Inside Retail Asia is published by Octomedia Pty Ltd ISSN : 2206 5741
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MANAGING EDITOR – FEATURES AND PREMIUM HEATHER MCILVAINE heather . m @ insideretail . asia
FEATURES AND PREMIUM EDITORS TONG VAN ( ASIA ) van . t @ insideretail . asia
TAMERA FRANCIS ( AUSTRALIA ) tamera . f @ insideretail . asia
NICOLE KIRICHANSKAYA ( US ) nicole . k @ insideretail . asia
STEPHANIE CAITE CHADWICK ( FMCG & RETAIL ) stephanie . c @ insideretail . asia
GLOBAL HEAD OF NEWS ROBERT STOCKDILL robert @ insideretail . asia
JOURNALISTS IRENE DONG
CONTRIBUTORS MICHAEL BAKER CHRISTIAN WESTPHAL
SUB-EDITOR HAKI CRISDEN
DESIGN AND LAYOUT ROZELLE CARLOS-DADOR
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PHOTOGRAPHY Front cover and cover story images : Supplied by Gentlewoman
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Editor ’ s note
Having contributed stories to Inside Retail Asia for four years , I am honoured to take over from our global head of news Robert Stockdill in managing the curation of Inside Retail Asia magazine . Robert has been at the helm since the very first issue , and his extensive experience has been invaluable to the magazine . The great news is he will continue to share his expertise with us through features from time to time . While I have big shoes to fill , I am thrilled about the opportunity to bring fresh perspectives and innovative ideas to our cherished publication . I am dedicated to maintaining the high standards you ' ve come to love .
For my first issue , I ' ve spent a lot of time thinking about how I can enhance your reading experience . I ' ve had many discussions with my team about potential additions and modifications . While changes can be exciting , it ' s crucial to maintain consistency to ensure a familiar reading experience . Thus , I retained the existing structure for the majority of this magazine . As a Gen Z writer who has a deep passion for retail trends and innovations , I hope this issue resonates with you and offers valuable insights into the ever-evolving retail landscape .
During a recent trip to Bangkok to meet Levi ’ s recently appointed CEO Michelle Gass , I often saw women carrying Gentlewoman tote bags in the bustling city centre . Although Gentlewoman is not a new fashion brand , it has steadily built popularity since it first gained recognition a few years ago . Despite its widespread appeal , the reasons behind its continued success have rarely been explored in depth . I reached out to one of the brand ’ s founders , Jitpon Siriwattanamathangkul , to learn more about the brand ’ s formula for growth . Our cover story explores Gentlewoman ' s journey from a small Thai label to one of the most sought-after fashion brands in Southeast Asia .
In this 52-page magazine , you ’ ll find insights from industry experts on various retail topics , such as India ' s burgeoning luxury market , the fundamentals of customer service , and the future of department stores .
For the special report , we have devoted 11 pages to identifying what it takes to be a top workplace in the global retail industry . This comprehensive analysis includes detailed evaluations and insights from employee engagement experts and highlights a number of international retailers that stand out as the best employers .
Additionally , we have incorporated two new sections designed to enhance the magazine ' s value to our readers . The first new section will feature innovative collaborations between retail brands that took place this quarter , while the second new section is a Q & A with a prominent retail figure to uncover firsthand insights from their experiences and perspectives .
I hope this issue marks the beginning of an exciting new chapter for Inside Retail Asia magazine . Your feedback is always appreciated .
Van
TONG VAN Features and premium editor , Inside Retail Asia
August 2024 www . insideretail . asia 3