Tag: bangkok

  • Uber to triple number of drivers, launch ‘UberPool’

    Uber to triple number of drivers, launch ‘UberPool’

    Uber is set to expand its pool of drivers and will launch “UberPool”, a carpooling service, in Bangkok next year.

    The private car company will increase the number of its drivers from 30,000 to 100,000 by next year as currently it can only serve around 85 percent of customers with an estimated wait time of 5.5 minutes. 

    Uber also plans to launch “UberPool”, a carpooling service on the Uber app that matches customers with fellow riders heading in the same directions to split costs, The Nation reported.

    About 2 million Bangkokians have taken an Uber ride since its launch last year. The company wants to cut its pick-up time to three minutes, said Chan Park, general manager for Southeast Asia.

    The areas with the highest demand for Uber are Ratchaprasong Junction, Sathorn road, and Suhkumvit road. 

    For the cheaper UberX, the business has grown 12-fold since its launch six months ago. 

    “Thailand is a huge potential market. The firm’s business focus will be consumer-centric so that it will create business opportunities in Thailand. It also has plans to expand to big cities,” said Barry Levy, acting managing director of Uber Thailand. 

  • 360° Divers prepare to open up new underwater worlds in Asia Pacific

    360° Divers prepare to open up new underwater worlds in Asia Pacific

    360° Divers, the revolutionary virtual reality underwater video capturing service that is said to be the only app a diving enthusiast will ever need, has announced its upcoming release to be within next month (December 2015). 360° Divers is currently shooting amazing 360° underwater landscapes, shipwrecks and liveaboards around Asia Pacific. According to our interview, they are still looking for more dive locations and dive centers to collaborate with. The most outstanding dive centers and dive locations will be listed in the app complete with maps, dive spots and useful information regarding liveaboards.

    RadjaAmpat

    360° Divers have an innovative application that offers edutainment (education plus entertainment) by being an immersive application, taking its users in an immersive 360° underwater journey in all of Southeast Asia’s best dive spots so they may almost realistically view through the app and decide on their next adventure. Practicality wise, the application will also be offering access to the latest and updated information on every dive location in Asia and the Pacific. Beginning from dive lodgings to dive locations and liveaboards. It uses the latest Virtual Reality techniques and offers special headsets and wearables to be able to explorer the underwater world  by yourself at home and see where liveaboards go. Cardboard headsets can be ordered on the website and it seem they ship around the world for less then 10$.

    cardboard-final-640x640-640x640The said app is founded and built with the leadership and clever insights of the company’s founder. The app will be made available in the Apple App Store, Google Play, and the Windows Store. It will be working in both iOS and android-run devices. Whether there will be a desktop version or not is still unknown and much awaited. The app will be free to download while the dive content will be under a subscription fee says Imelda Samaria, part of the dive team and script writers.

  • One-Day Global Sale Sees Online Shopping Soar in Thailand

    One-Day Global Sale Sees Online Shopping Soar in Thailand

    WearYouWant, Thailand’s leading online fashion & beauty marketplace has become part of the global success story of Singles Day 2015, the world’s biggest online shopping day held on November 11th each year.

    Figures just in overnight reveal a staggering +1000% increase in turnover for WearYouWant compared to the same Wednesday last month, while order volumes soared to a growth of over 700%. Proof that Thai consumers are not only eagle-eyed when it comes to spotting big fashion brand discount, but are fast-becoming a growing e-commerce market to be reckoned with within the ASEAN Economic Community.

    WearYouWant retails high-profile international and local-designer brands from its Bangkok base, and recently received Series B funding from Japanese digital fashion marketplace StartToday.  During the run-away success of Singles Day, Thai consumers took advantage of discounts on over 14,000 fashion and beauty products. With 65% of the one-day shoppers being female, shoes, beauty and women’s clothing topped their online shopping lists.

    Singles Day Sale has been embraced  by e-commerce market globally, especially within the fashion-related  industry.

    This is the first year WearYouWant held this online sale nationwide, offering discount on their products from 11 am until 11pm. This Chinese ‘bare sticks holiday’, so-named because of the date’s single digits, is a day for singletons to celebrate and in more recent times to look for love. The Singles Day sale has become a huge global e-commerce extravaganza, with Chinese consumers alone spending more than USD 4 billion in the first hour of 2015’s sale.

  • Matsumotokiyoshi Thailand to launch in Bangkok

    Matsumotokiyoshi Thailand to launch in Bangkok

    Japan’s largest drugstore Matsumotokiyoshi has chosen Thailand for its first international foray.

    Matsumotokiyoshi Thailand is a joint venture between the Japanese company and Thai retail conglomerate Central Retail Food Corp who have formed Central & Matsumoto Kiyoshi Corp. Central owns 51 per cent.

    The first store will open in Bangkok at Central Plaza Ladprao this week and will be followed by a second before the end of the year.

    “We are confident to be successful here,” Junichi Tateno, CEO of the JV told a press briefing.

    Tateno says Thailand’s health and beauty market is worth 85 billion baht, or US$2.4 billion, annually and is continuing to grow. Thais, he says, have an interest in Japanese culture and products.

    Central has been test marketing some 200 Matsumotokiyoshi products in 23 Bangkok supermarkets for about a year to assess interest in Japanese beauty products. The results prompted the two companies to proceed with standalone stores, which will stock about 2000 SKUs from the Japanese company’s mainstream offer, together with products sourced from elsewhere.

    Matsumotokiyoshi, launched 85 years ago, has 1500 stores in Japan.

    The second Thai store will open at Central Plaza Pinklao and there are plans to open concessions in department stores from next year.

  • Singapore Targeted By Cybercriminals with Banking Trojans

    Singapore Targeted By Cybercriminals with Banking Trojans

    IT Threat Evolution report of Kaspersky for the third quarter of 2015 reveals that Singapore suffered maximum attacks from banking Trojans during second quarter of 2015 with 496 individuals reporting attacks.

    It is not a coincidence that Singapore is one of the ASEAN countries with the highest rates of digital banking.

    According to an A.T.Kearney and EFMA global retail banking study, Singapore has the highest inclination for digital banking in the global arena.

    Computerweekly.com published news during the last week of October, 2015, quoting Jimmy Fong, Channel Sales Director Southeast Asia, at Kaspersky Lab, as saying “The nation was also placed among the top three in banking capabilities which included technological developments, a strong financial environment and digital infrastructure”.

    Computerweekly.com published news during last week of October 2015 quoting Michael Yeo, Senior Market Analyst at market research firm IDC, as saying “Singapore is a magnet for such banking Trojans because of combination of the country’s general wealth levels and growing use of associated services like e-commerce and mobile commerce”.

    Yeo added that Singapore is one of the nations which use maximum online banking services with 74% of the population using it.

    The statistics also reveal that patrons in Austria were targeted by banking Trojans excessively than in any other region: Around 5% of all Kaspersky Lab patrons in Austria faced this malware during the quarter. Turkey (3%) was placed at number three.

    Geographically most of countries in the top ten lists of information-stealing malware attacks during Q3 have a large number of users of online banking. Trojan-Downloader.Win32.Update was the most rampant malware used to target users of online banking, as it is being employed in 63.1% of attempted assaults to embezzle payment credentials of users.

    In third quarter, the Kaspersky Lab Global Research and Analysis Team (GReAT) identified a number of advanced cyber-espionage operations. Amongst others, comprising of the infamous Turla gang that employs satellite communications to administer traffic of its command-and-control server for subsequent operations known as Darkhotel APT, which penetrates Wi-Fi networks of hotel to put backdoors on target systems and fresh activity of the Blue Termite APT focusing on embezzling information from establishments in Japan.

  • Siam Center fashion pop up Asian labels

    Siam Center fashion pop up Asian labels

    ‘A-very-wear’ – a new exclusive multi-label Siam Center fashion pop-up store – aims to showcase Asian designers in Thailand.

    Located in the Ideapolis A-very-wear, bears the motto of “A piece that is very you to wear” on the Siam Center’s first floor.

    Parisa Chatnilbandhu, group senior VP – retail business development of Siam Piwat says fashion plays a major role in youngsters’ lifestyle, especially in Asia.

    “As we can see, the Fashion Week in each season in Korea, Japan and Singapore attracts hipsters from around the world, including Thai celebrities who fly to these countries just to bring the fashion items back.”

    A-very-wear 5

    Responding to the trend, Siam Center has created A-very-wear as a first exclusive multi-label fashion pop-up store of Asian designers, to “bring the ultimate Asian fashion experience to Thailand”.

    Siam Center has carefully selected a wide variety of well-designed products and introduces Absolute Siam items, which are exclusively available at Siam Center, to help the fashionistas make the style statement of their own under the motto of “ A piece that is very you to wear”, Parisa said.

    A-very-wear 4

    A-very-wear carries apparel, accessories, including eyeglasses, watches and more, from 15 renowned Asian fashion brands from six countries: Korea, Japan, Singapore, Hong Kong, Indonesia and Taiwan.

    “Each designer is very popular on social media, with many followers on Facebook and Instagram. During the first six months, the hipsters can update the trend from four countries, namely Korea, Japan, Singapore and Taiwan, while the other two, Hong Kong and Indonesia, will join in the next six months.”

    For its opening, A-very-wear introduces six well-known Korean brands:

    • Fleamadonna, launched in 2007, has bold style and unique characteristic. It was well received by fashionistas and celebrity fans including Pink, Paris Hilton, Miranda Kerr and Girl’s Generation girl band.

    Fleamadonna- A-very-wearFleamadonna3-A-very-wear

    • Low Classic by Lee Myoung Shin presents the simple and classic ready-to-wear perfect for any occasion.

    Low Classic-A-very-wearLow Classic 2-A-very-wear

    • Drink Beer Save Water is originated from the fun idea of the designer Jim Park, who thought “Why don’t we drink beer to save the water?” From this extreme idea, he presents the unisex collection under the same name as his brand, which has been growing both male and female fan base. The clothes reflect their true personality, having fun dressing.

    Drink Beer Save Water- A-Very-wear

    • Rocket x Lunch is a woman’s fashion brand designed by the talented Jin Won Woo. The brand is popular among hipsters for its minimalist style that can be worn on any occasion. It also showcased its creation in “Who’s Next in Paris 2015 Spring Summer” in France.

    Rocket x Lunch - A-very-wearjpgRocket x Lunch A-very-wear

    • A.Bell Korean accessory brand was established in 2010. It includes bag decorations, necklaces and bangles to create a glamorous, trendy look.

    A.Bell 1- A-very-wear
    A.Bell- A-very-wear

    • Minuit Moins Sept, another chic Korean accessory brand, has the French name means ‘seven minutes to midnight.’ It indicates the beginning of a new day when good things are about to happen. Popular among male and female wearers, the simple yet elegant geometric design are made of silver 925 as the key material, with the key shade of gold, silver, dark blue, red and white.

    31.Minuit Moins SeptMinuit Moins Sept 1- A-very-wear

    Singaporean fashion labels include:

    • Mash-up, popular among fashion-forward people in Singapore, is the brainchild of three talented designers; a street fashion brand which incorporates inspiration from music, movies and the designers’ travelling experience.

    Mash ñ up-A-very-wear

    • Yesah, established by Linda Hao, a Chinese Singaporean-born designer, who combines her experience in modelling and an education in fashion. In 2013, she launched the brand with distinctive characteristic, to serve the lifestyle of confident ladies who enjoy life.

    Taiwanese brands include:

    • Momo’s March by Christina Lu, a Taiwanese American-born designer, who put together a range of materials, such as Russian diamond, brass, seashell, pearl and gemstones, into exquisite accessories under the concept of “Wearable thought,” practical for any time of day.

    Momoís march -A-very-wear

    • YU Square by Ringo Yu is famous for its sewing technique, which integrates the embroidery into the design. Furthermore, the fashionistas can mix and match its colorful blouses, skirts and socks to suit each occasion.

    YU Square A-very-wear

    From Japan:

    • Normal Timepieces, a minimalist-style Japanese watch brand, was brought to life by American designer Ross McBride. Having spent years in Japan, he was influenced by Japanese culture and incorporates it into his creation, which projects simplicity with a great sense of style.

    Normal Timepieces A-very-wear

  • Marie France Van Damme Announces The Opening Of Its Fifth Boutique In Singapore In November

    Marie France Van Damme Announces The Opening Of Its Fifth Boutique In Singapore In November

    Marie France Van Damme, the Hong Kong-based designer known for her globally influenced line of luxury resort, swim, and ready-to-wear, announced today the opening of a fifth boutique in Singapore’s Takashimaya Shopping Centre in November 2015. Since launching in 2011, Marie France Van Damme continues to expand her presence worldwide, focusing on cities that not only inspire the designer, but also appeal to her sophisticated, jet-set clientele.

    “From a global perspective, this is a milestone for the brand. We are excited to bring the Marie France Van Damme collection to life in this vibrant city,” said Marie France Van Damme. “I couldn’t imagine a better location for our first store in Singapore.”

    Located on the third floor of the Takashimaya Shopping Centre on Orchard Road, the 1000 square foot boutique will evoke Marie France Van Damme’s signature style, which blends subtle Asian influences and elegant simplicity. Also available at the boutique will be the brand’s assortment of accessories, including candles, handbags and a special home collection created exclusively for this location.

    Marie France Van Damme will celebrate the flagship opening with several events in the Fall 2015.

    The company currently has 100 retail locations. The Singapore store will mark the company’s fifth branded boutique worldwide. Marie France Van Damme opened her first store in 2013 at the International Finance Center (IFC) in Hong Kong.

    About Marie France Van DammeMarie France Van Damme is a Canadian-born, Hong-Kong based fashion designer, celebrated hostess and author, whose luxury lifestyle resort wear brand is inspired by her travels and personal style. Marie France Van Damme introduced her eponymous label in the summer of 2011.  The Marie France Van Damme line is defined by an edited collection of elegant and seasonless staples with every piece designed to transition seamlessly from city to resort.

    Marie France Van Damme is available at her other retail locations in Hong Kong, Bangkok, Phuket and London, Bergdorf Goodman, Harrods, Selfridges, Saks Fifth Avenue, Neiman Marcus and exclusive resorts such as Amanresorts and the One & Only.  She is also the author of the coffee table book RSVP: Simple Sophistication, Effortless Entertaining (Thames & Hudson) featuring her effortless style and entertaining tips with photographs by Herbert Ypma of the Hip Hotels series. 

  • Mobile commerce on rise

    Mobile commerce on rise

    Mobile commerce in Thailand has continued to cement itself as a significant online marketplace thanks to the greater availability of high-speed wireless broadband internet and affordable smartphones, say global internet and online retail companies.

    Attractive mobile commerce campaigns by e-commerce operators is also attributed to the surge in mobile commerce.

    Compared with the US, Japan and South Korea, Thailand’s online retail industry remains tiny, accounting for less than 1% of the total retail market, Lazada Thailand chief executive Alessandro Piscini told a seminar yesterday entitled “E-Commerce: The Secret Success for the Online Generation”.

    However, he said imminent fourth-generation commercial wireless broadband service was expected to boost the number of mobile internet users and lower mobile tariff rates.

    “Half of Lazada Thailand’s total online sales came from mobile phones, a five-fold increase from last year,” Mr Piscini said, adding that health and beauty products, mobile devices and fashion items were the top-three sellers.

    To further boost sales, Lazada Southeast Asia and its partners will hold its biggest sale of the year, Online Festival, from Nov 11 to Dec 12, providing up to 10 million products in 13 categories.

    Ratthasart Korrasud, senior director of the Electronic Transactions Development Agency (ETDA), said it encouraged retailers and manufacturers to comply with the UN Standard Products and Services Code, a taxonomy of products and services for use in e-commerce, for more efficient and accurate classification of products and services.

    The ETDA is also promoting the use of its online complaint centre among e-commerce users to ensure consumers’ trust and confidence in e-commerce.

    Wanna Swuddigul, director of digital and online business at Ek-Chai Distribution System, said local retailers must quickly expand to the online channel to accommodate rapidly changing consumer lifestyles.

    Thailand’s e-commerce is among Southeast Asia’s top three for growth potential thanks to its population, greater development of wireless infrastructure and Thais being highly engaged online.

    Tesco Thailand’s online sales, expected to account for less than 1% of total sales this year, are forecast to rise to 5% of the total by 2020, said Ms Wanna.

    Deepesh Trivedi, Facebook’s head of retail and e-commerce for Southeast Asia, said Thailand’s e-commerce would continue growing, driven mainly by the increasing number of mobile internet users.

  • 4G auctions set to generate B1.3tn

    4G auctions set to generate B1.3tn

    A woman walks past telecom and cable lines along Phahon Yothin road. The 4G auction is expected to spur huge investment in telecom lines. PATTARAPONG CHATPATTARASILL

    The imminent fourth generation (4G) spectrum auctions could stimulate direct and indirect investment valued at 1.3 trillion baht over the next five years.

    The development will also transform Thailand into an internet-empowered economy and add impetus to the country becoming an Asean digital infrastructure hub by 2020, said Takorn Tantasith, secretary-general of the National Broadcasting and Telecommunications Commission (NBTC).

    The private sector, meanwhile, believes that having faster high-speed mobile network technology will promote the country’s e-commerce.

    The NBTC expects to receive at least 73 billion baht from the 4G spectrum auctions of four licences in November. The revenue will pass directly to state coffers, Mr Takorn said at a seminar entitled ‘4G: the turning point of the country’.

    The winning bidders of the 4G auctions must roll out networks worth a combined 160 billion baht in 2016.

    An additional 260 billion baht will come from telecom-related businesses and employment in 2017, plus another 300 billion baht in 2018.

    Based on an internal estimate, Mr Takorn said all direct and indirect investment stemming from the 4G auctions would reach 1.3 trillion bay by 2020, in line with a study by the economics faculty of Chiang Mai University.

    “Thailand can no longer afford to lose this opportunity for the sake of our country and our people,” he said.

    There are 104 million mobile subscribers in Thailand, only 4 million of whom are 2G users.

    Worawoot Aunjai, chief executive of Central Online Plc, said having a 4G infrastructure would directly benefit the local e-commerce and online trading industry. It will also encourage small and medium-sized enterprises to grab a bigger slice of the e-commerce market.

    “Companies without technology will find it nearly impossible to flourish in the current business environment,” he said.

    Mr Worawoot said development of the 4G infrastructure was essential to accommodate the rapidly changing needs and growth of businesses.

    He said Thailand’s retail trade via online transactions accounted for only 1% of total retail trading value, compared with 5.8% of the average global retail market and 12% in China.

    Global online trading is expected to account for some 20% of total retail trade by 2020.

    Mr Worawoot said online trading was expected to reach 8% of the total retail trade in Thailand by 2020.

    “The growth of online trading will be in line with the quality of wireless connection and affordable mobile devices,” he said, adding that 4G service will play a crucial role in driving the local e-commerce industry.

    Mr Worawoot said Central Group’s annual retail sales were expected to reach 260 billion baht this year, half of which will be conducted via mobile devices.

    Ariya Banomyong, managing director of Line Thailand, said the quality of wireless connections and telecom infrastructure could attract foreign investment from global tech companies such as Google, Facebook, Amazon and Apple.

    “This will promote Thailand as a regional digital infrastructure hub,” he added.

    Vichai Bencharongkul, honorary president of the Telecommunications Association of Thailand, said developing an internet-based economy would essentially need a high-speed telecom infrastructure, developing knowledge workers and building organisational confidence with digital practices.

    4G service is expected to ensure wireless service continuity and provide business recovery experience, thanks to the greater speed of wireless data services, said Mr Vichai.

  • King Power duty free sales +47% in Thailand

    King Power duty free sales +47% in Thailand

    Forward bookings from airlines and indicators from leading travel agents suggest that Chinese arrivals to Thailand will reach record levels in 2015, as the King Power International Group reports sales up by 47% this year.

    Speaking to TRBusiness in a detailed interview this month, she said: “With the exception of the tragic bombing in August, 2015 to date has been a very good year for the group. Traffic to Bangkok particularly has increased very significantly.

    “Overall traffic at Suvarnabhumi is up 19.16%, to the end of August, and traffic at Don Muang is up 65%. Within those overall traffic numbers there are specific nationality changes that have generally had a very positive impact on sales.

    “Total Chinese traffic at Suvarnabhumi is up 151% to 5,651,591 passengers. Indian passengers are another very important customer group for us and the traffic with them is up by 20% – and of the other key customer groups, Korean and Japanese traffic levels are up 38% and 13.3% respectively.”

    She added that these positive increases have offset the decrease in Russian passengers (-49.8%) and Thai nationals, who are down by 14.73%. more happily she said: “Overall group sales are up 47%, versus the same period last year.”

    Whelan pointed to an outstanding +72% sales performance by the cosmetics and skincare category, followed by watches (+76.68%), Jewellery (77.05%), tobacco (+ 30.08%) and leather goods(+ 30.94%).

    She says this impressive growth has been driven by a combination of factors, including organic passenger growth and aforementioned rises in high spending overseas visitors.

    An interview with Susan Whelan appears on page 30 of the October Cannes exhibition issue of TRBusiness and also on pages 81-85 in the bonus retail section of the Top 10 International Retailers 2015.

  • Who needs Santa when there is lalamove ?

    Who needs Santa when there is lalamove ?

    lalamove, the leading professional on-demand delivery service throughout Asia, has added new features to its mobile and web application to handle increased delivery demand in Bangkok during the upcoming holiday season.

    “The holiday season is a busy time for gift-giving and many companies struggle with ensuring that their gifts are delivered on time and handled with care – which are two areas that lalamove has extensive experience with” said Santit Jirawongkraisorn, Co-founder and managing Director of lalamove Thailand.

    “We have added more bikes, MPVs and pick-up trucks to ensure timely deliveries during the busy holiday season. We have also introduced the “route optimization” feature, which saves clients time in having to plan the routing.

    “With this feature, clients just have to type in the addresses where the gifts need to delivered and within minutes, the app with automatically schedule the quickest and shortest route. This is most practical especially when companies are looking at delivering corporate gifts or perishable goods like food hampers and festive cookies to their clients,” added Santit.

    Hiring freelance couriers or motorcycle taxis can be tiresome and sometimes unreliable, but thanks to lalamove, clients now have a delivery service which is fast, cost-effective, transparent and professional.

    lalamove allows personal users and businesses to quickly find a professional driver anytime of the day to help move their goods with a few clicks on their smartphone. By typing the vehicle type, location, destination, the weight of the physical goods, and other information and special instructions via the app, users will be notified within minutes if a driver is available.

    In addition to the driver verification feature, lalamove also has a driver rating system, a GPS tracking which allows full transparency on the route, on-demand booking and an insurance protection of up to Baht 2000 for each delivery, ensuring that delivery via lalamove is both easy and safe.  It is also the only delivery app offering 24/7 service and advance booking.

    In September, lalamove secured an investment of USD 10 million led by Mindworks Ventures as well as  AppWorks, Crystal Stream and individual investors. lalamove is preparing for the advanced stages of its expansion — adding 50 cities throughout Asia to the company’s delivery network by the end of 2016. 

    The number of registered users regionally has grown to 435,000 while over 23,000 drivers have been registered. The app has been downloaded more than half a million times in the past year.

    In Thailand, the number of download is currently 27,000 with over 1,600 drivers registered drivers.

  • “A-very-wear” the first exclusive multi-label fashion pop-up store of Asian designers launched at Siam Center

    “A-very-wear” the first exclusive multi-label fashion pop-up store of Asian designers launched at Siam Center

    Siam Center, as the center of endless imagination and creativity in arts, fashion, technology and lifestyle, always captures the latest fashion trends and Influences to bring Thai fashion industry to the next level. The Ideapolis is now debuting “A-very-wear”, the first exclusive multi-label fashion pop-up store of Asian designers launched in Thailand under the motto of “A piece that is very YOU to wear” on the 1st floor of Siam Center.

    Ms.Parisa Chatnilbandhu, Group Senior Vice President – Retail Business Development of Siam Piwat Co., Ltd., said that the fashion industry has grown rapidly in U.S.A., Europe or even Asia. Currently, fashion plays a major role in youngsters’ lifestyle, especially in Asia. As we can see, the Fashion Week in each season in Korea, Japan and Singapore attracted the hipster from around the world, including Thai celebrities who flew to these countries just to buy the fashion items back. Siam Center, in response to this up-and-coming movement and the needs of fashion-forward people, debuts “A-very-wear”, the first exclusive multi-label fashion pop-up store of Asian designers, to bring the ultimate Asian fashion experience to Thailand. Siam Center carefully selects a wide variety of well-designed products and introduces Absolute Siam items, which are exclusively available at Siam Center, to help the fashionistas make the style statement of their own under the motto of “ A piece that is very YOU to wear”.

    Ms. Parisa continued that, to bring a hip spirit to Thai fashionistas, “A-very-wear” carries apparel, accessories, including eyeglasses, watches and many more, of 15 renowned Asian fashion brands from six countries, namely Korea, Japan, Singapore, Hong Kong, Indonesia and Taiwan. Each designer is very popular on social media, with many followers on facebook and Instagram. During the first six months, the hipsters can update the trend from four countries, namely Korea, Japan, Singapore and Taiwan, while the other two, Hong Kong and Indonesia, will join in the next six months.

    During the opening, “A-very-wear” introduces six well-known Korean brands. Fleamadonna, launched in 2007, has bold style and unique characteristic. It was therefore very well received from numerous fashionistas and celebrity fans including Pink, Paris Hilton, Miranda Kerr and Girl’s Generation girl band. Low Classic by Lee Myoung Shin presents the simple and classic ready-to-wear that is perfect for all occasions. Drink Beer Save Water is originated from the fun idea of the designer Jim Park, who thought “Why don’t we drink beer to save the water?” From this extreme idea, he presents the unisex collection under the same name as his brand, which has been growing both male and female fan base.  The clothes reflect their true personality, having fun dressing. That is why the wearers of DBSW always capture attention and stand out of the crowd. Rocket x Lunch is woman’s fashion brand designed by the talented Jin Won Woo. The brand is popular among hipsters for its minimalist style that can be worn on any occasions. It also showcased its creation in “Who’s Next in Paris 2015 Spring Summer” in France.

    A.Bell Korean accessory brand was established in 2010 under the claim of “Made It Korea” to guarantee that every single item is made in Korea. The brand decorates crystal on the bags, necklaces and bangles to create the glamorous and trendy look.  Minuit Moins Sept, another chic Korean accessory brand, has the French name means ‘seven minutes to midnight.’ It indicates the beginning of a new day when good things are about to happen. Adhering to this concept, Minuit Moins Sept creates the accessories that are perfect for both daytime and nighttime. Popular among male and female wearers, the simple yet elegant geometric design are made of silver 925 as the key material, with the key shade of gold, silver, dark blue, red and white.

    Besides Korean brands, the shop carries Singaporean fashion labels. Mash – up, very popular among fashion-forward people in Singapore, is the brainchild of three talented designers. This street fashion brand incorporates the endless inspiration from music, movies and the designers’ travelling experience. With its strong characteristic, the brand had a chance to produce the collaboration with UNIQLO, TOPSHOP, Lomography and Pioneer. Yesah is established by Linda Hao Chinese Singaporean-born designer, who combines her experience in modeling and educational background in fashion. After her education in 2013, she launched this brand, with distinctive characteristic, to serve the lifestyle of confident ladies who enjoy life. It is no wonder why Linda Hao has become the leading figure in Singapore in no time.

    Moreover, “A-Very-Wear” presents hand-made accessory brand from Taiwan like Momo’s march by Christina Lu, Taiwanese American-born designer. The brand puts together a range of materials, such as Russian diamond, brass, seashell, pearl and gemstones, into exquisite accessories under the concept of “Wearable thought”, which are practical for any time of day. YU Square by Ringo Yu is famous for its sewing technique, which integrates the embroidery into the design. Furthermore, the fashionistas can mix and match its colorful blouses, skirts and socks to suit each occasion.

    Normal Timepieces, minimallist-style Japanese watch brand, was brought to life by American designer Ross McBride. Having spent years in Japan, he was influenced by Japanese culture and incorporates it into his creation, which projects simplicity with a great sense of style.

    Unleash your style with chic items, along with Absolute Siam collection, from “A-very-wear” the first exclusive multi-label fashion pop-up store of Asian designers launched in Thailand on the 1st floor of Siam Center.

  • Matsumotokiyoshi set to open first drugstore abroad in Bangkok

    Matsumotokiyoshi set to open first drugstore abroad in Bangkok

    Japan’s largest drugstore operator, Matsumotokiyoshi, will open a store in Bangkok this week, its first abroad, and a second one by the end of the year, the head of the company’s new joint venture here said Tuesday.

    “We are confident to be successful here,” Junichi Tateno, chief executive officer of Central & Matsumoto Kiyoshi Corp., a joint venture between Matsumotokiyoshi Holdings Co. and Thailand’s Central Food Retail Corp., told a press conference.

    He cited Thailand’s status as Southeast Asia’s leading health-and-beauty market, worth 85 billion baht ($2.4 billion), and one that has been growing steadily despite periods of political instability.

    Noting the Thai people’s fondness for Japanese culture and products, Tateno said the store will initially introduce around 2,000 Japanese health-and-beauty products to Thai customers.

    The new store will be the first to be opened abroad by Matsumotokiyoshi, which has more than 1,500 branches in Japan, since the company was founded 85 years ago.

    Since 2014, the company has done market testing in Central’s 23 supermarkets in Bangkok and other major cities and some 200 daily-use products and cosmetics being sold were received well by customers, according to Tateno.

    He said the marketing data helped the company to cater suitable products for Thai customers.

    Central Food Retail Co., the largest supermarket chain in Thailand with around 150 branches, has a 51 percent stake in the joint venture, with Matsumotokiyoshi holding the remainder of shares.

    The first branch will be opened at Central Plaza Ladprao, offering commodities and beauty products from Japan and other countries. Another will be opened at Central Plaza Pinklao by year-end, with plans to expand to other department stores in the future.

  • Thailand’s first Decathlon store opens in Bangkok

    Thailand’s first Decathlon store opens in Bangkok

    People in Thailand are particularly passionate about football, water sports, trekking, running, road biking and golf. As of 22 October, they’ll have access to a wide range of technically sophisticated products available in Decathlon stores designed to help them enjoy these sports. Operational in Thailand for around twenty years with its production activities, the company has now swung its distribution arm into action!

    “We’re opening five stores in Bangkok, whose surface areas range from 1,700m2 to 2,700m2. They’re nicely spread out across the capital, including one right in the centre,” explains Decathlon Thailand boss Frédéric Bichet. These stores will be exclusive retailers of Decathlon’s Passion brands.

    Team recruitment based on sporting values
    In order to provide the best possible service for Thai customers, we had to attract new employees who weren’t yet familiar with the company. In total, 120 new team members will be joining the latest stores to serve our customers. So we could share our company values with them, they were recruited locally at sports events, at sales and retail workshops and at interviews with directors appointed to run the new stores.

    Just like the business itself, these teams have a strong international flavour. Decathlon’s new employees have come from Belgium, China, Romania and even Russia, looking to be part of the company’s next growth phase. One of the new store directors is even a former employee of the Thai production office, where he worked for twenty years. “It’s a great asset being able to benefit from all of these viewpoints and experiences brought to us by such international profiles,” insists Frédéric, “and it’s also important for the countries where these employees hail from. It’s proof that it is possible to successfully run this type of international project at Decathlon.”

    Thailand’s first Decathlon store opens in Bangkok

  • Thai Hubba is building a marketplace of fully-automated offices

    Thai Hubba is building a marketplace of fully-automated offices

    Thai co-working space Hubba has raised a pre-series A funding round, it announced yesterday. The company got US$350,000 in a round led by US-based venture capital firm 500 Startups. The round was joined by 500 Startups’ Southeast Asian fund 500 Durians and Thai fund 500 Tuk Tuks.

    Singapore-based VC Golden Gate Ventures and Thailand-based VC Ardent Capital also participated. Several local angel investors got involved as well, including Computerlogy CEO Vachara Aemavat, Playlab CEO Jakob Lykkegaard Pedersen, and Stock2morrow CEO Piyaphan Wongyara.

    Under the deal, Ruangroj “Krating” Poonpol, venture partner at 500 Tuk Tuks, will join Hubba’s board of directors.

    Hubba’s investors will be working with startups that use the company’s spaces to help mentor them, and even to potentially invest in some of them, Amarit says. The company will also work together with its investors on joint programs and activities going forward.

    Working together

    Hubba was the first co-working space in Thailand, founded by brothers Amarit and Charle Charoenphan in 2012. Today the company has a presence in seven locations and holds minority stakes in other co-working spaces like Punspace in Chiang Mai, Thailand, and Toh Lao in Vientiane, Laos.

    In the last three years, it has worked to build up the country’s startup ecosystem through its co-working space business as well as community activities and events. Last year, it also launched Pah Creative Space, a co-working space for designers and other creative freelancers.

    Hubba will use the new funding to fuel two new projects, Amarit says. One of them is Hubba-to, a planned artisan co-creation community that the company plans to launch in partnership with Thai real-estate developer Sansiri. The other is Node, a prototype for an “automated office” that will “enhance efficiency and reduce unnecessary expense.”

    “It’s going to work like Airbnb for private rooms and office spaces,” Amarit says. Node offers spaces that can be rented out for specific time slots and used for offices, meeting rooms, and so on. Landlords can list their properties on the site and wait for bookings to come. Payment via credit card is handled by the site. The listings include WiFi and amenities such as pens and notepads, and are cleaned by Node staff after use.

    Node (Airbnb for working space) screenshot

    “Our killer feature is that we will have what is called Node Plus,” Amarit explains. “[Those] are spaces that have been fully equipped with IoT (internet of things) and technology that allows spaces to be fully booked on-demand and managed remotely with no need for staff (locks, lights, AC, WiFi, and security).”

    The automation will help keep operating costs and booking fees down, Amarit says. Node takes a 20 to 30 percent commission from property owners.

    Taking the Airbnb approach to professional spaces is an interesting twist on the model used by Wework, the US-based co-working space decacorn, which sub-leases existing office space to entrepreneurs and freelancers.

    “I think everyone in the co-working world is amazed and in awe of Wework and its lofty projections,” Amarit says. “However, I think the markets we work in are definitely different from Wework, so we can’t just clone it. We need to find our own Southeast Asian model and Hubba-to and Node may be the way forward.”

    Hubba expects the funding to give it enough time to pursue “multiple growth trajectories.”

    “We will look to raise again in 2016 as we build traction and momentum for both projects,” he says.