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Tag: Hongkong

  • On-line market Luxify enters Philippines

    On-line market Luxify enters Philippines

    Luxify, a web-based luxurious market for purchasing and promoting luxurious merchandise, is launching within the Philippines.

    The Hong Kong based mostly firm, which additionally has workplaces in London and Singapore, says it’s “notably excited” concerning the present “opportunistic occasions” in the Philippines.

    “The Philippines is certainly a rising marketplace for luxurious merchandise,” says Alexis Zirah, co-founder of Luxify.

    Amidst usually testing occasions to the worldwide financial system, the Philippines has emerged with one of many biggest financial growths in Asia. From being as soon as touted because the “sick man of Asia” the nation is now unquestionably stronger, particularly after it emerged because the second quickest rising nation inAsia final yr.

    The reported financial progress of 6.1 per cent in 2014 can also be complemented by an inflow of high-end manufacturers and overseas corporations. The forecasts for the longer term are equally constructive, with corporations and shoppers displaying robust confidence.

    The current setup and success of luxurious manufacturers all through the Philippines has set the inspiration for different prosperous manufacturers to prosper.  Luxify says it’s assured of seeing extra prolific shoppers in the Philippines who’re hungry for luxurious and more and more influenced by eCommerce.

    “The spurt of progress in the Philippines could be very encouraging, particularly for classy manufacturers like ourselves,” says Zirah.

    “There’s nonetheless lots to discover on this market and with shoppers being extra open to luxurious, we now have an thrilling lineup forward. This month we’ve teamed up with Salcedo Auctions, the one public sale home in the Philippines to specialise within the sale of advantageous artwork, jewelry, ornamental arts and collectible equipment, for his or her upcoming Collectors’ Sale public sale, all of which enhance our imaginative and prescient and product vary splendidly,” he added.

    The forms of merchandise listed within the public sale embrace worldwide and conventional Filipino artwork items, basic furnishings, elegant jewelry, in addition to collectible books, maps, and work.

    Particulars of every merchandise are listed on Luxify’s web site and consumers might additionally go to Salcedo Public sale’s centre in Manila, for a particular preview till June 5, earlier than the public sale begins on June 6.

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  • L’Oreal China to chop costs

    L’Oreal China to chop costs

    L’Oreal China turned the primary worldwide cosmetics model to verify a minimize in its retail costs within the wake of the mainland authorities’s affirmation of a tariff reduce this week.

    The federal government stated it might reduce the tariff on imported skincare merchandise from 5 per cent to 2 per cent on June 1, together with slicing different tariffs on imported items by a mean of 50 per cent.

    “We have now determined to actively reply to this choice by decreasing the costs of most of our imported merchandise, as we consider it can encourage home consumption,” L’Oreal stated in a media assertion issued on Tuesday.

    China’s authorities introduced the cuts in an effort to encourage home consumption and scale back the sum of money spent outdoors the mainland – by travellers buying obligation free offshore, and by crossborder merchants via Hong Kong.

    In the meantime, analysts predict on-line dealer JD.com will profit from the obligation cuts as a result of its enterprise is essentially based mostly on the sale of brand name identify merchandise.

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  • China duty cuts details released

    China’s mainland government will halve duties on imported clothing, accessories, skincare products and nappies from Monday June 1.

    The China duty cuts were first flagged early this month as Beijing’s lawmakers sought a way to revive flagging retail sales growth and encourage locals to spend more at home rather abroad.

    The cuts are aimed at incentivising travellers to purchase luxury goods from local retailers rather than abroad, and discourage cross-border trading, especially through Hong Kong.

    The duty cuts average 50 per cent and will go a long way towards addressing an imbalance where mainlanders can pay as much as 40 per cent premium on foreign made goods due to import duties and other taxes.

    While the biggest impact of the duty cuts will be on luxury goods, Hong Kong’s border traders and cosmetics and personal care chains will take a significant hit. The mainland government has already clamped down on cross-border runs, limiting mainlanders to one trip a week to Hong Kong. That has reduced sales of nappies, cosmetics and infant milk formula in Hong Kong, for resale in Shenzhen and beyond.

    Hong Kong General Chamber of Pharmacy committee member Cheung Tak-wing told the South China Morning Post that local pharmacies had seen sales drop by one-fifth in April year-on-year. Drugstores in the northern district were hardest hit by the loss of bulk buyers from across the border.

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  • Walmart reduces Li & Fung reliance

    Walmart reduces Li & Fung reliance

    Walmart, the world’s largest retailer, says it can take in-house a few of the inventory sourcing it has beforehand contracted out to Li & Fung subsidiary Direct Sourcing Group.

    It expects by dealing with its personal sourcing, it should scale back prices in its provide chain.

    Wal-Mart stated in a press release: “We have now made a enterprise choice to switch sure sourcing features for Wal-Mart in-house, and as such will work collaboratively with DSG to make sure a clean transition over the subsequent a number of months.”

    DSG retains the enterprise of sourcing merchandise for Walmart’s Sam’s Membership operation, which has 648 shops within the US.

    The US firm has partnered with Li & Fung for nearly 5 years. On the time the contract was introduced in 2010 the 2 corporations estimated the sourced merchandise can be value round US$2 billion a yr. They stated they might type a three way partnership, Direct Sourcing Group.

    However two years later Walmart backed out of that plan, deciding to not take up its shares however to retain Li & Fung as a sourcing provider.

    The Hong Kong firm has declined to touch upon the information, first damaged within the Wall Road Journalnewspaper and subsequently reported by Reuters.

    Reuters quoted a analysis word by UBS analyst Spencer Leung, saying Walmart’s transfer was unlikely to have vital monetary influence on Li & Fung, however “will almost certainly set off different main retailers to evaluation their sourcing preparations (with Li & Fung)”.

    Trend model Kate Spade earlier this month stated it had taken sourcing of equipment in-house, however would proceed to make use of Li & Fung for sourcing clothes provides and different providers.

     

  • Komehyo Hong Kong opens showroom

    Komehyo Hong Kong opens showroom

    Used luxurious items retailer Komehyo Hong Kong has opened a downtown showroom as a part of its Japanese mum or dad’s regional enlargement technique to succeed in out to consumers outdoors Japan.

    President of Komehyo Hong Kong, Toshio Sawada, stated the showroom will assist the corporate set up a robust presence within the territory and join with abroad consumers.
    The showroom will supply second-hand jewelry, watches, branded luggage and equipment to related enterprises.

    “Hong Kong is properly related with the world and Mainland China,” stated Sawada. “It’s a handy and strategic location for Komehyo to serve its abroad consumers who’re principally from Mainland China.

    “We anticipate that the Hong Kong workplace will assist our firm increase its gross sales channels and supply higher customer support to abroad consumers outdoors Japan.”

    Sawada stated that through the previous few years, Komehyo has been actively buying and selling its second-hand jewelry and watches via commerce festivals in Hong Kong.

    “We have now seen robust demand for luxurious watches and diamond jewelry from abroad consumers. The opening of the showroom exhibits our rising confidence in Hong Kong.”
    Affiliate director-general of funding promotion, Jimmy Chiang, stated, with its free port and low tax regime, Hong Kong stays a really perfect location to overseas corporations wishing to showcase and market high-end high quality items to Mainland Chinese language and different Asian clients.

    “Establishing a everlasting location in Hong Kong facilitates commerce with worldwide consumers all year long. Komehyo, with its robust branding within the business, will simply discover a foothold in Hong Kong. I want its enterprise each success.”

    Based in 1947, Komehyo Co buys and sells second-hand and new merchandise by means of 33 retail shops in Japan. The corporate trades in recycled and new merchandise together with jewelry, valuable metals, watches, branded luggage, clothes, kimonos, cameras and musical devices in Japan. Komehyo is listed on the second part of each the Tokyo Inventory Change and the Nagoya Inventory Trade.

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  • Transit tasks to rework international cities

    Transit tasks to rework international cities

    A collection of things are converging to create international alternatives for Transit Oriented Developments (TODs) which might be metropolis altering in scale based on a brand new report from CBRE.

    Transit oriented improvement includes larger density, combined use tasks which might be adjoining to, or built-in with, public transport hubs. These tasks are sometimes master-planned to create interfaces with transport providers and have the power to revitalize underutilized precincts whereas bringing vital financial and social advantages to the broader group.

    CBRE’s report examines a variety of profitable TOD tasks across the globe, together with the Hong Kong Station redevelopment, Perth Metropolis Hyperlink in Western Australia, the King’s Cross regeneration challenge in London;,Transbay Transit Centre in San Francisco and One North Precinct in Singapore.

    The report highlights a variety of things which are creating alternatives for TOD tasks, together with growing charges of urbanisation, declining productiveness linked to elevated journey occasions, a rising authorities concentrate on public transport/decentralisation and higher sophistication in venture and infrastructure funding.

    Key findings embrace the essential position that authorities our bodies play in profitable TOD outcomes, the attraction these developments have for each residents and the enterprise group, and the alternatives inherent in a lot of these tasks.

    Henry Chin, Hong Kong-based head of analysis, Asia Pacific, with CBRE, stated TOD tasks have the capability to deal with most of the challenges dealing with main cities in developed economies because of a speedy improve in urbanisation.

    “A profitable TOD will obtain a considerable shift from personal automobiles to public transport, whereas enhancing livability and native employment alternatives.”

    CBRE’s report highlights that authorities imaginative and prescient and sponsorship is essential in facilitating TOD tasks given the position that public transport performs in addressing the long run sustainability of main cities – particularly points corresponding to visitors congestion, journey occasions, housing affordability and air pollution.

    Chin added: “Whereas TOD tasks are extra complicated than typical brownfield or greenfield mixed-use tasks, the advantages clearly warrant the trouble in addressing the challenges. Authorities facilitation is crucial and may take numerous types, together with the supply and rezoning of applicable websites, offering improvement certainty, immediately funding transport infrastructure and coordinating points with the related authorities. “

    The power to draw enterprise occupiers is one other key component of a profitable TOD venture, therefore the essential want for linkages to public transport.

    “Companies are requiring work environments which each appeal to and retain staff. The mixed-use nature of TODs creates activated precincts with retail and leisure providers for workers. TOD places additionally scale back enterprise demand for automotive parking, which in flip reduces challenge development prices and leasing prices for occupants,” Chin stated.

    Nevertheless, CBRE’s report spotlight that incentives can also be required to draw tenants, as illustrated by the long run tax incentive schemes and rental subsidies provided in Singapore to facilitate the One North Precinct.

    One other discovering is that TODs in established markets inside inside and center ring suburbs have a larger probability of success.

    Chin concluded: “Going ahead, TODs may have a dramatic influence on shaping cites, in Asia and at a worldwide degree, as governments give attention to crucial public transport infrastructure initiatives.”

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  • Esprit warns of “substantial loss”

    Esprit warns of “substantial loss”

    Esprit has issued a surprise profit warning to investors saying it expects a “substantial loss” in the full year to June 30.

    The warning is a surprise, because just 11 days earlier the Hong Kong-listed fashion retailer said its turnaround program was “on track” with a good customer response to new ranges and positive traing improvements.

    “We remain fully confident that our current strategies will enable us to turn around Esprit and to establish a strong foundation for future long term growth.”

    However, in a document filed with the Hong Kong Stock Exchange yesterday (Monday May 18), Esprit appears to have reconsidered its position based on figures for the 10 months to April 30.

    “The anticipated loss is mainly attributable to the following non-recurring provisions and impairments resulting from management’s assessment of the fair values of the assets of the group, as well as an expected operating loss:

    “Due to the significant underperformance of the group’s operations in China in the past two years (turnover decline of 28.3 per cent and 21.6 per cent year-on-year in local currency for 2014 year and for the first half of 2015 respectively), there is an impairment of the goodwill in association with the China business estimated to be in the range of HK$2,500 million to HK$2,700 million. This impairment is a non cash item. A number of factors, both external and internal, have led to such weak performance in China, mainly the year-on-year reduction in total controlled space (down 24.3 per cent in 2014 and 23.1 per cent in the first half of 2015) which results from our decision to close unprofitable retail stores and the large decline of controlled wholesale space; and Inventory clearance by wholesale partners, including the special return agreements to solve our long time problems with aged inventory in the wholesale channel; and a challenging operating environment and softer domestic economic growth.”

    Esprit says the necessary restructuring of the operations in China is now complete and it is beginning to work on growth development in the country.

    Furthermore, due to the weaker than expected sales performance of directly managed retail stores, there are provisions and impairments, which are non-cash items for 2015, resulting from provisions for store closures and onerous leases, estimated to be in the range of HK$280 million to HK$300 million and impairment of fixed assets of directly managed retail stores, estimated to be in the range of HK$160 million to HK$170 million.

    Finally, the company is expecting an operating loss, as a result of higher than expected decline in the group’s turnover, especially during its Autumn/Winter 2014 season, and the corresponding operating deleverage effect.

    The company said final results for the year to June 30 are expected to be released in September 2015.

    Esprit reiterated its “good progress” in various fronts of the transformation plan.

    “In anticipation for continued improvement in product performance, we will be increasing our efforts in marketing as well as in implementing an ambitious omni-channel model that will enhance the customer experience across our multiple distribution channels.

    “The group remains confident our current strategies will enable us to turnaround Esprit and to establish a strong foundation for future long term growth.”

  • China a standout for Estee Lauder

    China a standout for Estee Lauder

    China is certainly one of international luxurious cosmetics enterprise Estee Lauder’s strongest markets, with internet gross sales up 14 per cent final quarter and a lot of the firm’s manufacturers displaying double digit progress.

    Apart from the model which bears its firm identify, Estee Lauder owns Clinique, MAC, Jo Malone and Bobbi Brown, (one in every of whose Hong Kong shops is pictured above).

    Complete China gross sales rose in “the excessive double digits” in accordance with Estee Lauder’s quarterly outcomes. Whereas skincare merchandise dominated Chinese language gross sales, make-up merchandise are rising in reputation.

    Hong Kong gross sales, in distinction, have been down because of the a lot documented altering demographics of mainland Chinese language visiting the territory and final yr’s Occupy Central protests.

    Mainland China progress was particularly robust for Clinique and thru all channels together with Sephora, department shops and monobrand outlets. On-line gross sales doubled.

    “We consider that China might [account for] 20 per cent of our enterprise in the long run,” CEO and President Fabrizio Freda stated in an earnings convention name, a transcript of which is offered on-line by TheStreet.

    “We’re the start of the journey in China the place we’re very nicely superior within the US.”

    On-line, Estee Lauder has six model web sites in China and 4 shopfronts on Tmall.

    “Estee Lauder is the primary status magnificence model on Tmall and we’re excited that La Mer turned our fourth model on the platform a couple of weeks in the past,” added president of ELC on-line, Dennis McEniry.

    “All 4 of our manufacturers on Tmall are enormously exceeding our expectations, and we plan to launch further manufacturers there within the close to future.

    “We’re happy with the expansion in China. We’re going to greater than double our enterprise this yr,” stated McEniry.

    Globally, and throughout all channels, Estee Lauder’s internet gross sales rose eight per cent on a continuing foreign money foundation, exceeding the corporate’s expectations by multiple per cent.

    Getting into the ultimate quarter of the present monetary yr, the corporate expects gross sales to extend by between six and 7 per cent for the complete yr.

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  • Esprit positive as network shrinks

    Esprit positive as network shrinks

    Fashion retailer Esprit continues to cull its retail network, but despite reduced sales is confident its turnaround program is on track.

    In the third quarter to March 31, the Hong Kong-listed company’s turnover fell 25.5 per cent in Hong Kong dollar terms to HK$4.51 billion, or 12.2 per cent in local currencies where it trades. The Hong Kong figure has been exaggerated by a 17.7 per cent depreciation in the Hong Kong dollar-euro exchange rate.

    Retail turnover in Asia Pacific grew by two per cent year-on-year in the third quarter, despite a 2.6 per cent reduction in net sales area, or 20 fewer company-owned stores.

    Over the last 12 months Esprit has reduced the number of Asia-Pacific stores supplied by its wholesale division by 40 per cent, or 188 stores.

    Wholesale turnover in Asia Pacific thus declined by 8.8 per cent year-on-year in local currency (compared with a 49.3 per cent reduction in the first half of the year). Esprit says this improvement was mainly attributable to the success of its special return agreements with wholesale partners in China which helped to clear considerably aged inventories in the same period last year. That, in turn, has resulted in an improved order intake for the third quarter.

    “In the third quarter, the Transformation phase continued to make good progress,” Esprit said in a stock exchange filing.

    “Our leaner supply chain maintained its positive impact on our sourcing costs, enabling us to reinvest the savings to further improve the value-for-money of our products. Consequently, the new collections developed under the Vertical Model, which were available in stores since February 2015 have received a more positive response.

    “While this favorable response is encouraging, it is too early to assess the full impact of the new products on our sales given their short time in the market.”

    Esprit said to drive sales development and support its sustainable growth, the company will be increasing its marketing efforts and implementing an ambitious omni-channel model to enhance the customer experience across its multiple distribution channels.

    “The savings from a leaner supply chain are also driving a year-on-year improvement of our gross profit margin, which is key for the profitability of the company.

    “We remain fully confident that our current strategies will enable us to turn around Esprit and to establish a strong foundation for future long term growth.”

    Esprit concluded by saying it was encouraged by improved sales of its new collections which went on sale from February this year.

    “Retail turnover for the months of February and March 2015 declined year-on-year by 2.9 per cent in local currency – better than our square meters reduction.

    “The positive performance in Asia Pacific, where we did not face the same issues from Autumn/Winter 2014 season, was attributable to  better availability of merchandise in stores as a result of improved logistics support and more successful tactical promotions in all of our Asian markets for the Chinese New Year holiday.”

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  • Costs eat into Eu Yan Sang profit

    Costs eat into Eu Yan Sang profit

    Chinese herbal medicine retailer Eu Yan Sang has repoted a 38 per cent drop in profit on stable revenues in the first quarter of its current financial year.

    Eu Yan Sang posted a net profit of S$5.45 million on sales of $110 million.

    Improved sales in Australia, Singapore and Malaysia during the Chinese New Year, and in Malaysia where shoppers stocked up ahead of the introduction of GST on April 1, balanced a decline in Hong Kong, where the company says sales were soft due to the fall in mainland visitros.

    Gross margin for the quarter dipped 2.6 per cent due mainly to the impact of sales mix and longer lead time to Chinese New Year. Correspondingly, the group’s operating profit declined due to lower gross margin contribution and increased operating expenses.

    As at 31 March 2015, Eu Yan Sang had 258 company-operated retail outlets and 30 franchises in China, Hong Kong, Macau, Malaysia, Singapore and Australia.

    Group CEO Richard Eu said despite the challenging retail environment in Hong Kong and Macau, where retail revenue fell 21 per cent, most of the company’s key markets showed resilience.

    “Singapore, Malaysia and Australia markets have reported revenue growth. We see long-term opportunities especially in rising health awareness as consumers are becoming more discerning and better educated about wellness issues and are actively seeking for healthy food and natural health remedies. This is a space where we differentiate ourselves from others, where consumers understand product quality over pricing.

    “Rising disposable income in the region also played an important role to our business. In addition, our wellness offerings are easily accessible through ongoing introduction of new, exciting products and the extension of our wholesale channels,” he said.

    Retail revenue rose five per cent driven by increased consumer spending during the longer lead up period to Chinese New Year in Malaysia and Singapore, while the increased sales in company-operated outlets and improvement in same-store sales boosted retail revenue in Australia.

    The wholesale segment dipped by 32 per cent due to the slower offtake in trade as a result of the decline in mainland tourists’ spending in Hong Kong, which was caused by China’s recent move to restrict visitations of its nationals to Hong Kong.

    “In local currency terms, Australia showed the strongest improvement with a boost of 28 per cent in revenue,” the company said in its earnings statement. “This was in line with the increase in number of company-operated outlets and the increase in same-store sales.”

    For the rest of the year, the company expects the softer market to continue in Hong Kong, and in Malaysia where consumers are still adjusting to the impact of GST.

    But after two years of decline, Singapore is showing growth.

    “Given the recent regulations to limit Chinese tourists in Hong Kong and the enforcement of GST in Malaysia, the group expects a protracted recovery in these markets. We believe that the negative impact of GST on retail sales in Malaysia will be a short-term challenge.”

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  • Sun Art looks to fresh Fields

    Sun Art looks to fresh Fields

    Chinese hypermarket operator Sun Art Retail Group has bought a controlling interest in Fields Hong Kong, an online retailer of fresh foods and produce.

    No price was disclosed for the 54 per cent stake.

    Fields Hong Kong was established to provide an alternative source of produce in a market where food safety scandals have bred distrust of corporate retailers and fast food chains. Middle class consumers who have the disposable income to afford premium products from vendors they trust are a growing market for online suppliers.

    Sun Art, listed in Hong Kong, is part owned by France’s Auchan Group and Taiwanese billionaire Samuel Yin.

    In a statement the company said the purchase would “further strengthen” its Chinese eCommerce business.

    Fields’ competitors include Amazon.com-backed yummy77.com, kateandkimi.com and epermarket.com.

  • Hong Kong’s retail gross sales down 2.9 pct in March

    Hong Kong’s retail gross sales down 2.9 pct in March

    Hong Kong’s worth of complete retail gross sales fell 2.9 % year-on-year to 38.four billion HK dollars ( about four.9 billion U.S. dollars) in March, 2015, the statistics division stated right here on Tuesday.

    The worth of gross sales of jewellery, watches and clocks, and priceless presents misplaced 18.6 % in March from a yr in the past, adopted by gross sales of fuels 16.four %, footwear, allied merchandise and different clothes equipment 11.7 %, Chinese language medicine and herbs eight.four % and optical outlets 5.three %.

    Then again, the worth of gross sales of meals, alcoholic drinks and tobacco rose four.zero %, adopted by gross sales of electrical items and photographic gear 2.eight %, and books, newspapers, stationery and presents 2.three %.

    A authorities spokesman stated the efficiency of retail gross sales remained sluggish in March, with most forms of shops recording year-on-year declines in gross sales, conceivably reflecting the slowdown in inbound tourism.

    The retail gross sales efficiency within the close to time period is more likely to be constrained by the weaker efficiency of inbound tourism, though the secure labor market circumstances ought to nonetheless render help to native shopper sentiment, the spokesman stated.

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