Retail News CRM

Tag: Sales

  • New Mitsubishi Distributor to Boost Sales Operations in Indonesia

    New Mitsubishi Distributor to Boost Sales Operations in Indonesia

    Mitsubishi Motors Corporation (MMC) and business partners Mitsubishi Corporation (MC), PT Krama Yudha (KY) and Mitsubishi FUSO Truck and Bus Corporation (MFTBC) reached a basic agreement on restructuring MMC-brand vehicle sales operations in Indonesia in order to strengthen their Indonesian operating base.

    Under the basic agreement, the current distributor PT Krama Yudha Tiga Berlian Motors (KTB) will be split into MMC and MFTBC brands and a new distributor dedicated to the MMC brand will be set up. The new distributor will enhance MMC’s passenger car sales organization in Indonesia through promoting areas such as branding, sales personnel training, improving the quality of after-sales services and building up the dealer network. The new company is due to start sales operations in April 2017.

    MMC, in partnership with MC and KY began automobile production and sales in 1970 and since then business has grown focusing mainly on commercial vehicle sales.

    To meet further expected growth in the Indonesian passenger car market, MMC is preparing to commence production in April 2017 in a new factory at Mitsubishi Motors Krama Yudha Indonesia (MMKI). In October 2017, MMC also plans to start production of a new compact MPV segment model for which there is a large demand in Indonesia.

    MMC will work to further expand profits in Indonesia through expanding its model lineup, moving its focus from small commercial vehicles to passenger vehicles, strengthening the sales aspect with the new MMC brand-focused distributor in addition to production through the new factory at MMKI and new product.

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  • Chinese celebs promote ‘K-beauty’

    Chinese celebs promote ‘K-beauty’

    Internet celebrities in China, known as “Wang Hong” there, have been in the limelight among Korea’s cosmetics and retail industry officials, amid a chilly relationship between the two countries. Bilateral relations have soured since Korea decided to deploy the Terminal High Altitude Area Defense (THAAD) missile system.

    The online stars, who have millions of followers on the internet, exert a strong influence over young Chinese people. According to CBN Data, a commercial data company affiliated with Alibaba, the “Wang Hong economy” is set to be worth 58 billion yuan ($8.7 billion) in 2016, more than China’s box office in 2015.

    Korea’s cosmetics industry officials have recently paid attention to them, as more have promoted K-beauty fever in China, evaluating or recommending Korean cosmetics online.

    Some cosmetics companies have even invited them to Korea to promote their products.

    AmorePacific invited some to Korea in March and September this year to promote its oriental herbal shampoo “Ryoe.” After the invitation, AmorePacific’s shampoo sales in China grew seven times year-on-year. LG Household and Health Care invited nine celebrities to Korea on Sept. 22 to promote its cosmetics brand SU:M37. The Face Shop invited five others and introduced their products to them earlier this year.

    Retail industry officials are looking for opportunities from the celebrities as well.

    Aekyung invited 10 in May to promote its cosmetics brand “Luna,” and HDC Shilla I’PARK Duty Free hosted an overnight trip for five to sightsee spots in Yongsan, central Seoul. Shinsegae broadcasted its “K-beauty fashion week” event to China through the channels of a few of the internet celebrities and Galleria Duty Free Shop employed two to promote the store in China through their social media.

    On Oct. 3, Minister of Culture, Sports and Tourism, Cho Yoon-sun said, “We would like you Wang Hongs, who lead the trend in China, to be a bridge between Korea and China,” meeting six celebrities at Jongno Hanok Village in central Seoul.

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  • Smartphone sales growth continues to slow

    Smartphone sales growth continues to slow

    The global smartphone market is on track to grow just 4.5% during 2016, rocked by a decline in sales in the premium segment, Gartner predicts.

    The research firm estimates that premium smartphone sales will decline 1.1% for the year, with owners having less incentive to upgrade to the latest models.

    Overall smartphone sales are on track to reach 1.5 billion units in 2016. While the market is slowing as smartphones reach global saturation, Chinese vendors are stimulating sales in the Android segment of the market by offering more affordable premium devices.

    But Gartner expects the market for premium smartphones to return to 3.5% growth next year as stronger replacement cycles emerge.

    The predicted upswing is also in anticipation of Apple’s expected launch of a new iPhone with a new design and features attractive enough to convince smartphone owners to upgrade.

    Total mobile phone shipments are meanwhile on place to fall 1.6% in 2016, while tablet sales are set to decline from 196 million units in 2015 to 177 million in 2016.

    Worldwide combined device shipments – which also include PCs, laptops and related devices, are expected to decline for the second consecutive year, falling 3% to 2.34 billion units.

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  • India auto sales soar 20% in September ahead of festive seasons

    India auto sales soar 20% in September ahead of festive seasons

    Demand is expected to slowdown in the coming months, however.

    During Sep-16, domestic sales of passenger vehicles rose 20% YoY and two wheelers grew 22% YoY, ahead of Diwali and Dussera in Oct-16.

    MayBank KimEng’s channel checks suggest the demand for automobiles is 10% more than in the previous two festive seasons.

    “We expect demand to normalize lower in Nov and Dec as dealers start cutting inventories,” it said in a report.

    The Society of Indian Automobile Manufacturers (SIAM) confirmed the uptrend by revising up its sales growth forecast to 10-12% for FY17 from 6-8%.

    “We will wait for two more months of retail sales data before deciding whether to revise up our growth forecasts,” said MayBank KimEng.

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  • Ford Philippines retail sales up 32% in Q3

    Ford Philippines retail sales up 32% in Q3

    Retail sales of Ford Philippines surged to 8,244 units in the third quarter of 2016, up 32 percent from a year earlier.

    The demand for the EcoSport, Ranger, and Everest models helped grow the carmakers’s Philippine sales, Ford said in a statement on Thursday.

    Car sales stood at 24,993 units in the year-to-date, up 50 percent year-on-year.

    “Our full lineup of global Ford vehicles is contributing to another exceptional year of growth. EcoSport, Everest and Ranger continue to be the main drivers, but the rest of our showroom, including vehicles like Explorer, Fiesta and Mustang are helping build on the broad-based appeal for the Ford brand in the market,” said Lance Mosley, managing director of Ford Philippines.

    Ford Philippines is the local distributor of America’s Ford Motor Co.

  • GM Korea sales plunge 12.4 pct on-year in September

    GM Korea sales plunge 12.4 pct on-year in September

    GM Korea Co., the local unit of U.S. automaker General Motors Co., said Tuesday its sales dropped over 12 percent from a year earlier last month as both its domestic sales and exports suffered heavy losses.

    In September, the company sold 45,113 vehicles globally, down 12.4 percent from the same month last year, the company said in a press release.

    Domestic sales tumbled 14.1 percent on-year to 14,078 cars, while exports retreated 11.16 percent to 31,035 vehicles.

    In the first nine months of the year, the company’s global sales slipped 4.4 percent to 434,573 cars despite a 12.3 percent on-year spike in domestic sales as its outbound shipments plunged 10 percent on-year to 306,583 units over the cited period.

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  • Jimmy Choo Asia sales rises

    Jimmy Choo Asia sales rises

    Jimmy Choo Asia sales are soaring, despite the downturn in the luxury market.

    While the company does not break down its Asian sales figures by market, analysts are reporting “record growth” in Hong Kong and China, in part aided by the opening of a new store in Macau.

    Total revenues from Asia (excluding Japan) rose 22.1 per cent on a reported currency basis in the six months to June 30, reaching £27.1 million. Jimmy Choo opened two new stores of its own in Asia during the six months and six franchised stores.

    Next year the company plans new flagships in Tokyo, Shanghai and Beijing.

    Sales in Japan increased by 18.2 per cent on reported currency basis with men’s footwear sales and the strong yen driving growth.

    The company plans 200 stores Asia-wide to take advantage of the region’s “untapped growth potential”.

    The UK-based company recently marked 20 years since it was founded by Malaysian cobbler of the same name, who was later forced out of the business in controversial circumstances and now runs his own exclusive, unrelated Jimmy Choo Couture boutique in London.

    One of the reasons for the brand’s success in Asia is its unconventional marketing activities.

    Last September, brides in the Philippines were able to order customised shoes from its stores, selecting texture, style and colour and adding a personal monogram. This year, the concept was expanded to include handbags.

    In Malaysia, customers can customise the color, texture and finishes of their heels and add names, initials or even dates to their handbags.

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  • Tesla posts 70 percent rise in quarterly deliveries, backs 2016 target

    Tesla posts 70 percent rise in quarterly deliveries, backs 2016 target

    Tesla Motors Inc said on Sunday its third-quarter deliveries rose 70 percent to 24,500 cars, following production improvements, cheaper lease deals and reports of discounts on some vehicles.

    Deliveries are a key metric of performance for the luxury electric vehicle manufacturer, which had missed these targets in the previous two quarters.

    The improved deliveries for the third quarter bring Tesla closer to meeting its second-half 2016 target of 50,000 vehicles, which it reiterated on Sunday. It said in a statement that fourth-quarter deliveries would be “at or slightly above” the third quarter’s.

    However, the third-quarter figures included 5,150 vehicles in transit at the end of the second quarter, as Tesla reported in July. Another 5,500 cars in transit would be counted in the fourth quarter, it said.

    Meeting the third-quarter target was a priority for the money-losing Silicon Valley carmaker, which is hoping to raise funds from the equity market later this year for multiple efforts, including building out its factory for the Model 3 mass-market sedan due in late 2017 and the planned acquisition of SolarCity Corp (SCTY.O).

    Tesla experienced production problems earlier this year and began to resolve them in June. It said in July that production would improve from 2,000 cars a week to 2,200 in the third quarter and 2,400 in the fourth.

    Production rose in the third quarter to 25,185 vehicles, implying just shy of 2,000 vehicles per week.

    The company will release third-quarter financial results in early November.

    Chief Financial Officer Jason Wheeler said in August that if second-half production and delivery targets are met, the company had a “great chance of being non-GAAP profitable,” without specifying a time period.

    In September, Tesla began advertising its inventory cars, for showrooms or test drives, “at favorable prices and ready for expedited delivery.”

    Some analysts expressed concern that discounts, reported extensively on online Tesla forums, would undermine margins.

    Last week, Chief Executive Officer Elon Musk published a memo telling employees to follow the company’s policy of not offering discounts on new cars.

    Musk was responding to a research note published on Tuesday by Pacific Crest Securities analyst Brad Erickson criticizing Tesla for offering discounts on Model S inventory cars, not those built-to-order for specific customers, to boost third-quarter sales.

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  • Cost-cutting isn’t cutting it anymore for Singapore’s struggling retailers

    Cost-cutting isn’t cutting it anymore for Singapore’s struggling retailers

    Profits plummeted by 30% over the last 5 years.

    Retail firms have been thinking out of the box in terms of cost-cutting to constrain cost growth, but they can only do so much on back of the struggling retail industry.

    According to a report by BNP Paribas, retail trade firms have seen persistent erosion of profit margins.

    “Aggregate revenue growth for the roughly 22,000 retailers has been hard to come by (5-year nominal CAGR of 1.2%). This likely reflects slower domestic growth and the impact of macro-prudential tightening,” the report noted.

    Additionally, retailers have also grappled with labour market policies spurring strong wage gains (5Y CAGR of 7%) and, more recently, rising debt service.

    “As a result, we estimate industry-wide pre-tax profits fell by 30% over the last 5 years,” the report added.

    Meanwhile, similar sinking trends in profit margins are also manifest in the services sector, as labour market data indicates firms are now attempting to pass the problem on to households by shedding jobs.

    “In turn, these developments allude to slower wage income growth and a potential vicious cycle as highly-indebted households struggle with their own debt service,” the report noted.

  • Esprit posts profit in major recovery

    Esprit posts profit in major recovery

    Esprit Holdings (0330) posted a net profit of HK$21 million for the financial year ended June, marking a sharp turnaround from a HK$3.7 billion loss in the previous financial year.

    Chairman Raymond Or Ching-fai said the company’s return to the black was driven by the strong performance of its online and offline retail channels, reduction in the cost of operations and an exceptional gain from the sale of office premises in Hong Kong.

    “We have achieved what we wanted to do, we have stopped the ‘bleeding.’ For the first time, we were able to stop the continuous decline,” said chief executive Jose Manuel Martinez Gutierrez.

    It returned to profitability even if revenue fell 8.41 percent year-on-year to HK$17.79 billion. Sales from Germany, its biggest overseas market, slid 5.9 percent to HK$8.56 billion. Revenue from the rest of Europe, representing 37 percent of the group’s total sales, amounted to HK$6.58 billion, down 7.4 percent.

    In the Asia Pacific, including Hong Kong, revenue dropped 17.6 percent to HK$2.65 billion. Or said the overall market conditions remain challenging. He said the clothing industry was going through significant changes fueled by the development of online [marketing] channels and aggressive price competition.

    Europe’s macroeconomic prospects look uncertain, while the Asian market has turned weaker than before, Or added. In the financial year ended June, Esprit closed down 185 retail stores globally, reducing its net sales area by 10.90 percent. Gutierrez said Esprit will step up the closure of loss-making retail outlets.Over the next two years, it also plans to cut operating expenses by HK$1 billion. He said he expects the strong growth momentum of its online business in Europe and in Asia Pacific to continue. Revenue from its online e-shop grew 6.9 percent to HK$4.15 billion.

    Online sales made up 23.3 percent of total revenue, up from 20 percent in the previous fiscal year. Earnings per share was HK$0.01 and no dividend was declared.

    Chief financial officer Thomas Tang Wing-yung said no dividend was declared as profit was not significant, but Esprit will consider giving out dividends if it makes better profit in the next financial year.

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  • Zara owner Inditex profits rise on clothes sales surge

    Zara owner Inditex profits rise on clothes sales surge

    Spain’s fashion retail giant Inditex, owner of popular brand Zara, on Wednesday posted an eight-percent rise in first-half profits thanks to a surge in clothes sales around the globe.

    One of the world’s largest fashion retailers said profit for the six months from February to July rose to 1.3 billion euros ($1.4 billion) from the same time a year earlier.

    “All of the group’s brands increased their international presence during the period, with 83 new stores in 38 countries,” Inditex said in a statement, adding that it ventured into three new markets — Aruba, Paraguay and Nicaragua.

    Sales in the first half rose 11 percent to 10.5 billion euros.

    The results of the company, which operates eight store brands including Zara, upmarket label Massimo Dutti and teen chain Bershka, beat analyst expectations, but only slightly.

    All brands posted a rise in sales.

    Zara and home decoration brand Zara Home were the clear winners, posting a 13-percent and 17-percent rise in sales respectively.

    The retail empire was founded in 1975 by the discreet, publicity-shy Amancio Ortega, who has since become the world’s second richest man after Bill Gates.

    Its main competitor, Sweden’s H&M, regularly challenges it for the global number one spot.

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  • Furla reports 38% H1 travel-retail sales increase

    Furla reports 38% H1 travel-retail sales increase

    Italian luxury leathergoods brand Furla has reported a 38% travel-retail sales increase in H1 2016.

    Furla currently has 223 travel-retail points of sales in 52 countries, the most recent openings in Bucharest Henri Coandă International airport and Singapore Changi airport terminal two with Lagardère Travel Retail.

    Following record results in 2015 in terms of sales and profitability, the Furla Group overall has continued growth in the first half of 2016 registering €194m ($217m) in sales versus €151m in H1 2015, an increase of 28%.

    This increase is equal to +27% at constant exchange rates and proves Furla Group’s growth is well distributed worldwide thanks to increases in sales ranging between +22% and +34% in all geographical areas where the brand is present.

    The Furla Group now counts 425 mono-brand stores, up from the 415 units registered at the end of 2015. Around 50% of these mono-brand stores are composed of property and franchising points of sale.

    Counting multi-brands and department stores, the Furla Group is present in more than 1,200 other locations worldwide. It is directly present in more than 100 countries with its products.

    Furla Group, recently opened new mono-brand stores in locations such as Citic Mall in Shanghai, Mira Mall in Hong Kong, GUM in Moscow and in Nice. In the second semester of 2016, the Furla Group plans to open new stores in London (Brompton Road) and in Paris (Rue du Faubourg Saint Honoré).

    Japan remains its strongest market, representing 26% of total sales in the semester with a 30% increase just like the US. In Europe, sales excluding Italy—that alone is responsible for a 34% sales increase—have increased by 26%. Asia/Pacific sales have risen 22%, equal to almost 20% of the total sales for the Group. Like-for-like sales have also surged significantly with well-balanced results across all regions.

    In 2016, Furla Group, which boasts a 1,500-strong workforce, intends to increase investments in areas that already appreciate the brand and where the Group sees even more potential: marketing, communications, digital and e-commerce markets.

    Furla Group general manager Alberto Camerlengo said: “We’re extremely proud of our results for the first half of the year. The Furla Group continues to grow exponentially both geographically and across the different product categories, continuing to assert itself on a global level as one of the leading Brands in all markets.

    “The quality, freshness and innovative aspects of our products are recognised all over the world and we have been able to achieve these results thanks to the commitment and dedication of our team. We will continue to work towards new growth goals, opening new distribution channels, reinforcing existing relationships and focusing on new projects for the future.”

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  • A bonfire of the Swiss watches

    A bonfire of the Swiss watches

    Ever since the Chinese government cracked down on “gift giving” as part of its anti-corruption campaign, Swiss watch exports have taking a beating.

    Here’s the trend, courtesy of a UBS European luxury note out Wednesday:

    As the analysts note, that slump follows a more than 100 per cent rise in the value of Swiss watch exports over 2010 and 2011.

    Ground zero for the demand destruction, meanwhile, is Hong Kong. And it’s there that UBS got some insight on the scale of the downturn from three major retailers:

    We recently met three Hong Kong/ China watch retailers: Hengdeli, Oriental and Emperor Watch & Jewellery. All three companies commented that current trading remains tough, and there is not expected to be any significant recovery this year. Destocking continues as retailers reduce replenishment rates on weaker brands and adjust inventory price mix. More store closures are also ahead with the only silver lining that there appears to be a little more room for rent reductions in Hong Kong of ~10%-40%.

    Recent company commentary has continued to be weak: Swatch reported H1 results on 21st July. Organic sales declined -12.5%, with multi-brand retailers cautious to re-order or cancelling orders. CEO Hayek commented that own retail was better than wholesale and retail in Hong Kong has potentially bottomed out with sales between +10% and -10% depending on the stores. Local Hong Kong retailers, however, do not see the same trends. These results again confirm the difficult market conditions, and follow Richemont reporting April sales -15%.

    Unsurprisingly, for a market where the perception of scarcity underpins all value, the likes of Richemont have even taken to buying back inventory. According to UBS, the new Cartier CEO has specifically looked to clean out high end inventory from the Hong Kong market. This, we’d argue, is quite something. (Or at the very least a new asset purchase idea for QE?) From UBS:

    We estimate that Cartier watches declined -25% in H2 to March 2016 (~€240m) decelerating from closer to a -10% decline in H1. How much of this was “negative sales” due to the buy in is unclear. A rebasing of stock levels in the channel remains key for a medium term reacceleration. Stock levels have been high in the channel in the industry notably in Greater China.

    Hong Kong retail sales figures for watches, jewellery and clocks, meanwhile, registered a 26 per cent year-on-year decline in July following a 20 per cent decline in June:

    A comparable trend can also be seen in the diminishing number of visitor arrivals to Hong Kong from the Chinese mainland:

    The situation seems to be desperate enough for some Chinese luxury retailers to be breaking lease agreements and closing up shops, says UBS. On the up side, however, mainland sales seem more robust of late than Hong Kong, with Cartier watches seeing growth in the last quarter. Nevertheless, since luxury spending in mainland China is a small portion of the total of Chinese sales (about 25-30 per cent), the improved sales picture there is not necessarily offsetting the slowdown in other areas.

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  • Jimmy Choo sales outperform Burberry and Mulberry

    Jimmy Choo sales outperform Burberry and Mulberry

    British footwear brand Jimmy Choo has outperformed luxury peers such as Burberry and Mulberry to post a strong set of growth figures for the first half of 2016.

    While competitors struggle with declining luxury demand in Asian markets, Jimmy Choo has bucked the trend and reported an impressive 22.1 per cent growth in Asia (ex-Japan) with China leading the way with double digit like-for-like growth; proving its measured approach to store expansion and brand building is successful without over exposing the brand.

    Europe, Middle East and Asia revenue grew by 12.2 per cent – commendable given it is one of Jimmy Choo’s most mature markets – with the UK performing well as domestic demand remained robust, supported by a renovated store portfolio.

    The recent uptick in luxury goods demand in the UK, as international travellers take advantage of the weaker pound, will further benefit Jimmy Choo’s UK performance in the second half.  The Americas, however, is proving a tougher nut to crack though, as sales declined 3.4 per cent; affected no doubt by the continuing volatility in the US department store market which has led wholesale orders to decline.

    Creative director Sandra Choi has led a strong half year of product design, building upon Jimmy Choo’s British identity to produce ranges which continue to resonate with consumers across the globe. The brand’s recent decision to focus on expanding men’s footwear is proving fruitful, as it’s now its fastest growing category, representing 8 per cent of total revenue. That will continue to grow as the brand opens dual gender stores and invests in the product and marketing of men’s collections.

    Globally, Jimmy Choo sales grew 9.2 per cent at reported currency and 3.8 per cent at constant currency. Improved gross margins and cost controls drove adjusted EBITDA growth of 13.7 per cent. Reported operating profit rose 42.6 per cent to £25.3 million.

    Jimmy Choo is in prime position to continue its growth momentum with its multi-pronged focus on eCommerce (bolstered by growing social media engagement and a robust distribution network) and conversion of retail outlets to new concept stores – all supported by a stellar product offer that is effective in both design and range.

    *Nivindya Sharma

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  • What lies behind the Gap sales decline

    What lies behind the Gap sales decline

    That the overall pace of the Gap sales decline has moderated since both last quarter and last year is the only – very small – crumb of comfort for Gap Inc in its latest set of results.

    Gap last week reported a profit of US$125 million for the quarter, down from $219 million a year earlier. Total revenue declined 1.2 per cent to $3.85 billion.

    The total sales decline in the US is actually worse than last year with much heavier declines at Banana Republic and flat growth at Old Navy dragging down performance.

    Looking in stores it is not hard to see why this is the case. The Gap brand has no sense of newness and heavy discounting and constant promotion still appear to be the only tools the company has to drive trade. From Conlumino’s data it is clear that in the US Gap is not only losing customers but the customers it has retained are visiting less and spending less – mostly thanks to taking advantage of offers and deals. This is a dangerous position that erodes sales and profit, and suggests Gap has not even begun to remedy its underlying problems.

    Although it is clear the company is serious about creating a step change at its main brand, and while the autumn “#DoYou” campaign and its associated merchandise represent a small step forward, Gap has failed to convince it has done enough to correct the problems in its business.

    While Gap has troubles, Banana Republic is even more problematic. Over the quarter total sales in the US fell by 7.1 per cent, and on a global basis comparable sales for Banana shrunk by 9 per cent off the back of a 4 per cent decline in the prior year. The assortment is at the heart of Banana’s issues and symbolises a brand that has simply lost its way. The spring and summer collection is best described as predominantly bland with a generous sprinkling of oddness thanks to garments with strange cuts and patterning. Customers are confused and, of course, increasingly unwilling to pay the premium that Banana Republic once commanded. As a consequence the brand is falling into exactly the same trap as Gap as it resorts to discounting and deals to shift merchandise.

    Banana Republic is a smaller part of the group, but it is one in which a turnaround will be difficult to engineer. For this reason, it is getting set to completely shutter its UK, and possibly European, operations. As much as this retrenchment is an admission of failure, it is a necessary contraction given the parlous state of the business.

    Old Navy, which once delivered consistently positive numbers, spluttered again this quarter with flat growth in the US. While this brand is in a much better position than its siblings, it has become much less consistent in its marketing and instore merchandising, something which is reflected in its choppier sales numbers.

    Gap Inc is a troubled retailer without much of a plan – a plan that is desperately needed as its net profit decline of 43 per cent in this quarter aptly shows.