Friday, 26 August 2011

Gap Opens Flagship Store In Shanghai

August 15, 2011 | By ChinaRetailNews.com Editor |

The international apparel retailer Gap has opened a new flagship store in the Pudong New Area of Shanghai.
Yang Deming, president for Gap Greater China, told local media that following the opening of two flagship stores in Shanghai's Puxi commercial area, they are glad to expand their business into the Pudong New Area to provide more customers with the fashion shopping experience and latest products. Members of every family can find products of their style in Gap stores.
Located on the first floor of Kerry Parkside, the new Gap flagship store covers an area of 1,250 square meters and it provides apparel like jeans as well as accessories. It also offers Gap's full line products like GapKids, babyGap and GapBody series.
The Gap, Inc. is an American clothing and accessories retailer based in San Francisco, California, and founded in 1969 by Donald G. Fisher and Doris F. Fisher. The company has five primary brands, including Gap, Banana Republic, Old Navy, Piperlime and Athleta. In 2010, its net profit reached USD14.7 billion. At present, it has over 3,100 stores and 180 distributors in more than 90 countries and regions.

Chinese City to Host “Country” Music Festival

Chinese cities are becoming increasingly entrepreneurial in their desire to capture a greater share of the tourism market by marketing themselves as a “destination.”
Zhangjiajie, a picturesque city in central China and an UNESCO World Heritage site, announced it will host its second Zhangjiajie International Country Music Week which will run from September 10 to 16.
This is not the American variety of country music, although Zhangjiajie officials may have Nashville on its mind when this idea was conceived. Rather, it is more a celebration of diversity of ethnic or “country” music.

The organizers expect to line up more than 500 musicians and more than 30 country music bands from around the world. The country music week is billed to “promote cultural development in all the world’s regions through the medium of country music.”
The festival promises “an eclectic mix of both international country artists and some of the homegrown variety, which will highlight the musical heritage of China’s ethnic communities.”

Adidas will Open 2,500 Stores in China in Three Years

FROM:CCFA 2011-3-22

Adidas will open 2,500 stores in China in the coming three years to realize its accelerated expansion plan that sets this year’s target at a double-digit growth in the Greater China Region, according to Colin Currie, general manager of Adidas Greater China. Most of these new stores will be located in third- and fourth-tier cities.

Mr. Currie said that different from people in European and American markets, an increasing number of Chinese consumers liked its clothing products in fashion and leisure styles. In addition to maintaining its advantage in its sales of professional sports products, Adidas will make the best use of the growing market to enhance its R&D and marketing in fashion and leisure clothes.

Adidas Greater China gained 1 billion euro of sales revenue in 2010, a year-on-year increase of 3% but a decrease of 2% after adjustment for exchange rate. However, the sports giant showed a strong rebound in the second half of 2010, registering a sales revenue of 280 million euro in the fourth quarter, a same-time increase of 24.7% and an 11.3% rise after adjusting for the exchange rate factor.

Septwolves’ Profit Increases 40% in 2010

FROM:CCFA 2011-4-11

Septwolves released its annual report on the evening of April 8, showing that the company’s revenue in 2010 was 2.197 billion RMB, up by 10.59%

Septwolves released its annual report on the evening of April 8, showing that the company’s revenue in 2010 was 2.197 billion RMB, up by 10.59%; its net profit attributable to its share holders was 283 million RMB, an increase of 38.87%; and its earnings per share were 1.00 yuan, 38.89% higher than that of last year. The company plans to pay a cash dividend of 2 yuan (including tax) for every ten shares.

Septwolves has 388 direct-sale stores (including associated stores), which took in 270 million RMB in sales revenue in 2010.

The company has 3,525 stores by Dec. 31, 2010, a net increase of 276 over 2009. Among them, there are 388 direct-sale and associated stores, 168 more than that of 2009, and 3,137 selling agents, up by 108.

The stock of Septwolves closed on April 8 at 30.89 yuan.

Li Ning sees decline in H1 revenues, profit margin

FROM:Chinadaily.com.cn 2011-7-8

The Chinese sports brand showed mediocre performance in the first half of 2011.

HONG KONG - Homegrown Chinese sport brand Li Ning Co Ltd said it expected to see its revenues decline 5 percent in the first half of 2011 from a year ago as it moves to revamp distribution channels.

In a filing to the Hong Kong bourse on Thursday, it said same-store sales growth maintained a low single-digit pace from January to June, with the total number of Li-Ning brand stores at 8,163. It did not give comparison figures.

Li Ning said its gross profit margin was expected to decline by 1 percentage point due to a new wholesale discount policy and increases in raw material costs.

Profit margin attributable to shareholders is expected to decline to 6-7 percent in the first half from 12.9 percent a year ago, it said.

Due to expected significant increases in raw material costs in the second half of 2011, Li Ning forecast gross profit margin for the period would decrease from last year.

Profit margin attributable to shareholders for the full year 2011 is expected to decline by about 1-2 percentage points compared with the first half, it added.

Li Ning also said order value for the fourth quarter of 2011 rose more than 5 percent year on year, though order volumes declined at a high single-digit rate. Average retail prices for apparel and footwear products increased over 10 percent.

Shares of Li Ning are down 16.9 percent so far this year, against a 2.2 percent fall in the benchmark Hang Seng Index.

Tuesday, 9 August 2011

Mess Beijing Store

July 30th, 2011
There are lots clothing stores in beijing, but not many of them are unique. Mess Beijing store, located in Dongcheng area, is one of the stores that is very unique. Mess has carried many brands and Subcrew is on of them. Also, Mess Beijing hosts events regularly. And they have confirmed the invitation of graffiti artist, Eric Haze, to graffiti in their Mess Beijing store. All the graffiti lovers should definitely stay tuned!

Let me introduce you guys the store manager here. His name is XiaoYu@MessBeijing. Actually, we have been in touch through emails for a long time already but this is the first time we met!

by KOBE

UNITY Taipei Store

August 8th, 2011 In order to provide a better environment, UNITY taipei will reopen to a new location, and testing period will start on 8/20.
Address: No. 83-14, Sec. 2, Wuchang Street, Wanhua District, Taipei City 108, Taiwan (R.O.C)

by UNITY TAIPEI

Bape Store New York Closing

Bape Store New York Closing?

19 May 2011, 21.35 | Posted in Stores | 11 comments »

We heard some rumors that the Bape Store New York will be closing its doors, or at least moving. We could not confirm which one it will be yet. With news of the recent sale of the Japanese brand, due to its financial trouble, coming out, as well as the rather unexpected and quick closing of their Los Angeles store, we are actually not very surprised about the development at A Bathing Ape in New York.
With Bape having been featured in lots of music videos in the US a couple of years ago, the store was rather frequently the scene of people lining up for new product releases. After having built an impressive business in Japan over the last two decades, we are a little surprised of how fast the excitement around Bape cooled down outside of Japan. It really seems like once the access was easier, the brand became much less interesting for the consumer.
Furthermore it really looks like the new owner of Bape, Hong Kong’s I.T. group, is concentrating on expanding the brand in Asia and China specifically, rather than working on a worldwide expansion.
Once we hear more about the 91 Greene Street store, we will of course let you know!

Fingercroxx x Bounty Hunter Pop-Up Store at EXI.T

02 June 2011, 10.33 | Posted in Stores | No comments »

In celebration of their collaborative collection, Hong Kong label Fingercroxx and Japanese brand Bounty Hunter have opened at pop-up store at Hong Kong’s EXI.T. In addition to showcasing the dual-label Kun figure, t-shirts, glasses, etc, the shop also features a full build out with Fingercroxx x Bounty Hunter signage. Stop by if you’re in HK.

11after11 in HK

11after11 Fall/Winter 2011 Collection

29 July 2011, 09.12 | Posted in Fashion | 2 comments »

11after11 first launched in Hong Kong in 2006 and has since played a strong role in the local streetwear market with a quality, well-priced offering. The label is launching in the US for the first time this season and brings about a selection of garments that follow many higher-end looks at a much more accessible price point. Available at 11after11.net.

Billionaire Boys Club

Jay-Z Buys Billionaire Boys Club

from Highsnobiety.com » Fashion by admin Aug 4, 2011

When it was announced a while ago, that NIGO had sold A Bathing Ape to I.T. from Hong Kong, a question that right away came up in our mind was ‘What Will Happen To Billionaire Boys Club?’, the brand founded by NIGO and Pharrell Williams.
Well, today we get the answer. Jay-Z has purchased the exclusive licensing rights to produce and distribute Billionaire Boys Club. The label will be managed under the Rocawear umbrella and Jay-Z will keep Pharrell on board as creative director. Let’s see what will happen to the brand under this new reign. We will of course keep you posted. (GQ)
Update: It looks like Jay-Z did not actually buy the brand, but is simply partnering up with them in the future. More info as it becomes available.

CLOT x James Jarvis

CLOT x James Jarvis – Coca-Cola 125th Anniversary Collection | Hong Kong

from FRESHNESS by Poe

2 people liked this

CLOT x James Jarvis Coca Cola 125th Anniversary Collection | Hong Kong

“I’d like to teach the world to sing in perfect harmony…” the 1971 commercial jingle bears a semblance this year as the world celebrates 125th anniversary of Coca-Cola. In Hong Kong, the initiative by creative agency CLOT and British artist James Jarvis, with contributions from Casio, Native, HEAD PORTER, and clothing label Subcrew. Starting this week till June 5th, purchasers of Coca-Cola at select supermarket can claim 7 commemorative items. First portion to start on May 21st, items such as CLOT x James Jarvis x Coca-Cola 125th T-Shirt, CLOT x James Jarvis x Coca-Cola 125th iPhone and iPad 2 Covers, as well as the Casio G-Shock Watch will be offer to claim with specific value for each. The 2nd phase starts on May 28th with offerings include CLOT x Subcrew x Coca-Cola 125th Cap, CLOT x James Jarvis x Native – Coca-Cola 125th Fitzsimmons Boots, and messenger bag from HEAD PORTER. Limited to only 125 units per design, all will be available only at JUICE in Hong Kong with the proof of purchase. Its time to stock up on Coke!
JUICE Hong Kong
Shop A, G/F, 9-11 Cleveland Street | Map
Fashion Street, Causeway Bay, Hong Kong

8FIVE2SHOP x VANS Syndicate Versa Mid

8FIVE2SHOP x VANS Syndicate Versa Mid | Available Now

from FRESHNESS by John

VANS Syndicate, having released a Versa Mid early this year, have gone back to that particular well but this time with their friends from Hong Kong’s 8FIVE2SHOP in tow. The fruit of their labor is a relatively unadorned black canvas sneaker, the only flourishes a white toecap and contrast white stitching along the edge of the upper, finished off with an embroidered logo on the tongue. Perfect for the skatepark or the street, they’re available online now at 8FIVE2SHOP.