 430 stores there at present. The company has stated various reasons for the sluggish business operations in the region.

    In China, the company has long been dealing with food safety scandals despite trying to maintain high food safety standards. Wal-Mart China too has been facing significant pressure from government austerity measures and deflation. Further, the company faces problems in understanding discerning Chinese consumers as their buying decisions aren’t always price driven.

    Apart from expansion in China, this Bentonville, AR-based company is leaving no stone unturned to acquire a stake in the online business. In this regard, it continues to make huge investments in eCommerce initiatives, including acquisitions. Recently, Wal-Mart completed the acquisition of eCommerce company, Jet.com, Inc., which marked a huge step forward in its quest to dominate ecommerce king, Amazon.com, Inc. Wal-Mart is also in talks to acquire a stake in India’s largest eCommerce firm, Flipkart Online Services Pvt., in order to expand in the fast-growing online retail market.

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  • Ford Philippines retail sales up 32% in Q3

    Ford Philippines retail sales up 32% in Q3

    Retail sales of Ford Philippines surged to 8,244 units in the third quarter of 2016, up 32 percent from a year earlier.

    The demand for the EcoSport, Ranger, and Everest models helped grow the carmakers’s Philippine sales, Ford said in a statement on Thursday.

    Car sales stood at 24,993 units in the year-to-date, up 50 percent year-on-year.

    “Our full lineup of global Ford vehicles is contributing to another exceptional year of growth. EcoSport, Everest and Ranger continue to be the main drivers, but the rest of our showroom, including vehicles like Explorer, Fiesta and Mustang are helping build on the broad-based appeal for the Ford brand in the market,” said Lance Mosley, managing director of Ford Philippines.

    Ford Philippines is the local distributor of America’s Ford Motor Co.

  • Shoopen Malaysia wows locals

    Shoopen Malaysia wows locals

    The official opening of Shoopen Malaysia attracted well over 1000 locals – lured by the chance to meet a celebrity.

    Shoopen Malaysia 3

    The store, which has actually been trading since June this year, is located in Fahrenheit 88 shopping centre in downtown Kuala Lumpur.  It has a prominent corner location facing one of downtown’s busiest streets, leading to the Pavilion shopping centre.

     

    Shoopen Malaysia 5

    Saturday’s grand opening event was attended by Korean variety show cast member Song Ji Hyo, who posed for selfies surrounded by hundreds of shoppers lining the mall’s balconies, overlooking the central atrium event.

    Shoopen Malaysia 1

    Shoopen Malaysia 2

     

    Shoopen is Korea’s largest shoe retailer and the Kuala Lumpur store is described as a flagship for the brand.

    Taking up some 11,800 sqft (1096 sqm)of space over two floors, it showcases footwear for men, women and children.

  • Central FamilyMart set to expand

    Central FamilyMart set to expand

    Central FamilyMart plans to double the number of its convenience stores in Thailand from 1116 to more than 2000 within five years.

    President Chiranun Poopat says the company will continuously expand the number of FamilyMarts to cater to a growing market and increase access to consumers in specific locations. The expansion will be achieved by capital investment as well as franchising.

    “We are still confident in the high growth potential of convenience stores in the Thai market as shoppers appreciate convenience and diversity as well as product quality.

    “We will focus on opening more FamilyMart stores in Bangkok and the surrounding areas, as well as cities and destinations visited by foreign tourists,” says Chiranun.

    She says the company will add more than 60 stores this year, and also has a focus on improving existing outlets.

    There are also plans to collaborate with local entrepreneurs and suppliers so the stores can offer products for specific areas, especially tourist destinations.

    FamilyMart’s latest branch opened in Bangkok’s MBK shopping centre last week, offering ready-to-eat foods and beverages.

    For the current Vegetarian Festival, Chiranun says FamilyMart has increased its vegetarian options to 400 items. New offerings include vegetarian onigiri (Japanese rice balls), baked Riceberry with taro, stirfried mixed mushrooms with rice, stirfried soy protein with black pepper, a coleslaw sandwich and a vegetarian bento set.

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  • Foodpanda Indonesia shut down

    Foodpanda Indonesia shut down

    No one wants Foodpanda Indonesia.

    Not enough consumers ordered its delivery service and after as long as a year trying to sell the business as a going concern, Foodpanda’s parent Rocket simply shut it down.

    The last order was taken  at 10pm on Monday October 3, after which the business disappeared from online.

    It’s the latest chapter in a tale of woe for the delivery company in Southeast Asia. It sold its Vietnam business last year and is currently trying to raise $50 million to keep its Indian operations running, as it struggles to gain market share off more successful local rivals. In Hong Kong it closed down an upmarket Foodpanda spin-off last year just weeks after its launch, disguising it as a merger.

    In a statement sent to staff obtained by DealStreet Asia, Foodpanda Indonesia management said the company had ceased all food ordering activities on a permanent basis. “In particular, the company will close its website and mobile application in Indonesia, and terminate cooperation with all restaurant partners.”

    The closure of the business comes as no surprise, despite misleading statements on its future by Foodpanda management earlier this year..

    In August, Techcrunch correspondent said multiple sources had confirmed the business was for sale – for less than US$1 million. Yet a Foodpanda spokesperson said somewhat enigmatically: “Foodpanda has grown very fast in Southeast Asia over the last couple of months and strengthened its market leading position in the region. Driven by our increased dominance in the region we have experienced interest from a variety of different parties to partner or to invest which we are evaluating now.”

    But no one wanted the business, despite Indonesia being the world’s fourth most populous nation.

    Foodpanda Indonesia debuted in 2012 and had built a virtual menu from thousands of local restaurants. Consumers, however, appeared to prefer app-based ride-hailing services offering delivery, such as Grab Bike and Go-Jek.

    Foodpanda CEO Ralf Wenzel says the company will continue to focus on “core markets” such as Singapore, Hong Kong, Thailand, Malaysia and Taiwan.

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  • Paris label BA&SH eyes Asia expansion

    Paris label BA&SH eyes Asia expansion

    Parisian fashion house BA&SH has partnered with Hong Kong retail and brand management company ImagineX Group to strengthen its presence in Asia.

    BA&SH has hopes of accelerating its expansion in Hong Kong, Macau, Singapore, Taiwan and China. The label opened its first Asian store at Hong Kong’s IFC Mall in September 2014 and with ImagineX now plans 30 more openings in the region, including a second Hong Kong outlet early next year.

    “Hong Kong customers have taken to our style and our collections,” say designers Barbara Boccara and Sharon Krief. “We are very happy to share our vision of fashion and femininity.”

    Associate general directors Dan Arrouas and Pierre-Arnaud Grenade say the new partnership marks an important and supplementary stage in the company’s development strategy following its establishment in the Middle East and the US.

    They say the ImagineX Group’s expertise in fashion retail and marketing will help BA&SH expand rapidly and contribute to its globalisation.

    ImagineX Group president Alice Wong says the label’s Parisian flair, combined with its unique positioning and price point, make it appealing to Asian customers.

    Childhood friends, Boccara and Krief established BA&SH in 2003 to offer contemporary fashion in the affordable luxury sector. With 91 stores last year, the brand aims to reach 130 stores this year.

    Founded in 1992, ImagineX Group introduced luxury brands such as Cartier, Gucci, Prada and Salvatore Ferragamo to China more than 20 years ago. It represents more than 18 international brands including DKNY, Marc Jacobs and Paul Smith. The portfolio also includes such lifestyle and beauty brands as Apivita, Aveda and Natura Bisse.

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  • Yum China has ‘huge potential’

    Yum China has ‘huge potential’

    Yum China is set to exploit “huge potential” after its spin-off from its US parent, says Neil Saunders, CEO of Conlumino.

    Commenting on the parent company’s latest results, the US-based retail commentator said  while the China division once again delivered “an anemic performance” with total system sales declining by 3 per cent over the prior year, the best is yet to come.

    Revenue at both Pizza Hut and KFC fell on a same-restaurant basis.

    “This means that in the year to date, in real terms the China operation has posted no real sales growth. Fortunately, changes to value-added tax in the country allowed Yum! to ease up operating profits across the quarter,” said Saunders.

    “The position of China as a business which has huge potential once it gets through the current patch of slow growth, largely justifies its imminent spin-off into a completely separate operation. The divorce from the rest of the Yum! operation will allow both sides to focus more on their respective priorities and opportunities.”

    He said the overall global result for Yum! Brands suggest the company is making good headway in an increasingly challenging market.

    “However, the reality is far more mixed – mostly because Yum!’s growth figures are flattered by the fact the company strips out exchange rate fluctuations. When these are put back in, total revenue experienced a shrink of 3 per cent over the prior year – a far less impressive outcome.

    “In terms of the core business, the main focus needs to be Pizza Hut which has become something of a problem child for Yum! Over the quarter system sales shrank by 2 per cent in real terms, underpinned by a 1 per cent decline in same-restaurant sales. While there are some markets in which the brand is performing well, these continues to be overshadowed by the US which accounts for the majority of Pizza Hut’s revenue.”

    Saunders said that while admittedly the overall casual dining market, in which Pizza Hut loosely falls, saw customer traffic and spend decline over the third quarter.

    “However, our data also show that Pizza Hut is losing customer share to delivery services like Papa John’s and Domino’s. A defection to cheaper fast-food alternatives, especially among younger families, has also been unhelpful. This is an uncomfortable position and underlines the fact that Pizza Hut still has much work to do in terms of reinvigorating its brand.”

    Taco Bell, meanwhile, had a better quarter with a 5 per cent system-sales growth and 3 per cent same-restaurant growth.

    “While Taco Bell has benefitted from challenges at Chipotle, in our view most of the success is down to a change in marketing which is now more relevant to the younger millennial audience. Menu simplification and focus on popular lines has also helped to drive growth. We think these steps should be seen as part of a longer term upswing in the brand’s fortune.”

    Saunders said that while KFC had a much better quarter than the previous one, especially in the US, Conlumino still harbors concerns about the brand’s longer term growth prospects as younger upstarts like Chick-Fil-A or Popeyes Louisiana Kitchen continue to gain traction.

    “As such, we see KFC’s latest upswing as part of a more turbulent longer term picture.”

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  • Hong Kong shines for Sandro Asia

    Hong Kong shines for Sandro Asia

    Paris-based affordable luxury fashion chain Sandro Asia, along with sister brand Maje and Claudie Pierlot, recorded 51 per cent year-on-year growth in Asia Pacific in the first six months of the year.

    Sandro opened its largest Asia flagship store in the heart of Causeway Bay in August, and plans to double the size of its year-old store in Tsim Sha Tsui’s Harbour City.

    This store quickly became the most lucrative of Sandro’s 410 retail outlets worldwide in terms of sales per square metre. In contrast, total tenant sales at Harbour City fell 14.7 per cent to HK$13.3 billion (US$1.7 billion) in the first half, according to financial filings by its parent company Wharf Holdings.

    Sandro now has eight outlets in Hong Kong, and plans to add another two or three more by the end of next year.

    Branding its products as “accessible luxuries”, Sandro’s CEO Jean-Philippe Hecquet says the segment became “very powerful” when people started to look inside their wallets.

    Hecquet, who previously worked for luxury group LVMH, says upper-middle-class consumers still want to enjoy their life even with less money. “They still want to buy luxury products, for sure.”

    Sandro’s launched in Hong Kong in 2012, and Hecquet admits it may have missed the “golden age” when mainland shoppers would queue up outside Chanel, Gucci and Louis Vuitton outlets. But he says that while business is slowing for the traditional luxury brands, “we still see very decent traffic”.

    He believes the emerging young upper-middle class in Asia will be the future powerhouse for luxury goods, and the right time to expand is now. Hong Kong’s retail downturn has freed up more prime retail space and rents are going down. “We have been waiting for a long time to be able to open a flagship,” says Hecquet.

    He says the average age of Sandro’s customers in Hong Kong is between 25 and 30 years, and mainland visitors contribute to a significant portion of sales.

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  • Osaka foothold for Asics Tiger Japan

    Osaka foothold for Asics Tiger Japan

    With marble shoe walls and shining white centre tables, Asics Tiger Japan has opened a store in the Shinsaibashi shopping district of Osaka.

    Street elements of the store design include mortar walls and guard rails, with a yellow accent line on the ceiling. A 6m-wide window lets passersby view the store interior in its entirety.

    Asics Tiger has also redesigned its logo, which features in the furniture and facade of the store. Designed by graphic designer Alan Peckolick, the logo adds the word “tiger” in Asics’ iconic typography.

    The store is on the first floor of Shinsaibashi Opa Kirei Kan.

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  • FMCG, fashion spur Lazada Indonesia growth

    FMCG, fashion spur Lazada Indonesia growth

    eCommerce group Lazada Indonesia says its current volume growth has accelerated to more than 150 per cent than at the same time last year.

    Key contributing categories are FMCG and fashion, which are both growing more than three times as much as last year. Also, about 80 per cent of the orders are via mobile devices.

    “Our rapidly growing orders in categories such as FMCG and fashion, being shipped all across the country, further demonstrates that Lazada has truly become the one-stop shopping destination of choice,” says Lazada Indonesia co-CEO Florian Holm.

    This success is also helping SMEs, which can now sell on Lazada free of commission – an initiative that will ultimately also benefit consumers through more competitive pricing, says Lazada. The initiative has helped SMEs achieve up to 10 times growth in sales since the beginning of the year.

    Brands are also benefiting from the growth through partnerships with Lazada Indonesia to offer exclusive products.

    In a recent Lazada collaboration with L’Oreal Paris, the My Superstar Look campaign – endorsed by celebrities Maudy Ayunda and Dian Sastrowardoyo – resulted in a 10-times increase in sales as well as engaging thousands of new customers for the cosmetics giant.

    Levi’s is now working with Lazada to create an onsite experience including product story videos, and fit and size guides to help consumers find the right jeans. This season the companies will run joint marketing campaigns for the Levi’s 511 Slim Fit Jean for men and Levi’s 711 Asia Skinny Jean for women.

    Free shipping

    Meanwhile, Lazada Indonesia has launched a free shipping service, enabled by its last-mile logistics arm and network of reliable delivery partners. The company has also extended its cash-on-delivery option to more products.

    Lazada Indonesia’s strong growth comes on the back of Alibaba Group’s investment, announced in April. To reduce lead-time to the consumer, Lazada has started using Cainiao, a logistics network 47 per cent owned by Alibaba which allows parcels to be picked up from Lazada merchants in China. Lazada has also entered into a partnership with Alibaba subsidiary UCWeb to drive more traffic to the platform.

    For the fourth quarter, Lazada Indonesia is planning more initiatives and preparing for the Online Revolution, an online event involving sellers and consumers. From November 11 to December 12, Indonesian consumers will be offered flash sales, special promotions, attractive deals and engaging activities.

    “Since we created the Online Revolution in 2012 to introduce consumers to online shopping, it has sparked a shopping frenzy that breaks records year after year. No other eCommerce player in Southeast Asia can claim a similar achievement,” says Holm.

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