World’s first Vertu flagship store opens in Japan!

Nokia has just made good on their promise to deliver a high-end, super-glitzy Vertu flagship store to Japan’s luxury-shopping haven in Tokyo. Nokia (NYSE: NOK) had just opened the doors to their first ever Vertu flagship store in the Ginza district of Tokyo, Japan. Nokia’s Vertu lineup of extra-luxurious (and ridiculously expensive) handsets caters to those with the wherewithal to splurge on a mobile phone with a five-figure price tag. So, it’s fitting that Nokia’s very first Vertu flagship store exudes the same hand-made quality, sleek elegance and flashy design that has come to define Vertu’s handset lineup.

Nokia is making a big push to peddle their high-end Vertu handsets to well-heeled Japanese elite. After pulling the Nokia brand out of Japan (for lack of success) Nokia has decided to market the Vertu brand as a lifestyle choice, complete with its own Vertu MVNO offered to Japanese consumers with a penchant for the finer things in life (read: expensive). The new Vertu store is a veritable statement from Nokia that asserts the Finnish handset maker’s commitment to penetrating the Japanese uber-luxury market.

But, with a troubled global economy dragging down high-end luxury sales, Nokia could be in for a bit of a rough ride with their Vertu flagship store.

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Luxury phones still ring loud

Mar 02, 2009 (Bangkok Post - McClatchy-Tribune Information Services via COMTEX) -- Vertu, the luxury handcrafted mobile phone company, remains optimistic about growth in the immediate future and projects higher sales this year despite the prevailing economic climate.

The UK-based manufacturer and retailer of super-premium mobile phones, a wholly owned subsidiary of the Finnish phone maker Nokia, has more than doubled its global sales over six years.

Linus Kee, Vertu's head of sales in Southeast Asia and Asia Pacific, said the company expected much higher growth this year, thanks to high demand among affluent consumers.

Since launching two models in the last two months, Vertu is currently unable to meet demand due to a buildup of orders and the time-consuming manufacturing process, he said.

Vertu appointed Everest World Co as its exclusive importer and distributor in Thailand in December under a five-year deal. Everest World replaces Master Phone Co, which was founded by Panthongtae Shinawatra, the son of former prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra.

Everest World imports and distributes luxury products including clothes, leather goods, timepieces and high-end audio systems.

"We are moving aggressively to promote our products in the growing Thai upscale market this year as we realise the potential for luxury products here," Mr Kee said. "We expect high growth in the Kingdom this year." He said Vertu planned to expand into jewellery and watch retailing to extend its reach in luxury products.

The company last week launched two collections in Thailand, with four models that expand the total range to nine. The first collection includes Vertu Signature, priced at 1.186 million and 431,000 baht; and Vertu Ascent Ti Ferrari Nero, priced at 386,000 and 329,300 baht.

Rattaroj Sirikachaporn, assistant to the CEO of Everest World, said the company aimed to sell at least 200 units this year. Its luxury product sales had been affected only slightly by the downturn and that Vertu was expected to ensure a good performance this year.

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Vertu Constellation Pure collection announced

The manufacturer of luxury mobile phones Vertu announced its latest collection known as Vertu Constellation Pure which would be available in pure white, pure black, pure silver and pure chocolate.

The phone is made from steel, leather and ceramic materials and two years was put into crafting this elegant piece. The ceramic parts of the Vertu Collections are manufactured individually with a special built-tool.

This collection is inspired from a design based on the simplification of form. The major highlight is the innovative use of ceramics. The whole keypad as well as the earpiece is made out of ceramic materials and the backside of each key on the phone is coated to prevent diffusion of light.

The latest collection is hand built in England and each phone will be available in limited edition of 2500 pieces. The Pure White and Pure Black versions of the Constellation Pure collection will be available from March 1, 2009 and the Silver and Chocolate version will come in September 2009. Each of these master pieces will be priced approximately 6,800 EUR.

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Vertu sees room for growth for luxury cellphones

Vertu, the maker of luxury and handcrafted mobile phones, expects strong sales in the region this year, despite the economic downturn.

Linus Kee, Vertu's head of sales in Southeast Asia-Pacific, said yesterday that there is still room for expansion in Asia, one of the company's fastest growth markets.

Vertu, probably the world's most expensive cellphone, appointed luxury brand importer and distributor Everest World to be its local importer and distributor last December.

Its previous local distributor was Master Phone of Panthongtae Shinawatra, son of ousted prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra.

Rattaroj Sirikachaporn, general manager of Everest World, said the company targets to sell some 200 Vertu this year. It has already stocked about 60 Vertu to be sold in Thailand.

The Vertu enhances the company's portfolio of luxury products, he said.

Besides affluent Thais, its major luxury-product customers are tourists from the Middle East, China and Russia.

Akradej Srichawla, CEO of Everest World, said the company's expertise in brand name product distribution among high-end consumers gives it confidence that it could make Vertu the first choice in mobile phones among hi-so's who love an exclusive and luxurious product.

Everest World has already marketed the Vertu Signature mobile phone collection, and also the limited edition Vertu Ascent Ti Ferrari Nero and special edition Vertu Ascent Ti Ferrari Rosso and Vertu Ascent Ti Ferrari Giallo.

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