Retail News CRM

Author: Mei Ling Tan

  • Pei Wei Asian Diner plans 11 Korean stores

    Pei Wei Asian Diner plans 11 Korean stores

    Pei Wei Asian Diner, the fast casual pan-Asian US restaurant chain, has opened the first of 11 restaurants planned for South Korea.

    Known for bold flavors and an affordable Asian-inspired menu, the US company has partnered with ELX Food & Beverage, led by chef Justin Choi for its first foray into Asia.

    The inaugural store has opened at Starfield Hanam, the country’s largest shopping mall. The company is planning to open 10 more Pei Wei locations by end of 2017 including Daejeon Galleria Department Store and Busan Seomyun Lotte Department Store.

    pei-wei-outlet

    Choi will supervise the brand in Korea and Pei Wei will offer its characteristic ‘scratch and open kitchen’, which allows customers to see the cooking process that includes Chinese woks.

    Pei Wei is the second brand of the globally popular P F Chang’s which was brought by ELX F&B to the South Korean market.

    “South Korea’s sophisticated yet practical customers are a perfect target for Pei Wei’s simple, yet healthy and high-quality dishes,” said Kwak Ki-hoon, CEO of ELX F&B. “Through our insights and experience behind our successful launch of P F Chang’s, I look forward to leading local dining trends through Pei Wei’s flavorful selection and fresh offerings.”

    The Pei Wei menu in Korea will feature the same items popular in the US, including its signature Lo Mein and Quinoa & Fire Chicken, in addition to the ‘Wok Classics’ Noodle & Rice bowl options, soups, salads and Small Plate offerings.

    Founded in 2000, in Scottsdale, Arizona, Pei Wei owns and operates more than 200 restaurants in the US, Middle East, South Korea and airports.

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  • DBS to offer digibank service in Indonesia

    DBS to offer digibank service in Indonesia

    DBS Bank plans to launch a mobile-only banking service in Indonesia by the end of the year.

    DBS Group chief executive Piyush Gupta told the Sweden-Southeast Asia Business Summit on Wednesday that the bank is targeting Indonesia to capitalise on the young, tech-savvy consumers among its 260 million population.

    “Indonesia is an important market with its size and scale, and the economic reforms taking place in the country,” he said. “There is great potential for business as we see a pickup in the country’s economy under the leadership of President Joko Widodo.”

    DBS’s digibank offering, which includes an e-wallet and a savings account, will be available to customers in addition to its consumer and corporate banking services at its 34 branches in 13 Indonesian cities. DBS opened its first branch in Indonesia – an outlet in Jakarta – in 1989.

    DBS hopes to replicate the success it is seeing in India since it started its digibank service there in April – the first mobile-only banking facility in the sub-continent, said a DBS spokesman.

    The service has attracted more than 250,000 new clients in the first four months of its operation.

    A digibank account can be opened in India with just a 12-digit Aadhaar number, which provides a unique biometric identification for all resident Indian citizens.

    More than a billion Indians have been issued with Aadhaar cards by the government. With over 200 million smartphone users in the country, the market for digibank is huge.

    The service’s e-wallet can be used for making payments, including telephone and electricity bills. Customers can also use a Visa virtual debit card to shop at over 100,000 online merchants.

    “While we continue to invest in growing our existing network in India, we also believe that with the digital revolution, the future of banking will be very different,” said the spokesman.

    “Increasingly, many customers want to be able to do their banking digitally and on the go. A successful digital banking strategy will meet changing customer needs, while enabling us to accelerate our reach in large geographies without the need for a large brick-and-mortar footprint.”

    Indonesian clients will be able to use their biometric national identity card to open digibank accounts.

    DBS said it intends to launch digibank in other markets after its introduction in Indonesia.

  • Garuda targeting Rp386 billion transactions during travel fair

    Garuda targeting Rp386 billion transactions during travel fair

    PT Garuda Indonesia is targeting transactions of up to Rp386 billion in ticket sales during the Garuda Travel Fair (GATF) Phase II in 2016, to be held in 18 cities in Indonesia.

    Commercial Director of Garuda Indonesia A. Toni Soetirto said at a press conference here on Thursday that for Jakarta alone, the company targets sales transactions amounting to Rp225 billion and 80 thousand visitors.

    “The implementation of GATFs second phase provides an opportunity for service users to receive attractive offers,” he stated.

    In addition, he targeted a 3 to 4 percent increase in occupancy rate (load factor) compared with the off-season or low season.

    “In the third quarter, the interest of the public is higher,” he remarked.

    The overall target for transactions, he added, was higher than that of GATF Phase I, which raised Rp350 billion, and in Jakarta alone raised Rp179 billion, with 69 thousand visitors.

    Soetirto said GATF Phase II will be held in 18 major cities: Jakarta, Bandung, Medan, Lampung, Palembang, Semarang, Solo, Yogyakarta, Surabaya, Denpasar, Lombok, Kupang, Balikpapan, Makassar, Manado, Ambon, Timika, and Jayapura.

    “Through this travel fair, the customers get the best prices and attractive packages,” he stated.

    Soetirto said Garuda Indonesia is also working with its subsidiary, Citilink Indonesia, as well as a number of travel agents to participate in the exhibition being held at the Jakarta Convention Center for three days from October 7 to 9.

    For the seventh time, Garuda will collaborate with Bank Negara Indonesia (BNI) as its bank partner in organizing the exhibition.

    On the same occasion, Director of Consumer Banking BNI Anggoro Eko Cahyo said BNI would offer a variety of promotions and convenient services for customers at the exhibition.

    Among them, BNI credit card holders will receive 600 cashback tickets per day with a value up to Rp1 million, while the banks debit card holders will have a similar offer.

    “We appreciate Garuda Indonesias invitation to partner with them again and share profits, values, and so on,” Cahyo noted.

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  • Enjoy “Golden Moments” at Singapore Golden Week 2016

    Enjoy “Golden Moments” at Singapore Golden Week 2016

    Come 30 September, Singapore Retailers Association (SRA) will launch Singapore Golden Week (SGW) 2016 – a brand new lifestyle event to be held over three weekends from 30 September to 16 October, with global payment network UnionPay as the Official Card. With the aim of heightening the appeal of Singapore as a choice lifestyle destination for locals and tourists, the inaugural SGW 2016 will feature a suite of golden retail privileges, sure-win rewards and pampering experiences for consumers to indulge in. 

    GOLDEN “RETAIL” PRIVILEGES

    Over 200 participating outlets across retail, food and beverage (F&B), beauty and wellness, as well as hotels and attractions categories among others, will be giving UnionPay Cardholders more reasons to spend with exclusive “Golden Retail Privileges” at SGW 2016. 

    Cardholders can enjoy exclusive discounts as well as gifts with purchase when they shop at participating merchants with their UnionPay cards at SGW 2016. Popular participating merchants include department stores Isetan Scotts, Metro and Robinsons; clothing labels Dockers, Dorothy Perkins, Karen Millen, Levi’s, T.M.Lewin, Topshop, Topman, Warehouse; local attraction Alive Museum and many more.

    GOLDEN “SURE-WIN” REWARDS

    During SGW 2016, Cardholders who make a minimum purchase of S$50* with their UnionPay card anywhere in Singapore can take part in the “Golden Sure-Win Rewards” game located at ION Orchard’s Level 1 Atrium. In addition, shoppers who make purchases within ION Orchard can enjoy double chances of winning. Shoppers who spend $688 and above at selected Premier Tax Free merchants are entitled to a free limousine ride*. With over S$10,000 worth of shopping vouchers and prizes up for grabs in the “Golden Sure-Win Rewards” game, everyone can be a winner at SGW 2016!

    GOLDEN “PAMPERING” EXPERIENCES AT THE UNIONPAY GOLDEN LOUNGE

    In addition to the golden retail privileges and sure-win rewards, SGW 2016 promises pampering experiences for all locals and tourists, including non UnionPay Cardholders. Simply pop by the exclusive UnionPay “Golden Pampering Lounge” located at ION Orchard’s Level 1 Atrium, to enjoy a fresh cup of gourmet coffee, free flow gourmet cookies and take a break from the busy downtown shopping environment.

    UnionPay Cardholders can also present their UnionPay card to gain access to the exclusive VIP area, decked out with OSIM massage chairs for an even more luxurious experience. Plus, Cardholders can enjoy a special cup of gourmet “Gold Brew” coffee sprinkled with edible gold dust for the additional gold rush. With mobile charging ports available for the power-hungry and some of Singapore’s favourite brands and foods on show, there will not be a single dull moment at the “Golden Pampering Lounge”. 

    “UnionPay is delighted to be named as the Official Card for Singapore Golden Week 2016. As a brand new lifestyle event to be held over three weekends in September and October, we hope that this will light up the local retail scene, and offer new lifestyle experiences for both local and overseas UnionPay Cardholders to enjoy. And as we continue to build on the momentum to provide better products and services for consumers here in Singapore, we also hope to be able to, at the same time, bring fresh experiences, more choices and excitement to everyone,” said Mr. Wenhui Yang, General Manager of UnionPay International Southeast Asia.

    “Singapore Retailers Association is pleased to partner UnionPay again to bring consumers yet another event to look forward to and a new golden opportunity for the industry to leverage on. With a base of over 5.4 billion UnionPay Cards issued worldwide, Singapore Golden Week aims to create a new opportunity for retailers to drive spending among the overseas UnionPay Cardholders who will be here, as well as UnionPay Cardholders in Singapore. We are excited about the new business opportunities that SGW presents and the benefits that our partnership with UnionPay can potentially bring to participating merchants,” said Mr. Anthony Gan, Executive Director, Singapore Retailers Association.

    “ION Orchard is a favourite mall among locals and Chinese tourists and is the ideal location for UnionPay’s first Singapore Golden Week campaign. We are especially delighted to be the official mall that houses UnionPay’s Golden Pampering Lounge for their campaign for all redemptions. The central location along Orchard Road will certainly make shopping more convenient – and for purchases made at ION Orchard, shoppers will enjoy double chances when playing the ‘Golden Sure-Win Rewards’ game at the lounge, making it a truly rewarding shopping experience,” said Mr. Chris Chong, CEO Orchard Turn Developments.

    UnionPay International focuses on supporting the growth of UnionPay’s global payments business. With an acceptance footprint covering 160 countries and regions globally, UnionPay serves the world’s largest cardholder base by providing quality, cost-effective and secure payment services to over 5.4 billion Cardholders worldwide.

    In Singapore, UnionPay enables efficient and cost-effective payment services that are tailored to the needs of local businesses and consumers. UnionPay cards are issued by Bank of China (BOC), DBS Bank (DBS), Industrial and Commercial Bank of China (ICBC) and United Overseas Bank (UOB) in Singapore, and are accepted at over 80 percent of retail, lifestyle and food and beverage establishments locally, as well as at almost all automated teller machines (ATMs) across the island.

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  • UFC Gym plans 30 outlets for Philippines

    UFC Gym plans 30 outlets for Philippines

    UFC Gym plans to open the first of 30 MMA-inspired gyms in the Philippines early next year.

    Under a new 10-year partnership with the Fitspiration Philippines Corporation, the first signature branch will be at Glorietta mall in Makati.

    “Filipino fight fans understand our brand, and partnering with Fitspiration PH is a perfect fit to help Manila’s fitness enthusiasts ‘train different’ while working to achieve their individual fitness goals,” says UFC Gym CEO Brent Leffel.
    “In almost two decades of bringing major players in the fitness industry to the country, I know a winner when I see it – and make no mistake, UFC Gym is a winner,” says Fitspiration PH president Mark Dayrit.

    “Asia is one of the UFC’s fastest-growing markets, and fight fans in the Philippines are some of the most passionate around the world,” says UFC Asia executive VP/GM Kenneth Berger. “We are excited to be leading the way, making MMA [mixed martial arts] more accessible for Filipino fans to train and increase their fitness through the sport.”

    Since its debut in 2009, UFC Gym franchise has opened more than 135 locations throughout the US, Australia, Canada, South America and the UAE. Offering a range of fitness classes, group and private MMA training, group fitness, personal and group dynamic performance-based training, plus MMA youth programming, UFC Gym has programs to suit all ages and fitness levels.

    Membership includes unlimited access to UFC’s Octagon and signature classes such as Daily Ultimate Training, Muay Thai, Brazilian jiu-jitsu, kickboxing, boxing and women’s self-defence.

  • Golden Pin Design Award 2016 reveals Design Mark recipients

    Golden Pin Design Award 2016 reveals Design Mark recipients

    The Golden Pin Design Award–an annual award organized by the Taiwan Design Center that seeks to raise global awareness for design created for and within huaren (Chinese-speaking) communities–today reveals its Design Mark recipients for 2016.

    After gruelling Secondary Selection judging rounds held in China and Taiwan, a total of 457 entries from Taiwan, China, Hong Kong, Macau, Malaysia, Singapore, Japan, and England, and Switzerland have received a Golden Pin Design Award 2016 Design Mark and are now in the running for a coveted Best Design trophy.

    Contemporary ideas of refined living dominated entries from Hong Kong. For TUVE, a boutique hotel located east of Victoria Park, Design Systems Ltd used natural and relatively common materials such as concrete, galvanized steel, brass, oak, and wired glass to create a surprisingly sophisticated yet relaxing space for visitors. When homegrown jewelry brand Chow Tai Fook wanted to reach out to a younger market, Noiseless Design Limited drew inspiration from the card game poker to create a visual aesthetic that plays into the new generation’s mix-and-match approach to fashion.

    Malaysian entries typically put a twist on what could be considered traditional huaren culture, such as in Dot Creative Design’s iPack, which added an element of play to the celebratory Chinese red envelope. Among entries from Macau was a plethora of thoughtfully designed posters for cultural events, including advertising by Untitled Lab for a tenth anniversary exhibition held by Centro De Estudos Permanentes Pos-Laboral and by Bilioteca Pública de Macau for the Macau Library Week 2016.

    Among entries from China were a proliferation of unusual or highly specialized smart products for living, including Yourpet Smart Bowl by inDare Design Strategy Limited, which allows pet-parents to regulate their fur baby’s food intake via their smartphones, and Intelligent Frying Pan by Hangzhou Hotdesign Co. Ltd, which uses an app and bluetooth technology to teach users how to cook better, faster, and smarter. Ancient ideas about nature also featured heavily as design inspiration among visual communication products from the country. About Trees, an aptly named Chinese font design by Hanqingtang Design, was influenced by the rings and trunks of trees, and Book of Freedom by independent designer Sihan Chou references a story from Chinese mythology that documents the struggle of a fish adapting to the life of a bird.

    It was clear that designers in Taiwan had thought carefully about the needs of those living in local or huaren communities: located in Taipei’s sublime Mandarin Oriental Hotel, restaurant Bencotto by Tony Chi & Associates embodies the best of contemporary huaren living; leading local homewares brand JIA Inc.’s Four Seasons Glass Set, designed by astute independent Taiwanese designer Pili Wu, portrays a glass bowl set as a Chinese ink painting for the table; new packaging for the nostalgically named soy sauce brand Grandpa Sauce incorporates traditional sisal rope to instil a sense of the past; and commuter bike Pick-Up Sliders adapts European practicality for life in bustling Taiwanese cities.

    Groundbreaking concepts both large and small in scale abounded in the Spatial Design category. HEX-SYS by China-based firm OPEN Architecture is a reconfigurable and reusable building system that attempts to address the problems created by the country’s decades-old building frenzy. The Kaohsiung Public Library, a joint project by the Kaohsiung City Government and Ricky Liu & Associates Architects + Planners, is a public building designed to economize on resources without sacrificing access to necessary public amenities or the beatification of the neighborhood in which the building sits. At the other end of the scale, Formo Design Studio in Taiwan combines a laundrette with a sleek coffee shop, ensuring laundry doers can wile away the hours in style and comfort; the facility is aptly named Travelled 9000 km.

    Overall, the 2016 entries into the Golden Pin Design Award received high praise from Secondary Selection judges. “You can really see the efforts of participants, as this year’s entries demonstrated an understanding of the importance of finding the balance between the market and huaren cultural values. In particular, spatial design entries have greatly improved, showing a balance between huaren culture elements and mainstream spatial aesthetics,” noted Shikuan Chen, Compal design director, educator, Icsid board member, and Jury Chair of the Secondary Selection judging round in Taipei.

    The Golden Pin Design Award–Taiwan’s longest-running and most prestigious design award–opened its doors to entries from and for huaren (Chinese-speaking) communities around the globe in 2014. This year sees a 27% growth in number of entries submitted into the Golden Pin Design Award: in 2015, the award received 2,360 entries compared with this year’s record-breaking 3,005 entries. Final Selection–the jury of which will be chaired by world-leading Japanese-Canadian designer Oki Sato, Chief Designer and founder of the famed Tokyo-based studio Nendo–will held in Taipei on September 28, with Best Design of the Year recipients announced on December 1 at a grand award ceremony, also held in Taiwan’s capital city.

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  • TransRush expands in Australia

    TransRush expands in Australia

    TransRush, a wholly owned subsidiary of China’s cross-border e-commerce logistics provider 4PX Group, has expanded its logistics business in Australia.

    With rapid development and keen competition in the e-commerce industry, geographical borders will continue to diminish and become an irreversible trend in the global logistics realm. TransRush’s arrival will undoubtedly exert a strong influence on Australian international delivery market.

    Widely known in China, TransRush helps customers purchase goods from global online retailers by offering freight forwarding services to both retailers and end consumers based in China. It gains professional logistics experience and financial support from 4PX, which was founded in 2004, and closed its latest investment round with Alibaba’s logistics arm, Cainiao, and Singapore Post.

    Cainiao and TransRush have already reached an agreement for cooperation in the cross-border logistics field, and this partnership will significantly speed up the construction of an intelligent global warehouse distribution network.

    TransRush currently offers many shipping routes from overseas to China, including the United States, the United Kingdom, Germany, Japan, South Korea, Singapore, Australia, and operates 27 overseas warehouses in five global regions.

    Long-term strategic partnerships with Visa and Bank of China have helped fuel the growth of TransRush and with more than 200,000 m2 of global processing centers, comprehensive product lines and services, and competitive technical assistance, the company is emerging as a leader among the many Chinese cross-border logistics companies.

    TransRush’s newest Australia-China Express route has finished preliminary testing, which indicates forwarding goods from Australia to China will only take five to seven workdays at a total cost 20% lower than the industry average offered by its competitors. Red wine, for which Australia is famously known and which is in great demand in China, can also be shipped through TransRush.

    “4PX’s advantage does not only lie in its sophisticated logistic networks and exemplary service,” said Fatin Huang, director of TransRush. “The integration of Cainiao’s network data resource with TransRush’s system will accelerate the development of an intelligent logistics system. All corporations involved incross-border e-commerce will benefit in future.”

    The increasing capital inflow to the logistics industry will bring about even more heated competition in cross-border e-commerce and TransRush’s launch in Australia looks set to shake up the industry.

  • DHL Express has opened its Jakarta Gateway 530 facility

    DHL Express has opened its Jakarta Gateway 530 facility

    DHL Express has opened its Jakarta Gateway 530 facility at Soekarno-Hatta International Airport to support Indonesian trade.

    According to DHL, the new 1,353-square-metre facility is an addition to the existing Gateway 510, which is at full capacity. Gateway 530 is capable of handling up to 2 million shipments per year and is equipped with dual-view X-ray screening, an explosive trace detector system and 103 CCTV cameras.

    “Our new Jakarta Gateway 530 will enable local businesses to trade seamlessly with customers around the world,” said Ken Lee, CEO of DHL Express Asia Pacific. “SMEs play a vital role in the Indonesian economy, contributing close to 58% of Indonesia’s GDP and Indonesia remains a key pillar in supporting South East Asia’s economic growth. This new facility allows DHL to continue supporting the growing export and import needs in Indonesia by providing greater access to international markets.”

    The facility offers direct airside access and in-house customs. Major trading partners that will benefit from Gateway 530 include mainland China, Germany, Japan, Hong Kong, Singapore and the US, according to DHL.

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  • Hyundai to debut Genesis premium brand in China in two-three years

    Hyundai to debut Genesis premium brand in China in two-three years

    South Korea’s Hyundai Motor will launch its standalone premium auto brand Genesis in China within two to three years, betting on a luxury lane to profit as competition bites at the lower end of the world’s biggest auto market.

    Genesis brand chief Manfred Fitzgerald told Reuters in a recent interview the company is considering building Genesis models in China “For sure. But there are also other examples of (automakers) who live pretty well off of importing cars,” he said, citing Toyota Motor Corp’s Lexus.

    The plans come as Hyundai tries to reverse out of 10 straight quarters of falling profit, hit in part by weakness in China.

    Rolling out Genesis in key markets like China marks a shift for a company better known for making value-for-money cars and lacking the brand cachet and tradition of Germany’s BMW BWMG.DE, Mercedes-Benz and Audi. That trio dominates the luxury market globally – and in China.

    “The luxury customer in China is very brand-conscious,” said U.S. national Fitzgerald, 53. The former executive with Audi’s Lamborghini brand was speaking at the first, and so far only, standalone Genesis store, in a glitzy mall in Hanam on the outskirts of Seoul featuring cars like G80 sedans that can fetch up to 74 million won ($67,100).

    “If you don’t get your brand right, you can have the best product in the world, it won’t work,” said Fitzgerald. “In two, three years’ time we will be entering China,” he said, declining to give sales targets for a global rollout that will follow launches in Korea late last year and in the United States last month.

    In China, imported cars carry a duty of more than 20 percent, putting pressure on automakers to produce locally.

    DISTRIBUTION DEBATE

    Genesis will open more standalone outlets, said Fitzgerald, and is exploring unspecified locations for its first U.S. store. The Genesis line-up currently features two models, a range that the company plans to expand to six by 2020, including two sport utility vehicles.

    Consultants like Eric Noble, president of California-based consultancy CarLab, say getting the sales channel right for premium cars is as important as the product itself.

    For now, over 300 of Hyundai’s more than 800 U.S. dealerships will also be selling the Genesis brand, posing an added challenge for differentiating it from Hyundai. By comparison, Toyota’s Lexus is sold through separate dealerships.

    “From a product standpoint, the prospects of the (Genesis) brand are encouraging,” said Noble. “But from a distribution standpoint, at least here in North America, it is much more problematic.”

    ‘TIPPING POINT’

    Hyundai Motor Group Chairman Chung Mong-koo, now 78, took the helm in 2000 and turned Hyundai and its Kia Motors (000270.KS) affiliate into the world’s fifth-largest automotive group by making inexpensive but reliable small cars.

    But the veteran’s 45-year-old son and vice-chairman Chung Eui-sun has sought to move Hyundai up the value chain. He spearheaded the move last November to hive off the Genesis sedan into a standalone brand, tapping a segment growing faster than the mass market to generate higher margins.

    Fitzgerald said meeting with the younger Chung was a “tipping point” in his decision to join a company long known for promoting from within.

    “He definitely gave me the feeling that no matter how long and how troublesome and how tedious this might be, they are in for it and they want to succeed.”

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  • StarHub trialing mesh network on buses

    StarHub trialing mesh network on buses

    Singapore’s StarHub has teamed up with the National University of Singapore, charter bus company ComfortDelGro Bus and “Internet of Moving Things” company Veniam for a mesh network of connected vehicles pilot.

    The trial at the university’s Kent Ridge campus is involving using buses as mobile WiFi access points connected to one and other and to fixed points in buildings on campus.

    Wireless mesh access points on the buses are being powered by a combination of 4G, WiFi and dedicated short range communications (DSRC) technology.

    The approach is designed to extend WiFi coverage will providing connectivity for a large number of IoT devices.

    Stephen Lee, Head of StarHub i3 (Innovation, Investment, Incubation), said companies will also be able to use the anonymized data generated to address Singapore’s logistic and transportation challenges.

    “This mesh platform at NUS allows StarHub to explore how we can use data generated from the platform to help companies in the logistics and transport sectors improve their operations and planning,” he said.

    “We look forward to working with more commercial partners to expand the network to other parts of Singapore and find new ways to analyse and utilise the data collected in order to address various urban concerns and challenges facing the transportation and logistics industry.”

  • Cyber attacks on the rise in Singapore

    Cyber attacks on the rise in Singapore

    Cyber attacks in Singapore are on the rise, with 72% of CIOs detecting more now than 12 months ago, according to research commissioned by specialist recruiter Robert Half.

    Findings show that 85% of Singaporean CIOs expect their companies will be attacked more often because they lack skilled IT security talent – well above the 78% average of the eight countries surveyed.

    The only two countries with a higher percentage than Singapore are Brazil (93%) and Japan (87%).

    Singapore has the highest percentage of CIOs predicting “significantly more” cyber-attacks in the next five years – 30% compared to the global average of 19%.

    “The fight against rising cyber threats is entering a critical phase as Singapore is experiencing a shortage of IT professionals with the right cyber security skills to defend companies against these attacks,” said David Jones, senior managing director of Robert Half Asia Pacific.

    “Companies know they need to take action to confront cyber attackers,” said Jones. “This means investing in a cyber-security strategy that brings together the right mix of technology and people.”

    IT leaders say the top three cyber security risks facing Singaporean organizations in the next five years are data abuse/data integrity (59%), spying/spyware/ransomware (54%) and cybercrime (53%).

    “New technologies raise new security concerns,” said Jones. “This can result in a skills gap where the available expertise has not kept pace with the evolving IT threats.”

    “As demand for new cyber-specialists entering the IT market outstrips supply, companies are being forced to reconsider their training and retention programs,” he said. “They are also recruiting from overseas, partnering with educational organisations, and developing flexible hiring strategies that include both permanent and contract specialists, including external risk agencies.”

    In response to the new wave of cyber-attackers, almost a quarter (23%) of Singaporean CIOs plan to add new permanent IT security professionals to their team in the next 12 months. One in three (29%) say they are planning to hire IT professionals for newly added contract positions within their team.

    Several specialised cyber-security roles are in high demand as organisations are confronted with additional security threats, including mobile, application and Big Data analytics security.

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  • Telenor India said to consider merger with Tikona

    Telenor India said to consider merger with Tikona

    Telenor India is reportedly exploring a merger with wireless broadband provider Tikona Digital Networks to stay afloat in an increasingly competitive market.

    Both companies are in active discussions regarding a potential merger, citing multiple unnamed sources.

    The focus on the negotiations is a merger of the two operators’ data businesses, and Telenor’s voice operations could be kept separate, according to the report.

    Tikona holds 2300-MHz 4G spectrum and has operations in five of India’s 22 telecom circles, including three in which Telenor is also present. Telenor provides mobile services in six circles.

    A potential merger would also serve as another way for Telenor to secure the spectrum it needs to expand its operations, including effectively rolling out 4G to compete with disruptive newcomer Reliance Jio and the incumbent operators. The operator’s current spectrum holding is limited to 1800-MHz.

    In July, Telenor announced it has decided to sit out of the upcoming major Indian spectrum auction due to high reserve prices, and said the company has been “evaluating our options in India,” leading to speculation that Telenor may exit the Indian market.

    Both Telenor and Tikona have declined to publicly comment on “speculation.”

  • Lacoste China opens Shanghai duty-free outlet

    Lacoste China opens Shanghai duty-free outlet

    French fashion brand Lacoste China has opened a duty-free corner in downtown Shanghai’s Yueda Plaza 889, run by CNSC.

    China National Service Corporation for Chinese Personnel Working Abroad is a state-owned enterprise of international trade and economic co-operation established in 1983.

    BUCHAREST, ROMANIA - OCTOBER 09: Lacoste store on October 09, 2013 in Bucharest, Romania. Is a French clothing company founded in 1933 that sells high-end clothing and most famously polo shirts.
    BUCHAREST, ROMANIA – OCTOBER 09: Lacoste store on October 09, 2013 in Bucharest, Romania. Is a French clothing company founded in 1933 that sells high-end clothing and most famously polo shirts.

    Lacoste says the point-of-sale is in line with the a Chinese duty-free policy that offers Chinese travellers a 190-day duty-free shopping period after returning from abroad.

    “We are aiming at building a long-term relationship with Lacoste,” says CNSC deputy-GM Jacky Yan.

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  • DFS launches exclusive Burberry collection

    DFS launches exclusive Burberry collection

    Luxury travel retailer DFS Group has launched an exclusive Burberry collection which will be available only in DFS and T Galleria by DFS stores.

    The 22-piece BurberryxDFS collection was inspired by key elements from Burberry’s groundbreaking first straight-to-consumer runway show, referencing the brand’s unique British heritage. It comprises womenswear, menswear and accessories as well as a style of Burberry’s newest bag, The Bridle.

    The Bridle in wine and black with gold studs“When designing our new September collection, we were inspired by Virginia Woolf’s classic tale ‘Orlando’ and the spirit of Nancy Lancaster’s interior and garden designs, and we wanted the collection for DFS to reflect those elements,” said Christopher Bailey, Burberry chief creative.

    The Banner in mahogany red and black with gold studs

    The Burberry collection was revealed on the runway during London Fashion Week, where both womenswear and menswear collections were presented together for the first time for Burberry’s inaugural straight-to-consumer show.

    The Blouson jacket with studs in black

    “Seasonless, immediate, and personal, the new format has been designed with a global audience in mind. This move, announced in February, significantly shortens the traditional gap between the runway show and retail availability of Burberry’s collection.,” said a spokesman.

    The Halton wallet in mahogany red and camel with gold studs

    Giant Check scarf with studs in camelIn addition to The Bridle, highlights from the BurberryxDFS collection include exclusive styles of the Sandringham and Kensington trench coats.

    The Sandringham studded collar trench in honeyThe BurberryxDFS collection will be available in 23 DFS and T Galleria by DFS stores across 13 countries beginning September 21. Prices range from HK$1300 – HK$20,000 (US$168 – $2600).

    dfs-burberry

     

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  • Seoul tops airport retail rankings

    Seoul tops airport retail rankings

    Seoul’s Incheon Airport not only tops the Asia-Pacific rankings for retail spending – it has the highest turnover of any airport in the world.

    Which is remarkable given it ranks 10th in the region by passenger numbers, according to Airports Council International data, with 49,281,220 people passing through in 2015, compared to more than 90 million in Beijing and 55 million in Singapore.

    Asian airports dominate the world top 100 airport retail rankings measuring shopper spending, according to data collected by Swedish company Generation Research for 2015. While the tables lists the world’s top 100 and Asia-Pacific’s top 50, it does not provide any actual figures for spending. Sales from around the world were converted into US dollar value.

    In the global airport retail rankings, Incheon leads Dubai Airport, with Singapore Changi third.

    In the Asia rankings, published below, Singapore leads Bangkok – something of a surprise third-place getter given it is generally regarded as an expensive airport for ‘duty-free’ goods, and Pudong, Shanghai in fourth. Hong Kong makes it only fifth on the table, despite its huge passenger throughput and broad retail offer.

    Tokyo Narita, Beijing Capital, Taipei Taoyuan, Cheju and Osaka Kansai complete the top 10.

    On the global rankings, those Asian airports take fifth, sixth, seventh, eighth, 10th, 12th and 14th places.

    London Heathrow takes fourth place, Paris de Gaulle ninth, and Frankfurt 13th.

    Asia’s Top 50 list:

    Top 50 airport location Asia

    The Global Top 100 list:

    Top 100 airport location 2015 -1