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Tag: opening

  • H&M to open in Vietnam during 2017

    H&M to open in Vietnam during 2017

    In 2017, H&M will also open in Colombia, Iceland, Kazakhstan and Georgia. CEO Karl-Johan Persson confirmed the openings while announcing a 7 per cent increase in global sales for its financial year on November 30.

    Last year, H&M opened online stores in 11 markets, along with 427 new brick-and-mortar stores worldwide.

    “This means that H&M is now present in 64 markets of which 35 offer eCommerce. We welcomed more than 13,000 new colleagues which means there are now more than 161,000 colleagues in the group,” he said.

    The H&M Asia online stores will also open in Hong Kong, Singapore, Macau, Taiwan and Malaysia, according to Inside Retail Asia. A sixth will open in Turkey.

    In addition, this year the company – which also operates the Cos, Monki, Weekday and Cheap Monday retail brands – will also reveal one or two more brands.

    “In 2017 we are looking forward to delivering strong collections and customer experiences and launching one or two new brands. This, combined with ongoing improvements and investments in the omni channel offering, the supply chain and advanced analytics make us positive towards our opportunities in reaching our newly rephrased growth target, both in 2017 and going forward,” Persson said.

    Most new stores will carry the H&M banner, but 70 to 80 will be for other brands, including H&M Home.

  • AirAsia to open Cambodia office

    AirAsia to open Cambodia office

    AirAsia, the Malaysia-based low-cost airline, will soon have an office in Cambodia to boost the number of tourist arrivals to the kingdom.

    The airline’s office will open soon, said AirAsia CEO Anthony Fernandes, after holding a meeting with Prime Minister Hun Sen in Switzerland on the sidelines of the World Economic Forum.

    Mr. Hun Sen said AirAsia’s presence would bring more tourists to Cambodia, adding that the airline has helped transport tourists to Cambodia from all over the world.

    Keo Sivorn, director general of the State Secretariat of Civil Aviation, said AirAsia’s decision to open an office in Cambodia was in response to the current demand of passengers and cargo to the kingdom.

    “It will help the company provide additional satisfied service to its passengers,” said Mr. Sivorn.

    “AirAsia has existing flight service operations to Cambodia. It will open an office here soon because it sees the demand of the aviation sector in Cambodia increasing thanks to the country’s high economic growth.”

    The new office is also in response to the number of local airlines operating in the kingdom, Mr. Sivorn said.

    Ho Vandy, secretary-general of Cambodia’s National Tourism Alliance, said AirAsia would bring more people from all corners of the world to Cambodia because of its popularity offering low fares.

    “It’s a reflection of the airline market. It will serve the high demand of passengers and tourists traveling by plane and it will meet the government’s ‘Open Sky’ policy,” he said.

    Two local airlines, which are expected to get off the ground this year, will push the total number of local airlines to six, according to Mr. Sivorn. The four now operating are Cambodia Angkor Air, Bassaka Air, Cambodia Bayon Airlines and Sky Angkor Airlines.

    “By this year, the two airline companies will hopefully start providing service. Due to economic growth and stable politics, the number of airlines is increasing,” he said.

    AirAsia is currently operating 67 flights per week out of Phnom Penh and Siem Reap international airports, according to Mr. Fernandes.

    AirAsia swung to a profit in the third quarter of 2016 from a net loss a year earlier. Net profit for the three months ended September 30 was 353.9 million ringgit ($79.62 million), versus a net loss of 405.7 million ringgit a year earlier. Revenue rose 11.2 percent to 1.69 million ringgit, the company said.

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  • Ansals Plaza announces grand opening of its key brands

    Ansals Plaza announces grand opening of its key brands

    Delhi’s first mall, Ansal Plaza, repositioned as Delhi’s ultimate Sports and F&B Destination, has opened its door to its two anchor brands, Decathlon, the global sports retail giant and The Arena, Ultra Luxury lounge. During a daylong celebration, Ansal Plaza hosted the grand opening of one of India’s biggest two level Decathlon Khel Gaon store, which is equipped with smart LED screens and open space for sports activities. Agala evening party was also organized to announce the grand launch of The Arena.

    With a bagful of new and unique sporting events like Capoeria (Afro Brazilian marital arts), Blind Cricket, Free motion Ski, Basketball and Zumba , the Grand opening of the Decathlon Khel Gaon store at Ansal Plaza promises to be an exciting affair for the sports enthusiasts of Delhi. A unique costume run for kids and five to 10 km run for adults was also scheduled as a part of Decathlon Khel Gaon store’s Opening Run on Sunday, December 4, 2016.

    The Arena with approx. 13000 sq. feet extravaganza spread across two levels with indoor and outdoor party areas, private and VIP event space, great ambience and a fully stocked up bar. With a great dance floor, superior customer service and exceptional pricing The Arena is another wonderful reason to visit Ansal Plaza.

    Talking about the two grand openings on Saturday, Amit Phull, Head Retail Ansal API said, “We identified that sports shopping experience is one of the niches that lacks in other South Delhi malls and the event and experience that Ansal Plaza offers will help us live up to our promise of being the ultimate sports hub of Delhi. Also, the launch of The Arena along with other premium F&B Brands will help us in establishing the mall as an ultimate destination for various kinds of world cuisine.”

    Caroline Mulliez of Decathlon said, “We are proud to be associated with Ansal Plaza. The strategic location offers the best catchment of sports enthusiast and its vast open space also supports what Decathlon stands for, which is sporty fun at exceptionally affordable prices.”

    Mukul Bajaj, Co-founder, The Arena, said, “We are excited about the launch. We are definite that the prime location of Ansal Plaza at the heart of the city will draw the kind of patrons The Arena is looking for.”

    Sahil Madaan, Owner, Taksim, “Trends meet chic in our very own of serving world cuisine. Taksim, with its International concept offering fusion Turkish and Indian cuisine, is trying to find a balance between a cafe and a restro bar.”

    Ansal Plaza has been the hub of entertainment in Delhi since 1999 as the city’s first mall. With its prime location, excellent parking facility and vast green space, Ansal Plaza promises to continue the tradition of excitement and celebration in its new avatar.

  • Jokowi to Open Indonesia Fintech Festival and Conference 2016

    Jokowi to Open Indonesia Fintech Festival and Conference 2016

    President Joko “Jokowi” Widodo is scheduled to open the Indonesia Fintech Festival and Conference 2016 at the Indonesia Convention Exhibition, Tangerang, on 29th August 2016. The event is organized by the Financial Service Authority (OJK) and the Indonesia Chamber of Commerce and Industry (Kadin).

    “President Jokowi will open the event and it will be closed by Queen Maxima of the Netherlands,” said the OJK’s Deputy Commissioners for Non-bank Finance Industry (IKNB) Dumoly F. Pardede on Thursday.

    Dumoly said a startup competition will be held during the event. In addition, an international financial technology conference will also be held. It will also provide assistance to fintech startups. “It will also host meetings between investors.”

    The event is aimed at establishing shared understanding of harmonious development of fintech ecosystem among industrial stakeholders in Indonesia. “There’s a shared commitment among several fintech practitioners to enhancing fintech in Indonesia,” Dumoly explained.

    Dumoly said the festival will be held annually in order to produce the best startups. “It’s a prestigious event, we will create an area of fintech, new trends and cultures in Indonesia,” he said.

    Kadin’s Startup Technology Innovation Department head Patrick Walujo said 72 startups will participate in the festival. “They will exhibit their products. We expect to see more startups next year,” he said.

  • Indonesia capital’s airport to open new terminal next week

    Indonesia capital’s airport to open new terminal next week

    Air passenger numbers are soaring in Indonesia, the world’s biggest archipelago nation, as a growing middle class increasingly chooses to fly but ageing infrastructure is struggling to keep up.

    The main airport serving the Indonesian capital Jakarta will next week open a new terminal to ease the burden on the country’s busiest aviation hub, the airport operator said Wednesday.

    The $380 million terminal at Soekarno-Hatta International Airport, which will start operations at about midnight Monday, will have a capacity of 25 million passengers a year once fully operational, said state-owned airport operator Angkasa Pura II.

    The other terminals are currently handling a total of about 60 million passengers a year, way over their capacity.

    The new Terminal 3 will start off handling only flights operated by Indonesian flag carrier Garuda, and it is hoped it will be fully operational by March next year.

    “This will be the biggest terminal in Indonesia,” Angkasa Pura II chief executive Djoko Murjatmodjo told AFP.

    It will eventually be connected to central Jakarta, about 30 kilometres (18 miles) away, by a rail link. There is currently no rail line between the airport and city centre, leaving passengers facing monster traffic jams to get into Jakarta at busy times.

    The terminal’s opening has been delayed for more than a month after the government ordered alterations following the discovery that an important part of the airport was not visible from the air traffic control tower.

    As well as ageing infrastructure, the Indonesian aviation sector also faces problems with safety and has suffered a string of deadly crashes in recent years.

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  • 7-Eleven Malaysia Opens Historic 2000th Store in Malaysia

    7-Eleven Malaysia Opens Historic 2000th Store in Malaysia

    7-Eleven Malaysia, a wholly owned subsidiary of 7-Eleven Malaysia Holdings Berhad, the No.1 standalone convenience store chain in the country, is proud to announce that it has launched its 2000th store in Malaysia at an opening ceremony held at The Scott Garden in Old Klang Road. This landmark store reflects the current 7-Eleven convenience store format, which is being rolled out across Malaysia via a programme of store refurbishments and new stores since late 2013.

    Speaking at the ceremony, Mr. Gary Brown, CEO of 7-Eleven Malaysia Sdn. Bhd. commented, “At our listing in 2014, we discussed our expansion plans and our intention to increase our number of new stores by 600 over the next three years from 2014 to 2016. We are very pleased to have reached this historic milestone of 2000 stores but it’ll be business as usual as we have no intention of stopping here and will continue with our rapid store expansion. We are also pleased to be able to showcase here today our latest product and service innovations which sets us apart from other convenience stores in Malaysia with a strong emphasis on best in class fresh food and beverage such as our well-received RM2 Fresh to Go hot beverages.”

    During the opening ceremony, there was a tour and brief on the current innovation of the stores. The current generation 7-Eleven convenience stores is to encourage customers to see 7-Eleven as a lifestyle concept, where they can enjoy the range of products on offer by spending time at the store, similar to a neighborhood café. In addition to this, 7-Eleven Malaysia has increased its range of product and services to customers by providing Touch ‘n Go reload services, bill payment for utility providers, online purchases payment through MOLPay, point-of-sales activated (“POSA”) gift cards and parcel locker services in partnership with BoxIt.

    Mr. Brown continued, “It is important to us to continue to innovate on not only our product offering, but to also play more of a role in the daily lives of our customers. By offering these services, we can offer a whole new level of convenience in Malaysia and we continue to be the leader for the convenience sector. We are enthusiastic about the future and will continue to deliver the best possible product, services and promotional offerings at our stores based on what our consumers want.”

    7-Eleven Malaysia is the largest stand-alone convenience store-chain nationwide, with 2000 outlets across the country and continuously aspires to elevate customers’ shopping experiences and to scale greater heights as the largest stand-alone convenience store operator in Malaysia. To meet today’s expectations in providing convenience to customers; 7-Eleven Malaysia opts to stay close to its customer’s heart by staying true to its motto, Always There for You.

  • Conrad makes debuts in the Philippines

    Conrad makes debuts in the Philippines

    Last week, the inspired luxury of Conrad Hotels & Resorts makes its debut in the Philippines with the opening of Conrad Manila. Owned by SM Hotels and Conventions Corporation, a subsidiary of SM Investment Corporation and managed by Hilton Worldwide (NYSE:HLT), the 347 room Conrad Manila is located at the forefront of the Mall of Asia complex, in the heart of the 42 hectare Bay City development, a destination earmarked as a shopping, leisure, and business hub.

    “We are delighted to establish Conrad Hotels & Resorts in this vibrant capital of Manila. The award-winning Conrad Manila, which enhances our portfolio, underscores our commitment to delivering best-in-class hotels in key gateway locations that meet the growing needs of global luxury travelers. An inspiring destination, Conrad Manila will delight guests with intuitive and customized service, as well as provide them access to a world of connections and inspired experiences,” said John T. A. Vanderslice, global head, Conrad Hotels & Resorts.

    “The stunning Conrad Manila is an exceptional addition to the Conrad Hotels & Resorts portfolio and we are delighted to be partnering with SM hotels on this exciting project, who share our passion for excellence. Its opening underscores the growth of our portfolio across Asia Pacific and our continued commitment to the dynamic market of the Philippines. This landmark property perfectly complements the vibrancy of this amazing capital city and will set the benchmark for luxury accommodation in Manila,” Martin Rinck, president, Hilton Worldwide, Asia Pacific.

    “We are pleased to work with Hilton Worldwide in bringing the esteemed Conrad brand to Manila. Amidst the robust tourism outlook, the most anticipated opening of Conrad Manila will definitely be a game changer in the already exciting Philippine hotel scene,” says SM Hotels and Conventions Corp. President Elizabeth T. Sy. “We look forward to a fruitful partnership with Hilton Worldwide in further elevating the hotel industry in the country,” adds Ms. Sy.

    Recently awarded the Best in Hotel Development, Best Hotel Architectural Design and Best in Hotel Interior Design at the fourth annual Philippines Property Awards, Conrad Manila’s distinctive architecture is inspired by the shipping vessels that ply the bay. The hotel sits atop the two-level S Maison, a high-end retail complex, and has direct connections via walking bridges to SMX Convention Center, the country’s largest convention space, and is adjacent to SM Mall of Asia, one of the country’s largest malls, as well as Mall of Asia Arena, a 16,000-seater indoor stadium where international shows, concerts and major sporting events are held.

    Poised to be the venue of choice for business, social events, and weddings, Conrad Manila offers four contemporary event halls and two sophisticated ballrooms, spanning more than 4,000 square meters, which are fitted with state-of-the-art audio-visual technology. For intimate al fresco parties, guests can also opt for The Veranda, an outdoor garden space overlooking the city scape.

    At Conrad Manila, all 347 guest rooms and suites are specially designed with an intuitive technology. Upon sensing motion in the room, the air conditioning switches from energy-saving mode to cool, the curtains in the room will automatically open with ambient lighting set to match the time of the day. Guests can instantly feel at home with a 42-inch flat screen HDTV with an IPTV menu, Wi-Fi and wired Internet access, Nespresso machine, Bluetooth-enabled entertainment technology and hydrotherapy rain showers. Suites and executive rooms offer picturesque bay or city views, with access to the Executive Lounge, and bathrooms that feature in-mirrored TV for an uninterrupted entertainment experience.

    Located on the third level of the hotel is the infinity swimming pool, inspired by the pristine coastal seas of the Philippines with its coral shape. Guests may also slip to the 24-hour Fitness Center or the Conrad Spa, which offers a variety of locally inspired treatments using organic ingredients. The spa has six treatment rooms with soaking tubs, a private sauna, and steam facilities.

    The hotel has six restaurants and lounges, including a coffee bar, pool bar, and in-room dining prepared by the culinary team led by Executive Chef Thomas Jakobi. The restaurants and bar at Conrad Manila feature:

    • Brasserie on 3 offers an eclectic mix of sustainable and organic dishes ranging from hearty to healthy dishes. The restaurant also features al fresco dining overlooking the bay, private dining rooms for intimate celebrations, and an exclusive chef’s table, where diners can enjoy a special tasting menu with a curated selection of organic wines.
    • China Blue by Jeremy Leung presents a modern interpretation of the traditional Chinese cuisine, artfully curated by Chinese celebrity master chef, Jereme Leung. A first for a Chinese restaurant in the Philippines to partner with a celebrity chef, China Blue by Jereme Leung takes Chinese dining experience to a new high with its authentic cuisine, modern interiors, and floor-to-ceiling glass windows that offer panoramic bay views.
    • C Lounge is inspired by the city’s distinctive culture and lifestyle, where guests can enjoy a wide selection of beers, liquors, and locally-inspired cocktails. With a laidback vibe during the day, it transforms into a sophisticated destination bar at night. Its al fresco area offers guests an awe-inspiring visual of the Manila sunset.

    Conrad Manila offers the popular Conrad Concierge mobile app, which gives global luxury travelers the ability to customize details of their hotel stay before, during, and after visit via a smartphone or tablet. Whether it’s pre-selecting bath amenities or checking-in while in-transit from the airport, guests can access a variety of features by using the app.

    Conrad Manila participates in the Hilton HHonors®, the only guest loyalty program where guests who book directly throughwww.conradhotels.com have access to benefits including an exclusive member rate that can’t be found anywhere else, free standard Wi-Fi and popular digital tools available exclusively through the industry-leading Hilton HHonors mobile app, where HHonors members can check-in and choose their room at over 20 Conrad hotels worldwide.

    Please visit www.conradhotels.com/manila or call +632 8339999 to learn more about or to connect with Conrad Manila. For more information about Conrad Hotels & Resorts, please visit https://news.conradhotels.com or follow us atwww.facebook.com/ConradHotels, www.instagram.com/ConradHotels, https://twitter.com/ConradHotels.

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  • Lulu Group Indonesia opens first hypermarket

    Lulu Group Indonesia opens first hypermarket

    Lulu Group Indonesia has opened its first hypermarket, in Jakarta.

    Based in the UAE, the Lulu Group plans to invest US$500 million to set up 10 hypermarkets in Indonesia over the next three years.

    Lulu-opens-first-Hypermarket-Indonesia

    Its first Lulu hypermarket was officially opened by Indonesian President Joko Widodo in the presence of Governor of Jakarta Basuki Tjahaja Purnama, Indonesian Trade Minister Thomas Trikasih Lembong, UAE Ambassador to Indonesia Ahmed Abdullah Al Mussali Al Awadi, Indonesian Ambassador to UAE Husin Bagis and other ministers and dignitaries.

    In the Cakung sub-district of East Jakarta, the hypermarket covers more than 200,000 sqft (18,580 sqm).

    Lulu Group chairman Yusuf Ali says the group also plans to set up a central logistics and warehouse centre in Jakarta.

    “We also plan to set up contract farming to ensure a continuous supply of high-quality products and to support the Indonesian agriculture sector.”

    The group has 126 stores (some in India) and more than 38,000 employees.

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  • Jokowi Opens Bonded Logistics Centers to Improve Indonesia’s Competitiveness’

    Jokowi Opens Bonded Logistics Centers to Improve Indonesia’s Competitiveness’

    Indonesian President Joko Widodo inaugurated 11 bonded logistics centers on Thursday (10/03) as part of Indonesia’s second economic stimulus package that was unveiled on 30 September 2015. These bonded logistics centers aim to curtail the country’s notoriously high logistics costs which makes businesses in Indonesia less competitive and the general business climate in Southeast Asia’s largest economy less attractive. The official opening ceremony for the 11 centers (mostly located on the island of Java) was held in Jakarta.

    At a bonded logistics center imported goods – which can be subject to certain tax incentives – are stored that are later distributed to the industries. Currently, however, the bulk of goods imported by Indonesian companies are stored in Singapore or Malaysia. This causes logistics costs to rise steeply as storage costs in Singapore and Malaysia are high.

    Indonesian Finance Minister Bambang Brodjonegoro said the flow of goods at these centers will be closely monitored by Indonesia’s Tax Department in order to combat illegal activities. Brodjonegoro added these centers will be given tax incentives such as a moratorium (delay) for tax and import duty payments (these are paid when goods are moved outside the center, not – as is the case now – when goods enter the center).

    Contrary to the bonded warehouse system (which is only used by the owner), the bonded logistics center can be used by other companies.

    Entrepreneurs and other industry players have reacted positively to this news. Ernovian Ismy, Secretary General of the Indonesia Textile Association (API), said these centers can curtail logistics costs for textile companies by 34 percent. Adhi Lukman, General Chairman of the Indonesian Food and Beverage Association (GAPMMI), said logistics costs in the food and beverage sector can be cut as the supply of raw materials can be sped up.

    Next year Indonesian authorities want to see the existence of 50 bonded logistics centers in the country.

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  • Apple Continues Expansion in China with New Store Opening on March 19

    Apple Continues Expansion in China with New Store Opening on March 19

    Tech giant Apple has confirmed that a new Apple Store will open in Dalian, China, on March 19, 2016. The new store is part of the company’s ongoing mission to launch at least 40 new Apple Stores in China by October 2016.

    The new Apple Store will be located on 66 Olympia Plaza, marking it as Apple’s second retail outlet in the port city after it opened its first store In Dalian earlier in October 2015. Dalian’s central location and inflow of tourists from Japan and Korea will help the company further secure its tech presence in China, which Apple predicts will be its most dedicated market in the future.

    Apple’s agenda of launching 40 new outlets seems to be working out well after it opened stores in Nanjing, Hong Kong, Chengdu, Qingdao, Guangzhou, Xiamen, Beijing, and the “Green City” — Nanning, as part of its expansion plan. The brand new store will further strengthen Apple’s roots in China and prove great advertising for the iPhone maker in the hub of one of China’s most popular cities.

    The Dalian Apple Store will open at 10:00 am local time. Speculation suggests that this could be the same store which the company claimed to be its “largest flagship” outlet almost three years ago. However, there is no confirmation if the upcoming store will still be Apple’s largest company store to date. Considering that the iPhone maker has been working aggressively to establish its presence around the world, with new stores in Turkey and Singapore, there is a slight possibility that these former plans have changed slightly.

    Plans for Apple’s new store are already arousing curiosity regarding its architectural layout. The tech giant’s consistency in the architectural design of its stores helps give it a distinctive edge against other tech rivals, both local and international. Led by Angela Ahrendts and Jony Ive, the company’s focus on the design elements of its outlets is a clever marketing strategy for luring in more customers. The upcoming store is expected to feature some of Apple’s traditional store elements like a Genius Bar, JointVentures, workshops, and other Apple-based services.

    With the new store in Dalian, Apple could provide customers with an experience better than any other. Even though an Apple Store exists in Dalian, a brand new outlet might help drive more sales for the company.

    Therefore, judging by its fluent progress in opening new retail outlets in various regions of China, Apple seems well on track to fulfill its prophecy, and may even end up opening more than 40 stores by October.

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  • Christian Dior opens its largest boutique in China

    Christian Dior opens its largest boutique in China

    Designed by American architect Peter Marino, the two-level store reflects the timeless elegance of Dior, with a double-layer glass façade that emulates the iconic “cannage” motif of the couture house. Inside, the refined atmosphere is enhanced by wall art and designer pieces, part of a curated selection of a dozen contemporary art pieces.

    To celebrate the opening of the Dior Beijing China World flagship, the House presented its Spring-Summer 2016 collection at a runway show in a sumptuous blue-hued setting at the Phoenix Center. The show was attended by Christian Dior Couture CEO Sydney Toledano and A-list Chinese celebrities and artists.

    Christian Dior opens its largest boutique in China
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  • Saté Kampar Opens Next Week

    Saté Kampar Opens Next Week

    East Passyunk Avenue has very little to do with Asian cooking. Besides two Chinese-American take-out joints, Bing Bing Dim Sum is as “Far East” as Passyunk goes, operating under deliberately inauthentic pretenses. Saté Kampar (1837 East Passyunk Avenue) is Malaysian through and through, and conversely, authenticity runs through its veins.

    Ange and John Branca are officially opening Saté Kampar next Wednesday, February 10 — a date decided by Ange’s grand aunt. “She decides the opening date. That’s also a way of involving her. Everyone in my family contributed to the restaurant in one way or another.”

    The Brancas’ restaurant is a family affair, Ange’s godmother was a recipe writer and preservationist, her aunts and uncles were restaurant owners back home, though owning a restaurant is a little different in Malaysia. “It’s more casual, a communal effort. If one member of the family cooks, then they cook for the whole town.”

    Ange wants to do the same for Philly. Born in Kampar (she visits often), Ange and her family moved to Kuala Lumpur when she was two years old. She received her college degree in Scotland, moved to the States to pursue a career in business accounting, and met her husband, John, rock climbing at her brother-in-law’s gym. After climbing to the top the corporate ladder at Deloitte and IBM, Ange decided to retire to pursue her dream of owning her own Malaysian restaurant in Philadelphia.

    “I wanted to do something that isn’t work, something I’m passionate about. When I retired I wanted to bring home the idea of family, my background, this food.”

    And she really brought it home. Almost everything in the restaurant is imported from Malaysia, from the marble-topped custom tables typical of a Malaysian restaurant, to an ornate wooden cabinet in the front of the restaurant, containing Malaysian goodies available for retail purchase. Plates and silverware are common to that of the markets and carts that line the streets back home. A mural by Jared Bader depicts a street food scene on Jalan Alor in Malaysia’s capital Kuala Lumpur. “We wanted to bring the street food scene inside.”

    The restaurant’s namesake item, saté — skewered and grilled marinated meats — will be flamed over custom grills loaded with coconut shell briquettes (again, imported from Malaysia). And since southeast Asia has an enormous Muslim population, there will be a separate halal grill for practicing guests searching for a taste of home. But while saté is the focus, the rest of the menu is meant for sharing. Back in December, the Brancas gave Eater a sneak peek of those share items as preliminary guidance for a cuisine mostly unfamiliar to those that stroll the Avenue known primarily for French and Italian restaurants. With a new cuisine, comes a new education, and the Brancas are ready to teach.

    Despite being BYOB, Saté Kampar will offer specialty drinks at the bar: pulled teas, “kopitiam” (traditional coffee house drinks), mix-your-own Ribena sodas, Milo (a regionally popular chocolate malt drink), and most impressively, freshly-hallowed coconuts, poked with straws.

    Stay tuned for pictures and menus, and mark your calendars for next Wednesday’s unveiling. With Perla’s impending opening just down the street, East Passyunk’s dining scene is primed for a heavy dose of diversity.

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  • Starwood Hotels & Resorts to Debut Ultra-Luxury St. Regis Brand in Jakarta

    Starwood Hotels & Resorts to Debut Ultra-Luxury St. Regis Brand in Jakarta

    Starwood Hotels & Resorts Worldwide announced today that the company has reached a management agreement with Rajawali Property Group to open The St. Regis Jakarta and The Residences at The St. Regis Jakarta. Centrally located on Jalan H.R. Rasuna Said, Kuninganin in South Jakarta, the hotel and residences will be part of a new mixed-use development, which will also feature a commercial office tower that will serve as the headquarters of Rajawali Property Group. Slated to open in 2019, The St. Regis Jakarta and The Residences at The St. Regis Jakarta are poised to become the premium address for well-heeled travelers and residents.

    “The St. Regis Jakarta and The Residences at The St. Regis Jakarta are a great testament to the growing wealth and appetite for luxury in Indonesia’s capital,” said Stephen Ho, President, Starwood Hotels & Resorts Asia Pacific. “We are delighted to foster our relationship with Rajawali Property Group by bringing the St. Regis brand’s bespoke service, contemporary design and refined elegance to the ever-bustling city of Jakarta.”

    Shirley Tan, CEO of Rajawali Property Group, added, “Jakarta currently features some upscale residences that are located above or next to hotels, but few offer the heights of refinement tied to the St. Regis name. Today’s signing with Starwood is part of Rajawali’s greater residential strategy to develop a collection of truly branded residences with unique ownership privileges in Southeast Asia, including The Residences at The St. Regis Langkawi in 2016 and The Residences at The St. Regis Jakarta in 2019.”

    The St. Regis Jakarta will offer 280 luxuriously-appointed guestrooms and suites, all bearing elements of the brand’s rich heritage infused with modern inspiration. The hotel will feature four distinctive restaurants, including an all-day dining venue, a fine dining restaurant, The Deli, and the signature St. Regis bar. For meetings and events, the hotel will offer expansive function space that spans 3,600 square meters. Guests will also be able to indulge in world-class leisure facilities, including a spa with six treatment rooms, a fitness center and a swimming pool. To further enhance the guest experience, The St. Regis Jakarta will provide signature St. Regis Butler Service, offering guests 24-hour anticipatory service that customizes each stay to specific needs, tastes and preferences, allowing guests to savor the rarest luxuries of all time.

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    Following the success of the residences at St. Regis hotels in Singapore and Bangkok, and the soon-to-open St. Regis Kuala Lumpur, The Residences at The St. Regis Jakarta will set new standards for luxury living in Jakarta. Located in a separate tower adjacent to the hotel, the 164 branded residences will offer homeowners and investors refined luxury and privacy, with each home expressing a sense of intimacy, grandeur and panoramic views of the vast city skyline.

    The Residences at The St. Regis Jakarta will feature three types of apartments: a 3-bedroom Sky Residence occupying 355 to 373 square meters; the Sky Villa, a 750 square meter, 4-bedroom unit; and the Sky Palace, featuring over 1,250 square meters. Residents will enjoy exclusive concierge service, a multi-function room and wine room, private garden pool, private dining and library lounge, fitness center and dedicated car parking space. Residence owners will also be able to enjoy the renowned St. Regis services at their doorstep, including St. Regis Butler Service, as well as access the hotel’s fitness and dining facilities.

    “Starwood is pleased to expand its portfolio of St. Regis residences in Asia Pacific, as we see strong continued growth opportunities in this area,” said Rajit Sukumaran, Senior Vice President, Acquisition & Development, Starwood Hotels & Resorts, Asia Pacific. “The Residences at The St. Regis Jakarta will cater to the lifestyle needs of the increasingly affluent and appeal to luxury property investors, while remaining deeply rooted in St. Regis’ distinctive legacy of uncompromising elegance and the ability to provide the finest experiences imaginable.”

    st-regis-jakarta-indonesia-landscape

    The announcement further strengthens the partnership between Starwood and Rajawali Property Group, which currently owns eight Starwood properties, with a total of more than 1,500 rooms throughout Malaysia and Indonesia. This distinguished portfolio includes The St. Regis Bali Resort and the all-suite St. Regis Langkawi Resort. The latter is on track to open in April 2016, as part of an integrated complex comprising The Westin Langkawi Resort & Spa and the ultra-modern Langkawi International Convention Centre (LICC), both owned by Rajawali Property Group.

    Starwood currently operates 18 hotels in Indonesia, five of which are located in Jakarta. The company is accelerating its growth in the country and is on track to open 13 additional hotels in the next three years. In addition to The St. Regis Jakarta, Starwood’s pipeline also includes Aloft hotels in Kebon Jeruk and Wahid Haysyim, The Westin Jakarta and W Jakarta.

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  • Asics Bugis Junction and VivoCity in Singapore

    Asics Bugis Junction and VivoCity in Singapore

    ASICS, a true sport performance brand, has opened 2 new stores in Singapore, increasing the number of ASICS stores to 7 locally to strategically cater to an increasingly more distributed retail need.

    Located in Bugis Junction Shopping Mall, a vibrant and popular mall in the central business district, and in VivoCity, the largest retail and lifestyle destination in Singapore, these new ASICS stores will front cutting-edge ASICS footwear and apparels for running and popular sports in the region, including badminton, netball, tennis, soccer and gym training. Products are displayed with the latest ASICS visual merchandising concept congruent with innovative trends, to inspire a premium and positive shopping experience for each customer.

    ASICS’ aspirational “Mix Up Your Run” concept inspires runners to run stronger, faster and further. To activate and strengthen different muscle groups for better performance, runners train under varied regimes. Runners “run long” to build endurance and conquer the longest distances, “run natural” to give the muscles a completely different workout, “run fast” to break the speed limit and attain new PB (personal best) and “run tough” to stimulate agility and improve balance.

    In line with the ASICS visual merchandising concept, finding the best footwear has now been simplified with colour coding; “RUNLONG” (in blue), “RUNNATURAL” (in magenta), “RUNFAST” (in orange) and “RUNTOUGH” (in green). Customers can easily select the right footwear by looking for footwear displayed with the relevant colour codes.

    Running enthusiasts will be spoilt for choice with the comprehensive range of footwear available in the store, including the much awaited GEL-KINSEI 6, GT-2000 4, GEL-KAYANO 22, GEL-NIMBUS 17 LITE-SHOW, and GEL-QUANTUM 360.

    ASICS Bugis Junction Store, Singapore

    ASICS Bugis Junction Store, Singapore

    ASICS Bugis Junction Store, Singapore

    ASICS Bugis Junction Store, Singapore

    ASICS VivoCity Store, Singapore

    ASICS VivoCity Store, Singapore

    ASICS VivoCity Store, Singapore

    ASICS VivoCity Store, Singapore

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  • Fabi launches first retail store in India

    Fabi launches first retail store in India

    Designed by Alessandro Germini, the store decor is in line with contemporary stores across Europe and the rest of the world. The store exhibits class and its décor is pristine with a touch of the latest global trends. The store’s cordial staff, international feel and strategic location in the city of Delhi will ensure the ultimate shopping experience for its customers.

    Sameer Singh, director, Mescos Shoes Ltd., was born and brought up in Delhi. He always had a burning desire to make it big in life. He completed his Mussorie Modern in 1998. Later on, he moved to Italy where he got his first job as director Vanilla Fashion. After working with the international fashion brand Vogue in Dubai, he finally joined the renowned Mescos group as director in 2014. His eye for detail, focused approach, eagerness to learn ‘something new’ and ability to seamlessly bring together the necessary resources to ‘get a job done’ gained him a lot of appreciation. As the director of Mescos, Singh has made his mark as a dynamic professional and has many responsibilities under his hat, from business expansion to charting a future growth path for the Mescos brand. With 5 years of total work experience in India and abroad, he has garnered thorough and superior skills and knowledge of the Indian market and has become the driving force of the company. His vision is to expand Mescos’s base in India and to transform it as a brand of choice for the discerning customers. When not working, Singh enjoys travelling and spending time with family and friends. His interests include theatre, music, reading and sports like tennis, squash and cricket. A bundle of energy, he is creative, goal-oriented and certainly an inspiration for the younger lot.

    Founded by Enrico Fabi in 1965, Fabi is a premium Italian brand with its headquarters in Monte San Giusto, Italy. The company has three hundred sixty five employees including master shoemakers and artisans who work closely with specialists in IT technology and state-of-the-art machinery. The brand’s first set of samples was 12 hand-stitched tubular models which instantly became hit among people. After getting success in such a short span of time, Fabi expanded its horizons and established its reputation as a dynamic brand. It has now become a perfect beacon of Italian made designs, a promoter of elegant style and an astute observer of trends who always anticipate new ways of life.