Retail News CRM

Tag: Investment

  • Aeon Hong Kong to invest in new stores

    Aeon Hong Kong to invest in new stores

    Aeon Hong Kong is ramping up its store network expansion in the territory and the mainland.

    The Japanese retailer’s locally listed subsidiary has set aside HK$420 million to build new stores and refurbish existing ones, MD Christine Chan Pui Man said in announcing the company’s half year result. The cash – vastly more than the $51 million spent in the first half of this year – will be spent during the second half of 2015 and in 2016.

    Chan said despite a “stagnant” retail industry in both China and Hong Kong, the group improved its sales by 2.4 per cent to $4.499 billion in the six months to June 30, largely from stable growth in the mainland. Gross margin rose from 30.6 per cent to 31.1 per cent due to merchandise enhancement, boosting the core business profit by 20.8 per cent to $43.7 million.

    In the first half of this year Aeon Hong Kong opened four new stores – two in Tsuen Wan, one in Sai Ying Pun and another in Sham Shui Po, giving it a network of 46 on June 30.

    Revenue from the group’s Hong Kong operations was maintained at HK$1.87 billion, down marginally on a year ago, but profit fell from $44.7 million to $23.6 million.

    On the mainland, revenue rose by 6.8 per cent to $2.626 billion and the segment results achieved a turnaround with profit of $20.2 million compared with a loss of $8.4 million last year. Aeon now has 29 stores in south China, no more than at the end of last year.

    With a focus on now expanding the network, Aeon Hong Kong believes the mainland will become a major growth driver of the group.

    “In spite of the unstable macroeconomic environment and the volatile stock market, the PRC is still one of the economies with the largest potential for further business growth,” Chan said.

    In the second half of 2015, a new store will open in Zhongshan and in the first half of 2016, one will open in Panyu and two in Guangzhou and Shenzhen respectively in the second half.

    Lees ook:

    Lees ook:

  • Hong Kong fund sales slide by 50%

    Hong Kong fund sales slide by 50%

    The Hong Kong fund industry saw net sales drop by almost a half in the first six months of 2015, new figures reveal.

    The Hong Kong Investment Funds Association (HKIFA) published data on Wednesday which cited a sharp fall in funds to $3.71bn (£2.38bn, €3.34bn).

    Bruno Lee, the chairman of HKIFA, blamed the decrease in sales on global market uncertainty, particularly around China mainland’s A-Share market, the Greek debt crisis, and the potential US interest rate rise. He said volatility in the global currency market was also to blame.

    “Retail investors should review their investment position regularly to ensure their investment strategy is aligned with their long-term personal financial objective and seek for professional investment advice if needed,” Lee said.

    Though net sales fell dramatically, gross sales saw a rise of 14% to $47bn in the first half of 2015, after hovering at $7bn in the first quarter, soaring up by more than $10bn in April, and then dropping back to $7bn towards the end of the second quarter.

    HKIFA said China-related and European equity funds were the key sectors which contributed to the surge in gross sales in the second quarter of this year.

    “The moderate growth in gross retail fund sales and higher equity fund sales percentage indicate a higher risk appetite amongst retail investors,” said Lee.

    HKIFA members are comprised of 82 fund management companies.  It also has 43 associate members, including lawyers, accountants, trustees and other professionals that are involved in the creation and administration of funds.

    Lees ook:

    Lees ook:

    Lees ook:

  • Alibaba spends $4.6-billion on Chinese electronics retailer Suning

    Alibaba spends $4.6-billion on Chinese electronics retailer Suning

    Alibaba Group Holding Ltd. will spend 28.3 billion yuan ($4.6-billion) for a stake in Suning Commerce Group Ltd. as China’s biggest e-commerce operator adds a network of electronics stores in its biggest deal ever.

    Alibaba will buy a 19.99 per cent stake in Suning, which in turn will spend as much as 14 billion yuan for shares in the e– commerce company, according to a Business Wire statement on Monday. The companies will partner in logistics and online sales to target deliveries as fast as two hours.

    Alibaba Chairman Jack Ma is beefing up his retail presence after a 24 per cent drop in the company’s market value this year, bolstering the appeal of e-commerce operations facing slowing growth in China. Adding Suning to a partnership with department store operator Intime Retail Group Co. helps Alibaba compete with JD.com Inc., which specializes in selling electronics and has surged in New York trading this year.

    “Suning has one of the largest physical networks for selling appliances and that would help Alibaba’s location-based services,” said John Choi, an analyst at Daiwa Securities Group Inc. in Hong Kong. “Alibaba is becoming much more involved in offline retail through investments.”

    Alibaba’s American depositary receipts gained about 1 per cent to $79.62 at 9:45 a.m. in New York on Monday. The stock has declined about 23 per cent this year.

    Suning has more than 1,600 outlets in about 290 cities in China selling appliances, books and baby products. Alibaba will become the second-largest investor in the Nanjing-based retailer, trailing only Chairman Zhang Jindong.

    Logistics Partnership

    Alibaba is paying 15.23 yuan a share for the stake, which is about 10 per cent more than Suning’s closing price on July 31, its last day of trading before being halted. Shares are up 53 per cent this year.

    “We’re going to be able to leverage on Suning’s physical infrastructure,” Alibaba Vice Chairman Joseph Tsai said during a conference call.

    The companies will link their customer databases so they can tailor services such as in-store mobile payments, Chief Executive Officer Daniel Zhang said.

    The acquisition is Alibaba’s biggest-ever, excluding a $7.1-billion share buyback in 2012 from Yahoo! Inc.

    Alibaba has quickened the pace of its deals this year as its share price plummets in New York trading. Since January, Alibaba has announced 22 deals at a total value of $9.1-billion, compared with 25 deals all of last year at a value of $5.9-billion.

    The Suning partnership will help Alibaba expand in an electronics and appliance retail market forecast to grow 23 per cent to 1.1 trillion yuan by 2018, according to researcher Euromonitor.

    Ground Teams

    Suning will partner with Alibaba’s Cainiao logistics affiliate, enabling the companies to cover almost all of the 2,800 counties and districts in China.

    “Retail e-commerce also needs the ground teams to serve its customers, especially for the electronics appliances,” said Ray Zhao, an analyst at Guotai Junan Securities Co. “It’s difficult for e-commerce players to acquire more good logistics land.”

    Suning’s No. 1 rival, Gome Electrical Appliances Holding Ltd., has taken a different direction in its strategy. Two weeks ago, the Beijing-based company signed a deal to buy a company owned by jailed founder Huang Guangyu for HK$11.3-billion ($1.5-billion). That would help it increase the number of outlets by 50 per cent to 1,714 in 436 cities, exceeding those owned by Suning.

    Alibaba is scheduled to report fiscal first-quarter earnings on Wednesday.

    Lees ook:

    Lees ook:

    Lees ook:

  • Asia shares fall led by Shanghai as investors eye safety ahead of Greece

    Asia shares fall led by Shanghai as investors eye safety ahead of Greece

    Shares in Shanghai slumped on Friday, leading other Asian markets lower as investors headed for safety ahead of a weekend referendum that could decide whether Greece stays in the euro zone that is now too close to call.

    The Shanghai Composite fell 5.57% before the break, while the Hang Seng index eased 0.55% and the S&P/ASX 200 was down 1.78%. The Nikkei 225 was down 0.44%.

    Prime Minister Alexis Tsipras on Wednesday urged Greeks to reject an international bailout deal in a referendum due to be held on July 5, souring hopes of any breakthrough.

    Less than 24 hours before, Tsipras had written a conciliatory letter to creditors asking for a new bailout that would accept many of their terms.

    On Wednesday Greece became the first developed country to default on the International Monetary Fund after its second bailout program expired late Tuesday. The IMF confirmed that the Greek government failed to make a scheduled €1.6 billion loan repayment.

    In Australia, May retail sales data showed a 0.3% increase month-on-month, below a forecast for retail sales up 0.5% month-on-month.

    Earlier in Australia, the June AIGroup services index rose 1.6 points to 51.2.

    “The improvement in services-industry conditions so far this year has been concentrated in consumer services,” AI Group Chief Executive Innes Willox said.

    “Increased housing-market activity and very low interest rates are now assisting retail and personal and recreational services – although consumer-confidence and household-income growth are still below par. For the more business-oriented services subsectors weak business confidence, an uncertain outlook and low private and public investment are still weighing on demand across a range of design, consulting, personnel and administrative services.”

    U.S. markets are shut on Friday.

    Overnight, U.S. stocks were lower after the close on Thursday, as losses in the Financials, Healthcare and Basic Materials sectors led shares lower.

    At the close in New York, the Dow Jones Industrial Average lost 0.16%, while the S&P 500 index declined 0.03%, and the NASDAQ Composite index declined 0.08%.

    The best performers of the session on the Dow Jones Industrial Average were Intel Corporation (NASDAQ:NASDAQ:INTC), which rose 1.24% or 0.38 points to trade at 30.55 at the close. Meanwhile, Exxon Mobil Corporation (NYSE:NYSE:XOM) added 0.93% or 0.77 points to end at 83.14 and Visa Inc (NYSE:NYSE:V) was up 0.57% or 0.39 points to 68.24 in late trade.

    Lees ook:

    Lees ook:

    Lees ook:

    Lees ook:

    Lees ook:

  • Singaporeans spend money on Sogo Malaysia

    Singaporeans spend money on Sogo Malaysia

    A Singaporean funding firm has taken a strategic stake within the Malaysian licenceholder of Japanese division retailer model Sogo.

    Singapore-listed LTC Company, by way of a wholly-owned subsidiary, has taken a 50 per cent share of USP Fairness in equal partnership with USP Assets, which has acquired USP’s shareholding in SKLDS, which operates Sogo beneath licence from Sogo & Seibu  of Japan.

    LTC, historically concerned in property improvement, metal buying and selling and investments in Malaysia, China and Singapore, says in a regulatory submitting the mover is a part of a strategic initiative to broaden its enterprise base.

    “The LTC Group has been in search of a brand new enterprise to generate further revenue streams and diversify its asset and income base. Venturing into the retail and distributive enterprise in Malaysia is a step within the course of attaining these aims,” it stated.

    The funding value LTC MYR70.14 million (US$18.17 million).

    Sogo Malaysia is a full-line division retailer concentrating on home shoppers within the center market, ranging grocery, cosmetics, fragrances, attire and homewares.

    Lees ook:

  • Phoon Huat on the block

    Phoon Huat on the block

    Personal fairness buyers are already circling well-known Singapore bakery enterprise Phoon Huat & Co.

    The corporate, which sells its well-liked cupcakes from 11 retail shops across the metropolis state, is predicted to draw a sale worth within the neighborhood of S$250 million. Apart from its shops, the enterprise has a central bakery and sells baked merchandise, confectionery, drinks and components, on the wholesale market,

    Based in 1947 by Hainan migrant Wong Tai Fuang, it’s now owned by the Wong household, which based on reviews in Bloomberg, has despatched prospectuses to potential bidders. First spherical bids are anticipated subsequent month.

    The corporate’s belongings embrace property and the manufacturers Purple Man, Bakeway and Gold Tree.

    Lees ook:

    Lees ook:

  • Matahari Putra Prima to Distribute Rp194b in Dividends

    Matahari Putra Prima to Distribute Rp194b in Dividends

    Shareholders of Indonesia’s largest trendy retailer for fast-moving shopper items Matahari Putra Prima permitted in its annual common shareholders assembly a plan to distribute Rp 193.9 billion ($14.7 million) in dividends, which characterize 35 % of the corporate’s 2014 internet earnings of Rp 554 billion.

    Buyers of MPP, a Jakarta Globe affiliate by means of the Lippo Group, will obtain a dividend cost of Rp 36 for each share they maintain in a date which might be introduced later.

    “We’re happy to announce the money dividend of Rp 193.9 billion to our valued shareholders. This demonstrates the corporate’s on­going dedication to extend shareholder worth in ­line with the corporate’s goal to turn into the main FMCF trendy retailer in Indonesia,” MPP president director Benjamin Mailool stated in a press launch on Monday.

    Mailool added that the corporate will proceed its aggressive enlargement this yr by opening at the very least 10 new Hypermart retailers and additional develop its Foodmart and Boston Well being & Magnificence enterprise models.

    “Our dedication to buyer satisfaction is concentrated on additional improvement of the Hypermart format to continued enchancment of the client purchasing expertise and ensures we proceed to seize market share to safe the primary place within the multi-­format fast-moving shopper items phase,” he added.

    Buyers additionally welcomed John Riady and Niel Nielson to the board of commissioners and accepted the administrators studies on the corporate’s achievements and monetary outcomes for the 2014 fiscal yr.

    “We want to welcome John Riady and Niel Nielson who at the moment are the brand new members of BOC. These management modifications proceed to strengthen our boards to help the aggressive enlargement plans for 2015 and past,” Mailool stated.

    MPP posted a robust revenue progress final yr, because of strong gross sales and enhancing store-level productiveness.

    MPP lately introduced that its internet revenue grew 24.5 % to Rp 554 billion final yr. Eliminating one-time good points in 2014, internet revenue elevated 58.2 % to Rp 625.9 billion.

    In 2014, MPP grew with the widest retailer community of 107 hypermarkets, 21 supermarkets, 102 well being and wonder retailers, and 37 comfort shops working in additional than 60 cities and  29 provinces throughout Indonesia.

    It has launched the newest idea of Hypermart Era 7 (G7) in North Lippo Karawaci, on the outskirts of Jakarta. The occasion was adopted by the opening of a second G7 retailer in Batam in April.

    Lees ook:

    Lees ook:

    Lees ook:

    Lees ook:

  • Figaro ’s Pizza eyes Asia

    Figaro ’s Pizza eyes Asia

    A US-based pizza chain which has already expanded into the Middle East is now seeking franchisees across most of Asia.

    Figaro’s is a casual dining concept offering a variety of proprietary pizzas, as well as traditional pizza combinations and related Italian items, such as calzones.

    The company started in Oregon on the US West Coast in 1981 and today has outlets in 60 cities around the world, including in Mexico, Cyprus and much of the Middle East.

    In Asia, it is particularly interested in China, India, Indonesia, Japan, Malaysia, the Philippines, Singapore, South Korea, Taiwan, Thailand, Australia and New Zealand, along with countries in Europe and Africa.

    Figaro’s says its pizza dough, sauces and cheese are proprietary, made from unique recipes developed by the company. Outlets make pizzas for consumption on premises, takeaway or delivery as well as in a ‘take-and-bake’ unbaked version consumers can bake at home.

    Figaro’s says its brand appeals to locals, expats and tourists seeking a high-food value, American-style pizza. It caters to the mid to high income customer demographic. The company has restaurant models ranging from 1000 to 1200 sqft delco format (delivery and take-out only) to 3000 sqft units which seat 100.

    The franchise fee starts at US$100,000, with a total starting investment of US$500,000.

  • Money increase for iprice comparability idea

    Money increase for iprice comparability idea

    Iprice Group, a Malaysia-based on-line worth comparability service for consumers, has acquired a $550,000 money funding from an angel investor enterprise capital group.

    Based solely final October, the enterprise is already lively in its residence base Malaysia, together with Hong Kong, Singapore, the Philippines, Thailand, Indonesia and Vietnam. The corporate says its on-line visitors is greater than doubling each month.

    The US$550,000 in funding was invested by from Asia Enterprise Group, a Malaysia-based angel investor, which needs to assist Iprice create “the most important on-line buying group in Southeast Asia”.

    Iprice co-founder Heinrich Wendel says the thought of the web site is to create “a pleasant on-line purchasing expertise” by giving buyers an intuitive and visible option to uncover merchandise.

    “Whereas different websites within the area are all about evaluating costs, we give attention to narrowing down the huge quantity of merchandise to your private choice. Regardless of you’re on the lookout for a blue and black gown, three-inch excessive heels, a strong backpack or a basic Chesterfield couch, we’ll present you the place you will get one of the best supply.”

    Because the younger Web inhabitants within the area is rising by greater than 50 per cent inside the subsequent three years – based on a report by UBS – it can drive eCommerce quantity no less than five-fold by 2020. Tapping into this potential, the web site already provides greater than three million merchandise from over 10,000 native and worldwide manufacturers, sourced by way of trusted on-line shops.

    Consumers flick through the hundreds of thousands of merchandise by classes, manufacturers, fashions and hues, amongst different attributes, to get inspiration. All merchandise are mechanically linked to particular promotions and coupons which might be provided by the respective eCommerce shops. Sooner or later, the corporate says it’ll double down on its machine studying algorithms to additional enhance the “sensible search” and supply particular person suggestions in response to the consumer’s searching behaviour.

    Working from its Kuala Lumpur headquarters, the corporate employs expertise from throughout Southeast Asia, enabling them to deal with the wants of every native market individually.

    For eCommerce shops, iprice supplies invaluable experience in on-line advertising, serving to them to increase their attain to new markets and develop their buyer base. Tito Costa, Zalora Group MD, says he recognises iprice as a robust affiliate associate.

    “Iprice helps internet buyers to seek out what they’ve been on the lookout for and to find new merchandise. They ship excessive changing visitors to Zalora throughout the Southeast Asia area and drive our income considerably,” he stated.

    Lees ook:

  • Hermès reports 10pc revenue increase for 2014

    Hermès reports 10pc revenue increase for 2014

    Hermès maintains course in 2014 with a healthy 10 percent increase in its turnover, at constant exchange rates – according to Guillaume de Seynes , managing director manufacturing division & equity investments of the Group of luxury. Interviewed by the German newspaper Handelsblatt , De Seynes said that the House wants to expand in Germany , expanding the spaces in cities where it is already present.

  • Wildcraft to add 50-60 stores in India by 2016, eyes overseas markets

    Wildcraft to add 50-60 stores in India by 2016, eyes overseas markets

    Even as global active lifestyle brands are rushing into India, home-grown outdoor gear brand Wildcraft has said it is eyeing opportunities to take its brand to West Asian and South Asian markets.

    “We have designed our products keeping in view the local climatic conditions. West Asian and South Asian markets can well do with our kind of products. We are planning to venture into those countries with the distribution model,” Gaurav Dublish, co-Founder, Wildcraft, toldBusinessLine.

    In India, Wildcraft has 120 retail outlets, largely company-owned and operated. “We plan to add 50-60 stores by 2016,” said Dublish, adding the investment outlay is expected to be about INR18 crore (INR180 million, USD2.8m). Wildcraft stores are typically 500-600 square feet.

    Lees ook:

  • Save no more? Are Japanese turning spendthrift?

    Save no more? Are Japanese turning spendthrift?

    The Japanese spent more than they saved in the 12 months ended March 2014, the first time that’s happened since the data set began in 1955, with the savings rate at a negative 1.3 percent in the last fiscal year.

    “It’s something to keep an eye out for in the medium-term because Japan’s debt has been funded domestically, and very cheaply. But foreign investors would require a more appropriate risk premium,” said Toru Yamamoto, Daiwa’ Securities chief rates strategist.

    Japan has quite a bit of debt, with the country’s debt-to-gross domestic product (GDP) at over 220 percent, one of the highest in the world, financed by the domestic savers and Japanese government bond (JGB) investors at some of the lowest interest rates globally.

    Lees ook:

    Lees ook:

    Lees ook:

  • Woolworths’ Christmas threat to suppliers

    Woolworths’ Christmas threat to suppliers

    Woolworths buyers have told suppliers their products could be pulled from shelves just days before Christmas if they refuse to fund the supermarket giant’s new Cheap Cheap advertising campaign.

    “I was asked for a contribution of almost $1 million, and when I refused to pay I was told a ‘range review’ was under way and I would be informed of the outcome early next week,” said the sales manager of one of Australia’s leading health product companies. “The implied threat is that some of my products will no longer be stocked if I don’t pay up.”

    Woolworths staff have also been accused of telling suppliers the payment requests had the “endorsement” of the Australian Consumer and Competition Commission – a claim that the consumer watchdog rejects.

    Lees ook:

  • Lotte Mart opens 10th supermarket in Vietnam, to have 60 stores by 2020

    Lotte Mart opens 10th supermarket in Vietnam, to have 60 stores by 2020

    The South Korean retailer Lotte Mart on Thursday opened its 10th supermarket in Vietnam in Tan Binh District of HCM City, contributing to its expansion nationwide.

    Located at 20 Cong Hoa Street, Lotte Mart Tan Binh has investment capital of USD9 million and covers an area of over 8,500square metres.

    The supermarket operator, which came to Vietnam in 2008, plans to have 60 stores nationwide by 2020.