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  • Linfox launches electric-truck deliveries with beer the first cargo

    Linfox launches electric-truck deliveries with beer the first cargo

    Linfox has added its first all-electric truck to its fleet and partnered with VB to deliver beer to retailers around Melbourne.

    The Volvo truck will deliver beer in the same way as a regular diesel truck but in a sustainable way: transporting 100,000+ cans and stubbies each week from Asahi Beverages’ distribution centre in Melbourne’s west to bottle shops across the city.

    Linfox says it plans to introduce “many” electric vehicles as production ramps up worldwide, but for now the Volvo VB-branded truck is the first mass-produced electric truck of its size – and the first Volvo FL all-electric truck – in Australia.

    The sustainability impact extends further than not just burning diesel during deliveries: the battery is recharged using 100-per-cent offset solar power generated from Asahi Beverages’ solar farm near Mildura in northern Victoria. VB has been brewed with 100-per-cent offset solar electricity since last year – now it is being transported the same way.

    “Transitioning our deliveries to electric vehicles will help us achieve our ambitious sustainability goals of reducing our net carbon emissions across our entire supply chain by 30 per cent by 2030 and to zero by 2050,” said Robert Iervasi, group CEO at Asahi Beverages, which bought VB’s maker Carlton & United Breweries last year.

    “Linfox has delivered VB for more than 50 years. It’s fitting these two Australian icons are taking this major step towards a sustainable future together.”

    The Volvo has a range of 250km between charges, limiting its use to greater Melbourne, but introducing more electric-powered trucks to the streets will ease pollution in the city – and help reduce the carbon impact of both Asahi Beverages and Linfox.

    “Australia’s domestic freight task has doubled in the past decade and will continue to grow,” said Linfox chairman Peter Fox. “To meet this demand, Australia’s road fleet will also grow and it is essential the fleet does this safely, efficiently and with reduced environmental impact.”

  • LuLu Group opens first Build-A-Bear store in India

    LuLu Group opens first Build-A-Bear store in India

    LuLu Group International’s retail arm Tablez has launched the first Build-A-Bear store in India. The American personalised, experiential toy-retail brand is now available at Toys R Us in Phoenix Marketcity, Bangalore. Selling customised stuffed toys, the firm aims to reach 9 million sales in the top 15 cities in India within five years out of standalone stores and Toys R Us shop-in-shop formats.

    “The Build-A-Bear concept is a one-of-a-kind retail experience, and we are thrilled to open the first store in Bangalore,” said Tablez MD Adeeb Ahamed. “Build-A-Bear is synonymous with creativity and novelty for children. I am sure that each child that enters our store will cherish their experience and leave with an indelible memory.

    “From standalone stores to shop-in-shop formats, Build-A-Bear is ready to reach out to families and kids in India and help loved ones create memories and spend more time together. We plan to open 20 standalone stores of Build-A-Bear across key cities in India over the next 10 years, along with shop-in-shop formats across all our Toys R Us stores as well,” he said.

    The Build-A-Bear brand is best known for its “Choose Me” wall, from which each guest can choose an unstuffed animal to bring to life. It has close to 500 stores globally.

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  • Build-a-Bear signs expansion deal for Asia

    Build-a-Bear signs expansion deal for Asia

    As sales fall, US experiential retailer Build-a-Bear has signed a franchise expansion deal covering China, Hong Kong and Macau.

    The new deal – with the local partner not yet revealed – will see the first store in Beijing in December. Hong Kong will follow with timing yet to be confirmed.

    At the end of September, Build-a-Bear had 353 company-owned stores, including one at the Shanghai Disney Resort in China. International franchise stores numbered 90 in 11 countries.

    With soft mall traffic in the US, both profit and sales fell in the third quarter for the company, which has relaunched its website and is planning to add more non-mall locations.

    Profit came in at US$1.4 million for the three months to September 30, while total revenue fell to $82.4 million, down from $83.7 million a year earlier. Consolidated comparable sales decreased 7.4 per cent, while for e-commerce sales the drop was 18.2 per cent.

    However, the company says its new web platform is expected to allow for improved performance in the holiday season and lead the way for increased omnichannel capabilities.

    Apart from the web transition and unexpected impact from weather, it was estimated total revenue would have been slightly positive, says president/CEO Sharon Price John. Its lapse follows three consecutive years of building profit levels.

    Build-A-Bear has been diversifying its portfolio beyond traditional stores, including a partnership with Carnival Cruise Line to introduce its retail/entertainment experience on its ships.

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