Tag: Market expansion

India – Celebrating its 50th anniversary, Landmark Group has announced a $1b investment to fuel its expansion across the Gulf, India, and Southeast Asia, aiming to open 400 new stores over the next three years.

Landmark Group’s investment is set to boost its retail footprint by 20% by 2028, alongside increased commitments to ecommerce, supply chain, and technology enhancements as the group builds on its current annual revenue of over $7b (FY ’23-24) across all markets.

The Group’s expansion plans also feature the debut of its latest brand, VIVA, in Saudi Arabia in 2025, along with the rollout of Babyshop, its flagship brand, in four cities across India within the next six months.

Renuka Jagtiani, chairwoman of Landmark Group, said, “We are deeply committed to serving our customers through our own brand portfolio by offering relevant products and value. Physical stores remain a vital part of the retail experience, and we continue to upgrade store design whilst we invest in ecommerce and in the latest technology and innovation. We believe that this is key to staying relevant to ensure a seamless customer experience, both on and off-line.”

“Landmark’s entrepreneurial core, its purpose-driven approach, adaptability, and strong leadership have enabled it to evolve in line with changing consumer habits and needs and play a leading role in advancing the sector,” Jagtiani added. 

Backed by a dedicated workforce of over 23,000, Landmark Group has established a strong presence in India over the past 25 years, with nearly 1,000 outlets across 265 cities. The Group plans to add 250 more stores over the next three years—including eight Babyshop locations within six months—and is investing in digital capabilities to achieve 20% annual growth in its Indian e-commerce business over the next five years.

Kabir Lumba, CEO of Landmark Retail, explained, “We still see great momentum with our stores, and our online business is growing strongly at over 20% per annum. To maintain this trajectory, we are committing $1 billion in the next three years towards our physical expansion and upgrading our e-commerce, technology, and supply chain capabilities.”

Landmark Group currently boasts 12 million square feet of automated warehousing and distribution space, including its $350 million Mega Distribution Centre in Jebel Ali. In 2022, it launched Logistiq, a third-party logistics company serving clients beyond its own ecosystem.

“In just 18 months, we have rapidly scaled our last-mile delivery services to handle over 20,000 daily shipments across KSA and UAE for more than 50 clients, with a fleet of over 800 vehicles. Looking ahead, our vision is to build a leading logistics business by developing our end-end supply-chain offering, including freight, warehousing, and cross-border delivery solutions, while expanding our coverage across the GCC,” Lumba continued. 

GUT, the South American-based global creative network, has recently made its first foray into Asia-Pacific with the launch of its office in Singapore. This marks the agency’s tenth office globally, with existing offices in Miami, Buenos Aires, São Paulo, Toronto, Mexico City, Los Angeles, Amsterdam, Madrid, and New York.

Following the agency’s recent official Singapore office opening, MARKETECH APAC caught up exclusively with Jessica Davey, managing director at GUT Asia to better understand why this new office launch means much for the agency, and how their vision fits well with the region’s continued advancement–technologically and creatively–globally.

A dream five years in the making

Davey had noted that GUT’s founders–Anselmo Ramos and Gaston Bigio–have long dreamt about opening shop in Asia since the agency was founded in 2018. With that in mind, Davey has expressed that the agency is optimistic about working with a lot of regional and global clients in the region, given how diverse Asia-Pacific is.

“Opening an office in Asia has been a dream of the founders since they first started the agency in 2018 and it represents an incredible opportunity for us as we continue our explosive growth journey. This dynamic and diverse region is home to many global and local clients who are looking for brave and innovative solutions to help drive business growth. Having a presence in Asia makes us a truly global agency network that can service clients anywhere in the world,” she explained.

Speaking on why they chose Singapore as its APAC home, Davey said, “Singapore’s diversity, innovative spirit, and vibrant energy are a perfect fit for GUT’s brave creative approach. We couldn’t be more excited to open our doors in this iconic city that has been pushing the boundaries of creativity, technology, and design and become a part of this amazing community.”

Making brave work right for clients

At the centre of GUT’s vision as a creative agency are three core principles: Courage, Transparency and Intuition. For them, the order of work means being people first, work second and clients third.

This is exactly what Davey also echoed when asked about whan can the region expect from GUT in their expansion to APAC.

“At the centre of our business is our core mantra: we are a brave agency for brave clients. But it is important to acknowledge that bravery isn’t binary, it is a spectrum and that clients all have different paths to bravery,” she said.

She also stressed that creative ‘brave’ work clients means making sure that it fits well their client needs, as well as the needs of the region.

“So we want to make brave work that is right for our clients, their markets & cultures and people. We want to ensure our work reflects this diverse and dynamic region, not just in what we make but in who and how we make it,” she added.

Davey also noted, “With many of our global clients looking for local presence and expertise – the time was right to bring GUT to this market and position ourselves for even greater growth and success around the world.”

Collaboration is all about working together to make impact

Going back to GUT’s three core principles: Courage, Transparency, and Intuition–Davey says that they always ask potential new clients if they are aligned with those values to make sure they are a good fit.

Some of the agencies GUT has recently worked with include AB-InBev, Tim Hortons, Mercado Libre, Coca-Cola, Kraft-Heinz, P&G, and NotCo.

“We have a philosophy called ‘Open Kitchen,’ which is all about working collaboratively with clients. We will do whatever it takes to understand a client’s business, identify communications needs and opportunities, and proactively bring bold ideas to the table,” Davey explained.

When asked about the agency’s future plans in the region, she stated, “Asia has historically been one of the most creative and technologically advanced regions in the world and we are thrilled to tap into the talent and innovation in the region to bring bravery to every touchpoint. We see a huge opportunity to play a meaningful role in pushing the boundaries of what’s possible leveraging technology, design and creativity to connect brands and consumers in this region in impactful ways.”

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As an agency whose mantra revolves around how the more diverse they are, the more creative they are and that they will never be diverse enough. For GUT, they believe that diversity is an ongoing process and measure of intention. As a region whose growth continues to be manifested through growth of digital channels and changing consumer behaviour, there is a huge opportunity for GUT to make a splash in the region and bring its learnings from existing markets to APAC.

Hong Kong – Singapore’s premium ice cream brand, The Ice Cream & Cookie Co. (ICC), has unveiled its first international flagship store in Hong Kong, marking a significant step in its expansion across the Greater Bay Area and North Asia. 

Situated in the vibrant Gough Street, Central’s trendy shopping and dining hub, the two-story flagship store serves up scoops, pints, and sandwiches for takeout, along with a diverse selection of coffee, tea, ice cream, desserts, and more, all available to enjoy in its inviting bistro-style seating area.

Arnold Lau, associate director-general of investment promotion at Invest Hong Kong, said, “Hong Kong people are health conscious and demand high-quality food. Together with its strategic location providing an unparalleled bridge between the Mainland and the rest of the world, it is the ideal place for ICC to expand in the region. We wish the brand every success in Hong Kong and beyond.”

Natasha Chiam, co-founder of ICC, also shared, “We are so excited to bring our delicious, much-loved ice cream creations to Hong Kong, our second international market and the first with its very own concept store. This expansion is a significant step towards our vision of becoming the leading better for you ice cream company across Asia.”

She explained, “Hong Kong is not only situated in the heart of Asia but is also on the doorstep of Mainland China and part of the GBA. We will use the city as our North Asia headquarters, with a focus on overseeing the operations in Hong Kong as well as managing our expansion to other regions in the Greater Bay Area and North Asia.” 

“Hong Kong’s sophisticated consumer market closely mirrors Singapore’s in terms of taste and demand for quality, so we consider it a great fit for our premium ice cream products. Renowned for our signature ice cream sandwiches and pints, we also offer unique Asian-inspired flavours as well as a wide range of plant-based and diary-free options,” she added. 

ICC’s products are also stocked in supermarkets and convenience stores across Hong Kong.

Malaysia – WE Communications (WE), the global communications consultancy, has expanded into Malaysia, launching a new office in Kuala Lumpur through its affiliate, Chase Advisors.

WE’s entry into the Malaysian market is a strategic response to the rising demand for regional communications and advocacy services across diverse sectors, including consumer goods, finance, healthcare, and technology.

The consultancy firm is pursuing further expansion in Asia, strengthening its regional footprint by blending global expertise with local market insights to effectively engage and resonate with local audiences.

“Malaysia is a crucial market for businesses expanding both regionally and globally. With Southeast Asia’s expanding middle class, dynamic digital ecosystem, and strong economic ties between the United States and Malaysia, it’s the perfect time for WE to deepen our presence here and leverage opportunities for growth across the region,” said Kass Sells, CEO of international at WE. 

The new office was officially inaugurated by the Honourable Datuk Seri Mustapa Mohamed, a highly respected former Malaysian cabinet minister.

With this launch, Chase Advisors will provide a full suite of WE services, encompassing policy advocacy and advisory, data and analytics, stakeholder engagement, and strategic communications. The new office will be led by Kanesan Veluppillai, managing director for Malaysia, supported by a team of seasoned communications professionals.

“Our team in Malaysia brings a wealth of knowledge in local market dynamics and regulatory environments. We are eager to deliver insights and strategies that will help our clients thrive in this rapidly evolving environment,” Veluppillai shared. 

Meanwhile, Nitin Mantri, regional executive managing director for Asia-Pacific at WE and group CEO of Avian WE, commented, “Due to the dominance of social media, mobile-first audiences, and an appetite for hyper-localised content, businesses need a trusted partner to help them navigate an increasingly complex landscape. Our blend of experienced local talent combined with our global specialists creates a compelling advantage. I am excited to see the great work that will come out of our Kuala Lumpur team.”

Manash Neog, managing director at Chase APAC, added, “Malaysia plays a strategic role in global trade and digital infrastructure, and we believe there is significant opportunity ahead of us. Expanding into Malaysia is a natural next step in the Southeast Asia growth strategy, and we have our sights set on further growth into Indonesia.”

Singapore – Fast food chain Chick-fil-A has announced plans to open its first restaurant in Singapore in late 2025, marking the brand’s entry into Asia. The first Chick-fil-A restaurant in Singapore begins with a 10-year long US$75m investment. 

In June 2024, Chick-fil-A Asia Pte Ltd hosted a pop-up event in Singapore to help introduce the brand to the community and gain a nuanced understanding of Guest preferences in the region. More than 1,000 people in Singapore enjoyed an iconic Original Chick-fil-A® Chicken Sandwich at the three-day experience. 

Through a suggested S$10 donation, attendees helped generate S$30,000 in donations for Community Chest, the philanthropy and engagement arm of National Council of Social Service (NCSS). 

Chick-fil-A’s branches span more than 3,000 restaurants globally. 

Anita Costello, chief international officer at Chick-fil-A, said, “The profound love that Singaporeans have for food as well as the city’s strategic position as a gateway to the Asian market make it the ideal choice for Chick-fil-A’s first permanent restaurant in the region. We are grateful for the overwhelming support and positive response from Singaporeans so far and we look forward to serving them in 2025.”

Local owner-operators of Chick-fil-A restaurants in Singapore will have the opportunity to be part of the ‘Chick-fil-A Shared Table’ food donation program, which feeds hungry people by sharing surplus food with local nonprofit partners to help those who need it most. 

In the United States and Canada, more than 30 million meals have been created for people in need since the program began in 2012. 

Hugh Park, head of Asia-Pacific operations at Chick-fil-A (Asia) Pte Ltd., commented, “We are thrilled to introduce Chick-fil-A to Singapore, bringing new jobs and opportunities as we support the local community. Serving our Guests with high quality food and signature hospitality remains our top priority as we do so. Our unique approach, with locally owned and operated restaurants, will also allow us to better connect with people in Singapore as we provide an authentic Chick-fil-A experience.” 

Manila, Philippines – Philippine fast-food franchise operator Shakey’s Pizza Asia Ventures (SPAVI) is setting plans to expand its operations in the United States by incorporating a subsidiary in the local market. This was announced in a recent disclosure by SPAVI at the Philippine Stock Exchange (PSEi).

In the disclosure, SPAVI said that the intended principal activities shall include owning and operating stores and franchises, as well as to market Shakey’s Group’s products and brands.

“The incorporated entity will be the Group’s platform in its expansion plans in the territory which will grow systemwide sales, revenues and bottomline internationally via companyowned and franchised stores in the territory,” SPAVI said in a statement.

SPAVI is known for managing and expanding the Shakey’s Pizza brand in the country and across Southeast Asia. Originally founded in the U.S. in 1954, Shakey’s has grown into a family dining restaurant, recognized for its pizza, chicken, and mojos. SPAVI holds the exclusive rights to develop the Shakey’s brand in the Philippines, where it operates hundreds of outlets, and in select international markets. 

Apart from Shakey’s Pizza, SPAVI has diversified its portfolio by managing other popular food and beverage brands. It handles Peri-Peri Charcoal Chicken, a fast-casual chain specializing in flame-grilled chicken with various sauces, and R&B Milk Tea, a trendy beverage brand originating from Singapore, known for its milk teas and fruit-based drinks.

Japan – Adaptive streaming technology company SeenThis has made its debut in Japan with the launch of its first office in Tokyo, bringing more sustainable video advertising solutions to the market and promising enhanced campaign performance for advertisers.

The opening of SeenThis’ Japan office marks a significant milestone in its expanding presence across Asia, building on the success of several previous campaigns in the Japanese market.

With SeenThis’ adaptive streaming technology now available in Japan, it is set to empower advertisers in the region to run more impactful video-based campaigns. Traditionally, display advertising in Japan has been dominated by static, image-based banner ads. SeenThis’ entry introduces an alternative, offering a more dynamic and innovative video solution for the market.

Setsuko Iijima will head the Tokyo office, bringing a wealth of experience to the role. Most recently, she served as the head of mid-market sales at Outbrain.

Commenting on the launch, Setsuko said, “There’s a big opportunity for advertisers in Japan to up their game with SeenThis at the heart of it. We’re already having some great conversations and look forward to working with some of the country’s major advertisers.”

Meanwhile, Jesper Benon, CEO of SeenThis, shared, “After the opening of our offices in Singapore and Hong Kong, the opening of our Tokyo office is another sign of our commitment to helping advertisers run high-impact, more sustainable campaigns in the APAC region. Setsuko and her team are keen to help advertisers in Japan move beyond static image-based content to more immersive and engaging video campaigns.”

Manila, Philippines – Filipino coffee chain Bo’s Coffee is set to open 85 new stores–35 by the end of this year and 50 by next year. This is according to Steve Benitez, founder and CEO at Bo’s Coffee at the sidelines of a recent industry event.

“As far as the company is concerned, we (will be) able to grow by 35 stores by the end of this year; and next year, we are looking at 50 stores,” he said.

In terms of international growth, Benitez said that they are also planning to ramp up its international expansion, specifically also expanding its existing operations in Doha and Dubai. Moreover, they are also talking with other partners, mentioning that Canada is also another potential market for expansion.

“We will have 16 stores by the end of this year in Doha and four in Dubai. Two are operating in Dubai, and 14 stores are already open in Doha,” he said.

Benitez added. “We are talking to other partners, and Canada is on the table… But it is going to be a five-year plan, so it is like a rollout of 10 stores in 10 years or 12 stores in 10 years.”

Bo’s Coffee was founded in 1996 by Benitez, with a large chunk of its local stores based in Metro Cebu where the chain is officially based. 

In 2018, the chain teamed up with Al Majed Grouping to open its first store in Doha, Qatar. It had also worked with Al Mulla Business Group for the chain’s expansion to Dubai, UAE.

Japan – Global PR agency HAVAS Red (formerly Red HAVAS) has expanded its footprint in Asia Pacific with the launch of a new office in Japan, further enhancing its merged media capabilities and broadening its service offerings in the region.

The launch of HAVAS Red’s new Japan office follows the network’s regional expansion last November, when it acquired a majority stake in PR Pundit, one of India’s leading PR consultancy firms, now operating as PR Pundit HAVAS Red.

Masashi Kitaichi will take on the role of managing director, leading the newly launched Japan office.

Speaking about the expansion, Kitaichi said, “We’ve been fortunate to work already with a wonderful portfolio of clients at the HAVAS Village in Japan. Now, by expanding to become HAVAS Red Japan, we are poised to be even more powerful and integrated partners for these clients on everything from social media to experiential to public relations.” 

Darrell Nelson, CEO of HAVAS Japan, also commented, “HAVAS Japan has seen significant growth over the last 3 years, and by launching Havas Red in Japan with Masashi leading the capability, we are not only expanding our service offerings but also positioning ourselves to better meet the specific demands of this market.” 

“With the addition of comprehensive PR capabilities, we can deliver more integrated and impactful solutions that resonate with local audiences while aligning with global standards. This strategic move ensures that HAVAS Japan is even more equipped to drive meaningful connections for our clients, making us a stronger partner in their growth and success,” he added. 

The addition of the Japan office expands HAVAS Red’s merged media capabilities to a total of 19 markets globally.

Earlier this year, HAVAS Red marked its second market entry in Africa with the launch of an office in Ivory Coast. In addition to Japan, India, and Ivory Coast, the agency has operating offices in Australia, China, France, Germany, Indonesia, Italy, the Middle East (U.A.E., Saudi Arabia, and Oman), the Philippines, Singapore, South Africa, Spain, the U.K., the U.S., and Vietnam.

James Wright, global CEO of HAVAS Red and global chairman of HAVAS PR Network, shared, “Bigger, better, bolder, and more borderless—that’s how HAVAS Red continues to grow each year. Expanding into India and Africa last year was a significant milestone for us, opening doors to very exciting regions. Now we’re thrilled to extend our footprint into Japan, where our HAVAS colleagues are already delivering groundbreaking work with iconic clients, and we look forward to providing enhanced PR and social support to continue driving innovation and excellence.” 

Meanwhile, Rana Barua, Group CEO of HAVAS India, Southeast and North Asia, commented, “Japan is a key market for HAVAS, and enhancing our capabilities here is central to our One Asia strategy. By broadening our reach and engaging with one of the world’s most dynamic and progressive audiences, we are reinforcing our commitment to creating meaningful connections and delivering impactful narratives.”   

In August 2024, HAVAS Red launched Industry by HAVAS Red, a comprehensive communications service aimed at helping B2B clients build meaningful connections across their value chain. Other key offerings include Peaks (executive branding), SWAY (influencer marketing), Red Impact (ESG and sustainability), Health by HAVAS Red (health and wellness), and Red Connect (B2B content marketing).

Bangkok, Thailand – Trip.com Group has launched its new Asia Live Streaming Centre at its Bangkok office, set to deliver daily content that highlights Thailand’s tourism offerings.

Attended by representatives from the Tourism Authority of Thailand and business partners, the launch represents a major expansion of the Group’s content marketing strategies. It aims to deliver top travel inspiration and deals to adventurers via livestreaming, transforming how partners and consumers connect to elevate the tourism industry.

The Asia Live Streaming Centre will function as the Group’s regional hub, initially broadcasting daily content in Thai on Trip.com Thailand’s social media channels, with plans to expand to English content for international audiences in subsequent phases.

Additionally, Trip.com intends to collaborate with hotels, local attractions, and businesses across Thailand to highlight a variety of travel products and deals. The livestream will spotlight premium offerings, including those featured on Trip.Best, a curated ranking list on Trip.com that helps global travellers choose the top experiences at each destination.

The livestreaming content is also set to boost exposure and create new sales channels for the Group’s business partners, complementing existing initiatives like mega sales, influencer collaborations, and food tourism campaigns as part of a comprehensive marketing strategy.

Bo Sun, chief marketing officer at Trip.com Group, said, “We are pleased to have the Tourism Authority of Thailand and business partners witness this milestone with us today, as we collaborate closely to showcase and offer the best travel experiences for our users. The new livestreaming centre aims to capitalise on Thailand’s active social media user base and status as a top travel destination in the region. The move has the potential to elevate travel in the Asia region to new heights, as we leverage the power of livestreaming to engage with passionate travellers.”

Trip.com’s strategic launch of its new livestreaming hub in Thailand capitalises on the country’s advanced livestreaming ecosystem and diverse travel offerings. The Group plans to expand this content to Trip.com sites across Southeast Asia, with a rollout scheduled for Q1 2025. The long-term goal is to extend this livestreaming initiative to additional markets where it is gaining momentum.