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Tag: China

  • Aldi China opening store on Tmall

    Aldi China opening store on Tmall

    Aldi China plans to open a flagship store on Tmall, Alibaba’s B2C marketplace platform, within the next few months.

    The German supermarket chain has just launched a corporate website in China to signal its upcoming entry into Asia. This features a market-specific logo and Chinese name 奥乐奇, with the slogan “Handpicked for you”.

    Aldi shares which product categories it will offer the Chinese market: breakfast, snacking, wine, organic and cooking. Some of these products will be directly imported from Aldi’s suppliers in Australia.

    It was initially thought Aldi would launch its own independent website, reports Retail Analysis. Other grocery retailers that sell through Tmall include Sainsbury’s and Waitrose from the UK. Waitrose sells through Royal Mail’s Tmall site.

    While China’s online market is competitive, Aldi’s approach will give it time to understand Chinese shoppers and adapt its offer if necessary. And though many products will come from Australia, Aldi has a strong focus on local sourcing in many of its other markets.

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  • Closing shop on China’s e-commerce platforms

    Closing shop on China’s e-commerce platforms

    The closures of a number of retail and luxury brand giants on China’s e-commerce platforms indicate that retail competition is no less fierce online than offline.

    It is old news that the Chinese market is highly competitive and unlike any other market in the world. What may sell on the high street in London is not guaranteed to sell in China. The rainbow-lensed promises of e-commerce seem to be an easy way to access China’s 770.4 million working population, 0.2 per cent or over 1.5 million of which have an average income of US$500,000.

    Political concerns and falling sales: Lotte

    In 2015, Lotte Group Retail opened a Tmall store, hoping to widen its reach in China, where over 60 per cent of its overseas stores are located. The large South Korean multinational conglomerate has had a presence in China for over 20 years, with 115 supermarkets and five shopping malls.

    But on January 12 this year, Lotte closed its Tmall store – along with three brick-and-mortar stores in Beijing – after rising political tension between China and South Korea. In December, Lotte’s China headquarters admitted that the company was facing investigations for tax, fire control and safety issues. However, the closure of its Tmall store seems to have stemmed also from the fact that China is Lotte’s only international market where growth is stymying. Sales fell during the last three months of 2016, year-on-year.

    While Lotte remains in the market through its physical shopping malls and supermarkets, and on the JD.com website, the company has not announced whether it will be reopening its Tmall store at any future date.

    Heavy local competition: Asos

    Asos, the UK’s largest online fashion retailer, entered China in 2013 with high expectations. The company announced it was investing RMB 100 million (US$14.5 million) towards the market, importing British styles and developing a sales force. Its business model relied exclusively on e-commerce, with its own website, as well as a Tmall store.

    However, Asos failed to attract enough customers and was running a loss of GBP 4 million (US$5 million) by April of 2016, when it announced that it was shutting down its China operations.

    Asos faced a number of problems in the Chinese market, from operations to marketing. When it first started, the company encountered issues with shipping though China Post, with customers paying import taxes on clothes. Eventually, Asos obtained a local warehouse, but then it encountered complex clothing trade regulations in China, particularly in regards to correct labelling. As a result, Asos had to spend additional funds on restitching to comply with local code, contributing to higher than expected start-up costs.

    Effective marketing was also a major issue for Asos, with the company failing to distinguish itself from local, more affordable brands. While it may be a major player in the US and Europe, Asos was relatively unknown to Chinese millennials, its target consumer base.

    Tmall concerns for luxury brands: Coach

    Coach was one of the first US luxury handbag brands to launch a Tmall store, creating a pop-up store from December 2011 to January 2012, and then an official one in 2015. However, citing a shifting operational strategy, Coach announced that it was leaving the platform just one year later in September 2016.

    China is a critical market for luxury goods, as sales in the US and Europe steadily decline. Many brands see e-commerce as a way to directly access customers and receive greater exposure, which is why many have moved onto online platforms en masse. Despite this, online platforms have always been a concern for luxury brands, who fear appearing too mass market. Moreover, Alibaba has been criticised by brands for not doing enough to remove fake goods, despite a counterfeit removal program. In 2016, Gucci and Michael Kors quit the anti-counterfeit coalition as protest against the program’s inefficacy.

    Coach still remains in the Chinese market through its WeChat account, an avenue that is growing in popularity amongst luxury brands. Cartier, Longchamp, and Montblanc all have WeChat shops with WePay functions. Some companies believe that WeChat offers a more personalised shopping experience, as well as greater control over its brand.

    For many luxury brands, online platforms are more for marketing and building brand image, rather than sales. However, official Tmall flagship stores do not receive priority listing on searches. In fact, according to a 2016 study by L2, only 12 per cent of first page Tmall search results were through the official Coach shop. The only luxury brands that controlled more than 80 per cent of first page search results were Ports 1961, Burberry, Tommy Hilfiger, Calvin Klein, and Tumi.

    Key Takeaways

    E-commerce is a high-growth sector, with online retail sales totaling US$581.61 billion in 2015, and it is estimated to grow 20 per cent annually by 2020. China is now the biggest online retail market in the world, and Chinese consumers make up almost half of all online sales globally.

    Companies looking to take advantage of China’s market size and sell to Chinese consumers often mistakenly believe that e-commerce offers a shortcut to success. While a misconception, this idea is understandable. There are fewer licensing requirements to operate through e-commerce, and customs clearance is faster.

    However, as has been demonstrated through high-profile store closures in 2016, e-commerce requires extensive pre-entry knowledge of current regulations, a realistic logistics plan, and a local marketing strategy. Those who enter the market blindly do so at the risk of expensive learning curves and wasted efforts.

    • This article was first published on dezshira.com.  Since its establishment in 1992, Dezan Shira & Associates has been guiding foreign clients through Asia’s complex regulatory environment and assisting them with all aspects of legal, accounting, tax, internal control, HR, payroll, and audit matters. For inquiries, email info@dezshira.com.
  • Chinese ‘Taobao villages’ turning poor communities into huge online retail hubs

    Chinese ‘Taobao villages’ turning poor communities into huge online retail hubs

    Thanks to the rapid development of China’s e-commerce industry, over 1,000 “Taobao villages” across the country are turning poor communities into huge online retail hubs, creating more than 840,000 job opportunities.
    These villages are so-named because at least 10 per cent of the population living in these rural communities makes its living by selling products online-mostly on Taobao.com, the Alibaba-owned consumer-to-consumer marketplace. The e-commerce annual turnover of each village is no less than 10 million yuan.

    By selling crafts online from their hometown of Wantou Village, Boxing county in east China’s Shandong Province, villagers made online sales of over 300 million yuan ($43.5 million) last year.

    Similarly, villagers of the Shuanglongqiao Village in Nanchong, southwest China’s Sichuan province, have allured flocks of tourists, including foreigners, to stay and experience the star-level accommodation at their houses, via e-commerce platforms.

    These villages offer a glimpse into how e-commerce industry spurs the rural economic growth and the farmers’ benefits.

    Online retail sales of China’s farm produce are estimated at 220 billion yuan ($32 billion) in 2016, up over 46 per cent over the previous year, the Ministry of Agriculture said.

    The latest figures from Aliresearch showed that there were 1,311 Taobao villages across China, and over 840,000 jobs were created by the clusters.

    Experts said that popularity of Internet and improvement of rural infrastructure have to some extent removed the bottlenecks restraining their information communication and logistics. The market potential and demands of the central and western part of China, especially those remote areas, was leveraged as a result.

    They added that rural areas have been constrained by labour outflow, poor infrastructure, low incomes and lack of competitive advantages, while an e-commerce development will help optimise market environment, upgrade industrial structure and absorb more labours.

    The profitability of e-commerce has attracted a rising number of rural residents to return home, according to statistics. Thanks to the development of e-commerce, about 12 million people left for brighter futures have come back to build up the local economy.

    The development of e-commerce, as experts believe, can be attributed to favourable policies and the rising market demand.

    The recently-released first policy statement from the central authorities for 2017, usually an indicator of policy priorities, emphasised the importance of supply-side structural reform in the agricultural sector, urging the development of e-commerce industry in rural areas.

    At the same time, e-commerce and traditional businesses have cast their eyes to the rural areas. So far, Alilbaba has expanded its services to over 23,000 villages nationwide.

    Days earlier, a strategic cooperation agreement to boost rural e-commerce was inked by Sichuan province, Alibaba Group and Ant Financial Services Group, the mobile payment affiliate of Alibaba.

    Alibaba CEO Jack Ma said that his company hopes to offer a training on e-commerce and Taobao villages to those county officials of the province, explaining that their rising awareness to develop e-commerce will guarantee the business success of the province.

    – Du Yifei

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  • Kitchenware firm thrives by cooking up new ideas

    Kitchenware firm thrives by cooking up new ideas

    There is often something new on the menu at kitchenware retailer ToTT. Since opening its first outlet in 2010, the firm has branched out into e-commerce, cooking lessons and even customised kitchenware.

    Re-invention has always been at the heart of the company’s ethos, said ToTT director Grace Tan.

    Her grandfather founded ToTT’s parent company Sia Huat, which started in 1959 in Temple Street selling kitchenware to industrial kitchens, restaurants and chefs. The company noticed a gap in the market for household kitchenware products, and ToTT – which stands for Tools of the Trade – was born.

    The retail chain now has two stores here and remains a family business – Ms Tan’s father, Mr Tan Choon Boon, is Sia Huat’s chief executive.

    Both of ToTT’s outlets integrate shopping with in-store kitchens where classes and cooking demonstrations are conducted.

    The company also set up a bistro at its Dunearn outlet to complement the culinary retail experience.

    These additions contribute about 20 per cent of overall revenue, Ms Tan, 38, said, with kitchenware retail still making up the bulk of sales at 80 per cent.

    ToTT also launched an online store in 2013.

    “These measures attract the attention of consumers and keep them consistently engaged in the shopping experience,” said Ms Tan.

    The retailer, which employs around 60 people, noted that sales held steady last year despite sluggish economic conditions.

    Ms Tan acknowledged that competition in the retail industry is fierce, but added that a focus on quality is ToTT’s best bet for the future.

    “While sites such as Taobao may offer cheaper deals, their products do not come with any form of quality assurance,” she said. “ToTT allows customers to try out various products before purchasing them. We set high expectations for product and service quality.”

  • German supermarket Aldi opens online store in China

    German supermarket Aldi opens online store in China

    The soft opening of a bricks and mortar store meanwhile is scheduled for 20 March and the official grand opening will be held in Shanghai in April, the company said in a statement on its website.

    Most of the products will be sourced from its existing Australian suppliers to serve the China market with a focus on value.

    “For decades, the Aldi’s own brands have enjoyed the reputation of providing excellent value for money,” said Christoph Schwaiger of Aldi. “We are convinced that Chinese customers are also very interested in the quality and the reasonable prices we can offer them.”

    Terry von Bibra, general manager Europe of Alibaba Group, commented: “The name Aldi is a concept in many countries of the world and like Alibaba, the company is a pioneer in its industry. We are very pleased to support Aldi Sud at the Chinese market with Tmall Global, one of the largest e-commerce platforms for consumers in China, and to work as a strategic partner with Aldi  in other areas, such as B2C, B2B and marketing.”

    “Alibaba’s e-commerce platforms reach not only the approximately 443 million active users, but also serve the strongly growing interest of the Chinese middle class in products Made in Germany. The products of Aldi South will undoubtedly be very popular among consumers. ”

  • Asians top buyers of Moncler clothing

    Asians top buyers of Moncler clothing

    China and South Korea were the top markets, along with the US, for Italian luxury clothing maker Moncler last year.

    Sales of Moncler clothing rose 18 per cent with revenues of €1.04 billion (US$1.1 billion). Same-store-sales were up 7 per cent, and at the end of the year the group had 190 directly owned stores, 17 more than 12 months previously.

    Moncler chairman/CEO Remo Ruffini says he is convinced the group will continue to grow this year.

    COO Roberto Eggs says the group has started talks with Swiss travel retailer Dufry to open in airports, with timing depending on opportunities.

    CCO Luciano Santel says most of the company growth last year came from volume, with prices being mostly stable.

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  • @Cosme hitting debut in Taiwan

    @Cosme hitting debut in Taiwan

    Japanese online cosmetic store @Cosme is to open a brick-and-mortar store in Taiwan in May.

    It is the spearhead of a plan by its owner, Istyle, to open stores across Asia.

    Istyle began opening @cosme stores in Japan in 2007, bringing together drugstore and specialty store brands. The chain grew from a website that gained popularity by word of mouth, the stores making it easy for customers to find products that rank high on the site.

    However, Istyle’s business plan for the rest of Asia will follow the exact opposite path of its success in Japan: it will first open stores, then launch websites in the native language.

    “We will establish a foothold in foreign markets by first opening stores,” says Istyle president Tetsuro Yoshimatsu.

    The company plans to add three or more stores in Taiwan and Hong Kong this year.

    So far, most of Istyle’s overseas business dealings have been focussed on wholesaling cosmetics and crossborder e-commerce in China.

  • Lotte plans second Hanoi mall

    Lotte plans second Hanoi mall

    South Korean conglomerate Lotte is to build a second Hanoi mall.

    It will be in a 200,000 sqm complex near West Lake in the Vietnamese capital, The Korea Heraldreports.

    Included in the mall will be a department store, supermarket and a cinema, all to be directly run by Lotte affiliates.

    Construction is set to start within the next couple of months for completion in 2020.

    It has been reported that the project, previously known as Ciputra Ha Noi Mall and owned by the Citra West Lake City Development Company, was acquired by Lotte this year.

    Started in 2007 with an estimated investment of US$2 billion, the project has been stalled for various reasons.

    The total investment capital of the new Lotte project is expected to reach nearly $300 million.

    The Lotte Group invested $400 million in the 65-storey Lotte Center Ha Noi mall, currently the second-tallest building in the city.

    The Korean giant plans to expand its retail network in Vietnam through mergers and acquisitions, and plans 60 shopping malls in the country by 2020 – a five-fold increase, reports Nikkei.

    Lotte has 285 shopping centres in Asian countries including China, Indonesia and South Korea, and views Vietnam as one of the fastest-growing retail markets in the region. In October, Lotte Mart launched its e-commerce channel in Vietnam following the introduction of Lotte Shopping TV in 2012.

    As well as providing South Korean products to Vietnamese consumers, Lotte plans to export Vietnamese products like coffee, dried fruit, wooden artifacts and ceramics back to its home market.

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  • Starbucks Coffee Japan aims to blend in

    Starbucks Coffee Japan aims to blend in

    Starbucks Coffee Japan is aiming to blend in with its first cafe in Uji, Kyoto, giving it a local tea culture theme.

    The branch of the US coffee chain will be opened by the front gate of Byodoin temple, a UNESCO World Heritage site, on March 31.

    It will occupy a space along the front approach to the temple, offering customers a view of the Ujigawa promenade. The 142 sqm outlet will have 41 seats inside and 19 outside.

    Starbucks Japan

    A gable roof will match local custom, and decor features will be related to Uji tea culture.
    Another cafe and a parking lot stood on the site until last year.

    Ten years ago, Starbucks had a 19 sqm outlet in the 587-year-old Forbidden City in Beijing, but protests led to the Seattle-based company closing it.

  • Alibaba seeks tougher penalties for counterfeit goods

    Alibaba seeks tougher penalties for counterfeit goods

    Alibaba Group has called for tougher laws, stricter enforcement and stiffer penalties to crack down on purveyors of counterfeit goods in China.

    At a press conference at its headquarters in Hangzhou, Alibaba said China’s “ambiguous counterfeiting laws” were hampering authorities’ ability to build legal cases against counterfeiters, resulting in a low conviction rate that is “the fundamental reason for the inefficiency in combating counterfeiting and protecting intellectual property”.

    “Current regulations are no longer able to cope with the need to fight counterfeiting,” according to the company’s public appeal, which is published in full below. “Criminals can escape any legal consequence, leaving law enforcement agents and consumers feeling helpless, and society bearing the damage.” The company urged authorities to strengthen laws, boost enforcement and impose more punitive penalties to deter counterfeiters.

    Alibaba has long faced criticism over the sale of counterfeits by independent vendors in its giant e-commerce marketplaces, which host some 1.5 billion product listings at any given time.

    “Alibaba Group is itself a victim of counterfeiting,” the note says. “The manufacturing industry and business environment of China suffers even more. Counterfeiting is damaging, not only to consumers and legitimate merchants, but also to innovation and the long-term economic development of our nation, hindering China’s growth as a responsible economic power.”

    To maintain the trust of consumers and legitimate merchants selling on its platforms, the company has been waging an escalating war to control the problem, employing a range of tactics to combat fakes and put counterfeiters out of business. Alibaba screens and monitors product listings using manpower and advanced search, image-recognition and big-data technology. The company also works with authorities in China to track down the source of counterfeits and prosecute offenders. Recently, Alibaba has also used China’s courts to cause pain for fake-goods sellers.

    Alibaba officials stressed the company remains firmly committed to continuing its anti-counterfeiting battle, but its ability to remove merchants and products from its marketplaces will be much less-productive in the long run without the support of more legally enforceable sanctions.

    The full Alibaba Group statement is below:

    In the ongoing war against counterfeiting, society is currently faced with an impasse. In Alibaba Group’s view, progress against this illegal activity is negligible because the costs and risks of producing and selling counterfeits are too low. The only way out of this is to impose tougher criminal sanctions on every individual involved in the chain of operation. Only by doing this, can China’s manufacturing industry return to the path of originality and innovation that ultimately leads to sustainable development.

    In 2016, our Platform Governance Department identified and handled 4495 leads related to counterfeiting. Each involved a value of goods exceeding the statutory minimum of RMB 50,000 for criminal investigation. Of these, law-enforcement departments followed up 1184 leads, which led to just 33 convictions, according to public information, representing a conviction rate of only 0.7 per cent.

    Alibaba came up with the 4495 leads via proactive big-data screening by its Platform Governance team, brand owners’ reports, consumer complaints and random checks. But law-enforcement agencies often found it difficult to classify and quantify incidences of counterfeiting and also had difficulties building legal cases due to ambiguous counterfeiting laws. As a result, public security agents were only able to build 469 cases from 1184 leads.

    The extremely low conviction rate is the fundamental reason for the inefficiency in combating counterfeiting and protecting intellectual property. Current regulations are no longer able to cope with the need to fight counterfeiting. Criminals can escape any legal consequence, leaving law-enforcement agencies and consumers feeling helpless and society bearing the damage.

    Alibaba established its own 2000-member-strong anti-counterfeiting force and has invested over RMB 1 billion each year to proactively combat counterfeiting with the most advanced technology and data models. For the 12 months ended August 2016, Alibaba took down 380 million product listings and shut down 180,000 Taobao stores and 675 operators as a result of its anti-counterfeiting action. As a private enterprise, Alibaba has no law-enforcement power. We can only uncover irregularities, take down the product listings, report the cases to the regulators and wait for law enforcement to handle the cases.

    We do our best to stop counterfeit goods from landing on our platform but cannot entirely stop them from proliferating offline and moving to other platforms. We identify and handle irregularities according to the highest standard of platform-management rules, but cannot impose penalties on the criminals.

    Alibaba Group is itself a victim of counterfeiting. The manufacturing industry and business environment of China suffers even more. Counterfeiting is damaging, not only to consumers and legitimate merchants, but also to innovation and the long-term economic development of our nation, hindering China’s growth as a responsible economic power.

    We therefore call for further development of our laws and regulations, stricter law enforcement and harsher punishments to strengthen the efforts to combat counterfeiting. Counterfeiters are our arch-enemy and we will stop at nothing to fight them.

    The criminalisation of drunk driving once delivered a clear message to society that violators will have to face serious consequences for their actions. Such a message served as a deterrent. We hope our society can reach a consensus to collectively increase the resources and efforts towards combating counterfeiting to no lesser extent than was done with drunk driving. To stamp out counterfeiting in China, all of us should play our part.

    Enlightenment-era criminologist Cesare Beccaria once said, “crimes are more effectually prevented by the certainty of punishment.”

    There is no way to root out counterfeiting with a conviction rate of 0.7 per cent. Only through stricter law enforcement and appropriate punitive measures can we stop criminals from evading responsibility for their actions. Only when counterfeiters get the punishment they deserve will the interests of consumers be properly protected.

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  • Doutor Coffee heading to China

    Doutor Coffee heading to China

    Japanese low-price cafe chain Doutor Coffee is heading to China following its parent company’s failed foray with pasta restaurants.

    Doutor Nichires Holdings is partnering with restaurant group Xiao Nan Guo, whose business includes high-end Chinese dining. It flourished on lavish official meals funded by taxpayer money until President Xi Jinping cracked down on official extravagance.

    As Chinese consumers become increasingly price-conscious, the partners see potential for the low-price Doutor Coffee chain.

    Doutor Nichires, which also runs chains such as Excelsior Caffe and Hoshino Coffee in Japan, had three pasta restaurants in Shanghai until about three years ago. It now has 18 overseas locations, including cafes in Singapore.

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  • Ad’Lite™ – Brighten Up Your Sales!

    Ad’Lite™ – Brighten Up Your Sales!

    HL Display China, the innovative solution provider for in-store communication and merchandising industry have the latest lighting solution that is based on LED technology, which is green and cost-effective approach, low energy consumption and has long life. The system is easy to use and install – no tools required, no electrician needed.

    Ad’Lite™ is a complete plug and play solution that simplifies any illumination project. The range is compatible with signage, merchandising and price information. The features of this innovative solution includes:

    • High brightness and high efficiency
    • Minimized operating costs
    • Complete plug and play solution

    The lighting can be designed with technically advanced and economical lamps where the LED lamps are designed to be robust and thin with highest output of emitted light. The system ensures minimal maintenance and adapted to variety of uses including applications in sub-zero temperature. The system also emits a minimum heat and without UV radiation, which makes it an ideal solution for food, cosmetics, pharmacy products, chocolate and other sensitive products

    Innovative solutions for retail sector and how it implicates:

    • Highlights exclusive offers
    • Drives additional traffic
    • Improves consumer experience
    • Increase time spent in the store and section
    • Increase sales

    Essentially, it is designed to meet the present and future’s needs of retailers and brands. Create a competitive advantage by gaining customers attention and reducing operation costs at the same time.

    For further information, HL Display China can be directly contacted during office hour at +86 21 63546998 (Shanghai office) with the attention to Mr. Jadon Yue, or e-mail to jadon.yue@hl-display.com or info.asia@hl-display.com. Visit the company website for at www.hl-display.com/asia for Engllish language or www.hl-display.cn for Chinese language.

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  • Sands China launches branded Mastercard rewards program

    Sands China launches branded Mastercard rewards program

    Sands China, ICBC and Mastercard have launched a credit card allowing holders to collect points anywhere in the world which can be redeemed at Sands Macao’s integrated resorts.

    The ICBC Sands Lifestyle Mastercard holders will also have the opportunity to earn up to three times more points when they shop and 20 times more points when they stay at Sands Resorts Macao properties. ICBC Asia offers three times more points when they spend overseas with the card.

    The program is the first for Mastercard’s Pay with Rewards in Asia Pacific. It will have two levels of co-branded credit cards, including the Sands Lifestyle Platinum Mastercard and Sands Lifestyle World Mastercard.

    Cardholders can take advantage of benefits including hotel stays, dining, shopping, events and entertainment. This includes discounts on accommodation packages, ferry tickets, air travel and holiday packages with Cotai Travel, special offers at selected restaurants, Sands Shoppes and entertainment tickets to international and Asian theatre shows and music events.

    Initially, the program will only be available for customers living in Hong Kong and Macao. Customers living in Hong Kong can apply to join the program at ICBC (Asia) branches in Hong Kong or via the ICBC (Asia) website, while customers living in Macao can apply at ICBC (Macau) branches or via the ICBC (Macau) website.

    Dave Horton, chief marketing officer with Sands China, said the Sands Lifestyle program offers a range of attractive benefits for cardholders.

    Sands China, ICBC and Mastercard executives announce the new Sands Lifestyle loyalty program. From left: Ling Hai, co-president, Asia Pacific, Mastercard, Jiang Yisheng, CEO of ICBC Asia, Dave Horton, global chief marketing officer, Las Vegas Sands Corp & Sands China and Wang Du Fu, president, ICBC Card Center.

    “Designed to enhance the experience of our visitors to our integrated resorts and Macao in as destination, Sands Lifestyle is an innovative addition to our world-class facilities and one we anticipate will encourage more visitor arrivals.”

    Ling Hai, co-president, Asia-Pacific, Mastercard, added: “Today represents a number of firsts for Mastercard in China. It is the first time we are partnering with Sands China, one of the largest leisure brands and most popular lifestyle destinations in the region. The ICBC Sands Lifestyle Mastercard is also the first to launch the Mastercard Pay with Rewards product in Asia Pacific. We believe our partnership with Sands China is another step towards fulfilling our commitment to meeting the evolving desires of China’s burgeoning affluent population.”

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  • First phase of Europark Dalian complete

    First phase of Europark Dalian complete

    New York-based architecture and urban planning firm Laguarda.Low Architects has completed the first phase of Europark, a 3 million sqft (280,000 sqm) mixed-use complex in Dalian.

    Set on a landscaped park in the heart of Donggang’s CBD, Europark Dalian comprises the award-winning Galleria Mall, a tower of apartment suites, two SOHO office towers and two residential towers, which are planned for the second phase of construction starting late this year.

    “Now the first phase is complete, we are certain the cutting-edge architectural style, contemporary design and endless retail options in this complex will attract attention throughout the region,” says Laguarda.Low principal John Low.

    Officially opened in August 2015, the Galleria Mall is the first European-style shopping centre in Donggang. It is at the site’s centre, offering four levels of retail, including Adidas, H&M, Nike and Zara stores plus an Imax theatre – all arranged around a central skylight that permeates daylight to all levels.

    The Galleria Mall has won such accolades as the China Building Complex Award in 2011, the Design Innovation Award in 2013, a bronze award for retail development in 2014 and the New Media Service Marketing Award in 2015. Laguarda.Low also designed the mall’s interior.

    In partnership with international landscape design firm SWA, Europark has the biggest green park in Donggang. The development is within walking distance of Dalian Port and the Davos Conference Center.

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  • AT&T, China Mobile team on IoT

    AT&T, China Mobile team on IoT

    AT&T and China Mobile have joined forces to further enable the IoT. Announcing the partnership ahead of Mobile World Congress 2017, AT&T said the deal will help the US telco’s global business customers connect and deploy their assets and offerings in the Chinese market.

    The pair is developing a new technology platform which AT&T say will seamlessly move its business customer’s IoT subscriptions over to China Mobile’s local service.

    The behind-the-scenes switch will help simplify the supply chain for AT&T’s customers looking to expand to China. This will help customers accelerate time to market and achieve greater efficiency in driving new revenue streams, said Chris Penrose, president of IoT solutions at AT&T.

    Penrose said AT&T is one of the first global operators to establish a relationship with China Mobile, which has the world’s largest 4G mobile network covering more than 1.3 billion subscribers.

    “China is one of the fastest growing markets. It holds incredible opportunity for our global business customers. Working with China Mobile means we can further develop that opportunity. This makes it an even more exciting time to be in the IoT,” the executive said.

    AT&T serves nearly 3.5 million business customers, helping them connect their devices around the world.

    “We look forward to helping AT&T business customers bring their connected solutions to our market,” said Dr. Li Feng, chairman & CEO, China Mobile International. “We believe this will help unlock new options and experiences for our customers while achieving one of our core goals – increasing the number of connected devices on our network.”