Vietnam electronics retailer Nguyen Kim buys Zalora’s local operations
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Zalora, one of Southeast Asia’s biggest online fashion marketplaces, has completed a deal to sell its Vietnamese operations electronics retailer Nguyen Kim, reported Sunday, quoting Zalora Group.
The subsidiary of Germany’s Rocket Internet has also sold its unit in Thailand to Thai retail giant Central Group, the website said, adding that the value of the deals has not been revealed.
Last month news website TechCrunch cited multiple sources as saying that Central Group would acquire them for US$10 million each.
Central owns a 49 percent stake in Nguyen Kim, which has 21 stores around Vietnam, through its subsidiary Power Buy.
The selloff in Vietnam and Thailand is part of Rocket’s efforts to reduce costs and focus on other markets where Zalora has a better chance to make profits, according to TechCrunch.
With a presence in 11 countries across the Asia Pacific, including Australia and Indonesia, Zalora’s revenues rose 78 percent last year to around $234 million, but its net loss increased 36 percent to $105 million, it said.
Last month, the German company, which has been struggling to cash on the Southeast Asian market, sold more than half of its stake in Lazada, which it founded in 2012 to target the regional e-commerce market, to China’s Alibaba for $137 million. Rocket retains an 8.8 percent stake.
In December Rocket sold off food ordering website Food Panda for an undisclosed price to local competitor Vietnammm after three years of operations, citing financial issues.
Questions & Answers
Q.What is the primary reason for Zalora selling its operations in Vietnam and Thailand?
What is the primary reason for Zalora selling its operations in Vietnam and Thailand?
A.
Rocket Internet is selling these units to reduce costs and concentrate on other markets where Zalora is more likely to be profitable. This strategy aims to improve the company's financial performance.
Q.How much did Zalora's revenue and net loss change last year?
How much did Zalora's revenue and net loss change last year?
A.
Zalora's revenues increased by 78 percent last year, reaching approximately $234 million. However, its net loss also grew by 36 percent, amounting to $105 million.
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