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Tag: asia

  • Asos’ US warehouse struggles to cope with demanding customers

    Asos’ US warehouse struggles to cope with demanding customers

    UK digital fashion store Asos said its new US warehouse struggled to cope with demand last quarter, hitting sales there and causing delayed shipments. Asos CEO Nick Beighton said the unexpected high demand in the Atlanta warehouse caused a significant short-term despatch backlog, which has now been cleared.

    “As our Atlanta warehouse went fully online, demand far exceeded our expectations,” Beighton said.

    “While very encouraging for the longer term, this caused a significant short-term despatch backlog which we have now cleared. These delayed shipments will be recognised in P3 and US trading is now regaining momentum.”

    The upsurge in US demand caused Asos to cancel marketing and promotions, Beighton said. These will now run in the second half of the financial year. The online fashion retailer posted a 13 per cent increase in group sales for the latest quarter with retail gross margin improving by 40bps.

    “We continued to outperform in the UK with sales growth of 14 per cent,” Beighton said.

    Sales in Europe were up 12 per cent, although, according to Beighton, France and Germany, the two largest markets, continue to be challenging.

    “Our ROW segment returned to good growth of 20 per cent after a disappointing Q1,” he said. “Our retail gross margin guidance for the year remains.”

    Beighton said Asos will be increasing investment in price and marketing in the second half, particularly in France and Germany.

    “Given the actions we are taking together with an improving US performance, we believe the group will deliver stronger growth in the second half,” he said.

    “Consequently we remain confident that we will meet guidance for the full year.”$

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  • Pandora asked to fix refund policies

    Pandora asked to fix refund policies

    Jewellery retailer Pandora has been told by the consumer watchdog to amend its refund and warranty policies in Australia following complaints from some of their customers.

    The Australian Competition and Consumer Commission said they have received complaints from customers who were told by Pandora sales staff that they do not offer refunds to faulty products and that its own warranty policy applies instead of the protections afforded to consumers under Australian Consumer Law (ACL).

    According to ACCC Commissioner Sarah Court, the jewellery retailer acknowledged they may have misled customers about their legal rights.

    “Pandora has acknowledged that it may have misled customers about their consumer guarantee rights to refunds when there was a major fault with their product,” Court said. “They also have admitted that by doing so they likely breached the Australian Consumer Law.”

    Court said consumer rights to a repair, replacement or refund cannot be excluded, restricted or modified by a business’ warranty policy.

    “If consumers have purchased a product that has a major fault, they can request a full refund from their place of purchase,” she said.

    The ACCC has accepted a court-enforceable undertaking from Pandora to review its consumer rights policies and staff training after Pandora acknowledged it is likely to have contravened the ACL by making misleading representations to consumers about their consumer guarantee rights.

    The ACCC’s investigation showed that Pandora’s website contained confusing or inaccurate information on consumer guarantee rights under the ACL.

    It also noted that information on Pandora’s website about its product warranty failed to include mandatory text that states that consumers are entitled to a replacement or repair, and in some cases a refund, if their goods are faulty.

    The ACCC said Pandora has undertaken to arrange for an external review of its policies and procedures relating to exchanges, repairs and refunds, to ensure customer claims for refunds and other remedies are dealt with appropriately and in accordance with the ACL.

    “Pandora will also conduct a review of its ACL compliance program and improve its staff training and complaints handling systems,” Court said.

  • Debenhams warns shareholders could lose investments

    Debenhams warns shareholders could lose investments

    Struggling department store chain Debenhams said shareholders could lose their entire investment as a result of some of the restructuring options it is considering. The 200-year-old retailer said it is trying to refinance its debt, restructure its estate after a series of profit warnings and seek a cash injection of up to £200 million (A$373.1 million) from existing lenders at it tries to fend off a bid by Sports Direct’s Mike Ashley. Ashley had offered a £150 million loan to Debenhams, but as part of the deal, he would have to be in charge of the chain.

    The department store retailer said certain restructuring options “would result in no equity value for the company’s current shareholders”. Lenders have until this Thursday to approve Debenhams’ cash call, which it says will allow it to restructure. The company had warned its shareholders that some of their restructuring options could see their investment wiped out.

    Last Friday, Debenhams posted an announcement on the London Stock Exchange, confirming that it has received a proposal from Sports Direct International in connection with a proposed acquisition of Magasin du Nord, conditional upon Mike Ashley being appointed as the CEO of Debenhams.

    “This proposal comes without any commitment to participate in the wider financing solution,” Debenhams said.

    The department store chain said the board has responded to Sports Direct directly, that, as with all other proposals received to date from Sports Direct, it does not address the company’s funding and restructuring requirement, while balancing the interests of all stakeholders.

    “Magasin is a key part of the Debenhams group, is cash flow generative and a meaningful contributor to group profits,” Debenhams said. “As such, Magasin is an important part of any lending proposition and therefore any broader solution that protects value for the group.”

    “Further, there are obvious concerns with the proposal that Mike Ashley becomes CEO of Debenhams given that Sports Direct owns our direct competitor House of Fraser.”

    Debenhams said the board has remained open to engagement with Sports Direct throughout its refinancing process and has provided clear guidance on what would represent workable solutions that would allow Sports Direct to participate while also protecting the interests of other stakeholders.

    But, according to Debenhams, this guidance has been repeatedly ignored by Sports Direct.

    Debenhams said it continues to make progress with its refinancing and restructuring discussions with existing lenders, noteholders and other stakeholders.

    “The board remains open to constructive involvement from Sports Direct and other stakeholders in this process.”

    Magasin du Nord has been put up for sale by Debenhams last year and Sports Direct offered to purchase the business . Under the proposal, Debenhams would have a 12-month option to buy it back at the price it was sold.

    Debenhams would also have the right to continue to market the business, gaining the benefit from any uplift above the initial sale consideration were it sold to a third party in that 12 month period.

    In connection with the above, it is proposed that Ashley would become a director and the CEO of Debenhams to assist Debenhams through its restructuring process.

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  • Second UNIQLO and alexander wang Collaboration Collection to Feature New AIRism Fabric

    Second UNIQLO and alexander wang Collaboration Collection to Feature New AIRism Fabric

    UNIQLO, the Japanese global apparel retailer, announces that it will begin rolling out a Spring/Summer 2019 collaboration collection with alexanderwang from Friday, April 12. The full collection will be available online and at Orchard Central Global Flagship Store, while selected items will be available in all stores. This second partnership with alexanderwang builds on the LifeWear commitment to making life better, bringing together the exceptional functionality of UNIQLO’s innovative AIRism fabric with alexanderwang’s sleek styling.

    Speaking ahead of the launch, Alexander Wang said, “Working with UNIQLO on the second season of the collaboration felt like there was a mutual understanding of not only aesthetics but of each other’s work ethic. It was easier coming together this time round to accomplish a similar goal from various touch-points. Innovation has always been at the forefront of our design and creative process, and functionality serves a huge purpose in the way our customers and I dress. Therefore, through the influence of innovation, technology and functionality, this special AIRism collection was born.”

    Keeping women comfortably stylish

    The collection adds new value to LifeWear by combining the year-round comfort of functional AIRism apparel with the signature alexanderwang look. Five of the 11 women’s items employ the sheerest-ever AIRism fabric, developed to feel like a “second skin.” During summer, women can enjoy camisoles and slips featuring a fabric so smooth, light and comfortable that they almost forget they are wearing them. Another fabric used in the women’s collection is a proprietary, new, seamless type of AIRism that is designed for both indoor and outdoor use. This new AIRism fabric is supportive but not constrictive, and is a perfect material for bras and even shorts to maintain comfort.

    First-ever cotton blend AIRism for men

    Men’s items include T-shirts and tank tops that incorporate a new fabric comprising a premium cotton finish and an AIRism interior. The fabric feels smooth and comfortable and is sufficiently thick so these innerwear items can also serve as regular outerwear. The men’s boxer briefs also use this fabric to enhance comfort on hot summer days. As seen in the previous season, the waistband is also adorned with the collaboration logo that wearers could casually show.

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  • Google Maps is rolling out a new feature allowing public event creation

    Google Maps is rolling out a new feature allowing public event creation

    Google Maps is a staple not only for Android users but for many iPhone and PC users as well. Its rich functionality is just as helpful when you’re on the go as it is when you’re relaxing at home and want to explore another city, whether that’ll be through satellite pictures or Google Street View.  It’s no secret that the majority of the information that can be found on Google Maps has been added by the users themselves. Business owners add the locations of their offices, stores, restaurants and everything else you can think of. On the other end, customers get to add their comments, ratings and pictures to each place they’ve visited. Recently Google also introduced some of the features of Waze to Google Maps, allowing users to mark speed traps and car accidents.

    Now, even more power to add content is coming to the people, as Google has added the option for users to add public events. The new feature was noticed by SlashGear and the way it works is described on the Google Maps support page. You can add an event either from your Contribute tab, where you’ll see a new “Add a public event” button (you might need to scroll down a bit to see it) or from the Events tab. After that, you get to fill out the standard set of information: type of the event, location, time and description.

    Once you post an event, it will appear at the selected location for everyone to see, so be careful what you post. Google has a set of steps on its website for deleting public events you’ve created, but at least for us, the “Delete this event” button mentioned on the support page was nonexistent.

    It seems there’s some more work to be done on this feature, which is likely why it’s not actually available to everyone right now. We haven’t been able to pinpoint exactly who has access to it, but it appears to be just some Android users for now. If you have the Events tab on the Your contributions page, then you’re part of the early adopters.

    A new wave of unique events is coming

    Either way, this feature is a good way for people to promote more casual events that aren’t tied to a specific commercial location. For example, you might need people for a game of basketball or fellow hobby enthusiasts to join your RC car race. Or maybe you’re a street performer that has something new to show and you want to organize a premiere.

    Utility companies or city administrations can also make use of these public events to let people know when certain streets will be closed, Google has added a “Parade” category for a reason. Another helpful category is Volunteering & activism. You’re planning to clean up an area as part of the now trending #trashtag challenge? Set up a public event and gather helpers in no time.

    We see, however, a potential for this feature to be abused and people creating fake events to draw a crowd somewhere. There is a “send feedback” button for the created event that lets you report if there’s anything wrong with it. Perhaps Google will use such feedback to limit the rights of people that create fake events.

    Hopefully, there won’t be much of that going on and people will use the feature for its intended purposes. It will probably take a while before it becomes popular and we get to see more interesting events around us. Once the option to add one is available to everyone, however, it will be a matter of time before you start noticing them around.

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  • Prime members can get Amazon’s Fire tablets at massive discounts

    Prime members can get Amazon’s Fire tablets at massive discounts

    If you’re in the market for a significantly cheaper tablet than the likes of Apple’s 2018-released iPad Pros or the last two Surface Pro generations, the Amazon Fire 7, Fire HD 8, and Fire HD 10 should be at the top of your wishlists. By no means powerhouses, these three typically deliver some of the best possible bang for your buck starting as low as $50.

    Even better, they’re frequently on sale at hefty discounts, recently reaching as high as 30 percent off the list price of a kid-friendly Fire 7 variant. Unfortunately for parents thinking of introducing their children to mobile technology, the Fire 7, HD 8, and Fire HD 10 Kids Editions are not marked down this time around. But if you’re an Amazon Prime member, you can get the regular Fire HD 10 for a whopping 50 bucks less than usual.

    That represents a 33 percent price reduction that brings the 10-incher down to its lowest retail cost in several months. The same $50 discount applies to the 64GB configuration as it does to the entry-level 32 gig version, both of which pack a respectable 2GB RAM and quad-core processor clocked at up to 1.8 GHz. The 10.1-inch screen delivers decent 1920 x 1200 resolution while helping the battery last an excellent 10 hours of mixed use between charges.

    Naturally, the Amazon Fire HD 8 is both smaller and slightly lower-end, with a slower quad-core chipset, 1.5GB RAM, and 1280 x 800 display in tow, but the same winning 10-hour battery endurance rating. The 8-incher can be had at $30 off with a Prime membership in 16 and 32GB configurations, the former of which is thus discounted by a sweet 37 percent or so.

    Finally, the ultra-low-end Amazon Fire 7 is getting the smallest markdown of the trio, but it’s actually dropping to its lowest ever price, also as an exclusive Prime offer. The $15 discount applies to both 8 and 16GB variants, the latter of which is however listed as “temporarily out of stock” at the time of this writing. The 7-incher comes with a modest screen, 1GB RAM, and only up to 8 hours of battery life, but just like its bigger brothers, it supports hands-free Alexa interaction.

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  • Sharp has patented a sleek foldable phone

    Sharp has patented a sleek foldable phone

    Sharp is not a smartphone brand that makes the news frequently. Its phones are mostly sold in Japan with some models making an appearance in Europe as well but in fairly small numbers. This is probably no one is expecting them to have a go at the latest trend in mobile tech: foldable smartphones. By now, you’re probably familiar with the Galaxy Fold and the Huawei Mate X, the two phones of that new class that you’re most likely to see in the real world (if you’re lucky). We’ve also seen hints that Motorola and Google are working on their own interpretations as well.

    Coming from patents yet again is information about Sharp’s intentions for a foldable phone. Picked up by LetsGoDigital and visualized in renders are drawings from an application to WIPO (World Intellectual Property Office) that was submitted by the Japanese tech giantThe design proposed by Sharp has some familiar elements with a twist. The fold of the display is horizontal, similar to that of the rumored Motorola phone, which means the screen size will be similar to current flagship phones, but the device will be more compact when folded. That approach has its advantages, but it seems that users have now accepted the form factor of current phones and prefer to get a larger display if their device is to be foldable.

    There are two things that grab our attention when looking at these renders. First, there seems to be no gap when the device is folded, which is something current foldable displays can’t accomplish. Of course, devices in renders are often quite different from real products, so it’s too early to judge. Sharp is one of the major display manufacturers, however, and it’s possible that the company is working on its own tech to achieve those results.

    The other curious thing is that the device has two hinges about half an inch apart, which allows the lower panel to either completely cover the top one or to leave about an inch of the display clear for notifications and other system indicators. While that might be handy in some situations, the added hinge is also another weak point for this device.

    There also appears to be no selfie camera in the drawings Sharp submitted, but this is likely just another omission until the design reaches a stage closer to realization.

    Currently, there are no hints from Sharp when or if we should expect a device like the one pictured above, but we certainly hope that more companies will join the foldable phone stage with their own ideas.
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  • Suzuki Access 125 Drum Brake With CBS Launched

    Suzuki Access 125 Drum Brake With CBS Launched

    Suzuki Motorcycle India has introduced the Combined Braking System (CBS) on the drum brake version of Access 125 scooter. The Suzuki Access 125 CBS on the drum brake version is priced at ₹ 56,667, about ₹ 500 more than the non-CBS model and is now a standard feature on the scooter in compliance with the upcoming safety norms. The new regulations mandate CBS on all two-wheelers below 125 cc and ABS for everything with a larger displacement. The deadline for the norms is March 31, 2019. The Access 125 already gets CBS on the disc brake variant, which was introduced last year and has received positive feedback from the customers, according to the company.

    Commenting on the development, Suzuki Motorcycle India – Vice President, Sales, Marketing & After-Sales, Devashish Handa said, “It gives us immense pleasure to introduce the CBS equipped Access125 drum brake variant. Suzuki Motorcycle is committed to improving and innovating its products for better riding experience and introduction of CBS to Access125 drum variant is a step further to fulfilling this promise. Suzuki now has standardized its complete range of scooters with this safety feature. We are confident that with the new enhancements, we will be able further add to the riding experience provided by our products.”

    The Suzuki Access 125 drum brake CBS variant will enable riders to operate the front and rear brakes by only pressing left brake lever. CBS helps reduce the braking distance with a good balance between front and rear brake forces. Apart from CBS, the Access 125 gets no changes to the styling or powertrain. Power comes from the 124 cc single-cylinder air-cooled engine tuned for 8.5 bhp and 10.2 Nm of peak torque. The motor is paired with an automatic transmission.

    The retro styling on the Access remains unchanged, and the scooter continues to use telescopic forks up front and hydraulic shock absorbers at the rear. The Access can be had with a front disc brake as an option, with 130 mm drum brakes available at either end as standard. The Suzuki Access continues to be one of the best-selling 125 cc scooters despite competition from the Honda Activa 125, Aprilia SR 125, Vespa LX, and the TVS NTorq among others.

  • V-MORE expands their redemption product range to users

    V-MORE expands their redemption product range to users

    Today, V-MORE makes an indelible mark in the e-commerce space with the launch of a luxury fashion line for redemption. Consumers are able to redeem more than 800 products ranging from iconic luxury bags, shoes, apparels to exclusive accessories on V-MORE shopping site. International renowned brands, Gucci, Balenciaga, Burberry, Jimmy Choo, LV and Tods are amongst the swish brands that make their presence on V-MORE with their latest and new season range; giving consumers the widest and trendiest choice for redemption.
    V-MORE shop, save and earn program rewards sellers and buyers. Sellers list for free on V-MORE. Buyers receive rebates and earn points to redeem quality products. The more consumers shop, the more they are rewarded. The luxury products are offered to V-MORE customers for redemption globally.

    “V-MORE teams up directly with renowned fashion houses to offer luxury products for redemption that will be delivered to members right to their doorsteps globally. We will continue to provide an even wider range of products for our members to choose from,” said Sir Eldee Tang, CEO and Founder of Noble Vici.

    “Based in Singapore, Noble Vici boasts of a new five-storey HQ facility at Ubi Crescent specifically designed to oversee V-More operations regionally as well as to provide financial administration. E-commerce and luxury products are readily embraced by the Singapore market, forming a base ground here for us to have a foothold in and more importantly for us to expand regionally,” Sir Eldee added.

  • Two L(I)PS, Secret of the Spotless with UNDERCOVER

    Two L(I)PS, Secret of the Spotless with UNDERCOVER

    Just like the skin on our face and body is prone to blemishes and scars, so too, is the skin on the vulva. However, blemishes on the vulva are less openly discussed, which may make it seem like a minor, uncommon issue when in fact, they are. Blemishes are usually
    stubborn dark spots caused by a variety of reasons, such as acne scars, ingrown hair and even ageing of the skin. Unfortunately, many women are unaware of how to treat them. Having cared for over four million bushes and vulvas with STRIP, Spa Esprit Group maven Cynthia Chua has been privy to the multitude of vulva woes of women. And this is what led to the creation of TWO L(I)PS, a collection of intimate care products for the vulva.

    After the successful launch of Blackout, the world’s first activated charcoal sheet mask for the vulva, TWO L(I)PS offers a new product to give your precious part even more T.L.C. Introducing: Undercover, an anti-blemish cream that promises to reduce the appearance of blemishes that can mar clear skin on the vulva.

    MISSION: CLEAN STATE

    The key active ingredient in Undercover is Palmitoyl Hexapeptide-36 (Peptide-36 or P-36). It seeks out and targets blemishes by preventing the production of excess melanin and pigmentation, while also preventing inflammation, leaving skin even-toned.

    Its three-prong battle plan works by:

    • Inhibiting melanogenesis, which is the process of melanin production and distribution in the skin, causing pigmentation and blemishes;
    • Inhibiting the excess production of tyrosinase, which is the enzyme that stimulates melanogenesis and is key in the production of pigments in the skin (what gives skin its colour);
    • Inhibiting inflammatory cytokines, which is ultraviolet-induced inflammation in the skin cells, reducing the occurrence of blemishes.

    More importantly, Undercover is gynaecologically and dermatologically tested, and is made without petrochemicals, parabens and sulphates, making it safe and gentle to be used on the delicate skin of the vulva. Best bit? You can even use it on any part of the body.

    Just one pump daily before bedtime is all you need. The result is lightened blemishes and even- toned skin in just three to four weeks. Say goodbye to pesky blemishes and hello to clear, even-toned skin, be it up top or down below.

    *A study of 33 women over a two-week trial found that the product did not cause any adverse reactions, making it safe to use.

    CONTINUE THE LOVIN’

    The launch of Blackout in 2018 was just a sneak peek of what was to come by TWO L(I)PS. In 2019, the vulva care brand has also rolled out two new products along with Undercover that can be used not only on the vulva, but on the body and face as well:

    • Diamond – Brightens dull skin
    • Pout – Hydrates and plumps skin

    Be sure to look out for them as you continue to #LoveYourVulvaMore with TWO L(I)PS!

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  • Union calls out Noni B over workplace issues

    Union calls out Noni B over workplace issues

    The Shop, Distributive and Allied Employees Association (SDA) says it has received numerous complaints from Noni B employees on a range of workplace issues, from cuts to part-time hours and take-home pay, to health and safety concerns, to consistent understaffing and pressure to meet unrealistic sales targets. The complaints follow the SDA’s refusal earlier this month to approve a proposed enterprise bargaining agreement that it had been negotiating with Noni B after the Fair Work Commission ordered the fashion chain to scrap its previous agreement by March 4.

    That agreement, which expired in 2014, allowed staff at the recently acquired Specialty Fashion Group chains – including Autograph, Crossroads, Katies, Millers and Rivers – to be paid below the industry award, with no overtime, evening or weekend penalty rates. The SDA was on board with the proposed new agreement until Noni B declined to back pay employees and cut part-time hours by 20 per cent in the final days of the old agreement. Despite the fact that 81 per cent of employees who voted were in favour of the deal, the union has refused to sign it, which could prevent Fair Work from approving the proposed agreement.

    A Noni B spokesperson told at the time that the move was “unprecedented”.The Retail and Fast Food Workers Union has also attempted to block the deal.

    The SDA on Sunday said that Noni B’s decision to cut hours for part-time workers has placed excessive sales demands and work tasks on remaining staff, resulting in them being unable to take breaks to go to the bathroom.

    “In some cases, this deliberate understaffing meant retail employees were at times left in stores alone and could not take toilet breaks or were forced to lift heavy boxes and work up ladders in an unsafe manner,” Gerard Dwyer, national secretary of the union for workers in retail, fast food and warehousing, said in a statement.

    “The lack of staff has also resulted in masses of stock remaining unprocessed and being stacked in change rooms and blocking fire escapes, clearly in breach of WHS [workplace health and safety] laws.”

    A spokesperson for Noni B, which also operates the Rockmans, W Lane, Beme and Table Eight chains, told IR it was “most unfortunate that the SDA has decided to wage its campaign through the media against Noni B Group’s enterprise agreement, which has been approved by 81 per cent of the group’s relevant employees.”

    “The company has tried to arrange a meeting with the SDA to discuss its specific concerns, and a meeting arranged for last week was cancelled by the union. The safety and wellness of the group’s people are critical to the company and all concerns are investigated and where appropriate addressed,” the spokesperson said.

    A further statement from Noni B Group is expected later today.

    The SDA claims the company has attempted to force managers to sign “individual contracts” that could leave them worse off when compared with the Award, “depending on their rosters”.

    “As a result of these multiple workplace breaches and some shortcomings in the proposal itself, the SDA has refused to approve the proposed Noni B enterprise bargaining agreement,” Dwyer said.

    “The message is clear. It’s time for Noni B to clean up its act and to adhere to good workplace practices for its retail staff.”

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  • Greater China delivers record sales numbers for Tiffany & Co

    Greater China delivers record sales numbers for Tiffany & Co

    Tiffany & Co has reported worldwide net sales rose by 7 per cent to a record US$4.4 billion last year, fuelled by solid growth across almost every Aian market.

    In Asia-Pacific, total net sales increased 13 per cent to $1.2 billion for the full year, with Greater China leading the charge. However, sales slipped 1 per cent to $316 million in the fourth quarter, largely due to a slowing of spending in Mainland China.

    Comparable sales rose 5 per cent during the full year and fell 3 per cent in the fourth quarter. In Japan, total net sales increased 8 per cent to $643 million in the full year and 3 per cent to $196 million in the fourth quarter. Comparable sales increased by 7 per cent and 3 per cent, respectively.

    The company’s net earnings for the full year benefited from a lower effective tax rate, rising to $586 million. 75 per diluted share.

    CEO Alessandro Bogliolo said softer trends in the second half of the year reflected, in part, what the company believes were external challenges and uncertainties.

    “Most important, we are still in the early stages of a journey to achieve long-term sales, margin and earnings growth for this legendary brand, and are making progress across our key strategic priorities. I continue to strongly believe that Tiffany has vast global growth opportunities and we look forward to realising our full potential in the future.”

    During the year, Tiffany opened 10 company-operated stores, closed four and relocated 10. As at the end of January, the company operated 321 stores (124 in the Americas, 90 in Asia-Pacific, 55 in Japan, 47 in Europe, and five in the UAE). There was a net gain of three in Asia.

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  • Gucci invests 10 Million in diversity programs

    Gucci invests 10 Million in diversity programs

    Luxury apparel retailer Gucci has invested US$10 million into a diversity program to foster inclusion within the firm.

    The Gucci Changemakers scheme responds to public outcry over a black turtleneck jumper released by the brand with a mouth slit highlighted by thick red lips, resembling blackface makeup.
    Gucci promptly pulled the controversial item from sale and issued an apology.

    “Gucci deeply apologises for the offence caused by the wool balaclava jumper,” said the brand in a press statement. “We consider diversity to be a fundamental value to be fully upheld, respected, and at the forefront of every decision we make.”

    The Gucci Changemakers program, launched internally last year, is reing ramped up in the wake of the scandal. It will involve the recruitment of a global director for diversity and inclusion and a training scheme to bolster cultural awareness amongst all 18,000 global staff, as well as an internal exchange program that will bring five staff from diverse backgrounds to work in its creative studio in Rome. The scheme will also provide paid leave for employees to volunteer at various social programs.

    Further initiatives will provide scholarships for fashion students in North America and make funds available to benefit communities in several North American cities and in the Asia-Pacific region.

    “I believe in dialogue, building bridges and taking quick action,” said Gucci CEO Marco Bizzarri. “This is why we started working immediately on the long-term infrastructure at Gucci to address our shortcomings.

    “And now through our Changemakers program, we will invest important resources to unify and strengthen our communities across North America, with a focus on programs that will impact youth and the African-American community.”

  • 200 Mr Bean stores Set To Open for Vietnam

    200 Mr Bean stores Set To Open for Vietnam

    Soy-milk retailer Mr Bean has entered into a franchise agreement with EGroup to launch 200 stores in Vietnam.

    Mr Bean VN

    The stores will be rolled out gradually over the next decade, following the first five locations in Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City, which opened yesterday.

    Mr Bean VN 1

    “Markets overseas are bigger than Singapore and chuan zong jie dai (carrying on the family line) has always been my dream,” said founder and CEO Loh Jwee Poh.

    Mr Bean VN 2

    “What sets [Mr Bean] apart is the fact that [Loh] works with contract farmers in North America to ensure a consistent supply of non-genetically modified soybeans used for their products,” said EGroup’s president and founder Nguyen Ngoc Thuy.

    Poh has taken the brand to several overseas locations. Only Japan, South Korea and Singapore have met with success. He launched Mr Bean as a hawker stall in Singapore’s Chinatown in 1995.

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  • Hermes Thailand opens new Concept store in Phuket

    Hermes Thailand opens new Concept store in Phuket

    Hermes Thailand has opened a store in Phuket, within the Central Phuket Floresta mall.

    The 172sqm outlet, Hermes’ first in the country outside of the capital, Bangkok, signals the brand’s increasing confidence in the market and willingness to expand in the territory. It also attests to the emerging importance of Phuket’s burgeoning population and popularity with both Thai and foreign tourists.

    Hermes Thailand Phuket 1The store was designed by French architectural firm RDAI to fit with the mall’s main entryway with an exterior and an interior facade, admitting daylight from outside filtered by a bamboo claustra and featuring lacquered metal on the inside. The store’s lighting uses the Grecques lights designed for the brand in 1925.

    Featuring a range of curated local materials, the new Hermes Thailand store blends contemporary architecture with Thai cultural elements, with colours that reflect the sunny coastal location.