Retail News CRM

Tag: asia

  • Hobbs launches in Hong Kong soon

    Hobbs launches in Hong Kong soon

    Hobbs will open its first store in Hong Kong in December, inside IFC mall. The UK womens fashion label has set a rapid expansion program this year, with the Hong Kong store marking its seventh new international market. Founded in London in 1981, initially specialising in shoes before expanding into the clothing and accessories, it has expanded across the UK, US and Germany and sells online.

    This year it has already opened points of sale in Kuwait, Japan, Beijing, Singapore, Belgium and South Africa.

    Hobbs CEO Meg Lustman said in an interview the company has partnered with a local company to establish a joint venture for the Hong Kong business, someone “who has great relationships with the landlords”.

    Hobbs is a sister brand of Whistles, which opened a store in IFC mall in April. The two brands, along with Phase Eight, are owned by the UK subsidiary of South African retail company The Foschini Group.
    Lustman said Whistles was doing well in Hong Kong and she is confident Hobbs will follow suit.

    “We can see our customer exists out there. When we’ve visited over the years, we’ve seen how many women are dressed for professional work. This is supported by demand from customers on our website.”

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  • Aber ride-hailing service hits the road in Hanoi

    Aber ride-hailing service hits the road in Hanoi

    Aber, the second Vietnamese ride-hailing service, launched its Hanoi operations Friday, four months after making its HCMC debut. The ride-hailing market has seen new entrants after Uber’s departure, including Vietnamese firm FastGo, GoViet – a subsidiary of Indonesia’s Go-Jek, and the latest Aber. Aber estimates it will attract 5,000 taxi drivers and 5,000-10,000 motorbike drivers in Hanoi this year.

    In HCMC, the company is working with 7,000 drivers serving  more than 60,000 customers. Aber general director Huynh Le Phu Phong said the company was not afraid of major competitors such as Grab because it offers a wide variety of transport services.

    The firm will offer similar rates as other competitors, but give better benefits to its drivers, he said.

    “We do not force drivers to only work for Aber. They can also work for other companies to increase their income and improve their lives,” Phong said.

    In its latest update, Aber has added new features including a navigation system and accurate positioning to each alley, village, district and province in Vietnam.

    Vietnamese engineers designed the software.

    Next year, the company will focus on expanding its services, including Aber Express for delivery services, Aber Track for freight services, Aber Business for companies and Aber Travel for travel services, Phong said.

    Aber focuses on serving individual customers to help them save money, as well as drivers, when their vehicles are vacant, he added

    Instead of having to drop off items at the post office or delivery centers, drivers will come and pick things up right at the customer’s house.

    Current market dominator Grab has expanded its service to include GrabFood and GrabCar Business, the latter targeting the corporate sector. These moves pose further challenges for local long-standing taxi firms like Mai Linh, Taxi Group and Vinasun.

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  • Chow Tai Fook sales rises

    Chow Tai Fook sales rises

    Chow Tai Fook sales soared 25 per cent in Hong Kong and Macau in the September quarter.  On the mainland, sales rose by a solid 15 per cent. Same-store sales rose 23 per cent in Hong Kong and Macau and by 6 per cent on the mainland, according to a stock exchange filing by the company.

    But same-store volume growth told a different story: down 2 per cent in Hong Kong and Macau and up 1 per cent on the mainland, reflecting weaker gold prices which correspondingly drove more customers into stores.

    Chow Tai Fook’s sales of gold products grew by 41 per cent in Hong Kong and Macau and by 11 per cent in Mainland China

    Chairman, Dr Henry Kar-Shun, described the Hong Kong and Macau market growth as “impressive” during the quarter, “benefitting from buoyant consumer spending and resilient mainland visitation”.

    He said the same-store sales performance of gold products in both markets was driven by the increase in weight per piece sold. The company’s same-store average sale value on the mainland was HK$4000 compared to $3600 in the preceding quarter, while in Hong Kong and Macau, it rose from $7100 to $8500.

    The average international gold price declined by 5 per cent year on year during the quarter to September 30.

    Chow Tai Fook opened a net 162 points of sale in Mainland China during the quarter, which

    included 158 new Chow Tai Fook Jewellery spaces, three SoInLove spaces and one Chow Tai Fook T Mark space.

    In Hong Kong, Macau and other markets, the group opened one Hearts On Fire space and closed two CTF Watch stores in Hong Kong, and opened one Chow Tai Fook Jewellery space in South Korea. As at September 30 the company had 2822 points of sale globally.

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  • Nissan Leaf approved for vehicle-to-grid use in Germany

    Nissan Leaf approved for vehicle-to-grid use in Germany

    Nissan’s Leaf is the first electric vehicle to secure regulatory approval as an energy backstop for Germany’s electricity grid. So-called vehicle-to-grid (V2G) technology is a connection between the EV and the grid through which power can flow from the grid to the vehicle and vice-versa, potentially enabling car owners to sell energy to the network. This would allow utilities to use EVs as a backstop if demand rises.

    Nissan said it would initially target corporate clients with fleets of more than 60 electric vehicles, adding that services based on V2G technology would be offered in Germany starting next year.

    “We strongly believe in an emission-free future,” said Guillaume Pelletreau, Vice President and Managing Director, Nissan Center Europe. “Leaf batteries could make an important contribution to energy transition in Germany and a sustainable future.”

    The initiative was also supported by Daimler-backed The Mobility House, local utility Enervie and German transmission system operator Amprion, which is co-owned by RWE and infrastructure investors including Munich Re, Swiss Life and Talanx.

    Nissan is relying on the CHAdeMO charging standard, which has been jointly developed by several Japanese companies as a competitor to Tesla’s supercharger system and the European-backed Combined Charging System (CCS).

    That puts Nissan at odds with European automakers, including BMW and Volkswagen, who are pushing to have the CCS, which is also capable of V2G services, established.

    “Nissan is ahead for now but other technologies, including Tesla’s supercharger can theoretically do the same thing,” said Thomas Raffeiner, chief executive and founder of The Mobility House.

    Nissan has so far sold about 370,000 electric vehicles and, along with top shareholder Renault, has been very active in exploring how car batteries can be integrated into the wider power system.

    While a mass uptake of EVs is expected to put a major strain on the power grid and require billions of euros in infrastructure investments, car batteries have already proven that they can become part of the network.

  • Canada Goose debuts in Hong Kong market

    Canada Goose debuts in Hong Kong market

    Canadian clothing manufacturer Canada Goose has opened its first Hong Kong store. Located in the IFC mall, the inaugural greater China store follows a partnership struck in May with Alibaba to launch the brand on the mainland. Canada Goose’s CEO in China Scott Cameron said the brand chose to open in Hong Kong because of its status as China’s fashion capital, as well as its strategic location between the mainland and the rest of the world.

    The brand’s new 2018 fall products are available in store as well as its classic down jacket and “Fusion Fit” collection for Asian wearers.

    The Alibaba partnership was created in part to ensure consumer access to genuine products in a market category frequently assailed by counterfeiting.

  • Malaysia’s TM hires four new board members

    Malaysia’s TM hires four new board members

    Telekom Malaysia (TM) has appointed four new directors to the company’s board, following the resignation of David Benello as an independent non-executive director. The new directors are Dato’ Asri Hamidin @ Hamidon, Dato’ Mohd Naim Daruwish, Hisham Zainal Mokhtar and Saheran Suhendran.

    Asri Hamidin is appointed as a non-independence non-executive director representing the special shareholder, Minister of Finance (Inc) on the board.

    Mohd Naim has been made a non-independent non-executive director representing the interests of the Employees Provident Fund (EPF) which is a major shareholder of the Malaysian incumbent.

    Asri is currently the deputy secretary general (investment) at the Ministry of Finance, while Mohd Naim is currently the deputy chief executive (operations) of EPF.

    Hisham and Saheran were appointed as the independent non-executive directors.

    Hisham is currently a director in the group MD’s office at Malaysian Industrial Development Finance Bhd, while Saheran is currently a consultant at Messrs Chua Associates.

    All the board appointment took effect on October 3.

    TM also announced that Farid Basir has joined the telco as its new chief human capital officer (CHCO). Farid, taking over the position previously covered by Suhaimi Sulong as the acting CHCO since early this year, assumed his new role on October 1.

    Prior to his appointment, Farid was the CHCO at Bank Rakyat for almost three years.

    Cisco names Herman Lam as MD for HK & Macau

    Cisco has appointed Herman Lam as managing director for Hong Kong and Macau.

    The company has also announced that Barbara Chiu, vice president of Hong Kong, Macau and Taiwan, will retire by end of October.

    Cisco said Lam brings to the table over 25 years of experience in IT industry combined with a wealth of leadership and management experience gained with leading technology firms.

    Prior to joining Cisco, Lam’s previous stints include CEO of Hong Kong Cyberport Management Company, and general manager of Microsoft Hong Kong.

    Commenting on the appointment, Cisco Greater China chief executive officer Hera Siu said Lam’s “unique blend of experience and knowledge, complemented by extraordinary vision and operational expertise within large organizations,” will bring valuable insights to the company.

    “I also want to thank Barbara, who has had an immeasurable impact on Cisco’s success and express my utmost appreciation for her devotion and leadership during the past 12 years,” Siu noted.

    21Vianet appoints Wing-Dar Ker as DYXnet Group’s CEO

    Chinese carrier-neutral network service provider DYXnet Group has announced that Wing-Dar Ker has been appointed as the company’s new CEO.

    He takes over the position from company founder and CEO Lap Man, who will continue to serve the group as adviser.

    The appointment was made by 21Vianet Group, parent company of DYXnet Group and one of China’s carriers and cloud-neutral internet data center service providers.

    Wing is also president of Shanghai Blue Cloud Technologies Co Ltd, 21Vianet Group’s other wholly-owned subsidiary.

    The move is aimed at facilitating greater collaboration between DYXnet Group and Blue Cloud, while exploring and capitalizing on synergies, 21Vianet said.

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  • Fast fashion retailer Giordano sales surge in Hong Kong

    Fast fashion retailer Giordano sales surge in Hong Kong

    Giordano sales slid 5.2 per cent in the September quarter, according to a trading update by the fast-fashion retailer. Translated into constant currency basis, sales declined by 6.9 per cent, the company said. “We saw a sharp decline in sales as a result of dampened consumer confidence since June throughout the Asia Pacific region,” said chairman and CEO Peter Lau.

    Group comparable-store sales slipped by 2.8 per cent.

    However, Giordano sales in Hong Kong and Macau bucked the trend, rising by HK$2 million on a same-store basis in the quarter and by $6 million for the nine months to the end of September, reaching $226 million and $703 million respectively.

    Mainland China sales fell $30 million to $251 million.

    Lau said core Giordano lines accounted for 84.6 per cent of total brand sales. The company’s premium womenswear brand, Giordano Ladies, posted comp-stores growth of 3.3 per cent.

  • PetroVietnam says Tokyo Gas may help with power plant project in Vietnam

    PetroVietnam says Tokyo Gas may help with power plant project in Vietnam

    Tokyo Gas is interested in cooperating with Vietnam’s PetroVietnam Power Corp (PV Power) to develop a natural gas-fired power project in the Southeast Asian country. On Friday, PV Power’s parent said that Tokyo Gas wants to help secure long-term liquefied natural gas supplies and funds for the construction of the Nhon Trach 3 & 4 power plants in the southern province of Dong Nai, state-run Vietnam Oil and Gas Group said in a statement on its website.

    Tokyo Gas did not immediately respond to a request for comment made via its website.

    The statement follows a meeting between senior executives from PV Power and Tokyo Gas in Hanoi this week, PV Power said.

    The two plants, with a combined capacity of 1,500 megawatts, would be operational from 2020, according to PV Power.

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  • Coffee shop in South Korea start closing down

    Coffee shop in South Korea start closing down

    South Korea’s once burgeoning franchised coffee shop market has reached saturation point – and the fallout has become extreme. According to a report, one in 10 South Korea coffee shops closed their doors last year – the equivalent of more than 1000 stores.

    Lee Kyung-hee of the Korea Business Strategy Institute described the situation as “a coffee war”.

    “While restaurants and even convenience stores are adding coffee on the menu to sell, the coffee war is intensifying as now even offices own espresso machines,” he said.

    Citing local corporate tracker CEO Score, the paper reported that the number of franchisees in Korea hit 87,540 as of the end of last year, based on a list of 118 franchise brands registered with the Korea Franchise Association.

    Of those, 11,198 were coffee and beverage stores, representing the third largest sector of the South Korean franchise market behind convenience stores and fried chicken restaurants.

    South Korea coffee franchises are being hit by convenience stores developing takeaway coffee services at prices as low as 1000 won (US90 cents) in the case of 7-Eleven, or about a quarter of the price of a Starbucks coffee. The country’s 1000+ Starbucks stores are not included in the data because they are company owned.

    Local chains have been cutting store networks and staff numbers to remain competitive.

    Seven-year-old chain Cafe Droptop, which has 240 stores, has cut its employee count by about one fifth. Caffe Bene applied for court protection from bankruptcy early this year having struggled in both its home market and abroad and is closing domestic stores.

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  • This Year’s Finest Watch Creations in Singapore

    This Year’s Finest Watch Creations in Singapore

    Malmaison boutique by The Hour Glass in the heart of Orchard Road hosts the exceptional exhibition featuring the 72 pre-selected watches. After Venice and Hong Kong, the 72 watches pre-selected by the jury of the 18th Grand Prix d’Horlogerie de Genève (GPHG) are being exhibited from October 17th to 21st in Singapore by renowned retailer The Hour Glass, within the splendid setting of its Malmaison boutique on Orchard Road.

    On show for five days within this stunning environment imbued with art and culture, the exhibition open to the public welcomes visitors eager to admire the year’s finest watch creations, competing to win the prestigious “Aiguille d’Or” Grand Prix or one of the 16 awards to be handed out in Geneva on November 9th.

    “Our organizational mission to advance watch culture necessitates us to devote resources to deepen our engagement with the watch collecting community both in Singapore and in the region,” Michael Tay, Group Managing Director of Singapore’s leading watch retailer and member of the jury of the GPHG 2018, said.

    Rare Opportunity

    The principal partner of the GPHG, LGT Private Banking, is also taking part in the event by choosing to offer its clients exclusive initiation sessions into the technical and artistic finesse of the timepieces on show, in the company of watchmaking experts.

    A rare opportunity for these end customers to admire within a single location the diversity of today’s watchmaking creativity expressed through models by more than 40 different brands.

    Annual Salute

    Created in 2001 and overseen since 2011 by a foundation recognised as a public interest organisation, the GPHG is intended as an annual salute to the excellence of the contemporary watchmaking art.

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  • Castore Hong Kong prepares for debut next month

    Castore Hong Kong prepares for debut next month

    Castore Hong Kong is set to launch next month. The British sportswear brand will launch websites in Hong Kong, South Korea, Singapore and Japan, and will sell its men’s sportswear range in Hong Kong through local partner Harvey Nichols.

    Harvey Nichols merchandising manager, menswear Marco Lau said Castore creates cutting-edge fitness apparel for athletes who demand both function and style.

    “The multi-purpose use of Castore kit, from outdoor running to indoor gym training, appeals to the Hong Kong consumer and we have no doubt the brand will be a great success.”

    Castore’s head of Asia, David Wakely, said Asia offers a huge opportunity for Castore.

    “The brand has been incredibly well received to date by customers across the region and we are very excited to continue our growth going forward.”

    Co-founder Tom Beahon said the brand’s customers in Asia tend to be professionals, either locals or expats, who take their fitness very seriously.

    “So the demographic fit is perfect for us. We see huge potential among the residents and the millions of tourists who visit Hong Kong and are actively looking at locations to open a standalone Castore Hong Kong store.

    “Sales in Asia are growing at 400 per cent a year and are on track to account for 40 per cent of international sales in the next 12 months.”

  • Alipay will be available in Seoul taxis via kakao pay beginning January 2019

    Alipay will be available in Seoul taxis via kakao pay beginning January 2019

    Following the introduction of QR-code payment in more than 71,000 taxis in Seoul, all taxis in Seoul will accept Alipay beginning in January 2019. Alipay, the world’s largest online and mobile payment platform, operated by Ant Financial Services Group, can be used by Chinese tourists to pay for taxis in Seoul via its strategic partner kakaopay, which acts as system integrator. In the near future, local users will also be able to pay taxi fare via kakaopay.

    Alipay has been collaborating with kakaopay, a Korean mobile payment service, to further promote mobile payment services in the country. Last year, Ant Financial Services Group formed a strategic partnership with kakaopay. Since then, both Alipay and kakaopay have been working to integrate with all partner merchants in Korea. Earlier, Alipay enabled its payment service for taxis in the Pyeongchang and Gangneung areas where the Winter Olympics were hosted in February.

    Presently, Alipay is accepted by taxis in more than 15 countries and regions for Chinese users around the world, including China, Korea, Singapore, Malaysia, the U.S., Italy and Australia. Alipay is now available in more than 90% of taxis in primary and secondary cities in China. In addition, 75% of taxis in Singapore accept Alipay, providing a convenient payment method for Chinese tourists.

  • Sunway Malls wins best in Asia award

    Sunway Malls wins best in Asia award

    Sunway Malls has been recognised as one of Malaysia’s best companies to work for in Asia. HR Asia, Asia’s most authoritative publication for senior HR professionals – created the HR Asia Best Companies to Work for in Asia platform, where best practices and inner workings of companies are investigated to understand what distinguishes them from the rest. The Awards covered 12 markets across the region, and culminated with an award ceremony recently to celebrate the winners.

    Sunway Malls’ vision is “to create experiences that enrich lives” and this vision is extended to our external stakeholders and our employees. Sunway has 4 core values as the guiding factors to our vision; Integrity, Humility, Excellence and Togetherness. Through constant innovation and brain storms, the company take into account the employees’ needs and aim to provide to our best of ability.

    Their first mall, Sunway Pyramid is 21 this year. Sunway Carnival, opened in 2007, is undergoing expansion, Sunway Giza is our friendly community mall opened in 2009 whilst their newer malls are Sunway Putra Mall and Sunway Velocity Mall. To date, Sunway has amassed 54 renowned international and national awards.

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  • Mastercard and HKTaxi teamed up for clients’ Rewards Program

    Mastercard and HKTaxi teamed up for clients’ Rewards Program

    Mastercard and local taxi-hailing app HKTaxi bring a new rewarding experience to Hongkongers by introducing the city’s first taxi ride rewards program, creating more value and excitement for passengers to enjoy safe, fast and convenient cashless payment all over the city. While earning rewards through dining and shopping are not uncommon in the city, the concept of earning rewards through taxi rides marks a breakthrough in the taxi industry.

    As part of the ongoing collaboration, Mastercard cardholders can exclusively earn a 5% rebate in “Taxi Dollars” when paying for taxi rides with Mastercard via HKTaxi from now until December 31, 2018. The earned Taxi Dollars can be used to pay for future HKTaxi rides, which will surely make travelers look forward to every journey they take.

    “HKTaxi shares the same vision with Mastercard in building a cashless society and making Hongkongers’ lives more secure and convenient through technology,” said Kay Lui, co-founder, HKTaxi. “We are proud to launch the city’s first taxi ride rewards program that endows passengers with Taxi Dollars, an enthralling and breakthrough concept that not only benefits the Hong Kong people but also takes the taxi industry to a whole new level.”

    “Mastercard aims to take care of cardholders’ needs and provides them with the best service every day,” said Helena Chen, managing director, Hong Kong and Macau, Mastercard. “Mastercard continues to bring safe, fast and convenient in-app digital payments experience to Hongkongers through its technology. The launch of the pioneering Taxi Dollars privilege enables taxi riders to further enjoy the secure and cash-free experience. More importantly, Mastercard aspires to push forward the development of digital payments in Hong Kong.”

    With the world’s fastest and most reliable global payments network, Mastercard cardholders can enjoy safe, fast, convenient, and rewarding journeys with the city’s first taxi ride rewards program.

     

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  • DFS launches 10th anniversary edition of Masters of Time

    DFS launches 10th anniversary edition of Masters of Time

    DFS Group (DFS), the world’s leading luxury travel retailer, is launching the tenth edition of its world-leading Masters of Time exhibition this December, with a special anniversary collection that highlights craftsmanship, design and innovation. This year’s exhibition, titled “Masters of Time X”, will be unveiled during a two-day gala weekend at T Galleria by DFS, Macau, Shoppes at Four Seasons, featuring the finest watches and jewelry from some of the world’s most renowned brands including several pieces created especially in celebration of the event.

    Masters of Time is recognized as the world’s premier retail exhibition of luxury timepieces and jewelry, and is a signature event in DFS’ Masters Series, which showcases DFS’ leadership and innovation in curating and creating exceptional experiences across its five pillars of luxury: Wines and Spirits, Beauty and Fragrances, Watches and Jewelry, Fashion and Accessories, and Food and Gifts. Created by DFS in 2008 to bring the very best brands in the world of watchmaking, and their ambassadors, together with enthusiasts and collectors alike, the event is traditionally hosted each year in the exciting shopping enclave of Macau.

    The anniversary Masters of Time X collection represents the most exclusive selection of watches and jewelry that DFS has ever presented to its customers, with each piece chosen by its expert merchant teams after more than a year of meticulous searching. Masters of Time X showcases the height of craftsmanship as well as the best of design and innovation for both men and women, featuring over 450 exceptional, rare watches and exclusive jewelry masterpieces from 30 world-famous brands including Bulgari, Franck Muller, Hublot, IWC, Jaquet Droz, Piaget, Roger Dubuis, Tag Heuer, Ulysse Nardin and Zenith. This year, in commemoration of the milestone tenth edition, several pieces have been created especially for DFS and Masters of Time.

    A curated selection of fine jewelry will also be featured as part of the Masters of Time X collection. Highlights include Bulgari’s “Diva’s Dream” set, Tiffany “Paper Flowers” necklace, Piaget’s “Sunny Side of Life Golden Spirit” cuff bracelet, Boucheron’s “Plume de Paon & Hopi” set and Tasaki’s “Ritz Paris Par Tasaki ‘Elégance’” necklace.

    “As we enter our tenth year of DFS’ Masters of Time, the desires of our customers have never been more central to our carefully curated collection. We have worked with some of the most famous brands in the world to create and select masterpieces to captivate experienced collectors and first-time buyers alike,” said Matthew Green, DFS Group Senior Vice President, Watches and Jewelry. “This is a collection worthy of this milestone anniversary, and we are delighted to welcome new and existing customers to discover something truly unforgettable at Masters of Time X.”

    The Masters of Time X collection will be unveiled during a two-day gala weekend at T Galleria by DFS, Macau, Shoppes at Four Seasons from December 7-9. The collection will be available for viewing and purchase in Macau from December 7, 2018 until end-February 2019.

    In commemoration of Masters of Time’s tenth anniversary, new locations have been added to the event’s agenda to reach DFS customers outside of Macau. In September, Masters of Time X was pre-launched to European customers at DFS’ flagship store in Venice, T Fondaco dei Tedeschi, followed by immersive dinners in Chengdu and Shanghai in October, all featuring a selection of bespoke and rare watch and jewelry pieces. In 2019, the Masters of Time X collection will travel to a selection of DFS T Galleria stores around the world.