Just opened, Gucci Roppongi in Tokyo is the first-ever Japanese flagship store designed by Alessandro Michele, the Italian fashion brand’s creative director.
Covering 228 sqm, the store is in Westwalk Roppongi, Minato-ku.
It features both women’s and men’s collections including ready-to-wear, footwear, handbags, luggage, accessories and jewellery.
There are also special items such as exotic clutches and rare Gucci handbags exclusive to the boutique.
JD Sports Malaysia has opened its first flagship store – on level 5 of Pavilion shopping centre in Kuala Lumpur.
It is the British sportswear retailer’s largest store in Southeast Asia with a floor area of 13,590 sqft and opens following the success of the company’s Sunway Pyramid store.
The biggest pure for customers is expected to be the extensive range of sneakers from multiple brands, including special editions.
“Sneaker culture is growing across the world, and JD Sports has been at the forefront of providing customers with exclusive, hard-to-get and desirable trainers in all of the markets we service,” said Peter Cowgill, chairman of JD Sports Fashion.
“JD Sports carries large number of brands, which means we have something for everyone, from Nike to Adidas to Reebok, to our own in-house brands such Pink Soda, Supply and Demand and Sonnetti,” added Jaclyn Tan, senior manager brand marketing with JD Sports Malaysia.
The company says it plans to add more stores in the country and has this month organised recruiting days for prospective staff to join the team.
French sports goods retailer Decathlon will open its first two-story flagship in Luoyang as it expands its Greater China footprint.
When complete, it will be the sports retailer’s second store in the city, located in the province of Henan – and its largest store yet in China.
The new Decathlon China store will be located at the intersection of Huashan Road and Hangong Road in Xigong district. It boasts 13,000 sqm of retail floor space and include a playground for children.
Decathlon, which opened its first two stores in Singapore this year as part of a new Asia-wide focus, is a full-line sports supplies retailer which also designs, manufactures and wholesales products. It has more than 1300 stores in 32 countries and plans to have 220 stores trading in 100 Chinese cities by the end of this year.
Under Armour Korea plans to open flagship stores to make the most of its growing popularity in the Asian market.
The US-headquartered sports brand says it has opened an office in South Korea to operate its business directly from next year, after taking over distribution from local partner Hyosung Galaxia.
“Under Armour will strengthen its marketing, distribution and retail efforts, providing Korean consumers with the best brand and shopping experience,” said David Song, country manager of Under Armour Korea.
“We will open our flagship store in southern Seoul in January. The brand will also continue to connect with athletes directly and promote sports, fitness and healthy living through its connected fitness platform, which is the world’s largest digital health and fitness community.”
Song said Korea is a “pivotal component” in the company’s international growth plan.
“Through design, innovation and our Under Armour connected fitness platform, we look forward to forging long-term relationships directly with athletes at every level in the country.”
H&M Taiwan held a high-profile fashion party to launch its new Ximen flagship store, gathering Taiwanese fashion’s finest.
Yoga Lin, Nick Chou, Gemma Wu, Nikki Hsieh, Puff Kuo, Jasper Liu, Jian Man Shu and Lien Yu Han were amongst the stars joining this week’s celebration. At the party, Yoga Lin mesmerised the fashion crowd with a surprise performance.
In celebration of unveiling H&M’s Ximen flagship store, singer Yoga Lin walked the red carpet sharply dressed in an exclusive capsule collection by H&M Design Award-winner Hannah Jinkins. Inside H&M’s largest flagship store in Asia, Yoga Lin performed three of his biggest hits, rolling out a night of entertainment, fashion and perfection. The performance was followed by Nick Chou (NickTheReal) appearing as the guest DJ of the night.
The H&M Ximen flagship store formally opened today, November 25.
“Ximending is a fashion conscious area of Taipei City, and I am excited to be a celebrating the opening of H&M’s flagship store. Tonight is an unforgettable night; I hope H&M will inspire this area with its up-to-date fashion,” said Yoga Lin.
“I am a big fan of H&M. The performances were impeccable, and the store looks fantastic. This is surely the fashion event of the year,” said Puff Kuo.
American lingerie brand Victoria’s Secret opened its first South-east Asian flagship store – a head-turning pink glass confection – at Mandarin Gallery yesterday.
First in the queue of about 100 shoppers were mother-and-daughter duo Mandy Lo, an office administrator in her 40s, and Hazel Goh, 19, a student.
While they had been waiting for only 30 minutes, the arrival of the flagship was a long time coming for Ms Goh, a loyal customer since she was 13. She had been ordering the label’s lingerie, fragrances and accessories online for several years.
She and her mother bought $500 worth of underwear, bras and a windbreaker, amid thumping music, flashing video screens, oversized chandeliers and elaborate table displays of lingerie-clad mannequins.
She says the store met most of her expectations. “It’s pretty awesome. I was expecting everything, but I couldn’t find certain designs of bras and underwear that I wanted, but the Pink range here is better than online.”
The Victoria’s Secret Pink range is a line of underwear, clothes and accessories targeted at women in their late teens and early 20s.
Another excited shopper was Australian tourist Jane Fitzgerild, 46. The chef had walked past Mandarin Gallery on Thursday and noticed the store.
She returned yesterday with her husband to buy bras. She says: “I’ve never been to any of the brand’s flagships. I’m a big fan and I like its quality and assortment of products.”
Opening the 12,000 sq ft duplex store in Orchard Road, amid a weak retail market, may seem like a risk, but Singapore Polytechnic senior retail lecturer Sarah Lim thinks this is a savvy move by retail group Valiram, which distributes the brand here.
Ms Lim says: “Victoria’s Secret is differentiated from other lingerie brands such as La Senza and Triumph because of its glamorous image. For consumers, it is a good move because, now, they can shop from the brand’s full range. The store also adds excitement to the retail scene.”
Singapore is the first Asian territory, apart from the Middle East, to have the full assortment.
The brand was founded in 1977 by the late Roy Raymond after he felt embarrassed purchasing lingerie for his wife in a department store.
In 1982, Victoria’s Secret was acquired by American fashion retailer L Brands, which made US$12.7 billion (S$18.11 billion) in sales last year, up from US$11.5 billion the previous year.
There are more than 1,600 Victoria’s Secret stores worldwide.
The brand is most famous for its high-octane annual Victoria’s Secret Fashion Show, which started in 1995 and features supermodels such as Adriana Lima and Alessandra Ambrosio and also top performers, including American pop stars Taylor Swift and Rihanna.
Similar to the stores in the United States, the Singapore flagship sells the full assortment, including the Victoria Sport and Victoria’s Secret Pink lines. This is a fuller spectrum than the fragrances, accessories and women’s underwear now offered at the brand’s seven stores in Singapore, including outlets at 313@Somerset and Wisma Atria.
Prices range from $19 for a lipgloss to about $800 for a silk robe from the Victoria’s Secret Designer collection. New designs will be available every two to six weeks.
At the flagship, there are 12 bra specialists, who advise customers on the product lines and styles, and know how to do bra measurements.
In each of the 24 luxurious fitting rooms is a call button, should shoppers need help from a specialist.
Ms Ema Negara, assistant vice- president of Victoria’s Secret store operations in Singapore, says having specialists who can empathise with customers is important.
According to her, about 90 per cent of women take bras in the wrong size to the fitting room and some walk out upset.
She says: “Our motto is to make women feel sexy, sophisticated and forever young.”
Italian luxury house Salvatore Ferragamo Japan has re-opened its wholly renovated and extended Tokyo flagship store, at Chuo-dori, Ginza.
Covering 600 sqm, the new store is now Salvatore Ferragamo’s largest in Japan. Extending over three floors, it carries the label’s full range of men’s and women’s collections: ready-to-wear apparel, handbags, footwear, leather goods, silk accessories, eyewear, fragrances, watches and jewellery.
Each floor comprises interconnected rooms creating a domestic feel. They are furnished with a blend of Italian design classics and references to period design from the 1930s to the 1950s. The decor is an Italian-style showcase, from Gio Ponti furniture to period Venetian glass vases, from sofas and chairs from Italy to handmade rugs, together with Venetian stucco and travertine marble. LED illumination highlights the products on display.
Lojel has opened a flagship store in Jakarta.
The first Lojel Indonesia store, it is located on the ground floor of the Lotte Shopping Avenue.
Founded in 1989, Lojel is now an international brand producing high-quality luggage and travel accessories. It is sold in 30 countries across five continents.
The Lojel Indonesia flagship opened with an exhibition of photography by Jacky Soeharto, to help reinforce the brand’s affiliation with travel.
“Lojel put its space with a hint of industrial style interior and a warm light display of its colorful products,” observed local blog Neighbourlist.
“Lojel has always connected to every modern travelers and adventurers with a young spirit and Indonesia seems to have taken its grasp.”
See more photos of the new store and its Indonesian range at Neighbourlist.
DJI, the world’s biggest maker of remote controlled drones, opens its first retail store in Hong Kong this weekend in the heart of Causeway Bay to give up-and-coming drone pilots hands-on experience of flying the machines.
The 10,000 square foot site – over three storeys in the newly opened 535 Mall on Jaffe Road – marks a return to its roots by Da-Jiang Innovations Science & Technology Co, the formal name of DJI.
Its founder Frank Wang, an alumnus of Hong Kong University of Science & Technology, established the company in Shenzhen a decade ago.
It’s the company’s third Asia store, after opening outlets in Shenzhen, and Seoul over the past 10 months.
Unlike customers in Europe and the US, the largest markets for DJI, Asian pilots haven’t had the opportunity yet to actually get their hands on flying one of its drone before buying it.
“There’s a lot of growth potential in Asia and having a larger retail footprint will help expand that,” said Michael Perry, DJI’s director of strategic partnerships.
The company’s top-of-the-line drone is the Phantom 4, which retails for HK$9,299.
“Phantom 4 may not be an impulse buy, but what we’ve found is that a lot of people are very interested, they spend a lot of time researching but the key turning point in their decision is seeing their technology themselves,” Perry said.
Research firm Teal Group predicts global sales of civilian drones will soar to US$10.9 billion by 2025, up from US$2.6 billion for this year.
The ground floor of the new DJI shop displays the firm’s range starting from the hand held Osmo gimbals, which start at HK$2,299, right up to up to the Phantom 4 and Inspire drone models, as well as a large cage for trying out the aerial vehicles.
Perry said there is huge global potential for the use of drones, adding that its community of users are constantly coming up with new ideas on how the devices can be improved, the latest example being a new sensor for use in warehouses to check inventory.
“Anywhere that data collection or delivery is too time intensive, too costly, too dangerous, that’s where a drone can play a pretty critical role,” he said.
DJI launched its first drone for the agriculture market last year. The DJI Agras MG-1 has eight rotors and can carry more than 10 kilograms of liquid for crop spraying, with the ability to spray up to four hectares an hour.
Perry said the company’s technological strength and control systems such as one that prevents collision gives it an edge over competitors, including Xiaomi’s Mi Drone, and GoPro’s Karma.
GoPro, which makes action cameras, this week launched the Karma, a foldable model, for HK$6,300. Xiaomi’s Mi Drones sell for less than HK$3,550, and are aimed at competing with DJI’s Phantom 3 model.
Covering 2400 sqm over two levels, the first Zara Vietnam flagship store has opened at Vincom Centerin Ho Chi Minh City.
Customers have views of the main street, Dong Khoi, from its windows, while on the racks are collections including women’s and men’s styles as well as Zara Kids, Zara Basic, TRF and the latest fall/winter styles.
Following the opening of the store, the Zara Vietnam website went live.
Customers say they are impressed with the prices, noting they are cheaper than in Singapore and Thailand. When the Spanish fast-fashion line announced its plan to expand to Vietnam, there were concerns its prices would be higher than overseas, as had been the case with other international brands such as Topshop.
Owned by Inditex, the Vietnam store adds to Zara’s 50 outlets throughout Indonesia, Malaysia, Singapore and Thailand.
French luggage brand Delsey has opened its first flagship in the Philippines.
The Delsey Philippines store’s opening coincides with the brand’s 70th anniversary and marks another Asian market in a growing footprint in the region.
Located in Ayala, Glorietta 4, the store follows the global concept “Maison de Voyages” featuring French design features such as European tiles, Chen Karlson drop lights and moldings bearing a resemblance to the Louis XVI era.
“This new store concept is in line with Delsey’s global standing as the premier French luggage brand,” said Reginald de Vera, brand manager of Delsey. “We are very happy to set up more Delsey Maison de Voyage stores in the Philippines as these will transform the way Filipinos shop for luggage and other travel necessities.
“This is also a good venue for us to showcase our collections that are innovative, stylish and very French,” he said.
Unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) technology company DJI Hong Kong is about to open a flagship store featuring flight cages, experience zones, an aerial photo gallery, technical support centre and its full range of consumer and professional products.
In Causeway Bay, the three-storey store, covering more than 10,000 sqft (930 sqm) will open at the end of next month. It will display animated DJI and drone silhouettes to add to the Victoria Harbour evening backdrop.
Its ground floor will feature the company’s full range of aerial and handheld products, while the SkyPixel Gallery on the first floor will showcase UAV photography from around the world. The technical support centre is on the second floor along with a space for workshops, seminars and special events.
“Discovery is an important part of the learning process, and when people understand how easy it is to use the technology they will find ways to incorporate it into their lives or for their businesses,” says DJI founder/CEO Frank Wang.
This will be the company’s third foray into retail following the December opening of its first flagship store in in Shenzhen, followed by a Seoul flagship in March.
DJI’s global network spans the Americas, Europe and Asia, with customers in more than 100 countries using its products for such purposes as filmmaking, construction, emergency response, agriculture and conservation.
C. Banner International has detailed its plans to open its first Hamleys flagship store in Nanjing, China this October.
The announcement follows the retail group’s latest 2016 interim results in which it saw revenue and gross profit increase 6.1 per cent and 2.2 per cent respectively.
C. Banner acquired the iconic toy brand Hamleys last year in a bid to maintain its lead of competitors to become the leading international integrated retailer and the second largest retailer in the world.
The firm believes that the expansion plans for Hamleys will help the retailer enhance its overall brand value, image and exposure.
Chen Yixi, chairman of C. Banner, said: “Although the global economy and retail industry remained weak in the first half of 2016, china still recorded a GDP growth of 6.7 per cent.
“To gain a head start over competitors, we had acquired the Hamleys brand last year, which is one of the most famous toy brands in the world.
“We are planning to open its first Hamleys flagship store in Nanjing this October and expect the addition of Hamleys brand will provide a great boost to enhance the company’s overall brand value, image and exposure.”
Keeping in mind the growing demand for safer travel, globally recognized travel gear brand Pacsafe has opened its first flagship store in the Philippines. The boutique, the company’s first in the world, is located at G/F Glorietta 5, Makati City. It was officially launched through United Limsun International Trading Corp., the brand’s exclusive distributor in the country. At least 10 more retail locations are expected to open in three years.
The new boutique will carry the company’s full range of products (adventure backpacks, urban and leisure bags, women’s bags, photography bags, luggage and travel accessories such as straps, cables and locks).
Pacsafe has extended its company’s global marine turtle conservation advocacy by providing a kick-off fund donation of P235,000 to the Bantay Pawikan Conservation Center in Morong, Bataan, through the Bataan Tourism Council. Present to accept the donations were Vicky Garcia and Isabel Garcia, chairs of the Bataan Tourism Council.
Built on the aspirations of Australian founders Rob Schlipper, CEO, and Magnus McGlashan, president and cofounder, Pacsafe has become synonymous with smart and safe travel. As the pioneer of the travel security category since 1998, Pacsafe is known all over the globe as the world’s most secure antitheft travel gear. It has steadily gained solid industry leadership throughout the years, thanks to trademark innovations like the eXomesh, RFIDsafe and other technologies.
Spain’s Inditex group has opened its largest global Stradivarius flagship yet on London’s Oxford St.
The new store at number 309 has a total area of 1500 sqm spread over three floors and showcasing the entire range of the young fashion and accessories brand. The basement and first floor contains the women’s and lifestyle collections, while the first floor is scheduled to open in 2017 in time for Spring/Summer with the launch of Stradivarius’s first menswear offering.
A prominent glass facade allows natural light to flow into the store helping to connect with the street outside. The atmosphere is one of industrial combined with natural aesthetics, with wood, textured fabric walls and strip lights. The original interior brick walls have been exposed and preserved to create a vintage feel and showcase the #stradivariuslondon hashtag.
The new opening builds on the success of Stradivarius’s first UK store opened at Westfield Stratford in August 2014, as well as the launch of the brand’s UK eCommerce offering in September 2013.
Stradivarius is one of the eight brands that make up Inditex Group. It designs thousands of feminine and creative garments and accessories in Spain which are distributed exclusively in its stores worldwide, especially targeting women between 20 and 35 years old. Including the new store at 309 Oxford St, the brand has 960 stores in 64 countries.