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Appier provides strong FY25 guidance and a sustainable, profitable growth trajectory

Agreement to acquire AdCreative.ai set to improve gross margins, enhance product synergies, and expand total addressable market

Highlights and achievements for fiscal year 2024

  • Growth momentum persists in our key focus regions in FY24 led to an all-time revenue high of JPY 34.1 billion, reflecting a 29% YoY growth
  • Operating profit grew 2.5 times YoY to JPY 2.0 billion, with FX-neutral operating income tripling to JPY 2.4 billion
  • Gross profit expanded 30% YoY to JPY 17.8 billion, outpacing revenue growth, supported by improved product mix and AI-powered efficiency
  • Since the IPO, revenue has nearly tripled from JPY 12.7 billion in 2021 to JPY 34.1 billion in 2024, with Q4 as an inflection point for over 30% YoY growth in FY25

Guidance for fiscal year 2025

  • Forecasting a 34% YoY growth in revenue to JPY 45.5 billion with an organic growth rate of 27% YoY, driven by revenue reacceleration
  • Gross profit expected to grow 41% YoY to JPY 25.2 billion (55.3% margin), reflecting a 3 percentage point improvement in gross margin
  • Operating income is expected to grow 2 times YoY to JPY 4.1 billion (8.9% margin), with organic operating income at JPY 4.8 billion (11% margin) and organic EBITDA at JPY 8.4 billion (20% margin)
  • Cash dividend projected at JPY 2.25 per share, an increase from FY24, reflecting improved core free cash flow and strong financial performance
  • Driven by multiple growth drivers, targeting revenue to double to over JPY 70 billion by FY27, with a projected 27-31% CAGR, and operating profit expected to scale to JPY 9-11 billion

Driving sustainable growth with strong profitability and market expansion

TOKYO, Feb. 14, 2025 /PRNewswire/ — Appier Group Inc (TSE: 4180), henceforth referred to as Appier, today announced its financial earnings results for the fiscal year ended 31 December 2024 and guidance for FY25. The company achieved a record revenue of JPY 34.1 billion, a 29% YoY increase fueled by deeper and more diversified penetration among key accounts, global expansion, and AI-powered innovation. Profitability also surged, with operating profit rising 2.5 times YoY to JPY 2 billion and operating income tripled to JPY 2.4 billion on an FX-neutral basis. Gross profit outpaced revenue growth, increasing 30% YoY to JPY 17.8 billion, supported by AI-driven efficiencies.

Appier continued its strong global and vertical expansion, with the US & EMEA growing 45% YoY and Northeast Asia, its largest market, increasing 34% YoY. Digital Content and E-Commerce remained key growth drivers, contributing to a balanced customer mix in which 54% of incremental revenue came from existing clients and 46% from new customers.

Since its IPO, Appier has nearly tripled its revenue, growing from JPY 12.7 billion in 2021 to JPY 34.1 billion in 2024, reinforcing its sustained growth trajectory.

Strengthening AI-powered growth with strategic acquisition

As part of its ongoing commitment to innovation and AI-powered marketing leadership, Appier has entered into an agreement to acquire AdCreative.ai, a Paris-based innovator in Generative AI-driven creative optimization, for USD 38.7 million, including a USD 27.3 million base. This marks Appier’s fifth major acquisition since 2018, further reinforcing its expansion strategy in AdTech and MarTech.

“The acquisition of AdCreative.ai drives Appier’s long-term growth and profitability through margin expansion, GenAI acceleration, a stronger data moat, and TAM expansion,” said Chih-Han Yu, CEO and Co-founder of Appier. “Integrating AdCreative.ai’s GenAI-powered creative automation strengthens Appier’s product innovation and market leadership, while access to its creative database enables continuous AI learning and smarter automation to provide better solutions for our customers. Additionally, combining Appier’s APAC and US Digital Content presence with AdCreative.ai’s EU e-commerce reach expands Appier’s total addressable market and accelerates Generative AI-related business growth.”

Positioned for profitable growth in FY 25

Appier expects a reacceleration of growth in FY25 with an optimistic outlook. The company is forecasting a 34% YoY revenue increase to JPY 45.5 billion, and gross profit is expected to reach a 41% YoY gain to JPY 25.2 billion, driven by sustained margin improvements. Q4 marked an inflection point for strong momentum in revenue growth, profitability expansion, and efficiency gains, setting the stage for accelerated performance in FY25.

Operating income is projected to grow over 2 times to JPY 4.1 billion with JPY 4.8 billion organic growth, with the operating margin rising to 8.9%, reinforcing Appier’s trajectory toward long-term profitability. Organic EBITDA is expected to reach JPY 8.4 billion, supported by disciplined investment and operational efficiencies. A higher year-end forecasted dividend of JPY 2.25 per share reflects strong core cash flow and commitment to shareholders.

Strong 2025-2027 Mid-term outlook with multiple growth drivers

In terms of revenue, Appier is driving growth through deeper and more diversified penetration among key accounts, regional and vertical expansion, and cross-product synergies that boost higher-margin offerings. The company is also well-positioned to capitalize on the accelerating adoption of AI.

On profitability, Appier is enhancing margins by improving S&M and G&A efficiency, optimizing its product mix, and leveraging synergies. Its AI R&D investments are becoming more cost-efficient, while AI-driven automation boosts productivity, strengthening operating leverage for sustained profitability.

Based on this strategy, Appier is positioned to exceed its FY27 revenue target of JPY 70 billion, achieving a 27-31% CAGR from FY24 to FY27. The company aims to reach JPY 9-11 billion in operating profit, fueled by gross margin expansion, AI automation, product differentiation, and deeper enterprise adoption. With leading AI innovation, strategic focus, and disciplined execution, Appier is well-placed for strong, sustainable growth ahead.

About Appier

Appier (TSE: 4180) is a global AI-native SaaS company that uses artificial intelligence to power business decision-making. Founded in 2012 with a vision of democratizing AI, Appier’s mission is turning AI into ROI by making software intelligent. Appier has 17 offices across APAC, Europe and US and is listed on the Tokyo Stock Exchange. Visit www.appier.com for more company information, and visit ir.appier.com/en/ for more IR information.

Duke and Duke-NUS forge new frontiers in climate health research with S$1million funding

  • The two institutions awarded more than S$1 million to accelerate five promising areas of research collaboration
  • Dedicated Research Collaboration Pilot Project grant combines expertise from Singapore and the US for bigger impact
  • First time in the grant’s 15-year history that it focuses exclusively on the effects of climate change on human health

SINGAPORE, Feb. 14, 2025 /PRNewswire/ — Duke University and Duke-NUS Medical School are proud to announce the recipients of their latest Research Collaboration Pilot Project grants, totalling more than S$1 million. These grants underscore the synergy between the institutions and their shared commitment to addressing the urgent challenges posed by global warming and climate change on human health.

For the first time in its 18-year history, this year’s grant initiative is dedicated entirely to climate-related health research, emphasising the partnership’s focus on making meaningful contributions to this critical global issue. Each of the five innovative projects brings together top researchers from Duke and Duke-NUS, reflecting a strategic alignment that leverages unique strengths from both institutions, with the objective of developing international research teams that will advance basic, translational and clinical research.

For each project, the Duke Principal Investigator (PI) will receive US$100,000 and the Duke-NUS PI will receive S$100,000 for a period of two years.

Climate is an area of synergy between the institutions as both Duke and Duke-NUS have made tackling this global threat a priority. Faced with increasing temperatures, urbanisation and environmental pollution, affecting industrialised nations such as Singapore, the USA and low- and middle-income countries, Duke and Duke-NUS are bringing together experts from different specialties to investigate and address the impact of climate change on human health.

Patrick Tan, Senior Vice-Dean for Research at Duke-NUS, said:

“Our decision to focus this year’s grants on climate change stems from our recognition of the escalating health impacts due to increasingly extreme weather conditions. By combining Duke’s robust research capabilities with Duke-NUS’s strategic location and expertise, we are uniquely positioned to lead efforts that anticipate and mitigate health crises arising from climate change.”

This partnership not only aims to produce world-class research but also to develop practical solutions that can be implemented in regions most affected by climate change, including both the US and Singapore, as well as other parts of the world.

“These new Duke and Duke-NUS investigator teams are the first of many steps required to foster global connections and research needed to address the critical public health challenge of climate change and its health impacts,” said Robert M Tighe, MD, an associate professor of medicine and leader of Duke University School of Medicine’s climate research strategy.

“This effort continues the ever-strengthening relationship between Duke and Duke-NUS with a new focus on climate and health research. I look forward to seeing how these projects develop.”

After a competitive review process involving 40 initial proposals, five exceptional projects listed below were selected under the Research Collaboration Pilot Projects funding. This year’s theme is dedicated to tackling health issues arising from climate change, reflecting both institutions’ commitment to innovative and impactful research.

  • Climate change and health: Exploring how heat exposure contributes to urinary stone disease, with implications for preventive healthcare practices.
  • Community resilience: Investigating the perceptions and experiences of health effects related to climate change among vulnerable older adults in Durham, North Carolina, USA, and Singapore to enhance health communication strategies.
  • Environmental impact: Assessing the acute cardiopulmonary outcomes related to wildfire smoke and heat exposure in Southeast Asia, aiming to inform public health responses and policy.
  • Vulnerable populations: Conducting an interdisciplinary analysis of heat stress and kidney health among communities on the climate frontlines in Sri Lanka, using a planetary health approach to better understand and mitigate these impacts.
  • Infectious diseases: Studying how environmental factors and market dynamics influence the regional spread of infections in Madagascar, to improve disease prevention and control strategies.

For detailed descriptions of each project and their expected impacts, please refer to Annex A.

Proposals were rigorously evaluated based on scientific merit and the potential for successful collaboration between Duke and Duke-NUS co-principal investigators (Co-PIs). This process ensures that only the most promising and collaborative projects receive funding.

Since 2009, the Duke-Duke-NUS partnership has funded 64 projects with a total of S$7.29 million, demonstrating a long-standing commitment to fostering innovative research that addresses some of the most urgent health challenges facing the world today. This year’s focus on climate health is a continuation of this mission, pushing the boundaries of what can be achieved through international research collaboration.

About Duke-NUS Medical School

Duke-NUS is Singapore’s flagship graduate-entry medical school, established in 2005 with a strategic, government-led partnership between two world-class institutions: Duke University School of Medicine and the National University of Singapore (NUS). Through an innovative curriculum, students at Duke-NUS are nurtured to become multi-faceted ‘Clinicians Plus’ poised to steer the healthcare and biomedical ecosystem in Singapore and beyond. A leader in ground-breaking research and translational innovation, Duke-NUS has gained international renown through its five Signature Research Programmes and ten Centres. The enduring impact of its discoveries is amplified by its successful Academic Medicine partnership with Singapore Health Services (SingHealth), Singapore’s largest healthcare group. This strategic alliance has led to the creation of 15 Academic Clinical Programmes, which harness multi-disciplinary research and education to transform medicine and improve lives.   

About Duke University

Entering its second century, Duke University is consistently ranked among the top US research universities and is home to leading graduate and professional schools in business, divinity, engineering, the environment, law, medicine, nursing and public policy. Located in Durham, NC, Duke’s global reach extends through the Duke-NUS Medical School in Singapore, Duke Kunshan University in China and various international research and education programmes.

For more information, please visit www.duke-nus.edu.sg 

Annex A

TITLE: Climate change, heat exposure and urinary stone disease

PIs: Charles Scales (Duke PI), Chong Tsung Wen (Duke-NUS PI)

SUMMARY: The research will focus on understanding the relationship of increasing temperatures from climate change, the incidence and health care utilisation for kidney stone disease and assessing disproportionate impact of climate change on vulnerable populations. The investigations will link temperature data with medical records on a geospatial basis over time, to understand relationships between temperature, local infrastructure and health care utilisation for stone disease. The results will provide key data to support the development of interventions to increase heat resilience among individuals at risk for stone disease. In addition, understanding risk factors disproportionately impacting vulnerable populations offers the opportunity to increase climate-related health equity in both Singapore and North Carolina. 

TITLE: Perception and lived experience of health effects of climate change among vulnerable older adults residing in Durham and Singapore – informing health communication interventions

PIs: Hanzhang Xu (Duke PI), Rahul Malhotra (Duke-NUS PI)

SUMMARY: Climate change, manifested through extreme weather events, temperature fluctuations and rising sea levels, poses significant health risks for older adults, aged 60 years and older. Additionally, vulnerable older adults – those with low socio-economic status, those living alone and those with multiple chronic conditions – face increased climate change-related health risks given their limited access to information and resources, existing physiological decline and potential disruptions to their healthcare and social support. Study findings will inform targeted health communication interventions aimed at enhancing climate change resilience among vulnerable older adults, and influence healthcare policies on ageing and climate change in Durham and Singapore.

TITLE: Impact of wildfire smoke and heat on acute cardiopulmonary outcomes in Southeast Asia

PIs: Vijay Krishnamoorthy (Duke PI), Marcus Ong Eng Hock (Duke-NUS PI)

SUMMARY: Climate change is increasing the frequency and severity of extreme heat events and amplifying wildfire intensity. Communities, healthcare professionals, and policymakers urgently need high-quality data to guide decision-making. Vulnerable populations are most affected by climate change, making it crucial to produce evidence on the extent of this impact. High-resolution data on the health benefits of climate action can form the backbone of international climate mitigation policies and applied to climate change models of future warming scenarios.

TITLE: Heat stress, kidney health and lived experience of communities in the climate frontlines in Sri Lanka: an interdisciplinary population health analysis through a planetary health lens

PIs: Nishad Jayasundara (Duke PI), Renzo Guinto (Duke-NUS PI)

SUMMARY: This interdisciplinary mixed-method study aims to unpack the connections between heat stress, kidney health and lived experience of communities affected by these interlocking challenges in the climate frontlines in Sri Lanka. It will be investigated through epidemiological approaches that build on an existing cohort as well as through key informant interviews of farmers and health system and community health needs assessment.

TITLE: Linking environments and markets to understand regional spread of infections along networks in Madagascar

PIs: Charles Nunn (Duke PI), Gavin Smith (Duke-NUS PI)

SUMMARY: Climate change is having both direct and indirect impacts on Madagascar’s rural populations, who are primarily small-holder farmers engaged in subsistence agriculture. One of the primary ways this population is addressing climate-induced food insecurity is by selling livestock, which requires travel from their rural villages to more central markets via the taxi brousse (bush taxi) system. This process entails placing livestock into crowded spaces, either on a taxi brousse (for travel) or in markets (for sale), leading to potential viral mixing and the emerging of panzootic and/or pandemic diseases. The results of this project will allow for competitive external proposals at the intersection of climate change, adaptation, global health security and emerging infectious disease.

 

WRISE Group Appoints Chen Jingwei as Regional Chief Investment Officer

New appointment to drive enhanced investment strategies and client-centric solutions


HONG KONG SAR/SINGAPORE – Media OutReach Newswire – 14 February 2025 – WRISE Group announced today that Chen Jingwei has been appointed Regional Chief Investment Officer, effective immediately. In this expanded role, Jingwei will oversee all investment-related activities across the firm’s mass affluent segment, WRISE Prestige Hong Kong, in addition to his current responsibilities as Chief Investment Strategist at WRISE Private Singapore. This strategic appointment underscores WRISE Group’s commitment to delivering world-class wealth management and investment solutions to its clients while strengthening its leadership in the industry.

Chen Jingwei has a distinguished career in investment strategy and wealth management and brings a wealth of experience. Since joining WRISE in 2022 as one of its earliest team members, Jingwei has been instrumental in building the firm’s investment platform and expanding its ecosystem, which now includes over 20 investment bank counterparties. His leadership has been pivotal in driving the success of WRISE Private Singapore.

Prior to joining WRISE, Jingwei held prominent roles at Bank Julius Baer, Leonteq, and Bank of America Merrill Lynch, where he gained extensive expertise in both buy-side and sell-side operations. His experience spans across financing and derivatives product delivery, serving diverse geographies and client segments. Jingwei holds a master’s degree in Financial Mathematics from Stanford University and a First-Class Honours Bachelor’s Degree in Quantitative Finance from National University of Singapore, with full scholarship from Ministry of Education in Singapore. He is a CFA and CAIA charterholder.

“We are thrilled to appoint Jingwei as Regional Chief Investment Officer. His expertise, strategic vision, and proven track record make him the ideal leader to drive our investment capabilities forward. Since joining WRISE, Jingwei has been a cornerstone of our success, and I am confident that his expanded role will further strengthen our value proposition to simplify the complexities of wealth management while maintaining our commitment to excellence and integrity. This appointment reflects our commitment to investing in top talent and delivering exceptional value to our clients,” said Derrick Tan, Group Executive Chairman of WRISE.

Hashtag: #WRISE #WRISEPrestige #wealthmanagement

The issuer is solely responsible for the content of this announcement.

About WRISE

WRISE Group is one of the fastest-growing wealth management firms that helps ultra-high and high-net-worth individuals fulfil their wealth aspirations. Its experienced group of client advisors and investment specialists offer tailored solutions, supported by its proprietary all-in-one wealth management tool that provides clients with complete control and transparency over their total wealth, and the ability to create their own family office with real-time access to expert advice and tailored solutions within a vast ecosystem of top global private banks, investment banks, fund managers, brokers, and others.

WRISE Group of companies include WRISE Wealth Management (Singapore), WRISE Wealth Management (Hong Kong), WRISE Wealth Management Middle East Ltd (DIFC, regulated by the DFSA), WeWrise Services, and affiliated companies WRISE Prestige Securities (Hong Kong), WRISE Prestige Asset Management (Hong Kong) and WRISE Financial Services (Hong Kong).

Cupid’s Arrow Hits Laos on Valentine’s Day

(Photo: floraindia)

Laos is catching the Valentine’s Day fever. Every 14 February, the country comes alive with flowers, gifts, and romance filling the air. 

Money20/20 Asia Launches Agenda With Over 200 Of Asia’s Most Influential Fintech Leaders And Regulators, Shaping The Future Of Digital Finance


BANGKOK, THAILAND – Media OutReach Newswire – 14 February 2025 – Money20/20, the world’s leading fintech show and the place where money does business, unveils its agenda for the upcoming Asia show held in Bangkok on April 22-24 at the Queen Sirikit National Convention Center (QSNCC).

Money2020

The show will explore five key pillars: collaboration, security, frictionless user experiences, sustainability, and the frontiers of emerging technologies. The pillars dive into specific areas where collaborative efforts are crucial in shaping the future of fintech and leveraging emerging technologies for a transformed tomorrow.

Money20/20 Asia brings together a diverse lineup from global and regional banks like JP Morgan, HSBC, Standard Chartered, Maybank, Kasikorn Bank, National Australia Bank, Ambank Group and many others. Experts from key players in the global and regional payments space such as Mastercard, VISA, TransferMate, Block, Worldpay, SeaMoney, and Terrapay, will share their insights, expertise and the latest industry trends throughout the show. This year’s show is also enriched by a core focus on Asia’s cross-border payment trends. Companies such as AirWallex, GCash, Goto, Wise, Nium, and LianLian Global are just a few of the leaders in the industry sharing their insights and potential of this fast growing area of fintech in the region.

This year’s show places a core focus on Asia’s regulators underscoring Asia’s commitment to fostering collaboration between the public and private sectors. Key figures include Mrs. Roong Mallikamas, Deputy Governor of the Bank of Thailand; Mr. Adnan Zaylani, Deputy Governor of Bank Negara Malaysia; Ms. Chuchi Fonacier, Deputy Governor of Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas; Mr. George Chou, Chief Fintech Officer, Hong Kong Monetary Authority; and Ms. Jomkwan Kongsakul, Deputy Secretary General, Securities and Exchange Commission, Thailand, among others.

“Bangkok will be the epicentre of fintech innovation this April as Money20/20 Asia convenes regulators and industry leaders to explore the future of banking and cross-border payments. Our most ambitious agenda to date emphasises purposeful innovation and provides a unique platform for collaboration. We’re excited to facilitate the conversations that will define the next chapter of fintech in one of the world’s fastest-growing regions.” – Ian Fong, VP of Content, Money20/20 Asia.

Some esteemed speakers that will share the show’s four incredible stages, the Exchange Stage, the Unfiltered Stage, the Money Pot, and the HumanA.I.ty Stage (hosted by Money20/20’s own AI co-host Aiana) include – Pitcha Siriyaphan, Head of Payments, Thailand at J.P. Morgan Payments. Maria Peralta, Director, SMB Acceptance Solutions at Visa, Hans Patuwo, Chief Operating Officer at GoTo Group, Ritesh Shukla, CEO at NPCI International, Daniel Yun, Founder, CEO at KakaoBank Corp and Chee Mun Foong, CEO and Chief Product Officer at YTL AI Labs and YTL-Sea Digital Bank Project.

“The path to profitability for digital banks is challenging, yet entirely achievable with the right strategy. At Kakaobank, we are committed to building a customer-centric, innovation-driven banking platform where we offer loan products, not only Kakaobank’s, but from over 50 partner companies redefining our customers’ everyday financial experiences. Our efforts have led us to serve over 80% of South Korea’s working population. Money20/20 Asia is the premier fintech event in APAC, bringing together the most influential voices in fintech, payments, and banking to shape the industry’s future. It provides the perfect stage for Kakaobank to showcase our success, share our vision of going beyond banking with AI technology, and explore the evolving digital banking landscape alongside industry leaders driving financial innovation across Asia.” – Daniel Yun, Founder and CEO of KakaoBank Corp.

The Money20/20 Asia agenda, that is being updated daily leading up to the show can be found here. The list of speakers can be found here and media attending the show can register for a complimentary press pass here.

Hashtag: #money20/20

The issuer is solely responsible for the content of this announcement.

Alcatel-Lucent Enterprise unlocks multi-vendor support on OmniVista Network Advisor

ALE expands intelligence beyond its own devices with OmniVista Network Advisor which now integrates with third-party devices.


SINGAPORE – Media OutReach Newswire – 14 February 2025 – Alcatel-Lucent Enterprise, a leading provider of secure networking and communication solutions that enable organizations and industries to accelerate their operational efficiencies and competitiveness, has made major enhancements to the OmniVista® Network Advisor, making network operations and monitoring even simpler and more holistic.

The latest evolution in OmniVista Network Advisor capabilities empowers users to monitor a wider range of network devices, offering flexibility and greater customization in managing network health and performance.

OmniVista Network Advisor, our intelligent and autonomous network companion, has been providing AI-driven guidance and remediation for Alcatel-Lucent’s OmniSwitch® and OmniAccess® Stellar Access Points.

This tool is now opening its capabilities to third-party devices, such as firewalls or any network equipment from other vendors, enhancing its ability to detect anomalies and offer tailored solutions across more complex, multi-vendor environments.

Seamless Collaboration with Microsoft Teams

A major milestone in this update is the integration of Microsoft Teams as a collaboration platform within OmniVista Network Advisor. Until now, ALE has leveraged Rainbow™ CPaaS for real-time alerts and automated remediation. Now, with full Microsoft Teams integration, IT teams can receive dynamic notifications, collaborate instantly, and execute network remediations directly within the Teams environment.

By providing real-time, AI-driven insights through both Rainbow CPaaS and Microsoft Teams, OmniVista Network Advisor adapts to customers’ preferred collaboration tools, improving responsiveness and control.

Customized alerts and remediations for your unique network

The new capability allows users to define custom anomalies and create specific remediation actions tailored to their unique network environments.

“With the ability to collect and analyze syslogs from compatible third-party devices, OmniVista Network Advisor enables users to configure custom alerts and automate responses based on these insights, helping to maintain an optimal, secure network state.”

  • Kenny Ng, APAC Market Development, Network Business Division, Alcatel-Lucent Enterprise

Hashtag: #ALE

The issuer is solely responsible for the content of this announcement.

About Alcatel-Lucent Enterprise

Alcatel-Lucent Enterprise provides secure networking and communication solutions which enable organizations and industries to accelerate their operational efficiencies and competitiveness. In the Cloud. On Premises. Hybrid.

All solutions have built-in security, limited environmental impact and are fully compliant with data protection requirements of organizations and individuals at a national sovereignty and international industry level.

Alcatel-Lucent Enterprise focus on three pillars: Environment Sustainability, Social Responsibility, and Corporate Governance, providing technology solutions for the good of the environment, people, and business.

Over 100 years of innovation have made the company a trusted advisor to more than a million customers across the world. With headquarters in France and 3,400 business partners worldwide, Alcatel-Lucent Enterprise achieves an effective global reach with a local focus.

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BUYING SQUARE Launches Global Service for ‘Catalog Shop,’ Its Brand Wholesale Platform

SEOUL, South Korea, Feb. 14, 2025 /PRNewswire/ — BUYING SQUARE, a next-generation digital wholesale platform, has announced the global launch of Catalog Shop, a B2B solution designed to streamline wholesale transactions for brands worldwide. Built on standardized digital product catalogs, Catalog Shop allows global retailers to set their preferred language and currency, explore products with an intuitive interface, and place wholesale orders instantly. Through the platform, buyers can seamlessly access diverse collections spanning fashion, beauty, sports, golf, furniture, and art, facilitating cross-border transactions with ease.

Over the past five years, the company has strengthened its presence in the Asian fashion wholesale digital market, working with top-tier global retailers and distribution partners. With KRW 140 billion (approximately USD 97M) in cumulative transactions, the platform offers a meticulously curated selection of wholesale brands—from luxury houses like GUCCI, PRADA, BOTTEGA VENETA, CELINE, and DIOR to rising independent labels such as JACQUEMUS, OUR LEGACY, ARC’TERYX, PORTER, KAPITAL, and SATISFY RUNNING. Its verified distribution history and extensive wholesale expertise have set it apart in the industry.

Recently, BUYING SQUARE has signed global Official Wholesale Partner agreements with leading K-fashion brands such as ORR, CODEGRAPHY, ULKIN, BETTY BOOP, ANOETIC, LETERIE, and ENZO BLUES, actively supporting their international expansion. Additionally, 15 emerging K-brands are in discussions to join Catalog Shop within the first half of the year. By broadening its brand portfolio across contemporary, sports, outdoor, and kids’ categories, the company aims to solidify its position as the No.1 B2B wholesale platform for K-fashion brands in Asia.

To enhance buyer confidence and ensure a seamless wholesale experience, the company has introduced a dedicated digital showroom for K-brands within its platform. This allows buyers to explore new collections each season, review styles and pricing, and place orders with confidence. Furthermore, by partnering with the Seoul Business Agency (SBA), the platform is actively scouting and supporting promising K-fashion and K-beauty brands for global distribution. With its headquarters strategically located in Seoul, the company facilitates brand-buyer communication and offers tailored sourcing solutions based on individual buyer needs.

BUYING SQUARE CEO Evan Choi stated, “With Catalog Shop, brands and retailers can maximize operational efficiency by utilizing its intuitive interface for seamless product ordering and payment, automated Order Rule verification, and integrated multi-shipment management. From promising K-brands to globally recognized fashion labels, BUYING SQUARE offers a dynamic digital wholesale marketplace with over 3,300 curated brands. Start your wholesale journey with us today.”

About BUYING SQUARE

BUYING SQUARE is a leading B2B digital wholesale platform solving inefficiencies in traditional wholesale transactions through Catalog Shop. The platform transforms unstructured wholesale product data—including Excel sheets, PDFs, and images—into standardized digital catalogs using proprietary AI technology. Designed to make B2B wholesale transactions as seamless as B2C e-commerce, Catalog Shop enables global buyers to browse, select their preferred language and currency, and place wholesale orders instantly.

Within just one year of its launch, the platform recorded KRW 8 billion (approximately USD 5.5M) in transactions, and by 2024, cumulative transaction volume surpassed KRW 140 billion (approximately USD 97M). In October 2024, it became the first South Korean B2B wholesale platform to open a 4,270-square-foot showroom in Williamsburg, Brooklyn, New York, showcasing curated exhibitions and runway events to expand global market access for K-brands.

Headquartered in Seoul, the company also operates offices in New York, Shanghai, Tokyo, and Kowloon.

Website: official.buying-square.com/en

Press Release Image: Link

NIPPON EXPRESS HOLDINGS Completes Procedure to Make Germany’s SH HoldCo Wholly-owned Subsidiary

– Completion of Acquisition (Subsidiarization) of SH HoldCo GmbH Shares –

TOKYO, Feb. 14, 2025 /PRNewswire/ — NIPPON EXPRESS HOLDINGS, INC. is pleased to announce that the agreement concluded on September 30, 2024, for the acquisition of entire shares in SH HoldCo GmbH, the parent company of the Germany-based Simon Hegele Group, was executed with effect from February 3, 2025 (“the Transaction”).

NX Logo: https://kyodonewsprwire.jp/img/202502063911-O3-3GW0nv63 

The founder, Dieter Hegele (left), and the President of NXHD, Satoshi Horikiri:
https://cdn.kyodonewsprwire.jp/prwfile/release/M103866/202502063911/_prw_PI1fl_Q8fxy492.jpg 

Headquartered in Karlsruhe, Germany, Simon Hegele is a contract logistics provider founded in 1920 that specializes in providing logistics services for the healthcare industry worldwide (Europe, USA, South America, Asia, and Australia).

Simon Hegele provides logistics services including warehousing, distribution, installation at delivery destinations, and other value-added services for medical equipment. Furthermore, Simon Hegele has built a robust customer base by leveraging their highly specialized logistics platform to meet the specific needs of blue-chip healthcare, industrial and retail clients.

The NX Group has set the healthcare industry as one of its priority growth areas in the “NX Group Business Plan 2028 Dynamic Growth 2.0 – Accelerating Sustainable Growth -” and is promoting the enhancement of an end-to-end solutions platform. By completing this Transaction, the NX Group has acquired a unique and scalable platform to provide logistics services to the healthcare industry. As a result, it expects to receive highly complementary capabilities and synergistic value through the integration of Simon Hegele logistics capabilities with the NX Group’s global network and international forwarding business to provide more comprehensive services to its customers.

The new team of Managing Directors at Simon Hegele*:
https://cdn.kyodonewsprwire.jp/prwfile/release/M103866/202502063911/_prw_PI2fl_02P4FLo8.jpg
*From left in the photo: Michael Wahl/Chief Financial Officer
Shinichi Kakiyama/Executive Officer, Regional General Manager, NX Europe
Mike Winter/Segment Head Healthcare EMEA
Naohiko Matsuda
Stefan Ulrich/Chief Executive Officer
Olaf Zimmlinghaus/Vice President Corporate, NX Europe

Going forward, the NX Group will aim to maximize the synergies created by integrating both companies’ service and customer bases to provide customers around the world with the highest-quality logistics solutions.

Overview of Simon Hegele:
https://kyodonewsprwire.jp/attach/202502063911-O1-4h9Z3m10.pdf 

About the NX Group:
https://kyodonewsprwire.jp/attach/202502063911-O2-nHahvsTx.pdf 

NX Group official website: https://www.nipponexpress.com/ 

NX Group’s official LinkedIn account: https://www.linkedin.com/company/nippon-express-group/