Page 8 - Sphere No.9 (Sep 2003)

Fortress, the consumer
electronics retail arm
of HWL, has announced a
HK$100 million (approximately
US$12.8 million) upgrading and expansion
drive that will see a facelift at its existing 68-
stores by the end of next year.The move is
expected to boost Fortress sales by 20%.
The stores will be re-categorised in three
formats: FortressWorld, which will offer
household electrical appliances; FortressVision,
focusing on plasma television and audio
products; and Fortress Digital, selling mainly
high-tech consumer products.
In June, Fortress began showing monthly movie
trailers on all TVs in its stores and introduced
Fortress Radio, an in-house programme.
SPHERE
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H U T C H I S O N U P D A T E S
Newsbites
Makeover for
Watsons
Introducing a bright, contemporary
and spacious feel, Watsons Your
Personal Store, Asia’s largest personal
care chain, celebrated the opening of its
first “third generation” store in June.
Located at Pacific Place, Hong Kong,
the 4,000-sq-ft outlet features a new
range of products and is the first
to introduce brand bias-free beauty
consultants.
The opening kicks off a major expansion
plan in Asia for Watsons that includes
refurbishment of its current network
of 682 stores in the region and expansion
to 700 stores by the end of 2003.
In March,Watsons Your Personal Store
launched its first ever outlets at the
Hong Kong International Airport
(HKIA).
In partnership with its sister company
Nuance-Watson , the airport’s largest
retail operator, three stores were officially
opened on March 10.
A fourth outlet will open on completion
of expansion of the East Hall.
Hutchison-Priceline (Travel) has launched
“MakeYour Own Choice” air ticket services
to complement its “NameYour Own Price”
business model.The online retailer, which
specialises in selling air tickets, hotel rooms
and car rental to Hong Kong and Singapore-
based consumers, anticipates that sales from
tickets for named airlines will account for
a third of its revenue.
More than 20,000 prospective buyers flocked
to view show flats of Rambler Crest when
the development opened its doors for public
viewing on May 31.Approximately 100 units
were sold over the weekend with about 1,000
units snapped up in the first three weeks.
The 1,585-unit project, jointly developed by
Hutchison Whampoa Property Group
(HWPG) and Cheung Kong (Holdings),
is located on the southeastern waterfront of
TsingYi Island, Hong Kong.
It comprises five 40-storey towers and boasts
magnificent water features that include a 200m
outdoor swimming pool, massage pools,
giant waterfalls, and more.
Buyers were also attracted by the range of
indoor facilities, including a “6-Zone Senses
Sky Garden”, an Internet lounge and a
spacious clubhouse with gym and sauna.
The development even offers an array of
exclusive services, including a car pool,
storage space, free 24-hour satellite TV
channels, in-home domestic services and
special rental rates for holiday resort houses
in China.
The project is scheduled for completion in
April 2004.
Buyers Queue up to Invest in Rambler Crest Lifestyle
Facelift for Fortress
PARKnSHOP China has been ranked 36
in the “China’s Top Hundred Chain Store
2002” list by the China Chain Store Business
Association.The 19-store chain had a
turnover of 1.825 billion yuan
(approximately US$213 million) in 2002.
Priceline Adds Choices
The unaudited consolidated profit
of Hutchison Harbour Ring for
the six months to June 30, 2003 amounted
to HK$32.8 million (approximately
US$4.2 million), compared to HK$23.4
million (restated) in the same period
last year.
Turnover was HK$796.3 million
compared to HK$660.3 million previously.
For full results see ww.harbourring.com.hk/
finance_ann.htm
HHR Results
noted
R E T A I L & M A N U F A C T U R I N G
P R O P E R T Y & H O T E L S