Retail News CRM

Tag: gift

  • How e-ang bao and digital gold are disrupting the gift industry

    How e-ang bao and digital gold are disrupting the gift industry

    Whether you call them hong bao, ang bao or lai see, the ubiquitous red packets are an indelible part of every Chinese New Year for millions of people throughout Asia and other parts of the world.

    Giving and receiving these gifts of money are born of a tradition dating back centuries – one that has progressed from Imperial Chinese gold coins to modern paper notes – and now even to virtual gold.

    Electronic red packets, introduced in 2014 by Chinese internet company Tencent, have become increasingly popular over the years both within and outside China. During the Lunar New Year period last year, close to 823 million people – more than half of China’s 1 billion-strong population – used Tencent’s messaging platform, WeChat, to send e-hong bao to relatives and friends. In Singapore, DBS Bank reported that the total number of e-ang bao sent during Chinese New Year last year was almost double that of the previous year, thanks in large part to the introduction of the QR code e-ang bao that functions as a customizable gift card that can be loaded with any amount and given like a conventional red packet while still being conveniently cashless.

    In general, consumers in Asia have shown an open-mindedness to evolving traditional practices alongside progressing modernity. Digital transformation in the form of increased smartphone adoption, broader internet connectivity, and innovative super apps have pushed the emerging markets in Asia further towards a future where cashless is king, and the region is expected to overtake the US in cashless payments this year with an estimated US$208.7 billion to be spent exclusively via mobile wallets and digital payment systems.

    According to data from Google, Temasek and Bain, the adoption of digital payments in Southeast Asia has reached the inflection point and is expected to cross US$1 trillion in transactions by 2025 – which will account for almost one in every two dollars spent in the region.

    For many in Asia Pacific, mobile wallets and digital payments are an accustomed part of their routine lives, so it is unsurprising that virtual gifting is also catching on in these communities. Even gold – another popular gift in Asian cultures for weddings and birthdays – can now be given and received by virtual means. Going digital simplifies the process of purchasing and giving gold for mainstream consumers, as it removes the need to worry about custodianship or safe-keeping of their gold.

    Much of the appeal of digital gifting lies in its ease and convenience compared to traditional gift-giving. Where you would once have spent hours in line at the bank to get fresh, new notes and pack them into stacks of red packets, you can now easily send the same gift and well wishes in minutes via smartphone even if the recipient lives in another country. In the past, people would have had to pay gold vaults to store and insure the gold they received from their family, while now, digital gold can be purchased and managed through a mobile app with the matters of storage and security being settled automatically.

    Take for instance the aforementioned QR code e-ang bao, which keeps the practice of handing out red packets intact without the need for gifters to handle physical money. The uptake was heartening for the QR code e-ang bao last year, as a total of US$1.1 million was loaded onto gift cards during the festive period and DBS Bank brought the concept back with new features for the Lunar New Year this year.

    The biggest users of virtual red packets and digital gifts tend to be from the Generations X, Y, Z – those born between the 1970s and the 1990s – but some companies have been creative about making virtual gifting more palatable for audiences who are looking for a more personal experience.

    There will always be a place and time for conventional gift-giving, but what the growing popularity for virtual gifting tells us about Asia is that the region continues to be a hub for digital innovation and adoption – one that is ready to modernize the traditions of its rich cultural heritage while still embracing the next era of technological change.

    Lees ook:

  • Singapore’s Naiise all but collapses under debts

    Singapore’s Naiise all but collapses under debts

    Singapore gift and homewares chain Naiise has closed its last store – the Iconic at Jewel Changi Airport – suggesting the end of the eight-year-old brand.

    Multiple sources say Naiise has collapsed due to its inability to paying debts to suppliers, and weak sales in the wake of the Covid-19 pandemic. Opened in May 2019, Naiise Iconic at Jewel Changi was considered one of the company’s biggest investments, unknowingly made at the wrong time – just before Covid hit.

    Last year, the retailer fielded multiple complaints from vendors accusing of defaulting payments. At the same time, Naiise’s co-founder Amanda Eng reportedly quit her role in the company.

    According to Today, Naiise owes up to US$7500 to vendors, many of whom have ended their relationship with Naiise and given up claims on the grounds the legal process is too costly and time-consuming.

    “My game-publishing studio has been a vendor of Naiise since 2015 and we have been owed money since 2018,” said Lye Wen Song Xeo, co-founder of Capital Gains Studio wrote on Facebook. “Promises made to repay have all been broken again and again and we had no choice but to pull our games out early last year.”

    “Covid-19 has been very hard on many of our distributors and I appreciate those distributors that came clean with us and honestly shared with us their problems and what their plans [were] if they are unable to pay us. However, shirking responsibilities and not coming clean with your vendors is honestly… not Naiise,” said Xeo.

    Despite its physical stores closing, Naiise continues to trade online and at a Kuala Lumpur outlet. Founded in 2013, Naiise had six stores in Singapore and Malaysia.

  • Luxury Gift-Giving Ideas in a Crisis Year

    Luxury Gift-Giving Ideas in a Crisis Year

    Gift-giving looks different in a pandemic year, but consumers aren’t eschewing luxuries entirely.

    If you like things you can hold in your hand but still want to get in on the crypto craze, Bitcoin Suisse’s certificates are worth a look: beautifully-crafted paper wallets hold bitcoin, ether, a Swiss franc-backed stablecoin, and others.

    The certificate’s design leans heavily on Bitcoin Suisse’s home: Switzerland’s spiritual mother, Helvetia, adorned by Alprose, features on the front while the reverse depicts crypto valley encircled by 23 stars representing the country’s cantons. The certificates bear a hologram designed to hold security features including nano and micro text, security guilloches, and spectral line patterns.

    Calling Enzo Enea a landscaper is like calling Dom Perignon a drink: the Swiss-based designer has designed greenscapes for the Queen of Bahrain and Prince Charles and worked with Zaha Hadid. He’s just as sought-after in his native Switzerland.

    Enea’s business is booming during the pandemic, as homebound bankers look to upgrade their surroundings. A fixture in design bibles like Monocle and Wallpaper, Enea recently-opened concept store overlooking Zurich’s Sihl river – a stone’s throw from Paradeplatz.

    Outside In embodies the philosophy of meshing the outdoors with interior quarters: the two-story shop includes statement pieces like Oscar Niemeyer’s Rio chaise longue or BassamFellows’ iconic Swiss tractor stool to Serax stoneware-cement tableware.

    Lees ook:

    Lees ook:

  • Typo Vietnam stores open as Australian stationer stretches its Asian reach

    Typo Vietnam stores open as Australian stationer stretches its Asian reach

    Typo Vietnam has launched its second store in Ho Chi Minh City, a month after making its debut in the country.

    Located at Crescent Mall, the new Typo Vietnam store features a wide collection of gifts, decor and travel accessories.

    The Australian stationery brand also offers special products featuring characters from Disney, Marvel and Star Wars.

    Opening last month, the first Typo Vietnam store is located at the new development Aeon Mall Ha Dong in the capital city of Hanoi.

    Founded in 2009, Typo operates more than 250 stores in 14 countries and regions, as well as an online destination that ships globally. It is owned by the Cotton On Group.

    Lees ook:

  • Hong Kong giftware retailer G.O.D opens new concept store

    Hong Kong giftware retailer G.O.D opens new concept store

    Hong Kong lifestyle design and retail brand G.O.D. has launched a new concept store at PMQ.

    The store is conceived as a gallery of contemporary Hong Kong art and design to provide a platform for progressive artists from all corners of the globe who will be exhibiting works inspired by Hong Kong.

    “We aim to push creative techniques and bring collections, which merge boundaries, foster collaboration across artists/artistic discipline and merge East and West,” a spokesperson from the giftware retailer G.O.D said.

    The store features a new snack shop “The Mess”, serving Home Kong-style rice rolls and milk tea or Gaggia Milano coffee.

    Contributing local artists include Ernest Chang, Godown Collection, Keyon Lee, Lousy, Mick Chan, Paul Turner, Parents Parents, Wong Ting Fung and Xeme.

  • Apple is warning consumers not to fall for a popular iTunes gift card scam

    Apple is warning consumers not to fall for a popular iTunes gift card scam

    There are so many illegitimate ways to separate people from their hard-earned money. One such scam has random people receiving calls from someone claiming to be with the IRS and demanding immediate payment for back taxes owed. The victims are told that they can satisfy their debt by buying the appropriate dollar amount of iTunes gift cards and reading the card numbers to the scammers over the phone with a return call. It might surprise you how many people fall for such a ruse.

    Apple is doing its part to prevent this scam from continuing by having Apple Store employees make a specific statement to customers buying iTunes gift card. When the cards are being purchased, the employee ringing up the sale tells the consumer that iTunes gift cards cannot be used outside of the App Store or iTunes, and can not be used to pay taxes. And to make sure that this is actually getting through to the consumer, Apple asks them to “accept” the warning on the mobile point-of-sale equipment carried by the Apple Store rep.

    To go one step further, Apple has added a warning to the packaging that houses the gift card. Printed in red to catch the eyes of a consumer, the text reads, “Card cannot be used for payments outside of U.S. App Store or iTunes Store, including taxes.

    All of Apple’s warnings will probably lower the success rate of this scam, but there will always be those who will fall for it. It is similar to the phishing technique used by scammers to get unsuspecting consumers to turn over important information like a social security number, passwords, PIN numbers and more. One person we know was caught in the early days of phishing and turned over information pertaining to his eBay account. Within minutes the account was hijacked by the scammer who started selling expensive cameras and other high-end tech gear. The account was stolen because it had a high positive feedback rating which lured prospective buyers and gave them the confidence to buy products that the seller didn’t really have.

    Also, if you get a call from your carrier saying that your service has been suspended for one reason or another, be skeptical. Call back the company using a phone number found on Google. If you do speak with someone, do not give out any important account information. It seems like common sense, but those who did give away passwords, PINs and other verification information soon discovered that someone had changed their account address and ordered some expensive new phones.

    On Android, Google has added a feature that will tell you if an incoming call appears to be from a spammer. The Call Screen feature allows Google Assistant to answer a suspect call and find out who is calling while you read a real-time transcription of the conversation on your phone. You can connect to the call at any time. The upcoming iOS 13 update will allow users to toggle on a feature that will send calls from people you don’t know, straight to voice mail. The feature, called “Silence unknown callers,” will allow calls from those in your contacts list to ring through. Google could add something similar in the Android Q update. Earlier this year, some Android users spotted some new options under the Blocked numbers page in the Phone app. These allowed Android users to block calls from people not in the user’s contacts list, block calls from people who do not disclose their phone number, block calls from unidentified callers, and block calls from pay phones. If you are too young to know what a pay phone is, ask your parents.

    Lees ook:

  • HKT Payment adds marketplace to mobile wallet

    HKT Payment adds marketplace to mobile wallet

    HKT Payment has launched a new virtual store within its Tap & Go mobile wallet to allow customers to purchase online game virtual gift cards.

    The new Tap & Go Marketplace will offer a wide range of gift cards including Google Pay Gift Codes, PlayStation Network, Xbox and hvmod cards.

    Once payment is complete, a PIN will be instantly installed within the Tap & Go marketplace that can be easily redeemed on the respective online marketplace.

    “We are excited to launch the Tap & Go Marketplace and extend the service to better meet the needs of the game-savvy segment,” HKT Financial Services head Monita Leung said.

    “Not only does online purchase via Tap & Go Marketplace give customers full control over their spending and peace of mind with secure payments, but it also offers gamers greater convenience and a seamless experience.”

    The launch follows the introduction of the Faster Payment System in September that allows customers to instantly top up their mobile wallet.

    Leung said HKT Payment plans to continuously expand the gift card categories available over Marketplace to cover music, videos and software.

    HKT Payment secured Hong Kong’s second ever stored value facilities license in 2016.

  • Vive Cake Boutique opens fresh pop-up at Harbour City

    Vive Cake Boutique opens fresh pop-up at Harbour City

    Vive Cake Boutique has opened a three-month pop-up store at Harbour City’s Gateway Arcade. The store is timed to coincide with White Day, a traditional holiday in Japan where men return gifts to their sweethearts who gave them chocolate on Valentine’s Day.

    The bakery’s founder Vivien Lau and her team have designed a White Day selection which will also be available in the company’s Central flagship store.

    “Vive’s pop-up store in Harbour City is an idyllic location that embodies refinement and luxury,” says Lau. “Gourmands from around the world can explore our unique and new dessert sensations in a homely, inviting, and Insta-worthy environment.”

    In addition to the cake creations and offers, Lau and her team have also designed memorabilia and treats for shoppers to take home, including a unicorn portable charger inspired by their signature Uni-Cone cake.

    Vive Cake Boutique was launched online in 2014 with its first pop up opening at The Pulse the following year. The company now has two permanent boutiques with pink and sleek marble decor, in Lee Tung Street in Wan Chai and H Queen, Central’s lifestyle hub.

  • CaratLane: 10 years of transforming jewellery in India

    CaratLane: 10 years of transforming jewellery in India

    When Mithun Sacheti founded CaratLane 10 years ago, e-commerce was at its infancy in India and no one could have imagined that Indian consumers would be ready to buy jewellery online. CaratLane was founded with a mission to democratise jewellery – to make beautiful jewellery accessible and affordable and with designs that are modern and wearable. A refreshing and courageous objective at the time, especially since the avenues for an online business weren’t as wide open then as they are today.

    CaratLane hasn’t looked back since then. It has grown from being one of India’s first online jewellery brands to being one of India’s largest new age jewellery brands now with 50 stores across the country.

    On the special occasion of CaratLane’s 10th birthday, Mithun said “The world has indeed changed in the past ten years. And while e-commerce has now become widely accepted in India, it has taken steady and sustained focus to democratise jewellery-buying online. From a website for easy shopping to allowing women to explore jewellery through apps to discovering interactive mirrors and providing a no-barrier access to precious jewellery in stores, CaratLane has transformed jewellery-buying in India.”

    “Our strong online footprint is now complemented by our growing store presence. With 50 stores across the country, we are now perhaps the world’s first truly omni-channel jewellery brand. It wouldn’t have been possible without our extremely valuable and loyal customers and an extremely dedicated team who would stop at nothing,” he added.

    As a part of the celebrations, CaratLane has added limited edition jewellery to three of its bestselling collections – Butterfly, Aaranya and Gold Lace. It has also launched its biggest sale ever with flat 20 percent off on all diamond jewellery but that’s not all, there are many more exciting offers for CaratLane customers.

    CaratLane, has also launched an upbeat film to create buzz around its 10th birthday celebrations. The campaign rolled out nationally with a combination of TV, digital and CaratLane’s social media channels. The film is targeted towards creating FOMO (fear of missing out) on its celebrations, among its audience.

    Talking about the campaign Atul Sinha, Senior Vice President Marketing, CaratLane said, “We’ve come a long way since our inception and we wanted to celebrate this milestone with the people who made it all possible – Our customers. The ‘10th birthday’ campaign film beautifully captures our excitement as well as the cheerful emotion that we’re trying to build around the occasion through our biggest sale ever.”

    Lees ook:

    Lees ook:

  • How much do Hongkongers spend on Valentine’s Day?

    How much do Hongkongers spend on Valentine’s Day?

    If you were in Hong Kong for Valentine’s Day you must have seen cascades of flowers around the city, couples flooding the restaurants, and inevitably thought: “love is definitely in the air”. You were actually right. Hong Kong is one of the top Asian markets for sentimental spending according to the Mastercard Love Index, showing continued growth since 2016 and some intriguing behavioural insights.

    Now, whether you think of it as the most romantic day of the year or a sickening slog, it’s undeniable that Valentine’s Day is a big deal for people splurging on their loved ones, and in Hong Kong even more so. The Mastercard Love Index has gathered data from credit, debit, and prepaid card transactions from the last three Valentine’s Day holiday periods(11th-14th February 2016-18) to discover the change in how fluffy feelings have translated into cold hard cash.

    The results show that since 2016, Hong Kong ranks third in growth for sentimental spending at 62%. China takes the top spot at 88% followed by Japan at 68%, which had a 35% surge. Overall across Asia-Pacific, sentimental spending has jumped up 33% with Valentine’s Day period transactions rising by 37% since 26%

    What was the biggest increase seen? Flowers of course. Since 2016 spend value on the holiday staple has gone up by 89% with 73% more transactions. In comparison, Hong Kong transactions for the pretty petals went up by 46% with total spend rocketing up by 93%.

    Here are some other interesting insights about Hongkongers from the research:

    Hongkongers aren’t early Valentine’s shoppers. Last minute buys for gifts are the norm with the 28% majority of sales happening on the day itself.

    Restaurant dates are still a growing favourite and getting flashier. Transactions in restaurants have grown by 20% since 2016 with the amount spent at meals up by 30%.

    More romantically, there has been a huge increase in couples popping away for romantic trips for Valentine’s Day. Transportation transactions showed a 205% increase in 2018, making up a significant 23% of the total spend for the day.

    Hotel rendezvous are also on the rise with 63% growth in transactions since 2016 and a boost to the total spend by 66%.

    Bling is still in. Jewellery transactions for Valentine’s Day have climbed with spend up 43% since 2016.

    Hongkongers like the personal touch when it comes to gifts for Valentine’s Day. 88% of gifts were bought in face-to-face transactions versus 6% online. However, online shopping for Valentine’s Day is still rising with a 146% increase in online transactions over the period since 2016.

    Lees ook:

    Lees ook:

  • India’s jewellery brand opens new outlet

    India’s jewellery brand opens new outlet

    Zoya, the exquisite diamond boutique from the House of Tata, has reopened its flagship store in Delhi, amidst a glittering celebration, graced by connoisseurs of design from Delhi’s high society. Located in the iconic South Extension neighbourhood, the new boutique of India’s homegrown luxury brand spreads luxuriously over 4,600 sq.ft. Designed as a minimalist gallery of fine art, where each piece resonates with reflections of Zoya’s inspirations from its journey around the world, the boutique is home to Zoya’s rare masterpieces.

    In keeping with the brand’s unwavering focus on fine design and impeccable craftsmanship, celebrated designer Gauri Khan was guest of honour for the evening and joined CEO of Titan’s Jewellery Division, CK Venkatraman, and guests, in raising a toast to the boutique’s many treasures.

    A splendid, two-part, fashion showcase by Zoya in collaboration with ace couturier Monisha Jaising showcased her elegant designs and a spectacular array of Zoya’s collections. Embellished gowns and cocktail dresses were paired with Zoya’s dramatic ‘6299 Hollywood Blvd.’, a collection that draws design direction from the panache of three iconic Hollywood eras translating the undying glamour of film into an absolutely unique take on jewellery.

    Fusion lehengas and sarees in pleasing pastels highlighted the mood for Whispers from the Valley, a collection that captures the poetic beauty of Kashmiri seasons and picturesque icons of the land, from the gentle shikara to falling chinar leaves.

    Stark black and navy created dramatic flair for the presentation of ‘Musee Du Luxe’ – Museum of Luxury, a collection that looks towards the sublime architecture, rich culture and inherent joie de vivre of Paris, blending a modern style palette with vintage charisma while summery whites paired with Zoya’s Pezzo D’Arte,a versatile line of 37 pieces inspired by rich Italian history and style. As visionary as art, the collection uses geometry in design, to create an edgy fashion statement, imbued with a distinctly modern vibe.

    The evening gave guests a chance to explore the purposefully planned navigation of the boutique and opportunities to appreciate each splendid piece. With three floors in Zoya’s signature tones of mushroom, champagne and orange, the store opens onto the ground floor presenting guests with its newer collections. A wide staircase or elevator leads to the basement unveiling a gallery of Zoya’s most iconic pieces. The first floor reveals the breadth of Zoya’s fine collections with an exclusive presentation of high value jewellery.

    Zoya travels the world to seek varied inspirations for its fine collections in the culture and art of historic periods like Awadh, Rajputana or the Romanov era. Iconic destinations like Banaras, Kashmir, Italy, Paris, Greece and Spain, are Zoya’s muse as much as legends and myths such as those of Krsna. Guided by a personal jewellery specialist, an indulgent walk-through of the thoughtfully-designed boutique is a tryst with luxury quite unlike any other; an opportunity to be regaled with tales of lands far and near, as the inspiration behind every creation of Zoya is brought vividly to life.

    The showcasing of jewellery with storytelling, visual merchandising, and varied lighting enhances the intricacy and beauty of each piece. Panels and partitions have been created by local artisans to tell the Zoya story, and clean, uncluttered lines and display units, showcase the treasures of this exclusive gallery of fine design.

    Thoughtful touches to make the customer feel special are a hallmark of luxury, and the store is designed to ensure valued guest experience the highly personalised service Zoya is known for. Private viewing areas with sheer curtains add softness while allowing customers to peruse the collections at leisure and with discretion, or to converse intimately with Zoya’s master designers at call to help them customize their favourite pieces. Once seated for a private viewing, chosen pieces of Zoya are individually showcased with an expert designer in attendance to fulfil bespoke desires. All while personally-curated gourmet hors d’oeuvres and sparkling flutes of bubbly flow in abundant luxury.

    CK Venkatraman, CEO, Jewellery Division, Titan Company, says “Zoya is a home-grown luxury brand, with an Indian heart and an eye on the world. It holds a cherished spot in the Titan story. With the aesthetic value of unique design and refined craftsmanship becoming sought after benchmarks of selection, we see great potential in Zoya’s growth. Delhi has always been a very important market for all of Titan’s jewellery brands, and we are delighted to offer our customers this beautiful new space to explore Zoya’s splendid treasures.”

    Added Gauri Khan, “Zoya’s products are very artistic. They are thoughtfully designed and meticulously crafted. This attention to detail and commitment to quality is similar to my own approach to design. I am happy to be here for the opening of Zoya’s new boutique in Delhi.”

    Lees ook:

  • Tiffany sales reported drops

    Tiffany sales reported drops

    US jewellery retailer Tiffany & Co has reported a 1 per cent drop in worldwide net sales and 2 per cent drop in comparable sales for the two months to December 31. While Tiffany sales grew strongly in China over the holiday period, softening in other markets that are more dependent on foreign tourist spending led total net sales across Asia Pacific to fall 3 per cent from the prior corresponding period to US$226 million. Comparable sales in the region fell 4 per cent.

    “With continued strong sales growth in mainland China (by a double-digit percentage), solid results in Japan and healthy growth in e-commerce sales, overall holiday sales results came in short of our expectations which had called for modest year-over-year growth,” Tiffany CEO Alessandro Bogliolo said.

    “We attribute the difference partly to lower sales to foreign (primarily Chinese) tourists globally, and to softening demand attributed to local customers in the Americas and Europe, which we believe may have been influenced more than expected by external events, uncertainties and market volatilities.”

    Total sales across the Americas declined 1 per cent to US$514 million, while Europe dropped 4 per cent to US$132 million.

    Japan, however, saw positive growth over the period of 4 per cent – increasing to US$150 million, attributed to higher spending by local customers.

    Based on these results, the business now expects worldwide net sales for fiscal 2018 will increase by 6 to 7 per cent compared to the prior year, as opposed to the high-single digits previously expected.

    “Now the focus is to grow to new heights,” Bogliolo said. “To this purpose, we will continue to pursue the six key strategic priorities we introduced earlier in 2018 … which will require our ongoing effort and commitment for years to come.

    “We acknowledge that external pressures, difficult year-over-year sales comparisons and annualised internal spending are expected to have some negative effects on fiscal 2019 results, mostly in the first half of the year, but we believe Tiffany is on a solid path for improved sales, margins, earnings and cash flow generation over the long term.”

    Lees ook:

    Lees ook:

  • Lego opens its first official store in Thailand at Siam Paragon

    Lego opens its first official store in Thailand at Siam Paragon

    The first certified Lego Thailand store has opened at Siam Paragon in Bangkok. The Danish building-toy manufacturer says the move is part of the brand’s strategic plan for Asian expansion. The new 170sqm Lego Thailand store has opened in a “co-sharing” partnership with DKSH (Thailand) Ltd. It  offers more than 300 Lego toys, 32 of which are exclusive to certified, branded Lego outlets.

    Lego Singapore GM for emerging Asia Atsushi Hasegawa said Thailand is an attractive market for Lego. “The country has an established economy, a large population and an established retail industry … We expect to see faster growth in Asia, including Thailand, and sustainable growth in Europe and America.”

    Hasegawa added that Lego’s targeting of the Asian market recognises that it is home to more than half of the world’s children. While Asia still has a low base for Lego toys compared to many established markets in the West, the company is seeing an opportunity to boost its sales by five or six times in the region.

    Gallery below (6 images) :

    According to Hasegawa, the company’s initial priority is not to increase the number of Lego stores, but to deliver the right brand experience to children at the right locations.

    DKSH’s director of commercial development Arden Feschuk said the company expects the Lego Thailand store will achieve THB100 million (US$3.05 million) in sales in its first year. There is also a plan to expand the number of Lego-certified stores in Thailand later.

    “During the first year of opening, more than 400,000 people are expected to visit the store, with Thais accounting for 60 per cent and foreigners 40 per cent. Due to the company’s one-price strategy, exclusive Lego sets will cost the same here as they do in neighbouring countries.

    “Due to this, Lego fans will no longer have to go overseas to buy Lego products. Also, new collections will be launched at the same time as in the US and Europe”.

    Sixty per cent of Lego’s Thailand sales are currently brought in via distribution in department stores, while more than 15 per cent is derived from specialist toy stores.

  • DFS Group Kicks Off Its Seasonal Gifting Campaign

    DFS Group Kicks Off Its Seasonal Gifting Campaign

    DFS Group has kicked off its annual gifting campaign at T Galleria by DFS in Okinawa. The “Give Joy”-themed campaign opened on November 24, showcasing DFS’s first ever “Personalisation Gift Shop” concept, where an assortment of specially curated luxury gifts can be personalised, along with services. The concept will now be rolled out in T Galleria by DFS stores in Hong Kong’s Canton Road and Macau’s City of Dreams, along with stores in Singapore, Angkor (Cambodia), Saipan, Bali, Guam, Okinawa, Hawaii and Sydney.

    The store was transformed into a “gifting wonderland” at the launch as guests were invited to try the personalisation services – monogramming leather goods, and adorning t-shirts and tote bags with Foxy’s six DFS exclusive emoji iron-on patches.

    DFS Group executive VP merchandising Ariel Gentzbourger said: “Thanks to our unique approach to gifting, and our understanding of what our customers are seeking, we have created a shopping experience that is a joy in itself.”

    Gifting-themed entertainment at the event included a life-size advent calendar overflowing with holiday treasures, a special visit from Santa Claus and a “candygram” corner for guests to pick and mix sweet treats.

    View the gallery below for the report of the event (11 images) :

    Lees ook:

    Lees ook:

  • Giv Giv: Singapore’s first Build-It-Yourself Gifting Platform

    Giv Giv: Singapore’s first Build-It-Yourself Gifting Platform

    Officially launching this month, Giv Giv specializes in its simple yet fun and thoughtful gifting process via its unique web platform (www.givgiv.co). With over 300 gift items and 50 partnering brands across diverse gift categories, it is the ideal destination to customise an exclusive bundle (Giv) of mixed brand gift items or shop from pre-curated Givs for an upcoming celebration-or even, just because.

    The website, soft-launched on 28 April 2017, allows gift shoppers to create personalized Givs for scheduled dates in advance. Based on their gifting needs and shopping preferences, they can simply bui Id a Giv from the wide selection of gift items curated by the Giv Giv team . “Each and every gift item is chosen by the sender and that is certainly meaningful, if not more thoughtful than the usual gift voucher or hampers with an item or two they might not like,” shares co-founder Estee Lua. In addition to the exciting customizable options, Giv Giv is also releasing a new collection of pre-curated Givs every month to provide their shoppers with additional gift varieties.

    The pre-curated collections are hand picked to commemorate life’s various milestones and to celebrate the little moments. There are also exclusive releases of pre-curated Giv bundles with seasonal gifts and exciting looks for one-click gift shoppers. From birthday bundles to congratulatory Giv sets, these options are all about the details and provide gift inspiration for shoppers to build their own.

    Giv Giv is also using the brand as a platform to promote gift items from local and regional lifestyle and indie brands. Gift shoppers can shop their favourite and popular gift items from over 1 O featured categories; be it a pampering session of candles and blooms, or a bundle of thoughtful lifestyle goods to send your best wishes, gift shoppers are spoilt for choice. Recipients of the special gifting experience will receive a selection of gift items and a personalized gift card accompanied by the signature orange Giv packaging and door-to-door courier service that elevates the surprise. For the exciting month of June, Giv Giv will be launching new Giv bundles for Father’s Day and other seasonal editions. For all new gift shoppers, use the promo code [ FIRST10] to get 10% off your orders!

    Lees ook:

    Lees ook:

    Lees ook: