Retail News CRM

Tag: lifestyle

  • Macpac expands more with Adventure Hubs

    Macpac expands more with Adventure Hubs

    Super Retail Group’s outdoor retail chain Macpac has opened nine new ‘Adventure Hub’ stores, further expanding the brand’s reach across Australia to 34 locations.

    Five of the new format stores are located in Victoria, and are buoyed by a new store in NSW, South Australia, Queensland and the ACT.

    The Adventure Hub format combines Macpac’s full range with a curated selection of apparel, equipment and accessories from brands such as Patagonia, Yeti and Merrell.

    Macpac chief executive Alex Brandon said the business was excited about the potential the Adventure Hubs format offers.

    “We set out to create Australia’s premium destination for outdoor product and adventure advice, and I think we’ve achieved that aim in these first nine stores,” Brandon said.

    “The Adventure Hubs offer the full range of Macpac gear alongside other world-class outdoor brands…supported by a friendly, knowledgeable team ready to give everyone adventure advice.”

    Macpac’s Adventure Hubs also feature services to make preparing for a trip easier on customers, such as providing packing lists to ensure they don’t forget anything they might need, expert pack-fitting by Macpac team members, world maps to help envision the next big trip, as well as a mini-library providing further travel inspiration.

    Former Super Retail Group chief executive Peter Birtles previously said there was potential for the Macpac brand to grow to 75 locations across Australia and New Zealand, with an additional 20 larger format locations.

    However, Birtles also noted there was a significant future for the business online, rather than through constant store roll-outs.

    “We certainly see that this is a market that has strong opportunity in terms of digital, and so we’d anticipate a high component of the business coming from a digital channel,” Birtles said.

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  • Tigerair Taiwan to open new route flying to Palawan in the Philippines

    Tigerair Taiwan to open new route flying to Palawan in the Philippines

    Tigerair Taiwan announced Monday plans to inaugurate a new flight route between Taoyuan in Taiwan and the Philippine city of Puerto Princesa on Palawan Island starting June 7, said reports.

    It will become the third route between Taoyuan and the Southeast Asian country following the announcement by the Singapore-headquartered budget airline that it would begin flying from Taoyuan to Kalibo, a major hub for the tourist destination of Boracay island, reported UDN.

    To promote the launch of the route, individuals who book tickets between 10:00 a.m. on April 10 and 11:59 p.m. on April 11 will enjoy a discounted price of NT$399 for each single journey ticket (excluding taxes). The departure dates must be between June 7 and Oct. 18, 2019.

    There new route will offer three flights a week, according to Tigerair.

    Puerto Princesa will become the fourth destination route targeting the Southeast Asian market offered by Tigerair Taiwan, which will soon be flying 29 international routes to 22 cities, the report wrote.

    Palawan, the fifth largest island of the Philippines, boasts a plethora of wildlife, jungle mountains, and white sandy beaches. In 2016, Palawan was ranked the “Most Beautiful Island in the World” by readers of Conde Nast Traveller.

  • Skechers Opens first duplex store in Singapore

    Skechers Opens first duplex store in Singapore

    Skechers Singapore is opening Southeast Asia’s largest and first duplex experiential concept store, at Jewel Changi this week.

    Set to open on Thursday (April 11), the 5000sqft space will incorporate new visual-merchandising and store-design elements with the use of bright lighting and cement panels.

    The space is divided into product categories, including performance, lifestyle and Skechers kids.

    The store also adopts a story-driven design, where key messages behind each product range will be highlighted through visual images and artwork.

    On Level 2 an Instagram-worthy photo zone features thematic displays and images that will be refreshed every season to reflect the keys launches with the Skechers x One Piece collaboration centrestage.

    This will be the first store in Singapore to include a shoe customisation zone with embroidery and heat-press personalisation, and to carry Jewel-exclusive collections including the Skechers SKLX series of training sneakers.

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  • Secrets Improving on its Online Ecommerce Offering

    Secrets Improving on its Online Ecommerce Offering

    Australian jewellery retailer Secrets is gearing up for international expansion online, with New Zealand slated to be its next major market.

    Customers in New Zealand can currently order from the Australian Secrets website, and while details are scarce, the retailer said in a statement that it will be launching a New Zealand website mid-year to better cater to the market.

    The business currently has 16 stores across Australia, as well as an online portal.

    It sells man-made diamond alternatives known as a diamond simulant, which are made in laboratories from natural mineral base zirconium oxide. According to Secrets, they possess all the optical qualities of fine quality diamonds – being visibly whiter and brighter than most middle-market stones.

    “Our stones exhibit all the fire, brilliance and scintillation of the rarest diamonds unearthed, which is why women worldwide love the Secrets brand,” Secrets chief executive Mike Parsell said.

    “We believe we offer the world a better beautiful.”

    This also means the products are more environmentally-friendly than mining for natural diamonds, Parsell points out.

    “We do not displace tonnes and tonnes of earth to find a single one-carat diamond. Our stones are conflict-free.”

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  • Fortnum & Mason To Open in Hong Kong

    Fortnum & Mason To Open in Hong Kong

    Upmarket British food store Fortnum & Mason will launch its first international standalone location in Hong Kong this September.

    Driven by a strong international demand, the first Fortnum & Mason Hong Kong store will open along with a restaurant in the K11 Musea development at Victoria Dockside, serving Hong Kong residents and mainland Chinese visitors.

    The retailer runs concessions in South Korea with Shinsegae, Mitsukoshi in Japan and Lane Crawford in Hong Kong.

    “Building on our 47 years of experience in Japan, South Korea and Hong Kong, our latest expansion in Asia is an important next step for us, as we extend our reach further across the world ” said Kate Hobhouse, chairman of Fortnum & Mason.

    “We have seen significant appetite for the Fortnum’s brand and products in the region, with impressive year-on-year sales growth. We are therefore incredibly proud to continue our record of investment and growth by expanding our business into new markets, and reinforcing our support for amazing producers and suppliers  and creating new job opportunities.”

    The 7000 sqft Fortnum & Mason Hong Kong space will feature an edit of Fortnum’s most popular products, including tea, biscuits and wine, and gifts such as Champagne and teaware. A restaurant space will afford views across Victoria Harbour.

    British food is popular in Hong Kong, at one time a British colony. Marks & Spencer has a chain of food stores in the territory, operated by Al-Futtaim Group, and own-brand products from supermarket giants Tesco and Morrisons are readily available in retail stores and online.

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  • Sephora opening New Zealand Flagship Store

    Sephora opening New Zealand Flagship Store

    Sephora is looking to fill a number of retail roles in Auckland, suggesting the beauty retailer is looking to open its first bricks-and-mortar store in New Zealand in the near future.

    Listings for assistant store manager, category coordinator, stockroom manager, supervisor, beauty and studio artists and retail assistants have been uploaded to job site Seek over the last month, claiming the retailer is opening its first New Zealand flagship store this year.

    The most recent listing notes that job seekers should be available and flexible to attend a recruitment event between May 7 and 8, pointing to a relatively quick opening window.

    The store will likely be located on Queen Street, Auckland, and is currently being fit out for the brand’s arrival. An internal elevator, lightning fixtures and elaborate signage are among the changes being made to the site.

    Sephora has been contacted for confirmation, but has not yet responded.

  • Roots Canada Gets It’s First Hong Kong Store

    Roots Canada Gets It’s First Hong Kong Store

    Premium outdoor lifestyle brand Roots Canada has opened its first Hong Kong store this month, at Harbour City.

    The store was opened with Fung Retailing’s Branded Lifestyle Group, its Asian retail partner.

    Roots Canada’s brick-and-mortar debut in the territory coincided with the launch of an online store with Zalora Hong Kong.

    “Opening a store at the largest and most diverse shopping mall in Hong Kong is an important first step in what has the potential to be a multi-store market for Roots,” said Jim Gabel, president and CEO of Roots Canada.

    “Further, with an online store on Zalora, customers can go beyond the physical location to connect with our brand anytime and from anywhere in Hong Kong. Our expansion into Hong Kong is a testament to the continued success of our longstanding partnership with Branded Lifestyle Group.”

    The new Roots retail space brings together “cabin comforts and city conveniences” to create a space that feels like home, the company said in a statement. The store showcases Roots’ character and heritage by immersing shoppers in the more than 40 years of the brand’s stories and products.

    The brand’s collection is curated into four main areas in store, each telling a different Roots story, including a Cooper Beaver Collection that pays tribute to Roots iconic logo the Cooper Beaver, Roots Original Salt & Pepper Sweats, handcrafted leather, as well as seasonally relevant products that embody Roots unique comfortable cabin-meets-city style.

    “Leveraging our strong network and local resources, we are excited to bring the world-renowned Roots brand to Hong Kong,” said Sunny Wong, CEO of Branded Lifestyle Group.

    “The leisure-and-lifestyle-apparel trend continues to gain momentum in Asia, and we believe Roots focus on comfort and style is a perfect fit for the Hong Kong market.”

    Starting from a small cabin in Algonquin Park, Canada, in 1973, Roots has grown to become a global brand with 114 corporate retail stores in Canada, seven corporate retail stores in the US, 117 partner-operated stores in Taiwan, 37 in China and a global e-commerce platform.

    Branded Lifestyle Holdings represents five brands: Hang Ten, H:Connect, Arnold Palmer, Hunter and now Roots. It owns or franchises more than 1000 retail outlets across Greater China, South Korea, Southeast Asia and the Middle East.

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  • Roots Canada To Open First Hong Kong Store

    Roots Canada To Open First Hong Kong Store

    Premium outdoor lifestyle brand Roots Canada has opened its first Hong Kong store this month, at Harbour City.

    The store was opened with Fung Retailing’s Branded Lifestyle Group, its Asian retail partner.

    Roots Canada’s brick-and-mortar debut in the territory coincided with the launch of an online store with Zalora Hong Kong.

    “Opening a store at the largest and most diverse shopping mall in Hong Kong is an important first step in what has the potential to be a multi-store market for Roots,” said Jim Gabel, president and CEO of Roots Canada.

    “Further, with an online store on Zalora, customers can go beyond the physical location to connect with our brand anytime and from anywhere in Hong Kong. Our expansion into Hong Kong is a testament to the continued success of our longstanding partnership with Branded Lifestyle Group.”

    The new Roots retail space brings together “cabin comforts and city conveniences” to create a space that feels like home, the company said in a statement. The store showcases Roots’ character and heritage by immersing shoppers in the more than 40 years of the brand’s stories and products.

    The brand’s collection is curated into four main areas in store, each telling a different Roots story, including a Cooper Beaver Collection that pays tribute to Roots iconic logo the Cooper Beaver, Roots Original Salt & Pepper Sweats, handcrafted leather, as well as seasonally relevant products that embody Roots unique comfortable cabin-meets-city style.

    “Leveraging our strong network and local resources, we are excited to bring the world-renowned Roots brand to Hong Kong,” said Sunny Wong, CEO of Branded Lifestyle Group.

    “The leisure-and-lifestyle-apparel trend continues to gain momentum in Asia, and we believe Roots focus on comfort and style is a perfect fit for the Hong Kong market.”

    Starting from a small cabin in Algonquin Park, Canada, in 1973, Roots has grown to become a global brand with 114 corporate retail stores in Canada, seven corporate retail stores in the US, 117 partner-operated stores in Taiwan, 37 in China and a global e-commerce platform.

    Branded Lifestyle Holdings represents five brands: Hang Ten, H:Connect, Arnold Palmer, Hunter and now Roots. It owns or franchises more than 1000 retail outlets across Greater China, South Korea, Southeast Asia and the Middle East.

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  • Lush Prepares Itself for Growth

    Lush Prepares Itself for Growth

    Global beauty business Lush posted a £3.9 million (A$7.17 million) operating loss in the year to June 30, 2018, compared to an operating profit of £22.6 million ($41.54 million) the year prior.

    The decline was due to the rising cost of goods, manufacturing, staff, rent and administrative costs, and a slowdown in the US market, which outpaced a 6.6 per cent increase in turnover on a constant currency basis to £524.4 million ($963.9 million) in FY18.

    This reflects a 4.4 per cent in like-for-like sales and 9.6 per cent increase in online sales, compared to the previous corresponding period.

    Still, GlobalData retail analyst Emily Salter called this a “solid year” for the brand off the back of its investment in stores and innovation.

    “The retailer relocated 11 UK stores to larger units during the period which saw an impressive 39.6 per cent increase in like-for-likes, indicating Lush’s dedication to the offline channel as it seeks to further differentiate its unique offering and drive customers to stores,” Salter said.

    Salter also pointed to the recent launch of a new global website, which she expects to bolster conversion and increase basket sizes thanks to the “more attractive, aspirational and easy-to-navigate site”.

    She believes the brand is in a good position for growth due to its strong brand identity, and commitment to vegan and ethical practices.

    There is a downside to this, however, as Salter said the brand’s focus on natural ingredients was partly to blame for the increased costs.

    “The retailer must work to return to profitability in its current financial year, although the increased ingredient costs will be hard to navigate due to Lush’s focus on natural and good quality ingredients,” Salter said.

    While performance in Lush’s largest retail market, the US, was disappointing – with declining footfall contributing to sales falling by 7.5 per cent – its UK business fared slightly better.

    Lush Australia was contacted for comment.

  • Harley-Davidson India Launches Internship Programme

    Harley-Davidson India Launches Internship Programme

    In a celebration of Harley-Davidson’s tenth year in India, the American motorcycle brand has announced a summer internship, offering motorcycle fans an experience of a lifetime. The internship was launched in the US last year, and now Harley fans can become a part of the brand, and experience the Harley-Davidson lifestyle up close and personal.

    This one-of-a-kind opportunity will allow interns to be part of Harley-Davidson’s marketing and social media team, and will get to take to the road, and document their journey throughout summer. The internship has been launched on March 31, 2019, and Harley-Davidson India is inviting applications from fans of the brand to be a part of the Harley-Davidson story in India.

    “We are thrilled to launch the INTERN program in India for the first time. The Internship will be a great way to engage and build future Harley-Davidson riders, lending them a first-hand experience of the Harley-Davidson way of life. We are looking forward to the next few months where at the end of the selection process, three candidates will earn their place here to spend a whole month with us,” said Sajeev Rajasekharan, Managing Director, Harley-Davidson India.

    According to Harley-Davidson, to qualify for this internship, candidates must be socially savvy storytellers, and interested candidates must describe what freedom means to them by creating a video, writing an essay, developing a photo collage or creating whatever piece of content they want to make their application unique and submitting it to the Harley-Davidson India’s Instagram handle.

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  • Superdry in chaos as co-founder gets back in office

    Superdry in chaos as co-founder gets back in office

    UK clothing firm Superdry’s board of directors has resigned following the re-election of the brand’s co-founder Julian Dunkerton to the board.

    Dunkerton was made interim CEO following the immediate resignation of the four board directors and notice given by four non-executive directors in protest of the reappointment, blaming the former board member for the firm’s poor financial performance. Superdry brokers UBS and Investec have also resigned.

    Dunkerton has been publicly critical in recent months of the firm’s management following his departure a year ago.

    The co-founder was reinstated after a slim majority vote of 50.75 per cent. Former Boohoo and Selfridge’s boss Peter Williams has been appointed the firm’s new chairman based on a 50.74 per cent vote.

    “We are very pleased to be joining the board of this great British company,” said the two appointees in a joint statement. “We look forward to rebuilding the Superdry brand and the business.”

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  • Gianvito Rossi Opens Its First SEA Flagship Store in Singapore at Marina Bay Sands

    Gianvito Rossi Opens Its First SEA Flagship Store in Singapore at Marina Bay Sands

    The boutique is a further step in the collaboration between Gianvito Rossi and Milan based architect, Patricia Urquiola. The three backlit logos attract attention towards Gianvito Rossi’s refined world whilst the grand shop window, purposefully designed bilaterally, is the perfect showcase for the designer’s elegant collections.

    As each Gianvito Rossi store retains its unique flavour and individual characteristics, a single undercurrent unites each location reflecting the valued codes of the brand: elegance, feminity, and modernity, as well as impeccable quality and craftsmanship.

    Gianvito Rossi is now open to the public and is located at B1-86/87, Galleria Level, The Shoppes at Marina Bay Sands.

  • Japanese lingerie brand Wacoal Expanding in India

    Japanese lingerie brand Wacoal Expanding in India

    Premium Japanese lingerie brand Wacoal will invest around ₹100 crore (US$14.5 million) over three years to boost its presence in India.

    A statement released by the firm revealed it will build on its current 11 outlets in the territory to reach 70 exclusive stores and 80 shop in shops across 30 cities.

    The brand will advance sales in India via its partnership with several e-commerce platforms accompanied by an intensive cross-platform marketing and a PR campaign.

    “We have seen an exponential growth seen in the Indian market since Wacoal’s entry in 2015,” said WacoalCorp representative director, president and corporate officer Tomoyasu Ito.

    “With this expansion, we aim to explore its full potential, and further solidify our position as a leading entity in the country’s luxury lingerie market. Our presence in additional metros will introduce a wider audience to the fit and comfort of our innerwear, crucial elements in the life of the modern woman.

    “Our stellar success since launch has rapidly established Wacoal as an indispensable part of India’s inner-wear scene, showcasing India as a mature market with a desire for Wacoal’s innovative, timeless collections.”

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  • Healthy Life to join Go Vita network Immediately

    Healthy Life to join Go Vita network Immediately

    Australian retailer Healthy Life will join the nation’s largest health food store group, Go Vita, in the hope of strengthening the retail health channel.

    GoVita has more than 135 independently-owned and operated health stores in its network. Going forward, Healthy Life’s 50-plus store network will be co-branded as GoVita & Healthy Life, and both brands will retain their current identity.

    “In the face of an increasingly competitive and challenging retail environment, we believe this move will strengthen the retail health channel for the future,” said Healthy Life general manager, Craig Johnston in a statement on Tuesday.

    Healthy Life Group also plans to boost growth by investing further in its private label range for export.

    “By joining forces with Go Vita and shoring up the retail health channel we can both benefit from the significant growth that has seen the complementary medicine sector grow by 70 per cent in the last five years alone to an estimated $4.9 billion and the organic food market, which has grown by 88 per cent to an estimated $2.4 billion in Australia,” Healthy Life chairman Rolf Krecklenberg said.

    Go Vita CEO Terry Hughes said the move is great for both parties and will give Australians easier access to premium health and wellness products and services.

    “They Healthy Life have joined as members of Go Vita, enabling Go Vita to have a larger footprint to better serve the health & wellness sector across Australia with an increased store base just short of 180 stores nationally,” Terry Hughes CEO Go Vita told.

    “Health food stores play a vital role in the growth of Australia’s health and wellness industry. They are the incubators and launch pads for new, innovative products onto the Australian market and are a critical part of our retail landscape; ensuring consumers have diversity of choice about what they buy, and where they shop.”

    Commenting on whether there would be store closures in areas where Healthy Life/Go Vita store locations overlap Hughes said, “this will be reviewed on a case by case situation”.

    “If the Healthy Life store is within 1 km of the existing Go Vita store we will look to relocate the Healthy Life store.”

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  • Ikea to open first small-format store in Sydney

    Ikea to open first small-format store in Sydney

    Ikea Australia’s first small-format store is set to open in Sydney’s Westfield Warringah Mall at the beginning of May.

    The Ikea Planning Studio will provide shoppers on the Northern Beaches with a place to plan and build their dream kitchens and bedrooms. Staff on-site will be equipped with tablets and provide one-on-one consultations to help customers select the right products from Ikea’s range of furniture, appliances, storage solutions and more.

    This stands in sharp contrast to the massive, showroom-cum-warehouse stores that Ikea traditionally has been famous for. But the shifting retail landscape has seen the Swedish furniture giant globally adapt its offer by launching e-commerce sites, providing more do-it-for-me services and, increasingly, experimenting with smaller stores in urban centres.

    “At Ikea, we know Australians are looking for new and more convenient ways to shop their favourite products. We’re excited to be bringing bespoke Ikea shopping experiences to Aussies around the country in locations that suit them,” Ikea Australia country manager Jan Gardberg said.

    “We’ve chosen Warringah Mall as our first location in order to reach even more Australians that live within urban areas, outside of the city centre.”

    The Planning Studio seemingly aims to provide a more immersive shopping experience, with a “luxe bedroom environment” that will transport shoppers to a “hub of femininity through floral scents and classic detailing” and a “soothing wellness sanctuary” that will feature a variety of kitchen solutions.

    In a separate initiative, the retailer currently is hosting a series of “sleepovers” at stores across the country, where select customers can experience how Ikea’s range of sleep solutions – that is, mattresses, bedding and other items – provide a better night’s sleep. This suggests Ikea is looking for ways to interact with customers on a more personalised and experiential level.

    “We want to inspire people to get creative and explore the possibilities of our range. The launch of our small format stores is just another way we’re helping Australians to create personalised and functional spaces within the home,” Gardberg said.

    The Planning Studio’s design was inspired by Scandinavian modern style and Ikea’s design values of sustainability, quality, form, function and affordability, the retailer said, and created with the eco-friendly shopper in mind.

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