Retail News CRM

Tag: asia

  • Vromtu Offers Jakarta-Bandung Shuttle Bus Information Service for Windows Phone Users

    Vromtu Offers Jakarta-Bandung Shuttle Bus Information Service for Windows Phone Users

    Unlike most app developers these days, who prioritize building apps on iOS or Android, Vromtu chose to build its app on Windows Phone (WP). The app offers information on shuttle bus services in Jakarta and Bandung, including routes, departure schedules, contact numbers, and addresses, and was officially launched on Saturday.

    Vromtu is a simple service. You just need to type in the departure and arrival points, and then the app will search online and give you a list of available routes and shuttle buses. At the moment, Vromtu has data from nine shuttle bus companies which collectively account for more than a hundred bus pools.

    Aloysius Adrian, the founder of Vromtu, believes that the Windows Phone platform is on the rise both globally and locally with the arrival of the revamped WP8 and the upcoming 7.8 update. The startup’s team members are all WP users, and that’s a big part of why they built their app first for WP rather than the more mainstream platforms. The team hopes to launch an iOS version this year, while Blackberry users might need to wait a bit longer for Vromtu.

    Aloysius said that they will be focusing on fine-tuning search results and developing better shuttle directories in the near future. They are all still open to feedback. My suggestion would be to make the app available offline in its first big update, as mobile coverage can be patchy. Also, I was a bit confused as to why there are features for texting and emailing within the app when the shuttle bus companies receive orders only via telephone. Aloysius told me that the feature is built to help users share their transportation details with their friends, and not to book shuttle buses.

    Windows Phone users can download the app here, or you can use Vromtu through its mobile site m.vromtu.com.
  • Beauty e-tailer JD.com plows ahead with strengthening its Asia reach

    Beauty e-tailer JD.com plows ahead with strengthening its Asia reach

    The Hong Kong office is intended to help JD.com expand its local market presence and warehousing capabilities, enabling it to better engage with brands and retailers across Singapore and major Southeast Asian markets, who are looking to tap the online retailer’s 118 million active users in Mainland China.

    The company plans to employ a team there to focus on targeting and attracting new retail partners from around the region.

    “We have seen rapid growth in demand from our customers for Asian brands and products, and from leading brands and retailers across the region who want to reach our huge base of upwardly mobile customers,” says JD.com’s chief human resources officer, Rain Long. 

    “This new office will expand our ability to attract and service brands from around the region, and ultimately to ensure that we continue to bring our customers the most exciting and diverse selection of international products.”

    To help with warehousing, customs clearance and shipping services from Hong Kong to Mainland China, JD.com has teamed up with logistics provider, Cosco Logistics.

    “This partnership gives our customers easy access to more of the best Asian and international products, and allows more regional and global retailers to target our unrivaled base of Chinese consumers directly from Hong Kong,” said Carol Fung, Vice President of JD.com.

    Sa Sa also jumps on board..

    As part of its efforts in Hong Kong, JD.com also announced that Asian cosmetics retailer Sa Sa will launch a flagship store on its platform offering a range of international cosmetics brands and products available online in China.

    It will be synchronized with the company’s global ecommerce portal, Sasa.com, to ensure that JD.com’s customers have easy and immediate access to the full range of products available on Sa Sa’s global site.

    “We’re excited to partner with JD.com and to give Chinese consumers more extensive access than ever before to Sa Sa’s huge selection of globally renowned cosmetics brands. JD.com has an unmatched reputation for guaranteeing quality, convenience, and service, and we’re looking forward to working with them to deliver a premium online shopping experience to consumers throughout China,” said Sa Sa Chief Financial Officer, Dr. Guy Look.

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  • New Disney park in China to bolster sales, Uniqlo chief says

    New Disney park in China to bolster sales, Uniqlo chief says

    Fast Retailing Co. Chairman Tadashi Yanai said Walt Disney Co.’s new park in Shanghai will help his Uniqlo casual clothing brand expand in China, shrugging off concerns over an economic slowdown in the Japanese retailer’s largest overseas market.

    “The opening of the Shanghai Disneyland gives both of us, Uniqlo and Disney, a business opportunity,” Chairman Tadashi Yanai told reporters in Shanghai, where Uniqlo will open a new Disney-inspired concept store. “Our business is getting absolutely no impact” from China’s slowdown, he said.

    Starting Sunday, Uniqlo will devote an entire floor at its six-story China flagship store in central Shanghai to products jointly designed with Disney. A human-sized Mickey Mouse statue greets visitors to the store, where T-shirts and toys depicting characters such as Tinker Bell, Woody of Disney Pixar’s “Toy Story” animated films, and Darth Vader from the Star Wars movies are on display.

    Japan’s richest person, Yanai plans to open 100 stores a year in China as Uniqlo competes with Hennes & Mauritz AB’s H&M and Inditex SA’s Zara to win over consumers in the world’s most populous country. The retailer’s design tie-up comes as Disney prepares to open its $5.5 billion Shanghai theme park next year, its biggest foreign investment and a bet on the country’s booming middle class.

    The Disney collaboration should help Uniqlo boost sales in China “as buzz builds around the opening of Shanghai Disneyland,” said Bloomberg Intelligence retail analyst Thomas Jastrzab. “Expanding store-specific limited edition merchandise offerings should help Uniqlo increase regular foot traffic and improve customer loyalty.”

    Fast Retailing rose 3.3 percent to ¥46,800 ($388.09) at the close of trading in Tokyo on Friday. The shares are up by 6.3 percent so far this year, compared with the 3.3 percent gain in the benchmark Topix index.

    Uniqlo has about 360 stores in mainland China, the most in any country outside Japan, where it has almost 850 shops. The company plans to expand its Greater China network, including mainland China, Hong Kong and Taiwan, to 1,000 outlets.

    China is a key market for Fast Retailing as Yanai attempts to turn Asia’s biggest clothing retailer into the world leader, with a target of ¥5 trillion in sales by 2020 from its forecast of ¥1.65 trillion for the fiscal year ended Aug. 31.

    Yanai said demand for Uniqlo products will increase amid an economic slowdown in China. Everyday clothes with basic designs and advanced materials that Uniqlo sells at affordable prices fit well as China shifts its focus to consumer purchasing from manufacturing, he said.

    “An economic slowdown in China could boost Uniqlo’s sales, particularly as shoppers increasingly look for value-for-money when purchasing clothing essentials such as T-shirts and pants,” Jastrzab said.

    China’s apparel and footwear market is highly fragmented, with market leader Bestseller AS, owner of brands such as Jack & Jones and Vera Moda, holding a 1.7 percent market share by value in 2014, according to Euromonitor International. Uniqlo ranks eighth with 0.6 percent, while Inditex is ninth with 0.5 percent and H&M is out of the top 10 with 0.4 percent.

    “Our concept of manufacturing is fundamentally different and unique,” said Yanai. “We don’t chase trends, but we would rather want to incorporate fashion into our basic clothes.”

  • Indonesia 3rd World Coffee Producer, Under Brazil

    Indonesia 3rd World Coffee Producer, Under Brazil

    Indonesia is still below Brazil and Vietnam in coffee crop productivity with 741 kg of beans per hectare per year for robusta and 808 kg for arabica.

    “The level of productivity of Indonesian coffee farmers still less than Brazil, which reached around 2,000 kg per hectare per year and Vietnam with 1,500 kg per hectare per year,” said Industry Minister Saleh Husin in Jakarta on Thursday, October 1.

    The minister promised to cooperate with relevant associations in order to increase productivity up to two-fold, or at least equal to the productivity of Vietnam.

    This effort will be taken by providing training and guidance on how to plant and coffee to get higher yield with the best quality.

    Indonesia produce coffee beans 685 thousand tons in 2014, or 8.9 percent of world coffee production with a composition of 76.7 percent and 23.3 percent Robusta and Arabica coffee respectively.

    Indonesia has various kinds of specialty coffee known around the world, such as Gayo, Mandailings, Lampung, Java, Kintamani, Toraja, Bajawa, Wamena and civet coffee.

    The export value of processed coffee products in 2014 reached 332.24 million US dollars, up 9.9 percent from 2013. Exports dominated by instant coffee, extracts, essences and concentrates of coffee generally sold in the Philippines, Malaysia, Thailand, Singapore, China and the United Arab Emirates.

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  • Rents tumble on HK shopping strip that was world’s priciest

    Rents tumble on HK shopping strip that was world’s priciest

    “Landlords have to face the reality, no matter how reluctant they are,” Lawrence Wong, a director at property agent Sheraton Valuers Ltd., said in a telephone interview Saturday. “It’s still better than leaving their property empty.”

    Russell Street has lost its claim as the most expensive shopping street on the planet to New York’s Fifth Avenue, according to broker Cushman & Wakefield Inc. in November. A July research report by Jones Lang LaSalle Inc. predicted prices for space in prime locations will drop 15 percent to 20 percent in Hong Kong this year.

    Retail rents were down 12 percent in Causeway Bay and 3 percent in Central at the end of June, Oriental Daily reported earlier this month, citing data from CBRE Group Inc. The broker said in a report that the decline came after rents for shops at prime locations in Hong Kong’s four shopping districts, including Tsim Sha Tsui and Mong Kok, increased by 213 percent from 2003 to 2014.

    Hong Kong’s retail property market has slumped with China facing its slowest growth in a quarter-century. The world’s second-largest economy will announce a growth objective of 6.5 percent to 7 percent for 2016, according to eight of 15 economists in a Bloomberg News survey conducted Sept. 17-22. All of those surveyed said they expect next year’s target will fall short of the about 7 percent set by Premier Li Keqiang for 2015 growth.

    The Hong Kong government is closely monitoring developments in the city’s property market and will make policy changes if necessary, Financial Secretary John Tsang told reporters on Sunday.

    Hong Kong’s property prices are being affected by an increase in supply and volatile external factors such as a high probability that the U.S. may raise interest rates, Tsang said.

    Colourmix, run by Veeko International Holdings Ltd., will rent a 1,000 square-foot space in Causeway Bay for almost HK$1 million ($129,000) per month, 43 percent lower than what luxury Swiss watch brand Jaeger-LeCoultre is currently paying, said Wong, whose company handled the transaction.

    In Central, Hong Kong’s business district, Adidas Hong Kong Ltd. will pay 23 percent less for the space being vacated by Coach Hong Kong Ltd., according to Land Registry data. The sports brand’s rent is HK$4.34 million a month, down from HK$5.6 million paid by Coach, the designer handbag maker.

    Hong Kong’s residential market is also experiencing weaker sentiment. “Housing market outlook will likely become more cautious amid increased volatility in the global and Hong Kong’s financial markets,” the Hong Kong Monetary Authority said in a report released Friday. “The risk of downward adjustment has picked up steadily.”

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  • Shiseido creates Global Travel Retail marketing team in Singapore

    Shiseido creates Global Travel Retail marketing team in Singapore

    Japanese beauty products giant Shiseido has created a Global Travel Retail (GTR) marketing team based in Singapore.

    The company said that the new team is aligned with the Group Vision 2020 and reflects the priority role of travel retail in the expansion of its brands globally,

    “Working closely with our travel retail regional teams and as a hub towards our brands’ partners, we aim at further elevating our services and product offering towards an ever more demanding global traveller,” Shiseido said.

    The team is headed by Global Shiseido Travel Retail Marketing Director Elisabeth Jouguelet-Aparicio, who reports to Group Travel Retail President Philippe Lesne.

    Underlining the group’s commitment to the travel retail channel, the team includes a dedicated travel retail exclusives products Manager (Constance Raboulin).

    The company said: “As the Global Travel Retail team, we aspire to be the beacon for brands by infusing their DNA into regional offices. We relentlessly work towards becoming an innovation hub that provide specialised and value-added services. We commit to acting as the bridge between brands and regions.”

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  • Indonesia AirAsia Will be No More

    Indonesia AirAsia Will be No More

    Indonesia AirAsia airline will end its operation in Indonesia as it will be merged with Indonesia AirAsia X. Suprasetyo, director general for air transportation at the Transportation Ministry, said this merger is to improve Indonesia AirAsia’s financial condition.

    According to Suprasetyo, the merger is to save Indonesia AirAsia from having its operating license revoked because by merging with AirAsia X, Indonesia AirAsia’s equity will not be negative. “Indonesia AirAsia X’s equity is not negative because it hasn’t been audited and its operation is still less than a year,” he said on Wednesday.

    Therefore, said Suprasetyo, after the merger, there will be no more Indonesia AirAsia. All AirAsia’s operations in Indonesia are under Indonesia AirAsia X that serves medium and long-distance flights. For that, Indonesia AirAsia X will submit new business plans and process route permits again so that they can use Indonesia AirAsia’s routes. “Indonesia AirAsia is no more,” he said.

    Indonesia AirAsia is one of 13 airlines that have negative equities, based on the Transportation Ministry’s inspection in July 2015. The ministry threatened to revoke their operating licenses if their equities were not positive until September 30.

    Indonesia AirAisa president director Sunu Widiyatmoko gave no answer when asked for confirmation, while PT Indonesia AirAsia X chief executive officer Dendy Kurniawan did not comment much and chose to wait for an official announcement from the ministry.

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  • H&M plans to open another 240 stores by end of the year

    H&M plans to open another 240 stores by end of the year

    Hennes & Mautitz AB (H&M), Swedish multinational retail-clothing company, known for its fast-fashion clothing for men, women, teenagers and children plans to open an additional 240 new stores this year. In the third quarter, H&M opened 36 new stores, but in the fourth quarter 240 new stores are scheduled to open, most of which will be in China and the US. H&M already has 299 locations in China, but growth in the country’s apparel industry makes it a promising hotbed for retailers.

    China, in particular, will account for much of the expected growth, encompassing almost one-third of regional demand for clothing by 2018. As the Asian clothing and apparel sector is expected to grow rapidly over the next five years. Annual average expenditure growth on clothing and footwear, at 9.5%, will comfortably outstrip that of any other region, said PricewaterhouseCooper’s retail consultants in their 2015-2016 outlook report on the retail and consumer products sector in Asia.

    Beyond its traditional flagship brand, H&M also owns premium brand Cos. The company hopes to introduce Cos in China as well, catering to the country’s growing upper-middle class.

    Cheap prices and a continuous supply of new looks keep customers coming back to chains like H&M and Zara. And according to Ms. Paula Rosenblum, Forbe’s retail analyst. H&M’s success comes amid a growing demand for fast fashion.

    But despite fast fashion’s growth, chains including H&M are increasingly facing criticism over both environmental and social justice concerns.

    Though fast fashion offers consumers a wider variety of styles, the rising trend has also been tied to growing amounts of textiles in landfills. In the US alone, clothing, footware, and other non-durable textiles generated 12.4 million tons of landfill waste in 2013. Only about 15 percent, or 1.8 million tons of the textile waste was recovered for reprocessing or recycling, reported the US Environmental Protection Agency.

    Furthermore, many fast fashion retailers rely on cheap labor to produce high quantities of their products. Many laborers used to come from China, but with rising wage demands, companies have looked to Taiwan, Indonesia, Vietnam, and Bangladesh, among other southeast Asian countries instead.

    According to Bloomberg Business, H&M has seen significant growth this year, second only to the Spanish clothing retailer Zara in size. Third-quarter sales grew 16 percent, surging to nearly 46 billion Swedish kronor, with revenue coming in at 39 billion kronor.

     

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  • Epinion’s Asia presence strengthened with new FMCG & Research Director

    Epinion’s Asia presence strengthened with new FMCG & Research Director

    Market research and insights company, Epinion is delighted to welcome Katrin Roscher who will join the Vietnam office as Epinion’s Research Director, FMCG and Retail.

    Katrin will join us from Ghana where she held the position of Group Director at MRC, an African market research agency, where she was responsible for clients such as Samsung, Heineken, FrieslandCampina and the World Bank.

     A German national with vast FMCG experience, Katrin also has more than 12 years’ managerial and client handling experience and will play a large role in enforcing Epinion’s position as bold researchers solving the problems of tomorrow.

     During her time in Ghana Katrin also held the senior position of Deputy MD at TNS, prior to her MRC role.

    Her experience has primarily focused on the FMCG sector and throughout her career; she has worked with a number of prestigious clients including Nestlé, Unilever, Diageo, Coca-Cola, Premier Foods and Mondelez.

    Prior to her time in Africa, Katrin also gained a decade of market research experience in London, firstly as Senior Account Manager at The NPD Group and then as Consumer Insight Director at Kantar Worldpanel.

    On top of this her insight into branding in West Africa has also been featured in top publications.

    With more than 150 applicants for the position it was a long and competitive process, but it was clear that Katrin outperformed the rest of the candidates. She will start on October 1.

    Katrin said: “I am really looking forward to working with the Epinion team and their clients, and brands that are unique to the South East Asia region.  I consider Epinion to be a very progressive market research company that makes full use of the latest research technologies so joining Epinion will bring me closer to the technology revolution in market research and I’m very excited about this.”

    Katrin said she was also was excited about moving to yet another new country.

    She added: “I’m very much looking forward to getting immersed in Vietnam’s rich culture. Having lived in Cologne, New York City, London and Accra with a husband of Russian and Nigerian origins, I would say that I’m fairly multi-cultural!

    “I am a big fan of good food and quite adventurous, so I’m very excited about the varied street food on offer in HCMC. I enjoy tropical climes and spending time close to water so I hope to spend some time walking along the Saigon river bank and snorkeling in the South China Sea.”

    Aske Østergard, Epinion’s Managing Director, Asia, said: “We are thrilled to have Katrin come on board. Epinion is growing rapidly and having someone as experienced and talented as Katrin will only help grow and strengthen our business within the FMCG and Retail vertical. 

    “Katrin’s international experience in the market research industry will be hugely beneficial to both the partnerships we already hold, as well as those we hope to develop in the future. We look forward to her starting.”

    Epinion currently has offices in Singapore, Saigon and various European locations including London and Copenhagen. The market research company has more than 16 years’ global experience and looks forward to Katrin helping us expand even further.

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  • Lotte Signs Five-year Exclusive O2O Deal In China

    Lotte Signs Five-year Exclusive O2O Deal In China

    Chinese B2C e-commerce website JD.com and South Korean retail giant Lotte.com have signed a strategic cooperation agreement and an exclusive agreement under which JD.com will become the sole strategic partner of Lotte.com in the Chinese mainland for five years.

    JD said that with the strategic cooperation agreement, Lotte Group’s products and services will enter the Chinese market via JD’s global shopping platform. In the future, the two parties will implement cooperation in tourism and service O2O.

    Global strategy is currently an important reason for Chinese e-commerce providers to team with international retailers. Lotte.com is responsible for the online sales of products and services of all subsidiaries of Lotte Group. Lotte.com will integrate Lotte Group’s branches to establish a “Lotte hall” on JD.com, covering Lotte Department Store, Lotte Mart, Hi-Mart, Lotte Duty Free, Lotte Hotel, and Lotte World.

    The “Lotte hall” will not only sell infant products, cosmetics, and fashion products, but also will offer household products and home appliances. Over the next three years, the two parties aim to expand their cooperation range to about 200,000 kinds of products.

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  • “Siam Synergy” marks a historic collaboration

    “Siam Synergy” marks a historic collaboration

    Siam Synergy allies, led by “MBK PCL.,” “Siam Piwat Co., Ltd.,” and the “Siam Square Business Group,” have signed a historic memorandum of understanding under the name “Siam Synergy” to strengthen the alliance in the district, including the public and private sectors and affiliated agencies, and to push forward various projects to propel the Siam District towards becoming Thailand’s key economic and commercial center and the hub where trendy lifestyles, world-class shopping experience, art, and entertainment converge under the concept “The Metropolis of Diverse Modernity.” The signing ceremony was honored with the presence of H.E. Ms. Kobkarn Wattanavrangkul, Minister of Tourism and Sports, who presided over the ceremony.

    H.E. Ms. Kobkarn Wattanavrangkul, Minister of Tourism and Sports, said, “On behalf of the Ministry of Tourism and Sports, it is a great pleasure to preside over the signing ceremony today, which serves as the beginning of a major collaboration of the Siam Synergy allies and demonstrates the power and the commitment of the allies in the Siam District to become as a major force in developing the tourism industry by propelling and fostering the continuous growth of this district which is considered the hub of Bangkok that is vital to the economy of the nation.”

    “Entrepreneurs of large, medium, as well as small enterprises, along with public and private agencies, are the powerful force that has, for over 50 years, strengthened and nurtured the Siam District into a commercial hub at the heart of Bangkok.  This disctrict has generated tremendous revenues for the tourism industry and has presented an extraordinarily diverse range of products and services that satisfy every need. Today, the chief allies have joined forces under the name “Siam Synergy,” demonstrating their commitment to enhancing the competitive capacity of our tourism industry and creating an opportunity for growth and strengthening the position of this commercial district as one of the world’s most vibrant shopping, art, and entertainment hubs,” she said.

    Blessed with a unique identity, the Siam District lies at the center of Bangkok and has symbolized the beginning of new things and Thailand’s economic and commercial prosperity up until the present day. The location of the District has made it the hub of various transportation systems, which have been continuously improved since 1964, further to the appeal of the District.  As a result, Siam has been selected as a tourist destination of choice and considered the top-of-mind commercial hub among visitors and investors, both domestic and international.

    Photo Caption_Siam Synergy Alliance-1

    Representing the Siam Synergy alliance, Mr. Suvait Theeravachirakul, Director and President of “MBK PCL” stated, “Every entrepreneur of every business type in the Siam District, including public and private sectors, are considered the major force that has fostered the continuous growth that the District is enjoying. This year is an opportune moment for the initiation of a partnership among leading entrepreneurs and public and private sector organizations to unify the area stretching from the Chaloem Phao Junction  to the Banthat Thong Junction and the Hua Chang Bridge.  As a first step, the signing of the memorandum of understanding under the name Siam Synergy will boost the image of the Siam District as the urban center where latest trends, world-class shopping experiences, art, and entertainment converge.  The principal objective of this partnership is to strengthen the entrepreneur network and enhance the competitive capacity of the District as Thailand’s key economic and commercial hub. This synergy will also help preserve and promote art and culture so that the District can continue to shine as a most-preferred destination among both Thai and foreign travellers.”

    Mr. Boonsong Srisawangnet, Vice-president of the “Siam Square Business Group,” revealed, “Based on the latest information, the Siam District has demonstrated a continuous growth.  It has very strong economic and commercial potential and can be considered one of Bangkok’s golden locations, comparable to major avenues in other countries such as the Ginza in Japan. The Siam District is considered a vital connecting hub of Bangkok, linking various mass transit systems, including Bangkok’s most advanced and modern transportation. As a result, on a daily basis, the Siam District is visited by over 550,000 commuters and tourists, on average, which helps generate revenues and activities within the area.  The synergy within the District will not only prepare the District for the advent of the AEC but also directly benefit the economic development of the country.”

    Ms. Chadathip Chutrakul, Chief Executive of Siam Piwat Co., Ltd. remarked on the development plans of the Siam Synergy allies, stating, “One of the  most important factors that has continually attracted both local and international travelers to Siam as the center of entertainment and as a lifestyle destination is the fact every enterprise in the area, both public and private, have focused on developing products and services to be in line with new lifestyle needs that continuously evolve together with global trends.  To ensure that Siam keeps its place as the most preferred destination in the hearts of visitors the allies of Siam Synergy have planned various collaborative projects to develop the District.  These include the improvement of the Sky Walk, the establishment of Siam as Bangkok’s art district, joint marketing activities among members and allies to provide superior and exciting experience through promotions to attract tourists and stimulate spending, as well as improve the levels of security within the District.”

    Under this major partnership, the Siam Synergy is ready to launch and implement various projects, namely:

    • The improvement and expansion of the Sky Walk: The Sky Walk connecting to the National Stadium Station of the BTS and the Pathumwan Intersection will be improved and expanded to become linked in order to facilitate commuting and connect key tourist attractions within the Siam District. In addition, the Sky Walk will be improved with a new design and serve as an outdoor art exhibition venue, rendering it a hub of creativity and a must-see tourist landmark.
    • The improvement of the security within the Siam District: To bolster safety and help commuters within the Siam District, the security standard will be lifted through various programmes such as the exchange of databases for joint surveillance between public and private organizations within in the area to prevent and intercept potential dangers. There will also be the sharing of knowledge on security protocols between the security teams of the major shopping centers in the District, as well as a joint on-site drill for the security teams within the District. More importantly, a uniform security standard for the entire area will be established and implemented.
    • Siam Discovery renovation project by Siam Piwat: With an investment of over 4 billion baht, Siam Piwat is planning a facelift for Siam Discovery to reinforce its position as “the leader of innovation” by breaking all the rules and creating a new chapter in the history of the retail business, following its historic innovation of Siam Center two years ago, which has enjoyed tremendous success and brought much innovation to Bangkok.
    • Area development projects by the “Siam Square Group”: These will include the Suan Luang Square project, in which the area around Suan Luang and Sam Yan will be developed under the theme “the center of delicacies and life’s joys” and serve as a model of a commercial community that retains its unique shop houses despite its more modern and improved appearance. Also included will be the Centenary CU Park and the Centenary CU Street projects, which entail developing the area to maximize the public benefit by adding green areas to serve as new lungs for Bangkokians, create pleasant environments for communities, and provide recreational space for the public. In addition, the areas under these projects will also contribute to the urban eco-system by acting as natural water-draining zones that help drain rainwater to prevent flooding and waterlogging.
    • MBK Center renovation project: With an investment of over one billion baht, the MBK center will be revamped to better accommodate the lifestyle of modern consumers. The overhaul will include both interior and exterior works, with an all-new expanded and improved storefront to create a modern image for the center. In addition, popular restaurants and leading fashion stores will be featured to offer a diverse range of products for visitors.

     

    The partnership of the allies in the Siam District, which include both public and private sector organizations as well as other affiliated agencies, under the name “Siam Synergy” is an crucial step forward that will reinforce the strength of the Siam District, which has stood tall with pride in contributing to Thailand’s economic prosperity all through the years, and mark the Siam District out as a key economic and commercial area and one of the most vibrant lifestyle hubs in the world.

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  • HKIA experiments with home delivery service

    HKIA experiments with home delivery service

    Hong Kong International Airport (HKIA) is launching a new trial local delivery service for passengers who spend more than HK$1,000 ($129) in its shops at the airport.

    Cissy Chan, Executive Director Commercial, HKIA said Airport Authority HKIA also plans to experiment with trial deliveries to the homes of a few individuals in two other countries as a trial run.

    In a session entitled ‘Future Positive’ at this month’s Trinity Forum 2015 in Hong Kong, she said HKIA is engaged in concentrating on the passenger experience, utilising the four ‘Es’ which she qualified as eating, entertainment, ease and engagement.

    The airport is now on a mission to try and make the environment more exciting after research showed that most people only enter the shops because they are bored.

    As a result – and in addition – the airport is installing interactive amusements in relevant shops to build up interest, while pop up stores will feature more regularly.

    Chan added that the airport is also working on building in entertainment facilities like a virtual golf zone, as well as employing food court ambassadors. These new recruits will find seats for passengers who are already holding trays of food, alongside a service pledge of 15 minutes.

  • Pop up stores change Korea retail face

    Pop up stores change Korea retail face

    More and more specialised retailers or service providers – ranging from barbershops to paint stores – are making appearances inside Korean department stores.

    These special shops are appearing as pop up stores rather than taking up permanent residence. The phenomenon is the result of retailers choosing pop up stores to publicise their brands, which allows them to avoid sales pressure that comes with leasing permanent space in a department store.

    Lotte Department store has opened a Club Monaco Men’s shop. The barbershop Herr’ has been added to the already existing select shop, offering consulting services related to style and haircuts. The barbershop is also offering customers a traditional English wet shaving. It is the first time for a barbershop to enter an apparel store, which makes the ‘special store’ extra special.

    A pop up store called Men’s AGIT gathered many popular hobby goods such as cameras, camera accessories, drones, plastic figures and RC cars in one spot.

    Another notable pop up store is the ‘Home and Tones’ shop at Hyundai Department Store. Since the number of people redecorating their homes by themselves has increased, Samhwa Paint has been managing a pop up store since September 7. Eco friendly paints, as well as paint that turns into a blackboard when applied are exhibited, and paint that can be mixed on-site through toning machines, are drawing the attention of consumers.

    The ’99 Avant’ pop up store sells the creations of young artist Han Seung-woo. Hyundai department store officials say that the pop up store is gaining positive reaction from customers as they can communicate with the artist in person.

    Shinsegae department store made space on its sixth floor just for pop up stores. Many brands including whiskey brand Balvenie’s ‘craft lounge’, shoe care brand ‘Resh’, and BMW’s Mini cars and bicycles have all opened pop up stores at the location.

    Shinsegae officials mentioned that the sales of pop up stores are threatening sales at official stores.

    “Now, already existing brands are also using popup stores as a method to introduce their new products. Department stores are also benefitting from the pop up stores because various brands can be presented so customers have no time to be bored.”

  • Uniqlo Magic For All to debut in Shanghai

    Uniqlo Magic For All to debut in Shanghai

    Uniqlo will open its Magic For All store on the fifth floor of the Uniqlo Shanghai Global Flagship store on Huai Hai Rd on September 27.

    Uniqlo Magic for all 4

    It will be the first execution o fthe new partnership between the Japanese clothing brand and entertainment giant Walt Disney which will see many Disney characters feature on apparel sold by Uniqlo.

    Uniqlo Magic for all 1

    The Magic For All line of LifeWear is part of a global collaboration with Disney Consumer Products that aims to surprise and delight customers of all ages.

    Uniqlo Magic for all 6

    Customers begin their Magic For All journey at the store’s main entrance, where a 1.8 metre Mickey Mouse statue and 100 Mickey Mouse figurines await. Known as the Mickey 100 Series, the inspiration for the figurines was taken from 100 exclusive new designs for Mickey Mouse, which will be on display for the first time in Shanghai. Fifteen of the designs were reproduced on colorful UTs (Uniqlo T-shirts), including five designs for children.

    Uniqlo Magic for all 3

    Inside the Magic For All store, customers are treated to a series of “unique and immersive experiences” found only at Uniqlo in Shanghai. Tinker Bell can be seen flying across wall monitors accompanied by music, and in a world first, the store features Shout Mickey, a special area that captures joyful moments. When a customer shouts ‘Mickey’ toward the lens of a digital camera, the moment is captured and a digital image can be sent to the customer’s mobile device as a memento of the visit. The store also features a Future area, showcasing Uniqlo’s UT range of fashions, and the Colorful Fairy Tale realm for little princesses.

    Uniqlo Magic for all 2

    Unique and innovative being central to the overall shopping experience, the store is the first in China to offer Magic For All options for UTme!, a custom T-shirt design service, and for MY Uniqlo, which enables customers to add special touches to items of clothing.

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  • Finance plan for Indonesia 7-Eleven

    Finance plan for Indonesia 7-Eleven

    Modern Internasional, the master franchisee for Indonesia 7-Eleven, has partnered with Credit Saison of Japan to create a fund to help finance new franchisees.

    The two companies have created a joint venture called PT Saison Modern Finance (SMF) in Indonesia. MI will take a 30 per cent stake in the business, which will have a paid-up share capital of Rp100 billion.

    The JV will support the expansion of Indonesia 7-Eleven franchise business. In the initial phase of the business, it will provide finance leases at an attractive cost for equipment installed at 7-Eleven stores, particularly for the new sub-franchisees to be secured in the future.

    “MI believes that this will reduce cost of capital for a new store opening and hence enhance the attraction of its 7-Eleven sub-franchising model. The JV also aims to develop payment products such as pre-paid cards for the customers of 7-Eleven by leveraging on CS’ strength as the third largest credit card issuer in Japan,” the companies said in a statement.

    The JV is committed to provide attractive IDR denominated leasing terms.

    “MI expects the JV will contribute positively to the development of the 7-Eleven sub-franchising business as well as improvement in 7-Eleven’s customer relationship management through its prepaid card and loyalty programs.”

    In Japan, CS has a joint venture with 7-Eleven global brand parent Seven & I Holdings for the issuance of Saison Card. The finance company also operates overseas offices in China, Vietnam and Singapore, and is seeking to further expand its business in the rapidly-growing Asian market.

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