Taipei (October 30, 2005) – Hannspree, a manufacturer of fashionable, innovative LCD TVs, opened the largest high-end audiovisual product flagship store in Asia on Taipei's Tunhwa South Road in October 2004. Now, Hannspree is aiming to break into the US market. On October 29, Hannspree opened its first overseas flagship store in Union Square, San Francisco, taking Taiwanese innovation and creativity onto the global stage. At an opening ceremony held yesterday, representatives of San Francisco City Government and Hannspree Chairman Y.C. Chiao cut the ribbon to formally open the new store. The San Francisco store represents the first step in Hannspree's expansion into international markets.
"With the opening of the San Francisco flagship store, Hannspree had succeeded in taking its operations global; Hannspree is now a truly multinational brand." said Y.C. Chiao, Chairman of Hannspree. "Hannspree plans to open more overseas stores in other major US cities and in Shanghai and Hong Kong before the end of this year. In 2006, Hannspree will focus on developing the European market – the center of world fashion – as it continues to cement its status as a leading global vendor of fashionable, innovative LCD TV sets."
The New Store Has Other Leading International Audiovisual Equipment Brands for Neighbors
Hannspree's first overseas flagship store is located in Union Square, which lies in the heart of San Francisco's central business district, and which is home to the flagship stores of other leading international audiovisual product brands, including SONY and Bang and Olufsen. The Hannspree store occupies an elegant, white, European-style building. The interior design is in a similar style to that of Hannspree's Taipei flagship store, while integrating elements of San Francisco's cultural and artistic traditions. The spatial layout of the store is intended to reflect Hannspree's corporate philosophy and design ethos.
The first and second floors of Hannspree's San Francisco flagship store have a total of 9,500 sq. ft of display space. The first floor showcases Hannspree's Fantasy and Fashion ranges, while the Sports series can be found on the second floor. The display area for Hannspree's hot-selling National Basketball Association and Major League Baseball LCD TVs features basketball hoops and a half-court playing area; the energy and vitality that the design of this part of the store exudes had consumers entranced. Y.C. Chiao explained that Hannspree is aiming to show the world the kind of innovative products that are now being developed in Taiwan, while introducing Hannspree's brand philosophy – home audiovisual products that combine good taste with a unique living aesthetic – to fashion-conscious Americans.
Hannspree Is Working to Establish Itself as a Leading International Brand in the Field of Fashionable, Innovative Audiovisual Products
This year has seen Hannspree begin to expand overseas. In July 2005, Hannspree opened a store in Beverly Hills, which has the highest concentration of luxury goods stores in Los Angeles. On October 1, Hannspree began to market its products in the US through a variety of different distribution channels, and through its newly-established global website. In November, Hannspree will be opening new stores in Metro City, Shanghai's premier shopping center, and in Hong Kong's Times Square. 2005 is thus the year in which Hannspree begins to make its mark on international markets.
"Fashion is a Particular Kind of Attitude Towards Life"
Hannspree founder Y.C. Chiao grew up in the US; the Western emphasis on freedom, respect for creativity and commitment to good taste had a pronounced influence on his attitude towards enterprise management. Chiao insists on painstaking attention to detail in product design; he is determined that all Hannspree products should attract the consumer's attention and win them over. He believes that, from the consumer's point of view, Hannspree products should be more than just a TV set; they should be collector's items, the power of which will resonate deep within the consumer's soul. There is a story behind the development of every Hannspree product. For example, the products in Hannspree's Fantasy Series reflect Chiao's own love of children and the importance that he attaches to the family. Hannspree has designed a range of LCD TVs based on Disney and Warner Brothers characters that will bring that extra touch of joy and happiness into the family home. The Style Series embodies Chiao's commitment to good taste and determination to keep up with the latest developments in fashion, while the Sports Series integrates the most popular sports of the modern era – basketball, baseball, soccer, diving, and golf – into its designs, ensuring strong appeal to sports fans. Chiao's vision is to build up the first truly global brand, while providing consumers with audiovisual entertainment that can bring them joy and hope for the future.
About Hannspree
Hannspree (established in June 2003) is the first audiovisual product brand in the world to develop fashionable products based on 360-degree design and the concept "find yourself anytime, anywhere". Hannspree, which currently has four flagship stores and two other stores in the US, Taiwan, China and Hong Kong, has positioned itself at the forefront of the audiovisual revolution, offering consumers stylish products that reflect the consumer's own personality and individual tastes.