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Retail News Asia is committed to providing both local and global retailers with the latest Research throughout the Asian market. This on a daily base.

  • China’s AI Surge Drives Digital Health Market Growth

    China’s AI Surge Drives Digital Health Market Growth

    GlobalData’s research indicated that, in 2024, China accounted for approximately 20% of the digital health market in the Asia Pacific (APAC), reflecting the rising demand for innovations like DeepSeek in the healthcare field.

    Pratibha Thammanabhatla, a Medical Devices Analyst at GlobalData, noted, “The recent introduction of Qwen2.5-Max, Kimi k1.5, and DeepSeek demonstrates China’s expanding presence in the AI industry and its commitment to achieving technological independence. The advanced AI capabilities they offer, such as significant efficiency improvements, enhanced reasoning, and accessibility, have the potential to enhance diagnostic capabilities, provide personalized recommendations, and improve communication between patients and healthcare providers.”

    Alibaba Cloud claimed that its latest Qwen2.5-Max has shown significant advantages over other AI models like Llama 3.1 405B, DeepSeek-V3, and Qwen2.5 72B when assessed using benchmark tools such as Arena-Hard, LiveBench, LiveCodeBench, and GPQA Diamond. They anticipate that advancements in post-training techniques will take the next version of Qwen2.5-Max to new heights.

    Thammanabhatla concluded, “While AI has the potential to transform healthcare by enhancing efficiency and patient outcomes, challenges such as data privacy, doctor-patient relationships, and a shortage of adequately trained personnel need to be addressed for successful implementation. A collaborative approach involving stakeholders from different countries and sectors, including healthcare professionals, regulators, and data privacy experts, is crucial to overcoming these challenges and promoting wider adoption.”

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  • Google Maps and Apple Maps have different names for the same body of water

    Google Maps and Apple Maps have different names for the same body of water

    In case you haven’t noticed it yet, the Gulf of Mexico today has been officially renamed the Gulf of America in the U.S. on Google Maps. We first told you about the change at the end of last month, and now that the Geographic Names Information System (GNIS) has made the revision, it was time for Google to do likewise. In some countries, Google Maps will show two names, with the Gulf of Mexico as the primary name and the Gulf of America in parenthesis.

    Apple, on the other hand, continues to refer to the body of water as the Gulf of Mexico. We haven’t seen Google Maps and Apple Maps call the same geographic area by different names since Apple Maps was released in September 2012 alongside the launch of iOS 6. Apple Maps had so many problems with some countries and streets mislabeled or missing. In Australia, Apple Maps was considered dangerous after it led some drivers to the Outback teeming with poisonous snakes, a temperature of 115 degree, and a lack of cell service.

    We don’t consider Apple’s decision not to follow Google Maps to be a conscious effort to ignore President Trump’s executive order. After all, tech firms seem more willing to get behind the president during this term. For some, like Google, it’s a matter of self-preservation. As recently as last September, then-candidate Trump threatened to prosecute Google for Election Interference if returned to the White House.

    Trump complained that Google Search was showing only negative stories about him while listing only positive stories about his opponent, then-Vice President Kamala Harris. You might recall that in 2018, during his first term, Google was accused by the president of “rigging” search results, so when users searched for “Trump news,” 96% of the results came from the “National Left-Wing Media” according to Trump.

    Besides Google, other tech companies that have shown support for President Trump in some manner include Amazon, Meta, and Apple. All three of these firms or their CEOs donated $1 million toward the president’s inauguration. Most tech companies learned during Trump’s first term that you kill more flies with honey. All four tech companies, Apple and Google particularly, might need help from Trump to avoid being prosecuted by the Justice Department for anti-trust violations.

    So, if all it takes for Google to get on the president’s good side is to change the name of the Gulf of Mexico to Gulf of America on the U.S. version of Google Maps, that’s a small price for the company to pay. Also expected to get a name refresh soon is the Denali mountain in Alaska; the president has ordered that the mountain be called by its original name, “Mount McKinley.”

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  • Vietjet announces partnership with OpenAirlines to enhance fuel efficiency with AI-driven optimisation

    Vietjet announces partnership with OpenAirlines to enhance fuel efficiency with AI-driven optimisation

    Vietjet has signed a strategic partnership with OpenAirlines, a global leader in AI-driven airline fuel efficiency solutions. With this collaboration, Vietjet becomes the first airline in Vietnam to adopt SkyBreathe, an advanced AI-powered platform that analyses flight data to optimise fuel consumption and reduce carbon emissions.

    With SkyBreathe, Vietjet will harness AI, big data algorithms, and machine learning to analyse extensive flight data and enhance fuel efficiency. The platform consolidates information from multiple sources, including aircraft sensors and fuel reports, into a unified platform. Having processed data from over 21 million flights, SkyBreathe leverages the world’s largest fuel efficiency database for airlines.

    The SkyBreathe 360° eco-flying platform pinpoints key fuel-saving opportunities and provides tailored recommendations for pilots and flight operations managers. By tapping on SkyBreathe’s intuitive interface and detailed analytics, Vietjet is projected to reduce fuel consumption by 2% and cut CO2 emissions by over 96,000 tons annually.

    Vietjet will also introduce the SkyBreathe MyFuelCoach application to all its pilots, providing personalised eco-briefings and debriefings. This application helps pilots track performance, identify improvement areas, and implement best practices to optimise fuel efficiency, ultimately lowering fuel consumption and minimising environmental impact.

    “This partnership underscores Vietjet’s unwavering commitment to more sustainable flight operations. By harnessing the power of innovation and digitalisation, the airline is transforming its ambitious goal of net-zero emissions by 2050 into concrete actions that benefit not only itself but the entire aviation ecosystem, travelers, and the planet. The implementation of SkyBreathe is already underway, ensuring Vietjet can quickly unlock its full potential and start seeing measurable results,” said Alexandre Feray, CEO of OpenAirlines.

    Vietjet Vice President Nguyen Duc Thinh also shared: “Today’s agreement with OpenAirlines represents a significant milestone in Vietjet’s sustainable development strategy. By leveraging advanced technologies, we can continuously innovate, optimise operations, reduce fuel consumption and CO2 emissions, and enhance passengers’ flight experiences at reasonable costs. This collaboration also highlights Vietjet’s relentless efforts towards sustainability while delivering long-term benefits to the global aviation industry.”

    As the newest member of the SkyBreathe Community, Vietjet joins 73 airlines worldwide committed to advancing sustainable aviation. Through this dynamic network, Vietjet will receive ongoing support from OpenAirlines’ fuel experts to optimise performance and fully leverage the benefits of SkyBreathe.

    This partnership reflects Vietjet’s commitment to sustainable development, supported by strategic collaborations with international aviation and technology leaders.

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  • Australia Restricts DeepSeek AI on Government Devices

    Australia Restricts DeepSeek AI on Government Devices

    Australia has prohibited the use of DeepSeek on all government devices due to concerns about security risks posed by the Chinese artificial intelligence (AI) startup. The Secretary of the Department of Home Affairs has directed all government entities to stop using DeepSeek products, applications, and web services, and to remove any existing instances from Australian government systems and devices.

    Home Affairs Minister Tony Burke stated that DeepSeek presents an unnecessary risk to government technology, and the ban is necessary to safeguard Australia’s national security and interests. This ban does not apply to devices owned by private citizens. After DeepSeek released its latest AI model last month, which is cheaper and requires less sophisticated chips compared to other models, technology stocks worldwide plummeted.

    Australia’s decision to ban DeepSeek follows similar actions taken in Italy, with other countries in Europe and beyond also investigating the AI firm. Similarly, Taiwan recently prohibited government departments from using DeepSeek’s AI service.

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  • Marketplace Shake-Up: Amazon Thrives, Catch Closes, Chinese Platforms to Stall

    Marketplace Shake-Up: Amazon Thrives, Catch Closes, Chinese Platforms to Stall

    Australia’s marketplace sector is rapidly transforming, with Amazon strengthening its dominance, Wesfarmers closing Catch, and doubts growing around Temu and Shein, according to new research from ecommerce and marketplace accelerator, Pattern.

    The findings, published in Pattern’s ‘2025 Marketplace Consumer Report’, reveal that marketplaces are now an indispensable part of the online shopping ecosystem, with 94% of Australians purchasing from one in the past 12 months.

    “Amazon’s increasing prominence in product discovery, its substantial Prime membership base, and the upcoming launch of the price-competitive platform called ‘Haul’ have solidified its position as Australia’s leading marketplace,” explains Merline McGregor, Managing Director for Pattern Australia. “Meanwhile, Catch has closed, Kogan and MyDeal are growing —although from smaller customer bases than the market’s frontrunners—and early enthusiasm for low-cost Chinese marketplaces appears to have peaked as they struggle to meet shopper expectations.”

    Chinese marketplace growth to stall

    New research indicates that high-profile Chinese marketplaces Temu and Shein risk losing shoppers in 2025. Although these platforms have rapidly captured market share, only 12% of consumers trust Temu for its product quality, leading to a predicted 7% drop in shoppers. Shein faces similar challenges, with trust levels at just 11%.

    “Many Australians trialled Temu and Shein over the last eighteen months due to aggressive pricing and large marketing campaigns. Yet early adopters have found these marketplaces unreliable. Although they may still expand in the future, Temu and Shein face a significant challenge in legitimising themselves within the Australian market and delivering on the customer experience,” observed McGregor.

    Alarmingly for the Chinese marketplaces, only 43% of shoppers would consider buying from Temu in 2025, and even this may hinge on improvements in quality and delivery. For Shein, expanding into categories like home and beauty is yet to offset concerns about its core offerings.

    Amazon extends its lead

    Amazon has cemented its position as Australia’s leading marketplace. The platform attracted 1.1 million new Australian users in 2024, bringing its total to 7.9 million shoppers, accounting for 10% of the country’s total online shopping spend1.

    The outlook for Amazon is incredibly strong with a significant 63% of Australians planning to shop on the platform in 2025. Its appeal is particularly strong among younger shoppers (71% of those aged 18-24) and high-income households earning over $200,000 annually (78%).

    “Amazon’s focus on fast delivery, quality products, and a seamless shopping experience sets it apart,” said McGregor. “While Chinese platforms have disrupted the market, Amazon’s trusted reputation and ability to adapt—such as the launch of its low-cost ‘Haul’ storefront—ensure it stays ahead.”

    Consumers discover new products on marketplaces today

    Australian shoppers are also changing how they research and discover new products online, with traditional search giant, Google, experiencing a 7% decline in people using the platform for new product discovery.

    At the same time, the share of consumers who begin their product research on Amazon has risen by 27% year on year, highlighting the platform’s growing impact on purchase decisions.

    In 2024, 63% of shoppers bought a product that they had never purchased from Amazon before and 38% visited a brand’s website after discovering it on the platform.

    “Online marketplaces play a pivotal role in how shoppers discover and evaluate new products,” said McGregor. “Their extensive variety, combined with transparent customer feedback empowers consumers to explore unfamiliar brands with greater confidence.”

    What products will consumers buy from which marketplace in 2025?

    Pattern’s research asked consumers what they were likely to buy in 2025 and through which marketplace, with the results indicating:

    • Amazon’s key shopper categories are Books & eBooks (37%), Electronics & Computer (24%) and Home & Kitchen (24%).
    • eBay is competitive across a range of categories, including Electronics & Computer (20%), Books & eBooks (17%) and Clothing, Shoes & Accessories (16%).
    • Temu attracts shoppers with Clothing, Shoes & Accessories (20%), Home & Kitchen (14%).
    • Shein maintains its appeal in Clothing, Shoes & Accessories (19%), while its expansion beyond fashion drives growth in categories like Skincare & Make-up (7%) and Home & Kitchen (6%).
    • Kogan remains strong in Electronics & Computer (11%) and Home & Kitchen (8%).
    • My Deal gains consumer interest for Home & Kitchen (5%) and Clothing, Shoes & Accessories (5%).

    “Marketplaces in Australia are set for strong growth in 2025, driven by the strong consumer pull toward convenience, competitive pricing, and rapid delivery. With 94% of Australians already shopping on these platforms, brands can’t afford to sit on the sideline. They must be present where consumers shop. To attract new customers and succeed in a competitive online shopping environment, brands need a dedicated marketplace strategy and to collaborate with specialists like Pattern to maximise their impact,” concluded McGregor.

    For more information and to download the full report please click here: ‘2025 Marketplace Consumer Report’

    About Pattern Inc

    Pattern is the category leader in global ecommerce and marketplace acceleration. It is the number one reseller on Amazon globally, selling over $3 billion of product each year into 60 countries. Since 2013, Pattern has profitably grown to over 2,000 employees operating from 24 global locations – including Melbourne, Sydney and the Gold Coast – to help leading brands achieve accelerated growth on D2C websites and global ecommerce marketplaces. Pattern is also present on Tmall, JD.com, eBay and other ecommerce marketplaces. We act as the authorised Amazon seller to more than 300 brands globally, buying their stock to sell on the marketplace and taking care of every aspect of their Amazon presence. For more information, visit https://au.pattern.com/

    Media Contact

    Paul Manser

    Mulberry Marketing Communications

    pmanser@mulberrymc.com

     

    1 Roy Morgan. (August 2024). SHEIN and Temu Continue to Grow Strongly.

  • Google Sheets update greatly improves performance in various scenarios

    Google Sheets update greatly improves performance in various scenarios

    Google Sheets is getting a small but important update this week. The update includes some under-the-hood improvements that greatly enhances the app’s overall performance.

    After doubling the calculation speed in Google Sheets last year, the app is now getting some extra improvements for everyday actions. First off, the pasting data is now 50 percent faster when pasting from one spreadsheet to another.

    Another important improvement included in this update is related to filter conditions, which can now be set up to 50 percent faster than before. Lastly, the spreadsheets now load existing data up to 30 percent faster.

    I think it’s safe to say that these improvements will help the large majority of Google Sheets users. Here are some scenarios in which the latest Google Sheets performance improvements really shine:

    • A data analyst can paste small or large quantities of data from an existing spreadsheet to a new one in a quicker manner.
    • A campaign manager can add filtering conditions to better understand the performance of a campaign at a certain time faster.
    • A small business owner can quickly see their data load.

    Google confirmed that these improvements have already been rolled out and should be available to Sheets users today. Since these are under-the-hood improvements, there’s no need to enable them.

    According to Google, these Sheets improvements are now available to all Google Workspace customers, Workspace Individual Subscribers, and users with personal Google accounts.

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  • Philippines arrests 100 suspects in online scam farm raid

    Philippines arrests 100 suspects in online scam farm raid

    Philippine authorities arrested around 100 people on Friday in a raid on a suspected online scam farm in Manila they said extorted victims.

    The raid in the Makati financial district was part of a crackdown against online crime operators that often act under the guise of gaming firms.

    Agents from the Presidential Anti-Organized Crime Commission (PAOCC) and the National Bureau of Investigation, armed with assault rifles, surrounded two offices of a lending agency and arrested the suspects as they worked side-by-side at computers.

    The suspects, many of them young Filipinos, allegedly sought out victims via TikTok and other social media, offering collateral-free loans of up to 25,000 pesos (US$428).

    Borrowers were charged 35% weekly interest and those who fell behind on payments were harassed, humiliated and threatened with having their personal information spread online, PAOCC director Gilberto Cruz told reporters at the scene.

    “Some of those they harassed developed mental problems, others fell into depression, and there have even been some suicide incidents that occurred because of the harassment perpetrated by these people,” Cruz said.

    The suspects could be charged with fraud and other violations under the country’s cybercrime laws, he added.

    The raided company, Wewill Tech Corp, required victims to provide personal information and family photographs, which the scammers then used for threats, according to Cruz.

    Some victims of similar scams have reported having coffins and funeral wreaths delivered to their homes, he said.

    Authorities are checking the nationality of the owners, Cruz said, adding that they had arrested Chinese suspects running similar operations in the past.

    The scam farm owners are suspected to be remnants of online gaming operators that were banned under orders of President Ferdinand Marcos last year, he said.

    “Most of their keyboard workers are Filipino” and communicated with victims in the local language, Cruz told reporters.

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  • Instagram rolls out more actionable insights for its Creators

    Instagram rolls out more actionable insights for its Creators

    Instagram is making some changes to its Insights feature to help creators better understand how their content is performing. The goal is to give creators more actionable insights and personalized recommendations so they can learn more about overall trends across their audience and their content’s performance.

    One of the new metrics is called “View Rate.” This metric tells creators what percentage of their followers and non-followers continue to watch after the first 3 seconds. The first few seconds of a reel are the most important, so this metric can help creators see if their reels are grabbing their audience’s attention right away.

    Another new metric is called “Views Over Time.” This metric shows creators how many views their post has received so far compared to the average views their posts typicaly get over the same time period. Creators will also be able to break down their views between followers and non-followers.

    In addition to these new metrics, Instagram is also providing more actionable, personalized tips to help creators understand if their content is performing better or worse than usual. These tips are meant to help creators more easily see which content is resonating with their audience.

    These changes are part of Instagram’s ongoing effort to help creators grow their audience and reach. By providing creators with more data and insights, Instagram hopes to make it easier for them to create content that resonates with their audience and achieve their goals.

    I think these metrics are very valuable to Instagram creators, and it’s frankly surprising they hadn’t been made available until now. As a creator myself, I’m always looking for ways to improve my content and reach a wider audience. These new features and personalized tips in Insights will definitely be helpful in this regard. I’m also excited to see how these changes will help other creators grow their audience and reach. With TikTok right now on shaky ground, it’s important for creators to diversify and be able to find ways to monetize in more than one platform, and I’m glad Instagram is providing the tools to assist with that goal.

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  • The Secret to Outstanding Customer Service: Empowering and Energising Store Associates

    The Secret to Outstanding Customer Service: Empowering and Energising Store Associates

    In the world of retail and service, the phrase “the customer is always right” has long been a guiding principle. Originally popularised by Swiss hotelier César Ritz, who is famous for the Ritz in Paris and the Carlton in London, this idea marked a significant shift in customer service. Back in the late 1800s, when consumer protection was minimal and “buyer beware” was the norm, Ritz’s emphasis on putting the customer first was revolutionary.

    Today, while the core of customer service remains crucial, it has evolved beyond simply satisfying customer demands. In our modern era of blended physical and digital commerce, exceptional service is about more than just fulfilling requests—it’s about understanding each customer’s unique needs and providing a seamless and personalised experience at every touchpoint.

    Despite the importance of a frictionless retail experience, one critical element is often overlooked: the store associates. Happy and engaged store associates are integral to providing a superior customer experience. As shoppers return to physical stores in increasing numbers, the role of store associates becomes even more crucial. They are often the difference between a memorable and forgettable brand experience. Therefore, equipping them with the right tools, software, and data is essential in today’s competitive retail landscape.

    Here are four key areas where retailers can enhance customer experience through happier, more engaged store associates and unified retail systems:

    1. Optimising Checkout Processes

    The checkout process remains a pivotal touchpoint for retailers. Understanding and adapting to the diverse preferences of customers in terms of payment and checkout options is crucial. By offering ultra-fast transactions with optimised checkout flows, including rapid scanning and locally cached item and price data, retailers can ensure that customers complete their purchases quickly and efficiently. This not only improves the customer experience but also makes the store associate’s job easier and more efficient.

    1. Modernising Point-of-Sale Systems

    There’s nothing more frustrating for a store associate than struggling with a cumbersome point-of-sale (POS) application. A modern, refined user interface with intuitive navigation and clear information is essential. POS systems should feature familiar cart and checkout options that allow associates to focus on assisting customers rather than grappling with technology. An effective POS system enhances efficiency and contributes to a smoother customer interaction.

    1. Ensuring System Reliability with Offline Support

    In today’s fast-paced retail environment, downtime is unacceptable. Store associates need reliable systems that support native offline functionality. This ensures that even if the store network experiences an outage or system instability, associates can continue to serve customers without interruption. A robust, offline-capable system is crucial for maintaining service quality and avoiding disruptions.

    1. Leveraging Customer Engagement Tools

    Knowledge is power when it comes to customer interactions. Utilising advanced customer engagement tools to access insights into a customer’s cross-channel purchase history and preferences enables store associates to offer personalised service. By understanding individual customer needs, associates can tailor their interactions, making each customer feel valued and unique. This not only enhances the customer experience but also makes the associate’s role more fulfilling and efficient.

    Empower Your Team, Elevate Your Experience

    The key to unlocking outstanding customer experience lies in investing in store associates and equipping them with the right tools and systems. Happy, engaged associates are more likely to deliver exceptional service, contributing to a positive and memorable customer experience. As the retail landscape continues to evolve, focusing on these critical areas will help retailers create a competitive advantage and foster lasting customer loyalty.

    For more information: https://www.manh.com/en-sg

    Written by Richard Wright, Managing Director, SEA, at Manhattan Associates

     

     

  • Sa Sa International’s sales fall in fiscal third quarter

    Sa Sa International’s sales fall in fiscal third quarter

    Sa Sa International’s sales declined in the fiscal third quarter amid a significantly weaker performance in Mainland China, Hong Kong, and Macau.

    The group’s sales declined 10.7 percent year over year to HK$1.06 billion (US$136.2 million) as Mainland China sales plunged 35.8 percent to HK$120 million while Hong Kong and Macau slid 8.1 percent to HK$817 million.

    Southeast Asia sales rose 12.4 percent to HK$115.4 million, while other regions decreased 11.8 percent to HK$2.7 million.

    In Mainland China, the company has already closed 13 offline stores due to a continuous sluggish environment. The group ended the period with 175 stores.

    The company intends to boost promotion on popular social media platforms and channels, tapping influencers to promote brand awareness and establish credibility among target buyers.

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  • New Instagram feature to entice TikTok users also compromises privacy

    New Instagram feature to entice TikTok users also compromises privacy

    It is highly likely that within a few hours TikTok will cease operations in the U.S. In an effort to capitalize on this golden opportunity Instagram is adding a new feature to the app to entice TikTok users to switch platforms. However this new feature also compromises your privacy and may be something that you wish to turn off.

    Adam Mosseri — head of Instagram — announced in a video that the app will be rolling out a new feed where you will see reels that your friends have liked or commented on. The idea is that you can quickly start a conversation with your friends about content they’ve watched. While the concept definitely encourages more interaction over Instagram it also means that your history is being shared openly.

    I quite like that I can watch whatever I want on Instagram — mainly cat videos — and not announce it to the world. This new feature is one that I will turn off immediately once it arrives in my country. Meta is only releasing the update in certain regions for now and will expand coverage once the company has studied how it is received by users.

    The whole TikTok debacle has sent multiple platforms racing to replace it. Instagram is already quite similar to TikTok and is trying everything it can to win over people looking for a new short-form video sharing app. However this hasn’t gone exactly to plan as TikTok users are migrating to another Chinese app instead: RedNote.

    While Instagram would have welcomed the influx of new users with open arms, RedNote is not as thrilled. The company is already considering isolating foreign IP addresses from Chinese ones so “American influence” can be minimized. This transition from TikTok to RedNote is also profiting an unsuspecting third app

    Instagram has taken some very welcome steps in recent years to protect user privacy on the platform, especially for minors. This is why I’m hopeful that the new dedicated feed will be optional as well. The app had a similar feature years ago that it discontinued and I wouldn’t be surprised if this new addition eventually meets the same fate.

    Instagram can still play its cards right and snag some former TikTok users as RedNote hands out bans for “inappropriate” content.

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  • WhatsApp’s upcoming AI feature could be your new Google Lens

    WhatsApp’s upcoming AI feature could be your new Google Lens

    While Meta, the parent company of Facebook, Instagram, and WhatsApp, has been rolling back some of its policies lately, the push for AI seems to be going full steam ahead. The company is focused on making it even easier to access Meta AI, its AI-powered assistant, on Android phones.

    With the release of the latest WhatsApp beta for Android 2.25.1.27 update on the Google Play Store, it’s been discovered that WhatsApp is working on adding a widget for easy access to Meta AI

    It looks like, with an upcoming update, one of the most widely used messaging apps will let you access Meta AI right from your Home Screen. This new widget will be totally optional and will appear alongside other widgets WhatsApp offers.

    Just keep in mind that this feature will only be available to accounts that already have access to AI-powered chats. Since Meta AI is still limited to certain regions and users, not everyone will get this widget right off the bat. For example, it’s unavailable in the EU due to local laws and regulations.
    For those who do have access, though, the widget will make it super easy to start a conversation with Meta AI without needing to open WhatsApp or dig through its menus. It’ll be right there on your Home Screen, ready to go.
    With the widget, you’ll be able to ask questions, get help, or chat with Meta AI however you like. It’ll also include a quick shortcut to snap a photo and send it directly to Meta AI. Once that’s done, you’ll be able to ask the AI to edit the image, explain what’s in it, or answer any questions you might have about the photo.

    I think it’s kind of like how Google Lens works, offering more details about what’s in the image. However, WhatsApp’s feature is still in the works and will be rolled out in a future update.

    In other WhatsApp updates, the app could soon introduce a simpler, more streamlined way to create groups and communities. On top of that, it’s also working on a new “Chat with us” feature, which will make getting human support faster through its web app.
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  • Indonesia raises retirement age to 59

    Indonesia raises retirement age to 59

    Indonesia will raise the retirement age for workers to 59, effective this year, in accordance with a government regulation on the Implementation of the Pension Guarantee Program.

    A regulation issued in 2015 set the retirement age at 56, with a provision for gradual increases. Starting Jan. 1, 2019, the retirement age was raised to 57, with plans for it to increase by one year every three years until reaching a maximum of 65.

    As outlined by the regulation, the retirement age will increase to 59 beginning in January 2025 and remain in effect until 2028.

    The updated retirement age also serves as a reference for workers registered with the Employment Social Security Administration Agency (BPJS TK) to claim their pension benefits.

    The gradual increase reflects Indonesia’s efforts to address demographic and economic changes, ensuring the sustainability of the pension system while promoting the financial security of the country’s aging workforce.

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  • Miniso opens first Thai flagship store in Bangkok

    Miniso opens first Thai flagship store in Bangkok

    Lifestyle brand Miniso is about to open its first theme park-style flagship store in Bangkok, Thailand.

    Located at Asiatique The Riverfront, the two-story, 600sqm space will feature more than 20 unique IP collections across various products, including plushies, toys, cosmetics, and stationery.

    The store will also introduce its Harry Potter collection to the country, showcased in a Hogwarts-inspired fireplace area. Additionally, themed zones and installations will feature characters such as Lotso Bear from Toy Story, Stitch, Winnie the Pooh, and a Minions zone.

    “By reimagining the shopping experience with IP collaboration at its core, we hope to capture the imaginations of shoppers around the world,” said the company.

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  • Indonesia says 2024 was hottest year on record

    Indonesia says 2024 was hottest year on record

    Indonesia experienced its hottest year on record in 2024, the country’s weather agency said Friday, matching several other nations which have reported similar rises in temperature.

    Indonesia still relies enormously on fossil fuel energy — which scientists say is a leading cause of global warming — and is listed as one of the top greenhouse gas emitters in the world.

    The average air temperature in 2024 was 27.5 degrees Celsius (81.5 Fahrenheit), some 0.8 degrees Celsius warmer than between 1991 and 2020, the country’s meteorology, climatology and geophysics agency (BMKG) posted on its website Friday.

    It said the data was obtained from 113 monitoring posts across the country.

    Indonesia had its hottest April in more than four decades last year as extreme heat swept parts of Asia.

    The United Nations said Monday that 2024 was set to be the hottest year ever recorded worldwide.

    Both China and India have already said the year was their hottest in decades.

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