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Tag: london

  • London’s Duck & Waffle opens in Hong Kong

    London’s Duck & Waffle opens in Hong Kong

    The Duck & Waffle restaurant will officially land in Hong Kong this September at IFC mall.

    Its first destination outside of London, the new venue is designed to welcome guests throughout the day and into the late hours of the night with a large open space and kitchen combined with an “island” bar.

    The restaurant was designed by architecture and interior design firm CetraRuddy.

    The Duck & Waffle’s menu is designed for sharing and offers a take on British cuisine with broad European and American influences. Its signature eponymous dish has sold more than 1 million servings.

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  • Microsoft London’s flagship store opens

    Microsoft London’s flagship store opens

    The new Microsoft London flagship store has opened, a stone’s throw from archrival Apple’s local store.

    Among those welcoming the public on the 22,000sqft store’s launch day was the US tech company’s UK CEO Cindy Rose, who said the store was a “symbol of Microsoft’s enduring commitment to the UK”, which allows people to “experience the best the company has to offer.”

    “Thank you for helping us make history today,” she announced.

    The spacious three-storey Microsoft London venue features plenty of wood and glass surfaces prominently showcasing a large video wall and the brand’s most advanced devices. It houses a dedicated gaming room and technical support area, as well as a selfie area and a design lab where visitors can create their own personalised covers for Surface devices.

    The store’s second floor enterprise area is a place to support, train and grow businesses using the Microsoft 365 software suite as well as to assist in solving business challenges such as AI, data security, collaboration and workplace efficiencies. It also contains an area for hosting events, as well as meeting rooms and a showcase space for demonstrating how customers – including Carlsberg and Toyota – are digitally transforming

    “There are very few locations in the world that feature all the different parts that make up what Microsoft is,” said chief marketing officer Chris Capossela. “The early adoption of technology in the UK has been very impressive. That’s important when the company is thinking about what investments to make and where to make them. This flagship would not be in London if we didn’t have a very strong commercial business in this country. We thought very deeply about this.”

    One customer at the Microsoft London launch, James from Reading, said: “I want to see what they can offer businesses. The outside of the store looks incredible; it’s a masterpiece of architecture.”

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  • Dune London about to open in Singapore

    Dune London about to open in Singapore

    Footwear brand Dune London is planning to expand into Singapore and Bangkok this year.

    The brand says expansion into new international markets is one of its core strategies for this year.

    In the UK, the brand will expand its standalone store network by opening a new location in Newcastle Eldon Square and opening outlet stores in Cheshire Oaks, Icon O2 and Kildare Village.

    South America is another focus area, and Dune plans to roll out eight new concessions with its existing partner in Chile. It will also debut in Romania.

    “This is a very exciting time for Dune London, as international expansion is a focal part of our overall growth strategy,” said James Cox, CEO.

    “We will focus our efforts on specific markets with best-in-class support strategies and tactical initiatives that are regionally appropriate and perfectly aligned with our product and marketing investments.”

    Dune has opened 10 new concessions in department stores in Mainland China, two in Macau and one in Hong Kong, as well as new standalone stores in Kuala Lumpur; Ho Chi Minh City and Hanoi in Vietnam; and Manila in the Philippines.

    In the Middle East, it trades in more than 50 locations.

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  • London National Gallery opened first Delicious Art cafe in South Korea

    London National Gallery opened first Delicious Art cafe in South Korea

    The National Gallery Company has launched its first overseas cafe in Seoul. The cafe, “Delicious Art”, has opened at Lotte World Mall, designed with features to reflect London’s National Gallery building, along with replicas of famous artworks.

    “This is a very exciting project opening the first Delicious Art international cafe in South Korea,” said The National Gallery Company’s buying and merchandising director Judith Mather.

    “This is great for the global reach of the Delicious Art brand and the National Gallery, London. I am looking forward to opening other cafes in the region in 2019.”

    A second Delicious Art Cafe is expected to open in February at the L7 Hotel Myeongdong.

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  • H&M HOME to open concept store on London’s Regent Street in 2019

    H&M HOME to open concept store on London’s Regent Street in 2019

    H&M HOME will be opening the new Concept Store in central London in Spring 2019: at 208 Regent Street. The new H&M HOME Concept Store covers approximately 700 square metres across two floors and will offer the full assortment, the newly launched range of furniture, lighting and the Classic Collection.

    First launched earlier this year across five European markets – Denmark, Sweden, Norway, Germany and UK – including first stand-alone store in Westfield London (White City), the aim of H&M HOME concept store is to be an inspiring interiors destination that will bring together the latest products from the full H&M HOME assortment, as well as a selection of pieces from a curated selection of other brands.

    “Our H&M HOME concept stores complement to our digital offering by offering personal service from H&M HOME colleagues, and allowing our customers to interact with the products in an inspirational environment. We are investing in a next level customer experience, and we could not have hoped for a better location for our upcoming concept store. We are very proud to be a part of the legendary Regent Street,” says Anders Sjöblom, Managing Director of H&M HOME.

    The exact opening date and full details of the products, services and experiences that will be available at H&M HOME on Regent Street will be revealed in the new year.

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  • Hobbs London opens in IFC Mall

    Hobbs London opens in IFC Mall

    Hobbs London, a brand for woman affordable luxury fashion, partnered with Rue Madame to unveil its first store at IFC Mall, situated amidst the city’s vibrant business and shopping district. Trading from 1150 square feet, the brand will showcase its collection of workwear, occasion dresses and casualwear, alongside its premium range of footwear and accessories.

    While visiting the store, customers can enjoy their shopping with style advisors on hand to help provide styling solutions for their individual needs.

    Each Hobbs store is designed to reflect the brand’s London heritage and contemporary sensibility.

    The clothing is displayed in easy-to-shop capsule collections, drawing upon the brand’s considered approach to womenswear.

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  • For Art’s Sake store opens

    For Art’s Sake store opens

    Hot on the heels of For Art’s Sake’s new collection launch is the opening of its first standalone retail store in London’s Covent Garden. Situated in the heart of The Piazza, the store borrows bold design details from the brand’s penchant for eclectic style: think decadent blue velvet furnishingS and brass fixtures that beautifully elevate the statement-making frames.

    The store will incorporate a host of new features, from a selfie station to personal shopping (in five languages: Mandarin, French, Spanish, Italian and English), a concierge option, tax-free shopping, Click and Collect as well as exclusive colourways. To celebrate the launch, For Art’s Sake has collaborated with one of London’s most exciting new design studios – Studio LaPeche – on a window installation that reimagines the most striking features of the London skyline.

    A deliberate avoidance of trend-based silhouettes has led to a rapid pace of growth for For Art’s Sake in a short space of time. On top of Beyoncé and J Lo, For Art’s Sake counts Kristen Bell, Eva Chen, Poppy Delevingne, Olivia Palermo and Aimee Song amongst some of its most devoted fans. The brand can currently be found in over 550 exclusive stockists around the world, including Harvey Nichols, Saks 5th Avenue, Net-A-Porter, Yoox and more, and after the London store opening, they’ll be opening in Shanghai’s XinTianDi Mall. They then plan to open stores in Hong Kong, Miami and New York before 2020.

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  • Jollibee goes to London

    Jollibee goes to London

    Brits are about to have a taste of “bida ang saya” (joyful experience) as Jollibee Foods has started its expansion in the United Kingdom with a ceremonial launch of its first store on Sept. 25.

    Cabinet secretaries visited the store on the sidelines of an investors’ roadshow in the UK, a month before its grand opening next month.

    JFC officials, led by chief executive officer (CEO) Ernesto Tanmantiong and JFC president and head of Jollibee International Business for Europe, Middle East, Asia and Australia Dennis Flores, welcomed the government officials.

    “We are truly delighted and excited to be opening and introducing Jollibee to this part of the world. I, together with our Jollibee International and store teams, sincerely appreciate your presence here. We are sincerely humbled by your visit as we partner for economic progress and help contribute to bringing honor to our country,” said Tanmantiong.

    Tanmantiong noted that as JFC has done in Vietnam, Brunei, Singapore and Hong Kong, it also envisions to successfully serve the Filipino community as well as the British in the UK.

    The Cabinet officials’ visit coincided with the Philippine Economic Briefing in the UK, where they presented before the UK-Association of Southeast Asian Nations Business Council the latest updates on various government programs.

    The officials present were Finance Secretary Carlos Dominguez III, Trade Secretary Ramon Lopez, Tourism Secretary Bernadette Romulo-Puyat, Public Works Secretary Mark Villar, Transportation Secretary Arthur Tugade, Budget Secretary Benjamin Diokno, National Economic and Development Authority director general Ernesto Pernia and Bases Conversion and Development Authority president and CEO Vivencio Dizon.

    Lawmaker Pia Cayetano and Philippine Ambassador to the UK Antonio Manuel Lagdameo joined the Cabinet officials.

    “From our family, to our people, to those who invested in us, to our suppliers and to our customers, the journey has become not just our own, but a journey of the Filipino people. We look forward to traveling to the next destinations together,” Tanmantiong said.

    The UK store, which is opening on Oct. 20, is among the latest branches JFC is opening abroad.

    JFC will also open stores in Macau and New York this year.

    “(JFC’s) success is becoming the success of the Philippines as they represent, in a way, the dynamism and world class, hardworking and happy character of Filipinos,” Lopez told.

    Lopez said the economic team is pleased to be part of the JFC milestone in the UK.

    JFC is the parent company of Jollibee and has 12 brands with over 4,000 stores across 20 countries.

    In 2013, JFC became the number one restaurant company in Asia in terms of market capitalization and is now the world’s largest Asian restaurant company.

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  • Hai Di Lao will open first London store

    Hai Di Lao will open first London store

    Chinese hot pot chain Hai Di Lao will open its first UK restaurant at the Trocadero in Piccadilly Circus, London.

    In a deal facilitated by real estate firm Savills, the brand has signed a 15-year lease of an almost 10,000sqft site. It is the chain’s first venue in Europe and follows the opening of its New York restaurant in Times Square.

    Savills’ leisure team associate director Richard Thomas said “Hai Di Lao is a globally recognised brand with fans of the concept worldwide… the chain already has its sights set on expansion both in the UK and across Europe and we are very pleased to have secured this prime spot for its flagship restaurant.”

    To date, Hai Di Lao has opened 310 locations around the world.

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  • New TWG Tea Leicester Square Boutique has more than 800 teas

    New TWG Tea Leicester Square Boutique has more than 800 teas

    TWG Tea has launched a London flagship in Leicester Square.

    Inside, the TWG flagship are tables laden with colourful cannisters of the company’s teas, including London Breakfast, Paris Breakfast (with candied spices), Russian Breakfast (Georgian smoky tea with bergamot); afternoon and evening blends like the Orient Express (black tea with wild berries) or Longevity tea, with white leaves; fun blends such as Silver Moon (green tea with berry and vanilla), Emerald River (green with Burma fruits) and the White House (with fruits and roses).

    There are also teas for the connoisseur: the rare first-flush and the white Darjeelings, Chinese Yellow teas, once a drink for emperors, the white Yin Zhen, and blue tea. Prices range up to £1300 for 100g. All up, there are about 800 teas in this branch. In the company’s other, smaller new shop on Brompton Road, opposite Harrods, there are 600.

    Tea can be imbibed from breakfast through to dinner in the tea-salon-cum-restaurant upstairs. This is a grand Chinese room, with tea-leaf shapes on the ceiling and red lacquer panelling. At the back, there is a museum of tea artefacts, from Russian samovars to old dragon-wreathed Chinese teapots and chests.

    As well as teas there are tea-flavoured biscuits and patisserie and ice cream. “We don’t want it just to be about afternoon tea,” says TWG co-founder Maranda Barnes. “We want it to be for every time of day, for everything you do. I was 18 before I started drinking tea. I have it with my girlfriends when I want to unwind, when I want to celebrate, when I want to get myself going. I want everyone to feel that there’s a tea for them. I don’t want it to be stuffy and intimidating.”

    Waiters recommend teas to go with the food, but there is also tea in the food … macha salt on the French fries, Sencha tea and popped rice on the butter and tea leaves in the bread, macha beurre blanc in the Norwegian salmon sauce and the Sakura! Sakura! Tea in the sorbet that goes with the Bain de Rose dessert.

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  • Old Chang Kee Is Now Open in London’s Covent Garden

    Old Chang Kee Is Now Open in London’s Covent Garden

    Singaporean food brand Old Chang Kee has opened its first British outpost – in London’s Covent Garden.

    Old Chang Kee has more than 100 outlets across Singapore, Malaysia, Indonesia and Australia. It made its first curry puff in 1956 and now sells more than 1.5 million of them a month worldwide. When Old Chang Kee ran a pop-up in Kentish Town in northwest London last year, its curry puffs sold out in four hours.

    The brand’s entrance to Britain is a JV between the chain and Sandra Leong, a Singaporean who has been living in London for seven years.

    Menu highlights include the signature curry puff, curry potato puff, and creamy chicken and mushroom puff. Seasonal favourites include the Singapore chilli-crab puff and black-pepper tuna puff. There is also Singapore chicken curry, a mixed-vegetable curry and nasi lemak as well as laksa.

    “The curry puff is Singapore’s version of the Cornish pasty,” says Leong, who is director of Old Chang Kee UK.

    In conjunction with the official opening of Old Chang Kee in London, the brand has launched a six-day Curry’O promotion in Singapore from today.

  • imageHOLDERS Showcased Innovative POS Solutions at RBTE 2018

    imageHOLDERS Showcased Innovative POS Solutions at RBTE 2018

    imageHOLDERS showcased their innovative iPad tablet kiosks and retail POS systems at Retail Business Technology Exhibition 2018 at London Olympia.

    Attendees who visited imageHOLDERS at RBTE were able to experience the diverse range of POS, loyalty and employee management kiosks imageHOLDERS offer. imageHOLDERS launched their new Integrator Pro 15, an all in one POS self-service kiosk. The solution was one of the most popular kiosks on the imageHOLDERS stand, due to its versatility with enclosing multiple different devices to create a bespoke solution for each customer.

    Adrian Thompson, CEO, imageHOLDERS said: “RBTE 2018 was a really successful show for imageHOLDERS. We have invested time in understanding the customer journey, ensuring our self-service kiosks are designed with the end user in mind. Our newest product, the Integrator Pro 15 is our latest take on one of our favourite products. Taking the existing form and updating it to reflect the markets needs, we’ve already seen the interest in the all in one solution, and look forward to working with our current and future customers to transform the world of self-service.”

    imageHOLDERS demonstrated their ability to securely enclose any tablet by showcasing over 25 different tablets and touch screens within their tablet kiosk stands. Among the many tablets enclosed were Linx, Apple, Microsoft, Samsung, Aures and Flytech touch screens.

    imageHOLDERS have been working closely with clients to provide both front of house and back of house retail solutions, supporting businesses with everything from POS to staff check-in systems. Some of the ways in which tablet kiosks have already been successfully used within the retail industry are:

    • Digital catalogue extensions
    • Express self-service check-outs with POS
    • Staff check-in and time management kiosks
    • Digital loyalty and tokenisation programs
    • Digital signage and wayfinding
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  • Dunhill London store in Hong Kong opens with a new Design

    Dunhill London store in Hong Kong opens with a new Design

    Dunhill describes the launch of its new Dunhill London store in Hong Kong’s IFC Mall as “a strategic milestone” in the brand’s evolution and global expansion.

    “A new language of retail design builds an engaging visual conversation, where an open and clean space showcases the best of British luxury menswear in an understated, relevant and approachable way,” the company says, describing the essence of its newest store in Hong Kong, one of four opened in greater China over recent weeks.

    “Engineering and craftsmanship are combined to create a masculine and contemporary space, through the interplay of walnut woods and marble, together with signature leather and metal details.”

    The other new stores opened simultaneously in Shanghai’s Grand Gateway, Beijing’s Wangfu Central & Xian SKP.

    The Dunhill London store at IFC Mall has a 123sqm footprint.

  • John Lobb’s new flagship store and exclusive collection in Hong Kong

    John Lobb’s new flagship store and exclusive collection in Hong Kong

    “The most beautiful shop in the world . . .” – that is how Esquire magazine described the wood-paneled splendour of the London premises of John Lobb’s store in St. James’s Street, which has been traditionally the home of coffee houses, gentlemen’s clubs and elegant outfitters; a mecca for the noble and the fashionable for centuries.

    The interior’s exquisite and expert craftsmanship of London’s store travels to Hong Kong and it is fully embodied in the new flagship store opened in Princes’s Building in Central.

    Together with the opening of the new flagship store John Lobb brings to Hong Kong its new SS18 collection for men with exclusive items available in Hong Kong only, such as the colours of the CITY2 shoe line, and launches women’s collection for the first time in Hong Kong.

     

    John Lobb and its commitment to quality in creating the finest footwear.

    The Landmark Prince’s boutique now carries the full John Lobb collections. To celebrate the opening, Paula Gerbase, John Lobb’s Artistic Director and Bespoke artisan, traveled to Hong Kong to meet and share all aspects of the creative vision of the brand and provide customers with a trunk show aimed to deliver bespoke shoes.

    The opening was a celebration of craftsmanship and storytelling about the brand. Guests enjoyed the dialogue with the artisan and asked questions about the old shoe-making tradition.

    Source : John Lobb

    It is very known that men tend to prefer buying fewer items, but of higher quality and customization and are ready to wait for a long time to get it as they want, fitting and functionality of goods seem to be the features they are looking for.

  • New entry in the top highest rents globally

    New entry in the top highest rents globally

    Bond Street in London is the new entry in the podium of the highest rents globally, after overtaking the Champs Elysées in Paris.

    Property firm Cushman & Wakefield released the new list this week and said that Upper Fifth Avenue in New York stays top ($3,000 per square foot) with Hong Kong’s Causeway Bay next ($2,725). After Bond Street ($1,720) is Milan’s Via Montenapoleone, with the Champs Elysées now in fifth place.

    Bond Street rents raced ahead by almost 40% in the year 2017 to June as demand stayed strong despite fears over Brexit. In fact, the Brexit effect could have been partly responsible for the rise with a tourist surge as international visitors took advantage of the weak pound after the Brexit vote.

    Report author Darren Yates of Cushman & Wakefield’s Darren Yates said: “London’s major thoroughfares are some of the most desirable and expensive streets in the world. Although there was a pause in activity in London in the initial aftermath of the EU referendum, the start of 2017 brought a resurgence in leasing deals.”

    There had been fears this summer that some luxury brands would quite the area as it had become so expensive with Colliers International telling The Guardian that a number of Bond Street leases were being “quietly marketed”.

    Dolce & Gabbana, Hugo Boss, De Beers and DKNY were among the big names said to be looking at a move.

    But Yates said he hasn’t seen any signs of big brands wanting to move, although he added that with the property market slowing, they are probably less likely now to want to hand over million of pounds to encourage an existing tenant to move as they have done in the past.

    A new report from Savills earlier this year showed that Bond Street is evolving into a home for ultra-luxury brands with fewer affordable luxury or premium labels occupying stores there.

    Super-luxury retailers now occupy 73.9% of its retail space, up from 62.8% over the last five years, and following the launch of the report, Savills said it would see a further 12 new stores by year-end, a high number and on a level with the peak reached in 2012.

    The newcomers include several ultra-luxury names (Alaïa, Delvaux and Officine Panerai).

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