Kering Sees Sequential Improvement in Revenue as Recovery Progresses
Kering reported a sequential revenue lift in Q1, posting €3.568 billion (about $4.2 billion), a 6% year‑on‑year decline but flat on a comparable basis. The fashion and leather goods segment fell 9% reported, yet several houses—Saint Laurent, Bottega Veneta, Balenciaga and Brioni—showed growth, led by North America. Gucci’s revenue slipped 14% reported, offset by an 8% comparable gain in the U.S., while jewelry surged 14% reported and 22% comparable, driven by Japan and APAC. CEO Luca de Meo framed the stabilising top line as a first step in the group’s broader turnaround.
Bonia Unveils New Store Concept in Kuala Lumpur
Malaysian lifestyle brand Bonia opened a flagship store in Kuala Lumpur that showcases a new retail concept blending immersive design with customer engagement. The boutique features a colonnade‑style red‑brick façade and four interconnected rooms—library, lounge, dressing area, and a central...
Green Packaging Finally Takes Off as Iran War Causes Plastic Prices Rises
South Korean packaging firm Yonwoo reports a three‑fold surge in inquiries for its paper tubes and pouches as the Iran war drives plastic feedstock prices to four‑year highs. The conflict has choked oil‑based raw materials, forcing Asian manufacturers to seek...
Metro Retail Sales Rise, Fuelling Double-Digit Earnings Growth
Metro Retail Stores Group (MRSGI) posted FY25 revenue above PhP 40 billion (≈US$662.8 million) and total sales of PhP 41.56 billion (≈US$742 million), marking a new scale milestone. Net income climbed 12% year‑on‑year to PhP 682.64 million (≈US$12.2 million) as operating efficiency improved. Same‑store sales rose modestly 0.6% while...
Bangkok-Based Coffee Startup Ve/La Expands Into Singapore
Bangkok‑born specialty coffee brand Ve/la is set to launch its first airport café at Changi Airport’s Terminal 1, slated for late summer 2026. The 24‑hour location will be the chain’s third international market after Thailand and London and will feature a...
Partners Group Exits Green Tea Group Following Hong Kong IPO
Swiss private equity firm Partners Group is exiting its nearly nine‑year investment in Hong Kong casual‑dining chain Green Tea Group by selling its entire 15.96% stake, more than 106 million shares. The disposal includes a block trade of over 60 million shares...
Vietnam’s Vegan Brand Cocoon Lands in Europe with Paris Pop-Up
Vietnamese vegan beauty brand Cocoon has entered Europe with a pop‑up store in Paris, partnering with French distributor Orien Trade. The temporary shop at Westfield Forum runs until April 21 and showcases products made from pomelo, coffee, lotus and turmeric. Cocoon...
Ray-Ban Taps BlackPink’s Jennie as Global Brand Ambassador
Ray‑Ban has appointed Blackpink’s Jennie Kim as its global brand ambassador, pairing the partnership with a six‑piece capsule collection. The line blends iconic silhouettes like the Daddy‑O and Alix with pieces from the brand’s Asian Design collection, featuring low‑bridge fits...
Link Sells Thomson Plaza Retail Space for $196 Million
Link Real Estate Investment Trust sold the Swing By @ Thomson Plaza retail space in Singapore for S$250 million (US$196 million), a 45% premium over its 2022 purchase price. The transaction, slated for completion in Q2 2026, was bought by Jack Investment and Pangjwee Development. Link’s CIO...
How a Rumour Led to the Masters’ Iconic Gnomes Selling for US$40k
The Masters’ ceramic gnome, a limited‑edition souvenir sold for $49.50 at Augusta National, has become a collector’s obsession. Rumors that 2026 could be the final year for the gnome have pushed resale prices to nearly $1,000 for the current edition...
Burger King Misses the Mark in Vietnam
Burger King has shuttered all three of its Hanoi outlets and trimmed its footprint in Ho Chi Minh City to just three non‑airport locations, leaving only an airport store in the capital. The closures follow a decade‑long struggle to meet...
Maje Opens First Thailand Concept Store Inside Takashimaya at IconSiam
French fashion label Maje launched its inaugural concept store in Thailand, situated on the M Floor of Takashimaya within Bangkok’s IconSiam complex. The boutique’s interior, crafted with designer Valeriane Lazard, merges Parisian elegance with Mediterranean-inspired natural materials such as pink terracotta...
Foodpanda Malaysia Taps Former Propertyguru Exec Kenneth Soh as MD
Foodpanda Malaysia announced Kenneth Soh as its new Managing Director, succeeding Tan Ming Luk who led the unit since October 2024. Soh brings experience as former country manager of Propertyguru and Shopee, two of Southeast Asia’s leading digital platforms. In his first statement, he...
The Secret Behind Cult Gaia’s Cult Following
Cult Gaia, founded in 2012 as a flower‑crown label, has become a multimillion‑dollar fashion house anchored by a strong direct‑to‑consumer (DTC) model. CFO Asal Nazi reports 48% sales growth in 2024, building on 66% growth the year before, as the...
Korea Seven Names New CEO to Drive 7-Eleven’s Local Revival
Korea Seven, the operator of 7‑Eleven in South Korea, appointed Daeil Kim as CEO on April 1, 2026. Kim brings 28 years of experience in fintech, digital services, and marketing technology, most recently leading SPC Group’s Secta9ine. He pledged to rebuild and...
