Entertainment
Watsons, Boots to spend on facelifts in Thailand
Two specialty store chains are preparing strategies to respond to fiercer competition in Thailand's health and beauty sector.
Central Watson Co, the local operator of Watsons specialty stores, plans to spend THB350 million (USD11.8m) to open 50 new stores, renovate existing stores, build brand awareness and manage customer relationships.
Archrival Boots Retail (Thailand) Co plans to open 30 outlets this year and revamp its Botanic line, one of its best sellers.
Luxury shopping firms bet on casino approach in China
With flagging sales in their mainland stores and increasingly price savvy consumers, luxury companies are taking a leaf out of casinos' play books by offering junkets to wealthy Chinese clients eager to splurge in their Hong Kong stores.
Upmarket brands are increasingly holding private events in Beijing or Shanghai for an exclusive clientele - events where they pay deposits on items in the mainland and then are flown on an all-inclusive trip to Hong Kong to complete the purchase.
Asia-Pacific poised to become largest luxury goods market
Asia-Pacific overtook Europe to become the largest regional luxury goods market in 2010. The trend continued in 2011, with record growth of over 20 percent overshadowing the more mature markets of Europe and the Americas, new research from Mintel showed.
The study on the international luxury goods market found that Asia-Pacific accounted for 36 percent of the global luxury consumer goods market, followed by Europe (35 percent), Americas (26 percent and the other regions, including the Middle East, Africa, and India (4 percent) in 2010.
adidas reports 18pc increase in 2Q
Sportswear maker adidas is reporting a nearly 18 percent increase in second-quarter earnings and is raising its full-year forecast – citing growth in emerging markets and the impact of major events such as football's European Championship and the Olympics.
Charter Hall Retail buys 8 shopping centres from Woolworths
Charter Hall Retail REIT (REIT) has bought eight neighbourhood and sub-regional shopping centres for AUD266 million (USD281.8m) from Woolworths, in joint venture with Telstra Super, one of Australia's largest superannuation funds.
The acquisition is consistent with the REIT's strategy of reweighting to Australia, enhancing income security and growth through investing in quality grocery anchored neighbourhood and sub-regional shopping centres.
Global luxury goods market to cool in 2013, says Bain
Growth in sales of luxury goods is expected to ease slightly this year, hit by subdued spending in Europe and slower growth in China, consultancy Bain & Co said in a study on Thursday.
Bain, whose forecasts are closely watched by the industry, sees luxury goods growth cooling worldwide to 4 to 5 percent in 2013 from 5 percent last year at constant exchange rates.
Mobile: Retailers' best bet against showrooming?
A new study released by TNS showed that mobile can play a valuable role in reducing the risk of 'showrooming,' or the practice of people visiting retail stores only to see or test products but buy them later elsewhere.
TNS said this has emerged as a significant threat to the high street as one-third of mobile users globally admit to 'showrooming' behavior.
However, results of the latest Mobile Life study reveal that mobile can also help reduce the risk associated with showrooming.
Australia's online sales growth eases
The absence of new tablet releases was the likely reason behind the softer pace of online sales growth in March.
National Australia Bank's measure of online retail sales for the 12 months to February grew at the second slowest pace in the almost three-year history of the index.
Online retail sales grew by 15 per cent in the 12 months to March, well down from 19 percent in February and the recent peak of 27 percent in January.
Expert Opinion: Capturing the world’s global shoppers
Despite a poor economic forecast for the past year, global tourism defied the odds and remained resilient. According to UNWTO World Tourism Barometer, 2012 saw a record 1.035 billion international tourists, a growth of 4 percent from 2011. Asia-Pacific led the way with one of the highest growth figures of 7 percent for in-bound tourist figures.
PPR 1Q13 sales miss forecasts; China growth slows
PPR missed first-quarter sales forecasts, particularly for its Gucci fashion label and Puma sports brand, hit by sluggish trading in Europe and slower growth in China.
The French group, which also owns fashion houses Yves Saint Laurent and Bottega Veneta, said on Thursday it had not noticed any improvement in China, still the luxury industry's main engine of growth despite a recent moderation in demand.
