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Tag: Hong Kong

  • Singapore and Hong Kong to Create Air Travel Bubble

    Singapore and Hong Kong to Create Air Travel Bubble

    Travelers between the two cities will soon be able to make trips without the need for quarantine, stay-home notice or controlled itinerary.

    Singapore and Hong Kong have reached an in-principle agreement to establish an air travel bubble, following discussions between Hong Kong’s Commerce Secretary Edward Yau and Singapore’s Transport Minister Ong Ye Kung,

    While the bubble allows leisure trips, travelers must still produce negative Covid-19 test results and travel on dedicated flights, according to details announced by Singapore’s Ministry of Transport (MOT) in a press release on Thursday.

    It is a safe, careful but significant step forward to revive air travel, and provide a model for future collaboration with other parts of the world, Ong said about the agreement, which will be fleshed out in the coming weeks.

    Singapore has already set up reciprocal green lanes for essential and official travelers from Brunei, China, Japan, Malaysia and South Korea, although these require controlled itineraries. It has also opened its borders unilaterally to general visitors from Brunei, New Zealand, Vietnam and most of Australia.

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  • Mainland expansion paying off for Chow Tai Fook

    Mainland expansion paying off for Chow Tai Fook

    Growing demand due to innovation in designs and changing fashion trends will help to boost the global jewelry market in the forecasted period. Jewelry refers to ornaments such as earrings, neckless, bracelets, pendants, stones, rings, and metals. Jewelry is available in the form of gold, silver, diamond, platinum, and gems. Upsurging demand for jewelry on Retail and e-commerce platform will help to boost the global jewelry market.

    Government initiative towards Jewellery market is helping to the triggered global market. for example, The Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS) has revised the standard on gold hallmarking in India from January 2018. The gold jewelry hallmark will now carry a BIS mark, purity in carat and fitness as well as the unit’s identification and the jeweler’s identification mark. The move is aimed at ensuring a quality check on gold jewelry.

    AMA Research have added latest edition of survey study on Jewellery Market with 100+ market data Tables, Pie Chat, Graphs & Figures spread through Pages and easy to understand detailed analysis. At present, the market is developing its presence. The Research report presents a complete assessment of the Market and contains a future trend, current growth factors, attentive opinions, facts, and industry-validated market data.

    The research study provides estimates for Jewellery Forecast till 2025*. Some are the key players taken under coverage for this study is Chow Tai Fook Jewellery (China), LVMH (Paris), Rajesh Exports (India), Richemont (Switzerland), Signet Jewelers (Hamilton), Maria Black (Denmark), Missoma (United Kingdom), Gaviria (United Kingdom), Maria Tash (United States), Katerina Makriyianni (United Kingdom) and Swarovski (Austria)

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  • Deliveroo Hong Kong launches new on-demand grocery delivery service, enabling Hong Kongers to access thousands of grocery products right to their doors

    Deliveroo Hong Kong launches new on-demand grocery delivery service, enabling Hong Kongers to access thousands of grocery products right to their doors

    Deliveroo Hong Kong today announces its partnership with 7-Eleven and Marks & Spencer to launch its first-ever on-demand grocery delivery service, allowing customers to access a variety of ready-to-eat meals and grocery products, which is especially important amidst the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic. Through Deliveroo’s partnership with the popular convenience chain and the British retailer, over 1,000 grocery products will be on offer, highlighting Deliveroo’s commitment to delivering great food to customers across the city.

    The new on-demand grocery delivery service will provide consumers with easier access to convenience store favourites such as on-the-go breakfast and lunch items, street-eat snacks like siu mai and dumplings, medicines, tissues, gum and mints, and a plethora of quick bites and beverages. Household essentials and fresh produce will also be on offer including fruit and vegetables, meat and seafood, eggs, milk and dairy, snacks and sweets, alcoholic and non-alcoholic beverages, as well as store cupboard essentials. With a fleet of over 7,000 riders in Hong Kong, Deliveroo is committed to delivering essential grocery items to people in as little as 30 minutes, ensuring that great food is never far away.

    Brian Lo, General Manager, of Deliveroo Hong Kong said, “Hong Kongers have grown accustomed to the convenience of ordering in and receiving takeout right to their doors given the volatility of the epidemic. At Deliveroo, we listen to our customers and pride ourselves on keeping up with consumer trends. The global pandemic has accelerated the importance of delivery services, and the need for at-home delivery services beyond takeaway food. We want to help Hong Kongers receive a variety of goods right to their doors and accommodate the shift in consumers’ needs;  that’s why we’re delighted to partner with 7-Eleven and Marks & Spencer to offer more great and delicious food to Hong Kongers all across the city.

    He added, “We are investing in building this proposition and we expect customer interactions on our platform to grow significantly with this new on-demand grocery offering. We look forward to adding more grocery partners in the coming months to offer consumers a wide range of items to make shopping from home more convenient and easy.”

    Accessing  7-Eleven tasty food anytime, anywhere

    Having your favourite snacks delivered to your door has never been easier. In the first phase of Deliveroo and 7-Eleven’s partnership, starting from October,  40 7-Eleven stores covering key areas within the city will be available for delivery in all of Deliveroo’s zones, offering approximately half of the store’s popular items. This is the first stage of a multi-phase partnership with further expansion expected.

    7-Eleven is the largest convenience store brand in Hong Kong, with Hong Kongers visiting the beloved shop frequently to buy their meals, snacks and pick up healthcare essentials whenever they have a sore stomach or head. With the help of Deliveroo, 7-Eleven will deliver ready-to-eat hot meals, snack items including cakes, crisps, coffee and milk tea, beer and spirits, and popular street-side snacks such as fish balls, udon noodles, rice dumplings and more. Some household items such as Panadol, Band-Aids, Kleenex and Dettol wipes will also be on offer.

    Alex Liu, Managing Director, 7-Eleven Hong Kong & Macau, said, “This is certainly an exciting initiative for us as it is our first time partnering with a food delivery platform. 7-Elevenis dedicated to offering a range of tasty ready-to-eat products under our own brand 7-SELECT and HOTSHOT. With over 970 stores across Hong Kong, customers can access delicious meals in a convenient way. We also continue bringing new and exclusive products to give excitement for our customers. Partnering with Deliveroo helps us to reach out to new customers and expand our customer base. With this partnership, we are extending convenience to another level, customers can enjoy our products anytime, anywhere.”

    In recognition of the grocery launch, 7-Eleven is offering delicious deals and savings of three HK$20 vouchers when new Deliveroo customers order HK$100 worth of items. Voucher codes can be found in the selected 7-Eleven stores.

    Providing Deliveroo customers more food options through Marks & Spencer partnership 

    From today customers can order an assortment of top-quality M&S food & drink products on-demand via Deliveroo, including top-selling wines, cheese and deli items, baked goods, fresh fruits and vegetables, ready meals, pet supplies, personal and household items as well as store cupboard essentials. Over 800 M&S grocery items are available via the Deliveroo app, meaning customers can find something for every mealtime.

    Customers can order a multitude of grocery items from 11 Marks & Spencer stores in different neighborhoods, such as Central, Kowloon Bay, Wan Chai and Tsim Sha Tsui.

    With over 30 years’ heritage in Hong Kong, M&S customers are known to be passionate about their food, which is why M&S have partnered with Deliveroo to help get customers the products they love as well as supporting those who currently aren’t able to visit stores easily. From M&S’ fresh Select Farms meat, dairy and produce to sweet treats and easy dinner ingredients, customers on Deliveroo can now browse and order their M&S favourites with just the click of a button – and all delivered to the doorstep by Deliveroo in as little as 30 minutes.

    In celebration of the launch, new Deliveroo customers can receive a welcome gift of two HK$50 coupons when they purchase HK$400 worth of groceries from Marks & Spencer on Deliveroo from 19 October till 19 November. Voucher codes can be found in selected M&S stores and on Deliveroo social channels. Additionally, one bottle of Prosecco will be up for grabs for new M&S customers via Deliveroo who spend HK$600 or more, while supplies last. Customers will need to add the free Prosecco item to their basket at Checkout.

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  • Hong Kong retail rents slip

    Hong Kong retail rents slip

    The world’s most expensive retail strip is likely to endure another six months of industry slump as shop owners struggle to replace premium tenants amid Hong Kong’s deepening recession.

    Global brands from Prada to Rolex and Victoria’s Secret have in the past year vacated their space near or along Russell Street in Causeway Bay – whose rents exceeded those in New York, London, or Paris at the peak of the cycle – as the economy suffered from political upheavals and public health crisis.

    “The market has not seen the bottom yet. I think the worst will only come at year-end,” said Edwin Lee, founder, and chief executive of Bridgeway Prime Shop Fund Management, which owns 18 street shops across the city. “People expect the Covid-19 vaccine to be ready and available by early or the middle of next year when confidence is expected to recover.”

    Those vacant shops could end up being absorbed by mass-market fashion stores or supermarket chains, potentially devaluing rent premiums, he added. The pandemic and dwindling tourist arrivals have been a major blow and local consumers alone could no longer support big brands, he added.

    Hong Kong’s economy has contracted in the past four straight quarters, marking its worst recession on record. The Covid-19 pandemic since January, as well as months of social unrest last year, have choked tourism and undermined the government’s efforts to revive activity.

    Without the power of tourist dollars, Hong Kong has recorded steep declines in retail sales for 18 straight months, according to official statistics. They amounted to HK$187 billion (US$24 billion) this year through July, or HK$26.7 billion a month, compared with an average of HK$36 billion a month in 2019.”>“Now that the big brands have left the scene, it is quite difficult to find new tenants,” said Tony Lo, director of shops at Midland IC&I. They are unlikely to be leased out this year as the pandemic has not been resolved, he added. “I’m not very optimistic. Many of the shops in Causeway Bay cater to individual travelers mostly from mainland China.”

    Hong Kong retailers should create experiences for local shoppers to survive with ‘zero tourists’

    Emperor International, one of the bigger landlords on Russell Street, said some of its units “are for lease now,” according to WhatsApp reply to questions from the Post. The firm has “been in touch with different tenants,” it added.

    Shop vacancy rate in Causeway Bay has risen to 11.6 percent in August, according to data compiled by Centaline Commercial, more than triple the level in January. The rate in Central has surged to 20.4 percent from 8.1 percent over the same period, and to 16.5 percent from 10.5 percent in Tsim Sha Tsui.

    “Causeway Bay has almost zero tourists and people are reducing their outings,” said Raiky Wong, director of shops at Centaline Commercial. “The streets seem deserted these days.”

    Hong Kong is not alone in bearing the brunt of the Covid-19 pandemic. Twenty out of 22 Asia-Pacific cities tracked by Knight Frank reported a drop in valuations and forecasts of prime retail property in the first half of this year.

    The bleak outlook suggests rents will weaken in the coming months, said Lee of Bridgeway Prime Shop Fund Management, who regularly buys and sells shop lots in the city.

    Rents along Russell Street have fallen by two-thirds from around HK$3,000 (US$387) per sq ft in 2013 to HK$1,000 currently, Lee said. They could bottom out at HK$500 per sq ft by year-end before some signs of recovery after the Lunar New Year in February, he added.

    Shop owners may be pressured to accept offers even if the rents are lower to generate cash flow, according to Lo of Midland. Some have offered to take up short-term leases this year as many businesses have low visibility on the recovery prospects.

    New tenants that decide to take over the vacant space will be banking on neighborhood spending to survive, said Lee of Bridgeway. These would include mass-market fashion retailers or high-end supermarkets selling imported foods like Japanese wagyu beef, he added.

    For Russell Street’s big brands, retailers can no longer sustain their businesses without tourist spending power. “They definitely cannot sustain by just relying on local consumption,” Lee said.

  • Tse Sui Luen warns of loss due to Covid-19 outbreak

    Tse Sui Luen warns of loss due to Covid-19 outbreak

    Tse Sui Luen (TSL) has warned it will report a loss for the fiscal year, with sales hampered by a sluggish retail environment in greater China.

    The Hong Kong-based jeweler expects a loss of at least HKD 80 million ($10.3 million) for the year ending March 31, it said last week. That compares with a profit of HKD 54 million ($7 million) the previous year. The company based the projection on its performance during the first 11 months of the fiscal year.

    The slowdown, which began in July, is the result of a number of factors including the US-China trade war and prolonged social unrest in Hong Kong, TSL said. The COVID-19 outbreak has also impacted sales.

    “The coronavirus outbreak in January 2020 has taken a heavy toll on the retail industry, dealing a severe blow to the Hong Kong and mainland China economies,” the company noted. “The group’s turnover was [affected] further by the weakest overall sales in February 2020, the traditional peak season of the retail industry…which is expected to drop by approximately 88% year on year.”

    In an effort to cut costs, TSL has negotiated rent reductions with landlords, and plans to close some of its stores, it added.

    The company will publish its full-year results by the end of June.

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  • Hong Kong’s Peak Galleria offers rooftop pet park

    Hong Kong’s Peak Galleria offers rooftop pet park

    Following its much-acclaimed facelift last year, Hang Lung Properties”” Peak Galleria has brought in plenty of pet-friendly amenities long desired by pet parents and their furry babies. This iconic landmark of Hong Kong is also introducing the Peaknic combo, allowing pet owners to enjoy a picnic with their four-legged friends on its new rooftop lawn by the Observation Deck on level three. With a world-class view of the Victoria Harbour and Hong Kong Island, Peak Galleria promises an unparalleled leisure experience for all!

    Customers could enjoy a picnic with their pets on the new rooftop lawn by the Observation Deck, against a backdrop of the scenic Pokfulam Reservoir and Hong Kong Island. 

    At Peak Galleria — the hottest pet-friendly shopping mall in town, not only is Fido allowed in most of the areas, they can also use a dedicated elevator to access the Observation Deck on level three, where they can roam freely and play. By late October, Peak Galleria will be setting up an Insta-station for pet lovers to snap away at — or with — their furry friends in a giant pet bowl installation, capturing the most beautiful memories with their pampered companions.

    Customer service is the hallmark of the Peak Galleria shopping experience. As such, Peak Galleria has set up designated dog parking areas where Fido can rest while their owners go shopping or dining. In addition, complimentary pet strollers are available for loan from the Concierge for up to three hours with a deposit of HK$500. (Note: In all mall areas, all pets must be muzzled and on leash not exceeding 1.5 meters in length.)

    Starting today, Pawfect Barber Shop, a pet salon-themed photoshoot station, will open on level one of Peak Galleria. A rich collection of props and backdrops will be available at the station, where owners can play stylist for their beloved pets for a fun-filled photo session. What”s more, a selection of items will be available for sale at PANDORA, Gift at Races, and Build-A-Bear Workshop. Meanwhile, patrons accompanied by their pets will be entitled to limited-time offers at the merchants below:

    From now on through December 31, over weekends and on public holidays, Peak Galleria will host the PetMart at the atrium, featuring pop-up stalls by multiple chich labels, including PRIVATE i PETS, KOLs Jerry. C @Jm9 and Kenji@ Ondogdog, PETCORE VET and WELLNESS, PETS 101, and Dreamcatcher Holiday Market. Discover a vast array of curated pet foods, pet supplements, handcrafted toys, and many more at PetMart, which is deemed to bring an exceptional shopping experience to pet owners and their furry friends!

    From now on, customers who order takeaway from participating restaurants or purchase a designated picnic set by Mina House or JinYaJu Noodle Bar of over HK$600 will receive a free picnic mat and a merchant cash coupon worth HK$100. Customers can also loan an exquisite picnic basket at no costs — a picnic essential for snapshots on the new rooftop lawn by the Observation Deck, against a backdrop of the scenic Pokfulam Reservoir and Hong Kong Island. The signature picnic sets at Mina House and JinYaJu Noodle Bar are available only at the Peak Galleria. The former specializes in crispy snacks, while the latter has a wide range of savory dishes, including the popular JinYaJu Noodle, chef-picked appetizers and specialty beverages. Menus for two and for four are available to meet the varied needs of avid picnic goers and paws.

  • Hong Kong retail sales fall again in August

    Hong Kong retail sales fall again in August

    Hong Kong retail sales plunged 13.1 percent year on year in August, as the coronavirus pandemic continued to batter the struggling sector, marking a 19th consecutive month of contraction. Consumer spending dropped to HK$25.6 billion (US$3.2 billion) in August, contributing to sales for the first eight months of the year falling 30 percent from the same stretch in 2019, according to provisional figures released by the Census and Statistics Department on Wednesday.

    The monthly year-on-year decline was not as steep as recorded recently, but that was mainly attributed to the data comparison with last August when the city was gripped by anti-government protests.

    “I hope everyone can understand that and won’t be misled by the figure,” said Annie Tse Yau On-yee, chairwoman of the Hong Kong Retail Management Association, adding this August’s slump reflected a serious situation for the industry.

    The total value of retail sales in the city between January and August this year was HK$213 billion, compared with HK$305 billion for the same period last year.

    Most retailers continued to suffer a contraction in sales in August, with supermarkets once again among the exceptions, a trend Tse linked with residents staying in to cook during the city’s third wave of Covid-19.

    All eyes are on how retail businesses perform between October 1 and October 4, which is traditionally a peak period for sales because of the National Day holidays, popularly known as “golden week”.

    Previously, millions of mainland Chinese would travel domestically and overseas during the break but would be kept away from Hong Kong this year by the city’s travel restrictions for the pandemic.

    Tse noted that sales might improve for those selling goods relating to people’s daily lives, such as furniture and food, due to the long weekend in Hong Kong overlapping with the Mid-Autumn Festival.

    “But everyone predicts it will help boost the footfall rather than sales. Maybe due to the ease of pandemic, then the foot traffic, in general, will be better… the sales will still remain weak,” she said.

    “The help for sectors which had continued to record a decline in sales would be minimal.”

    A government spokesman said as economic conditions remained under pressure and inbound tourism was unlikely to recover in the short term, the business environment would continue to be difficult.

    “Nonetheless, local consumption sentiment may further improve if the recent stabilization of the local epidemic situation sustains,” he said.

    After the third wave of infections intensified in July, evening dine-in services were banned in Hong Kong restaurants for nearly 1½ months, only reopening in late August. Most entertainment premises such as bars and karaoke lounges also remained closed in August, dampening consumer sentiment across the city.

    The ongoing global lockdown also played a role in subdued consumption, as tourist arrivals to the city collapsed 99.9 percent, with fewer than 4,500 people in August.

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  • Hong Kong investor eyes Clarks stake

    Hong Kong investor eyes Clarks stake

    Clarks has reportedly seen a Hong Kong-based investor join the list of bidders interested in a majority stake in the retailer, as it seeks to refinance amid the Covid-19 pandemic.

    Private equity firm Lion Rock is one of two remaining bidders for the 195-year-old footwear retailer. If the deal goes ahead, it could end two centuries of majority family ownership at Clarks. Discussions about a deal are expected to conclude in the next month and are said to include a rival bid from Alteri Investors.

    Moreover, the Clark family is likely to retain an equity stake in the business, which may be reduced to less than 50 percent – depending on the discussions.

    Clarks first revealed discussions about a share sale back in May, with around £100 million and £150 million likely to be injected into the business as part of any deal. The company’s chief executive Giorgio Presca said at the time that its new strategy ‘Made to Last’ will aim to transform it amid the pandemic.

    Clarks said at the time that the strategy will result in 900 job losses and 200 new roles. The retailer said it is “currently reviewing options to best position our business, our people and the Clarks brand for future long-term growth”. A string of accountancy firms is working on a restructuring of Clarks as it continues to struggle with trading amid the pandemic.

    The chain’s family shareholders have drafted in KPMG to advise them, while Deloitte has been hired by the management team. PwC had been appointed by a syndicate of the footwear chain’s lenders as they assess the Covid-19 impact on its prospects. Meanwhile, investment bank Rothschild is also advising the company.

    Clarks trades from about 345 stores in the UK, employing thousands of people, but has denied that it will be exploring a CVA. The retailer has furloughed thousands of its store staff under the Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme.

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  • DHL Express launches Hong Kong-Mexico service

    DHL Express launches Hong Kong-Mexico service

    DHL Express Mexico recently launched a Hong Kong-Los Angeles-Guadalajara-Mexico City route. DHL officials said the six-day-a-week flight will increase cargo capacity between Asia and Mexico by 50 tons per flight, adding more than 20% of capacity to its daily operation.

    “We are launching this flight because we believe there will be a very strong need for capacity in the coming months,” said Antonio Arranz, CEO of DHL Express Mexico, in a release. “In 2021 the theme, the challenge in logistics, will be capable, and we are preparing for it.

    Arranz said the new flight will also help reduce transport times of goods from Asia to North America by avoiding a stopover at the DHL Express Americas Hub

    Cargo from Asia would stop in Cincinnati, then be dispersed on evening flights to Guadalajara and Mexico City. The new flight allows cargo from Hong Kong to connect in Los Angeles, to Guadalajara and finish in Mexico City on the same day.

    The new route will also reduce delivery times to the Mexican cities of Tepic, Guadalajara, and Colima. A 767-300 Boeing Converted Freighter will be used for the flight, with a range of 3,000 nautical miles and a maximum takeoff weight of 412,000 pounds. Arranz said the Hong Kong-Los Angeles-Guadalajara-Mexico cargo flight will create 80 jobs along the DHL Express supply chain.

    “It will promote cross-border trade and intercontinental delivery, and at the same time, help support the reactivation of Mexico’s economy,” Arranz said.

    DHL Express is the air and ground express unit of German transport and logistics giant Deutsche Post DHL. DHL Express announced on Friday it was raising its U.S. rates for 2021. The new U.S. rate will be 4.9%, effective Jan. 1. The company will provide additional rate details, including any add-on fees known in the parcel-delivery trade as “accessorials,” no later than mid-October, according to a release. The rate increases are for tariff or published, rates. Contract rates will differ depending on the specific customer.

    An El Paso, Texas-based confectionery manufacturer is opening a state-of-the-art facility in the Mexican state of Chihuahua. Mount Franklin Foods’ 220,000-square-foot candy factory will be in San Jeronimo — a port of entry in Chihuahua across the border from Santa Teresa, New Mexico. Mount Franklin Foods new factory in Mexico will create 300 jobs.

    The new facility will create 300 jobs when the plant becomes fully operational by the end of 2021. The factory will provide additional production capacity for soft candy items, such as gummies and jellies.

    Mount Franklin, which was founded in 1907, manufactures a variety of candy and nut products for the retail and food industries. The company operates seven manufacturing facilities and three distribution centers across North America.

    Texas port sending liquid C02 to Mexico
    Port Freeport recently announced a new partnership between Cemex and Union Pacific to transport liquid carbon dioxide (C02) from the port to customers in Mexico.

    Port Freeport is a major deep-water seaport located in Freeport, Texas. It is located around an hour south of Houston on the Gulf of Mexico.

    According to a release, Cemex will translote the liquid C02 from tanker trucks into rail cars while Union Pacific arranges the transport of the loaded cars to their destination in Mexico.

    The liquid C02 will then be converted into its naturally occurring gaseous state and used in various applications, including the manufacturing of carbonated beverages.

    “Port Freeport’s recent investment in new rail infrastructure on parcel 14 has garnered the attention of many multinational companies,” said Phyllis Saathoff, the port’s executive director and CEO. “Cemex’s partnership with Port Freeport represents our expanded export capabilities and will further develop the port’s relationship with our neighbors in Mexico.”

    Cemex is a Mexican multinational building materials company headquartered near Monterrey, Mexico.

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  • 7-Eleven opens Snoopy concept stores in Hong Kong and Macau

    7-Eleven opens Snoopy concept stores in Hong Kong and Macau

    7-Eleven has always been known for running attractive redemption programs that offer appealing collectibles. However, the team decided to do things differently this time around, they wanted to shift the program from simply being a way to reward loyalty into a platform to increase brand equity and authentically engage the customer in a fun and exciting way.

    So, 7-Eleven launched a total of four Snoopy concept stores in Hong Kong and Macau to not only showcase and generate awareness of the program itself but also create an exciting destination for Snoopy fans to visit and enjoy.

    To coincide with Snoopy’s 70th birthday, 7-Eleven chose to collaborate with PEANUTS, the iconic cartoon strip featuring Snoopy and his friends. “HAPPINESS IS….” was selected as the overarching platform for the campaign; a famous catchphrase from the PEANUTS cartoons that encourages us to appreciate the little things in life.

    In their latest redemption program, 7-Eleven partnered up with PEANUTS and Japanese lifestyle fashion brand Niko and… in their first-ever crossover collection in Hong Kong to launch a series of eight colorful, stylish eco-bags featuring Snoopy and the gang. To accompany the launch and promote the program in an exciting and engaging way, 7-Eleven developed the innovative idea of the Snoopy concept store.

    The rationale behind the Snoopy concept stores was to bring the redemption program to life and create an opportunity for customers to truly experience the wonderful world of Snoopy and his friends within selected 7-Eleven stores.

    Four locations were chosen to undergo the transformation; a hub of three stores in the high traffic district of Mongkok to create a “Snoopy Town” for added impact and one store in Macau. Each store is decorated individually in a special theme to represent a particular concept under the umbrella of the HAPPINESS IS… platform — Friendship and Togetherness, Sharing, More Hellos, and A Day Out. The different fit-outs not only flesh out the HAPPINESS IS…concept but also give customers a compelling reason to visit each and every concept store to create and share even more happy moments.

    To create a true 360-degree customer experience, stores were decorated from top to bottom. Special Snoopy touches have been added throughout including the shopfront, category signage, chiller and freezer doors, walls, and, in some stores, even the ceiling! The finished stores look as though they have just leaped off the pages of a PEANUTS comic; shelving has been transformed to look like Snoopy’s iconic red doghouse and a custom-made gondola end display installed featuring a jumbo Snoopy figure driving a bright yellow school bus.

    Team members at the Snoopy concept stores can also join in on the fun. An exclusive Snoopy x 7-Eleven T-shirt featuring the iconic Charlie Brown chevron stripe has been designed for them to wear within the stores.

    The eye-catching displays and appealing artwork put smiles on customers’ faces and also give them many opportunities to take “Instaworthy” images to share on social media with their friends and family. The authentic user-generated content is invaluable in creating buzz for the stores and far-reaching exposure of the campaign.

    One of the team’s primary objectives was to strengthen the brand association between 7-Eleven and the PEANUTS franchise in a fun and engaging way. Visitors to the concept stores can see Snoopy and his friends enjoy a range of 7-Eleven SIGNATURE products including Slurpees, Sundae, and 7Café coffee and Hot Shot. And if you look carefully, Snoopy can even be spotted wearing a 7-Eleven uniform himself!

    After experiencing the store, take Snoopy and the gang home with you in the form of exclusive PEANUTS merchandise! Snoopy’s influence is not just noticeable in the store decoration but also in the product range of these specialty stores. One store contains a dedicated Snoopy corner where customers can purchase exclusive PEANUTS-themed merchandise including pet products, lunch boxes, cutlery sets, and other accessories. Yet another chance to bring a little bit of Snoopy happiness home with them.

    The Snoopy concept stores are a successful example of building on an already popular market promotion to give customers a fun and exciting store experience. The introduction of the concept stores elevates the redemption program to another level, turning it into a platform to authentically connect with customers and reshape how they think and feel about 7-Eleven as a brand.

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  • Japanese premium grocer Guu San opens in Hong Kong

    Japanese premium grocer Guu San opens in Hong Kong

    Independent premium Japanese grocery and lifestyle store, Guu San has opened its first store in Hong Kong.

    Guu San (Guu for valley, San for sanctuary) is an anchor of the new H Zentre commercial building located at Tsim Tsa Tsui. The 5000sqft store is designed to be a one-stop-shop where consumers can eat, shop, and rest – indoors and out.

    The space is divided into three zones: Sawaya, for non-packaged bulk-buy food following the zero waste trend, alongside snacks, beverages and fresh fruit and vegetables delivered from Japan.

    A ‘Kome Korner’ retails light meals made in-store such as omusubi (rice balls), soup, and other vegetable dishes paired with tea from Uji and Kyoto. A salad bar dubbed the ‘Salfee Bar’ will feature new salad varieties daily.

    The store also features an interactive LED art installation that changes scenes and animations according to the time of the day.

    The retailer says it sources high-quality foods ranging from local organic produce fresh from the market to curated snacks and tea delivered from Japan.

    The opening of Guu San follows the trend towards the Japanese retailing of groceries and food, which is showing strong momentum in Hong Kong. Don Don Donki recently expanded to its sixth flagship in the territory, Muji has opened its largest store, at Olympian City, and Yata department store has unveiled plans for a convenience store concept.

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  • Hong Kong Customs Arrest $400 Million Money Laundering Family

    Hong Kong Customs Arrest $400 Million Money Laundering Family

    Parents, three children, and a money exchange owner were arrested by Hong Kong customs over alleged money laundering of nearly $400 million.

    Investigations first kicked off in 2018 after a tip-off from a bank and since then, the family made 6,000 «suspicious financial transactions» involving more than HK$3 billion ($387 million) through over 100 accounts from nine banks, according to Hong Kong customs authorities.

    The arrested include the parents, aged 58 and 62; the eldest son, 34; a second son, 30, who works at the money changer involved; a daughter, 25; and a 60-year old owner of the money changer. The latter suspect has been arrested and his money exchange license suspended due to suspicions over alleged transactions with the family totaling $22 million despite reporting just $3.9 million.

    According to investigators, the family had around $3.9 million in assets – half in bank accounts and another half in two properties – but a monthly income of just around $9,000.

    The assets held by this family are not commensurate with their profiles and backgrounds,» said the syndicate crimes investigation bureau’s senior superintendent Mark Woo Wai-kwan. We suspect this family has a hidden income which may be the crime proceeds from assisting money laundering.

    Woo said the funds had come from unknown sources or shell companies and the family’s assets have since been frozen.

    Investigators currently believe that the family had helped other syndicates launder crime proceeds for a cash reward.

    According to Woo, investigations about the funding source and illegal activities are still underway but there are indications that third party individuals or shell company owners involved were from mainland China.

    Money launderers in Hong Kong face a maximum penalty of 14 years in prison and a $650,000 fine.

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  • Ikea Hong Kong launches mooncakes for Mid-Autumn Festival

    Ikea Hong Kong launches mooncakes for Mid-Autumn Festival

    Swedish furniture retailer Ikea has yet again stepped out of its aisle, expanding its food range with localized mooncakes for the Hong Kong market.

    Launching four fruit-flavored ‘snowy’ mooncakes (with non-baked glutinous rice flour as a shell), the mooncakes feature Hongkongers’ favorite mango and chocolate flavors, along with elderflower with kumquat and lingonberry with cream cheese – an homage to its signature meatball jam.

    Priced at HKD$49 (US$6.30) per box of four, the relatively affordable mooncakes will be available across all four Ikea branches in the territory.

    The retailer has also been expanding outside of furniture and working on building its offer of food along with designer homewares and even clothing recently. Last month it launched a range designed in partnership with fashion label and cafe operator Greyhound in Thailand.

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  • Designer-bag rental platform Style Theory makes great Hong Kong start

    Designer-bag rental platform Style Theory makes great Hong Kong start

    Online circular fashion platform Style Theory has expanded its network to Hong Kong, its first market outside Southeast Asia.

    Style Theory Hong Kong members now can have access to more than 2000 designer bags from luxury brands, including Hermes, Celine, Chanel, Dior and Saint Laurent, with a rental subscription starting at HK$899 (US$116 per month).

    “Hong Kong was a natural fit in our regional growth plans to lead the circular fashion revolution in Southeast Asia,” said Raena Lim, co-founder of Style Theory. “Hongkongers can be more empowered to access fashion without the guilt of trying new styles or worrying about storage and maintenance.”

    Style Theory Hong Kong will focus on rental subscription and resale services for designer bags before considering other categories.

    Founded in Singapore by Raena Lim and Chris Halim, Style Theory started as an apparel rental subscription service before expanding into luxury bags.

    Style Theory is one of Southeast Asia’s largest online circular fashion platforms with offices in Singapore and Jakarta. The brand launched its flagship brick-and-mortar store in the heart of Orchard Road, Singapore last November.

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  • Yata to launch convenience-store concept in Hong Kong

    Yata to launch convenience-store concept in Hong Kong

    Japanese-themed Hong Kong department store and supermarket chain Yata is set to unveil its first-ever convenience store format in Hong Kong.

    Dubbed the ‘Konbin by Yata’’ (also Japanese for convenience store), the new format will be smaller than its usual department store standing at 3777sqft.

    Located within Sha Tin’s Hotel Sav, the store will be styled on a ‘quick’ shop, a cook-and-eat concept with an array of Japanese merchandise, self-checkouts, and instant dining spaces for the time-pressed Hongkongers.

    Yata has also formed an exclusive arrangement with Hokkaido convenience store Seicomart to stock more than 70 SKUs of its private-label range.

    Yata’s parent group (historically known as Seiyu Department Store until 2008), is known to have invested US$774,000 into the new concept.

    Yata has reported strong performance in recent times with its sales up 16 percent year on year. Its grocery arm has experienced a 39-per-cent surge during the Covid-19 crisis.

    With restaurant bans and the third wave of coronavirus infection keeping consumers at home, there has been a natural surge and uplift in grocery sales from cooking at home.

    Yata CEO Susanna Wong believes the convenience store will break new even in three years and is predicting an average basket spend of between $6-10.