Retail News CRM

Tag: Store

  • LuxLexicon launches offline flagship store to attract customers

    LuxLexicon launches offline flagship store to attract customers

    In a switch from business online, handbag reseller LuxLexicon has unveiled its first flagship store at The Centrepoint.

    Founder Florence Low describes her company as the largest purveyor of Hermes Birkins and Kellys outside Hermes stores in Singapore, and a leader in authenticated luxury consignments for Hermes.

    Previously Low ran a boutique custom-publishing business and a luxury flash-sale e-commerce website before starting to sell Hermes handbags via her Instagram account @luxlexicon in 2016. She sold 1500 Hermes handbags through LuxLexicon last year, with the biggest sale being a new Himalayan Birkin 30 handbag fetching nearly $130,000.

    “Just as cars and timepieces are status symbols for men, handbags are seen to be the status symbols for women,” says Low. “Of all the handbag brands, the Hermes appeal is very strong because women everywhere recognise that these handbags make for good investments. They appreciate in value over time and are highly liquid when one decides to sell.”

    Her flagship store has more than 300 pieces in stock, while her clientele ranges from female professionals and socialites in their 30s to 50s, to men who buy them as gifts.

    While LuxLexicon continues selling online, but has done away with private viewings, Low believes a physical showroom will enable customers to interact with her so they can feel comfortable making a purchase.

    “When it comes to selling luxury goods, nothing beats seeing my customers in person before they make a purchase. It is hard for someone to part with a five-digit figure based on pictures alone. For that reason, the store is meant to offer buyers the chance to assess an item in person before buying it.”

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  • Olivia Burton launched a concept store in Ion Orchard

    Olivia Burton launched a concept store in Ion Orchard

    British accessories brand Olivia Burton, together with Asian retail specialist Norbreeze Group, has launched a concept store in Ion Orchard.

    For the first time in Singapore, the brand’s fashion jewellery collection and personalisation services are being offered at the flagship store. Its signature vintage-inspired watches have been available in Singapore since October.

    Olivia Burton was founded by best friends Lesa Bennett and Jemma Fennings in 2012 and named after Bennett’s great aunt. Its London studio creates detailed watches and jewellery inspired by nature.

    Norbreeze Group co-founder Anne Trads Juel Sauerberg describes Olivia Burton’s accessories as “fashionable and affordable luxury”.

    To celebrate its opening, the store will host experiential activities on Saturday. Guests and customers will be able to create floral crowns and be offered floral cupcakes. The first 20 shoppers will each receive limited-edition exclusive merchandise.

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  • Hera Singapore plans more boutique stores

    Hera Singapore plans more boutique stores

    Korean cosmetics brand Hera Singapore will officially launch at Takashimaya Department Store on May 10.

    And the brand will also open a standalone boutique store within the second half of this year.

    Hera’s parent company Amorepacific considers Singapore a strategically important market for international expansion, due to consumers’ strong demand for global brands and their interest in trends.

    Hera  launched in China, its first overseas market, in 2016.

    Amorepacific also plans to bring its haircare brand Amos to Singapore this year.

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  • Huawei store for Hong Kong

    Huawei store for Hong Kong

    Chinese smartphone maker Huawei Technologies will open its first retail store in Hong Kong by the end of July.

    Just a week after unveiling its flagship P20 Series smartphones in Hong Kong, the Shenzhen-based company has revealed its plans for a 2000sqft store in Tsim Sha Tsui.

    Huawei has a market share of around 10 per cent in Hong Kong, behind Apple and Samsung, but says it is working hard to achieve 15 per cent by the end of the year.

    Its latest products at the new store will have prices starting from HK$4980 (US$635), and include the P20 Pro, which has a three-camera system that takes photos with a far higher resolution than the iPhone, reports EJInsight. Huawei senior executive Richard Yu has described it as “the iPhone killer”.

    Huawei aims to boost its public exposure in Hong Kong with its own retail store, rather than relying on third-party channels. Already Apple has five stores in the territory since arriving in 2011, while Samsung has its Galaxy Studio. Beijing-based Xiaomi is set to open its third store in Mong Kok next year.

    With its store, Huawei will be able to showcase its technological advancements, such as its 5G development and its Kirin mobile processor. Its P20 Pro and Mate 10 have hardware specifications that surpass those of Apple.

    Worldwide, Huawei is growing faster than most of its rivals and is in a neck-and-neck race with Apple, says EJInsight. In fact, at one point last year it surpassed Apple in shipping volumes, but then the iPhone X and iPhone 8 series were released.

  • Superdry Vietnam launching first Hanoi flagship store

    Superdry Vietnam launching first Hanoi flagship store

    Superdry Vietnam will open first flagship store on Saturday, at Hanoi’s Trang Tien Plaza.

    It will showcase the British fashion brand’s latest menswear, women’s and children’s casualwear, sportswear,  footwear, undergarments and accessories.

    For its Vietnam debut, Superdry will also introduce its latest perfume collection, Superdry SS18.

    On opening day, the first 100 customers will each be given a Superdry shirt.

    Superdry comes to Vietnam via Jaspal Group, which owns the Vietnam rights to such brands as CC Double, CPS Chaps, Lyn, Misty Mynx and Santas.

    Superdry has 515 locations in 46 countries.

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  • Second flagship store for Lego Group China

    Second flagship store for Lego Group China

    Lego Group China has started building a flagship store at People’s Square, Shanghai.

    “Opening our second flagship store in China reconfirms our long-term commitment to the country,” says Lego China GM Jacob Kragh.

    Covering 585sqm over two floors inside Shanghai ShiMao Festival City, the store will feature the first Lego personalisation experience of its type in China, allowing guests of all ages to be creative and innovative with Lego bricks.

    Lego brand retail senior VP Claus Flyger Pejstrup says the aim is to give families an opportunity for quality time together above and beyond shopping.

    The new store, which follows the introduction of flagships at Shanghai Disneyland and Leicester Square in London is expected to create about 45 jobs. Recruitment start this month.

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  • Ex 7-Eleven manager fined for underpaying staff

    Ex 7-Eleven manager fined for underpaying staff

    The Federal Circuit Court has fined a former Brisbane 7-Eleven operator for about $193,000 for short-changing workers and failing to keep proper pay records.

    Jason Yuan, who operated two 7-Eleven stores in the Brisbane CBD in 2013 and 2014, was said to have underpaid 21 staff a total of $31,507, and he also failed to keep records of cash payments made to staff on public holidays.

    The court penalised Yuan $36,559 and for two companies in which he was a director, Viplus Pty Ltd, $88,140 and Vipper Pty Ltd, $68,262. Viplus Pty Ltd operated the store in Adelaide Street until July 2017, while Vipper Pty Ltd operated the store in George Street until May 2017.

    The Federal Circuit Court imposed the fine following a lengthy investigation by the Fair Work Ombudsman, which has taken legal action against 11 7-Eleven operators since 2009.

    During the investigation, inspectors found the workers at both stores were paid flat rates for all hours worked, save for public holidays where they received an additional $20 per hour in cash.

    According to a statement from the Ombudsman, given the 24-hour, seven-day nature of the businesses, this resulted in significant underpayments of Saturday and public holiday penalty rates, overtime rates and shift work rates stipulated by the General Retail Industry Award 2010.

    Two workers at the Adelaide Street store were also found to have been paid at the incorrect classification.

    Individual underpayments ranged from $98.36 to $5080.16, which have all now been rectified.

    The respondents were also penalised for failing to meet record-keeping and payslip requirements, including by failing to include information in respect of cash payments made to some of the employees.

    In her judgment, Judge Mercuri noted that the underpayments were “substantial”, particularly given the low-skilled nature of the work and the vulnerability of the workers due to their age and, in some cases, their visa status.

    “Given that many of the employees of both Viplus and Vipper were in Australia on various visas, with many being young workers, the impact of the underpayments was significant for each of the affected employees,” Mercuri said.

    In determining the penalties, Mercuri also pointed out that Yuan had been running the stores for over twelve years, had a background in finance, banking and project management and had access to significant training and support from the 7‑Eleven head office.

    Acting Fair Work Ombudsman Kristen Hannah businesses should be aware that serious breaches of workplace laws have increased ten-fold and can now attract penalties of up to $630,000 per contravention for companies and $126,000 for an individual.

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  • Alfamart Dreaming Big in the Philippines

    Alfamart Dreaming Big in the Philippines

    Alfamart Philippines owner Sumber Alfaria Trijaya plans to add 150 more outlets to its present 400.

    The Indonesian convenience store’s president/director Hans Prawiraafter says a deal for financing has been signed with Standard Chartered Bank in Jakarta.

    He says the current outlets are in greater Manila, but following “significantly positive” market response based on same-store sales growth, the brand is set to enter regions outside of Manila.

    In Indonesia, Alfamart plans 800 more outlets this year including 150 franchises. There are presently 13,477 outlets. Half of the new outlets will be on Java Island while other regions will have distribution centres in Kalimantan, Sulawesi and Sumatra.

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  • Storefront partners with Obsess to create virtual reality stores

    Storefront partners with Obsess to create virtual reality stores

    Storefront is pushing the boundaries of the retail industry by giving brands for the first time ever the opportunity to rent Virtual Reality pop-up stores right on its platform.

    Retailers and e-commerce brands can now launch a virtual, fully customisable store powered by Obsess’ VR technology, featuring their own inventory and choosing any layout, decor and style.

    The ‘Future of Retail’ is retail everywhere, according to Storefront

    Storefront is making retail accessible to anyone in the world by now giving customers a unique selling and buying experience through Virtual Reality, in addition to its current retail space offerings. Now, anyone has the ability to experience a physical store with the ease of online shopping.

    “We see this Virtual Reality pop-up store as creating a new category between e-commerce and a physical retail space. It’s a great in between,” says Joy Fan, Storefront’s CCO.

    Get a taste of (virtual) reality

    With this new partnership with Obsess, brands and retailers can now easily book space through a New York City, Los Angeles, or San Francisco themed virtual store.

    Now with this virtual pop-up store, e-commerce brands can get a branded store environment without the need to invest in a physical space – just yet.

    “Our goal is to bring the visual merchandising and curation of retail stores into online shopping to make it a more guided and enjoyable experience,” explains Obsess founder and CEO Neha Singh.

    By booking this virtual reality experience, brands will be able to increase digital engagement, reduce costs, create more traffic and acquire new data.

    A unique initiative that allows Storefront to open all doors to all ideas.

    About Storefront

    Storefront is the world’s largest marketplace for short-term retail space rental, making it possible for brands to sell their idea anywhere; for space owners to activate their space with a click and for consumers to buy local; globally.

    Storefront’s platform powers more than 10,000 listings, which represent more than 30 millionsqft of retail space. The company offers greater access to spaces in leading retail cities around the world, including Hong Kong, New York, Paris, London, Milan, Amsterdam, Los Angeles and San Francisco.

    Since its launch in 2013, it has helped thousands of brands all over the world, including Google, Samsung, L’Oréal, Everlane, Shopify, Indiegogo; open temporary retail stores.

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  • a Second Apple China store in Macau?

    a Second Apple China store in Macau?

    Apple China is planning a second shop in Macau, according to Apple Insider.

    Quoting StoreTeller, it says the IT brand’s store will be at Sands Cotai Central casino resort.

    Unlike Apple Galaxy Macau, the outlet is external, and is likely to open this quarter.

    Globally, its latest all-new store is in Vienna.

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  • H&M to open its third store in Vietnam

    H&M to open its third store in Vietnam

    H&M Vietnam is opening its third store, at Ho Chi Minh City’s Vincom Mega Mall Thao Dien.

    The fast-fashion outlet will open on January 27 with limited-edition gifts for its first customers.

    The Swedish brand arrived in Vietnam four months ago, launching at Vincom Dong Khoi in Ho Chi Minh City. A second store followed at Vincom Mega Mall Royal City Hanoi, with more planned to open across Vietnam in the next two years.

    H&M has more than 4500 stores in more than 63 countries.

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  • KUHO’s flagship store combines fashion and art

    KUHO’s flagship store combines fashion and art

    Samsung C & T’s womenswear “KUHO” showcases the exhibition and collaboration line “Artisan” with Doha, a furniture designer to build its image of a lifestyle brand.

    Ham-Doha Collaboration is held under the theme of “Sentiment” in the showroom on the second floor of the flagship store in Hannam-dong, Seoul, until the 31st of this month.

    Hannam-dong, a lively neighborhood in central Seoul near Itaewon, is becoming a popular spot for all kinds of cultural experiences, including fashion.

    It is in this area full of designer stores and galleries that KUHO, a Korean fashion label, launched its first flagship store, called “The House of KUHO”.

    KUHO introduced ‘Artisan’, an exclusive line to attract young customers. This line is combined with Ham Doha, a famous furniture designer, and artwork with distinctive colors and curves. It has a limited edition including sweatshirts, eco bags, pouches and brooches.

    The exhibition displays 31 works including furniture, lighting, and painting.

    The designer creates a personalized work by projecting the concept of ’emotion’, which is accompanied by all the acts that people feel and sympathize with, in  their interaction feel  furniture.

    Visitors can feel various subjective interpretations about the meaning and expression of the household and change the emotion.

    Park Ji-na, director of “KUHO” said “We have organized exhibitions to share a brand identity that pursues total lifestyle beyond clothing and enhance customer communication. We will strengthen brand identity through the works of Ham designer and Artisan line to deliver differentiated values.”

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  • New Leica boutique opens in Hanoi

    New Leica boutique opens in Hanoi

    Leica Vietnam has introduced its high-end cameras and sports optics in its first boutique, in Hanoi.

    As well as offering the German brand’s entire range, including its signature Leica Akademie and Leica Galerie, the Leica Boutique also aims to become a community for local photographers where they can share their passion and learn techniques from experts, says Leica Asia Pacific CEO Sunil Kaul.

    Over its first days the store hosted an exhibition, The Beauty of Light, and introduced the latest Leica camera.

    A Ho Chi Minh store will be opened next year.

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  • Kingsdown Celebrates 100th Branded Store in China

    Kingsdown Celebrates 100th Branded Store in China

    Bedding manufacturer Kingsdown recently with the opening of its 100th store in Shijiazhuang, China. The store is part of Kingsdown’s ongoing licensing partnership with Asian-based bedding producer and retailer Roth Bedding Technology International Limited.

    The new 2,260-square-foot store, located in the capital and largest city of North China’s Hebei Province, puts Kingsdown on track to have a minimum of 135 stores open in China by the end of this year and solidifies the company’s strategy to have 500 branded stores open throughout China by 2020. Currently, Kingsdown branded stores are in 58 cities.

    Roth and Kingsdown joined forces in 2015. Since then, the partnership has increased the number of Kingsdown branded stores throughout China, capitalizing on the country’s appetite for the American brand’s luxurious style and handcraftsmanship.

    “Our business in China remains strong and continues to flourish, and we couldn’t be happier to hit this important milestone,” said Frank Hood, president and CEO of Kingsdown. “Our ongoing strategic partnership with Roth has been instrumental in the growth and success of the Kingsdown brand in China. The entire Roth team are experts in the market and their leadership and direction have been invaluable.”

    In addition to its continued growth in China, Kingsdown recently opened a second store in Ho Chi Minh, Vietnam, which is part of the company’s ambitious growth strategy throughout Asia. The company’s expansion in Asia coincides with Kingsdown’s continued growth in the U.S.

    Roth Bedding Technology International Limited is based in Hong Kong. The company is a leader in distribution platforms and retail, providing both their partners and Chinese consumers a full-service company that offers quality products.

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  • Tappoo Group opens Bobbi Brown Cosmetics store at Nadi International

    Tappoo Group opens Bobbi Brown Cosmetics store at Nadi International

    Bobbi Brown Cosmetics has opened its first outlet at Nadi International Airport, Fiji, in partnership with traveller retailer Tappoo Group.

    The store officially opened on 19 November and offers Bobbi Brown’s range of colour cosmetics, brushes, accessories and skincare products.

    Tappoo Group Director Harnish Tappoo said: “Tappoo is extremely proud to be representing Bobbi Brown in Fiji; it is one of the best make-up brands. We have highly trained make-up artists who are fully geared up to offer the best service and advice to customers.”

    Bobbi Brown Travel Retail Asia Pacific Regional Education Manager Carina Choo said: “We are a unique brand; we are focused on building the team so that they are able to confidently talk to customers and to do it very well. The beauty industry is always very competitive but we always have to know what are our unique styling points.”