Asia news & analysis

We highlight five trends that will shape the convenience channel this year and beyond. RA subscribers can access the full report here . 1) Return of regional divergence COVID-19 removed a lot of the nuances between convenience stores in different markets and regions globally. Many retailers incorporated a wider selection of pantry and essential items. While some categories w...

Meituan, China's largest platform for lifestyle services and products, has added Starbuck onto its platform. Starbucks extends reach to more consumers The partnership with Meituan will allow Chinese customers to order cofee delivery and make reservations on the mobile app. It will also launch a service to let Meituan users make private bookings to taste and learn to make coffees at Starbuck...

Despite the uncertainty and complexity created by the COVID-19 pandemic over the last 18 months, retailers across Europe have continued to focus on and invest in store innovation to meet the changing demands of the shopper. From hydroponic herb greenhouses and walkout payment technology, to restaurant meals and refill stations, the market is developing exciting new concepts and opportunities t...

Seven & i Holdings and Lawson have posted their Q3 results for the period ended November 30, 2021. Summary Seven & i Holdings and Lawson’s results continued to show further signs of recovery, with mobility and in-store activity increasing following the nationwide lifting of the COVID-19-related state of emergency in October 2021. Retailers are generally seeing more planned purchases and sho...

A.S. Watson is partnering Amazon to launch a wider range of health and beauty products through a dedicated storefront. Amazon Singapore’s first partnership a health and beauty retailer Prime members will be able to buy from brands such as Aveeno, Biore, Cetaphil, Bifesta, Wavertree & London, L’Oréal Paris, Oral-B, Anessa, Tsubaki, ZA, and other items from facial care to health supplements. ...

We visited a new FairPrice Finest and Giant that opened late last year, plus a refurbished CS Fresh in to check out the latest developments at leading retailers in Singapore. CS Fresh Katong i12 CS Fresh is Dairy Farm’s premier banner. The retailer does not plan any new stores under the banner but has been revamping selected Cold Storage stores into CS Fresh. In this latest upgrade, the ret...

China’s grocery market is the 2 nd largest in the world and will overtake the US to become the largest by 2023. Grocery retail growth forecast remains robust With GDP growth ahead of inflation, the economic growth in China is forecast to be, driven by real increase in output rather than rising prices. By nominal GDP, China has the largest economy in Asia. It is also the only major ec...

AEON has announced a plan to open 100 compact supermarkets under the Maxvalu banner by 2025 in Vietnam Larger store format MaxValu currently operates four Vietnam stores in Hanoi. The new stores will include a larger store format with over 500 sq m floor space.  In addition, AEON Group's subsidiary, AEON Mall, aims to expand its network from six to 16 by 2025. More diverse business in 20...

Central Food Retail, which operates Tops market in Thailand, has launched 3 new stores in Si Racha, Ayuttha and Jas Green Village. The retailer has also launched a new bakery shop called The Baker at both Tops Market and Central Food Hall. New stores in December 2021 The 3 new top stores are introduced to help Tops Market stand out with modern and lifestyle-centric services. Source:...

Grab Holdings Ltd (Grab), Southeast Asia’s biggest ride-hailing and delivery firm, is acquiring premium supermarket chain Jaya Grocer as part of its grocery expansion plan. Source: IGD Research Jaya Grocer will become a subsidiary of Grab Jaya Grocer is a premium banner in Malaysia that operates 40 stores across West Malaysia, with the majority in Klang Valley. Grab will acquire all...