Retail News CRM

Tag: new stores

  • Israel’s Teva Naot expands in Japan

    Israel’s Teva Naot expands in Japan

    Israeli sandal maker and retailer Teva Naot is gaining a cult following in Japan.

    The footwear brand has just opened its fifth “high class boutique” in Japan, and plans even more stores as it wins the hearts and wallets of Japanese.

    The company already has three stores in Tokyo and one in Nara in the Kansai region of Japan’s south. The new store will be in Tokyo.

    CEO, Michael Iluz,says its shoes have become extremely popular among Japan’s business and celebrity class.

    Teva Naot shoes are handmade from high quality materials and positioned at the premium end of the market. It has designed a range of 20 sandals specifically for the Japanese market to reflect local tastes, fit and trends. The stores are designed to evoke a ‘high class, luxury’ shopping experience.

    The Israeli newspaper Maariv reports the company sold more than $3.6 million worth of shoes in Japan this financial year and expects sales to reach as high as $5 million in 2016.

    Teva Naot has also met with success in South Korea.

  • Roche Bobois to open in Hong Kong

    Roche Bobois to open in Hong Kong

    French luxury furniture retailer Roche Bobois is to open its first store in Hong Kong.

    The store will be the company’s eighth in Greater China and comes soon after the brand’s debut in the southern Chinese city of Chongqing.

    The new showroom will open in September in the ground floor of Horizon Plaza at 2 Lee Wing St.

    Roche Bobois works closely with renowned designers such as Ora Ito, Cédric Ragot, Sacha Lakic, Christophe Delcourt and Stephen Burks and with Haute Couture fashion houses such as Jean Paul Gaultier, Sonia Rykiel Maison and Missoni Home.

    It offers a broad range of exclusive made-to-order designs, manufactured with a high level of customisation in small European workshops. Its collection includes premium-quality furniture, including sofas, armchairs, cocktail tables, dining chairs, sideboards, beds, wardrobes, storage and accessories including lighting, cushions and rugs.

    The company has 250 showrooms worldwide.

    In Chongqing, Roche Bobois opened in the high-end furniture mall Redstar Macalline in the Yubei district, in the city’s northeast.

    In a taste of what Hongkongers can expect, the fit out features marble floors and a Paris skyline on the wall.

    Lees ook:

  • Coach Canton Rd flagship opens

    Coach Canton Rd flagship opens

    US fashion brand Coach has opened a new flagship in Kowloon.

    Coach Canton Rd is the company’s second flagship store in the territory and gives it one superstore on either side of the harbour; the other one is located in Central.

    The new 4000 sqft flagship store spans a whole three floors in the Harbour City complex.

    Designed by Coach executive creative director Stuart Vevers, in partnership with world renowned creative firm Studio Sofield, which has also completed projects for Gucci, Bottega Veneta and Tom Ford.

    Store features include a ready-to-wear shop with custom furniture.

    To mark the opening, Coach has released a limited edition Suede Coach Swagger bag available in Navy and Black Cherry, for a limited time exclusively at the new store.

  • E-Land to launch Coffee Bean China

    E-Land to launch Coffee Bean China

    South Korean retailer E-Land has sealed a deal to launch Coffee Bean China by the end of 2015.

    The California-headquartered cafe chain, also known by its full name Coffee Bean & Tea Leaf, says China will be its 28th international market. The China joint venture plans 700 cafes across the country.

    It has already achieved considerable success in Asia, especially in Malaysia, Vietnam, Singapore and Thailand.

    E-Land operates a vast network of 7000 fashion stores in China and about 20 restaurant brands.

    “Together with E-Land’s vast retail experience and success to ensure our continued growth in China, we’re proud to put our Southern California style of hand roasted coffee and whole leaf teas on the map in yet another country,” said Jeff Schroeder, senior VP of operations at The Coffee Bean & Tea Leaf, in a statement.

    Coffee Bean has more than 1000 cafes in 28 countries and earlier this year opened its first stores in Japan.

    While 700 cafes might seem like a large number in China, it would be dwarfed by rival Starbucks which already boasts 1700 cafes.

    Lees ook:

    Lees ook:

  • G-Star Raw eyes Malaysia, Vietnam

    G-Star Raw eyes Malaysia, Vietnam

    Fashion denim brand G-Star Raw says it is considering forays into Malaysia and Vietnam after a successful debut in India.

    G-Star recently opened its first Indian store in Mumbai’s Palladium Mall and plans a network of up to 35 stores by 2020 in partnership with local venture Genesis Luxury.

    “India is an emerging powerhouse, and we want to be part of this growth – particularly as the middle class’ capacity to spend on consumer goods, such as clothing, continues to increase,” a spokesperson for the company told Just Style.

    G-Star Raw already has stores in Australia, China, Japan, Singapore, Thailand, Indonesia and the Philippines.

    “We are looking to expand into Malaysia, and potentially Vietnam, in the future,” the spokesperson said in the interview.

    “We believe the G-Star Raw brand has the potential to grow not only in metropolitan cities, but also in these fast emerging ‘smart cities’.”

    Lees ook:

    Lees ook:

  • Uniqlo Malaysia plans seven new stores

    Uniqlo Malaysia plans seven new stores

    Japanese retail giant Fast Retailing is planning to open seven new Uniqlo Malaysia stores.

    Two of the stores are planned for Sabah and Sarawak in eastern Malaysia and will mark the brand’s first foray into the eastern region after establishing a strong network of stores in central Malaysia.

    The seven stores will begin trading between September and November this year.

    Uniqlo said they will be located in the Klang Valley (The Curve), Perak (Aeon Klebang), Kedah (Aman Sentral), Sabah (Imago KK Times Square and Suria Sabah) and Sarawak (The Spring Mall and Vivacity Megamall).

    “The new store openings mark Uniqlo Malaysia’s first entry into East Malaysia, as it looks to provide more Malaysians with high quality, comfortable and stylish clothing at affordable prices,” the company said in a statement.

    Uniqlo Malaysia currently has 25 stores located within the Klang Valley, Johor, Malacca, Pahang and Penang.

    “We are excited with the upcoming new store openings, as it means more Malaysians will be able to purchase and experience our product offerings,” said Uniqlo Malaysia’s co-COO Jocelyn Ng.

    “We remain committed to provide the best shopping experience and make our innovative products, such as Airism and Heattech, more accessible to the communities in these locations.”

    Lees ook:

    Lees ook:

    Lees ook:

  • Marks & Spencer Vietnam opens second store

    Marks & Spencer Vietnam opens second store

    UK-based department store retailer Marks & Spencer has opened a second store in Vietnam’s largest city, Ho Chi Minh.

    Marks & Spencer Vietnam plans to have 20 stores trading in the country by 2020, focused on selling womenswear and menswear.

    The new store is at Crescent Mall in Ho Chi Minh City’s District 7, a four year old mall which also hosts a newly opened Robins Department store.

    It is operated by Marks & Spencer’s long-term franchise partner, Thailand-based Central Retail Corporation, a member of Central Group, which also owns Robins.

    The first Marks & Spencer Vietnam store opened in a 1200 sqm space in the Vincom Center in downtown Ho Chi Minh City last year, the site previously occupied by UK rival Debenhams.

    M&S now has over 800 stores in the UK and more than 460 international stores across 56 markets in Europe, the Middle East and Asia.

    Lees ook:

    Lees ook:

  • Missha expands in Vietnam

    Missha expands in Vietnam

    Korean cosmetics retailer Missha has opened its 15th retail store in Vietnam.

    The newest store, at Cach Mang Thang St in downtown Ho Chi Minh City, is located in a neighbourhood popular with tourists and locals.

    Besides its focus on Vietnam’s most populous city, Missha is expanding in other Vietnamese cities. In April it opened in the holiday resort of Danang

    Missha Korea has 1650 stores in 29 countries including about 110 in Southeast Asian markets including Indonesia, Thailand and Singapore.

    The company says it sold US$570,000 worth of products in Vietnam in the first half of 2015, up 32.5 per cent on the same time last year.

    The Korea Cosmetics Industry Institute predicts Vietnam’s cosmetics markets will grow by 17.5 per cent this year, making it the second fastest growing market in Asia, behind India.

    “With Missha’s main items of makeup cosmetics, including mascaras and BB creams, we will accelerate the market invasion in Vietnam,” said Lee Kwang-sup, chief manager of Missha’s overseas business unit.

    “As Missha has already been established as one of the most popular brands in the country, we will dominate the market in advance by actively expanding stores.”

  • The Children’s Place lands in India

    The Children’s Place lands in India

    US retailer The Children’s Place has opened its first store in India.

    The brand has entered the market in partnership with Arvind Lifestyle Brands, opening its first store in Bengaluru.

    The Children’s Place operates about 1200 stores internationally and Arvind Lifestyle hopes to open up to 40 in India during the next four years, largely located in Delhi, Mumbai, Bengaluru, Hyderabad and Chennai.

    Arvind Lifestyle CEO J. Suresh said the children’s clothes and accessories market is dominated by the ‘unorganised” retailers and his company sees a significant opportunity to gain first to market advantage in the category.

    “We should hopefully be the leading player in the market,” said Suresh.

    Mridumesh Kumar Rai, who heads The Children’s Place business in India added: “We want to be for kids wear what Zara and Mango are for women’s fast fashion in India,” said.

    Arvind Lifestyle sells a broad range of franchised lifestyle brands including Gap, Nautica, Ralph Lauren, US Polo and Elle. Earlier this year it announced a partnership with US teen fast fashion brand Aeropostale.

    Lees ook:

  • Jollibee opens 3000th store

    Jollibee opens 3000th store

    Philippines-based fast food chain operator Jollibee Foods has surpassed the 3000 store milestone as it reports a 7.4 per cent increase in net income for the first half of 2015, to P2.7 billion (US$58.5 million).

    Sales rose 9.5 per cent, but increased cost of raw materials squeezed profit growth.

    Having reached the 3000 store milestone, the company has no plans to slow its growth.

    “We are on track to open at least 200 new stores in one year in the Philippines, the first time we will able to do so,” said JFC CEO Ernesto Tanmantiong said in a statement.

    “Historically, we were opening 100 new stores per year in the country. We look forward to opening 300 new stores worldwide this year, also a first in our history, with 100 abroad, the bulk of which will be in the People’s Republic of China,” he added.

    “We look forward to JFC’s resurgence to double-digit sales growth in the quarters and years ahead.”

    CFO Ysmael V. Baysa said the group hopes to achieve double-digit growth in 2016 due to the network expansion and improved margins.

    “Raw materials prices are [now] declining, however their benefits on profit margins have been offset by high levels of inventories of materials with still high prices. We deliberately increased our inventories in the Philippines starting in 2014 as a safety measure during a major new system implementation, and as a way of dealing with the logistics and delivery challenges in the country,” Baysa said.

    Jollibee has 2374 outlets in the Philippines and 627 overseas – 3001 in total.

    Lees ook:

  • Pandora takes over Asia stores

    Pandora takes over Asia stores

    Resurgent mass market jewellery brand Pandora has chosen to take back its operations in three Asian markets.

    Singapore-based Norbreeze Group has been running the stores in Singapore, Macau and the Philippines. Pandora Group will take control from January 1, 2016.

    Norbreeze Group revealed it had finalised an agreement with the Pandora Group in a postscript to its announcement it was bringing the Joe and the Juice brand to Singapore later this year.

    January 1 is when the Norbreeze group’s distribution rights in the region will naturally expire, ensuring a smooth transition, the Singaporean company said.

    “It is a natural next step for us to hand off the highly-successful Pandora network that we have built across Southeast Asia, providing an established business built for durable success when The Pandora Group takes over the reins in the new year,” said Anders Peter Juel Sauerberg, Group CEO of Norbreeze.

    Norbreeze Group has more than 60 direct and indirect operated stores and distributes to more than 300 stores across Southeast Asia, and says it will continue to drive excellence in brand and operational development in integrated retailing, distribution and sales for its portfolio of international accessible luxury brands.

    Lees ook:

  • Soo Kee Group launches IPO

    Soo Kee Group launches IPO

    Singapore retail jeweller Soo Kee Group has launched an IPO to raise funds for expansion in Singapore and Malaysia.

    Soo Kee will sell 112.5 million shares at S$0.30 each, which will raise $33.75 million after expenses. The majority of the shares will be placed with just 9 million available for public offer.

    Soo Kee’s strategy is to open new retail stores in prime shopping malls in both countries and expand its product range as it seeks to boost its share of both markets.

    Founded in 1991, Soo Kee retails jewellery and keepsakes through stores branded SK Jewellery, Soo Kee Jewellery and Love & Co. Last year it achieved sales of $134.5 million and turned a profit of $10.8 million.

    The IPO closes on August 18 with shares to begin trading on August 20.

    Group CEO Daniel Lim said the company had always planned to go public “to improve the visibility for the company, so that we can better serve a wider pool of customers”.

  • Seiko Japan opens ‘Premium Boutique’

    Seiko Japan opens ‘Premium Boutique’

    Seiko Japan has opened a world first “Seiko Premium Boutique” in Tokyo.

    The new store is the first shop to carry Seiko’s three luxury brands exclusively: Grand Seiko, Credor and Galante. It is located in the high-end Ginza shopping district.

    Wang Leehom, a famous Chinese-American singer and actor who has been Seiko’s brand ambassador in Asia since 2011, joined Shinji Hattori, president & CEO of Seiko Watch Corporation to open the store.

    “Showcasing our prestigious collections, this boutique will offer a true window to the Seiko world and visitors will experience the uniqueness of Seiko’s craftsmanship and Japanese hospitality,” Hattori said at a press conference to mark the opening.

    After a ribbon-cutting ceremony with Hattori at the boutique, Wang Leehom became the store’s first customer, perusing the topline products on display, including Credor Spring Drive Minute Repeater which sells at 33,000,000 yen (US$265,000).

    “It is my great honor to have a chance to attend this festive occasion in the center of Tokyo. I was deeply impressed with Seiko’s masterpieces such as Credor Minute Repeater. They are true culmination of legendary Japanese craftsmanship and cutting-edge technologies,” he said.

    Lees ook:

    Lees ook:

  • Daiso wins Manila court battle

    Daiso wins Manila court battle

    Japanese discount retailer Daiso has won the right to use its name in the Philippines after a hearing in the Supreme Court.

    In a final ruling just issued, the court has blocked Filipino company Japan Home Center from using the trademark Daiso, confirming an earlier ruling by the Court of Appeals.

    The judges ruled that Japan Home Center had registered the name in “bad faith” in 2005 – largely to prevent the Japanese Daiso or its local franchisee from using it.

    Daiso Industries of Japan first filed a complaint with the Intellectual Property Office back in 2009 after it appointed Robinsons Retail Holdings as its local distributor and retail partner. Daiso Industries owns the brand name.

    This week’s Supreme Court decision thus ends a six year long legal battle to give Daiso and Robinson the legal right to use the brand.

    Robinsons currently operates 38 Daison stores in the Philippines.

    In another case in January this year, the Intellectual Property Office blocked MySmart One-Shop Daiso from using the brand name.

    Lees ook:

    Lees ook:

  • Tuk tuk centre stage in Jimmy Choo Bangkok concept store

    Tuk tuk centre stage in Jimmy Choo Bangkok concept store

    Luxury shoe brand Jimmy Choo has marked the opening of its newest Bangkok store with the release of a ‘Candy bag’ featuring a tuk tuk.

    “Like the London Taxi, the tuk tuk is an icon of the city. It has a unique warmth and eccentric charm all of its own,” Jimmy Choo creative director Sandra Choi observed at the opening of the new store in the new EmQuartier upmarket shopping mall on Sukhumvit Rd.

    Jimmy Choo is releasing limited editions of the Candy bag to mark openings of a number of new stores around the globe – the Bangkok edition is the seventh, following Hawaii, Los Angeles, Dallas, Las Vegas, London and Toronto.

    Choi worked alongside David Collins Studio to design the new EmQuartier shop which features soft colour tones and contrasting shimmering surfaces.

    “I wanted our new space to be a luxurious environment that would combine the refined detail of a haute couture salon with the intimacy of a fantasy closet,” Choi said in an interview with The Nationnewspaper.

    The interior design includes satin gold, rose gold pink marble and mink velvets which blend with “oyster stone and mother of pearl chevron floor”.  Rounded glass pendants hanging from the ceiling add to the luxury feel.

    Lees ook:

    Lees ook: