Retail News CRM

Tag: International

  • McDonald’s to open 1,000 new restaurants, speed up tech upgrades

    McDonald’s to open 1,000 new restaurants, speed up tech upgrades

    Burger chain McDonald’s announced it will open about 1,000 new McDonald’s restaurants starting 2018 after posting strong sales and earnings for the fourth quarter ending December 31, 2017 fueled by strong interest in its value promotions and new menu items.

    Kevin Ozan, McDonald’s chief financial officer, said it is part of their development plans for 2018 to open about 1,000 new McDonald’s restaurants, 75 per cent of which will be funded by their expanded network of developmental licensees and affiliates around the world.

    Ozan added they also plan to continue making meaningful investments in technology to modernise the company’s customer experience and redefine convenience.

    “I’m confident that now is the opportune time to strategically invest in our business and our restaurants to drive profitable growth and become an even better McDonald’s,” he said.

    McDonald’s posted a 5.5 per cent increase in global same-store sales for the quarter, it’s fastest pace in six years. Systemwide sales increased eight per cent in constant currencies.

    In the US, fourth quarter comparable sales increased 4.5 per cent as a result of strong performance of core menu items featured under the McPick2 platform and beverage value, as well as strong consumer response to the new Buttermilk Crispy Tenders and delivery. Operating income for the quarter increased four per cent, reflecting higher franchised margin dollars and G&A savings, partly offset by lower company-operated margin dollars.

    Comparable sales for the international lead segment increased 6.0 per cent for the quarter, led by continued momentum in the UK and Canada, as well as positive results across all other markets. The segment’s operating income increased 14 per cent (seven per cent in constant currencies), fueled by sales-driven improvements in franchised margin dollars.

    Due to the impact of the company’s strategic refranchising initiative, McDonald’s stated its consolidated revenues decreased 11 per cent.

    Steve Easterbrook, McDonald’s president and CEO, said 2017 was a strong year for McDonald’s.

    “Customers responded to the many ways we are making their experience more convenient and enjoyable,” Easterbrook said. “We served more customers more often, achieved our best comparable sales performance in six years, gained share in markets around the world and made tremendous progress with growth platforms such as delivery, mobile order and pay and Experience of the Future.”

    On January 25, 2018, the company’s Board of Directors declared a quarterly cash dividend of $1.01 per share of common stock payable on March 15, 2018.

  • Bollore Logistics Acquires Global Solutions In Denmark

    Bollore Logistics Acquires Global Solutions In Denmark

    This acquisition is part of Bolloré Logistics’ strategic development through external growth. As one of the five international freight forwarding and logistics leaders in Europe, it continues to enhance and strengthen its international network. In Europe, it now has 165 sites in 22 countries with a combined headcount of 5,500.

    This latest transaction will expand further Bolloré Logistics’ global end-to-end offering in the Scandinavian markets. Already established in Norway, it now benefits from Denmark’s Global Solutions network, which has been operating on the Danish market for 11 years, with triple expertise in the airfreight, seafreight and express business
    lines, particularly on the Europe-Asia axis. Global Solutions, now Bolloré Logistics brand, has two offices: an office at Copenhagen airport, and its headquarters in Vejle, the country’s logistics hub.

    For Henri Le Gouis, CEO Europe of Bolloré Logistics, “this new location will enable us to better serve our key account customers in Denmark and more generally in Scandinavia. We will support Danish companies in their international development and logistics projects, particularly in Africa, the continent of the future with strong market opportunities, where we operate as the 1st integrated logistics network. ”

    “We are also aiming to strengthen our range of solutions and services for the Aid & Relief sector, which is strongly represented in Denmark” adds David Smith, CEO Northern Europe of Bolloré Logistics. Thomas Toubro, Managing Director -Founder of Global Solutions, expressed himself “satisfied and honored to be now part of the big Bolloré’s family group. I am very confident for the future, and believe in our ability to elevate Bolloré Logistics to the rank of the leading transport and logistics operators in Scandinavia. “

  • Little Stories Concept Store, a game for little ones by CLAP

    Little Stories Concept Store, a game for little ones by CLAP

    In March 2017, two partners came to CLAP with the desire to create a Shoes Concept Store exclusively for children. We started with a name, “Little Stories”, and the need to create a strong corporate identity, graphically, to create an interior in accordance with it. After several workshops with the client, we came up with three key points that reflected the essence of Little Stories: game, simplicity and adaptability.

    For the creation of the corporate image we chose a friendly and simple sans serif typography. The corporate image was completed with a system of lines that helps to represent, articulate and express brand identity in different formats.

    Once the identity and corporate image of Little Stories had been defined, we started the creation of the concept Store. CLAP’s goal was to create an experience for little ones. Every detail is designed to encourage imagination and play but at the same time, highlight the products on display.

    The interior of 70 square meters is an open space with large windows that make the interior feel like an enormous shopfront. The product exhibition is completely adaptable and allows a change of distribution thanks to the small movable stands on the floor and the magnetic metal plates on the walls.

    The corporate image of Little Stories accompanies the user from the exterior of the space to the interior, creating a constant game for the little ones and clearing the space for the products to be proudly showcased. Inside, the light points come from tubes that fall from the ceiling in order to illuminate the exposure and focus the clients attention on the product.

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  • Wow! Amazon opens rainforest office space ‘Spheres’ in Seattle

    Wow! Amazon opens rainforest office space ‘Spheres’ in Seattle

    E-commerce giant Amazon has opened a rainforest-like office space in Seattle that it hopes will spark new ideas for employees.

    While cities across North America are seeking to host Seattle-based Amazon’s second headquarters, the world’s largest online retailer is still expanding its main campus.

    Company office towers and high-end eateries have taken the place of warehouses and parking lots in Seattle’s South Lake Union district.

    The Spheres’ three glass domes house about 40,000 plants of 400 species. Amazon, famous for its demanding work culture, hopes the Spheres’ lush environs will let employees reflect and have chance encounters, spawning new products or plans.

    The building’s facade contains 2,643 panes of glass that are energy-efficient, with a film interlayer to keep out infrared wavelengths that produce unwanted heat. The space is more like a greenhouse than a typical office. Instead of enclosed conference rooms or desks, there are walkways and unconventional meeting spaces with chairs.

    There are no enclosed offices, conference spaces or desks in the building and employees can meet in treehouses suspended under 40+ foot trees or in sitting areas and walking paths alongside cascading waterfalls

    Plants, trees, sunlight, soil, and water take center stage – the sound of running water and the scent of flowering plants create an instant botanical immersion that takes visitors far away from the urban landscape

    The project created more than 600 full-time jobs, and is part of Amazon’s more than $4 billion investment in the design, development, and construction of its Seattle headquarters.

    Jeff Bezos, Amazon’s billionaire founder, officially opened the project in a ceremony with Amazon executives, elected officials and members of the media – by voice command.

    “Alexa, open the Spheres,” Bezos said, as a circle in the Spheres’ ceiling turned blue just like Amazon’s speech-controlled devices, whose voice assistant is named Alexa.

    Amazon has invested $US3.7 billion on buildings and infrastructure in Seattle from 2010 to (northern) summer 2017, a figure that has public officials competing for its “HQ2″ salivating.

    Amazon has said it expects to invest more than $US5 billion in construction of HQ2 and to create as many as 50,000 jobs.

    “We wanted to create something really special, something iconic for our campus and for the city of Seattle,” said John Schoettler, Amazon’s vice president of global real estate and facilities.

    Earlier this month, the online retailer narrowed 238 applications for its second headquarters to 20. The finalists, from Boston and New York to Austin, Texas, largely fit the bill of being big metropolises that can attract highly educated tech talent.

    The Spheres will be open to provide educational opportunities to the Seattle community through tours, field trips and partnerships with local schools and universities.

    The Spheres also include a visitor center – called The Understory – that is open to the public year round. The Understory provides a fully immersive, 360-degree experience where visitors can get up close and personal with the science, engineering, and plants behind The Spheres.

    “The Spheres are sure to become an iconic part of downtown Seattle, and I applaud Amazon for its latest innovation,” Gov. Jay Inslee said. “These unique buildings are so much more than a beautiful creative space for Amazon employees. They will help conserve a number of rare plant species from around the world and provide countless educational opportunities for local students – and that’s something Washington can take pride in.”

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  • First full year of profitability for Airbnb

    First full year of profitability for Airbnb

    Airbnb announced it generated earnings of about $100m in 2017 while bookings grew around 150 percent, in a streak of profitability that marks a contrast with heavily lossmaking peers such as Uber and Lyft.

    The 2017 year marks the first full year of generating income for the San Francisco-based company, which became profitable in the second half of 2016, as it managed to defy some of the disruptions in global travel in 2017.

    Airbnb’s earnings before tax, interest, depreciation and amortisation were $100m for the full year, according to a source close to the company, compared with an earnings loss the previous year.

    Airbnb also announced that Ken Chenault, chief executive of American Express, would be joining its board as the first independent director. He will be the sixth board member of the company, joining the three co-founders and two early investors who sit on the board.

    Airbnb’s chief executive Brian Chesky also announced on Thursday a new set of values for the ten-year-old company, which include “having an infinite time horizon” and “serving all of our stakeholders”.

    In a public letter, Mr Chesky said that he wanted to build a company that would last not only through the 21st century, but also the 22nd, without providing specific details about how the company would do that.

    Over the past 18 months, the company has expanded beyond accommodation into areas such as guided tours, and has hinted that it will add services like flight booking and car rentals in the future.

    In his letter Mr Chesky said that Airbnb would continue to grow these newer areas. “If people are good and mostly the same, then we should be able to offer more than people sleeping in one another’s homes,” he wrote.

    Airbnb’s main source of revenue is the commission it takes from accommodation bookings, and it take a cut of between 9 percent and 15 percent per booking.

    The company’s revenues last year were more than $3.5bn, according to FT calculations and previously reported quarterly figures. Gross bookings grew by about 150 per cent, according to a person close to the company.

    The company raised a $1 funding round in 2017, at a valuation of $30bn, and its investors include General Atlantic and Andreessen Horowitz.

  • Elon Musk has just earned $7.5M for boring out of flamethrowers

    Elon Musk has just earned $7.5M for boring out of flamethrowers

    The Boring Company is getting decently well-capitalized on the back of sales of its flamethrower.

    The no-doubt overpriced piece of knack, which can be made yourself at home using likely around $30 in parts, is selling for $500 and has already netted Elon Musk’s digging venture $7.5 million.

    That’s after just over a day of being on sale, and not counting the revenue from fire extinguisher sales (those sell for just $30, which is itself also overpriced). All told, Musk says he’s sold 15,000 of the flamethrowers thus far, with only a total of 20,000 available in total during the sale.

    Chances are, we are very near the total sell-out of the stock, so if you really want to own this potential piece of transportation history, you would better act fast. Or you could continue living your life, and ignore this particular circus show in favor of paying attention to what will hopefully be the main act: Actually building a network of interconnected underground hyperloops.

    Mr. Musk appeared to suggest the flamethrowers are crucial in case of zombie-linked emergencies. “When the zombie apocalypse happens, you’ll be glad you bought a flamethrower. Works against hordes of the undead or your money back!” he wrote.

    However the flamethrower probably has less to do with zombies than it does to do with Musk’s firm The Boring Company, an infrastructure and tunnelling enterprise.

    In December 2017, the entrepreneur vowed on Twitter that if he could sell 50,000 of a $20 hat made to raise funds for The Boring Company, he would start selling flamethrowers.

    He appears now to be making good on what people believed was a whimsical promise.

    Founded in December 2016, the Boring Company’s project is to create a network of tunnels underneath major US hubs to relieve traffic congestion and enable rapid intercity travel.

    Musk himself later admitted: “The rumor that I’m secretly creating a zombie apocalypse to generate demand for flamethrowers is completely false.”

    Musk said on Twitter that the flamethrower is “great for roasting nuts”, although it can be safely assumed the flames produced by the flamethrower will set light to a wide array of items.

    The Boring Company is also selling a fire extinguisher alongside the gizmo priced at $30.

  • The world’s first MasterChef TV restaurant is coming to Dubai

    The world’s first MasterChef TV restaurant is coming to Dubai

    TV’s MasterChef series is to make its live debut in Dubai – as a restaurant.

    A landmark deal for the first MasterChef the TV Experience restaurant has been signed by Dubai property developer and F&B specialist The First Group with global content giant Endemol Shine Group.

    Based on the reality television series, the restaurant will showcase the talents and recipes of MasterChef contestants from many of the 52 territories where the program is produced.

    Scheduled to open late this year in The First Group’s upcoming Wyndham West Bay Dubai Marina Hotel, the restaurant concept will fully immerse guests in the MasterChef experience with its interior design inspired by the show’s TV set.

    MasterChef is produced and distributed by Endemol Shine Group, a Dutch production company, and has been adapted in 52 countries. It is seen in more than 200 countries and watched globally by more than 250 million viewers.

    “MasterChef has a global fan base keen to engage with the brand in new ways,” says Endemol brand-strategy director Frances Adams. “MasterChef the TV Experience is an exciting opportunity for audiences in this market to enjoy a unique and immersive dining experience.”

    Global F&B director for The First Group Duncan Fraser-Smith says the company will work with Endemol to take the concept to other cities worldwide in coming years.

    He says the signing of the restaurant is a milestone development for The First Group, which aims to introduce up to 40 original and world-first dining concepts to the UAE by 2021.

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  • SPAR International Expands Further Into The Middle East

    SPAR International Expands Further Into The Middle East

    SPAR International has announced the brand’s entry into the Saudi Arabian retail market. Partnering with the well-established Saudi conglomerate, the Al Sadhan Group, SPAR has ambitious plans to open 40 stores in Saudi Arabia by 2020.

    Yesterday, three SPAR stores were opened in Riyadh, the nation’s capital and primary economic hub. Plans are in place to open a further five stores throughout 2018, bringing the total number of stores in the country to eight by the end of the year.

    The first SPAR stores in the Saudi Arabian market will be aimed at the mid- to premium sector of the retail market. However, as the brand develops in the country, SPAR plans to launch stores in all economic sectors, providing all customers with competitive pricing for the best global and local products.

    The Al Sadhan Group is a family owned business established in 1952. Its services include real estate, facilities management, food retail and brand development. Al Sadhan Stores operates the company’s retail arm employing 1,500 colleagues and has a long history in the market, being the first supermarket to obtain a business licence in Riyadh in 1952. SPAR International began their partnership with Al Sadhan in 2016, soft launching the first SPAR store in the second half of 2017.

    SPAR International has provided extensive support to Al Sadhan in the lead-up to the store openings including study tours to other SPAR markets and fostering awareness of the SPAR Way of Working. Support was also given in logistics development, supply chain creation and store design.

    The stores will benefit from the access to globally and locally sourced SPAR Own Brand products, expertise in category management and the support from SPAR International’s design and development teams to ensure modern and dynamic store design.

    SPAR International will also support SPAR Saudi Arabia to utilise the strengths of the joint buying model to ensure competitiveness.

    The partnership with Al Sadhan in Saudi Arabia builds on SPAR International’s existing partnerships in the wider region, notably in the United Arab Emirates, Oman and Qatar.

    A grand opening ceremony took place in Riyadh, with ribbon-cutting ceremonies at the three high-quality SPAR Supermarkets. Thereafter, Tobias Wasmuht, SPAR International’s Managing Director, was joined by officials from the Netherlands embassy and senior management from Al Sadhan Group to celebrate the brand’s official debut in Saudi Arabia.

    Speaking at a press conference announcing SPAR’s entry into the market, Tobias Wasmuht, Managing Director of SPAR International said:

    “With a growing young population, rising GDP and increased consumer purchasing power, the retail market in Saudi Arabia has been growing steadily. We are delighted to enter this exciting and dynamic market with such an established and well-respected Partner as Al Sadhan Group.

    In addition, the new partnership provides SPAR with yet another important base in the Middle East, a region that is becoming more and more important to SPAR International’s strategic business development.”

    Mr. Mohammed bin Abdul Aziz Al Sadhan, Chairman of Al Sadhan Group commented:

    “We are very proud of this partnership with SPAR International. Having the right mix between SPAR International’s knowledge and best practice along with our experience in the local market will provide our customers with an excellent retail experience. The SPAR brand products will be a key factor in our success, and we are getting great support from SPAR International’s team to source items from SPAR partners around the world.

    Also, this partnership is in-line with the Saudi Arabian vision 2030 and the support we have from the Saudi government for the development of the Saudi market.”

  • DFS Celebrates Lunar New Year ‘The Year Of Dog’ With Exclusive Offers

    DFS Celebrates Lunar New Year ‘The Year Of Dog’ With Exclusive Offers

    DFS Group, the world’s leading luxury travel retailer, will celebrate Lunar New Year 2018 ‘The Year of the Dog’ with a series of fabulous promotions, exclusive offers and fun interactive activities at selected T Galleria and DFS stores worldwide throughout February 2018.

    DFS Group’s 2018 Happy Lunar New Year campaign celebrates all that’s important about this very special time of year, also offering customers a range of exclusive offers from its Give Joy Together gift guide. DFS President Merchandising and Consumer Marketing Sibylle Scherer said Lunar New Year is one of the world’s most
    celebrated festivals and is a time for family, friends, giving, happiness and good fortune.

    “Our Give Joy Together gift guide, in conjunction with DFS’ 2018 Happy Lunar New Year campaign, is sure to delight anyone who visits our stores this festive season. As we welcome the Year of the Dog, we proudly thank our loyal customers and look forward to welcoming new shoppers who seek a warm, friendly and luxurious shopping experience that only DFS can offer.

    “Our gift guide showcases all that is fun about giving and sharing, offering our customers the chance to show their
    appreciation to their loved ones, or treat themselves to something special this Lunar New Year,” said Sibylle.
    In celebration of Lunar New Year 2018, DFS will host a range of exciting in-store activities, including ‘DFS Game’, a Pokémon Go-inspired game featuring the DFS Lunar New Year dog character Lolo, who will lead customers to ‘catch’ incentives, experiences or blessings in-store. The game will be available at T Galleria by DFS, Hong Kong, Canton Road, T Galleria Beauty by DFS, Hong Kong, Causeway Bay, T Galleria by DFS, Angkor, T Galleria by DFS, Hawaii and T Galleria by DFS, Sydney in February.

    Other in-store activities include ‘Catch Your Luck’, a Fortune Tree and Wishing Tree with lucky prize envelopes, and a personalized charm giveaway set offer when customers take advantage of DFS Give Joy Together promotions.

    DFS 2018 Lunar New Year exclusives also feature products from Tiffany & Co., Burberry and Coach, as well as the new Marc Tetro Westie and Boston Terrier cosmetic and tote bag range, a perfect gift to symbolize the Year of the Dog, and exclusively available for Hong Kong shoppers. Marc Tetro celebrates color, style and fun and demonstrates DFS’ commitment to stocking unique, world-class fashion, jewelry and cosmetics from design houses across the world.

    DFS also offers customers savings on classic, timeless pieces from brands such as Estée Lauder, Anne Klein, Hamilton and Emporio Armani.

    Products exclusively available at DFS this Lunar New Year include:
    • Estée Lauder – Pure Color Envy Sculpting Eye Shadow & Lipstick, Limited Edition
    • Anne Klein – Blush Ceramic Watch with Genuine Swarovski Crystals Women’s Watch
    • Marc Jacobs – DFS exclusive Tote Bag
    • Hamilton – Ventura Elvis 80 Automatic Rubber Strap Men’s Watch – Receive a complimentary exclusive Elvis
    Presley tote bag with your purchase
    • Emporio Armani – CONNECTED Touchscreen Smartwatch
    • Bvlgari Serpenti Twist Your Time with Mother of Pearl Dial
    • Bvlgari Serpenti Twist Your Time with Red Dial
    • Swarovski Haves Bracelet, Pendant and Earrings
    • Tiffany & Co. Keys Fleur de Lis Key Pendant and Tiffany & Co. Keys Petals Key Pendant
    • Marc Tetro Hong Kong Pug Large Cosmetic Bag
    • Marc Tetro Hong Kong Westie Tote Bag

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  • Nine West Close to Filing for Bankruptcy

    Nine West Close to Filing for Bankruptcy

    A Nine West bankruptcy filing appears likely, according to reports from the US overnight.

    Retail Dive has reported that the embattled shoe retailer has found a buyer for some of its assets and plans to work to restructure its debt as soon as a sale is complete. However, Debtwire and Bloomberg both report NIne West is prepared to file for Chapter 11 bankruptcy if necessary, suggesting there is pressure form lenders.

    Neither NIne West or its private equity owner Sycamore, which paid $2.2 billion for the business in 2014, responded to requests for comment on the matter.

    Debtwire associate editor Reshmi Basi says the timing is likely to be determined by a March 15 payment deadline.

    The company has been struggling with its debt since late 2016 and last year was named by ratings agency Moody’s in a list of “at risk” retailers, citing “weak operating performance and very high debt and leverage burden”.

    Basu told Retail Dive Nine West’s outlook was decidedly uncertain. “Time will tell how it works. They’re going back and forth between creditors about how to address maturities,” she said.

    Nine West is steadily losing market share to online retailers in a market of softening apparel sales.

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  • Asos posts massive growth across globe

    Asos posts massive growth across globe

    Online fashion retailer Asos has reported a 30 per cent rise in retail sales during the last four months of 2017.

    Across its international marketplaces including Australia, the retailer said sales were up 35 per cent to 489.5 million pounds.

    The UK-based retailer saw sales increase 23 per cent to hit 300 million pounds in its home market during the period, which the retailer said was driven by a range of initiatives.

    “We acquired 2.6 million active customers year on year and saw encouraging movements across all key customer KPIs,” said Nick Beighton, CEO.

    “Velocity in our technology programmes continued, with a record number of releases.”

    Beighton said its customer proposition was further enhanced in the U.K. by the launch of ‘Try Before You Buy and ASOS Instant, the retailer’s same day delivery proposition.

    “Following this strong start to the year, we remain confident in our full year guidance and delivery of our planned investments in infrastructure to support our global ambitions.”

    The retailer expects its full year capital expenditure to now be around the upper end of the previously indicated range of £200-220m.

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  • Ikea founder passed away

    Ikea founder passed away

    Ingvar Kamprad, the founder of Swedish furniture giant Ikea, has died at the age of 91.

    The furniture giant said Kamprad passed away at his home in southern Sweden on Saturday.

    “The founder of Ikea and Ikano, and one of the greatest entrepreneurs of the 20th century, Ingvar Kamprad, has peacefully passed away, at his home in Smaland, Sweden, on the 27th of January,” the retailer said in a statement.

    “(He) was a great entrepreneur of the typical southern Swedish kind – hardworking and stubborn, with a lot of warmth and a playful twinkle in his eye

    “Ingvar will be very missed and warmly remembered by his family and Ikea colleagues around the world.”

    Founded in 1943 by Kamprad when he was a teen, Ikea began developing its own furniture in the mid-1950s, popularising renowned Scandinavian design – sleek and functional – on an industrial scale and conquering first Europe and then North America before taking on the rest of the world.

    He got the idea for flat-pack furniture as he watched an employee taking the legs off a table to fit it into a customer’s car and realised that saving space meant saving money.

    Kamprad has been previously ranked among the world’s 20 richest people by Forbes magazine. His personal fortune was recently estimated at more than 30 billion euros ($A45 billion) and Ikea is now heading for 50 billion euros in annual revenues.

    Few people can claim to have genuinely revolutionised retail, but Kamprad did, according to Neil Saunders, managing director of GlobalData Retail.

    “When he founded it, Ikea was markedly different to anything that had existed in retail,” he said.

    “Much of this difference was down to Ingvar’s Swedish heritage and instincts.”

    Consumers embraced his ideas, said Saunders who added it is no exaggeration to say that Kamprad’s innovative approach changed not just the furniture sector, but the way people decorated and led their lives at home.

    “He believed that home furnishings should be democratic; that people of all income levels should be able to afford to decorate and furnish their homes stylishly and comfortably. He also believed in thrift, efficiency and hard work.

    “Putting these two concepts together, gave rise to the revolutionary idea of flat-pack furniture. Distributing flat-pack was much more efficient and economical than shipping fully made items. It also divided the effort – prices were lower because the customer had to assemble the product; that was the trade-off or compromise.”

  • Honda, Forever 21 to Collaborate on Vintage Collection

    Honda, Forever 21 to Collaborate on Vintage Collection

    Forever 21 has launched a collection featuring classic Honda racing motifs.

    The brainchild of Honda’s brand management agency Earthbound, the F21xHonda racing capsule collection consists of iconic Honda designs from the early 1980s and action sportswear of the 1990s.

    “Pairing nostalgic Honda racing iconography with updated silhouettes and fabrics to create a modern yet timeless aesthetic, the latest collection includes a variety of men’s and women’s apparel,”said the two companies in a statement.

    The women’s collection offers vintage inspired styles from long and short sleeved crop-tops, long sleeve t-shirts and skirts, including items in the Plus size range. The men’s collection features street-wear ready pieces including t-shirts, pull-over sweaters and racing jackets.

    “We are always looking for new and unexpected partnerships,” said Linda Chang, VP of marketing for Forever 21. “This collaboration with Honda racing is especially relevant now with the popularity of racing and motorsport designs. We hope that fans of both Honda racing and our customers will celebrate with us through this collection.”

    Honda Powersports Marketing’s senior manager Mike Snyder said collaborating with a brand like Forever 21 allows Honda motorcycles to access a completely new audience.

    “We are very happy with the collection they have developed. It does a great job of blending Honda’s Racing history with Forever 21’s fashion sense.”

    The F21 x Honda racing collection launched in stores throughout North America and on Forever21.com this week.

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  • Telstra sets speed record with metro network trial

    Telstra sets speed record with metro network trial

    Australia’s Telstra, Ericsson and Ciena say they have achieved the world’s fastest speeds during a demonstration using Telstra’s transmission network in Melbourne.

    The companies achieved 400Gbps speeds over 61.5-GHz spectrum using Telstra’s transmission network, representing the highest spectral efficiency per fiber pair achieved in a live environment.

    This represents transmission speeds of up to 30.4Tbps per fiber pair, a significant improvement from the previous record of 25.6Tbps.

    Such speeds were made possible using software programmable wavelengths controlled by Ciena’s WaveLogic Ai modem technology and Blue Planet manage control plan and Liquid Spectrum applications.

    Telstra plans to introduce the technology as part of an upgrade to its long haul, metro and regional optical networks. Ericsson is providing end-to-end systems integration for the project and managed the deployment of technology for the demonstration.

    Telstra has already deployed Ciena’s industry-first programmable coherent modem, which offers up to three times the data capacity of the earlier modem technology deployed on the Telstra network.

    “Over the next five years we forecast traffic on our network will grow by five times. We are investing in our network and developing these innovations to meet this growing demand by providing unprecedented levels of scale, automation and intelligence,” Telstra director of IP and transport engineering David Robertson said.

    “This technology will be deployed in our domestic transmission network and we will look for opportunities to use it in Telstra’s international subsea cable network, which is the largest in the Asia-Pacific region.”

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  • L’Oréal Collaborates with Bolloré Logistics to Donate Skincare and Haircare Products

    L’Oréal Collaborates with Bolloré Logistics to Donate Skincare and Haircare Products

    In December 2017, L’Oréal Singapore partnered with Bolloré Logistics Singapore to donate and deliver nearly 12,000 skincare and haircare products to National Cancer Center Singapore (NCCS) and Humanitarian Organization for Migration Economics (HOME).

    L’Oréal Singapore reached out to both philanthropic organizations to provide and transport daily necessity products that would be beneficial to them, while Bolloré Logistics sponsored the pick and pack process.

    Products donated to NCCS will be for cancer patients, survivors’ caregivers, staff and volunteers. Dovetailing on SingHealth’s Giving Week from November to December 2017 which encourages giving back to society, staff were treated to L’Oréal Singapore’s skin and haircare products in appreciation for their conscientiousness in caring for their patients, and also to celebrate life and the friendship forged in the fight against cancer. Paying it forward, staff members at NCCS made donations to the Community Cancer Fund to help needy patients pay for their treatment expenses.

    Products donated to HOME went to migrant and domestic workers in Singapore who face problems such as mistreatment and abuse, and the shelter services provide a place of refuge and social support for those who have suffered or have been trafficked. At the shelter, these hair and body wash products are a daily necessity, and take a huge burden off the expenses needed to run the shelters.

    Bolloré Logistics Singapore Managing Director Frederic Marcerou said, “Bolloré Logistics Singapore teams are proud to be included in this meaningful cause”. “We are greatly supportive and happy that we can contribute our L’Oréal and Garnier products to assist NCCS and HOME’s causes”, said Supasita Kraisri, General Manager of L’Oréal Singapore Consumer Products.

    “It is very close to our hearts to be a supporting light to these causes and provide encouragement
    and care in practical ways”, shared Isabelle Lim, Corporate Communications Director of L’Oréal
    Singapore.

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