Retail News CRM

Tag: Retail

  • China’s Jollychic.com branches into homewares

    China’s Jollychic.com branches into homewares

    Chinese eCommerce company Jollychic.com, an online global fashion destination, has unveiled a new line of homeware products called J.Home.

    “Increasing demand and lower prices have made Jollychic’s promotional furniture products a viable alternative for clients all around the world, according to Siwei Ma, furniture manager at JollyChic.com.

    “The growing public awareness about global eCommerce and other major advantages of the internet enables our customers to shop for more than 6000 products from different categories, including home decor, bed & bath, dining and pet care.”

    Jollychic.com is a global fashion destination, selling fast fashion and publishing a wide variety of fashion-related content, positioning the website as a growing fashion community. We sell over 50,000 branded and own-brand products through localized mobile and web experiences, delivering from our fulfillment centers in China to almost every country in the world. It runs sites in nine languages: English, French, Spanish, Arabic, Polish and Chinese.

    With the expansion into homewares, shoppers can take advantage of a free interior design consultation with dedicated customer service. An expanded customer loyalty program has been expanded to include a free gift offer that includes mugs and more.

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  • Wing Tai shrugs off negative sentiment

    Wing Tai shrugs off negative sentiment

    Malaysian apparel retailer and property investor Wing Tai says it remains confident that the nation’s retail sector will bounce back in the wake of the GST-driven retail sales downturn.

    The company has reported a 41.8 per cent slump in profit in the three months immediately following the April 1 introduction of Malaysia’s modest six per cent goods and services tax on considerably sales revenue which more than halved – from RM146.6 million to 66.5 million.

    While the fall in revenue was more attributable to the property division rather than its retail interests, the company noted its retail profit margins were affected by higher import costs due to the weakening ringgit and subdued consumer spending.

    “While the retail (division) outlook is expected to be challenging in 2015 with weak ringgit and soft consumer spending, the retail division will continue to streamline its operations to enhance its performance,” Wing Tai said in its earnings statement.

    “In consideration of the prevailing market conditions and barring any unforeseen circumstances, the group expects to remain profitable for the next financial year,” it said.

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  • 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.

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  • Courts Asia fortunes improve

    Courts Asia fortunes improve

    Strong sales in Malaysia and Indonesia have buffered electronics and furniture retailer Courts Asia from Singapore’s retail downturn.

    The company has reported a 19 per cent increase in quarterly profit, to S$6 million in the three months to June.

    “Our Malaysia business has seen improving profitability with the success of our credit campaign, whilst the Singapore business is still being impacted by the soft retail environment,” group CEO Terry O’Connor said in the earnings statement.

    The Malaysian success will no doubt surprise shareholders and retail analysts given the nation experienced a sharp downturn in retail sales when the goods and service tax was imposed on April 1.

    “For Malaysia, we remain cautiously optimistic on the medium-term outlook. With the Goods and Services Tax implementation underway for several months now, we expect consumption habits to normalise over the next three to four quarters, though the recent weakening of the ringgit may pose some short-term challenges,” he added.

    The ringgit has slumped from 3.5 to USD1 to 4 in less than six months.

    Malaysia accounts for 35 per cent of Courts’ sales, its Singapore home market 63 per cent.

    Indonesia, accounting for the remaining two per cent, is Courts’ newest market. It has three stores operational now with a fourth due to open by December.

    Looking forwards, O’Connor said he expected consumer sentiment in Singapore to remain subdued over the short term.

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  • China lingerie boom pays off for Cosmo

    China lingerie boom pays off for Cosmo

    Chinese women are splurging more on their underwear, producing rich results for Cosmo Group.

    Cosmo, China’s largest branded intimate wear business in total retail sales and store numbers, says sales revenue soared 27.2 per cent in the six months to June 30. Profit rose 40.7 per cent.

    The company says while it continues to focus on the affordable end of the market, it is expanding its range and reach in the high end of the market, to capture the increasing discretionary spending of China’s rising middle class.

    “The increase in the national per capita disposable income of China… and the increase in retail sales of China’s intimate wear industry in the past three years, according to Frost & Sullivan, entails enormous business potential for the group,” the company said in its earnings statement on Monday.

    “It is believed the group’s strategy of offering consumers with products of high quality standards at affordable prices has effectively rendered it one of the most popular intimate wear brands among the Chinese consumers.”

    For the six months to June 30, Cosmo recorded revenue of RMB2.207 billion and profit attributable to shareholders of RMB 270.35 million.

    In March of this year, Cosmo bought the lingerie brands Ordifen, Rubii and Ilsee, which aided its expansion into high-end intimate wear distribution channels in China, including department stores and shopping malls in tiers one and two cities.

    As at June 30, there were 578 retail outlets of the acquired brands – 344 franchised and 234 self-managed. The majority of these  are located in the shopping malls and department stores in tiers one and two cities in China.

    Immediately after the acquisition, the group launched several initiatives to realise the synergies of the integration and consolidation of the new brands into the group’s operation, including improving its retail capability, strengthening marketing, enhancing logistics, research and development and re-negotiation with suppliers for more favorable terms.

    “The group will improve the performance of the retail outlets on an on-going basis and will also consider establishing new retail outlets in places with high growth potential.”

    At the time of acquisition the new brand portfolio was trading at a loss. Cosmo says the business is already profitable.

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  • Bleak result for Isetan Singapore

    Bleak result for Isetan Singapore

    Japanese department store operator Isetan has reported mounting losses in Singapore as sales fall and rents rise.

    Group sales for the three months to June 30 were $71.467 million, a decrease of $10.819 million or 13.15 per cent over the same quarter a year ago. Isetan said the decrease was largely due to the closure of its Isetan Orchard store at the end of March to prepare the store space for subletting, and a slowdown in sales in all of its stores (except Isetan Jurong East) “due to an environment of slower economic growth and stiff competition amongst retailers”.

    In the second quarter the company incurred a loss after tax of $5.847 million, compared to a loss of $1.214 million in 2014.

    Higher rent at Isetan Scotts, affected both the store’s result and was the main reason for the overall increase in the rent outgoings.

    “At Isetan Orchard, the process of finding tenants and converting the space for renting out is ongoing,” the company said in a statement.

    “In this respect, there was no rental income from this store during Q2.”

    “At Isetan Jurong East, although the store is experiencing sales growth, it is not contributing to profits yet. The general slowdown in sales was also a drag on the results of the Group for Q2.”

    Its other stores are at Katong, Tampines and Serangoon Central.

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  • Korea on sale

    Korea on sale

    In a bid to revitalise the national tourist market and domestic economy, withering in the wake of the Middle East Respiratory Syndrome (MERS) outbreak, Korea will go on sale.

    Branded the ‘Korea Grand Sale’, the 10 week long promotion will run from August 14 to October 31.
    Officials say that the sale will be the largest in scale since the event started.

    “We advanced the date of the Grand Sale, which usually took place in winter, out of desperation. We hope the sale can continue to bring tourists back to Korea instead of ending as a one-time event.”

    Criticised for offering discounts only to foreigners, officials said they are persuading participating companies to give discounts to local consumers as well.

    “Businesses in traditional markets and some convenience stores are showing positive responses towards the idea.”

    Benefits such as discounts for transportation and free WiFi modem rental services will be provided. In addition, the Korea Grand Sale Event Center located at Doota Square in Dongdaemun will provide translation services, information about tourism, beverages and special events.

    Han Kyung-ah, the executive secretary of the Visit Korea Committee, explained the intentions of the Korea on sale event: “We intend to attract tourists headed to Hong Kong and Japan towards Korea by providing abundant benefits.”

    Various promotions introducing Hallyu content and traditional culture will also occur.

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  • Ever-Glory sales slide

    Ever-Glory sales slide

    Chinese fashion retailer Ever-Glory International says its sales fell 11.6 per cent in the three months to June 30.

    Total sales for the quarter were US$75.7 million, the slide primarily due to a 6.8 per cent decrease in its retail business to $45.9 million and an 18.1 per cent decrease in its wholesale operation to 29.8 million.

    Ever-Glory had 1204 retail stores as at June 30, 49 more than at the same time last year.

    Total gross profit for the quarter increased 2.4 per cent to $30 million.

    Based in Nanjing, China, Ever-Glory retails branded womens fashion apparel through its own store network under the brands La Go Go, Velwin, Sea To Sky and Idole in China.

    Ever-Glory is also a leading global apparel supply chain solution provider with a focus on middle-to-high end casual wear, outerwear, and sportswear brands. Ever-Glory services well-known international brands and retail stores by providing supply chain management, fabric development and design, sampling, sourcing, quality control, manufacturing, logistics, customs clearance and distribution etc.

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  • Bulgari Macau’s new generation boutique

    Bulgari Macau’s new generation boutique

    Bulgari Macau’s new luxury boutique at the Galaxy features the new architectural design concept developed by Peter Marion.

    Following the renovation of the Via Condotti flagship in Rome, the new architectural design concept is being rolled out by the LVMH brand in the most prominent locations worldwide, mirroring the brand’s signature architectural elements and expressing its Mediterranean origins and Roman traditions with a classic Italian approach to modernity.

    The Galaxy Macau store, which began trading in July, is thus one of the first in the world to carry the new image.

    Bulgari says the dominant idea is expressed by “a classic geometry open to modern interpretation, in a continuous interplay between innovation and tradition”.

    The 290 sqm space encompasses the brand’s design key elements, such as the three institutional giant windows alternate with three Condotti showcases and the Condotti eight point star, still present in the original historical flagship in Rome Condotti 10.

    The boutique also houses some furniture selected by Peter Marino himself and conceived by the Italian designers who have had link with the Bulgari heritage, such as the product counters by Carlo Scarpa, the sales tables by Franco Albini, or the central Eros marble table by Angelo Mangiarotti.

    The brand touch is also provided throughout the areas transformed into a Bulgari art-gallery: walls are decorated with Vintage most famous endorsements of celebrities who have been truly fan or ambassadors of the brand’s Italian exciting lifestyle.

    The boutique features an exclusive Bridal, Men, Accessories and VIP area, where the most precious creations can be viewed in total privacy.

    Bulgari Galaxy Macau is located at Shop G094 on the ground floor.

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  • Paradigm Mall to be new JB retail hub

    Paradigm Mall to be new JB retail hub

    A new shopping centre announced for Malaysia’s southern city Johor Baru, will be the largest mall in town when it opens in late 2016.

    Paradigm Mall was launched by Malaysia’s Tourism and Culture Minister Datuk Seri Mohd Nazri Aziz. It will be developed by WCT Holdings Berhard.

    The six story, 600,000 sqm mall will house a 16 screen multiplex cinema, an indoor rock climbing facility and an ice skating rink, alongside a large line-up of local and international brands inlcuding department store Sogo and the Village Grocer supermarket.

    Aziz described Johor Baru – a short drive across the border from Singapore – as “untapped potential” suggesting the new mall could help attract Singaporean shoppers to the city.

    “Johor Baru is among the top five shopping areas for foreign tourists, and I hope to work with integrated developments such as Paradigm Mall to promote Malaysia internationally,” he said at a launch function.

    The new mall will also incorporate a four-star hotel and serviced residences.

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  • Starbucks tests smart smartphone case

    Starbucks tests smart smartphone case

    Starbucks Japan is involved in a unique trial which allows customers to order and pay for their coffee with a swipe of their phone.

    The concept uses a branded smartphone case which is preloaded with the customer’s preferences.

    Trend monitoring website Springwise.com reports the Starbucks Touch phone case was developed in collaboration with Japanese clothing brand Uniform Experiment, and can currently be used in two Starbucks branches in Japan.

    The case – made for iPhone 6 – is designed to resemble a Starbucks coffee cup and features the brand’s iconic logo. It works like a prepaid Starbucks loyalty card, letting customers make cashless coffee purchases. It also enables users to save their preferred store and favorite beverage via a companion app. Upon arrival, customers simply launch the app and place their order, settling up by touching their phone case on the contactless payment device.

    The Starbucks Touch is available online for JPY 3000, or about US$25.

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  • SSI Group enters travel retail arena

    SSI Group enters travel retail arena

    Philippines specialty store operator SSI Group has made its first foray into the travel retail sector.

    SSI, through a subsidiary SKL International, has bought a 50 per cent stake in Landmark Management Services which marks its debut in the increasingly lucrative travel retailing category.

    The stake was acquired from duty free distributor Prime and the Regent Asia Group.

    “We are very happy to be part of the development of the travel retail industry. We believe that with SSI’s retailing experience and Landmark’s deep understanding of the unique shopping requirements of travelers, we can expand our market to cover tourists and business travelers,” SSI President Anthony Huang said in a statement.

    Landmark operates duty free and travel retail fashion stores at the Philippines’ larger airports as well as at Fiesta Mall in downtown Manila, under a concession from Duty Free Philippines.

    SSI Group ended last year with 723 specialty stores and 134,000 sqm of retail trading area and was planning to open a further 130 this year, outside this week’s acquisition. The company’s brand portfolio includes Marks and Spencer, Gucci, Burberry, Hermès, Prada, Salvatore Ferragamo, Lacoste, Michael Kors, Kate Spade, Gap, Bershka, Aeropostale, Samsonite, Nine West and Payless Shoe Source.

  • Indonesia liquor retailers brace for downturn

    Indonesia liquor retailers brace for downturn

    Indonesia liquor retailers fear the recent surprise increase in import tariffs on wine and spirits could more than double the price of some drinks.

    Indonesia’s Muslim-controlled government is effectively declaring war on drinkers. In April liquor sales were banned from convenience stores – a move recently blamed by Dairy Farm International for the closure of many of its convenience stores in Indonesia and prompting a strategic review of the entire chain.

    Last month the government announced shock tariff increases on a raft of imported products in a 1970s-styled economic move to protect inefficient local industry and deter imports. This despite its inclusion in the ASEAN bloc which encourages free trade within the region.

    Drinks industry executives told news agency Reuters the tariffs could “more than double prices” that were already sky-high, even by Asian standards. They fear an increase in smuggling activities and a black market for fake alcohol which is already an issue in China and Vietnam, leading to fatalities from people drinking chemical-enhanced fluids sold in fake branded bottles.

    The new tariffs, which took effect on July 23, force importers to pay 90 per cent duty on the value of wine and 150 per cent on spirits. The previous regime was a fixed amount per litre.

    “It’s quite a shock to the industry,” Dendy Borman, a board member at the International Spirit and Wine Association, told Reuters.

    And it could get even worse. Two extremist Islamic political parties want all liquor consumption in the country completely outlawed.

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  • UnionPay partners with Latitude19

    UnionPay partners with Latitude19

    Latitude19 Technology says its internet payment gateway is now registered with UnionPay Online Payment, a service for eCommerce transactions that enables UnionPay cards to be accepted over the internet with real-time transaction authorisation.

    The service brings the convenience of transacting over the internet to all Issuers, Acquirers, Merchants, and UnionPay cardholders in a simple and secure way, opening the way for holders of more than 5 billion UnionPay cards to shop online.

    Latitude 19 Technology CEO & founder, Timothy Moore said UnionPay registration is an important milestone in the company’s strategy to become the leading global offshore payment gateway.

    The deal makes Latitude19 the first provider for UnionPay in the Caribbean and Latin America.

    “Our partnership with the world’s largest card association, will fast track our growth and provide valuable solutions for our clients.”

    Latitude19 Technology’s UnionPay International credit card issuing program is based on a globally recognised platform that has been designed to rapidly launch and deploy new programs or expand existing programs in real-time versus taking months with other legacy platforms. It supports debit, credit, or emerging payment programs in plastic, virtual, or mobile form.

    Latitude19 Technology is a Cayman Islands-based secure, international, online payment gateway that offers competitively priced, custom credit card payment solutions for eCommerce merchants.

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  • AS Watson opens global flagship

    AS Watson opens global flagship

    AS Watson Group has opened its 12,000th store worldwide – in Hong Kong’s Causeway Bay.

    Perhaps fittingly, the store is a three-storey flagship, at 8000 sqft, the brand’s largest store in Hong Kong.

    Located on Yun Ping Rd, the new store features the latest Watsons store design concept internationally, a blend of “contemporary and elegant style”.

    “As an all-rounded health and beauty store, the flagship store provides customers with over 8300 unique products, including 840 healthcare and beauty brands of which 250 are Watsons exclusives,” the company said in a statement.

    The wide selection of products are categorised into different themes, such as organic skincare products, derma cosmetics, baby care area, men’s care area and health checks. Pharmaceutical and beauty consulting services, in-store nursery room and mobile charging stations are available to provide comprehensive customer services.

    At the store’s opening ceremony, Li Tzar Kuoi, Victor, the co-MD and deputy chairman of Watson’s parent CK Hutchison’s Group said Hong Kong has a special place in the company’s heart.

    “Last year, AS Watson Group opened and refitted 76 retail stores in Hong Kong; and for this year, the number is expected to amount to over 80. The capital investment involved would be approximately HK$620 million over these two years,” Li said.

    “We will continue to invest in the city. ”

    Founded back in 1941 as a small dispensary, the AS Watson Group was the 14th company to register in Hong Kong. Now it is the world’s largest international health and beauty retailer and one of the world’s fastest-growing retailers. Watson plans to open 1300 new stores around the world in 2015 – nearly three per day.

    Fortune Centre Watsons Hong Kong Flagship Store has the widest selection of natural & organic skin care products of nine international brands, including the Anumi, a well-known Australian brand with international organic certification, and American brand Burt’s Bees.

    Derma cosmetic products from 12 brands are on sale, including the French cosmetic brands Uriage and Filorga, which will have their exclusive counter, and Watsons’ exclusive brands such as Skin Advanced, CNP. Customers can also enjoy skin analysis and derma cosmetics consulting services.

    A wide range of cosmetic brands, including Clio, Luna and Peripera, etc, from Korea will be exclusively offered in this biggest cosmetic zone among all Watsons stores. Nail brands like Sally Hansen and Depend 7Day will also be available here. Customers can even enjoy makeup or manicure services.

    The Baby Zone offers a large variety of baby products, ranging from diapers, baby wipes, milk powders, etc, giving babies full care and protection. The Men’s Zone offers men’s grooming and health products selections of 14 brands, including Men’s Biore, L’Oréal Men Expert and Za Men, which is a Watson’s exclusive.

    As the Asia’s largest health and beauty retailer, Watsons aims to make customers ‘Look Good, Feel Great’. Nine professionals, including two pharmacists, one dispenser, three health and fitness advisors and three beauty consultants will station in-store to provide customers with professional health consulting and assessment services, such as the Ultrasound Bone Density test as well as measurements for blood pressure and BMI (Body Mass Index).

    The Flagship Store provides customer services such as free wireless internet access, mobile charging stations, baby nursing room, and washrooms.

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