Drugstore giant Walgreens Boots Alliance says it plans to close 200 US Walgreens stores during the next 30 months as it reduces overheads. But the 8232-strong network in the US and territories will not be shrinking – the company has promised the same number…
US furniture designer, manufacturer and distributor Nova LifeStyle sees China as a key growth market as it feels a pinch in Europe. The company finished 2014 recording a 26 per cent year-on-year increase in net sales to US$98.7 million, with growth was…
Before the opening of the first Ikea store in Korea last year, Korean furniture companies were worried about the threat posed by the Swedish behemoth. Many industry observers said the impact of Ikea in Korea would be felt across the industry. Without a doubt,…
The UK-based chain operates 27 gyms, or ‘fitness clubs’ in Thailand already, part of a broad international network. The new gyms will be opened in at Crystal SB mall on Ratchaphruek Rd, AIA Capital Center, CentralPlaza Rama 2 and Crystal Park. In an interview…
The Thai operator of Tesco Lotus hypermarket chain is cutting the prices of essential fresh foods by 10-50 percent for six weeks to revive consumer spending. Prices of more than 100 fresh food items including meat, seafood, vegetables, fruit and eggs are…
UK eco-friendly cosmetics company Lush is going to open the first Lush Spa in Hong Kong in the fourth quarter of 2015, the beauty retailer said yesterday. Located at Lyndhurst Terrace of Soho Square in Central, the five-storey Lush spa will have a total space…
The Shilla Duty Free will acquire a 44 per cent stake in inflight duty free specialist The DFASS Group for US$105 million. And it will hold an option to purchase a further 36 per cent of the equity in five years. The Shilla Duty Free, owned by Hotel Shilla,…
The unprecedented growth in the number of Buddhists on the Chinese mainland over the last 30 years has spurred strong demand for related merchandise. With China’s Buddhist population traditionally concentrated in the southern regions, the country’s first…
Ikea Malaysia is finally to open its second store – nearly 20 years after the Swedish brand debuted in the country. The new store will be 20 per cent larger than the existing outlet in Mutiara Damansara and is scheduled to open by December. Ikea Malaysia…
Levi Strauss & Co (Levi’s) has saved 1 billion litres of water since 2011 through its Water<Less process, which reduces the water used in garment finishing by up to 96 percent, the clothing company said on Wednesday. It has also released an update on it 2007…
FamilyMart Co. is in talks to buy Cocostore Corp., which operates convenience stores in central and western Japan, sources familiar with the matter said on Friday. FamilyMart, Japan’s third largest convenience store chain, recently announced it is negotiating…
Japanese lifestyle retailer, Muji, has confirmed it will open its first store in Sydney. This will be the third Australian store for Muji, adding to its two locations at Chadstone shopping centre and Emporium in Melbourne. Retail News understands the store…
Australian fabric, craft, party and home and living superstore Spotlight has opened its second store in Malaysia. The new stores is in the IPC Shopping Centre, Mutiara Damansara in Petaling Jaya, near Kuala Lumpur. It follows one in Ampang Point, Kuala…
Tag Heuer, French luxury group LVMH’s biggest watch brand, said on Wednesday it planned to freeze prices in some markets while it cuts them elsewhere in a move to balance out the impacts of the recent jump in the Swiss franc. Prices will drop an average 8 per…
Singapore has again been ranked the world’s most expensive city to live in, and now the only Asian city in the top five. The rankings are contained within The Economist Intelligence Unit’s Worldwide Cost of Living Survey, a relocation tool that compares the…
Thailand’s Mega Home Center Co, the chain seller of home and construction materials, is keen to expand its branches in border provinces to cash in on flourishing border trade and special economic zone activity. Supornsri Naktanasukanjn, the company’s chief…
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