Latest news with #JohnLittle
Yahoo
3 days ago
- Sport
- Yahoo
Phoenix Suns add Valley Suns head coach to Jordan Ott's coaching staff
First-year Phoenix Suns head coach Jordan Ott will have John Little on his staff as an assistant coach, league sources have informed The Arizona Republic. Little served as head coach of their G League team, the Valley Suns, during their inaugural season in 2024-25. The Valley Suns reached the 2025 G League playoffs under Little and advanced to the conference semifinals before losing to the eventual G League champion Stockton Kings. Stockton is the Sacramento Kings' G League team. Little has been in Las Vegas working as an assistant for the Suns' summer league team. Phoenix plays its final summer league game Saturday, July 19, against the Portland Trail Blazers at Cox Pavilion (6:30 p.m., NBA TV). The Suns have Jesse Mermuys, DeMarre Carroll, Brian Randle, Chaisson Allen and Little on Ott's coaching staff with Mateen Cleaves serving as a player development coach. Carroll has been the team's summer league head coach with Allen and Little on his staff. Ott, Randle and Mermuys have been in attendance, watching the games courtside. A 2006 Northern Iowa graduate, Little played overseas for eight years as a guard. He returned to Northern Iowa and worked as a video coordinator for two years (2017-19). He was on the Wisconsin Herd's coaching staff for four seasons (2019-23). The Herd are the Milwaukee Bucks' G League team. Little was an assistant there under Allen from 2021-23. Little then joined the Maine Celtics as an assistant for one season (2023-24), helping the Boston Celtics' G League team earn the No. 2 seed and reach the 2024 G League finals. Have opinions about the current state of the Suns? Reach Suns Insider Duane Rankin at dmrankin@ or contact him at 480-810-5518. Follow him on X, formerly Twitter, at @DuaneRankin. Support local journalism: Subscribe to today. This article originally appeared on Arizona Republic: Valley Suns' John Little joins Ott's Phoenix Suns staff
Business Times
08-06-2025
- Business
- Business Times
BHG downsizes Bugis Junction flagship outlet as department stores face shaky future
[SINGAPORE] Department store BHG is downsizing its flagship Bugis Junction outlet – its last remaining permanent store – from three to two levels. This follows the March closure of its Junction 8 store, which will be replaced by home furnishings brand Nitori. Nitori will also take over the third-floor space BHG used to occupy at Bugis Junction. The scaling down of BHG's Bugis Junction outlet comes on the back of other store closures. Besides Junction 8, it has shuttered four stores here since 2022, in Raffles City Shopping Centre, Jurong Point, Clementi Mall and Lot One. It follows a series of other closures of large department stores here. 'BHG remains a tenant at Bugis Junction on Levels 1 and 2, and we continue to work closely with them to introduce new brands,' said a spokesperson for Bugis Junction. BHG declined comment. In February, BHG opened a pop-up store at The Centrepoint, which will operate until August. BT in your inbox Start and end each day with the latest news stories and analyses delivered straight to your inbox. Sign Up Sign Up BHG Singapore began in 1994 as Seiyu Wing On Department Store. In 2007, it was acquired by Beijing Hualian Group, one of China's largest commercial chain retailers, and has operated under the brand name BHG for the past 18 years. Homemaker Brenda Thio, 53, said: 'It is sad that these stores that have been around for so long are either gone or downsized.' But she said she mainly shops online now. 'I hardly shop at BHG and have bought only pillows, bolsters or bed sheets there once every few years.' A broader trend of decline Large department stores here and worldwide have faced decline owing to increasing competition from online shopping, exacerbated by the Covid-19 pandemic. Japanese chain Isetan will shutter its Tampines Mall outlet in November, after about 30 years. At its 2013 peak, it had six stores in Singapore. Its last closure was Isetan Katong in Parkway Parade in 2022. After closing the Tampines store, it will be left with two outlets – Isetan Scotts and Isetan Serangoon Central. Home-grown department store OG closed its Orchard Point store in 2022, after 18 years. Its remaining stores are in People's Park and Albert Street. Metro closed its flagship Centrepoint store in 2019 after five years, with two remaining stores at Paragon and Causeway Point. And two department store chains which used to be household names have called it quits. Robinsons, which still has an online store, shut its last physical store at Raffles City Shopping Centre in 2021, while John Little exited the local retail scene in 2017, after closing its Plaza Singapura outlet. Market observers said that with e-commerce offering a greater variety of products, competitive pricing and the convenience of home delivery, people are increasingly less inclined to visit large department stores. 'Today's shoppers increasingly seek personalised, curated and experiential retail experiences,' said Leung Sau Yee, senior lecturer at Singapore Polytechnic's School of Business. 'Traditional department stores, with their generalist, one-size-fits-all model, often fall short of these expectations.' Many department stores also rely heavily on mall operators to drive engagement, she said. Without distinctive products, brand curation or compelling in-store experiences, they struggle to offer shoppers a strong reason to return. Department stores have traditionally been anchor tenants in malls. But operating large-scale stores in prime retail locations, such as Bugis Junction, means incurring high rental, staff and inventory costs. As footfall declines, it becomes increasingly difficult to justify maintaining such expansive physical spaces from a profitability standpoint, experts said. Associate Professor Lau Kong Cheen, head of the Singapore University of Social Sciences' marketing programme, said department stores have been supplanted by large malls that offer a curated mix of specialised outlets. In short, malls are mega department stores. 'Malls house dedicated retailers for categories such as footwear, cosmetics, skincare, fashion apparel, accessories, jewellery and homeware,' he said. 'Each speciality store provides a focused brand experience that resonates more with today's discerning shoppers.' Professor Lawrence Loh, from NUS Business School's department of strategy and policy, said: 'Department stores cannot continue to be more of the same, providing huge varieties for all customers. If they are everything to everybody, they may end up as nothing to nobody.' From product-centric to experience-centric What could make the department store relevant again in a tough market? Prof Loh suggested merging the physical store with a digital one to offer holistic shopping experiences that are not found online. 'The 'touch-and-feel' in shopping is still valuable, but stores must give sufficient incentives to prevent the undesirable consumer behaviour of testing at stores and then going online to purchase elsewhere at lower prices,' he said. 'Department stores face the real challenge of being free showrooms for the low-cost e-commerce stores.' Other experts agree on the need to invest in omnichannel integration with a seamless blend of online and offline experiences, such as allowing customers to purchase online and collect in-store, or checking stock levels in real time, to compete with pure e-commerce players. Ethan Hsu, head of retail at real estate consultancy Knight Frank Singapore, said that technology such as personalised apps, fitting rooms that use augmented reality and artificial intelligence-driven inventory can improve efficiency and customer experience. They can also cater to modern preferences like sustainability, he said. In addition, he suggested community marketing activities that can build loyalty and differentiate stores from online retailers. These include supporting local charities, or hosting community events and cultural celebrations. Prof Lau suggested that stores frequently introduce thematic changes – for instance, cultural themes from different countries – to their product ranges. 'Just like museums and art galleries – they change their display by curating new exhibits to draw domestic visitors to make repeat visits,' he said. Exclusive collaborations with brands that have a limited presence in Singapore – including emerging international brands and local designers – could help, Prof Lau added. And stores can transform themselves into lifestyle destinations by integrating cafes with speciality in-house brews and food, and branded dining ware sold in-store, he said. Offering experiences such as personal colour analysis, cooking or baking workshops and food-and-wine pairings can make shopping more engaging, and cannot be replicated by online retailers, said Leung. She added: 'Ultimately, for department stores to thrive, they must shift from being product-centric to experience-centric, staying attuned to evolving consumer values and behaviours.' THE STRAITS TIMES
BBC News
30-05-2025
- Entertainment
- BBC News
Motorcycle fans hail Isle of Man TT as the 'ultimate race'
Fans visiting the Isle of Man TT have described the excitement of watching the "ultimate race" from up close around the course. Tens of thousands of visitors have travelled to the island for the event, which continues until 7 June, with the final qualifying rounds set to conclude will then pick their favourite spots around the 37.7-mile (61km) course to watch the first day of racing at the 2025 event on Little from Belfast said the the draw of coming to the event was down it being "totally different" to other motorcycle races and "the one everyone wants to win". The biker, who is visiting the festival with friend Paddy Corey, said the racing felt like an "addiction", which meant "you just have to keep coming".Mr Corey, from County Tyrone, said he returns to the island year after year after because he's able to witness the "speed of the bikes and the way they're ridden around the course up close"."It is the ultimate race, the speeds, the turns and the bends. It's amazing how the riders do it," he competition takes place on closed public roads with riders reaching lap speeds of up to 136mph (219mph). Adam Deen, who was visiting the island from Burnley, said it was "unbelievable" to watch the bikes "go at stupid miles-an-hour, especially past terraced houses"."When you watch it on TV you don't really get a feel for it, but when you watch it on the course you can feel it in your chest, you can smell the exhaust fumes," he the island with his partner Shania Evans for their second their TT festival, Mr Deen said he was excited to watch professional riders Peter Hickman and 2024 Senior TT winner Davy Todd in it was a thrill to "see everyone out there, hats off to all the riders", he 60 solo competitors and 30 sidecar pairings are set to compete in the 118-year-old races. Sam Jones, from Morecambe, has been to almost every race after "getting hooked" whilst visiting the centenary event in 2007."The adrenaline that you're getting just spectating, never mind being on the bike, is amazing," she said,"The speed they go at, the skill, they're just unbelievable aren't they?"She said, after rain saw some qualifying sessions being cancelled, they were "praying to the weather gods for sun for the racing".But the wet conditions would not put her off returning and she had "already booked for next year", she added. Read more stories from the Isle of Man on the BBC, watch BBC North West Tonight on BBC iPlayer and follow BBC Isle of Man on Facebook and X.
Business Times
30-05-2025
- Business
- Business Times
Isetan, Metro, OG, Marks & Spencer have all shrunk: Do department stores have a silver lining?
[SINGAPORE] Once coveted as anchor tenants by malls, department stores are threatened by the rise of e-commerce and shifting consumer preferences. The impending closure of Isetan's Tampines Mall outlet, announced in May, is the latest in a series of shutterings since Covid-19. To stay competitive, department stores should consider smaller stores with tighter product curation, as well as in-store experiences, observers told The Business Times. 'The traditional model of being large, all-in-one stores simply doesn't match how people shop anymore,' said Dr Samer Elhajjar, senior lecturer at NUS Business School's department of marketing. 'Consumers now look for speed, curation and meaningful experiences.' Japanese chain Isetan said on May 6 that it would close its Tampines Mall outlet when its lease ends in November, after nearly 30 years. This will leave the chain with its outlets at Shaw House and Nex, down from a peak of six in 2013. A spokesperson said the decision was made 'in light of evolving market conditions', as part of a broader strategic move to realign operations for 'long-term sustainability and growth'. A NEWSLETTER FOR YOU Tuesday, 12 pm Property Insights Get an exclusive analysis of real estate and property news in Singapore and beyond. Sign Up Sign Up In 2019, Metro closed its flagship Centrepoint store, leaving it with its outlets at Paragon and Causeway Point. In 2022, OG shut its Orchard Point store after 18 years; it now has outlets only at People's Park and Albert Street. BHG Singapore has closed five stores here since 2022, most recently its Junction 8 branch in March. It retains its Bugis flagship and its Centrepoint outlet, which opened in February. British retailer Marks & Spencer closed its Parkway Parade outlet in February, leaving it with seven locations, according to its website. Other department stores have exited entirely. Robinsons shuttered its last store at Raffles City in January 2021 – though it later returned as an online retailer – and John Little closed its last store in Plaza Singapura in late 2016. Isetan's spokesperson said the retailer remains 'fully committed' to serving customers through existing stores and 'evolving' retail platforms, and will continue its 'journey with the community in new and meaningful ways', but declined to give details. OG, Metro and BHG declined to comment on their Singapore plans, while Takashimaya and Marks & Spencer did not respond to queries from BT. Weaker offline One reason for this decline is the rise of online shopping, especially during the pandemic, said observers. Many brands carried by department stores are available online and for less, said Dr Elhajjar. Malls are instead focusing on offerings 'that e-commerce cannot replicate', such as food streets, indoor playgrounds, boutique gyms and dental clinics, he said. In physical retail, specialised formats have supplanted department stores' one-stop concept, said Alan Cheong, Savills Singapore's executive director for research and consultancy. He cited low-cost shops such as Daiso and Japanmart, specialty retailers such as cosmetics chain Sephora, and high-end luxury maisons. British retailer Marks & Spencer closed its Parkway Parade outlet in February. PHOTO: BT FILE Today's consumers prioritise immersive brand experiences over product availability, said Wong Xian Yang, Cushman & Wakefield's head of research for Singapore and South-east Asia. Brands have opened specialty stores 'where they can control distribution and craft memorable experiences' – and department stores have thus lost significance as a way to reach consumers. The homogeneity of department stores – with the same layout, brands and regular sales – also means 'weak brand excitement' for younger shoppers, added Dr Elhajjar. Another factor is that large retail footprints mean high fixed costs. Traditional department stores range from 30,000 square feet to over 150,000 sq ft, Dr Elhajjar noted. For instance, Robinsons' now-defunct flagship at The Heeren occupied 186,000 sq ft across six floors. 'If foot traffic drops, or sales per square foot aren't high, the cost of running these massive spaces just doesn't make sense anymore,' he said. Global decline The decline of Singapore's department stores is part of a global phenomenon. In February 2024, US juggernaut Macy's said it would close 150 underperforming stores – almost a third of its total – by 2026. After 242 years in business, British retail institution Debenhams closed its remaining stores in the UK and Ireland in 2021, and later relaunched itself as an online retailer. Another long-established British chain, Beales, fell into administration in 2020 and closed 22 of 23 stores. Its final store is set to close on Saturday (May 31). In February 2024, US juggernaut Macy's said it would close 150 underperforming stores – almost a third of its total – by 2026. PHOTO: REUTERS Sulian Tan-Wijaya, executive director for retail and lifestyle at Savills Singapore, said: 'The department stores that closed were either not keeping up with new and emerging consumer and retail trends, or were part of consolidation plans by chains which had over-expanded in prior years.' In contrast, some stores have survived by offering younger shoppers physical experiences 'they can't get online', she noted. Upscale UK retailers Selfridges and Harrods have 'evolved successfully' with their brand mix, retail formats and shopping experiences, down to the choice of food and beverage tenants and music, she said. She also cited Japanese chain Mitsukoshi, which has a rooftop garden at its Ginza outlet in Tokyo. Wong suggested that to stay relevant, department stores can consider 'smaller, more agile formats' in areas with high footfall, cutting costs while offering a more targeted product range. Department stores need a 'significant strategy overhaul', said Dr Elhajjar. 'Most importantly, they have to stop thinking in square footage and start thinking in relevance per square metre.' He listed several approaches. Stores can rethink their product mix, 'moving away from generic, mass-market goods and bringing in more differentiated, high-margin or exclusive items'. They can reinvent the in-store experience or become lifestyle concept stores. They can also create a community by hosting workshops or personalised events, and collaborate with brands or influencers to offer exclusive collections. 'Department stores that are willing to evolve, experiment and align themselves with the changing habits of modern shoppers still have a chance – but only if they move boldly, not incrementally.' Rejuvenation efforts An artist's impression of the revamped basement at Tangs' Tang Plaza branch. More than 70% of the space will go to F&B, up from 15% before. ILLUSTRATION: TANGS Post-Covid, home-grown department store Tangs has reorganised its retail space and refreshed the offerings at its Tang Plaza and VivoCity branches, said a spokesperson. This is to better cater to its shopper base, with 80 per cent being female professionals, stay-at-home mothers and their families. For instance, the kids' section has widened its range of apparel, baby care and toys, in response to rising demand from young families. Other changes reflect a shift towards experiences. The VivoCity store has partnered toy brands such as Jellycat and Miffy, as well as cosmetics brands Bobbi Brown and Estee Lauder, to create 'shop-in-shop' experiential zones. The revamped Tang Plaza basement will reopen in August with more than 70 per cent of space going to F&B, up from 15 per cent before. Tang Plaza's beauty and wellness offerings have also been expanded, with the addition of services such as a new dental clinic and aesthetic clinic. A Tangs spokesperson said: 'The pandemic has irreversibly shifted the retail landscape, requiring us to rethink how we do business.' While retail remains a 'challenging space', the department store is 'committed to evolving, rather than retreating', the spokesperson added.
Business Times
29-05-2025
- Business
- Business Times
Death of the department store? Players can stay relevant with curated products, experiences, say retail observers
[SINGAPORE] Once coveted as anchor tenants by malls, department stores are threatened by the rise of e-commerce and shifting consumer preferences. The impending closure of Isetan's Tampines Mall outlet, announced in May, is the latest in a series of shutterings since Covid-19. To stay competitive, department stores should consider smaller stores with tighter product curation, as well as in-store experiences, observers told The Business Times. 'The traditional model of being large, all-in-one stores simply doesn't match how people shop anymore,' said Dr Samer Elhajjar, senior lecturer at NUS Business School's department of marketing. 'Consumers now look for speed, curation and meaningful experiences.' Japanese chain Isetan said on May 6 that it would close its Tampines Mall outlet when its lease ends in November, after nearly 30 years. This will leave the chain with its outlets at Shaw House and Nex, down from a peak of six in 2013. A spokesperson said the decision was made 'in light of evolving market conditions', as part of a broader strategic move to realign operations for 'long-term sustainability and growth'. A NEWSLETTER FOR YOU Tuesday, 12 pm Property Insights Get an exclusive analysis of real estate and property news in Singapore and beyond. Sign Up Sign Up In 2019, Metro closed its flagship Centrepoint store, leaving it with its outlets at Paragon and Causeway Point. In 2022, OG shut its Orchard Point store after 18 years; it now has outlets only at People's Park and Albert Street. BHG Singapore has closed five stores here since 2022, most recently its Junction 8 branch in March. It retains its Bugis flagship and its Centrepoint outlet, which opened in February. British retailer Marks & Spencer closed its Parkway Parade outlet in February, leaving it with seven locations, according to its website. Other department stores have exited entirely. Robinsons shuttered its last store at Raffles City in January 2021 – though it later returned as an online retailer – and John Little closed its last store in Plaza Singapura in late 2016. Isetan's spokesperson said the retailer remains 'fully committed' to serving customers through existing stores and 'evolving' retail platforms, and will continue its 'journey with the community in new and meaningful ways', but declined to give details. OG, Metro and BHG declined to comment on their Singapore plans, while Takashimaya and Marks & Spencer did not respond to queries from BT. Weaker offline One reason for this decline is the rise of online shopping, especially during the pandemic, said observers. Many brands carried by department stores are available online and for less, said Dr Elhajjar. Malls are instead focusing on offerings 'that e-commerce cannot replicate', such as food streets, indoor playgrounds, boutique gyms and dental clinics, he said. In physical retail, specialised formats have supplanted department stores' one-stop concept, said Alan Cheong, Savills Singapore's executive director for research and consultancy. He cited low-cost shops such as Daiso and Japanmart, specialty retailers such as cosmetics chain Sephora, and high-end luxury maisons. British retailer Marks & Spencer closed its Parkway Parade outlet in February. PHOTO: BT FILE Today's consumers prioritise immersive brand experiences over product availability, said Wong Xian Yang, Cushman & Wakefield's head of research for Singapore and South-east Asia. Brands have opened specialty stores 'where they can control distribution and craft memorable experiences' – and department stores have thus lost significance as a way to reach consumers. The homogeneity of department stores – with the same layout, brands and regular sales – also means 'weak brand excitement' for younger shoppers, added Dr Elhajjar. Another factor is that large retail footprints mean high fixed costs. Traditional department stores range from 30,000 square feet to over 150,000 sq ft, Dr Elhajjar noted. For instance, Robinsons' now-defunct flagship at The Heeren occupied 186,000 sq ft across six floors. 'If foot traffic drops, or sales per square foot aren't high, the cost of running these massive spaces just doesn't make sense anymore,' he said. Global decline The decline of Singapore's department stores is part of a global phenomenon. In February 2024, US juggernaut Macy's said it would close 150 underperforming stores – almost a third of its total – by 2026. After 242 years in business, British retail institution Debenhams closed its remaining stores in the UK and Ireland in 2021, and later relaunched itself as an online retailer. Another long-established British chain, Beales, fell into administration in 2020 and closed 22 of 23 stores. Its final store is set to close on Saturday (May 31). In February 2024, US juggernaut Macy's said it would close 150 underperforming stores – almost a third of its total – by 2026. PHOTO: REUTERS Sulian Tan-Wijaya, executive director for retail and lifestyle at Savills Singapore, said: 'The department stores that closed were either not keeping up with new and emerging consumer and retail trends, or were part of consolidation plans by chains which had over-expanded in prior years.' In contrast, some stores have survived by offering younger shoppers physical experiences 'they can't get online', she noted. Upscale UK retailers Selfridges and Harrods have 'evolved successfully' with their brand mix, retail formats and shopping experiences, down to the choice of food and beverage tenants and music, she said. She also cited Japanese chain Mitsukoshi, which has a rooftop garden at its Ginza outlet in Tokyo. Wong suggested that to stay relevant, department stores can consider 'smaller, more agile formats' in areas with high footfall, cutting costs while offering a more targeted product range. Department stores need a 'significant strategy overhaul', said Dr Elhajjar. 'Most importantly, they have to stop thinking in square footage and start thinking in relevance per square metre.' He listed several approaches. Stores can rethink their product mix, 'moving away from generic, mass-market goods and bringing in more differentiated, high-margin or exclusive items'. They can reinvent the in-store experience or become lifestyle concept stores. They can also create a community by hosting workshops or personalised events, and collaborate with brands or influencers to offer exclusive collections. 'Department stores that are willing to evolve, experiment and align themselves with the changing habits of modern shoppers still have a chance – but only if they move boldly, not incrementally.' Rejuvenation efforts An artist's impression of the revamped basement at Tangs' Tang Plaza branch. More than 70% of the space will go to F&B, up from 15% before. ILLUSTRATION: TANGS Post-Covid, home-grown department store Tangs has reorganised its retail space and refreshed the offerings at its Tang Plaza and VivoCity branches, said a spokesperson. This is to better cater to its shopper base, with 80 per cent being female professionals, stay-at-home mothers and their families. For instance, the kids' section has widened its range of apparel, baby care and toys, in response to rising demand from young families. Other changes reflect a shift towards experiences. The VivoCity store has partnered toy brands such as Jellycat and Miffy, as well as cosmetics brands Bobbi Brown and Estee Lauder, to create 'shop-in-shop' experiential zones. The revamped Tang Plaza basement will reopen in August with more than 70 per cent of space going to F&B, up from 15 per cent before. Tang Plaza's beauty and wellness offerings have also been expanded, with the addition of services such as a new dental clinic and aesthetic clinic. A Tangs spokesperson said: 'The pandemic has irreversibly shifted the retail landscape, requiring us to rethink how we do business.' While retail remains a 'challenging space', the department store is 'committed to evolving, rather than retreating', the spokesperson added.
