Retail News CRM

Tag: asia

  • South Korea’s Kurly wins funds for expansion

    South Korea’s Kurly wins funds for expansion

    Kurly, a South Korea-based grocery-delivery startup, has netted Series E funding totaling KRW200 billion (US$160 million).

    The funding round for the five-year-old company was led by DST Global, with additional participation from several existing backers – including Hillhouse Capital, Sequoia Capital China, Fuse Venture Partners, SK Networks, and Translink Capital. Newcomer Aspex Management also contributed to the new financing.

    Total funding in Kurly has now reached KRW420 billion won ($328 million), confirming unicorn status for the venture. The company expects to use the funding to set up a new fulfillment center in Seoul, more than twice as large as its current facilities.

    “Kurly has been showing incomparable growth in the fast-expanding online grocery market,” said DST Global investment partner and head of Asia Pacific John Lindfors, “and as the first to establish morning deliveries, has demonstrated its ability to disrupt the logistics industry and change the grocery shopping habits of Korean consumers”.

    The firm recorded annual average revenue growth of 3.5 times since opening, and extended its fulfillment capability area by a factor of 4.9 last year, with a 2.9 times increase in total deliveries.

  • Second Starbucks community outlet opens doors in South Korea

    Second Starbucks community outlet opens doors in South Korea

    A second Starbucks community store has opened in South Korea.

    The new venue, located in Seongsudong, Seoul, is described by the company as a “hub for young people and prospective startups to share information about networking and starting their own businesses”.

    The store is located near a sizable startup and social-venture community and a major metro station.

    Starbucks will host a series of startup workshops for young people at the store via its new Starbucks Youth Startup Entrepreneurship Programme, which is funded by a portion of sales from the store, coordinating with other stores across the market to offer the program to youth in other parts of the country.

    The community space within the store features movable walls and furniture as well as regular cafe seating.

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  • Cebu Pacific slips into first-quarter loss

    Cebu Pacific slips into first-quarter loss

    Cebu Pacific posted an operating loss of Ps693 million ($13.7 million) in the first quarter of 2020, reversing the Ps3.85 billion operating profit made in the same period last year.

    Total revenue for the quarter ended 31 March fell 24.9% to Ps15.9 billion, as revenue from passenger, cargo, and ancillary segments fell across the board.

    The low-cost carrier’s expenses declined 4.2% to Ps16.6 billion, due to a sharp fall in costs associated with reduced flying operations, as well as reservation and sales. On the other hand, costs from depreciation and amortization, and aircraft maintenance costs were all higher.

    Cebu Pacific thus slipped into a net loss of Ps1.18 billion, down from a net profit of Ps4 billion last year. Factors contributing to the net loss include losses from hedging and foreign exchange.

    Cash and cash equivalent stood at Ps17.5 billion as of 31 March, down from the Ps22.5 billion a year before.

    During the quarter, Cebu Pacific grew its fleet from 75 to 76 aircraft, having added one Airbus A320neo.

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  • Ikea Singapore plans opening new concept store at Jem mall

    Ikea Singapore plans opening new concept store at Jem mall

    Ikea Singapore is to open Southeast Asia’s first ‘small-store’ concept at Jem mall in the city’s west.

    The announcement today follows news last week that local department store Robinsons was vacating the space. The change of anchor is a perfect example of how consumer shopping preferences – and thus the balance of mall tenancies – is reshaping the modern retail market.

    The new Ikea Singapore store will open next year, taking up about 6500sqm across three floors of Jem, which is managed by Lendlease. It will be the Swedish furniture and home decor chain’s third shop in the city.

    “This store will bring us closer to millions of customers,” said Jaap Doornbos, Ikea retail director for Singapore & Vietnam. “This will be the first time we are establishing a smaller Ikea store format as a tenant within a shopping center in this region.”

    The ‘small-store’ concept is still relatively new globally. Unlike the giant standalone stores Ikea is known for, with their winding pathway layout, the Jem outlet will combine the full Ikea product range into one department. It will not feature a children’s playground, but will include an Ikea restaurant serving Swedish meatballs and fried chicken wings, among other items.

    “We see a bright future ahead for our store at Jem,” said Sebastian Hylving, property & expansion director at Ikea Southeast Asia & Mexico.

    “Jem is one of four malls connected to the Jurong Gateway, linked to public transport. At Jem, Lendlease has curated a combination of great F&B offer with fashion, groceries and entertainment to create an everyday meeting place for the many people.”

    Hylving says the two Ikea big-box stores, located at Tampines and Alexandra, attract almost 7 million visits each year.

    Ikea is reaping the benefits of renewed consumer interest in making homes more comfortable during the Covid-19 era, and the need for furniture and supplies needed for working from home.

    Ng Hsueh Ling, Lendlease Singapore MD and chief investment officer for Asia, said the company looked forward to bringing a first-to-market lifestyle concept to its mall.

    “We are continually rejuvenating our tenancy mix and bringing new experiences to them.”

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  • Thailand’s CP wins 7-Eleven rights to operate in Cambodia

    Thailand’s CP wins 7-Eleven rights to operate in Cambodia

    Thailand’s CP Group will launch 7 Eleven Cambodia next year after winning the franchise rights for the country.

    CP Group, which operates 7-Eleven in Thailand, will run the business via its local subsidiary. The first outlet is expected to open in Phnom Penh.

    According to reporting in Nikkei, CP will be responsible for all business strategy and distribution activities of 7-Eleven Cambodia, and will bear the right to use the brand logo and signage.

    The operation will also include grocery sales along with some banking and delivery services.

    With 12,000 outlets, Thailand is the second-largest market for 7-Eleven after Japan.

    Founded in 1927 in Dallas, Texas, 7-Eleven is now owned by Japanese retail group Seven & I Holdings.

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  • Cebu Pacific offers flexible options for travelers

    Cebu Pacific offers flexible options for travelers

    In light of the World Tourism Organization’s #TravelTomorrow campaign, Cebu Pacific Airline encourages travelers to be responsible and stay at home amid the current health crisis as it offers flexible options for passengers whose flights have been canceled.

    Among the self-service options that can be done conveniently online are free rebooking, full travel funds, and a full refund. Free Rebooking By availing of this option, guests can rebook their canceled flights to any other travel date within three months from the original date, with no additional charges—both change (rebooking) fees and fare difference are waived. Who must avail of this: This is perfect for those just waiting for the skies to clear, and still need to travel at the soonest time possible.

    Full Travel FundThose who opt for the full travel fund, the full cost of their ticket will be stored in a virtual wallet—said amount can be used to either book a flight up to one year ahead or pay for add-ons such as baggage allowance and seat selection. If the travel fund is not used within a year, passengers can instead apply for a full refund. Who must avail of this: This can come in handy for those still waiting things out or those who are re-assessing their existing travel plans.

    Passengers who prefer to receive a full refund, processing of requests will begin on May 18 should the ECQ be lifted and regular work schedules resume. However, due to the unprecedented volume of requests for refunds, Cebu Pacific appeals for kind understanding as the process will take as long as three to four billing cycles (a cycle typically lasts 20-45 days).

    Who must avail of this: This is suited for those who might need the cash for other purposes, and are putting their travel plans on hold. For added flexibility, passengers with booked flights from May 16 to Sept. 30, 2020 who wish to voluntarily change their travel plans have the following options, all free of charge: – Rebook to any other travel date within one year from original date of departure, with change (rebooking) fees waived, but fare difference may apply;- Convert full cost of the ticket to a Travel Fund, which is now valid for one year. This allows passengers to decide and book their trips within a year for flights as far as one year ahead.

    Flights can be easily managed online via the “Manage Booking” portal on the Cebu Pacific website. Customers who booked through a travel agent should contact their agent for assistance.

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  • Uniqlo Japan same-store sales down in April

    Uniqlo Japan same-store sales down in April

    Uniqlo Japan same-store sales, including online, plunged 56.5 percent in April as the Covid-19 crisis led to restricted store opening times.

    According to data released by parent Fast Retailing, total sales, including those of new stores, decreased by 57.7 percent.

    The company said customer visits to stores “dropped sharply”. Sales were “adversely impacted by the temporary closure or reduction in operating hours at more of our stores, and consumers deciding to stay at home to combat Covid-19,” the company said.

    During the month of April, 311 stores were temporarily closed due to the advent of the coronavirus, and 299 operated on reduced trading hours.

    Fast Retailing said the monthly data was calculated without excluding stores that were either open for fewer hours or closed temporarily from the total number of same stores or own stores.

    While Uniqlo Japan same-store sales data has been released, the company has not as yet shared data on its international operations.

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  • Cebu Pacific to introduce Contactless Flights as “new normal”

    Cebu Pacific to introduce Contactless Flights as “new normal”

    Cebu Pacific will introduce contactless flights in the future when people are ready to fly again. The low-cost airline put safety as its topmost priority in the age of “new normal” as the Philippines will start to ease its quarantine restrictions come May 16. Here are some of our new guidelines for Cebu Pacific Contactless Flights within the Philippines:

    Guests are required to keep masks on, from airport entrance until arrival. Bag drop counters will close one hour before flights, to allow enough time for staggered boarding procedures. Physical distancing markers must be followed.

    Hand sanitizers will be provided for guest and staff use, at the airport and inside the aircraft. CEB passenger areas such as kiosks, bag drop counters, shuttle buses, and aircraft lavatories and seats will also be frequently sanitized for everyone’s safety.

    Guests are highly encouraged to check-in online to minimize proximity to our check-in agents. Those with no bags can head straight to gate. Once the row is called, have boarding passes ready for scanning by our boarding gate agents.

    Meanwhile, operations teams have these world-class Preventive Measures in place:

    CEB pilots and cabin crew will undergo rapid antibody tests before their assigned flights, as part of our commitment to flattening the curve. The operating crew cleared for flights will also don personal protective equipment. They are also trained to assist and isolate guests onboard, as needed.

    Our daily disinfection program includes the misting of the aircraft cabin, using an Airbus-approved disinfectant effective in eradicating viruses including the Coronavirus. This process is aligned with the International Air Transport Association (IATA) guidelines and ensures that all surfaces (such as passenger seats, overhead bins and cargo compartments) are covered and sanitized. Lavatories will also be sanitized every 30 minutes.

    The air inside the cabin is changed every three minutes, using High-Efficiency Particulate Air (HEPA) filters installed in our Airbus aircraft. HEPA filters can filter out viruses with 99.99% efficiency, which is why it’s also used in hospital operating rooms.

    Cebu Pacific said that it will continue to work with government authorities and use guidelines from the World Health Organization and the International Civil Aviation Organization. They will keep refining their procedures, so people can travel with peace of mind.

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  • DHL Express names Best Workplace in Asia for second consecutive year

    DHL Express names Best Workplace in Asia for second consecutive year

    Global people analytics and consulting firm Great Place to Work has named DHL Express as the Best Workplace in Asia for the second consecutive year. Great Place to Work identifies the top organizations that create great workplaces through its annual Best Workplaces in Asia list. For the 2020 award, more than 2.2 million employees participated in the survey in 8 Asian countries where Great Place to Work is represented.

    Ken Lee, CEO of DHL Express, Asia-Pacific, said, “We are honored to be recognized as the Best Workplace in Asia for the second consecutive year. At DHL Express, we are committed to creating an environment where all employees can thrive and reach their full potential. Whether it is through our annual Employee Opinion Survey, our award-winning Certified training programs, or our push for greater diversity, we want to make sure our employees have their Best Day, Every Day at work.”

    For the 2020 award, DHL Express was recognized for its continuous investment in leadership development and talent growth, including its Certified International Specialist (CIS) and Certified International Manager (CIM) programs that have provided more than 320,000 training sessions to employees in Asia-Pacific. This series of training is meant to create a powerful sense of community that enables employees to combine best-in-class product quality with incomparable service excellence, according to DHL Express.

    Since 2014, DHL Express Asia-Pacific has received 245 awards for its workplace and corporate culture, and in 2019 alone, the company received a total of 53 awards. In February, DHL Express was named 2020 Top Employer for Asia-Pacific, as well as nine countries and territories in the region, by the Top Employers Institute.

    Mateen Thiruselvaam, senior vice-president, Human Resources, DHL Express Asia-Pacific, said, “With tens of thousands of employees across one of the most diverse regions in the world, it is imperative that we have a robust set of employee engagement and development initiatives to keep the entire DHL network operating as one. To be ranked as the Best Workplace in Asia again is a fantastic recognition of our efforts and the dedication of our people to deliver great service quality for our customers.”

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  • Tesla Threatens To Move Operations Out Of California

    Tesla Threatens To Move Operations Out Of California

    Electric vehicle maker, Tesla, has threatened that it will move its operations out of the state of California, where 20,000 of its employees work. This has been a result of local health officials refusing permission to Tesla Motors to re-start operations amid the Coronavirus pandemic. Tesla CEO Elon Musk said on Twitter that the company will file a lawsuit against the Alameda county immediately and will also move its headquarters and future programs out of California. Currently, Tesla is the only remaining car maker still having manufacturing operations in California

    In a series of Tweets Musk said,”Tesla is filing a lawsuit against Alameda County immediately. The unelected & ignorant “Interim Health Officer” of Alameda is acting contrary to the Governor, the President, our Constitutional freedoms & just plain common sense!”

    In a related tweet he mentioned how the US states of Nevada and Texas could be chosen places for Tesla to shift operations. He said,”Frankly, this is the final straw. Tesla will now move its HQ and future programs to Texas/Nevada immediately. If we even retain Fremont manufacturing activity at all, it will be dependent on how Tesla is treated in the future. Tesla is the last carmaker left in CA.

    In a blog post put up on the official website Tesla said,”Given the Governor’s recent guidance, which is supported by science and credible health data, the state and federal government’s classification of vehicle manufacturing as national critical infrastructure, and our robust safety plan, Tesla has started the process of resuming operations.” The statement also said that Alameda County is still insisting operations should not be resumed. “Unfortunately, the County Public Health Officer who is making these decisions has not returned our calls or emails.”, the statement added.

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  • Microsoft plans to add mouse and trackpad support to Office app on iPads

    Microsoft plans to add mouse and trackpad support to Office app on iPads

    Microsoft has decided to unify its Office apps on Android and iOS last year, so they’re now functioning under a single, smaller app. A couple of months ago, Apple revealed something that took many by surprise: cursor support for iPadOS.

    Now Microsoft wants to add a similar feature to its Office app for iPad. According to TechCrunch, Microsoft is already working to bring cursor support to Office for iPad, which the media outlet claims it’s “expected to ship in Office for iPad this fall.”

    However, a new report coming from The Verge mentions that Microsoft might add cursor support by the fall, which means it should arrive earlier than the original report claims. Unfortunately, beyond the new timeframe, Microsoft did not share other details about cursor support for Office on iPad.

    Since Microsoft will keep individual Office app like Word, Excel, and PowerPoint, in addition to the unified app, there’s a high chance that cursor support will come to each of these apps as well once the main Office app gets it.

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  • UBS Hires Former Mainland Regulator for China Integration

    UBS Hires Former Mainland Regulator for China Integration

    UBS will look to integrate its China business units in a rapidly changing regulatory environment under the leadership of an ex-official from the mainland banking regulator.

    Alan Wang (or Wang Wei), a former senior official with the China Banking and Insurance Regulatory Commission, joins the bank as a managing director and China integration lead, according to a report citing an internal memo.

    The bank will look to leverage Wang’s experience to integrate its various mainland business units in accordance to the local regulatory environment. In the Hong Kong-based role, Wang will work closely with UBS’s China country head David Chin and report to APAC president Edmund Koh.

    I am confident that his expertise in regulation and knowledge of the onshore market and network will be a great asset to foster long-term strategic development in the region, Koh added.

    UBS’s ambitions in mainland China are no secret with a nearly comprehensive set of businesses including wholly-owned units in wealth management, asset management, futures alongside a fund management joint venture called UBS SDIC Fund Management.

    Ownership aside, the bank has also been rapidly expanding these business units and had reportedly hit its hiring target ahead of time to double headcount from 600 in 2016 to 1,200.

  • First Siam Makro store in Myanmar opens its doors

    First Siam Makro store in Myanmar opens its doors

    The first Siam Makro store in Myanmar has opened its doors as the Thai-based cash & carry operator eyes the fast-growing foodservice sector in the rising country Myanmar.

    Located in Myanmar, the more than 7000sqm store offers more than 10,000 lines of fresh food, dry food, and other products.

    “Makro was big, huge,” a shopper told news outlet Myanmore. “We had to book one day in advance to actually go there. There are more local products now than from Thailand. Everyone was wearing a mask when we went there. There are social distancing activities among the queuing at the entrance and each cashier.”

    The store opening was met with lengthy queues, as the brand was welcomed by local residents, despite the fact the retailer primarily serves as a wholesaler, targeting food retailers, hotels, restaurants and catering service firms.

    The Siam Makro store in Myanmar is temporarily enforcing a maximum of 250 customers per time as a social distancing measure.

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  • Google Duo update adds important new features,

    Google Duo update adds important new features,

    Google Duo received quite a few updates in the last couple of months, a strong indication that Google has big plans for the app. The most recent Duo update brings a handful of new features that will help users connect with their loved ones during these difficult times.

    Of course, the highlight of the update is the new family mode, which lets Google Duo users doodle on video calls. Various fun effects and masks can be used during video calls. To take advantage of the new feature, simply start a video call, tap the menu icon, and choose Family to start doodling.

    The new family mode becomes available as soon as you sign into Duo with your Google account. And you don’t have to worry that someone else will hijack your conversations since calls on Duo are end-to-end encrypted and remain private between you and your family or friends.

    But the new effects and masks are not just available in the new family mode. Google confirmed that Duo users will be able to use them during one-on-one video calls on Android and iOS starting this week. Expect to see even more effects and masks in the coming weeks.

    Finally, if you’re using Duo on the web, you’ll be pleased to know that Google will be adding group calls in the coming weeks. They will first be available as a preview on Chrome, along with a new layout the enables you to see more people simultaneously. The app will also let you invite anyone with a Google account to join a group call via a link.

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  • Tea WG opens fourth Hong Kong store

    Tea WG opens fourth Hong Kong store

    Singaporean luxury tea brand Tea WG has expanded its Hong Kong footprint, adding a fourth boutique at Sha Tin’s New Town Plaza, its first in the New Territories.

    The retailer, which trades as TWG Tea in other markets, opened two boutiques in Festival Walk and Elements last year following its growing popularity in the territory.

    The teahouse was founded in 2008 by Taha Bouqdib, Maranda Barnes and Rith Aum-Stievenard who conceptualized luxury tea rooms with over 800 types of tea and inspired gastronomy, loved by both locals and tourists in more than 20 countries. Starting out in Singapore, the artisanal tea trend in Asia found success in the luxury market for the modern-day aspirational customer.

    The brand developed a sommelier-training facility to help its staff build an extensive knowledge through tea-tastings, training and exams to better serve customers.

    Although Tea WG’s clientele is mainly women enjoying their afternoon tea set over a cup of the company’s ‘Silver Moon’ green-tea blend, each global boutique serves different types of customers. From “tai tai’s” (wealthy ladies of the house) to Instagramming millennials, the brand is seeing a surprising increase in the number of affluent men splurging on upscale tea accessories and gold tea cups. Tea appreciation workshops (similar to wine tastings) are also held for its VIPs, offering a ‘fine-tea’ experience.

    Tea WG has built a luxury reputation that has drawn five-star establishments from Marriott Hotels to Singapore Airlines to serve the brand – even creating exclusive blends for their own clientele.

    From a Singapore brand to more than 70 locations in the world, including Paris, Tokyo, Dubai, the brand has even won over British and Chinese nationals with its exquisite blends.

    After opening a London salon and boutique flagship, Tea WG aims to expand to the US and Australia – but in the meantime, customers there can buy packaged tea through the brand’s mobile app and online store.

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