Tag: Investment

  • 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.

  • 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.

  • 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.

  • 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.

  • 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.