UNIQLO’s Post

I remember 5 years ago having a conversation with a colleague about my desire to one day wear quality local brands from top to bottom with pride. At that time, we of the opinion that there were not enough options to choose from particularly from a streetwear perspective. Today, I rock Bathu sneakers, TSHEPO Jeans, and GalXBoy T shirt and glasses. All top tier. There are many other amazing new school brands that are producing high quality products and services. We have no excuse not to buy local brands. As we are nearing the end heritage month, I am of the view that the aforementioned brands have the potential to become next generation of Heritage Brands in South Africa 🇿🇦. But first, we have to show these brands love. The work that we’ve been doing at the Top 16 Youth-Owned Brands Awards indicates that the youth is well positioned to build brands that will stand the test of time given the right support and resources. I understand that Heritage Brands were not built overnight but they all had to start somewhere. It took decades of consistent, creative and collaborative work to stay relevant in the markets they serve. Which brand do you think has the potential of being a Heritage Brand in decades to come? #PatonBrands #HeritageBrands #HeritageMonth

The Power of Collaboration: South Africa's Sneaker Scene Takes Flight!!! South Africa's sneaker scene is a vibrant tapestry, woven with local brands pushing creative boundaries. But sometimes, magic happens when these brands join forces. Collaborations between South African sneaker brands and other entities – artists, athletes, or even retailers – are becoming a powerful growth engine. Benefits of Collaboration * Elevated Brand Awareness: Partnering with established artists, athletes, or retailers with a strong fanbase instantly expands your brand's reach. The Jordan x Shelflife "Air Jordan 1" collection, for example, leveraged Shelflife's reputation to generate immense hype and put both brands in the spotlight. * Enhanced Creativity: Collaboration sparks innovation. Combining creative visions leads to unique designs that resonate with a wider audience. The AKA x Reebok collection, a vibrant celebration of South African hip-hop, is a testament to this power. * Community Building: Collaborations can foster a sense of community. The Drip x FILA collection, inspired by Johannesburg's vibrant street culture, not only offered unique sneakers but also connected with passionate local communities. Challenges to Consider * Alignment of Values: A successful collaboration requires a shared vision and brand values. A mismatch can create confusion and dilute the impact. * Creative Control: Striking a balance between creative freedom and brand identity is crucial. Open communication and a clear vision are essential for a successful outcome. * Distribution and Logistics: Managing production, distribution, and marketing for a collaborative project adds complexity. Effective planning and clear communication with partners are key. The Road Ahead Collaboration is a powerful tool for South African sneaker brands to elevate their reach, creativity, and community engagement. By carefully considering the benefits and challenges, brands can leverage partnerships to propel themselves to new heights. As the South African sneaker scene continues to evolve, exciting collaborations are sure to be a driving force, shaping the future of this dynamic industry. #sneakers #collaboration #community #creativity #southafrica

Some details on the improvements underway at #GapChina! Understanding & adjusting to the local market is the key to success! #Baozun #Gap #ChinaRetail

Passionate about consumer awareness and product integrity. Recently, I had an eye-opening experience when I purchased Puma shoes from their official website. The product description proudly stated 'Origin: Vietnam,' yet upon closer inspection, I received shoes with the same product number that were labeled 'Made in China.' 🚨👟 Despite wearing them only once, I'm unable to replace or return this product. Committed to transparent and ethical consumer practices, I believe in sharing experiences that drive positive change. Let's engage in meaningful conversations about product sourcing and consumer rights. PUMA Group, your insights on this matter would be invaluable. #productintegrity #consumerawareness #transparencymatters

Retail Today / Retail Renaissance: What is the first thing you think of when you hear the “iconic brand” NIKE ? #nike #brandexperience Is it #footwear, #fashion, #style, #innovation, #technology, #basketball, #golf, #sports, etc…. What about #luxury ? Nike’s new store “World of Flight”, built around the Jordan Brand. Offering custom made pieces in their “WORKSHOP”. Also introducing Premium Air Jordan “Wings Collection” made in Italy. #jordan There are just a handful of these unique stores, but China is next then the first “World of Flight” store in the US, Philadelphia. #china #philadelphia Nike has struggled the last few years with flat sales, and creating a growth strategy. Their direct-to-consumer approach wasn’t as successful as they had planned. Now it’s back to looking for retailers on the wholesale channel. #sales #growthstrategy #dtc Competition has heated up with HOKA and Adidas. Especially HOKA, they are on fire 🔥🔥🔥, a fantastic job by Dick’s to capture that brand. #hoka #adidas #dickssportinggoods Brand Strategy: In January Nike/Tiger Woods announcement they were splitting after 27 years, as Nike backed away from golf. That partnership was worth $200 million to Tiger over the years! #tigerwoods Then one of the most iconic partnerships in Sports, JORDAN! A 40 year relationship that has produced “BILLIONS”. 🏀💰🏀💰🏀 #jordan “JUST DO IT” #retail #retailtrends #shoppingexperience #innovation #TopRetailExperts

Day in the life at adidas... in niqab I decided to go to the adidas HQ with niqab* to see what would happen... Little did I know the results would outright shock me. As we are finishing up the "Week of Inclusion", I wonder how many companies ask themselves how they can better support employees who don't necessarily always feel safe in the country they live in. How about we make our office a place where wearing a niqab or hijab feels just as normal and accepted as not wearing one? Simple acts of acceptance can create a safe space for everyone. *For those who don't know, I do usually wear the hijab and only add the face veil (niqab) when I travel abroad. I find it easier than wearing a mask and outside of Europe I usually feel more comfortable wearing it.  #adidasoffice #insidethreestripes #adidas #officevlog Title: Day in the life of an adidas manager

We love helping small businesses succeed! 🙌 Our team of experts provides advice, guidance, and support to small businesses across the UK, helping them to grow and thrive. #advice #growth #SMEs Reanna Bowman Eliza Flanagan

People like to cheer for the underdog, don't they? It's always inspiring to see local brands making it big on the global stage. I'm even more thrilled that Benjamin Barker, a Singaporean brand we invested in, made it on Tatler (https://lnkd.in/gnihj2TS) Founded in 2009 by Nelson Yap, Benjamin Barker is a testament to grace, fortitude, and is a true rags-to-riches story. If you ever get to listen to Nelson's personal story, I'm sure you will find it as inspiring as I did. In fact, it was one of the reasons why I felt compelled to back this company. What sets Benjamin Barker apart is its unique approach—melding classic menswear with European design and Japanese cutting techniques, perfectly tailored for the Asian build. This not only caters to functional needs but also provides a bespoke feel in their ready-to-wear collections. At Malayan United Industries, we are proud to be part of this journey. I like to believe our involvement is more than an investment; it's a partnership driven by shared values of innovation, quality, and taking bold steps. For example, a story that is often recounted is how my trip to the Philippines was the turning point in securing the franchisee. In a boardroom full of top management, I proceeded to demonstrate the technological wonder of our "perfect white shirt" by pouring coffee over myself to show that it is completely stain-resistant. The room went completely quiet, so I knew my party trick worked! As we continue to explore potential collaborations, we are excited about the future possibilities. #StrategicInvestment #FashionInnovation #GlobalBrands #BusinessStrategy #Leadership #ThoughtLeadership #AsianBusinessExcellence 🌏👔💼

🚨✔️ NIKE ACTION ALERT: Join us today on LinkedIn to respectfully ask Nike Board of Directors member Thasunda Duckett to use her voice to be an ally for Nike workers in Cambodia who have been owed wages for three years since 2020. 

 Follow these steps to take part in the action: 1. Explain why you care about the case and think Nike should take action now. (Write from the heart but please be respectful, we want her to be an ally in persuading Nike, which has been the one ignoring the workers for over three years.) 2. Mention CEO John Donahoe in the post to ensure that he hears the message too. 3. End with @Nike #PayYourWorkers #JustPayIt 💻 Read more and find examples of what to say in our action kit: https://lnkd.in/gdTVpFEv 💬 The post we will be commenting on: https://lnkd.in/gYC_DwRi

Recruiting is never an exact science. And when a very positive feeling turns out to be the right one, it's extremely satisfying. It's been just one year since Wing Xiao joined the Baozun Brand Management team as CEO of Gap Greater China, which we acquired in early 2023. I was looking for someone to reinvigorate the brand, and that meant renewing the management team. Wing made an excellent impression on me and was the right choice. She has a perfect understanding of the direction we need to take to redefine what Gap should be today: a more premium brand, desired by consumers for its attractive products and not for its discounts. Wing is one of those people who knows how to hold a rudder with both hands and that's all we need to navigate a hyper-changing retail and e-commerce universe. 💪 Merchandising, design, sourcing, she's been in the fashion industry for 20 years, has run several multinationals and local brands, has superbly turned Miss Sixty around and has excellent product knowledge. She is ultra-determined, has admirable attention to detail and an immense capacity for hard work. She knows how to communicate difficult truths, always with a charming smile, and it comes across perfectly. Wing is an iron fist in a velvet glove. Many of our objectives have moved forward since her arrival. ✴️ We've recruited a designer and started to transform Gap's image by creating three new lines of products that are better suited to the expectations of young Chinese consumers: Modern preppy - Urban workwear - Premium blue. Having our finger on the pulse of these young buyers is essential. ✳️ These new product lines have been very well received since their launch in September. Despite the fact Chinese love discount products, consumers are buying these new product without a discount, which shows the credibility of the brand. ✴️ We are also starting to open new stores, not big box stores anymore, but smaller ones in the boutique spirit, and are working with KOLs who are themselves customers of the brand. 🚀 Results: GAP's gross margin is increasing significantly and this is a key data point. 🙌 Well done Wing for the work you've already done. Bringing a brand to fruition in the current context is bold. It wasn't an easy challenge. It is a great pleasure working together. #team #success #transformation