Retail News CRM

Tag: Clothing

  • Inditex posts solid nine-month revenue growth

    Inditex posts solid nine-month revenue growth

    Apparel giant Inditex says its net revenue grew by 7.1 per cent, reaching US$29.04 billion (€27.4 billion) for its first nine months.

    The company says the results reflect strong growth for its physical stores and online channels.

    Inditex’s gross profit increased by 7.2 per cent, totalling $17.33 billion (€16.3 billion), while its EBITDA jumped by 9.3 per cent, reaching $6.09 billion (€5.7 billion).

    The company continued its expansion, with 45 new store openings across multiple markets. By the end of the period, Inditex operated 5659 stores globally.

    Looking ahead, Inditex said it’s focused on its long-term growth, with an investment of $951 million (€900 million) annually in logistics for this year and the next. This investment aims to improve the company’s logistics capacity and enhance its integrated business model.

    Zara, Inditex’s flagship brand, continues to lead the portfolio, along with other brands such as Bershka, Massimo Dutti, Oysho, Pull&Bear, Stradivarius, Uterqüe, and Lefties.

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  • Zara opens first tech-forward concept store in Thailand

    Zara opens first tech-forward concept store in Thailand

    Zara has renovated its store in Central Phuket, making it the brand’s first tech-forward concept store in Thailand.

    The store, which first opened in 2011, features a white minimalist interior design and has more than doubled in size, from 840sqm to more than 1700sqm. It features technology tools that allow customers to integrate online and physical store platforms.

    This is part of the brand’s global rollout of its new concept, which aims to provide customers with a more spacious, innovative, and sustainable shopping experience.

    The Inditex-owned company unveiled its first tech-forward concept store in Madrid, Spain, which it characterised as the “most advanced” store in 2022. The store concept focuses primarily on technology tools that allow consumers to browse the store of their choice online, check available stock, shop online, and pick up their products in just two hours.

    It also promotes sustainability in store, where it uses eco-friendly products and “some of the most advanced environmental eco-efficient systems”

    Zara has also launched this model with stores in the US, India, and Portugal.

  • Uniqlo to open global flagship in former Bicqlo site in Shinjuku

    Uniqlo to open global flagship in former Bicqlo site in Shinjuku

    Uniqlo is set to open a new global flagship store in Shinjuku, replacing the former Bicqlo location, as part of its aggressive expansion plan.

    In addition to offering its range of clothing and accessories, the store will feature unique elements such as Uniqlo Flower, Uniqlo Coffee, and Re:Uniqlo.

    Uniqlo Flower is located on the first floor, selling seasonal flowers and will be displayed at the store’s entrance. On the second floor, Uniqlo Coffee will serve beverages and local sweets.

    Additionally, the third floor will house Re:Uniqlo Studio where customers can access embroidery and clothing repair services, encouraging shoppers to care for and extend the life of their garments.

    To celebrate its opening, Uniqlo will release an exclusive Shinjuku Mainstore Special, which will feature select Western products not previously available in Japan; and a Shinjuku Department Store Guidebook, a booklet introducing the town, insights from staff from long-established local stores, and cultural figures from the district.

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  • Dior opens reinvented Galaxy Macau boutique

    Dior opens reinvented Galaxy Macau boutique

    Luxury fashion house Dior has launched its revamped Galaxy Macau boutique, offering more exclusive shopping experiences.

    The store, located at one of the finest shopping locations, Galaxy Promenade, has two floors and offers a varied range of items such as ready-to-wear and accessories designed by Maria Grazia Chiuri and Kim Jones, as well as watches and jewellery.

    The venue also features the My Dior fine jewellery line, the Dior autumn-winter 2024-2025 ready-to-wear collection with 30 Montaigne models, and Victoire de Castellane’s Rose des Vents and My Dior designs.

    The second store features men’s clothes from the Dior Winter 2024-2025 collection, as well as the Lifestyle Capsule, which focuses on board sports.

    In addition, the boutique offers VIP private shopping spaces.

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  • Ralph Lauren bucks subdued luxury market with higher sales

    Ralph Lauren bucks subdued luxury market with higher sales

    Ralph Lauren has posted a modest increase in sales and a surge in profit for the first quarter despite a challenging luxury market.

    The company’s revenue for the quarter ended June 29 was $1.5 billion, up 1 percent on a reported basis and 3 percent in constant currency.

    According to GlobalData MD Neil Saunders, the slight increase was delivered against a very difficult environment for luxury and consumer spending. This shows the company has “bucked the performance of many other high-end brands”, setting it apart as one of the few players still driving growth in a more subdued market.

    The sales growth was led by Europe with a 6 percent increase on a reported basis, followed by Asia with 4 percent improvement. Sales in North America, however, declined 4 percent as stronger direct-to-consumer performance was more than offset by planned declines in wholesale.

    While Ralph Lauren will need to wait for the NA market to bounce back, Saunders believes the Europe and Asia regions will continue to drive some good numbers. The company has more control over distribution and the brand is less mature in these markets, he added.

    Comparable store sales rose 5 percent, reflecting a strong performance in a muted market. The brand is benefitting from attracting more younger consumers, while its focus on classic, quiet luxury is favorable to current trends, according to the analyst.

    The results were even more robust on the bottom line, with net income jumping 27.6 percent to  $169 million. “Lower cotton costs, some better margins from a shift to retail, and general cost savings all helped to produce the outsized performance,” Saunders explained.

    For FY25, the company expects revenue to increase 2-3 percent given the current geopolitical and macroeconomic environment.

    “The powerful combination of our brand strength and diverse growth drivers — together with our culture of agility and operating discipline — gives us confidence that our long-term strategy will continue to deliver even through these dynamic times,” commented Patrice Louvet, president and CEO of Ralph Lauren.

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  • Uniqlo elevates its T-shirt’s popularity as Singapore’s ‘national uniform’

    Uniqlo elevates its T-shirt’s popularity as Singapore’s ‘national uniform’

    Japanese fashion brand Uniqlo has launched new Singapore-exclusive colors for its AIRism oversized T-shirt, promoting it as the “SG uniform” and acknowledging its popularity as the go-to attire for Singaporean men.

    The new T-shirt colors, orange, red and dark green, were released last month at Uniqlo stores across the city-state, advertised as “The SG uniform”.

    This move indicated that the Japanese retailer is embracing the product’s ubiquity in the nation, especially among Singaporean men.

    The brand’s Singaporean website also listed the product as an “essential” fashion item, with one unit being sold almost every minute in the city-state from October 2022 to September 2023.

    Due to its prevalence, the “SG uniform” has often been a topic of discussion on social media, where Singaporean men’s basic outfit – the Uniqlo T-shirt, a pair of shorts and slippers – is often ridiculed.

    Notably, one viral video by TikTok user Sherrgoh, showing a man buying the same t-shirt in several different shades and captioned ‘SG boys shopping for their uniform in new colors,’ has gained over 1.6 million views.

    According to those who favor the oversized T-shirt, Uniqlo’s biggest appeal is its convenience.

    “I think that there are many other brands on the market that are of a similar price bracket and quality, like Muji, but Uniqlo makes it convenient to get the same piece of clothing that you know fits you well repeatedly or in different colors,” Raffli Noor, 39.

    Meanwhile, others have said that the item is both comfortable and low-key, not standing out and attracting unwanted attention.

    Singapore boasts 30 Uniqlo outlets and the highest density of Uniqlo stores outside of Japan, with approximately one store for every 189,000 people.

    The new colors for the AIRism T-shirt are not the brand’s first Singapore-exclusive release, as it had previously introduced several products inspired by Singaporean literature in collaboration with the city-state’s National Library Board in March.

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  • Sasa International’s annual profit surges 276 percent

    Sasa International’s annual profit surges 276 percent

    Sasa International‘s annual attributable profit surged 275.8 percent to HK$218.9 million (US$28 million), as mainland Chinese tourists returned as the borders between Hong Kong, Macau, and Mainland China reopened.

    During the year, turnover rose 24.8 percent to HK$4.37 billion as sales in Hong Kong and Macau, its largest market, soared 31.4 percent to $3.41 billion.

    Mainland China sales grew 9.7 percent to $581.6 million, but Southeast Asia sales fell 1.7 percent to $365.8 million.

    Sales in other markets swelled 126.1 percent to $10.4 million.

    Moving forward, the beauty retailer is looking to introduce exclusive brands via livestream platforms in Mainland China to improve the company’s gross margin profile. It is also planning to expand in Hong Kong and is looking at high-traffic malls in Malaysia and Singapore.

    The company maintains a cautious outlook for China amid continued geopolitical tensions and said it has to consolidate its position in the region before making further moves.

    However, in the early weeks of the new financial year—from April 1 to June 16—the company’s turnover declined 9.5 percent year over year to $812.5 million.

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  • Italian outerwear label Herno makes global duty-free debut in Korea

    Italian outerwear label Herno makes global duty-free debut in Korea

    Italian luxury brand Herno has made its first presence in South Korea, in partnership with Shinsegae International. The launch also marks Herno’s first presence in a duty-free shop.

    Located on the ninth floor of the Shinsegae Duty-Free Myeongdong branch, the store offers its latest winter collection in a variety of colors, with products made primarily of cashmere, silk, goose down, and nylon.

    “Even though outerwear is expensive, there is a perception that people buy high-quality products and wear them for a long time, so the demand for luxury padding is steadily increasing,” said a representative for Shinsegae International Herno.

    “As the number of travelers leaving overseas, including foreign tourists, is rapidly increasing ahead of the end of the year. We are expecting a good response from the Shinsegae Duty Free Myeongdong branch.”

    Herno, founded in 1948 by Giuseppe Marnezi, is notable for not showing its logos, in line with the quiet luxury trend. The decision to create a duty-free store was made in reaction to South Korea’s emergence as a centre of luxury fashion, the recent growth in international tourists visiting Korea, and the rapid increase in overseas travel by Koreans.

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  • Maison Kitsune opens first store in Vietnam

    Maison Kitsune opens first store in Vietnam

    Luxury fashion house Maison Kitsune has opened its first physical presence in Vietnam in conjunction with local distributor Tam Son International.

    The store, located on Trang Tien, one of Hanoi’s busiest streets, combines French and Japanese influences, as well as Vietnamese fine arts and local cultural identity.

    The store features a stone-paved facade and a warm colour tone running throughout, with four interconnected sections divided by wooden walls inspired by wicker art, furniture, and ceiling lighting, trying to commemorate Vietnamese heritage and workmanship.

    According to the firm, Maison Kitsune’s store setting captures the essence of the “Paris – Tokyo meets” lifestyle. Kitsune’s signature is light oak, herringbone floors, and marble counters, which highlight the brand’s minimalist design philosophy.

    Created in 2002 by Gildas Loaëc and Masaya Kuroki, Maison Kitsune offers a variety of brands, including Art de Vivre, integrating a fashion brand (Maison Kitsune), music label (Kitsune Musique), and coffee shops (Cafe Kitsune).

    The company operates in several countries and territories, including Thailand, Hong Kong, Japan, and the United States. In 2021, the brand made its debut in Beijing, China.

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  • Marimekko drafting SEA expansion, by entering Vietnam and Malaysia

    Marimekko drafting SEA expansion, by entering Vietnam and Malaysia

    Finnish lifestyle brand Marimekko is accelerating its expansion plan in Southeast Asia, eyeing entering Vietnam and Malaysia this year under a franchise partnership with Jaspal Group.

    The expansion, which will include the launch of online stores in both markets, comes after the brand disclosed its Singapore debut with the first store scheduled to open at Ion Orchard next month.

    “These fast-growing markets provide interesting opportunities for Marimekko’s international growth and hence support our company’s objective to scale the Marimekko business in the upcoming years,” said Natacha Defrance, Marimekko’s senior VP of Sales, Region East.

    While Marimekko’s first Vietnam stores are set to open in the Lotte Mall Westlake in Hanoi and Takashimaya shopping mall in Ho Chi Minh City later this year, the brand’s first stores in Malaysia will be located in Suria KLCC mall at Petronas Twin Towers and in The Exchange TRX mall.

    Marimekko will join Jaspal Group’s portfolio of brands, including Diesel, Melissa and Asics. The Thai retail operator has a presence in four Asian countries.

    “We see a growing interest in Asia towards the Finnish design house renowned for its bold prints and colours, so now is a good time to make Marimekko available to local consumers and tourists alike in Vietnam and Malaysia,” said Yosathep Singhsachathet, deputy CEO at Jaspal Group.

    The Finnish lifestyle brand said Asia, where it has seen growing demand for its products, is its most important geographical area for international growth. The brand has 80 stores and shop-in-shops in Asia Pacific.

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  • Gap appoints Chris Blakeslee president and CEO of Athleta

    Gap appoints Chris Blakeslee president and CEO of Athleta

    Gap announced that it is appointing Chris Blakeslee as the new President and CEO of Athleta, joining the company August 7. In this role, Blakeslee will drive strategic growth for the portfolio’s nearly $1.5 billion1 women’s active and lifestyle brand, and certified B Corporation, building on the foundation of Athleta’s product innovation and its mission to ignite a community of active, healthy, confident women and girls who empower each other to reach their true potential through the ‘Power of She.

    Blakeslee brings broad expertise in the apparel retail and wholesale industries, holding roles across marketing, sales, product portfolio management, operations, and supply chain, serving most recently as President of sister companies Alo Yoga and Bella+Canvas since 2017. In that time, Alo Yoga grew to over $1 billion in sales in 2022, nearly doubling its year-over-year growth.

    “A true brand champion, Chris is known for driving results in high-growth businesses through the blend of creativity and operational rigor,” said Bob Martin, Executive Chairman and Interim CEO, Gap Inc. “Chris is a strong, decisive leader and proven business driver across multiple industries, including active apparel and wellness – one of the fastest and most aspirational retail sectors – making him well suited to guide Athleta into long-term, sustainable growth rooted in delivering high-quality performance product and a rich omni shopping experience.”

    “I’m thrilled to join the Gap Inc. team and to lead Athleta – a brand I’ve long admired. I see incredible runway for the brand to capitalize on its unique, purpose-led positioning and performance product innovation, leveraging its assets across marketing, stores, product and community to deliver consistent growth,” said Blakeslee. “There is something really captivating about the ‘Power of She’ when it comes to engaging women and girls in all aspects of life, and I can’t wait to jump in with the teams to harness this in a way that will further serve customers’ wants and needs.”

    Blakeslee joins a strong and dedicated Athleta leadership team, including Chief Creative Officer, Julia Leach, who was appointed in May to clearly and consistently articulate the brand voice and vision across all its touch points.

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  • Charles & Keith opens first flagship store in South Korea

    Charles & Keith opens first flagship store in South Korea

    CHARLES & KEITH’s inaugural duplex flagship store in South Korea, situated in the vibrant shopping district of Gangnam, Seoul, is now open. Spanning an expansive area of over 330 sqm, the two-storey flagship store stands as the largest CHARLES & KEITH boutique in South Korea. Staying true to the brand’s signature minimalist aesthetic, the brand-new flagship store showcases a thoughtfully designed interior characterized by gradual curves and fluid lines. These design elements are seamlessly integrated with a clean and understated colour scheme, resulting in a space that emanates a modern and refined ambiance.

    The flagship store features striking sculptural artworks by South Korean artist Jeesun Park, making a bold statement throughout the space. These sculptures, while harmoniously complementing the spatial design, stand out with their unique shapes and artistic presence. Fragmented hemispheres, arcs, cut-out shapes, ellipses, and other unfinished forms intertwine to create new compositions.

    In addition to its remarkable features, the flagship store in South Korea is the first in the country to introduce Made for Me by CHARLES & KEITH, an exclusive in-house personalization service. This offering empowers customers to express their unique individuality by embroidering their names onto selected items. The embroidery also includes two exclusive icons inspired by Seoul: a magpie and a graphic artwork depicting the city’s vibrant essence. Going beyond the celebration of creativity and individuality, the Made for Me service adds an invaluable personal touch that brings deeper meaning to the act of gifting.

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  • Spain’s Mango plans U.S. expansion after China retreat

    Spain’s Mango plans U.S. expansion after China retreat

    Chief Executive Officer Toni Ruiz said that Spanish fashion retailer Mango is focusing on U.S. expansion after turning its back on China.

    After two previous attempts failed, mango is returning to the United States to offer higher-priced clothes meant for special occasions and parties. It will target states where online sales are already strong.

    The brand is already gaining more recognition in the U.S., dressed actress Amber Valletta for the Oscars after-party on Sunday, Ruiz told Reuters.

    “Something has changed,” he said in an interview at the company’s headquarters near Barcelona. “They now have a different and better perception of European brands.”

    Mango’s U.S. relaunch began with opening a flagship store on New York’s Fifth Avenue in May 2022. That was followed by expansion in Florida. This year, it will open stores in Texas, Georgia and California.

    The company hopes to have 40 stores in the U.S. by 2024, compared with 10 at present. That would place the U.S. in its top five global markets.

    Growth will be supported by the extension of a logistics centre in Catalonia, allowing it to shift 160 million items a year to serve shops and online customers globally, the company said.

    In contrast, Mango closed its remaining two stores in China last year. It maintains four franchise outlets and online sales through Alibaba’s Tmall e-commerce platform.

    “We are divesting in China,” said Ruiz. “We find it unattractive and have decided that it is not the priority for the next three years.”

    Mango reported record sales last year, helped by selling more items at higher prices. Its biggest rival, Inditex-owned label Zara, is expected to report record sales on Wednesday, partly due to its aggressive U.S. expansion.

    The recent aggressive entry of Chinese fast-fashion brands Shein and Temu into the same market is not a concern for Mango, said Ruiz.

    “It’s not our war,” he said. “If you were fighting with these brands you would be constantly lowering prices.”

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  • Fendi opens first flagship boutique in South Korea

    Fendi opens first flagship boutique in South Korea

    Fendi has opened the doors to its first flagship boutique in Seoul, South Korea. Dubbed “Palazzo Fendi Seoul,” the 715 square meter (approximately 7,696 square feet) store is located in the Cheongdam-dong neighborhood of the city and houses the brand’s women’s and men’s ready-to-wear and fur collections, shoes, accessories, leather goods, and home accessories across four levels.

    The impressive façade combines geometric diagonals in stainless steel finishing and central glass windows that converge towards the corner of the building, through a modern and urban reinterpretation of classic Roman patterns.

    The façade is emphasized by LED arches, Fendi signature element recalling those of Palazzo della Civiltà Italiana – Fendi’s Rome headquarters.

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  • Diesel partners with Jaspal Group to expand in Southeast Asia

    Diesel partners with Jaspal Group to expand in Southeast Asia

    s to distribute and market the Italian fashion brand Diesel in Thailand and Vietnam, according to the Bangkok Post.

    Jaspal Group has opened Diesel’s first flagship store in Thailand inside Bangkok’s giant shopping mall CentralWorld, taking Diesel’s store count in the country to four.

    The new store was designed under the ‘Sunshine’ concept, featuring the brand’s signature red and white colour scheme. Located on the mall’s first floor, Diesel CentralWorld is home to the brand’s full range of ready-to-wear collections and accessories.

    Jaspal Group has also opened Vietnam’s first Diesel store inside the Takashimaya department store in Ho Chi Minh City. The company has a presence in three countries with 70 stores across different brands, including Lyn, Mango, Champion, CC Double O, and Superdry.

    LVMH-owned luxury fragrance house Maison Francis Kurkdjian has also opened a flagship store in Thailand at the luxury shopping complex IconSiam after five years of operation in the country in partnership with Prestige Products Thailand.

    The luxury fashion market in Vietnam and Thailand has experienced significant growth as demand for high-end products soars, especially now China’s border reopening has bolstered tourism there.

    Vietnam’s luxury fashion operator Imex Pacific Group Fashion, whose portfolio of brands includes Cartier and Christian Louboutin, has rece