Retail News CRM

Tag: expansion

  • La Perla Hong Kong revamps flagship

    La Perla Hong Kong revamps flagship

    Italian luxury lingerie brand La Perla has reopened its Russell St flagship store after renovation.

    Laperia - Russel street Hong Kong 2

    La Perla Hong Kong first opened in 2006 in Lane Crawford at pacific Place. Since then the brand has expanded to four stores – and the Russell St shop is described as its main showcase.

    Laperia - Russel street Hong Kong 3

    The newly revamped La Perla store features the new interior design concept of the brand and includes all La Perla Collections for women and men.

    Laperia - Russel street Hong Kong 1

    Gruppo La Perla is one of the leading international lingerie and beachwear groups, with 2000 employees globally. Since its establishment in 1954, the Gruppo La Perla has directed its production towards various market sectors including lingerie, beachwear and nightwear. The company has created a chain of exclusive boutiques in the main fashion capitals of 30 countries.

    Laperia - Russel street Hong Kong 4

    Lees ook:

  • Japan’s Owndays to enter Thailand, Cambodia

    Japan’s Owndays to enter Thailand, Cambodia

    Tokyo-headquartered Owndays will open its first stores in Thailand and Cambodia in October.

    The retailer, which produces and sells fashionable and trendy eyewear, already operates 130 shops in Japan, Singapore, Taiwan and China. It plans to open 100 new stores in Southeast Asia during the next five years.

    The first Thai store will open in Bangkok’s Mega Bangna shopping centre, the first Cambodian store in Aeon Mall, Phnom Penh.

    Owndays believes its pricing structure and speedy turnaround will set it apart from local eyewear retailers.

    Where most optical shops charge customers for frames and lenses separately, and require high optional charges depending on types of lenses, making pricing systems complicated and difficult to understand, Owndays keeps its pricing system simple. It has eliminated additional charges for all single-vision lenses and offers all glasses at set prices indicated on its frames – there’s no additional charges for lenses no matter what customer-required lenses are.

    “This is a very unique and very customer-friendly pricing system in the eyeglass industries of the region,” said a spokesperson.

    Every Owndays shop has a wide range of and large number of stock lenses, enabling staff to provide customers with spectacles in as little as 20 minutes after the payment.

    Owndays launched its business operations in Southeast Asia in July 2013, and now operates 14 shops in Singapore and six shops in Taiwan.

    The company has established its own overseas business model through its independent pricing system and services and is rapidly expanding its business activities.

    Lees ook:

  • Future Group opens London design studio

    Future Group opens London design studio

    Future Group subsidiary Lifestyle Fashions has opened a design studio in London, which it describes as “the fashion capital of the world”.

    The studio will “infuse the company’s brands with global designs, trends and sourcing capabilities and also curate a globally-inspired fast fashion brand for the Indian market,” the company said in a statement.

    Located in Victoria, London, the Design Studio houses an international team of designers and merchandising experts. London’s Victoria district has emerged as the new fashion hub of the city. Tom Ford and Burberry have their headquarters in the suburb and Future Lifestyle Fashions’s neighbours will include Victoria’s Secret, Burberry, Dolce & Gabbana, Moet Hennessy, Richemont and Jimmy Choo.

    “As part of this vibrant fashion ecosystem, Design Studio will tap into global talent and  networks for identifying trends, fashion design and sourcing of materials and merchandise that will fuel its fast fashion brand,” the company said.

    “Its first collection will be launched in Spring‐Summer 2016.”

    Future Lifestyle Fashions MD Kishore Biyani said Indian fashion is evolving at a rapid pace and incorporating global trends and sensibilities.

    “Women in India today shop for fresh fashion eight to 10 times in a year. Our Design Studio in London will develop a fast fashion brand that responds to these needs and infuse our brands with global sensibilities and innovation in design and sourcing.”

    The Design Studio is led by Manjula Tiwari who joined Future Group from Jabong earlier this year. Tiwari has more than two decades of experience in the fashion industry and was previously involved in introducing global brands such as Esprit and United Colors of Benetton in India. The design team in London will be led by Ainsley Dart, who has been instrumental in directing and leading large design teams of multi product, fast fashion women’s wear for global retail brands and major suppliers such as Courtalds and Dewhirst.

    Future Lifestyle Fashion markets leading international and domestic brands such as Lee Cooper, Converse, Indigo Nation, Scullers, Daniel Hechter, Giovanni, Urbana, John Miller, Jealous 21, aLL, UMM, RIG, Champion and Umbro, which are retailed through the company‐owned department store network, Central, other retail chains such as Planet Sports and Brand Factory. Most of these brands are also available at exclusive brand outlets, other department stores and fashion chains across India.

    The company also has investments in fast growing fashion brands such as Tresmode, Mineral, Desibelle, Mother Earth, Pepperone, Famozi and Turtle, and operates joint ventures with Hidesign and Clarks. With more than two dozen brands and 5 million sqft of retail space, Future Lifestyle Fashions aims to develop a globally benchmarked fashion business here in India.

    Lees ook:

    Lees ook:

    Lees ook:

  • Girard-Perregaux Singapore flagship

    Girard-Perregaux Singapore flagship

    The new Girard-Perregaux Singapore boutique is the Swiss watchmaker’s first Southeast Asian flagship.

    The Girard-Perregaux Singapore boutique is a partnership with The Hour Glass, Singapore’s exclusive distributor of Girard-Perregaux in Southeast Asia.

    The boutique has opened at The Shoppes at Marina Bay Sands.

    “Girard-Perregaux is honoured to celebrate its exclusive partnership with The Hour Glass, with the opening of its first flagship boutique in Singapore. It is indeed a privilege to be the new addition to the prestigious lineup of luxury brands retailing at Marina Bay Sands. This is a significant milestone and a hallmark of the manufacturer’s watchmaking evolution and heritage,” said Antonio Calce, CEO of Girard-Perregaux.

    The Girard-Perregaux boutique houses the most comprehensive collection of Girard-Perregaux timepieces yet in Singapore. Unveiling the core collections in dedicated sections within the boutique, watch aficionados will be enticed by Girard-Perregaux timepieces ranging from Haute Horlogerie, to iconic collections such as GP 1966, the seductive feminine Cat’s Eye collection and the Vintage 1945 which celebrated its 70th anniversary this year, to name a few.

    Upon entering the boutique, customers’ attention will be caught by the Parisian custom-made chandelier cascading from atop, evoking a touch of lightness and artistry to the boutique environment. The interior décor of the Girard-Perregaux boutique features precious wood furnishing, emanating modern and discreet sophistication.

    “Girard-Perregaux is one of the rare manufacturers today who have amassed a rich heritage and watchmaking expertise of over two centuries. This is a rare gift. The partnership between The Hour Glass and Girard-Perregaux shares a common passion for respected watchmaking codes, combined with forward-thinking innovations.We are proud to unveil the authentic world of Girard-Perregaux in one of Singapore’s most dynamic retail landscape at Marina Bay Sands,” said Wong Mei Ling, MD of The Hour Glass.

    Girard-Perregaux by The Hour Glass is located on the Bay Level of The Shoppes at Marina Bay Sands.

    Lees ook:

  • H&M plans to open another 240 stores by end of the year

    H&M plans to open another 240 stores by end of the year

    Hennes & Mautitz AB (H&M), Swedish multinational retail-clothing company, known for its fast-fashion clothing for men, women, teenagers and children plans to open an additional 240 new stores this year. In the third quarter, H&M opened 36 new stores, but in the fourth quarter 240 new stores are scheduled to open, most of which will be in China and the US. H&M already has 299 locations in China, but growth in the country’s apparel industry makes it a promising hotbed for retailers.

    China, in particular, will account for much of the expected growth, encompassing almost one-third of regional demand for clothing by 2018. As the Asian clothing and apparel sector is expected to grow rapidly over the next five years. Annual average expenditure growth on clothing and footwear, at 9.5%, will comfortably outstrip that of any other region, said PricewaterhouseCooper’s retail consultants in their 2015-2016 outlook report on the retail and consumer products sector in Asia.

    Beyond its traditional flagship brand, H&M also owns premium brand Cos. The company hopes to introduce Cos in China as well, catering to the country’s growing upper-middle class.

    Cheap prices and a continuous supply of new looks keep customers coming back to chains like H&M and Zara. And according to Ms. Paula Rosenblum, Forbe’s retail analyst. H&M’s success comes amid a growing demand for fast fashion.

    But despite fast fashion’s growth, chains including H&M are increasingly facing criticism over both environmental and social justice concerns.

    Though fast fashion offers consumers a wider variety of styles, the rising trend has also been tied to growing amounts of textiles in landfills. In the US alone, clothing, footware, and other non-durable textiles generated 12.4 million tons of landfill waste in 2013. Only about 15 percent, or 1.8 million tons of the textile waste was recovered for reprocessing or recycling, reported the US Environmental Protection Agency.

    Furthermore, many fast fashion retailers rely on cheap labor to produce high quantities of their products. Many laborers used to come from China, but with rising wage demands, companies have looked to Taiwan, Indonesia, Vietnam, and Bangladesh, among other southeast Asian countries instead.

    According to Bloomberg Business, H&M has seen significant growth this year, second only to the Spanish clothing retailer Zara in size. Third-quarter sales grew 16 percent, surging to nearly 46 billion Swedish kronor, with revenue coming in at 39 billion kronor.

     

    Lees ook:

  • Gome Electrical opens 117 stores in six months

    Gome Electrical opens 117 stores in six months

    Gome Electrical has opened 117 stores in six months on its way to an 8.8 per cent increase in sales for the half year.

    Total sales revenue was RMB 31.69 billion and its consolidated gross profit margin was 17.7 per cent.

    The store network expansion program is part of a push into tier two cities in China’s mainland where 84 of the new shops opened. Overall same store sales rose 2.3 per cent in a six month period when retail spending in China was subdued, but in tier two cities, same store sales rose 5.3 per cent.

    Gome now has stores in 41 Chinese cities where it did not have a presence just six months ago.

    Online sales were another growth powerhouse, rising 151.3 per cent in gross merchandise volume. More growth clearly lies ahead with 181 per cent year on year online growth in the last three months of the half year.

    In the remaining half of this year, Gome says it will accelerate even further its move into tier two cities, leading into ‘channel penetration’ in third and fourth-tier cities as well, largely based on eCommerce initiatives.

    “By seamlessly engaging customers across online and offline channels, the group is destined to achieve fuller integration of all channels and grow its ‘total retail ecosystem’,” the company said in its results filing.

    “This will allow customers to enjoy a total retail experience and comprehensive services at any time, any place.”

    Lees ook:

    Lees ook:

  • Daraz targets frontier Asian markets

    Daraz targets frontier Asian markets

    Online retailer Daraz is investing $56 million into creating beachheads on so-called ‘frontier markets’ in Asia: Myanmar, Pakistan and Bangladesh.

    Daraz is the leader in online retail in all three markets, selling apparel, accessories, shoes and beauty products for men and women, as well as a wide variety of electronics and general merchandise.

    The company is part of the Rocket Internet group which also owns Zalora and Foodpanda.

    It is planning a ‘mega sale’ on November 27, something like Amazon’s Black Friday in the US, offering a slew of special deals in the three Asian nations.

    Bangladesh, where it is putting most of its focus currently, will get the majority of the marketing spend, where it is partnering with local apparel brands such as Bata, Yellow and Ecstasy, as well as tech partners.

    Daraz Bangladesh chairman Sumeet Singh says the local site is attracting around 2 million visitors a month.

    Lees ook:

  • Lao Feng Xiang plans 20 Hong Kong stores

    Lao Feng Xiang plans 20 Hong Kong stores

    Lao Feng Xiang, the Chinese jewellery brand few in the west have ever heard of, is planning to open 20 stores in Hong Kong.

    Lured by the prospect of cheaper rents in high profile locations as Hong Kong’s luxury sector enters a decline, Lao Feng Xiang sees the foray as an opportunity to build its brand awareness outside the mainland.

    Lao Feng Xiang, controlled by the Shanghai Government, has a 167 year history in the mainland – and has a 3000 strong store network. It entered Hong Kong in May and now has two stores trading. Marketing manager Wang Ensheng told Bloomberg that as many as 20 will be trading within a few years.

    “The fact that Lao Feng Xiang opened stores in Hong Kong boosted our reputation,” Wang told Bloomberg in a telephone interview. “Mainland consumers know that we are now a player in this international jewelry hub.

    “This year is the best time to enter Hong Kong, an opportunity that we have waited for years.”

    The first Lao Feng Xiang store opened in Tsim Sha Tsui, an 80sqm boutique which sold more than HK$100 million of jewellery on its opening day.

    Shanghai flagship store in the year 1999

    “Hong Kong is a key market in our internationalisation strategy. We provide more diversified selections at the Tsim Sha Tsui store than any of our 2800 stores on the mainland,” said Wang at the time of the opening.

    “The logic is simple – we want to attract more young people to our fold,” he said.

    Lees ook:

    Lees ook:

  • Korea’s Churro 101 Singapore date

    Korean dessert concept Churro 101 is to open its first store in Singapore on October 3.

    Churro 101 Singapore will debut at Bugis Plus on Victoria St, serving up churros – a fried-dough pastry snack popular in Spain, France, the Philippines, Portugal, and the Southwestern US.

    It will be the four year old brand’s first store opening outside South Korea and a likely prelude to expansion into other Asian markets.

    The Singapore store will make fresh churros daily in an open kitchen, using raw materials imported from Korea.

    The 441 sqft store features European styling and will seat up to 20 customers as well as serving takeaway orders. It will trade from 10am to 10pm daily.

    While the churro concept is not new to Singapore, Churro 101 offers a unique take on the dessert, including flavours made with the brand’s own secret recipes, filled churros and a signature dark chocolate churro.

    Prices will range from $3.30 to $5.40.

  • Bellabox expands to China

    Bellabox expands to China

    Australian beauty subscription service and e-commerce platform, Bellabox, has confirmed its expansion into China in partnership with Australia Post’s Tmall store-front platform.

    The move is part of the beauty company’s growth strategy to become the dominant beauty e-commerce platform across Asia.

    Supporting its push into China, Bellabox will be moving away from its subscription-based model and introducing limited edition themed beauty boxes exclusively for the Chinese market.

    According to the company these will feature “the best of Australian beauty and cosmetic brands” to provide discerning and brand aware Chinese shoppers with more choice and variety.

    “Chinese consumers are sophisticated shoppers who are selective about the brands they use and buy. We are seeing strong demand for Australian brands as they are perceived to be higher quality and environmentally friendly, for this reason the market represents a huge opportunity for our business,” said Bellabox, CEO and co-founder, Sarah Hamilton.

    Hamilton adds that China is a key market in the company’s continued expansion across the region.

    “The market potential is huge with analysts[1] predicting the cosmetic market will become a US$113.9 billion industry by 2017, of which 25 per cent coming from online sales fuelled by tech savvy millennial. China has a high adoption rate of smartphones and online shopping, it provides the perfect platform for growth and we look forward to working with Australia Post to build our position in the market. ”

    Australia Post’s Tmall service opens the door for local e-commerce players to access China’s traditionally challenging market by crossing language and cultural barriers, and cutting through red tape to sell on a unique marketplace.

    With an audience of more than 300 million estimated Chinese consumers who, in 2014, spent more than half a trillion US dollars online, Tmall presents a strong opportunity for Australian e-commerce businesses.

    Ben Franzi, GM global e-commerce platforms and digital at Australia Post said, “We’re focused on delivering e-commerce solutions that make it easier for Australian retailers to grow, compete and succeed online.

    “Australia Post’s Tmall storefront (auspost.tmall.hk) is helping home grown businesses, like bellabox, sell into China – one of the world’s largest consumer markets.”

    “Bellabox has a tremendous opportunity to benefit from the trust, broad reach and revenue opportunities that comes with Tmall’s reputation and high visitor traffic. We’re excited to partner with bellabox to launch this exclusive offer that ticks the boxes against China’s growing consumer demand for authentic, quality, Australian-made beauty products,” said Ben.

    Bellabox is now one of 36 Australian brands with a virtual storefront on Australia Post’s Tmall store, which this month celebrated its first birthday.

    Bellabox is headquartered Melbourne and works with more than 900 beauty brands to create monthly-customised boxes for 40,000 subscribers.

  • ANZ expands retail footprint in China

    ANZ expands retail footprint in China

    The Qingdao branch will cover the entire Shandong Province and will offer products and services for ANZ’s corporate customers.

    Mike Smith, chief executive of ANZ, said that with a significant and growing presence in China and a network across 34 markets in the Asia Pacific, Europe, the Middle East and America, the bank is uniquely placed to support its clients looking to grow in Qingdao and the Shandong Province.

    Mr Smith said Qingdao and Shandong Province have established long-term relationships with Australia, and highlighted “major potential” for further growth in bilateral trade and investment.

    “This includes opportunities in industries such as natural resources and agriculture, and the opportunities created through the China-Australia Free Trade Agreement,” he said.

    “With our new branch, we look forward to enhancing cooperation in the Qingdao and Shandong government, and to continuing to support the development of the local financial industry.”

    Huang Xiaoguang, chief executive of ANZ China and head of greater China, said opening the new branch in Qingdao is another step in continuing to grow the bank’s Chinese footprint.

    “As the only locally incorporated Australian bank in China, we will further enhance our capability to provide comprehensive solutions and services to support local enterprises to go abroad,” he said.

    ANZ announced in July the opening of a new branch in Gurgaon, India, to better service its business customers in the country’s north.

  • Spyder launches in Korea

    Spyder launches in Korea

    Ski and sportswear brand Spyder has launched in South Korea with an all-new product line available in freestanding stores and shop-in-shops.

    An accelerated retail rollout is planned with 25 stores opening across the country by the end of 2015.

    “We are excited to be working with Global Brands to bring Spyder to South Korea, one of the world’s most fashion-forward and trendsetting markets,” said Jamie Salter, chairman and CEO of Authentic Brands Group and owner of the brand.

    “Spyder is highly regarded and we are confident that the brand will flourish in the country.”

    Designed for the ‘style-seeking South Korean consumer’, both the men’s and women’s collections draw from the core DNA of the brand, fusing elements of performance and fashion.

    “We see tremendous equity in the Spyder brand and its ability to translate across key markets in Asia,” said Bruce Rockowitz, CEO and vice chairman, Global Brands Group.

    “We look forward to replicating the success we have achieved in other markets to South Korea, through the roll out of a number of exciting brand and category extensions.”

    Spyder is featured in shop-in-shops at fashion hot spots including Galleria Department Store, Hyundai Department Store, Lotte Department Store and AK Department Store. The brand also launches with freestanding stores in Seoul, Daegu, Gumi, Incheon and Sokcho. Spyder will be promoted in a 360 degree campaign that includes national Print, Out of Home, Digital, Social, and TV promotion beginning this month.

    Spyder is described as one of the world’s most recognisable and credible outdoor sportswear brands, focused on enhancing the ski experience both on and off the mountain. Originally founded by David Jacobs, coach of the Canadian Ski Team and Bob Beattie, coach of the United States Ski team, Spyder’s roots run deep in the ski community. The brand has been the official sponsor of the US Ski team since 1989. Spyder offers technical ski, fitness, and lifestyle apparel and accessories for men, women, and children. The highly sought after brand is available in department stores, sporting goods stores, and specialty retailers throughout North America, Europe, the Middle East and now South Korea.

    Lees ook:

  • Issey Miyake opens in Hong Kong

    Issey Miyake opens in Hong Kong

    Japanese luxury fashion designer Issey Miyake has opened its first store in Hong Kong.

    The Issey Miyake Hong Kong boutique is located on level 1 of the Ocean Centre at Harbour City on Canton Rd in Tsim Sha Tsui.

    Bao Bao Issey Miyake - Habour city 1

    Womenswear, menswear accessories, shoes – and, of course, the brand’s famous fragrances – are all on sale in the boutique which also offers shoppers a unique outlook across the harbour.

    The brand is known for it minimalist designs and the new Hong Kong boutique captures that philosophy in its design with merchandise displayed in a gallery like setting and simple black and white LED signage at the front.

    BaoBao Issey Miyake - Habour city

     

    Issey Miyake was born in Hiroshima and studied graphic design in Tokyo before working in Paris and New York. He returned to Tokyo in 1970 and founded the Miyake Design Studio to produce high-end women’s fashion.

    Over the years he has developed spin-off brands and expanded into fragrances in 1992.

    His flagship store is in Osaka.

    Lees ook:

  • Boucheron Singapore store opens

    Boucheron Singapore store opens

    Paris jeweller Boucheron has opened its first store in Singapore.

    Boucheron Singapore is among several new boutiques recently opened inside The Shoppes at Marina Bay Sands.

    Designed to reflect the famous jewellery brand’s Parisian flagship boutique at 26 Place Vendome, the Singapore store has a sumptuous, luxurious feel to highlight the timeless, elegant nature of its jewellery creations.

    The boutique was opened with a cocktail function early this month where more than 100 guests got the chance to view an exclusive Boucheron jewellery collection flown in from France.

    Lees ook:

    Lees ook:

  • Smiggle speeds Asian expansion

    Smiggle speeds Asian expansion

    Smiggle, the trendy, stationery retail concept from Australia, is to open stores in Hong Kong and Malaysia within 14 months.

    Smiggle – popular with students and people seeking gifts – has proven an enormous success in Singapore for its parent, Melbourne-based Premier Investments. During the announcement of the company’s trading results yesterday (read about Premier’s year here) founder and chairman Solomon Lew outlined plans to expand into Hong Kong, Malaysia, Wales and Scotland over the next 14 months.

    Based on trading figures from the company’s Singapore store network, Lew said management expected Hong Kong and Malaysia to support 50 stores within five years.

    “I am pleased to announce the expansion of the Smiggle footprint in Asia through entry into two new markets, Malaysia and Hong Kong.”

    Smiggle’s worldwide sales rose 26 per cent. The company opened 24 stores in the UK during the last trading year and expects to have another 16 open before Christmas.

    Lew says both Smiggle and its sleepwear chain Peter Alexander performed beyond expectations in the year past.

    The company opened eight new Peter Alexander stores in the first half of the current year and plans as many as 15 more over the next two years in Australia and New Zealand.