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Tag: Hong Kong

  • SmarTone trials LAA on live network

    SmarTone trials LAA on live network

    Hong Kong’s SmarTone has completed a trial of license assisted access (LAA) technology over a live network using equipment from Ericsson.

    The trial combined 10 MHz of licensed LTE spectrum with three 20MHz carriers of unlicensed 5-GHz spectrum to ahieve download speeds of around 800Mbps.

    Using a Qualcomm Snapdragon LTE mobile test device and Ericsson micro radio technology, Smartone validated the use of technology over its network to improve speeds and capacity for users.

    “SmarTone is very pleased to have completed the first LAA trial in Hong Kong.  LAA is an important technological evolution that can combine licensed and unlicensed spectrum to provide LTE service. It will be widely adopted in the US and European markets in the near future,” SmarTone CTO Stephen Chau said.

    “We are very excited that with the support of Ericsson, our long-term technology partner, SmarTone has once again brought a ground breaking technology to mobile users in Hong Kong and taken a great step further toward 5G.”

    The LAA standard is expected to be enhanced next year to enable download speeds of over 1Gbps by adding support for five component carrier aggregation, according to Ericsson president for Hong Kong and Macau Petra Schirren.

    “LAA is a key evolution of mobile technology and we are pleased to be first in Hong Kong together with SmarTone to demonstrate the increased capacity, improved speeds and enhanced user experience through the combination of licensed and unlicensed spectrum. Through the introduction of advanced technologies, such as LAA, we enable Gigabit Class LTE on the road to 5G”.

    SmarTone and Ericsson entered a pre-5G collaboration in the fourth quarter of last year.

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  • Hook Coffee eyes overseas markets

    Hook Coffee eyes overseas markets

    Raising S$250,000 (US$180,000) in two funding rounds, Hook Coffee subscription delivery service plans to expand in three markets overseas and double its team size over the next two years.

    In the 18 months since its founding, when it clinched a Spring Ace Startups grant of $50,000, the company has gained more than 10,000 subscribers and sold more than 500,000 cups of coffee, growing by 20 per cent month on month.

    It sources coffee beans that are sustainably grown and ethically produced, roasting them in Singapore and delivering them to customers’ mailboxes.

    Co-founders Faye Sit and Ernest Ting finished Masters degrees at the London School of Economics before earning coffee and roasting barista diplomas at the London School of Coffee

    When Sit flew to Latin America for fieldwork, she realised the impact a socially responsible startup could introduce to farming communities.

    “Specialty coffee should be about more than just better coffee, but also about bettering the lives of farmers and the environment,” she says.

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  • Canon Hong Kong offers consumer tracking

    Canon Hong Kong offers consumer tracking

    Consumer behaviour tracking technology linked to cloud-based video analytics for retailers is being offered by Canon Hong Kong.

    President/CEO Shunichi Morinaga says shops can increase sales revenue by using the Japanese system, which monitors consumers using real-time data analysis.

    Elements of the technology include a counter that can analyse about 1600 customers in a specified area via surveillance video and convert the data into business metrics; facial recognition to analyse age, gender and ethnicity of shoppers; and heat mapping to enable shopping-mall managers and real-estate developers to track foot traffic.

    Clients can access the data, hosted on NTT Communications’ cloud and data centre in Hong Kong, through desktops and mobile devices.

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  • Hong Kong retail landlords ‘ready to negotiate’

    Hong Kong retail landlords ‘ready to negotiate’

    Hong Kong retail landlords are expected to be more flexible with lease terms as the market continues to recover, says real-estate consultancy Knight Frank.

    With four consecutive months of positive growth, retail sales value rose another 0.1 per cent year on year in June.

    Visitor arrivals during the first half of the year were up 2.4 per cent, led by 2.3 per cent growth in visitors from the Chinese mainland.

    “Rental levels for prime street retail stores in different districts have mostly undergone adjustments,” says Knight Frank.

    “Recognising that extra capital cost is needed to recruit new tenants and at the same time to avoid the risk of having empty shops for an extended period, landlords are now willing to make more adjustments during negotiations.

    “Following the stabilisation in overall retail sales, we expect to see more realignments for retail stores in the comings days.”

    The company believes the retail rental market is on track to bottom out before the end of the year.

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  • Mango Tree Cafe Hong Kong opens another outlet

    Mango Tree Cafe Hong Kong opens another outlet

    Mango Tree Cafe Hong Kong has opened another outlet – this one at Yoho Mall in Yuen Long. It is the second of the chain’s cafe-restaurants to open this year, the earlier one at Taikoo Shing in January. The Hong Kong cafes are run in partnership with 1957 & Co, however it is difficult to ascertain the exact size of the chain. The brand’s Hong Kong website is still “under construction” and its Facebook page refers to a single cafe in Tsim Sha Tsui. Another outlet at Causeway Bay appears to have closed down.

    The new Yoho Mall site features a rainforest-inspired interior, and an exclusive menu including Thai classics such as curries and pad thai.

    Meanwhile, the Thai brand is planning to expand worldwide. It initially found success in Japan, where it has 11 locations including six cafes in Tokyo. It also has an outlet in Macau.

    Its cafes are designed specifically for shopping malls, says Mango Tree Restaurants global MD Trevor MacKenzie. The company also has plans to expand its restaurant concept in international airports, building upon the success of its two initial outlets at Bangkok’s Suvarnabhumi Airport.

    Worldwide, the company has 66 outlets across various brands, including 13 Mango Tree flagship restaurants, 14 Mango Tree Cafes, six Mango Tree Kitchens, five Mango Tree Bistros and two Mango Tree Delis, plus Mango Chili. The company also runs 24 Coca Restaurants.

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  • Uber raises minimum fares in Hong Kong

    Uber raises minimum fares in Hong Kong

    Ride-hailing firm Uber has raised the minimum fares for all rides in Hong Kong by as much as 80 per cent from Monday after “an evaluation of the marketplace” and in response to its drivers’ calls for better income security.

    The minimum fare for an UberX ride – the cheapest car option the company offers, and its most popular – in Kowloon and the New Territories rose from HK$25 to HK$40 after midnight on Monday.

    And the company added a new HK$5 booking fee, which it said would help cover administrative costs, boosting the new flag fall to HK$45, or an 80 per cent jump.
    AdvertisementThe minimum charge for an UberX ride on Hong Kong Island has risen from HK$30 to HK$40. The new booking fee will also apply.
    UberX uses smaller and economy car models at a lower rate, compared to the company’s luxury UberBlack line, which provides professional drivers and pricier cars.

    Why Hong Kong has to accommodate Airbnb and Uber – or slam the door on innovation economy.For UberBlack the new minimum fare is HK$60, up from  HK$50, plus the HK$5 booking fee. The new charging model for UberAssist, for which drivers are trained to provide additional assistance to elderly and disabled people, will be the same as that for UberX. An Uber spokeswoman in Hong Kong said on Sunday that the move to raise fares was a result of a market evaluation. It was also a response to drivers’ calls for better income security.

    Uber last adjusted fares in March last year when it cut the rates for UberX rides in Kowloon and the New Territories.

    Since it began operations in the city in July 2014, the firm has faced hostility from the taxi trade and is still struggling in its fight for legalisation.
    In August 2015, seven Uber drivers were arrested for not having permits and driving without third-party insurance. Police also raided the company’s offices in Hong Kong after complaints from local taxi drivers. Two of the seven drivers were fined and had their licences suspended for one year in January last year.
    In March this year, the remaining five Uber drivers who were convicted of driving without a permit and third-party insurance were fined HK$10,000 each and banned from driving for one year. All five appealed.
    In a series of raids in May, Hong Kong police arrested 22 Uber drivers on suspicion of picking up passengers without a hire car permit and third-party insurance in the largest operation against Uber of its kind.

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  • Globe Hong Kong launches ‘cabin’ in Sheung Wan

    Globe Hong Kong launches ‘cabin’ in Sheung Wan

    Skateboarding legend Rodney Mullen signed autographs for five hours when shoes, apparel, skateboards and accessories retailer Globe Hong Kong opened a “cabin” store in Sheung Wan.

    Globe CEO Matt Hill and founder Peter Hill came from the US to attend the launch.

    “The feel of a Globe cabin store is more important to us than just the look of the store,” says Peter Hill. “Boardsports is a culture with a huge emotional content.”

    The design of a Globe cabin pays homage to the Roycroft arts and crafts movement founded by Elbert Hubbard in New York in the 19th century. His philosophy was to make consumer products with craft and purpose that delivered an emotional connection to the lifestyle purchasers valued.

    “Hong Kong’s energy, sense of adventure and history as a place to step out and explore from makes it a natural choice for the Globe cabin,” says Peter Hill. “The store retains its original Hong Kong tiled floors – sadly disappearing – and meshes with the oak arts-and-crafts style from other Globe cabin stores with their Anglo influence.”

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  • Strong first half for Circle K Hong Kong parent

    Strong first half for Circle K Hong Kong parent

    Despite weak retail market sentiment, Convenience Retail Asia’s Circle K Hong Kong convenience stores and Saint Honore bakeries achieved solid first-half comparable-store sales growth.

    CRA’s interim results show an increase of 9.9 per cent in core operating profit and a 10.2 per cent rise in net profit, mainly because of effective marketing for Circle K Hong Kong and continuing improvement in the Saint Honore business, says CEO Richard Yeung Lap Bun.

    During the six months, the group’s turnover increased 3.8 per cent to HK$2.427 billion (US$310.2  million), with turnover for conveniences growing 4.9 per cent to $1.9 billion, and comparable-store sales growing 4.6 per cent year on year.

    Bakery turnover eased 0.9 per cent to $491 million, with 5.9 per cent growth in comparable-store sales, offset by fewer festive products sales in Hong Kong.

    Gross margin and other income as a percentage of turnover increased by 0.4 points to 36.3 per cent despite competition in the retail market and high manufacturing costs. The group says improvement in the efficiency of Saint Honore factory production was one of the key contributors to the margin growth.

    Overall, the group’s core operating profit reached $70 million while net profit was $57 million.

    O2O strategy

    Membership of Circle K’s O2O CRM program “OK Stamp It” exceeded 750,000 by the end of June. The digital marketing platform was launched in the third quarter of last year as part of a strategy to attract smartphone-savvy consumers and convert online traffic into store traffic. Users download an app to access e-stamp offers and incentives, then visit a Circle K Hong Kong store to redeem them.

    At the end of the half-year, CRA operated 331 Circle K stores. Six were opened in the first half while a similar number were closed. Near the end of last year, Circle K opened its first flagship store, in Causeway Bay. This offers a self-service cafe with free high-speed Wi-Fi internet access and mobile phone charging.

    The number of Saint Honore stores in Hong Kong and Macau was also constant at 98, with four openings and four closing during the first half. There were also 43 Saint Honore stores in Guangzhou and Shenzhen.

    At the end of June the group’s O2O digital retailing platform FingerShopping.com featured more than 1500 brands and about 25,000 stock-keeping units. Beauty and personal care continued to be the anchor category, while the baby-and-family and healthcare categories showed strong growth.

    Gross merchandise volume growth was 20 per cent during the period while membership grew by 300 per cent to 552,000.

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  • Wi-Fi.HK extends service venues

    Wi-Fi.HK extends service venues

    The Office of the Government CIO (OGCIO) yesterday announced extending the number of government venues to provide free public Wi-Fi services through the Wi-Fi.HK Public-Private Collaboration (PPC) project.

    Initial venues equipped with free Wi-Fi include the Hong Kong Cultural Centre, Queen Elizabeth Stadium, Dr Sun Yat-sen Museum, Shatin Town Hall, Man Kam To Control Point, the Hong Kong Cultural Centre Piazza, the Tsim Sha Tsui Promenade and the Hong Kong Coliseum.

    HKBN, csl, HGC and SmarTone will provide services to the public, and plan to extend the service to other government venues in the coming months, including public parks, public transport interchanges and markets.

    “We shall open up more suitable government venues through public-private collaboration for private service providers to install equipment and provide Wi-Fi service with free usage time at their own cost,” undersecretary for innovation and technology David Chung said.

    “Private service providers are allowed to offer value-added services at these venues without any financing from the government while the public and tourists can enjoy free Wi-Fi service. This arrangement is favorable to all.”

    Chung said transforming Hong Kong into a Wi-Fi connected city will also help stimulate the development of more innovative, efficient and convenient digital services, and will help transform Hong Kong into a smart city.

    Wi-Fi.HK has been available since 2014 at various locations, with over 19,800 Wi-Fi hotspots being provided by around 50 participating organizations, including university campuses, tourist attractions, shopping centers and restaurants. The government is also providing free Wi-Fi services to students at youth service centers and study rooms under a subsidy scheme launched in March.

    The Wi-Fi.HK project has been co-organized by the Hong Kong Wireless Technology Industry Association (WTIA).

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  • Kerry Logistics manages Maxim’s new central distribution centre

    Kerry Logistics manages Maxim’s new central distribution centre

    Kerry Logistics has secured a long-term contract with Maxim’s Caterers, one of Hong Kong’s leading food and beverage companies.

    Kerry Logistics will provide integrated logistics services to Maxim’s Group including cold chain solutions, supporting the caterer’s more than 780 outlets in Hong Kong and key accounts, 365 days per year. This strategic cooperation signals the collaboration of two industry leaders in Hong Kong, and exists to serve the Hong Kong community with speedy and hygienic food supply.

    The new strategic cooperation will see Kerry Logistics managing Maxim’s new central distribution centre (‘DC’) with multi-temperature storage, accommodating Maxim’s extensive product range. Kerry Logistics will also provide a wide range of value-added services and daily replenishment to Maxim’s restaurant chains and key accounts.

    William Ma, group managing director of Kerry Logistics, said, “This is an exciting partnership for us. As Hong Kong’s largest F&B caterer, Maxim’s has highly demanding logistics needs and some of the most complex distribution channels in the industry. Kerry Logistics is committed to servicing Maxim’s with dedicated resources, both software and hardware, as well as the Hong Kong community at large. The project will add another mega-scale domestic DC operation to our logistics business portfolio. We are looking forward to developing a long and successful partnership with Maxim’s through delivering quality performance and reliable services.”

    Michael Wu, chairman and managing director of Maxim’s Caterers Ltd., said, “Over the years the Kerry Logistics team has demonstrated its commitment and capabilities to deliver agile services to support our seasonal and project needs. The ten months in the preparation for our new DC have made us realise that our two companies share a similar culture of quality, dedication and innovation. We are delighted to work in close partnership with Kerry Logistics for enhanced efficiencies and expanded scale.”

    Supported by Kerry Logistics’ industry expertise and extensive distribution network, Maxim’s diverse range of catering services will continue to fulfil Hong Kong people’s needs.

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  • CLSA Capital sells Zing! mall for $2 billion

    CLSA Capital sells Zing! mall for $2 billion

    CLSA Capital Partners has sold the 27-storey Zing! mall building in Causeway Bay for HK$2.1 billion (US $268.6 million).

    An unknown buyer completed the deal by paying $1.1 billion after selling The L. Plaza in Sheung Wan to CLSA for $1 billion

    Zing!’s 79,051 sqft (7344 sqm) of space is believed to be fully leased out to retail tenants including F&B, beauty salons, gyms, clubs and karaoke venues. It is next to Times Square Hong Kong.

    CLSA Capital Partners bought the building, formerly known as Bigfoot Centre, in 2014 for $1.4 billion.

    After being refurbished, it was relaunched as Zing! in March 2015. The private equity arm of CLSA put Zing! on sale via public tender in May.

  • Giorgio Armani brings made-to-measure service to Hong Kong

    Giorgio Armani brings made-to-measure service to Hong Kong

    Since its launch, Giorgio Armani’s made-to-measure service has captivated a lot of customers.

    It also has a celebrity following, including Leonardo DiCaprio, Paolo Sorrentino, Christian Bale, Tom Cruise, Will Smith and George Clooney.

    Made-to-measure suits combine the spirit of Armani with the premium quality of craftsmanship.

    “To qualify as a true bespoke, or hand-made garment, there are certain elements you need to deliver,” Giorgio Armani says.

    The customer is able to select from a number silhouettes, and choose the material, the lining, the lapel the style of buttons and pocket combinations.

    Specialised tailors from Italy will provide the exclusive made-to-measure service in Hong Kong at Giorgio Armani’s Central store from September 22 to 23 and at Giorgio Armani’s Canton Road store on September 24. Appointments are necessary.

  • 3 HK upgrading 4G capacity on MTR

    3 HK upgrading 4G capacity on MTR

    3 Hong Kong has completed the first phase of a project to enhance its 4G network capacity at 18-high traffic MTR stations.

    The company has upgraded its equipment at the concourses of the Tsim Sha Tsui, Prince Edward, North Point, Quarry Bay, Yau Tong, Jordan, Mong Kok and Yau Ma Tei stations.

    The whole project is expected to be complete by July 2019, and will involve upgrades throughout stations and tunnels to increase its 4G network capacity at the 18 MTR stations manyfold.

    “Using mobile service at MTR stations has become an integral part of our daily lives. 3 Hong Kong is therefore working on 4G enhancement at 18 high-traffic MTR stations to boost capacity manyfold and strengthen the network,” 3 Hong Kong CTO of Mobile Daniel Chung said.

    “The project is gradually being extended to other stations. We are constantly monitoring 3 Hong Kong’s network performance to ensure that customers enjoy an advanced mobile network featuring comprehensive coverage, high capacity, high speed and high reliability, outside and inside of MTR stations.”

  • Decathlon opens first store In Hong Kong

    Decathlon opens first store In Hong Kong

    French sports supplies retailer Decathlon has opened its first physical store in Hong Kong.

    Located in Grand Plaza, Mong Kok, the new Decathlon store will provide over 10,000 kinds of products for over 70 sports, including climbing, fitness, running, golf, diving, and skiing.

    Prior to this, Decathlon already operated businesses in Hong Kong as a manufacturer., but not as retailer, to the chagrin of Hong Kong shoppers.

    Google Maps often displayed Decathlon’s office in Kowloon as a retail outlet, and this caused confusion for shoppers who hoped to visit a Decathlon retail outlet.

    The best method for Hong Kong shoppers to purchase Decathlon goods was to either visit the nearby Chinese city of Shenzhen or order goods online via Decathlon’s Taobao.com e-commerce shop.

    In 2015, Chinese media reports that the French company officially launched its e-commerce store in Hong Kong by establishing a dedicated website and online sales platform, but the company appeared to provide poor communication to consumers about this store because many were unaware of its existence and had to instead purchase from Taobao.com.

    With the opening of this new physical store, Decathlon expects to offer its complete sports ideas and unique shopping experience to residents in Hong Kong.

    According to Decathlon’s report published in February 2017, the company realized global operating revenue of over EUR10 billion in 2016, representing a year-on-year increase of 4.4%. By the end of 2016, Decathlon had 1,176 physical stores in 28 countries and regions around the world.

    In the Asia Pacific region, Decathlon values the Chinese market the most. The company has a full industrial chain layout in China, covering product design, research and development, production, logistics, brand, and retail.

    Based on its experience in China, Decathlon also opened physical stores in Thailand, Malaysia, and the Philippines. The company plans to enter Australia in October 2017.

  • Subway theme for Coach Hong Kong pop-up

    Subway theme for Coach Hong Kong pop-up

    A pop-up shop designed like a New York subway car has been launched by luxury brand Coach Hong Kong at Lane Crawford in IFC, Central.

    As well as showcasing Coach’s latest collections, the Art of Expression pop-up shop offers customisation of leather bags for customers.

    Running until August 22, the rose gold pop-up shop pays homage to the home of Coach, New York City, and features graffiti and music to match. The life-size subway recreation also includes a mosaic wall ideal for selfies, which can be pimped in an interactive photo booth by adding Coach stickers, graffiti and other effects before being emailed.

    Inside the subway car, Coach showcases its pre-fall and fall collections for women and men, including floral print dresses and skirts reminiscent of the ’30s, embellished t-shirts and high-top trainers with NASA details.

    A Coach craftsman is available to add the brand’s signature leather Tea Roses to iconic Dinkys, personalise leather bags and wallets with a monogram or Coach stamp, or add a new glove-tanned leather strap of choice to bags.

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