Tag: Retail

Singapore – LUXASIA has unveiled a long-term extension of its collaboration with the House of Amouage, marking a substantial expansion in geographic coverage across the Asia-Pacific region and a broader penetration into diverse distribution channels. 

As the premier omni-distribution platform for luxury beauty in Asia Pacific, LUXASIA aims to excel in luxury retail, e-commerce, consumer marketing, analytics, and comprehensive distribution solutions.

The collaboration between these two leading entities aims to introduce high perfumery to clients across multiple Asia-Pacific markets, including Australia, India, Indonesia, New Zealand, and the Philippines. While the House of Amouage already has a curated presence in ‘escentials’ and select department stores, the partnership will extend its reach into additional channels and formats, such as standalone mono-brand retail stores. 

This agreement also includes increased investments in brand-building initiatives across all shared markets to enhance the House’s visibility and connection with local consumers.

Marco Parsiegla, CEO of Amouage, and Patrick Chong, chairman and founder of LUXASIA, represented their respective companies at a signing ceremony that honored their shared history and showcased their vision for a promising future. 

The event was further commemorated with the attendance of Karim Nagaty, chief business officer, and Hussein Nehme, chief sales officer of Amouage.

Amouage is a luxury fragrance house renowned for its high-quality, artisanal perfumes that combine traditional Middle Eastern craftsmanship with modern innovation. Founded in Oman in 1983 by the Sultan of Oman, Amouage is celebrated for its opulent, long-lasting scents that feature rare and exotic ingredients sourced from around the world. 

Hong Kong – Deliveroo has launched its latest retail offering, ‘Deliveroo Shopping,’ expanding its on-demand services to include a broader range of shopping categories alongside its established food and grocery deliveries.

Deliveroo Shopping represents a significant milestone in the company’s growth, seamlessly extending its services to meet the diverse needs of consumers across a wider range of occasions.

With this launch, consumers gain access to an expanded selection of retail products across categories such as baby, pet, toys, florists, pharmacy and nutrition, and home and kitchen. These items are available with the same on-demand convenience that customers enjoy when ordering food and groceries on the platform.

Deliveroo has partnered with trusted local and international retail brands, including Watsons, Watsons Baby, LEGO, Qpet, Pet Line, SLOWOOD, EUGENEbaby, Hing Fat Florist, Natures Village, and more. These key partners were carefully selected for their wide range of everyday essentials, offering over 10,000 SKUs at launch to cater to customers’ diverse needs.

Commenting on the partnership, Simmy Chung, general manager of Pet Line, said, “We’re thrilled to partner with Deliveroo Shopping to bring pet owners across Hong Kong quick and convenient access to our premium pet supplies. This collaboration allows us to reach more pet lovers and ensure they can get what they need for their furry friends at a moment’s notice.” 

Samuel Lee, managing director of Watsons Hong Kong, added, “Our partnership with Deliveroo Shopping aligns perfectly with our mission to make health and beauty products more accessible to all at our O+O (offline plus online) platform. We are excited to be the first large-scale health and beauty retail chain to join hands with Deliveroo. By leveraging our extensive physical store network and advanced digital experience, this innovative platform of Deliveroo enables us to offer our customers an additional convenient way to shop for their favourite health and beauty products from Watsons, delivering right to their doorstep.” 

All retail partners and products are integrated into the ‘Shopping’ section of the app, featuring dedicated tools and a user-friendly interface to provide a convenient one-stop shopping experience.

Deliveroo is also introducing a new gifting feature, allowing users to select a gift, mark it as such at checkout, and send a trackable link with an animated greeting card. Ideal for sending flowers, surprise gifts, baby essentials, or even comfort food to a friend in need.

The platform’s machine-learning search and discovery feature enables users to easily browse for gifting occasions, such as birthdays, and instantly receive a curated selection of gift options.

Marco Ng, general manager of Hong Kong and Macau Retail of Kidsland International Holdings Limited (which operates a LEGO Certified Store in Hong Kong), said, “Our partnership with Deliveroo Shopping echoes with our mission to make a positive difference in the lives of children, colleagues, partners, and the world we live in. The ‘gifting function’ on the platform is an ideal way to bring more magical moments to homes across Hong Kong. With our beloved LEGO® Minifigures and sets now just a few taps away, customers can surprise and delight families, making it easier than ever to share the joy of creative play.” 

Jonathan Kan, new verticals director at Deliveroo Hong Kong, shared, “Deliveroo Shopping is a major milestone in our growth journey. It is the result of extensive research that identified a significant demand for convenient on-demand delivery in specific non-food categories. We are excited to elevate our consumer value proposition by offering customers the opportunity to order both food and non-food items from a unified platform. We are confident that Deliveroo Shopping will transform the non-food shopping experience, making last-minute gifts, kitchen essentials, toys for the little ones, and more accessible at the click of a button.” 

Before this launch, Deliveroo introduced Deliveroo Shopping in Singapore, partnering with merchants like LUSH, Xpressflower, and Pet Lovers Centre. The company plans to further expand its selection and partner network, aiming to enrich the on-demand delivery experience and cater to a broader spectrum of consumer needs.

Jakarta, Indonesia – PT. Daya Intiguna Yasa Tbk., the Indonesian arm of Malaysian improvement retailer Mr D.I.Y, has announced an initial public offering (IPO), targeting to raise IDR4.71t (around $297m), according to a prospectus released by the company. For them, this strategic step aims to accelerate expansion and strengthen its position as a leader in the non-grocery retail industry in Indonesia.

Through the planned IPO, the company will allocate the funds obtained from the IPO for several purposes. Around 60% will be used for principal debt payments, 30% will be allocated for the cost of opening new stores in the Jabodetabek, Java, Sumatra, Sulawesi, Kalimantan, Nusa Tenggara, Papua, and Maluku Islands areas. Lastly, the remaining 10% will be used as operational working capital.

With more than 800 stores spread across Indonesia, MR. DIY has become the main destination for household needs in various regions evenly. This rapid growth reflects not only the strength of the company’s business model, but also the success of its aggressive expansion strategy.

Edwin Cheah, president director of PT. Daya Intiguna Yasa Tbk., said, “.We have a vision to continue to expand our reach to serve more customers throughout Indonesia, presenting quality products with the best value that are affordable for all groups.”

He added, “In the first five years (2017-2022), we managed to open 400 stores. However, in the last two years alone (2022-2024), we have added around 400 more stores. This proves our ability to continue to accelerate growth and reach more customers in various regions. This IPO is not only about business growth, but also about creating a positive impact for the Indonesian people. With this step, we are optimistic that MR. DIY will continue to be a reliable partner for customers, the community, and shareholders.”

Manila, Philippines – Emirates has launched its first Emirates World retail store concept in Southeast Asia, by introducing a fully immersive Emirates experience in Manila. The new space marks a significant step in the airline’s commitment to the Philippines by redefining the travel retail experience for customers.

The 221-square-meter space was inaugurated by Adnan Kazim, Emirates’ Chief Commercial Officer, in the presence of First Lady Liza Araneta Marcos, UAE Ambassador to the Philippines Mohamed Obaid Al Qataam Al Zaabi, and other distinguished guests, trade partners, and media representatives.

A highlight of the new store is the Emirates A380 onboard Lounge display, offering visitors a glimpse into the airline’s signature in-flight luxury. Guests can explore a curated selection of Emirates-branded merchandise and travel accessories, including the latest NBA collection designed for basketball enthusiasts, all from the Emirates Official Store.

The Emirates World Store integrates cutting-edge smart technologies, including an interactive self-service screen for browsing flight options and checking availability, redefining the travel retail experience.

This launch underscores Emirates’ strong commitment to the Philippine market, emphasizing the airline’s focus on delivering world-class service. The Manila store joins the growing network of reimagined Emirates retail spaces, following locations in Dubai, Hong Kong, London, and Nairobi. The airline plans to invest AED 100 million over the next three years to expand its retail footprint globally.

“The new Emirates World Store in Manila is designed to serve as a one-stop shop where customers can explore Emirates’ best-in-class products and services, and provides visitors a glimpse of our onboard hospitality and excellence, ensuring the bar is set high when it comes to retail experiences both in the Philippines and across our global network. The Emirates World retail store is part of our broader strategy to get closer to our customers as they plan their travel and create an elevated experience that is consistent with our brand,” Kazim stated.

Puchong, Malaysia – XTEP, a Chinese sportswear brand, has announced that its first mono store in Malaysia was opened for a soft opening on 6 November. With the official grand opening scheduled for 17 November, XTEP’s inaugural sport hub in Malaysia is dedicated to serving those who love sports and staying active, bringing its latest athletic apparel, footwear, and accessories designed for greater performance and comfort.

The new XTEP store will be located in the IOI Mall Puchong, a mega-scale shopping destination that spans over a million square feet. Its location offers excellent accessibility for shoppers from Puchong, Shah Alam, Putrajaya, Sunway, and Subang, making it an ideal spot for XTEP to introduce its brand to the Malaysian market. 

With customer needs in mind, XTEP’s Malaysian outlet offers footwear and apparel specifically designed for athletes who require superior performance and quality as well as fashion-focused customers who prioritize style and comfort. 

At the core of XTEP’s offerings is the running category, highlighted by the slogan ‘Run the world, step with XTEP.’ Central to this category is XTEP’s innovative carbon plate technology, a feature specifically integrated into our shoe products. This cutting-edge technology empowers athletes to break their personal bests and significantly enhances their performance in competitions. 

Beyond its latest sports-centric collections, the store also offers a versatile selection of XTEP sneakers, perfect for both athletic pursuits and everyday wear, delivering premium products that blend functionality with fashion.

“The apparel section will highlight XTEP’s latest running and cross-training collections along with lifestyle options, catering to consumers with dual needs for everyday wear and athletic functionality. Featured lineups will include series crafted with comfortable fabrics, complemented by high-tech materials that empower wearers to unlock their active potential,” XTEP said in a press statement.

Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia – Retail brand KKV has announced that as part of its long-term vision, KKV plans to expand to 10 stores in Malaysia by the end of 2024 and introduce its sister brands THE COLORIST and X11 to the local market, aiming to reach 200 stores across Southeast Asia within the next three years.

This update follows the recent launch of its first global flagship store in Kuala Lumpur on January 30 this year. They have now also strengthened its market presence with the additional stores in key cities, including Kuala Lumpur, Penang, Malacca, and Johor Bahru. 

This strategic expansion showcases KKV’s rapid scalability and deep understanding of local consumer needs, reinforcing the brand’s confidence in the Malaysian market.

Rojen Wu, international project operation leader of KKV, said, “KKV’s expansion in Malaysia is not just about opening new stores. It’s about bringing innovative design, superior shopping experience and diverse products to local consumers, making KKV a trend leader in diverse lifestyles.”

KKV’s approach goes beyond traditional retail by introducing 100 lifestyles to consumers through its extensive collection of over 20,000 SKUs, including trendy toys, foods, daily necessities, stationery, home furnishing, clothing & accessories, skincare, makeup and beauty tools. Thanks to the brand’s wide range of products, it is true for many of its customers that no one can leave without nothing. In addition to its unique product offerings, KKV employs a self-developed retail system that enhances internal efficiency, outperforming traditional retail companies. 

The brand also incorporates a variety of design elements within its stores, creating distinct, immersive spaces that make customers feel as if they are stepping into real-life scenarios. This blend of aesthetics and technology sets KKV apart in the market, while its “100 lifestyles” philosophy underscores the brand’s commitment to offering more products, better designs, and enhanced shopping experiences.

“KKV’s journey in Malaysia is a testament to the brand’s belief in the potential of the market and its dedication to building lasting connections with local consumers. As KKV continues to grow, it remains committed to its mission of enhancing consumers’ everyday life through trend-setting, high-quality products and an immersive shopping experience,” the company said in a press statement.

Australia – Eagle Eye has announced a partnership with Neophyte.ai, an Indian AIaaS (AI as a Service) company that provides use-case-led Vision AI solutions for omnichannel retailers.The partnership will leverage Neophyte’s product called ‘Sentinel’, which can track the profile and behaviour of consumers in a retail outlet by leveraging real-time visual intelligence. 

By combining this capability with Eagle Eye’s real-time personalised marketing solutions, the AI-enabled technology can deliver real-time engagement that directly leverages a customer’s context and potential purchase intent. 

Imagine a customer, ‘Raj’, enters a grocery store where he is a loyalty member. Thanks to Eagle Eye’s AIR Wallet, the retailer knows that Raj is a frugal vegetarian. As it happens, the store has excess stock of some strawberries and mushrooms that are approaching their sell-by date.

With Neophyte and Eagle Eye’s solutions working in unison, Raj can be sent one or more alerts via the loyalty program app on his phone. For instance, if Neophyte’s AI-enabled visual intelligence solution notes Raj is in the vegetable aisle, Eagle Eye’s real-time solutions can send him a message saying he’ll earn bonus points if he buys a pack of mushrooms.

Likewise, as he approaches the fruit section, Raj could be told that he’s entitled to a 50% discount on strawberries. 

Jonathan Reeve, vice president for APAC at Eagle Eye, said he was excited by the possibilities opened up by combining Neophyte’s visual intelligence with Eagle Eye-enabled, real-time offers.

“Whether it’s our tools or Neophyte’s, with the amount of data it’s now possible to harvest and analyse – in real time – about consumers is incredible,” Reeve says. 

He added, “The retailers that use our solutions already have masses of data about what any individual loyalty program member is interested in before they enter a shop. Now, retailers can combine our solutions with the one provided by Neophyte to get even more granular insight into what somebody walks into a particular store, on a particular day, at a particular hour, is inclined to purchase.”

Meanwhile, Anurag Sahoo, CEO & co-founder of Neophyte, is equally positive about the collaboration. 

“Neophyte’s strategic partnerships and close technology integrations with complementary SaaS platforms like Eagle Eye help us to truly make each customer’s in-store journey personally tailored for them,” he said. 

Malaysia – OH!SOME, the one-stop retail brand, has officially launched in Malaysia with new stores at AEON Bandar Dato Onn in Johor Bahru and AEON Mall in Taiping.

Originating in Singapore, OH!SOME takes its name from the English word “awesome” and aims to elevate consumers’ shopping experiences by offering high-quality products that promote a happier life.

The newly opened stores in Malaysia showcase the brand’s signature yellow color and a variety of themed elements, promising an immersive shopping experience across more than 1,000 square meters. With over 10,000 trendy lifestyle products on offer, these stores aim to ignite a new shopping trend for consumers in urban areas.

OH!SOME features 15 categories of global products, including beauty, trendy toys, snacks, accessories, and 3C items to meet everyday needs. Disney fans can also find merchandise featuring beloved characters like Donald Duck and Stitch in-store.

Beginning in October, OH!SOME will also roll out new product collections showcasing beloved Pixar characters, including the fluffy villain Lotso, the adorable Alien from Toy Story, the heroic Buzz Lightyear, and the fun-loving Red Panda Mei from Turning Red. Shoppers can look forward to a delightful selection of items, including bags, accessories, cups, and plush toys.

In their official press release, the brand stated, “So far, OH!SOME has opened in two major Malaysian cities, Johor Bahru and Taiping. A new store is expected to open in Kuala Lumpur this December. In the future, OH!SOME plans to expand further across Malaysia and Singapore, bringing even more exciting products and collaborations, ensuring every visit is full of new discoveries.”

OH!SOME has become popular in Indonesia for its diverse, innovative products and immersive shopping experience. The brand is now expanding into more Southeast Asian countries to cultivate a fresh and diverse consumer base in emerging markets.

Singapore – Popular fast fashion retailer SHEIN has laid 17 employees in Singapore, as confirmed by the company to MARKETECH APAC. This is despite reported plans that the brand is aiming for an IPO at the London Stock Exchange (LSE).

In a statement by a SHEIN spokesperson, it had stated that the employees come from the company’s IT research and development (R&D) arm, and were notified on September 25.

“As SHEIN continues to grow its operations in Singapore with a newly expanded office to accommodate its increasing workforce, the company has also restructured the Singapore arm of its IT R&D team, relocating some positions to other markets as part of its ongoing strategy for continued global expansion, localisation and to drive efficiency. A total of 17 employees in the Singapore office have been affected and were notified on September 25, 2024,” the spokesperson told MARKETECH APAC.

While it did not detail particulars on retrenchment packages to the employees, the spokesperson said that it has committed to support the affected employees throughout the transition period.

“We are committed to working with the affected employees throughout this transition period, providing necessary support and assistance, as well as the opportunity to apply for alternative roles to support localisation efforts in other markets,” the spokesperson added.

SHEIN is reportedly aiming for a London IPO after a planned New York IPO in 2023 came under fire, with both Republicans and Democrats opposing the public listing.

Despite SHEIN being one of the most popular fast fashion brands globally–estimated to have a US$22.7b annual revenue in 2022 according to Statista–the brand itself has been repeatedly criticised over its production practices that promote wastage and pollution, as well as various claims of plagiarised designs of its items that are derived from popular brands.

In August 2023, SHEIN had signed a strategic partnership with SPARC Group, the parent company of Forever 21, in a bid to expand SPARC Group’s distribution of Forever 21, adding value and variety for SHEIN’s extensive customer base.

Manila, Philippines – Disney Experiences’ outlet chain Disney Store is opening its first store in the Philippines, located at SM Mall of Asia, Level 1 North Main Mall. It is also worth noting that this is Disney Store’s first physical store in Southeast Asia.

As the official destination for Disney, Pixar, Marvel, and Star Wars merchandise, shoppers can expect a wide selection of authentic, high-quality toys, plush items, trendy apparel, costumes, home décor, and more, including exclusive products from Disney Parks. 

Inspired by iconic Disney moments, the store also features photo opportunities and sculptures of beloved characters like Disney Princesses, Queen Elsa, Winnie the Pooh, Spider-Man, Darth Vader, as well as Mickey Mouse & Friends.

Sara Grewal, vice president of retail at Disney Consumer Products Asia-Pacific, said, “We are thrilled that Disney fans in the Philippines can connect with their favorite characters in exciting new ways at Disney Store by SM, with thoughtful collections and retail elements. We look forward to bringing the magic of Disney closer to home for guests of all ages, and creating happiness for them every day.”

Meanwhile, Rose Marie Dylim, president of International Toy World Inc. (ITWI) commented, “Disney Store by SM is more than just a place to shop. In bringing Disney Store to one of the largest shopping malls in the Philippines, we aspire for it to become a welcoming retail destination where guests look forward to creating memories with their loved ones.”