Samsonite APAC & Middle East

“Listening to our consumers is our top priority,” emphasizes Subrata Dutta, President of Samsonite APAC & Middle East, in a recent interview with Business Weekly Taiwan.   This consumer-centric philosophy is evident in the way we provide autonomy to our local market teams – they have the flexibility to tailor aspects of their strategy and operations to best serve local consumer preferences.   Samsonite Taiwan exemplifies this spirit of localized flexibility and agility. When the pandemic brought overseas travel to a halt, the team pivoted to focus on non-luggage products such as bags, catering to consumers’ demand for daily commuting and outdoor hiking.   “We survived by selling bags,” shared Nick Lin, General Manager, Samsonite Taiwan. “Within a week, we rearranged product displays, switching out over 70% of shelf space previously occupied by suitcases. We also retrained our employees to shift their mindset towards selling more bags, since they were traditionally used to selling suitcases that typically retailed for higher prices.”   Looking back, Sunny L., Marketing Director, Samsonite Taiwan, reflected, “Given the significant external challenges, adapting quickly to local market conditions is crucial – we started developing new strategies in just a few days, faster than in other countries and most other competitors.” To find out more, read the full article here (in Chinese):  https://lnkd.in/gRFnUGJM

As part of the broader “Tomorrow Is Here” campaign that aims to inspire actions for a more sustainable future, our Samsonite Singapore team recently participated in the third edition of GREEN-HOUSE, a retail festival focused on sustainable living and community collaborations.   At the event, we showcased an immersive art installation featuring tapestry made from the extracted inner fabric of preloved luggage, reclaimed during our annual Luggage Trade-In program in Singapore. Local textile and community artist Natalia Tan engaged festival-goers with a live weaving accompaniment, while visitors also donated their unwanted fabric and had a go at weaving it into the tapestry.   As part of Samsonite’s commitment to give back to local communities, some of the hard shells collected from our Luggage Trade-In program were also used to create pet beds that support the adoption drive by animal welfare organizations such as the Chained Dog Awareness Singapore.   #ESG #OurResponsibleJourney

Congratulations to our Hong Kong team on the reopening of their beautifully refurbished office last month!   The celebrations included time-honored traditions like a pig-cutting ceremony and a lively lion dance performance - both symbolizing good fortune and prosperity. Families (and pets!) of our colleagues also joined in the festivities with an afternoon of bonding over delicious food, ice-cream treats, and a photo booth that captured the memorable moments.   Social enterprise YMCA of Hong Kong, which supports women’s empowerment through upskilling and job opportunities, also contributed to the joyous atmosphere with a balloon-twisting station that made vibrant creations for everyone.   Nikhil Gupte, General Manager of Samsonite Hong Kong, shared, “There was so much excitement, fun and smiles all around. My favorite place in our office is the pantry area overlooking the harborfront, with a view that’s inspiring and refreshing.”   “What a fantastic event the team pulled off for the relaunch of their office. It was wonderful to see our colleagues’ families share in the day’s activities, and leave with great memories and full bellies,” added Tony Griffiths, Senior Director, HR & Admin, Samsonite APAC & Middle East.   Browse photos from the fun-filled day below 👀

This summer, our Samsonite brand ambassador for Asia, Lee Dong Wook, was "spotted" in Korea, mainland China, and Hong Kong 🌍   This is Lee Dong Wook’s second campaign with Samsonite since he became our Asia Ambassador. Titled ‘Gravitated’, the campaign celebrates the joy of travel and the desire for new experiences at each destination.    This 360 integrated campaign is rolled out across digital, social, retail, and outdoor advertising, including high-impact displays at major airports across Asia.   Enjoy the campaign video here: https://lnkd.in/dADJeYAM

In our latest edition of ‘People of Samsonite’, we sat down with Colin Chui, Senior General Counsel, Asia, for a quick chat. A mathematics major, and dragon boat and marathon enthusiast - he tells the story of his serendipitous foray into law, the passionate culture he thrives in, and his family-centric values that also extend to care for his colleagues. Read all about it below ⬇️

A visual feast was on display at the American Tourister pop-up event in Taiwan last month! The 10-day event was held near A11 Shin Kong Mitsukoshi Department Store in Taipei, to celebrate the launch of the “Fun is Where You Take It” campaign. A custom-built, upside-down train carriage stole the show by exhibiting the #AmericanTourister Frontec collection in a uniquely imaginative way - a nod to the brand’s creativity in connecting with travelers. This stylish set-up even served as a fun photo spot for invited influencers and curious passers-by 📸 On launch day, Taiwanese boy group U:NUS put on a live performance, elevating the atmosphere with energy and enthusiasm as fans cheered on. Participants could also win prizes, ice-cream giveaways and enjoy other promotional offers. Keep an eye out for more of such brand experiences to come!

Proud of our Samsonite store at Suntec City mall in Singapore, for being awarded the Excellence in Design for Greater Efficiencies (EDGE) Advanced certification from EDGE Buildings!   This is a global standard by IFC - International Finance Corporation that recognizes buildings and spaces with 40% or more on-site energy savings. This accolade is a testament to the store’s #sustainability-first design. For instance, the store’s external facade was fabricated from recycled aluminium and the shelves were made from recycled plastics. The Balau wood sculptures framing the space were also fashioned out of used wood that had spent at least 30 years in shipyards.   To date, the store has achieved predicted savings of: • 43% energy savings • 54% water savings • 47% less embodied energy in materials   Congratulations to everyone involved in this remarkable achievement – a symbol of the progress we’re making with our global sustainability strategy, “Our Responsible Journey”.   #ESG #OurResponsibleJourney #EDGEAdvanced

Samsonite International S.A. is pleased to have recently announced our results for the six months ended June 30, 2024. Here is a link to our press release: https://lnkd.in/gqJbruer

In 1960, Samsonite luggage first became available in Kuwait.   In 2006, we opened our first boutique store in Kuwait, also our first in the Middle East.   In 2024, we held one of our largest scale pop-up events in Kuwait, at the luxurious 360 Mall. Guests had the opportunity to test out the innovative Aero-Trac™️ suspension wheels on the EVOA Z luggage, and learn more about the sustainable materials that went into creating the Magnum ECO luggage. Syed Shaheen Jamil, VP, Samsonite Middle East says, “Samsonite has come a long way in Kuwait, and we are committed to providing travelers here with more sustainable and innovative products while enjoying an elevated brand experience."

Fostering cross-cultural understanding is an important part of our #people strategy at Samsonite.   One such initiative is our Samsonite APAC & Middle East regional mentorship program, which connects mentee-mentor pairs from different departments and across borders. From virtual mentoring sessions to an overseas immersion at each mentor’s home country, the program offers participants the opportunity to explore new perspectives, gain exposure to new cultures and take inspiration from different ways of working.    We spoke to Miwa Shimizu from Japan, a mentee in this program, to learn more about her time with her mentor, Lida Chessadatawornwong, Country Head at Samsonite Thailand. Miwa’s advice to future participants in the program? To cherish the opportunity to forge new friendships and learn from new experiences - just as she did.   Tap on the cards below to read more ↓   #diversity #inclusion #OurResponsibleJourney