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Tag: Cambodia

  • DFS Group Cambodia gala opening

    DFS Group Cambodia gala opening

    Luxury travel retailer DFS Group Cambodia has marked the opening of its first store, T Galleria by DFS, Angkor, with a gala event for more than 300 guests.

    DFS T-Galleria Angkor Cambodia

    In the resort town and provincial capital of Siem Reap, near the ancient temple of Angkor Wat, T Galleria by DFS, Angkor is the largest duty-free luxury department store in Cambodia. It offers travelers an integrated retail, hospitality and leisure experience with 170 brands across 86,000 sqft (7989 sqm).

    The opening celebration began with a ribbon-cutting ceremony, after which traditional Cambodian Apsara hostesses led guests through the two-storey store for traditional cultural performances and demonstrations by Cambodian craftsmen.

    DFS T-Galleria Angkor Cambodia 3

    From DFS Group were chairman/CEO Philippe Schaus and co-founder Robert Miller, while special guests included Cambodia’s Senior Minister of Economy and Finance Aun Pornmoniroth and Minister of Tourism Thong Khon.

    DFS Cambodia

    The store features a curated collection of Cambodian artisanal products designed and produced by more than 30 Cambodian artist workshops. At the event, Angkor Artwork, a Siem Reap design studio, demonstrated the art of lacquer work, while Golden Silk, one of the last fully integrated silk producers in the world, wove silk spun from Cambodian silk worms.

    DFS T-Galleria Angkor Cambodia 2

    Traditional Khmer motifs and carvings feature throughout the store, including a nearly 20m art installation suspended above the vaulted atrium.

    DFS T-Galleria Angkor Cambodia 1

    T Galleria by DFS Angkor also ranges more than 130 international brands including watches and jewellery from Bulgari, Cartier and Tiffany & Co and fashion from Bottega Veneta, Burberry, Fendi, Gucci and Saint Laurent. There are also more than 30 beauty and fragrance brands such as Cle de Peau Beaute, Dior, Estee Lauder and Giorgio Armani.

    DFS T-Galleria Angkor Cambodia 5

    The gala event also marked the official opening of the onsite restaurant, the first Crystal Jade outlet in Cambodia, serving traditional Chinese cuisine in a setting overlooking the gardens and reflecting pools outside.

    DFS T-Galleria Angkor Cambodia 6

    DFS T-Galleria Angkor Cambodia 8

    The event also provided a platform to officially announce the company’s sponsorship of several non-profit organisations focussed on helping underserved populations in Cambodia. Schaus presented a donation to Kuma Cambodia, which aims to reduce poverty through providing education, healthcare and nutrition to vulnerable youngsters, English and computer courses for teenagers, and workshops and guidance for parents and guardians.

  • Khiri Travel the first to earn Travelife Partner status in Indonesia and Laos

    Khiri Travel the first to earn Travelife Partner status in Indonesia and Laos

    Travelife is a leading training, management and certification initiative for tourism companies that are committed to sustainability. Travelife was founded with the support of ABTA in the UK and ANVR in the Netherlands in 2007 as a thorough responsible tourism certification scheme for tour operators and hotels.

    Khiri Travel in Indonesia and Laos have both been awarded Travelife Partner status following a major social and environmental audit. Khiri Travel is the first in both Indonesia and Laos to earn Travelife Partner status.

    Travelife certification for tour operators and travel agents comes in three rising stages: Engaged, Partner, and Certified. Khiri Travel Indonesia and Laos are two-thirds of the way to full certification. Khiri Travel Myanmar, Thailand and Vietnam achieved full Travelife Certification in 2015.

    Travelife is a leading training, management and certification initiative for tourism companies that are committed to sustainability. Travelife was founded with the support of ABTA in the UK and ANVR in the Netherlands in 2007 as a thorough responsible tourism certification scheme for tour operators and hotels.

    Richard Brouwer, CEO of Khiri Travel, said: “Travelife Partner status shows a great pioneering spirit and dedication by the Khiri teams in Indonesia and Laos. Khiri Travel is committed to measurable sustainability because it boosts customer satisfaction, staff motivation and business efficiency. Khiri Laos and Indonesia will keep working towards full Travelife Certification.”

    Naut Kusters, General Manager for Tour Operators and Travel Agents for Travelife said: “Khiri Travel in Indonesia and Laos are on the right path. Sustainability management is about commitment and consistent sustainable business practices. This includes a tour operator’s products, how they monitor and manage their impacts, and how they support their suppliers on their road to sustainability. I expect that the lead of Khiri will be an incentive for other companies to join the route towards sustainability.”

    The three-stage Travelife process acknowledges OECD corporate social responsibility guidelines including labor conditions, human rights, environmental responsibilities, biodiversity and fair business practices.

    The Travelife standard for tour operators is also formally recognized by the UN-supported Global Sustainable Tourism Criteria (GSTC).

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  • Krispy Kreme Cambodia opens first outlet

    Krispy Kreme Cambodia opens first outlet

    Krispy Kreme Cambodia has opened its first shop, in Phnom Penh.

    This makes Cambodia the 27th country to have a Krispy Kreme Doughnuts outlet.

    It will offer the brand’s classic treats and coffee, says senior VP and international president Dan Beem. “The strong fan support for the brand is exciting, and we believe that support will continue to grow as we open more shops in the country over the next several years.”

    Krispy Kreme Cambodia

    Krispy Kreme Doughnuts has signed a franchise agreement with Express Food Group to open 10 shops throughout Cambodia over five years.

    Krispykreme cambodia

    More than 1000 people visited the Phnom Penh shop on its grand opening day. The first guest in line received a voucher for a free dozen of Original Glazed doughnuts each week for a year.

    Krispy Kreme Doughnuts has its headquarters in Winston-Salem, North Carolina, where it was founded in 1937. The company has more than 1000 retail shops internationally.

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  • Starbucks Cambodia opens new and first mall outlet

    Starbucks Cambodia opens new and first mall outlet

    Coffee franchise giant Starbucks Cambodia has opened its second outlet, at Aeon Mall in Phnom Penh.

    Licensed as Coffee Concepts Cambodia, the outlet comes less than six months after the US chain made its debut at Phnom Penh International Airport. However, the mall store is the first fully accessible to the public.

    Starbuck PhnomPenh 1

    Despite its limited access, Starbucks has grown in reputation and cemented the brand, assuring long-term investment, says GM Por Lim.

    Its next store is scheduled to open in the Boeung Keng Kang district of Phnom Penh in October, with further expansion depending on brand pick-up, says Lim.

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  • Singapore, Indonesia, Cambodia, Thailand Seek Free Trade Zone With EEU

    Singapore, Indonesia, Cambodia, Thailand Seek Free Trade Zone With EEU

    Singapore, Indonesia, Cambodia, and Thailand are interested in creating a free trade zone with the Eurasian Economic Union, Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Igor Morgulov said Thursday.

    “The desire to sign such an agreement has been expressed by a number of countries in southeastern Asia, including Cambodia, Singapore, Thailand, and Indonesia,” Morgulov said during a briefing at the Russia-ASEAN Summit in Sochi.

  • Siam Makro plans $258m expansion

    Siam Makro plans $258m expansion

    Thai cash-and-carry chain Siam Makro plans to invest up to 9 billion baht ($258 million) in opening stores this year in Thailand and overseas.

    Its parent company, CP All, which through its ownership of 7-Eleven Thailand is the country’s largest convenience store operator, plans to sell some of its 97 per cent stake in Siam Makro. It has appointed Siam Commercial Bank as financial advisor for a public share sale.

    It is reported CP All aims to keep a stake of more than 50 per cent in Siam Makro, whose main customers are hotels, restaurants and small convenience stores.

    Siam Makro plans to spend 6 billion baht to open 20 stores in Thailand this year, plus 3 billion baht to expand elsewhere in Southeast Asia. CFO Saowaluck Thitaphant says possible markets include Cambodia, Laos and Vietnam.

    She says the company is also interested in India, and plans a store for Myanmar once the political climate is clearer following elections.

    Siam Makro expects revenue to rise by less than 10 per cent this year.

    CP All, controlled by billionaire Dhanin Chearavanont’s Charoen Pokphand Group, says it will use proceeds of the share sale to repay debt.

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  • Giant Cambodia launches in Phnom Penh

    Giant Cambodia launches in Phnom Penh

    Giant Cambodia has opened its first store in the kingdom, in Phnom Penh’s Grand City Mall.

    It is part of a major expansion into Cambodia by the Malaysian wholly owned subsidiary of pan-Asian retailer Dairy Farm International, which also has a 70 per cent stake in Lucky Private, the owner of Lucky Supermarkets.

    Dairy Farm International Indochina CEO Paul Sheldrake says Giant will offer a new experience and choices for Cambodians with its brand-name health and beauty products and housing accessories.

    New international shopping complexes are boosting retail supply in the capital, such as the 57,000 sqm Parkson’s Phnom Penh City Centre scheduled to open last year but revised to late this year. Also coming on line then will be Lion City, an integrated project by Malaysia’s Lion Group covering 61,000 sqm.

    Other new entrants include HongKongLand’s Exchange Square, covering 8000 sqm and opening early next year.

    Real estate analyst CBRE has forecast retail space in Phnom Penh to increase more than 110 per cent by early next year.

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  • Cambodia duty-free store opened by DFS

    Cambodia duty-free store opened by DFS

    Luxury travel retailer DFS Group has opened its first T Galleria by DFS store for Cambodia in the resort town of Siem Reap.

    Near the ancient temple of Angkor Wat, T Galleria by DFS, Angkor is the largest Cambodia duty-free luxury department store, offering an integrated retail, hospitality and leisure experience.

    The store is opening in phases until June, bringing 170 brands to the 86,000 sqft (7990 sqm) space, including fashion and accessories, watches and jewellery, wines and spirits, and beauty and fragrances as well as locally handcrafted artisan products.

    Next to Angkor National Museum and overlooking a park, the new outlet features traditional Khmer motifs and carvings by Cambodian artisans. Stone columns feature panels carved in styles reflecting the nearby temples and palaces of Angkor Wat, intricately patterned wall screens and floor tiles evoke local architecture, and a 20m art installation suspended above the store’s vaulted atrium, was inspired by the hues of Buddhist monks’ robes. More than 200 local sales associates will welcome customers.

    Several firsts for Cambodia duty-free come with the opening of the store, such as watches and jewellery brands Bulgari, Carl F Bucherer and Tiffany & Co and international fashion brands Burberry, Bottega Veneta, Fendi, Gucci, Ralph Lauren, Saint Laurent and Zegna. There are also 12 exclusive beauty and fragrance brands such as Bobbi Brown, Cle de Peau Beaute, Mac and Sulwhasoo.

    Among Cambodian artisans featured are Angkor Artwork, whose master craftsmen Eric and Thierry Stocker produce lacquer and straw marquetry using traditional techniques. There is also Golden Silk, one of the last fully integrated silk producers in the world to use the rare yellow silkworm indigenous to Cambodia, and Samatoa, an eco-friendly accessories brand that has revived the technique of lotus-fibre weaving.

    T Galleria by DFS, Angkor has also teamed up with Artisans d’Angkor, a socially conscious business aimed at revitalising Cambodia’s traditional craftsmanship while pioneering a sustainable working environment. Its exclusive collection of handwoven silks and fine crafts were designed by and will benefit local artisans.

    An onsite restaurant, Crystal Jade, will open in June, the first outlet in Cambodia for the Singapore brand. It will serve traditional Chinese cuisine and dim sum dishes in a casual setting overlooking gardens and reflecting pools.

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  • Growth plan for Starbucks Vietnam and Cambodia

    Growth plan for Starbucks Vietnam and Cambodia

    Dairy Farm Group says it plans to expand its Starbucks Hong Kong and Vietnam networks.

    Last year, Dairy Farm opened six new Starbucks Vietnam cafes and its first in Cambodia – in the capital city Phnom Penh last December.

    “This new market offers significant opportunities as there is no dominant market player,” said CEO Graham Allan. “The group is currently working to fully understand local tastes and preferences.”

    In Vietnam, the company says it will continue – for now – to focus expansion in the main cities of Ho Chi Minh and Hanoi.

    Starbucks operations in Vietnam, Cambodia and Hong Kong – where the network is also set to be expanded this year – is operated by Dairy Farm’s restaurant subsidiary Maxim’s.

    “Maxim’s delivered another year of solid results,” Allan said in the company’s annual operational review.

    “Expansion of its Chinese casual dining restaurants and Japanese restaurants continue in Mainland China.”

    Maxim’s opened 44 net new outlets during the year, including six in Mainland China and the new Starbucks outlets.

    Dairy Farm’s restaurants division reported US$1.9 billion in total sales, representing an increase of 8 per cent year-on-year, while the profit contribution increased by 9 per cent as the business delivered another year of record earnings.

    “Looking ahead, the macro economy and local business environments are expected to be challenging in 2016, with continued currency volatility and fragile consumer confidence,” said Allan.

    “The group sees exciting prospects, however, with a number of establishments opening at the Shanghai Disney Resort in June 2016, including the staff canteen, The Cheesecake Factory and Japanese chain concepts Ippudo and Dondonya.”

    He said besides expanding in Vietnam and Cambodia, Maxim’s will continue to explore further opportunities for acquisitions and/or franchising throughout Asia.

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  • SHB new Club sponsor in Vietnam, Laos & Cambodia

    SHB new Club sponsor in Vietnam, Laos & Cambodia

    On 8 March 2016 in Hanoi, FC Barcelona unveiled a sponsorship agreement with Saigon – Hanoi Commercial Joint Stock Bank (known as SHB), the top 5 Private Commercial Banks in Vietnam. This agreement will make SHB the first and only banking partner of FC Barcelona in Vietnam, Laos and Cambodia and enable SHB to open various business opportunities in retail sector in the territories, and bring the club closer to the Vietnamese Barça fans.

    A signing ceremony was held in Melia Hanoi Hotel today. Xavier Asensi, Asia-Pacific Managing Director, attended the event in representation of FC Barcelona, while SHB was represented by Chairman Do Quang Hien and CEO Nguyen Van Le. The ceremony also received the participation of the Representative of Vietnam Football Federation (VFF) – Mr. Tran Quoc Tuan, Vice President, Mr. Nguyen Xuan Gu, Vice President, as well as the coach of local football team SHB Da Nang Football Club, Mr. Le Huynh Duc.

    Strategic partnership for SHB and FC Barcelona

    With this partnership begins, SHB and FCB will cooperate to expand the Barça fan base in Vietnam, Laos and Cambodia. SHB also aims at opening up great business opportunities in retail sector through the development of co-branded cards in the territories. In the time to come, SHB will organize exchange and fan activities in the territories as well as bringing the local Barça fans to Camp Nou, contributing to build the foundation of culture, tradition and Barça spirit we found in millions of our fans.

    Statement by Manel Arroyo, FC Barcelona Vice president, Marketing and Communication department

    “The signing of this new regional sponsorship deal reaffirms our interest in increasing our presence in this continent and also reflects how our Club is gaining notable levels of popularity in this strategic zone, which is encouraging us to continue focusing our presence in Southeast Asia. The agreement with SHB also means a partnership with a highly prestigious entity and will be the vehicle for the name and colours of FC Barcelona to spread to Vietnam, Laos and Cambodia. FC Barcelona’s experience shows that football is a driver that generates cooperation and success, and hand in hand with SHB, we hope to achieve major social objectives.”

    Statement by Xavier Asensi, FC Barcelona Asia Pacific Managing Director:

    “We are so happy to have SHB as our first ever bank partner in Vietnam, Laos and Cambodia. Through partnering with SHB, we will be closer to the 90 million Vietnamese, including a growing fan community. SHB is young and taking up the leading part in the industry; while FCB is deep-rooted and has been successful in defending the glory. I do believe that the collaboration between these two different but yet, similar entities will create a huge buzz and synergy.”

    SHB, a dynamic bank

    SHB has become one of the leading urban banks in Vietnam with the image of a dynamic, modern, and efficient bank after establishment from 23 years ago. By the end of 2015, SHB total assets reached more than VND 205,000 billion, charter capital of nearly VND 9,500 billion with 7,000 employees and transaction network of more than 500 points all over Vietnam and overseas. Not only having an extensive presence in Vietnam, SHB is currently the second Vietnamese private Bank which opened a 100% foreign capital Bank in Laos in January 2016. Along with 4 branches operating in Cambodia, the reputation and financial capacity of SHB have been appreciated in Indochina. SHB has always actively participated in social and charity activities making great contributions to the development of the community, especially sports.

    Statement by Do Quang Hien, Chairman of SHB:

    “The partnership between SHB and FC Barcelona may be considered a perfect cooperation of the leaders. SHB and FC Barcelona share the commons in brand and development philosophy on the road to success, the objective of sustainable development and the desire of devoting to fans and customers. SHB is proud to be the first and only partner bank of FC Barcelona in Vietnam, Laos and Cambodia. This is not only a business opportunity for SHB but firstly it is for a large number of football fans in particular, sports fans in general. Customers are now able to see, feel, and more easily access to their idols daily, hourly … when using and enjoying benefits of Barça – SHB co-branded card and banking products. Moreover, this is also an opportunity for SHB to contribute to the promotion of a beautiful, peaceful, hospitable, dynamic and deeply imbued with the culture Vietnam all over the world.”

  • Pernod Ricard Asia troubles parent

    Pernod Ricard Asia troubles parent

    Despite difficulties in Asian travel retail, particularly in Korea, liquor supplier Pernod Ricard reports solid first-half 2015/2016 results totalling €5b ($5.7b) and organic growth of 3 per cent.

    It says the results represent a continued gradual improvement apart from difficulties for the Chivasbrand in the pernod Ricard Asia portfolio.

    There was a negative mix driven by geography – growth in India vs. a decline in China. Overall in Asia, the company had 5 per cent growth (or 4 per cent, taking into account the changing dates of the Chinese New Year) with double-digit growth in India. However, China declined by 2 per cent (down 8 per cent adjusting for Chinese New Year).

    “Our half-year results are solid, delivering a continued improvement in sales,” says chairman and CEO Alexandre Ricard. “Our strategy has remained consistent and is driving results, in particular in terms of innovation.”

    He says the company plans to continue improving its performance and will continue to support priority markets, brands and innovations.

    Pernod Ricard includes Cambodia, China, India, Indonesia, Malaysia, Sri Lanka, Thailand, The Philippines and Vietnam in its emerging markets, and lists its top 14 brands for organic growth as Absolut, Ballantine’s, Beefeater, Chivas Regal, Havana Club, Jameson, Kahlua, Malibu, Martell, Mumm, Perrier-Jouët, Ricard, Royal Salute and The Glenlivet.

    Formed in 1975 by the merger of Ricard and Pernod, the company has a workforce of about 18,000 people. Its decentralised organisation has six brand companies and 80 market companies in each key market.

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  • Brioni Cambodia opens in Phnom Penh

    Brioni Cambodia opens in Phnom Penh

    Italian luxury menswear brand Brioni has opened its first boutique in Cambodia, at the luxury Vattanac Capital Mall in the heart of Phnom Penh’s emerging business and financial district.

    It was launched with a private cocktail event featuring evening jackets from the Brioni archive and representing seven decades of the brand’s history.

    Covering 100 sqm, the inaugural Brioni Cambodia boutique offers formalwear, leisurewear and accessories in an atmosphere that is described as melding the masculinity of a gentleman’s club with the elegance of a private “dressing room”. Both traditional and contemporary in approach, it features glass surfaces and bronzed brass, Eramosa marble, bahia wood with brass inserts, Navona travertine floors, and ceilings enriched with a sophisticated lighting system.

    “The economy in this market is seeing robust growth and we believe in its potential,” says Brioni CEO Gianluca Flore.

    Founded in Rome in 1945, Brioni designs, develops and manufactures exclusive Su Misura garments and ready-to-wear collections as well as leather goods (handbags, small leather goods and luggage), shoes, eyewear and fragrance. The house of Brioni is part of global luxury and sport and lifestyle group Kering.

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  • Mobile World crossing borders

    Mobile World crossing borders

    As well as electronics and mobile phones, its usual products, Vietnamese chain Mobile World is planning to distribute groceries in its first stores in Cambodia, Laos and Myanmar.

    CEO Tran Kinh Doanh says the stores will open early next year.

    Meanwhile, he has revealed two goals – to become one of the biggest eCommerce firms in Vietnam, and to bring in revenue of about VND34,000 billion (US$1.51 billion) this year. This would provide an after-tax profit of VND1400 billion – up VND400 billion on the past financial year.

    With 70 stores and a distribution network covering 42 provinces and cities, Mobile World last year earned VND25,000 billion, giving an after-tax profit of VND1000 billion. Both revenue and profit grew by 60 to 70 per cent. Online sales contributed less than 10 per cent of total revenue.

    Mobile World opened more than 200 cellphone stores last year, taking its total to 550, and this year it plans to expand its network to all 63 provinces and cities in Vietnam to become the second-largest electronic and mobile phone retail chain in the nation.

    It decision to join the food market with 13 stores was announced late last year. The corporation has 17,000 employees, expecting to grow this to about 26,000 people.

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  • Aeon booms despite ‘harsh’ retail conditions

    Aeon booms despite ‘harsh’ retail conditions

    Against a background of rising consumer prices, harsh retail conditions and increased competition in the shopping centre industry, Japanese developer Aeon opened four new malls in its home country last year and expanded regionally.

    It also renovated existing malls in Japan, and set up promotional programs to stimulate the market.

    Overseas, the company has been working to establish a business foundation with the aim of attracting customers to its malls in China and the ASEAN region, which it reports have been performing well. It has also added three malls in China, opened its first mall in Indonesia and launched its third in Vietnam. It has also announced plans to build a new luxury mall in Bangkok.

    Aeon’s operating revenue for the three quarters totalled 167,704 million yen ($1.4 billion), which is a 113.4 per cent year-on-year increase.

    However, because of expansion, operating costs rose 116.8 per cent year on year to 120,848 million yen, resulting in a gross profit of 46,856 million year (up 105.6 per cent).

    But in an extraordinary loss, the company incurred expenses of 1838 million yen when it closed Aeon Mall Neyagawa and Aeon Mall Fujidera, both in Osaka. This led to a decline in net income to 14,944 million yen (83.8 per cent).

    Several new malls were opened, including, in March, Aeon Mall Asahikawa Ekimae in Hokkaido, which is directly connected to a railway station; in April, Aeon Mall Okinawa Rycom, which has the concept of being a fully fledged resort mall; and in July, Aeon Mall Tonami, Toyama. As the Hokkaido and Okinawa malls are in leading tourist spots, their services were bolstered for foreigners. Meanwhile, the Okinawa mall has started accepting group tours in co-operation with nine travel agencies.

    Replacing Aeon Tonami Store, which closed in 2013, Aeon Mall Tonami opened in an area undergoing urban development, and in October opened Aeon Mall Shijonawate in Osaka, which has one of the largest food offerings in the region.

    Aeon also renewed five malls in the third quarter in addition to the six malls upgraded during the first half, including Aeon Lake Town in Koshigaya City. This comprises three individual malls – Kaze urban mall, Mori lifestyle mall and the Lake Town Outlet – making the complex one of the largest shoppings malls in Japan.

    Overseas, Aeon saw its revenue rise to 7795 million yen (up 186.4 per cent) in China, with an operating loss of 2994 million yen. Openings included Aeon Mall Suzhou Yuanqu Hudong, its second mall in Jiangsu Province, in May; Aeon Mall Beijing Fengtai, its second mall in the capital, in September; and Aeon Mall Hangzhou Liangzhu Xincheng, its first mall in Zhejiang Province, in November. This brings its number of malls in China to nine.

    A series of explosions on August 12 damaged part of Aeon Mall Tianjin Teda. Business was suspended, but general merchandise store Aeon resumed selling food and daily necessities on September. Business resumed for the rest of the mall on November 1.

    ASEAN business saw a revenue rise of 493.1 per cent to 2617 million yen, with an operating loss of 729 million yen. In October, Aeon Mall Long Bien became its first outlet in the Hanoi area and the third in Vietnam.

    Aeon Mall Phnom Penh opened in June 2014 as the company’s first mall in Cambodia, attracting more than 15 million customers in its first year. In Indonesia, BSD City in Tangerang, Banten Province, which opened in May as the first Aeon mall in Indonesia, also performed strongly.

    In its fiscal statement, the company says overseas business is considered as the driver of future growth, but is still at the stage of upfront investment and has yet to contribute to profits.

    In its information on its operating forecast, the company talks about its development plans for the Aeon Mall Tokoname in Japan, which opened in December. There was also an extension to the Aeon Mall Chikushino in the Fukuoka Prefecture, plus a revamp.

    Meanwhile, the company aims to cut costs through improved operations using the economies of scale with more than 140 malls in Japan.

    In China, also in December, the company opened Aeon Mall Wuhan Jingkai as its second property in Hubei Province, and Aeon Mall Guangzhou Panyu Square as its first mall in Guangdong Province. This month it is opening its third mall in Jiangsu, Aeon Mall Suzhou Xinqu, and plans to roll out dominant stores in Beijing-Tianjin, Jiangsu Province-Zhejiang Province, Hubei Province and Guangdong Province.

    In the ASEAN region, construction work has started on Aeon Mall Jakarta Garden City with another mall planned to open in Bogor, West Java Province, in October. New malls are also planned for Vietnam and Cambodia.

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  • Fashion brands targeted in Cambodian minimum wage push

    Fashion brands targeted in Cambodian minimum wage push

    Lobby group the Clean Clothes Campaign aims to shame the world’s large fashion brands into supporting a Cambodian minimum wage rise.

    The CCC says it is lobbying on behalf of a coalition of Cambodian unions that the multinational brands must ensure a minimum wage of US $177. Thousands of women and men in Cambodia and around the world, have worn stickers saying “brands must provide a living wage for workers!” in factories which produce apparel for major global brands such as H&M, Inditex, Levi’s and Gap.

    The campaign is co-ordinating ongoing action in Asia, the US and Europe.

    In October, the Labour Advisory Council (LAC), a tripartite wage-setting body, voted to approve a new minimum wage of $140, to be implemented in January 2016 for Cambodia’s 700,000 garment workers, despite objections from a number of unions.

    “This insufficient $12 wage increase is a slap in the face to workers who have been organising for over a year to demand a fair minimum wage of $177,” said the CCC.

    A coalition of Cambodian unions are joining together to demand that the brands immediately ensure a minimum wage of US $177 is paid in their Cambodian suppliers and negotiate directly with Cambodian unions a binding agreement to achieve living wages, decent purchasing practices, stable employment, and union rights for the long-term.

    “Some brands, such as H&M and Adidas, have made public statements that they support a living wage for workers in their supply chains. However, these assertions ring hollow to workers who often work excessive overtime and still cannot provide for the basic needs of themselves and their families.”

    Athit Kong, VP of C.CAWDU, an independent union in Cambodia, says the $12 increase does not reflect the real basic needs of the workers, “especially in light of the enormous profits of multinational brands”.

    “It is clear that the only solution to poverty wages in the garment industry is genuine collective bargaining between brands, as the principal employers, and the garment unions.”

    A Global Action Day is planned for December 10, International Human Rights Day. Workers and campaigners from all over the world will show support to the Cambodian workers with workplace actions, fashion mobs, catwalks, and other store actions.

    Mirjam van Heugten from CCC, says brands sourcing from Cambodia cannot expect the women and men working in their factories to accept “these bread crumbs”.

    “The workers effectively slave themselves at factories, only for the brands to make huge profits. The targeted brands such as H&M and Inditex must put their leadership claims into practice by making sure all garment workers receive a living wage.”

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