Retail News CRM

Tag: Outlet

  • Tim Ho Wan to launch in Texas

    Tim Ho Wan to launch in Texas

    Dim sum restaurant brand Tim Ho Wan is launching its first Texas location at NewQuest Property’s Katy Grand development.

    The new Katy store is the group’s fourth US location and is expected to open later this year or early 2020. The lease for the 5160sqft outlet has been signed, with plans to include a Zen garden, bringing total leasing of the first of two buildings for Phase 2 of the Katy Grand development to 100 percent.

    Other tenants at the complex are to include 85°C Bakery & Cafe, Kura’s Revolving Sushi Bar and Kinokuniya Books.

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  • Zimmermann opens first outlet in Italy

    Zimmermann opens first outlet in Italy

    Luxury fashion brand Zimmermann has opened a new boutique on the Amalfi Coast in Capri, Italy.

    Designed by Australian architect Don McQualter of Studio McQualter, the 734sqf (68sqm) store aims to convey a “relaxed femininity, an air of freshness and light, and unyielding optimism”.

    Zimmermann calls it a physical embodiment of the brand.

    “We are very excited to be opening our store in Capri. It’s our first Zimmermann boutique in Italy and it’s a dream to have a store in such an iconic European seaside destination,” said Nicky Zimmermann, the brand’s creative director and co-founder.

    “We thought it was such a perfect location to bring a part of Zimmermann to the Amalfi Coast.”

    Located on Via Vittorio Emanuele, the boutique’s subdued pink facade is in keeping with the local palette. Its interior features custom metalwork, light fixtures, display tables, millwork and visual merchandising fixtures – all designed by Studio McQualter.

    Artworks by Australian artist Tom Polo and the rich fabric palette of the fitting rooms add vibrancy to the space.

    The store is the brand’s first in Italy and follows the opening of boutiques in London in 2017 and St. Tropez in 2018. Zimmermann said it plans to open a fourth European store in Paris in July.

    Sisters Nicky and Simone Zimmermann launched the new boutique with a two-day celebration, starting with an intimate dinner by the sea on Thursday, June 27th, followed by a scenic lunch and all-day party at Villa Bismarck on Friday, June 28th.

    A bevy of celebrities were in attendance, including actresses Katie Holmes and Laura Dern; models Karolina Kurkova, Gemma Ward and Arizona Muse; and Australian style authorities, Yasmin Sewell and Laura Brown, among others.

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  • Maxi-Cash opens its first LuxeStyle outlet in Australia

    Maxi-Cash opens its first LuxeStyle outlet in Australia

    Singaporean pawnbroker Maxi-Cash has opened its first Australian LuxeStyle boutique.

    Located in downtown Melbourne, the flagship boutique offers a variety of pre-loved luxury timepieces, designer leather bags and branded jewellery, including gold, diamonds, precious stones and pearls.

    Shoppers can expect to find luxury items that are handpicked under the “strictest inspection to ensure authenticity and top notch quality”, including Rolex, Cartier, Bulgari, Chanel, Prada, and Louis Vuitton.

    Customers will also have the opportunity to bring in their pre-loved or unused bags, timepieces or jewellery to exchange them for cash or trade in on a newer style or model.

    “As an established and a trusted retailer in Asia, we specifically had our eyes set on one of the world’s most livable cities and the fashion capital of Australia, Melbourne, to open our first Australian Maxi-Cash store,” said Ng Leok Cheng, Maxi-Cash CEO.

    He said 24K and 22K gold, luxury jewellery and timepieces, which all retain their value for years to come, are in high demand the world over.

    “We were quick to recognise a gap and an opportunity for expansion into the Australian market. We look forward to continuing to build our reputation for excellence amongst local shoppers as well as international visitors on holiday in the city.”

    Established in 2008, Maxi-Cash was the first pawnbroker to be listed on the Singapore Stock Exchange. It has 47 boutiques across Asia, including in Singapore and Malaysia.

  • Tim Ho Wan Singapore launches new Restaurant and menu

    Tim Ho Wan Singapore launches new Restaurant and menu

    Tim Ho Wan Singapore has opened its 11th outlet, at Punggol Waterway Point.

    The new 94-seater restaurant coincides with a revamped menu for the eatery, featuring a “refined and upgraded” menu in a modern dining space.

    Tim Ho Wan Singapore is operated by Titan Dining LP – the new master franchise holder in the Asia Pacific.

    The new menu features a limited-edition promotion the Spring Beef Specials, featuring four new beef-centric dishes. There are also upgraded Cantonese classics such as Signature BBQ Pork Bun, Beef Brisket Noodles, Shrimp dumplings, Wonton noodle soup.

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  • Crumpler expands Stores Network in Hong Kong and the Philippines

    Crumpler expands Stores Network in Hong Kong and the Philippines

    Crumpler expands its distribution network in Hong Kong and the Philippines; plans pop-ups. Australian bag manufacturer Crumpler has taken on two new distribution partners in Asia.

    With the introduction of new partners Bauhaus Holdings in Hong Kong and Shoemakers Shop in the Philippines, the brand is now supported by seven distributors across seven countries in the region, has a presence in 10 retailers, and will unveil three new pop-up stores and one concession store in the coming months.

    Crumpler is now stocked at four Bauhaus outlets in Hong Kong, and two stores in Macau. It has also opened its first fully ranged standalone store in Hanguang department store, Beijing, in partnership with Sea To Summit China.

    In the Philippines, Shoemaker’s Shop will relaunch Crumpler this summer with three pop-up stores opening in Alabang Town Center, Trinoma and the Duty Free Philippines Fiesta Mall. This is only the beginning for Crumpler in the Philippines, with local e-commerce in the works.

    Crumpler is meanwhile continuously building its physical store and online presence in Australia, the US and Asia with more than 27 storefronts and distribution across 37 key department store and online retailers worldwide.

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  • Furniture chain falls into paperwork

    Furniture chain falls into paperwork

    Unsustainably high rents have caused furniture chain Focus on Furniture to collapse into administration.

    McGrathNicol, which took control of the business early last week, said the furniture chain’s decline was caused by high rents and unprofitable operations in New South Wales and Queensland.

    “As an urgent priority, we will be conducting a review of options for the business, including a possible exit of unprofitable stores in New South Wales and Queensland,” said McGrathNicol partner Barry Kogan.

    “It is clear that Focus on Furniture outlets in these states are struggling to compete effectively and on a profitable basis in the face of unsustainably high rents.”

    The administrators have not yet announced which stores will be closed.

    Directors of the furniture retailer have appointed McGrathNicol partners Kogan, Kathy Sozou and Matthew Caddy as voluntary administrators, McGrathNicol Restructuring announced on May 15, after the business sustained challenges to the Focus on Furniture business.

    Focus on Furniture, which has 38 retail outlets and four distribution centers in Victoria, New South Wales, Queensland, South Australia and the Australian Capital Territory, operates under the Focus on Furniture and BedsOnline brands.

    According to McGrathNicol, they will work with the company and its management team to restructure its physical store footprint, and recalibrate the network to the core, profitable locations in Victoria, regional New South Wales, South Australia and the Australian Capital Territory, while intending to maintain national coverage on its online store.

    Kogan said during the administration period all deposits paid for furniture items will be honored in full and orders placed will be delivered as planned. Gift cards will also remain redeemable at all Focus on Furniture stores.

    “Long-term, the intention will be to refocus the business on the core platform of Victoria, South Australia and the Australian Capital Territory where operations are profitable,” Kogan said.

    “Stores in these regions will continue to trade on a ‘business as usual’ basis during the restructuring process.”

    A first statutory meeting of creditors is expected to take place on May 27.

  • McDonald’s ends food fight in India

    McDonald’s ends food fight in India

    International fast food chain McDonald’s has bought out its former partner Vikram Bakshi’s 50 percent stake in its Indian operations, ending a six-year dispute.

    The disagreement arose when McDonald’s India attempted to oust Bakshi as MD of local operator CPRL in 2013, a decision that was overturned after local arbitration hearings ruled in favor of his reinstatement.

    “With the transfer of ownership and management today, Mr. and Mrs. Bakshi end their association with CPRL and McDonald’s,” the company said in a statement. “McDonald’s acknowledges the significant work and contribution of Mr. Bakshi in establishing McDonald’s restaurants in North and East India.”

    Bakshi was responsible for opening the first McDonald’s in the territory in the mid-90s, growing the franchise to more than 160 outlets in northern and eastern India.

    McDonald’s now wholly owns CPRL, which will be headed by Robert Hunghanfoo going forward. The financial details of the transaction were not disclosed.

    The firm is now seeking a new development licensee for the region.

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  • First Asian Samsonite Premium store Coming to The Jewel

    First Asian Samsonite Premium store Coming to The Jewel

    The first Samsonite ultra-premium store in Asia is to open at Jewel Changi.

    The luggage brand is also planning one more outlet at Changi, raising its store network at the airport to five.

    “Every time we come up with something new, something big, we launch it first in Singapore,” Subrata Dutta, president and CEO of Samsonite Asia-Pacific told.

    “This is a new retail concept that further elevates the look and feel of the brand to something more luxurious. At Jewel, we get travel traffic from around the world. When you do something in Singapore, you get noticed by the right people.”

    Samsonite has also opened an American Tourister outlet at Jewel Changi, and will open a store at the revamped Funan mall, scheduled to open in the second half of this year.

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  • VF Corp names Daughter Company Kontoor Brands

    VF Corp names Daughter Company Kontoor Brands

    Kontoor Brands – that’s the name chosen for the denim-led fashion business being spun off by VF Corporation next month.

    The US branded lifestyle apparel, footwear and accessories company released an update on the plan, announcing its has filed the necessary regulatory paperwork to start the process rolling.

    Kontoor Brands, to be publicly listed, will take over the Wrangler, Lee and Rock & Republic brands, along with VF’s outlet business.

    “Our teams across VF have made tremendous progress to prepare for the successful separation of Kontoor Brands from VF and this filing is a significant next step in this process,” said Steve Rendle, chairman, president and CEO of VF Corporation. “We are highly confident that the separation is the best path forward for both organisations to achieve even greater potential and enhance long-term shareholder value.”

    He said the split is on track to be completed next month, subject to final approval by VF’s board, customary regulatory approvals, and tax and legal considerations.

    “Today’s filing marks an important milestone in the process of establishing Kontoor Brands as an independent company,” said Scott Baxter, named CEO of Kontoor Brands. “As we prepare for life as a separate, publicly traded organisation, I am confident that Kontoor Brands is strongly positioned to thrive as a leader in the global apparel industry and deliver long-term value for all of our stakeholders.”

    VF’s decision to split the business in two was announced last August. Rendle said at the time that since 2017, the company had been reshaping of its brand portfolio to better position the company for long-term success. In that time, VF had bought Williamson-Dickie, and the Icebreaker and Altra brands, and sold Nautica and its Licensed Sports Group, including the Majestic brand. The brands that will remain in VF’s portfolio include Vans, The North Face, JanSport, Timberland, Smartwool and Eagle Creek.

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  • Habitat by Honestbee expands choices

    Habitat by Honestbee expands choices

    Habitat by Honestbee has added two new outlets to its 15 existing eateries.

    The first, Hama Hama, is a seafood bar with Asian-centric small plates and a seasonal sharing menu, with oysters at its core.

    The second new offer is B Bar, located near the liquor aisle and serving classic drinks along with cocktails featuring local and Asian flavours. Mocktails are also available.

    Honestbee, the online grocery-delivery service, opened its 60,000sqft Habitat last November.  The full-scale supermarket hosts more than 20,000 Asian and global foods and ingredients as well as daily essentials, which can be purchased both online and offline.

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  • The Alley Singapore to open two more outlet stores

    The Alley Singapore to open two more outlet stores

    Taiwanese bubble tea chain The Alley Singapore is opening two outlets in mid-April.

    The first of a new global concept called The Alley Luxe is set to open in Cineleisure. The concept carries what the brand describes as its finest collection of beverages on a curated menu distinctive to Singapore.

    The outlet will offer European baked treats such as croissants, ‘cruffins’ and Kouign-amann. Customers can opt for take-away, or dine-in while enjoying a view over Orchard Road.

    The Alley Luxe

     

    The second outlet will be launched in Jewel Changi Airport about the same time.

    Having opened its first outlet in 2013, The Alley now has more than 300 stores around the world.

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  • Suzuki Ertiga Black Edition Just Launched In The Philippines

    Suzuki Ertiga Black Edition Just Launched In The Philippines

    The Maruti Suzuki Ertiga was introduced in India last year and is sold in a number of markets including several South East Asian countries. The new generation model is being offered with several upgrades overseas and latest one is a new special edition model for Philippines. The Suzuki Ertiga Black Edition brings an all-black interior to the MPV without making any changes to the exterior of the vehicle, which can otherwise be seen on the special edition Ertiga GT set for debut later this month in Indonesia.

    Coming to the changes on the Suzuki Ertiga Black edition for Philippines, the model gets the all-black treatment in place of the beige themed cabin on the standard version. The automaker has also used darker wood trims on the dashboard to match the overall theme, while the plastics inside the cabin are black as well. The wood finished multi-function steering wheel continues to be on offer. The car continues to be offered as a seven-seater with the 2+3+3 layout. Internationally, the Ertiga misses out on the SmartPlay Studio infotainment system but does get a 10-inch touchscreen display with with Bluetooth, USB and AUX connectivity.

    Under the hood, the Philippines-spec Suzuki Ertiga draws powered from the 1.5-litre K-Series petrol engine tuned for 103 bhp, and is paired with a 5-speed manual and 4-speed automatic transmission. The engine is also offered in India alongside the 1.3-litre DDiS diesel motor with 89 on tap. That said, reports suggest that the Maruti Suzuki Ertiga for India is all set to get the new Suzuki-developed 1.5-litre diesel engine under the hood. The new motor will meet the stringent BS6 norms and will effectively replace the 1.3 Fiat-sourced mill across the Maruti Suzuki vehicle range. There are also reports of a more premium six-seater version coming later this year and could be sold exclusively via the Nexa outlets.

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  • First Lenovo Legion store in Philippines

    First Lenovo Legion store in Philippines

    The first Lenovo Legion concept store in the Philippines has opened as the tech company strengthens its gaming business.

    The Quezon City outlet, at less than 40sqm on the fourth floor of the Annex Building, showcases the brand’s Legion gaming machines in a setting that allows customers to personally examine and experience the products. Lenovo intends to host mini tournaments at the venue to “engage the local gaming community,” according to its statement on the opening.

    Lenovo Philippines GM Michael Ngan expressed the firm’s intentions to open as many such stores in the territory as possible, depending on available spaces, with a possible four outlets planned for this year. He added that the Philippines is seen as a strong growth space for the company’s Lenovo Legion gaming sub-brand. He hinted that the firm’s Legion of Champions e-sports tournament may be held in the Philippines.

    “We’ve had a lot of customers asking why don’t we host in the Philippines … so I’m lobbying that we can have the opportunity to host the fourth edition here in Manila,” he said.

  • New Celine store design was made for Asia

    New Celine store design was made for Asia

    The new Celine store design unveiled in New York City is destined for China and Japan in the early stages of a global rollout. The white and grey dominated, minimalist design illustrated here in official photographs released by the luxury fashion brand, was conceived by the label’s creative director Hedi Slimane. The first store, which has opened at 650 Madison Avenue, takes up 5000sqft, making it Celine’s largest store yet anywhere in the world.

    According to company sources, the new look will be implemented next in Los Angeles, Paris and Milan before being launched in Shanghai, Beijing and Tokyo.

    Slimane uses natural materials as a contrast to stark white walls and polished railings.

    He used natural stones like basaltina on the floors and ginger and cream-streaked black granite on walls and some shelving together with a combination of marbles and grey travertine.

    Contrasting yet complementing the stone, reclaimed oak, polished stainless steel, brass, gold, and concrete are used and in the case of the Madison Avenue store, a large rock creates a focal point in the store.

    Celine says future stores will feature commissioned artworks relevant to the locations. Commissioned artists include Jose Davila, Oscar Tuazon, Elaine Cameron Weir and James Balmforth.

    The stores will also feature furniture designed by Slimane, such as wooden benches, tanned leather chairs and brass side table.

    The timeline for the rollout of the new Celine store design has not yet been released.

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  • AirAsia opening restaurant based on its in-flight menu

    AirAsia opening restaurant based on its in-flight menu

    Low-cost carrier AirAsia may launch restaurants serving its Santan “gourmet” in-flight menu on the ground. The proposal was revealed by AirAsia Group CEO Tony Fernandes while promoting his recent autobiography in an interview with US talk show host Larry King. “I think our food is fantastic,” said Fernandes in response to a question from the audience. “We believe in it so much we’re going to start a fast-food restaurant out of it.”

    But Fernandes gave no more details away about the plan, such as where the restaurants might be located or whether he favoured airport locations or city centres.

    News that AirAsia may launch restaurants on the ground may come as a surprise to travellers, but Fernandes has previously spun off new business concepts from the airline’s business model including a short-lived budget hotel chain where occupants paid extra for features such as air conditioning, towels and amenities, and a bus service connecting Kuala Lumpur Airport with downtown.

    AirAsia also made news recently for its new chatbot Ava (AirAsia Virtual Allstar) which, along with a new look for the firm’s website and mobile app, are designed to deliver a more seamless and user-friendly experience to customers.

    Fernandes has also indicated the airline will place increased focus on the Indonesian and Philippines markets in the near future.