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Tag: New Zealand

  • Specsavers tops in Asia-Pacific region

    Specsavers tops in Asia-Pacific region

    The staff at Specsavers Gisborne have been named the best customer service team in the whole Asia-Pacific region.

    Just four months after the Gladstone Road store was named as Retail New Zealand’s overall customer service winner at its Top Shop Awards, the Federation of Asia-Pacific Retailers Association (FAPRA) recognised Specsavers Gisborne by awarding the store its top customer service excellence award.

    Specsavers Gisborne co-director Tania Richards said she was thrilled to win the award “on behalf of New Zealand”.

    “Seventeen countries go in for the awards. They all have their conferences and put their best stores forward. Retail NZ entered us into the awards as the best in New Zealand and we got the Best Country award on behalf of Retail NZ.”

    Ms Richards put the award down to the attitude of staff, which had been on display during a “mystery shop” conducted by an undercover examiner.

    “So that’s really good. We try hard to provide good customer service.”

    The FAPRA Awards take place every two years and involve retailers nominated by 17 national retail associations across Singapore, Thailand, Malaysia, Indonesia, Vietnam, the Philippines, China, Hong Kong, Chinese Taipei, Japan, Korea, Australia, New Zealand, India, Mongolia, Fiji and Turkey.

    The staff at Specsavers Gisborne have been named the best customer service team in the whole Asia-Pacific region.

    Just four months after the Gladstone Road store was named as Retail New Zealand’s overall customer service winner at its Top Shop Awards, the Federation of Asia-Pacific Retailers Association (FAPRA) recognised Specsavers Gisborne by awarding the store its top customer service excellence award.

    Specsavers Gisborne co-director Tania Richards said she was thrilled to win the award “on behalf of New Zealand”.

    “Seventeen countries go in for the awards. They all have their conferences and put their best stores forward. Retail NZ entered us into the awards as the best in New Zealand and we got the Best Country award on behalf of Retail NZ.”

    Ms Richards put the award down to the attitude of staff, which had been on display during a “mystery shop” conducted by an undercover examiner.

    “So that’s really good. We try hard to provide good customer service.”

    The FAPRA Awards take place every two years and involve retailers nominated by 17 national retail associations across Singapore, Thailand, Malaysia, Indonesia, Vietnam, the Philippines, China, Hong Kong, Chinese Taipei, Japan, Korea, Australia, New Zealand, India, Mongolia, Fiji and Turkey.

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  • Soap Opera Productions opens its first Honeybunch Handmade store in Hong Kong

    Soap Opera Productions opens its first Honeybunch Handmade store in Hong Kong

    New Zealand manufacturer of soaps and body products, Soap Opera Productions Limited, announced today (November 16) that it has opened its first retail store in Hong Kong, Honeybunch Handmade, in response to strong demand for quality personal care products in the region.

    The new retail storeat Aberdeen Street in Central offers New Zealand handmade soaps, bodycare products as well as flower bouquets. According to the Managing Director, Mrs Lisa Jolly, Soap Opera Productions has been developing soap products for a Chinese retailer starting with only one store and now having over 20 stores in Mainland China.

    She said, “Through this business partnership, we gained the know-how and expertise in developing soap products that are suitable for the Chinese market, therefore we decided to launch our own brand in Hong Kong. Hong Kong is an international city famous for its breadth of retail choices.

    It gives new brands great exposure to residents, business traders and visitors. It is the best place from which to promote our New Zealand handmade gift and floral concepts to the world.”

    She added, “I am impressed with Hong Kong’s fabulous logistic services. It offers exciting opportunities for us to extend our customer reach beyond Hong Kong through e-commerce.

    Our online store supports delivery to worldwide customers.”

    The Associate Director-General of Investment Promotion, Dr Jimmy Chiang, said, “Being a free port and logistics hub, Hong Kong is able to efficiently support both online and offline business operations. It offers tremendous opportunities to companies that use Hong Kong as their sales and distribution centre in Asia. Soap Opera Productions has extended its business model from a manufacturer to a retailer and we are happy that the company has chosen Hong Kong as its first overseas location.

    We wish the company every success in Hong Kong.”

  • Apple IPhone 6s, IPhone 6s Plus To Be Available At Retail Stores From Friday

    Apple IPhone 6s, IPhone 6s Plus To Be Available At Retail Stores From Friday

    Apple Inc. said Monday that its latest smartphones, the iPhone 6s and iPhone 6s Plus, will be available at the technology giant’s retail stores at 8 a.m. local time on Friday, September 25.

    The company also noted that more than 50 percent of existing devices have upgraded to iOS 9, its newest mobile operating software that was rolled out last week, marking the fastest iOS adoption ever.

    Apple said its retail stores will have the new iPhones available for walk-in customers, who should arrive at a store early. Both models will also be available on Friday from AT&T Inc. ( T ), Sprint Corp. ( S ), T-Mobile US Inc. ( TMUS ), Verizon Wireless, additional carriers and select Apple authorized resellers.

    Philip Schiller, Apple’s senior vice president of Worldwide Marketing said, “Customer response to the iPhone 6s and iPhone 6s Plus has been incredibly positive, we can’t wait to get our most advanced iPhones ever into customers’ hands starting this Friday. iOS 9 is also off to an amazing start, on pace to be downloaded by more users than any other software release in Apple’s history.”

    In early September, Apple unveiled its iPhone 6s and iPhone 6s Plus smartphones with a faster processor, new 3D Touch capabilities and an improved camera, seeking to woo customers ahead of the holiday season and to assuage investors that its flagship device still has the mojo to sustain growth.

    The phones, which look like their predecessors, are powered by A9 chip, have a new feature called 3D Touch that lets users make commands as well as avail shortcuts and menus by pressing down on the screen.

    Last Monday, Apple said it is on track to beat last year’s record for first weekend sales of iPhone 6 and 6 Plus, when sales breached the 10 million mark within just three days of its sales launch on September 19, 2014.

    The iPhone 6s and iPhone 6s Plus will be available in gold, silver, space gray and the new rose gold metallic finishes for $0 down, with 24 monthly installment payments that start at $27 and $31 respectively, from Apple’s retail stores in the U.S., Apple.com, select carriers and Apple authorized resellers.

    Both the smartphone models will also be available from Friday in Australia, Canada, China, France, Germany, Hong Kong, Japan, New Zealand, Puerto Rico, Singapore, the UK and the U.S. The iPhone will be available by reservation only in China, Hong Kong, Japan and U.S. stores in tax-free states.

    Starting this Saturday, September 26, customers will be able to visit Apple.com to reserve their iPhone for pick-up at their local Apple Store, based on availability. Apple noted that most Apple stores will also have iPhone available for walk-in customers each day.

    Every customer who buys an iPhone 6s or iPhone 6s Plus at an Apple retail store will be offered free Personal Setup to help them customize their iPhone by setting up email and show them new apps from the App Store.

    Apple-designed accessories, such as leather and silicone cases in different colors and Lightning Docks in color-matched metallic finishes, will also be available.

    While unveiling the iPhone 6s and iPhone 6s Plus earlier in September, Apple had said that the devices will come with iOS 9, which would be available as a free software update.

    iOS 9 brings more features to iPhone with a Proactive assistant that is similar to Android’s Google Now service, powerful search and improved Siri features, along with an improved security feature.

    Built-in apps on iOS 9 feature redesigned Notes app, detailed transit information in Maps, and a new News app that displays news from several sources.

    AAPL is trading at $114.33, up $0.88 or 0.78 on a volume of 4.44 million shares.

     

     

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  • Fonterra opens $37m blending and packing plant in Indonesia

    Fonterra opens $37m blending and packing plant in Indonesia

    New Zealand dairy giant Fonterra has opened a new $37m blending and packing plant in Indonesia.

    Said to be Fonterra’s first manufacturing facility in the country, the plant uses the company’s manufacturing design standards and technology.

    The plant is capable of packing close to 16,000mt of dairy ingredients annually and it will allow Fonterra to meet growing demand for nutrition in the country.

    The company says that the capacity is equivalent to nearly 87,000 packs of Anlene, Anmum, and Anchor Boneeto per day.

    When fully operational, the plant will employ 160 local people.

    The investment, which is Fonterra’s largest investment in ASEAN in the past 10 years, will boost the growth of Fonterra’s brands including Anmum, Anlene and Anchor Boneeto.

    Construction on the plant at Cikarang in West Java commenced in March 2014.

    Fonterra Asia, Middle-East, Africa managing director Johan Priem said: “The country’s large and increasingly affluent population is looking for highly nutritious foods for all ages.

    “This is fuelling dairy demand growth which is expected to increase by five per cent every year to 2020.

    “The site also utilises Cikarang’s dry port, allowing us to ensure all of our operations are located in one area. This will help us drive logistical efficiencies.”

    New Zealand Minister of Local Government, Social Housing and State Services Paula Bennett said that the new facility reflects the strength of the relationship between New Zealand and Indonesia.

    “Our governments have set a target to grow two-way trade to NZD4 billion by 2024 and dairy continues to be a critical part of this relationship,” added Bennett.

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  • Connell Brothers Awarded Distribution Agreement by Graminex in Australia and New Zealand

    Connell Brothers Awarded Distribution Agreement by Graminex in Australia and New Zealand

    Connell Brothers (CBC), the largest specialty chemicals and ingredients marketer and distributor in Asia-Pacific, announced today that, effective September 1, 2015, it is appointed to manage the sale and distribution of Graminex(R)’s products in Australia and New Zealand, including finished goods and ingredients, such as flower pollen extract, saw palmetto and cranberry.

    The U.S.-based Graminex(R) is the exclusive grower and manufacturer of solvent-free Rye Grass Flower Pollen Extract(TM), and a leader in the international dietary supplement industry. Their products are sold in more than 44 countries on six continents. Graminex’s vertically integrated manufacturing ensures quality, consistency and efficacy of their products. CBC Australasia will represent Graminex(R) Flower Pollen Extract active ingredients, as well as the dietary supplements, primarily focusing on the areas of prostate, immunological and women’s health support.

    “We are pleased with our success promoting Graminex’s products in Taiwan, and look forward to maximizing similar marketing and distribution opportunities Australasia,” said Alex Grantz, regional manager, Food & Nutrition. “Our Food & Nutrition portfolio continues to grow in this region, allowing us to better serve our customers’ needs to differentiate their health and wellness product lines.”

    Cynthia May, CEO of Graminex(R) said, “Connell Brothers has a reputation of unmatched customer service and technical capabilities, including lab testing and product formulation. They have proven an efficient distributor for Graminex Products and I am confident that through their expertise and attention to product safety and quality assurance, they are the right distribution partner for Graminex in Australia and New Zealand.”

    About Connell Brothers

    Founded in 1895, Connell Brothers is a division of Wilbur-Ellis Company and is the largest marketer and distributor of specialty chemicals and ingredients in Asia-Pacific with a keen focus on technical service, customer support, and environmental, health, and safety. Connell Brothers provides complete supply chain management from transportation, documentation, warehousing, and sales and distribution in 17 countries and in 37 offices located throughout Asia-Pacific.

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  • NZ Mad Group sure for Japan, US

    NZ Mad Group sure for Japan, US

    New Zealand restaurant idea Mad Group, says it has signed Memorandums of Understanding to enter Japan and the US.

    Mad Group runs the Mad Mex Mexican fast service restaurant idea and Ordinary Repair, which specialises in wholesome wraps, salads, smoothies and juices.

    A 10-year Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) has been signed with an nameless American associate to launch 30 Ordinary Repair restaurant chains within the US beginning in Los Angeles in 2016. The deal is value over NZ$6 million in franchise royalties over the preliminary time period and could be renewed for an additional 10 years after the preliminary time period expires at a franchise royalty fee of greater than $1 million per yr. The corporate plans to have Ordinary Repair places in at the least 5 totally different US states inside 5 years.

    Mad Group has additionally signed a separate MoU with one other as but unidentified companion in Japan, however not but launched additional particulars about plans for that market..

    The enlargement of the wholesome consuming ideas follows a worldwide development towards more healthy consuming of high quality recent meals, for which Mad Group is famend. Only recently McDonald’s added kale to its menu to maintain up with altering dietary preferences.

    The corporate lately raised fairness in a crowdfunding marketing campaign to develop the Mad Mex enterprise regionally, rolling out each manufacturers round New Zealand and aiding within the gross sales and advertising of worldwide franchise licences for Ordinary Repair.

    Ordinary Repair eating places are to date situated in Auckland and Wellington and can doubtless quickly be coming to the South Island as properly.

  • Esquires Espresso seals Hunan partnership

    Esquires Espresso seals Hunan partnership

    New Zealand-listed Cooks International Meals has signed a three way partnership settlement with Shenzhen-listed retail and property big BuBuGao Group to develop 30 Esquires Espresso shops in Hunan by 2020.

    The three way partnership cements China’s place as Esquires Espresso’s quickest rising worldwide territory and lifts the whole variety of deliberate shops within the nation to a minimum of 150. It additionally additional advances Cooks’ aspiration for Esquires Espresso to be working 800 shops all over the world by 2020.

    * BBG chairman Wang Tian (left) and Esquires Espresso China MD Ellen Zhang toast their new China three way partnership.

    BBG, or Higher Life, has taken a 49 per cent stake within the three way partnership and can progressively contribute property in its buying malls which might be based within the Hunan province. Cooks, with a 51 per cent stake within the enterprise by way of its wholly-owned Chinese language grasp franchisee Beijing Esquires Administration Co, will develop and handle the shops.

    BBG has annual revenues of almost CNY12.three billion, (NZ$2.7 billion), employs over 70,000 individuals and operates over 373 shops within the Hunan, Jiangxi, Sichuan, Chongqing, Guangxi, and Guizhou provinces, together with 156 supermarkets and 29 purchasing malls. It additionally has a CNY10 billion property portfolio and is lively in on-line commerce and finance.

    Cooks International Meals government chairman Keith Jackson stated the brand new deal is additional endorsement of the potential for Esquires Espresso’s artisan fashion Natural and Fairtrade model to develop quickly in Chinese language markets.

    “The enterprise is a continuation of our technique to drive progress in China by partnering with vital home companies that may present the assets, retail experience and native information which are pre-requisites for fulfillment within the area. These capabilities, coupled with a Chinese language Esquires Espresso administration staff that understands the right way to translate the model’s distinctive tackle New Zealand café tradition into home settings, provides us nice confidence within the potential of the enterprise to develop.”

    BBG chairman Tian Wang stated that with demand for branded espresso rising in China at charges that outstrip progress charges in the remainder of the world, Esquires Espresso will fill an essential a part of the retail combine throughout its buying centres.

    “Its Natural, Fairtrade and artisan positioning makes it an aspirational vacation spot for a broad cross part of the inhabitants. We’re assured the brand new enterprise will generate appreciable worth for the BuBuGao group.”

    Cooks now operates 21 shops in China using 130 individuals, making it the third largest New Zealand non-Authorities employer within the Peoples’ Republic. It’s now concentrating on a footprint of greater than 150 shops in China by 2020.

    Earlier this yr, Cooks acquired the Esquires Espresso Chinese language grasp franchisee Beijing Esquires Administration and as a part of that transaction, one of many former house owners, Yunnan Metropolitan Funding Firm (YMCI) took a 15.75 per cent stake in Cooks.

    Cooks additionally has an identical three way partnership with Jiajiayue Group (JJY) grocery store chain to develop 50 shops within the Shandong province. JJY is among the largest corporations in Shandong, using virtually 30,000 employees and working greater than 550 supermarkets.

    “We proceed to hunt companions to increase our foot print in different areas and our administration group, led by expatriate Chinese language-New Zealander Ellen Zhang, is already in dialogue with a number of different events,” Jackson stated.

    Cooks owns the mental property and grasp franchising rights to Esquires Espresso Homes worldwide excluding New Zealand and Australia. Following the signing of a brand new grasp franchise settlement for Egypt final week, the corporate is now rising in 13 separate territories around the globe and it’s in discussions to increase its grasp franchise community additional.

  • Woolworths sells The Warehouse stake, abandons NZ expansion plans

    Woolworths sells The Warehouse stake, abandons NZ expansion plans

    Woolworths has abandoned plans to enter the discount department store sector in New Zealand and has sold its 8.8 percent stake in New Zealand retailer The Warehouse Group for NZD86.9 million (USD65.5m), less than half the price it paid eight years ago.

    Woolworths said on Tuesday it had sold 30.5 million shares in The Warehouse Group for NZD2.85 a share – a slight premium to the market price of NZD2.72 – to one of New Zealand’s largest retailers, the privately held James Pascoe Group.

    Woolworths said The Warehouse investment was no longer required as part of its New Zealand strategy and confirmed that it had given up on its original plan to use the stake as a platform to enter the discount department store sector and replicate its BIG W business.

     

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  • Kathmandu names Xavier Simonet new CEO

    Kathmandu names Xavier Simonet new CEO

    New Zealand-based outdoor clothing retailer Kathmandu on Friday announced the appointment of Xavier Simonet as the new CEO of the company.

    Simonet is currently the CEO of Radley, a London-based brand with a product range covering women’s handbags, luggage and a wide range of accessories. Simonet will relocate to Melbourne to take up the role after working out his notice period with Radley.

    Prior to joining Radley, Simonet was Vice President & General Manager, International for apparel & underwear group DB Apparel and prior to that he was the International Director of Seafolly Group based in Sydney.

    Simonet began his career with LVHM where he worked for 11 years in France, Scandinavia, Singapore, Australia, Hong Kong, and the UK and Ireland before returning to Australia to join Seafolly.

    “We have undertaken a comprehensive international search to fill the role and we are delighted Xavier has agreed to join Kathmandu as our new Chief Executive Officer,” said David Kirk, the Chairman of Kathmandu.

    “Xavier has wide experience in retailing and brand development in Australia and in many international markets. He has a proven track record building brands and developing successful retail businesses in fashion, apparel, accessories and related products,” Kirk added.

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