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Tag: Finland

  • Marimekko Unveils Flagship Store In Causeway Bay: A Revitalized Shopping Experience

    Marimekko Unveils Flagship Store In Causeway Bay: A Revitalized Shopping Experience

    Marimekko, the iconic Finnish design company, is globally renowned for its fashion and home decor products featuring vivid, abstract prints designed to spread an ethos of joy and positivity. This lifestyle brand is an embodiment of timeless elegance and a summery sense of joy. If you are drawn to the brand’s vibrant ‘flower power’ aesthetic, make a note of October 16 in your diary. That’s when Marimekko is set to unveil a new flagship store in Causeway Bay. This eagerly awaited launch is significant, as it symbolizes not only a new beginning for Marimekko in Hong Kong but also the company’s dedication to crafting an immersive in-store retail experience that strikes a chord with customers.

    Marimekko’s Return to Causeway Bay

    Marimekko first broke into the Hong Kong market in 2012, opening a store on Leighton Road in Causeway Bay. The forthcoming flagship store, remaining on the same street, represents a sort of homecoming for the brand. However, this is not just a return, but a stunning transformation; a fresh design and expanded offerings promise a completely reimagined Marimekko experience for its Hong Kong-based fans. Moreover, the store’s façade, centered around Marimekko’s well-known ‘Unikko’ print, will be unmissable, serving to highlight the brand’s printmaking legacy. Upon entering the shop, customers will feel as though they’ve been transported to Marimekko’s textile printing factory in Helsinki, with the striking interior design inspired by the Finnish workshop.

    What to Expect from the New Flagship

    Marimekko fans can anticipate a carefully curated collection of products, including clothing, accessories, home furnishings, and even printed fabrics — all emblazoned with the brand’s signature prints. Items featuring the ‘Unikko’ design are sure to be a hit, but the bold ‘Kivet’ and sleek ‘Tiiliskivi’ prints are expected to be crowd pleasers as well.

    At present, Marimekko has six retail sites in Hong Kong, including an outlet shop at Citygate Outlets in Tung Chung, so the new Leighton Road flagship will find itself in good company. Furthermore, according to a Marimekko Instagram post, eligible purchases will be accompanied by a complimentary Marimekko tote bag — an incentive that is sure to entice shoppers!

    Questions & Answers

    When did Marimekko first enter the Hong Kong market?
    Marimekko first entered the Hong Kong market in 2012, with a store on Leighton Road in Causeway Bay.

    What’s special about the new flagship store in Causeway Bay?
    The new flagship store represents a homecoming for Marimekko. It features a completely new design and an expanded range of offerings, promising a unique Marimekko experience for fans in Hong Kong.

    What can customers expect from the new Marimekko store?
    Customers can look forward to a carefully curated selection of products, including clothing, accessories, home goods, and printed fabrics, all featuring the brand’s signature prints.

  • Coca-Cola buys Finnish vodka label Finlandia for $342 million

    Coca-Cola buys Finnish vodka label Finlandia for $342 million

    Coca-Cola HBC (Hellenic Bottling Company) has purchased Finlandia Vodka from liquor giant Brown-Forman for $342 million (US$220 million), subject to adjustments related to inventory and other working capital items.

    The beverage giant says the acquisition will bolster Coca-Cola HBC’s premium spirits credentials and drive mixability opportunities with premium and super premium non-alcoholic ready-to-drink (NARTD) products, capturing more consumers and strengthening partnerships in strategically important channels such as HoReCa (hotel-restaurant-catering)

    Brown-Forman said the sale of Finlandia vodka is another step to its long-term strategic plan to premise its portfolio through brand innovation, acquisition, and divestiture.

    Established in 1970, Finlandia is one of the leading vodka brands in Central Eastern Europe with annual volumes of 2.7 million cases worldwide, of which more than 60 per cent is generated within Coca-Cola HBC’s geographic footprint.

    Anora Group bottles Finlandia in Finland based on a long-term production services agreement and is sold in pure and flavoured versions.

    “We are pleased to pass on the ownership torch of Finlandia to Coca-Cola HBC, who has proven to be a strong and reliable partner to our brands for more than 17 years,” said Lawson Whiting, CEO of Brown-Forman.

    “I am confident that Coca-Cola HBC’s growth ambitions and capabilities in premium spirits, its critical mass and execution excellence, and its leading sales and distribution credentials in the markets where it operates will accelerate Finlandia’s growth trajectory.”

    Brown-Forman’s roster of brands includes Jack Daniel’s Tennessee Whiskey, RTDs and other Jack Daniel’s-branded products, Woodford Reserve, Old Forester, Coopers’ Craft, The GlenDronach, Benriach, Glenglassaugh, Slane, Herradura, Fords Gin, and Diplomatico Rum.

    The company has approximately 5600 employees globally, and its brands are sold in more than 170 countries.

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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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  • Finnish lifestyle brand Marimekko to enter Singapore this year

    Finnish lifestyle brand Marimekko to enter Singapore this year

    Finnish fashion and lifestyle brand Marimekko is set to make its Singapore debut with the first store and a cafe concept to open in the Ion Orchard shopping mall at the end of September.

    The Singapore launch, which will also include the opening of a local online store, is part of the brand’s global expansion plan for the next four years. The country marks Marimekko’s seventh market in the continent after Japan, Mainland China, Thailand, Hong Kong, South Korea and Taiwan.

    “Asia is the most important geographical area for Marimekko’s international growth,” the company said. “Singapore is a key city in Southeast Asia, having a wider impact for building brand awareness and positioning in Asia.”

    Marimekko will expand into Singapore in partnership with its Thai partner Tanachira, which has built the Marimekko brand in Thailand over the past eight years. Natacha Defrance, Marimekko’s senior VP of sales, region East, said Thailand is one of the fastest-growing markets for the brand in Asia.

    The company expects its net sales this year to surge in Asia Pacific, Marimekko’s second-largest market region.

    “The growing market, strong brand fit and proven track record with the loose franchise partnership model provide a good foundation for Marimekko for accelerating omnichannel growth in Asia,” the company said.

  • Revolut Expands as a Bank

    Revolut Expands as a Bank

    Europe’s most valuable fintech has already amassed 18 million app users worldwide. Some of those are about to become bank customers.

    The London-headquartered neobank is launching as a bank in ten additional European markets, lifting the number of countries it operates in to 28, it said in a statement. The challenger bank can now protect client deposits up to 100,000 euros in Belgium, Denmark, Finland, Germany, Iceland, Lichtenstein, Luxembourg, Netherlands, Spain, and Sweden, using its European specialized banking license.

    In a few clicks clients from these countries will be able to upgrade to Revolut Bank from within the app, it said.

    Deposits will be secured by the Lithuanian State company deposit and investment insurance, it added.

    Over the past few years, Revolut’s rapid level of growth has added pressure on Swiss banks to boost their digital services. Since its inception in 2015 the company has attracted more than 18 million customers globally, it says on its website.

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  • Pulled Oat joins Australian plant-based foods menu

    Pulled Oat joins Australian plant-based foods menu

    Finnish plant-based food company Gold & Green joins the ranks of businesses offering alt-meat in Australia with the launch of Pulled Oats, an oat-based plant protein.

    As consumers become more aware of their food sources, the market for plant-based protein is rapidly increasing. In the past year alone, Australia’s plant-based meat sector retail sales increased by 46 percent.

    “Many are looking for non-soy-based alternatives, with high protein content and preferably without any weird ingredients they cannot pronounce,” said Annette Kauppinen, CMO, Gold & Green

    “Pulled Oats is a great answer to this as it contains only simple and familiar ingredients and offers great nutritional value and a good source of protein including a balanced amino acid composition.”

    Launching in Woolworths this month, the new plant-based protein is made from six simple ingredients: Nordic oats, faba (broad) bean, pea protein, water, oil, and spices. According to the company, the product is high in protein, can absorb flavor well and is versatile enough to be used as a meat alternative in favourite dishes without compromising taste.

    Founder and CIO of Gold & Green, Maija Itkonen, says she saw an opportunity to be part of the solution in the global environmental crisis after seeing the “untapped potential” of Nordic oats, one of the world’s most ecological crops. Afterwards, she teamed up with an oat scientist to develop a process that combines faba bean and yellow pea protein to create a highly nutritious plant-based protein with a simple ingredient list.

    Maija explains, “From the very beginning, our passion has been to change eating habits for healthier people and planet – with delicious new plant-based food.” she said

    “We wanted to create a protein that does not mimic anything but is a true plant-based alternative that stands on its own. It can be used like chicken, pork or beef, and we do have even some fish recipes, which are amazing.”

    Gold & Green Pulled Oats are available at Woolworths in two flavours, Nude and Tomato, for RRP $8.50 per 240g pack.

  • tBox by Posti is the “perfect” place to pick up your online orders

    tBox by Posti is the “perfect” place to pick up your online orders

    Design studio Fyra may have created the “perfect” environment for online shoppers to collect their online orders: Box by Posti, the Finnish postal service.

    The brightly colored room, which serves as a convenient drop-off for customers to pick up purchases they have made online, has a recycling area, fitting rooms, and product show space.

    The 600-locker Box by Posti space was created with the intention of making it more than just an ‘unadventurous row of lockers’. Color-coded areas are used in the space to support the different service paths and mark and clarify different functionalities.

    “The consumer behavior of the Finnish people has changed significantly,” said Posti’s head of customer experience and channels Kaisa Ilola. “Before, there was a piece missing between the online store and home. Box was created to fill in the missing piece.”

    Visitors to Box by Posti are welcome to open or pack their parcels in the green unboxing area, which contains scissors, tape and pens as well as parcels and envelopes, or in the recycling zone that features reusable packaging material. They can also arrange for refunds on unwanted items slated for return.

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  • Finland becomes the first country to offer Chinese travelers a completely cashless experience

    Finland becomes the first country to offer Chinese travelers a completely cashless experience

    Alipay, the world’s largest mobile payment and lifestyle platform, operated by Ant Financial Services Group, today announced that a group of Chinese travelers have concluded the first ever cashless journey to Finland, with all transactions throughout their trip made via their Alipay accounts. From booking flights, making local retail purchases in Helsinki, and dining out, to visiting museums, experiencing recreational activities, and managing transportation, as well as receiving an instant tax refund at the airport, Finland becomes the first country outside China where Alipay users can make all payments with their smartphones, and enjoy their trip without worrying about cash and language barriers, just as they would at home in China.

    To encourage future seamless, cashless journeys, Alipay has also teamed up with Lähitaksi, one of Finland’s major taxi companies. Alipay will be made available on all 1,250 Lähitaksi taxis in Helsinki and the city’s surrounding towns before the Chinese Lunar New Year holidays later this month.

    “More and more Chinese travelers have been asking whether our taxis accept Alipay, which is why we decided to launch this payment method and provide our Chinese passengers a better experience during their time in Helsinki,” said Heidi Säynäjoki, Marketing Manager of LähiTaksi. Since 2017, Alipay has also been made available at the Airport Taxi in Helsinki and in taxis and buses operated by local taxi company Santa Line across Finland’s northernmost region, Lapland.

    The group of eight Chinese tourists who visited Finland were selected from an online social media campaign initiated by Alipay at the end of 2017. The selected group commenced on a 6-day trip, visiting the cities of Rovaniemi and Helsinki in mid-January to experience the cashless journey, flying Finnair and staying in Nova Skyland Hotel in Rovaniemi and IHG’s Holiday Inn Helsinki’s City Centre, leveraging Alipay’s in-app outbound tourism service platform to find nearby merchants, collect coupons and enjoy exclusive offers. All the merchants accept Alipay for online reservation and onsite spending. Finnair became the first airline in the world to accept mobile payments for in-flight purchases when it began accepting Alipay on flights between Helsinki and Shanghai in January 2017.

    Zoe Cai, 28, a housewife and frequent overseas tourist from Guangdong Province, said, “I didn’t expect us to be able to use Alipay almost everywhere in Finland. I brought some cash with me, but the only place I got to use it was in a supermarket in Rovaniemi. At first, we were surprised when so many merchants accepted Alipay, but after this experience, we may be surprised if a merchant doesn’t accept Alipay when we travel next time.”

    Retail shops in popular overseas destinations have benefited from the rise of China’s middle-class over the last decade. An increase in disposal income has led to a greater interest to travel abroad, where Chinese tourists enjoy experiencing different cultures, exotic cuisines and new adventures. Alipay has now become a must-have tool for overseas merchants to provide Chinese tourists with a seamless traveling experience.

    Paavo Virkkunen, Executive Vice President of Finland’s national tourism board Visit Finland, said, “Alipay was first made available in Finland in December 2016. I am glad to see it is widely accepted among Finnish merchants today, and it demonstrates Finland’s commitment to ensure that Chinese visitors leave our country with an unforgettable experience.” Official statistics of Visit Finland show that China is Finland’s fifth largest source of tourist arrivals. ePassi is Alipay’s local partner in providing tailor-made solutions for various types of Finnish merchants to accept Alipay across the country.

    Alipay is focused on upgrading the overseas Chinese travelers’ experience throughout their visit, enabling a cashless journey via mobile payment, thus omitting language and currency barriers. It offers Chinese consumers their most preferred payment method and offers greater convenience during their travels, particularly when making transactions with overseas bricks-and-mortar merchants. Alipay is now accepted by merchants across 38 countries and regions who connect with travelers via the Alipay marketing platform and accept payments in stores and online.

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  • Finnish Hartwall Original Long Drink now in Hong Kong

    Finnish Hartwall Original Long Drink now in Hong Kong

    Since the summer of 2016 there is new beverage on the market in Hong Kong that originates in Finland – the legendary Hartwall Original Long Drink. This world’s first long drink was originally developed for the 1952 Helsinki Olympics, a very innovative product back then, to say the least: a cocktail in a can, easy to serve and ready to drink.

    It has been a Finnish success ever since but only as recently as in 2015 also been taking Sweden by storm.

    “Hartwall Original Long Drink was supposed to be served only for the Olympic visitors, but since Finns fell so much in love with it, the production has continued ever since. Moreover, it even created a whole new category of ’long drinks’ in Finland – better known as ’lonkero’ among the Finns”, says Eeva Ignatius, Brand Manager of the Hartwall Original Long Drink.

    Hartwall Original Long Drink is a mix of Finnish premium gin and grapefruit soda. “The gin manufacturing process is a carefully cherished artisan work, and the drink is still produced according to the original recipe from 1952.

    All the gin ingredients are hand-selected, and the final quality is ensured with triple filtering. The original taste, a mix of gin and grapefruit, is totally unique and cannot be found anywhere in the world.”

    Year after year, Hartwall Original Long Drink rules the sales statistic as Top 1 alcoholic beverage in Finland. “It is a true Finnish icon and many Finns consider it as our national drink. Even the package symbolizes our national heritage as the blue and white colours come from the Finnish flag. The thin white stripes on the other hand symbolize the running track of Helsinki Olympic stadium and remind us of the history.”

    Now Hartwall Original Long Drink has started to conquer the world, with the long-waited sales started in Sweden in April 2015, resulting in immediate success. At the same time, Hartwall signed a distribution contract in the Netherlands and Belgium.

    “Hartwall Original Long Drink was originally invented to be shared with the world and now it is about to happen”, Ignatius concludes.

    Now the Finnish “lonkero” is sold in 900 7-Elevens around Hong Kong, as Hartwall earlier in 2016 started cooperation with major distributors in Japan, Taiwan and Hong Kong.

    In In Taiwan, the local retail store chain Simplemart added Hartwall Original Long Drink to its selection in its 500 stores.

    “We were not expecting such huge success. In Hong Kong, for instance, many shops are struggling to meet the high demand. The sales figures of long drink are ten times higher that those of a famous international beer brand that was launched using the same retail channel,” says Matti Ristola, Director of Export at Hartwall.

    hartwall-long-drink2

    “The unique taste, great story and easy-to-identify container of Hartwall Original Long Drink have become popular across the world. Furthermore, the long history and strong success of the beverage in the Finnish market give it credibility; before winning over consumers, we must attract distributors to the product,” says Eeva Ignatius.

    “Hartwall has a fine history as a provider of Finnish products that spans 180 years. Finns love our brands, and our foothold in the Finnish market is strong. I believe that many of our high-quality brands that are successful in Finland have what it takes to succeed also abroad. The success story of Hartwall Original Long Drink is a good example of this. Exports are an important part of our growth strategy, and we will continue to investing in them in the future,” Hartwall CEO Kalle Järvinen says.

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