Retail News CRM

Tag: Dalian

  • Is Dalian Apple Store world’s largest?

    Is Dalian Apple Store world’s largest?

    Opening on Saturday, the second Dalian Apple Store is disputedly the brand’s largest flagship to date.

    It is located in the eight-storey Olympia 66 shopping mall in the Xigang district of the Chinese port city. Opened in December, the centre has won several awards, including Best Retail Architecture in Asia Pacific.

    The new shop takes Apple three-quarters of the way toward its goal of 40 stores in China by the end of the year.

    Dalian is known for its food and luxury shopping, attracting visitors from Japan and Korea, as well as China. It already has one Apple Store, at Parkland Mall (pictured), which opened in October.

    There has been confusion – and even vandalism – related to both stores regarding size, especially asApple does not tend to share area details of its stores. While the new store is being touted in the media as the world’s largest, Parkland Mall had signs up in 2012 saying “Apple’s World’s Biggest Flagship Store will be coming soon”, Cult of Mac reported in March that year.

    To add more confusion, when Apple barricades were put up outside Parkland, rival shopping centre Dalian Department Store sent a security team to push down the Apple banners, and there is video of the security guards destroying the barricades.
    It was not clear what the dispute was about, but local reports indicated the rival store opposed the Apple expansion of the mall.

    Lees ook:

    Lees ook:

    Lees ook:

  • Apple Inc. To Open The Largest Store In China Tomorrow

    Apple Inc. To Open The Largest Store In China Tomorrow

    Apple Inc. confirmed the upcoming launch of its 21st Apple Store in China, scheduled to open in Dalian on October 24, 2015. The latest retail outlet is situated in Parkland Shopping Mall on 19 Jiefang Road. Earlier in 2012, the iPhone maker claimed that the store in Dalian may potentially be the Apple’s “largest” retail outlet ever.

    The company’s new outlet is located in Dalian’s Zhongshan District, a populated area usually flooded with tourists from Japan, Korea and China. And it also serves as a popular port and financial center. Apple confirmed that the store was set to open its doors on Saturday at 9:30 AM.

    As Apple pursues its aim to open the “largest flagship store” in Parkland Mall, the company may also decide to transfer that title to its other upcoming retail outlet for Dubai, scheduled to open on October 29. The tech giant’s store in the Mall of Emirates also marks it as its first expansion plan in the Middle East.

    Apple is aware of its strong influence in Chine, and has been working on the Dalian project for past three years. Through this, it is clear that the tech giant takes China as one of its main consumer markets for Apple products. Even though Apple might not make its Dalian outlet the “largest” one, its former plans do so indicate that it may have other exclusive plans for its store in China.

    The company has also invited US locals to apply for potential jobs at the upcoming store, with recruitment beginning earlier this year. By introducing a new store in China, Apple may help create increasing job opportunities for local citizens as well. By providing customers with basic Apple Store services such as a Genius Bar, workshops, tutorials and more at the upcoming Apple Store, it is evident Apple is attempting to integrate its standard store elements into the upcoming branch to ensure it can authentically deliver according to its original standards and help boost its reputation even further in Chinese markets.

    By launching an Apple outlet in one of the most visited locations in Dalian, Apple’s plan may help it increase its user base even further. The company’s efforts to attract a larger target market is expected to be successful due to its easy access to numerous strangers and tourists who visit Parkland for shopping. The tech giant will be able to benefit from its store location and may attract foreigners to its variants, further promoting its services to a larger audience through its China retail outlet.

    Moreover, it is highly possible that Apple’s new store will help boost business for surrounding retailers as well, enabling the company to secure a relationship with Dalian businesses for future ventures. As far as its store in Dubai is concerned, the iPhone maker is deliberately choosing shopping plazas and malls to introduce its outlets, so that it can target wider audiences.

    It isn’t confirmed that the tech giant still plans to make its Dalian branch the “largest” outlet. However, the store’s launch this Saturday is expected to attract many customers from China, Korea and Japan.

    Lees ook:

    Lees ook:

  • Hang Lung posts strong result

    Hang Lung posts strong result

    Hong Kong listed Chinese mall owner Hang Lung Group has reported a three per cent rise in turnover in the first half of 2015.

    The group said revenue reached HK$4.893 billion, with rental turnover up eight per cent to HK$4.148 billion. Property sales income decreased 17 per cent to HK$745 million due to the sale of fewer residential units.

    Overall operating profit of the group increased by three per cent to HK$3.725 billion.

    In Mainland China the group says it has benefited from increased investment in the Chinese market by luxury brands.

    “Our seven shopping malls in mainland China collectively posted an 11 per cent rental income growth to HK$1.684 billion,” the company said in its stock exchange filing.

    That portfolio comprises two malls each in Shanghai and Shenyang, and one each in Jinan, Wuxi and Tianjin. The two malls in Shanghai, Plaza 66 and Grand Gateway 66, contributed nine per cent more in rents to HK$1.059 billion and were almost fully let.

    “The young malls outside Shanghai cumulatively contributed 16 per cent more in rents year-on-year mainly attributable to contribution from the Riverside 66 shopping mall in Tianjin which commenced operation last September. All the young malls are going through different stages of gestation period with ongoing tenants or trade adjustments. Their occupancy rates ranged from 80 per cent to 90 per cent.”

    In Hong Kong, rental turnover of our diversified Hong Kong leasing portfolio rose seven per cent to HK$1.816 billion against the backdrop of declining overall retail sales in the local market.

    “All business segments of our portfolio recorded growth with total profit rose seven per cent to HK$1.556 billion. The resulting leasing margin was 86 per cent.”

    Positive rental reversions of Hang Lung’s Hong Kong commercial portfolio generated six per cent more in rents to HK$1.040 billion.

    “All the malls, which are situated in prime locations of Hong Kong, were virtually fully let. Grand Plaza in Mongkok and Amoy Plaza in Kowloon East both enjoyed a 13 per cent rental growth. The Causeway Bay commercial portfolio posted a five per cent rental income growth, despite Hang Lung Centre has been closed for renovation by H&M since January 2015.

    “The properties in Central collected seven per cent more in rents. The Peak Galleria at the

    Peak contributed extra five per cent leasing income to the Group. Kornhill Plaza, our regional mall in Hong Kong East, posted a stable rental growth of four per cent during the period.”

    Hang Lung said final preparations are underway for the opening of its shopping mall at Olympia 66 in Dalian towards the end of the year. This new mall comprises almost 222,000 sqm of retail area and 1200 car parks.