Stock News 2012: 7-11 reinvents retail shopping

7 Eleven sign in L.A. (Photo credit: Tommy Ironic)

In an effort to meet and bridge the needs of changing lifestyles, world-renowned convenience store 7-Eleven reinvents retail shopping with a new design along with a brand re-imaging campaign that aims to boost the chain’s sales and customer traffic.

Following the same success of its Taiwan prototype, the c-store’s recent upgrade came after more than 25 years since it first arrived in the country through its exclusive licensee, Philippine Seven Corp. (PSC).

According to the company’s research, the reinvention of the store, which includes re-layouting, improved display visuals and inclusion of energy-efficient technology as part of the “store of the future” design principles, makes it easier for customers to shop, and enjoy the whole shopping experience.

“By elevating the shopping ambiance in our stores, customers are attracted to spend more time, thus are more likely to buy more items. Our island food table, for example, is very helpful in motivating and informing our patrons of the latest food products while optimizing space,” said Francis Medina, Business Development Division Manager for PSC.

The sleeker floor space design -- which is patterned after 7-Eleven Taiwan c-stores but with customized functional features that fit Filipino consumers’ preferences – transformed the entire area into an efficient work and customer space.

The new “de-cluttered” format will also prevent customers from feeling like they are in a cramped store and gives them more room to browse and shop at ease, he noted.

Besides the maximized space, the new store layout has also allotted a significant area for in-store dining, complete with wider tables and more seats. Improved graphic food banners were also utilized, as well as an island food table that makes quick viewing of perishables, fresh foods and other quick-serve offerings.

“The island food table is a very new concept, and indeed worked best in bringing the food products closer to people, and the image of 7-Eleven as not just a convenience store but as a viable food shop,” Medina added.

http://www.philstar.com/Article.aspx?publicationSubCategoryId=66&articleId=864464

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Stock News 2012: Alliance Select acquires 80% of NZ-based salmon producer

akaroa (Photo credit: sandwichgirl)
Alliance Select Foods International Inc. is taking over Akaroa Salmon NZ. Ltd., a New Zealand-based producer of fresh and smoked salmon, in line with its goal to be a leading exporter in key high-end markets globally.

In a disclosure to the Philippine Stock Exchange yesterday, Alliance Select said it approved the purchase of 80 percent of Akaroa for NZ$3.5 million (roughly $2.184 million).

Alliance Select said it would invest another $100,000 for Akaroa’s working capital needs as it aims to more than double the New Zealand firm’s existing production capacity.

Jonathan Y. Dee, president of Alliance Select, said the company intends to undertake a private placement of shares to fund the acquisition of Akaroa. It will issue 60.667 million shares, constituting 5.67 percent of its expanded capital, at P1.60 each, which is a 14.57-percent premium on the 30-day volume weighted average price covering May 17 to July 2.

Dee said Akaroa’s founder, the Bates family, will keep the remaining 20 percent, with Duncan Bates retaining his post as general manager.

Akaroa was set up in 1985 and over the years has established the Akaroa Salmon brand as the premium quality brand in the country. Akaroa has been the recipient of various awards and accolades from New Zealand’s food industry, the latest being the Cuisine Artisan Awards 2011.

Akaroa also holds a 20 percent stake in Salmon Smolt NZ Ltd., a modern hatchery guaranteeing high quality and consistent supply of smolts (juvenile salmon) for Akaroa’s farms.

The company is only one of the three companies in New Zealand that can supply fresh salmon to its customers throughout the year. The firm’s supply chain process enables it to deliver fish to its clients within six to 24 hours of receipt of their order.

Dee said the group’s investment in Akaroa will further strengthen Alliance Select’s salmon portfolio. Akaroa is a fully integrated company which will give Alliance Select direct access to raw materials.

In addition, it will allow Alliance Select to target an additional market segment by offering Akaroa’s fresh portion cuts to institutional and retail buyers like hotels and restaurants in markets like Singapore, Hong Kong, USA, Korea and Japan.

Dee said Alliance Select remains committed to growing its salmon business. Since its first foray in the product, the company has grown its salmon business about five fold from $4.2 million in 2009 to an expected turnover of $23 million this year.

http://www.philstar.com/Article.aspx?publicationSubCategoryId=66&articleId=823735

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Stock News 2011: Jollibee Expects 50-50 Revenue Mix

Image via Wikipedia
ollibee Foods Corp. (JFC) expects a 50-50 ratio in revenues from its foreign and domestic multi-brand food chain business in the next three years.

Tony Tan Caktiong, Chairman and CEO of JFC, told reporters at the sidelines of the Franchise Asia 2011 where he was a speaker that while its international multi-brand food businesses is growing faster than its local business, the ratio is expected to be equally 50-50 ratio in three years time.

In terms of revenues, the foreign business now contributes 20 percent of its total business but is growing faster.

Tan Caktiong said that its China business is growing faster despite difficulties around the world like soaring food prices.

The company has acquired three food restaurants brands in China including a congee and noodle outlet. These franchises are growing fast as franchise concepts in China.

The company is also planning to bring these brands outside of China through franchise concepts.

It has also acquired a Vietnamese restaurant Viet Thai International, which is also being eyed for international franchising.

Locally, Jollibee has a total of 795 stores under franchise arrangements and accounting for 52 percent of its total Jollibee stores in the country.

40 percent of Greenwich stores are also under franchise while 65 percent of Chowking stores are under franchise.

Mang Inasal is now 65 percent under franchising arrangements.

http://mb.com.ph/articles/335315/jollibee-expects-5050-revenue-mix

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Stock News 2010: Jollibee buying 70% of Mang Inasal

Image via Wikipedia

FASTFOOD GIANT Jollibee Foods Corp. is buying 70% of the Mang Inasal chain of chicken restaurants for P3 billion.

In a disclosure, Jollibee Foods said it would pay P200 million in downpayment to the owner of Mang Inasal Philippines, Inc., Injap Investments, Inc. led by Edgar Sia III.

The homegrown fastfood chain said Mang Inasal would add the equivalent of 5% of Jollibee Foods' worldwide system sales and 7% of profits. The acquisition will also increase Jollibee Food's worldwide network of stores by 16%.

http://www.bworldonline.com/main/content.php?id=19654

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