Tag: asia

  • Nathan’s Famous opening in Southeast Asia

    Nathan’s Famous opening in Southeast Asia

    Nathan’s Famous, Inc., the American tradition serving New York favorites for more than 100 years, today announces the expansion of their products to Mexico City, Brazil, Canada, Indonesia, Malaysia and Singapore. The brand will also introduce its new virtual kitchen concept, Wings of New York, in all locations, with the exception of Brazil. Nathan’s Famous and Wings of New York will be available in a multitude of ways, including brick and mortar locations, ghost kitchens or retail, depending on the market.

    “This is an exciting time for Nathan’s Famous and Wings of New York,” said James Walker, SVP, Restaurants. “We are embarking on a new chapter in our company as we continue to grow the brand’s presence all across the globe. In some areas, new locations will build upon a current customer base, while other locations will be the first time consumers can experience the true flavor of New York and we look forward to the opportunity to reach these new customers.”

    Nathan’s and Wings of New York expansion includes the following countries:

    • Mexico – Through its partnership with VIRKO, Nathan’s Famous will open two locations in Mexico City by the end of March. The brand has plans for a total of four locations, including Wings of New York.
    • Canada – Nathan’s Famous continues its partnership with Ghost Kitchen Brands to bring six locations in Toronto and Alberta by this Spring, with a total of 10 locations across both brands.
    • Indonesia, Malaysia and Singapore – Through a partnership with Intelligent Kitchens, Nathan’s Famous will bring both its flagship brand and Wings of New York to the three countries, with plans to open more than three locations starting in February.
    • Brazil – Nathan’s Famous Brazil will begin to offer Nathan’s Famous products through retail and foodservice in late April via three to five kiosks, with the possibility of Ghost Kitchens across San Paulo in 2021.

    This continued expansion through brick-and-mortar stores, ghost kitchens and retail makes Nathan’s Famous available in 16 countries around the world. The Nathan’s Famous menu will include the brand’s signature hot dogs and crinkle cut fries, as well as premium beef burgers, crispy and grilled chicken sandwiches, premium milkshakes and much more. The Wings of New York menu will include tenders a la carte, wings and French fry combos and Harlem-style chicken and waffles.

  • Disney closing North American stores to focus on e-commerce

    Disney closing North American stores to focus on e-commerce

    Walt Disney Co will close at least 60 Disney retail stores in North America this year, about 20 per cent of its worldwide total, as it revamps its digital shopping platforms to focus on e-commerce.

    The media and entertainment company also is evaluating a significant reduction of stores in Europe, a spokesperson said, adding that locations in Japan and China will not be affected. Disney currently operates roughly 300 Disney stores around the globe.

    In November, Disney launched digital marketplaces in Australia, New Zealand and India.

    The company did not say how many people would lose their jobs as a result of the closures.

    Consumers have been moving to digital shopping over physical locations, and chains including Walmart and Macy’s have shuttered brick-and-mortar stores. The global coronavirus pandemic accelerated that change when people were forced to stay home.

    “While consumer behaviour has shifted toward online shopping, the global pandemic has changed what consumers expect from a retailer,” said Stephanie Young, president of Disney’s consumer products, games and publishing.

    Over the past few years, Disney has expanded its shops inside other retailers such as Target in the US and Alshaya Group stores in the Middle East. Those locations will continue to operate, as well as stores inside Disney parks. Disney-licensed products also will remain widely available through third-party retailers.

    Disney will overhaul its shopDisney apps and websites over the next year.

    “We now plan to create a more flexible, interconnected ecommerce experience that gives consumers easy access to unique, high-quality products across all our franchises,” Young said.

    Digital shopping gives Disney a chance to offer a much broader selection and include higher-end products from all of its Disney, Pixar, Marvel and Star Wars brands.

    New products will include adult apparel, artist collaborations, premium home products and collectibles, the company said. It recently unveiled streetwear featuring Grogu, the “Star Wars” character popularly known as Baby Yoda.

  • Foot Locker Celebrates Youth and Sneaker Culture in Hong Kong with new Store

    Foot Locker Celebrates Youth and Sneaker Culture in Hong Kong with new Store

    Foot Locker, the leading global destination for speciality athletic-lifestyle footwear, apparel and accessories, has opened a new Power Store in Hong Kong.

    The new store, located in Gala Place, Mong Kok offers visitors a unique single level destination. This is the retailer’s 6th location to open in Hong Kong –– set to bring an engaging retail experience with premium product and elevated in-store presentations to enhance customer experience. The design celebrates basketball culture with a signature multi-branded basketball collection and area dedicated to the game. The store boasts dedicated women’s and kids areas and a studio and events space, to host brand partners and local influencers (pending COVID-19 restrictions).

    With impressive footwear and apparel collections from global brand partners, including Nike, Jordan, adidas, Puma, Converse, New Balance, Under Armour and streetwear brands including Chinatown Market and Carrots, customers can expect immersive experiences and elevated product storytelling for every occasion. The store will also provide men, women and kids lines for the sneaker obsessed and provide access to the largest selection of Nike Air Max Plus (TN’s) available in market.

    Mong Kok is a neighbourhood known for its vibrant sneaker scene and is a melting pot of cultures, a place where young Hong Kong people pursue their passion and express themselves. The store features specially commissioned artworks –by four local artists Way Fung @digiway, Stanley Wong @Sneakerconcept, Brian Liu @824Hachi and Zoie Lam @Zlism, inspired by Mong Kok and its relationship to sneaker and basketball culture. It also sets the tone for how Foot Locker will tailor the store to the local community.

    Commenting on the new store, Tomas Petersson, GM and VP, Foot Locker Asia, said, “We couldn’t be more excited for our store opening in Mong Kok. This has been a dream come true to have a store in this area where sneaker-style is so inspired and alive in the streets and really around every corner. This is our 6th store opening in Hong Kong – first in Kowloon and now in this store – we can’t wait to get to know our consumers and celebrate sneaker culture together.”

  • Xiaomi appears to be on the verge of announcing an affordable flagship

    Xiaomi appears to be on the verge of announcing an affordable flagship

    Xiaomi’s Mi 10 lineup is about to get bigger and even more confusing. The range currently comprises eight models: Mi 10 5G, Mi 10 Pro 5G, Mi 10 Ultra, Mi 10T 5G, Mi 10T Pro 5G, Mi 10 Lite 5G, Mi 10T Lite 5G, and Mi 10i 5G.

    The platform implies that at least one variant will have 8GB of RAM and the phone will run Android 11.

    The phone has previously also been seen on TENAA, and according to the website, it will feature a quad-camera array.

    Save for the new chip, the Mi 10 5G is expected to have the same design and specs as last year’s Mi 10. Thus, it will likely have a 6.67-inches FHD+ AMOLED panel with a refresh rate of 90Hz, and a 4,780mAh battery with 30W fast charging support. The Mi 10 packs one 108MP camera, a 13MP wide-angle unit, a 2MP macro module, and a 2MP depth sensor. The front camera is 20MP.

    The new model will reportedly cost around CNY3,500 (~$541). The launch date remains a mystery but the phone’s visit to Geekbench and TEENA suggests an announcement is not far off.

  • Optimizing Potential of Digital Advertising,  Indosat Ooredoo Launches iAds Service Based on Augmented Reality

    Optimizing Potential of Digital Advertising, Indosat Ooredoo Launches iAds Service Based on Augmented Reality

    The COVID-19 pandemic, which has been going on for over a year, has increased our reliance on digital in our daily lives. This has an impact on the business sector, where enterprises are “forced” to adapt to focus on digital marketing strategies as consumer behavior shifts to digital and online. Therefore, the strategy of running promotions through digital advertising is becoming attractive to enterprise in order to increase brand and product awareness, targeting the right consumers, and increase sales of product.

    As an experienced trusted digital partner, Indosat Ooredoo Business presents an innovative service “iAds” at the 4th Connex Webinar today to answer the promotional needs of these enterprise. iAds is a digital ad platform that is designed by utilizing Augmented Reality (AR), interactive messaging, and mobile video. iAds offers the excitement of advertising and the convenience of using innovative telecommunication media.

    Chief Business Officer of Indosat Ooredoo, Bayu Hanantasena said, “Indosat Ooredoo Business is committed to support the growth of Indonesia’s business sector by utilizing digital technology. Today we launched iAds to support the promotional needs of enterprise to be more innovative through social media and relevant to the current situation. We hope that through the 3 iAds services that we launched today, it will help enterprise not only survive, but also growing rapidly so that they can compete in both local and global markets, as well as supports Indonesia’s digital economy.”

    Through iAds, promotional activities can be more varied and attractive because Indosat Ooredoo Business offers several choices of digital promotion mediums, namely iAds, iAds Biz, and iAds MGram.

    • iAds

    Augmented Reality (AR) technology.

    • iAds Biz

    A broadcast and interactive SMS service solution that responds more precisely to promotional needs for target customers and is easily controlled through a dashboard by enterprise. Regular SMS, Premium SMS, and Interactive SMS are all promotional options provided by iAds Biz.

    • Ads MGram

    Consumers can engage with interactive promotion and digital transformation solutions through images and videos that can be viewed on a variety of mobile phones, feature phone or smartphone. The other benefit of iAds MGram is that it does not require a specific application and can be accessed without internet connection or data packages. Thus, it unlocks vast reach, customer engagement and business possibilities.

    iAds can target more than hundreds of thousands of large and medium-sized companies in Indonesia to inform their products to millions of mobile users as potential targeted consumers. This service is also in line with Indosat Ooredoo’s vision as the Indonesia’s leading digital telecommunication company that encourages a more rapid and effective growth of the digital economy.

    Indosat Ooredoo Connex: Maximizing the Potential of Digital Advertising and Innovation Augmented Reality

    This time, Indosat Ooredoo Company conducted a Connex Webinar with the theme “Maximizing the Potential of Digital Ads and Innovation in Augmented Reality,” continuing the previous series of Connex (Creating Innovation with Expert)

    In addition to presented Bayu Hanantasena (Chief Business Officer Indosat Ooredoo) and Linggajaya Budiman (SVP-Head of Marketing & Channel Management), this webinar also featured a Digital Marketing Specialist who has successfully elevated brand-it’s to the forefront of every industry field, including Levita Ginting (Chair of the Indonesian Chamber of Commerce’s Standing Committee on Franchising, Licensing, & Partnerships), R. Andi Kartiko Utomo (Digital Specialist, former Vice President of QNB Indonesia), and Irawan Soemardjo (Senior Partner of PINC Group).

    The speakers offered insight and addressed the effect of the pandemic on the business sector, shifts in consumer behavior, how Digital Advertising can optimize marketing strategies, the potential for Virtual Reality to improve consumer interaction, and iAds solutions to address consumer needs of promotion for enterprise and marketers during the panel discussion.

    “Hopefully today‘s Connex Webinar can provide a lot of positive information so that we all remain optimistic to survive and grow together in the future even in difficult situations,” Bayu concluded.

  • Hong Kong Home Posts Record-High Rent

    Hong Kong Home Posts Record-High Rent

    Hong Kong’s luxury property market continues to post record numbers with the latest leasing contract.

    A 10,804 square foot home in the city’s wealthiest district was rented out for HK$1.35 million per month, according to a statement from local developer Wharf Holdings.

    This is a record figure, according to a Bloomberg report citing real estate agency Centaline.

    The house overlooks the Victoria Harbor and comes with a private garage, garden and internal elevator. Wharf has seven of these units in the area with plans to sell four and lease the rest.

    The unnamed tenant marks the second anonymous record-setter in weeks for Hong Kong’s property market.

    Last month, a 3,378 square foot home in the same district sold for a record figure of nearly $60 million.

    Despite political uncertainty and an ongoing pandemic, Hong Kong continues to top rankings as the most expensive property market. According to a recent think tank report, the city’s homes were the least affordable worldwide for the 11th consecutive year.

  • Samsung introduces ISOCELL 2.0 for new killer cameras

    Samsung introduces ISOCELL 2.0 for new killer cameras

    Samsung just released a Youtube video announcing its implementation of a new ISOCELL 2.0 technology on upcoming phones sporting its 0.7-micron-pixel camera sensors. These will allow the cameras to continue performing excellently despite the challenges brought by decreasing pixel sizes. Samsung claims this new technology will further enhance the wall structure between cells, resulting in added light sensitivity of up to 12 percent compared to the current ISOCELL Plus technology.

    In order to enhance both light sensitivity and color fidelity in upcoming Samsung models, ISOCELL Plus technology “isolates each pixel with a physical barrier to reduce light crosstalk between pixels”—which is what happens when some of the light that is supposed to hit a specific photodiode leaks to neighboring photodiodes, causing noise in the final image.

    Although ISOCELL Plus enables higher-color-fidelity image production, the metallic grid between color filters absorbs some of the incoming light, resuting in some optical loss. ISOCELL Plus first improved on this issue by replacing the metallic grid between color filters with a new material. However, in this next phase of innovation in ISOCELL 2.0, the lower portion of the barrier is being upgraded with even more reflective material.

    Samsung boasts that these upgrades “minimize optical loss and significantly improve light sensitivity for more vivid pictures with reduced noise. With enhanced light sensitivity, ISOCELL 2.0 empowers even smaller pixels to absorb more light. As a result, image sensors can pack in more pixels to produce finer details without compromising vivid color reproduction.”

    We are already aware of the possibility of future cameras sporting several-hundred-megapixel sensors, with both Samsung’s flagship S21 Ultra and S20 Ultra boasting 108MP—way ahead of Apple’s iPhone 12 Pro in terms of sheer megapixel count. Only Xiaomi and a single Motorola model currently offer similar cameras on the smartphone market. For the coming future, ISOCELL’s 2.0 innovation could offer a whole new horizon of image-capturing possibilities in varying light conditions. Although smartphones with their compact technology will never truly be able to rival professional DSLR cameras, Samsung has already come a long way in providing the most bang for your buck in the phone photography department.

  • Indonesia’s Payfazz and Singapore’s Xfers Join Forces

    Indonesia’s Payfazz and Singapore’s Xfers Join Forces

    Both companies will be part of a newly formed financial entity that aims to provide inclusion through financial services across Southeast Asia.

    Singapore’s Xfers has received a strategic investment of $30 million from Payfazz, which operates the largest agent-driven banking network in Indonesia, to form Fazz Financial Group (FFG), according to a statement on Thursday.

    With this investment, Xfers will serve as the designated business-to-business arm of FFG, focused on connecting external merchants to the payment infrastructure and user network amassed by FFG as a group.

    FFG will be led by CEO Hendra Kwik, Payfazz co-founder and CEO, and deputy CEO Tianwei Liu, co-founder and CEO of Xfers. The two will continue as CEOs of their respective companies. The group also appointed Robert Polana, former-CFO of Tiket.com as chief financial officer.

    With more resources on hand, we are also looking forward to helping more brands enter Southeast Asia. Especially for businesses looking to access the underserved consumer segment in Indonesia, Liu said.

    Payfazz and Xfers are both graduates of the Y Combinator accelerator programme.

    Payfazz recently announced a $53 million Series B fundraise, led by B Capital and Insignia Ventures Partners, with participation from Tiger Global, Y Combinator, ACE & Company and BRI Ventures.

    Founded in 2015, Xfers allows individuals to make and receive payments online and helps merchants set up their e-wallet services.

  • Twitter is testing a Shop button that will let you buy items more easily

    Twitter is testing a Shop button that will let you buy items more easily

    Twitter is planning to introduce a new shopping feature similar to what other social media like Facebook and Instagram offer. According to social media consultant Matt Navarra’s recent tweet, the social media giant is testing a new card designed to appear in tweets containing a shopping link. Key elements in the card include the item’s price and a huge, easy-to-tap “Shop” button.

    The introduction of the new Twitter shopping card would be great news for online stores and influencers alike. Selling products on social media can be a challenge, but the card’s design would make a product harder to miss while a potential buyer is scrolling down their feed.

    It is worth pointing out that this isn’t a new ad format. Twitter’s new shopping card is just a prettier way for shopping links to be visualized on the platform. Though we’re sure Twitter won’t mind if such tweets get promoted for a nominal fee.

    Twitter’s push to make its platform more shopping-friendly is not an unexpected one, as some rivals like Facebook have featured options for selling products for a couple of years now. From a business point of view, it is a smart move on the company’s hand to expand its sources of income. Time will tell if users like the new feature or if they are put off from the social giant in the aftermath of its new shop buttons.

  • How Apple’s iOS 14 privacy-friendly update is helping Twitter out

    How Apple’s iOS 14 privacy-friendly update is helping Twitter out

    We have all learned to question our privacy in this day and age of constant online activity, Alexa and Siri always listening, and advertisers spewing ads at us about things we hadn’t even yet realized we wanted. The whole Facebook fiasco over data privacy violation didn’t help our sense of security much, either.

    However, Apple seems to be taking a step in the right direction with its next update to give us a little more peace of mind. Apple’s iOS 14.5 (to be released in the very near future) is including a significant and commendable change in its privacy policy. As of the update’s release, all apps will be required to ask for explicit permission before using IDFA (a unique identifier all iPhones and iPads have to allow device tracking) for advertising (or other) purposes.

    According to Apple, users will have complete control over who is able to track their activity and data. Of course, that doesn’t guarantee we’ll always have full use of an app before consenting to data collection, but it does provide a significantly better sense of security.

    Twitter CEO Ned Segal voiced his approval for the coming update as well yesterday at the Morgan Stanley Technology, Media & Telecom Conference, claiming it will provide a more even playing field between social media companies. Segal acknowledged Twitter has not been as streamlined in leveraging its use of users’ data as other platforms (e.g. Facebook and Instagram), putting it at a disadvantage. However, this update will put all media companies back at the same starting point, requiring user permission to begin collecting data which most have been freely gathering left and right until now.

    “IDFA in a way is going to level the playing field. We’re in an industry where many were much better than Twitter historically at leveraging all of the data that was available to them, from the device ID to what people were doing on other websites. When we all have the same set of new challenges that we have to face, leveling the playing field will be a really interesting impact on the broader industry.”

    Segal promises that Twitter will not begin asking users for access to their devices right away, a restraint which other companies are unlikely to show. Instead, he plans to scope out and “learn from the industry and the broader ecosystem” before making such a move.

  • VinFast to produce batteries for electric cars in Vietnam

    VinFast to produce batteries for electric cars in Vietnam

    Automaker VinFast has signed a memorandum of understanding on strategic cooperation with Taiwan’s ProLogium Technology Co.. Ltd. on production of batteries for electric cars in Vietnam.

    Under the MoU signed Wednesday, the two parties will set up a joint venture to manufacture solid-state batteries for electric cars. The joint venture will be licensed to use ProLogium’s patented solid-state battery pack assembly technology.

    This is a strategic step for VinFast in mastering battery technology for electric vehicles, laying a foundation for its research and development of smart and advanced electric vehicles in the future.

    Founded in 2006, ProLogium is the world’s leading solid-state battery maker. In 2017, ProLogium became the first company in the world to have a test line for solid-state battery technology for automotive applications.

    Its solid-state batteries have passed safety tests in Europe and China, which are the world’s largest electric vehicle markets.

    It is also cooperating with large electric cars manufacturers to test a new battery technology and expects to deploy it for mass-production in 2023-2024.

    By using solid-state batteries, VinFast electric cars will be able to go longer distances, reduce charging time, and increase the total number of times they can be charged.

    VinFast’s partnership with ProLogium is a part of its plan to become a global smart electric car brand.

    In January, VinFast introduced three new electric self-driving car models. It is also setting up electric charging stations nationwide, aiming at 40,000 charging ports for electric bikes and cars by the end of 2021.

    VinFast sold 31,500 cars in Vietnam last year. Since entering the auto industry three years ago the company now has a plant in the northern province of Hai Phong and R&D centers in Australia, Germany and the U.S.

  • Paramount, the Netflix’s newest rival starts streaming today

    Paramount, the Netflix’s newest rival starts streaming today

    Paramount+ launches today to give the world exactly what it needs during a pandemic-another streaming app service. Even though we were aiming for sarcasm with that comment, there are statistics showing that streamers are doing well. Disney+, with its highly recognizable brand and videos for just about everyone, said last month that it had 94.9 million subscribers and forecast that it would have 230 million to 260 million by 2024.

    With content from Disney, Pixar, Marvel, Star Wars, and National Geographic, Disney+ has enough movies, television shows, and documentaries to suit everyone. It also has the most streamed program in the world right now with Marvel’s WandaVision MCU spinoff. The leading streamer on the planet, Netflix, had over 203 million global subscribers as of the end of last quarter. Last May, HBO Max became the newest streamer and was guaranteed a decent-sized viewing audience thanks to the $425 million it shelled out to be the exclusive streaming home for popular sit-com Friends.

    Until March 31st, you can get a one-month free trial of Paramount+. After your free month is over, subscription rates in the U.S. start at $5.99 per month for the service (more on this below). Most of the current television shows on the service come from CBS/Viacom and there are listings that you will be familiar with including cop drama Blue Bloods, starring Tom Selleck (just don’t let him talk about reverse mortgages), courtroom hit Bull, and police drama FBI. There are also older shows in the Paramount+ library such as Hot in Cleveland and Reno 911. Paramount+ is also the exclusive streaming home for the RuPaul’s Drag Race franchise.

    Just like its rivals, Paramount+ will try to attract subscribers by producing original content including Kamp Koral, an animated series about Sponge Bob’s younger years. A Frasier reboot starring Kelsey Grammer is on tap and popular kids’ show Rugrats is back with new episodes, this time created using CGI. Programming for the streamer comes from CBS, BET, Comedy Central, Nickelodeon, MTV, and the Smithsonian Channel.

    The Paramount+ app is available from the Google Play Store and the App Store which means that it is available for all Android phones and tablets and can be installed on all iPhone units, the iPod touch and iPad slates. It also can be used with Apple TV, Chromecast, Fire TV, Portal TV, PlayStation 4, Samsung TV, Vizio TV, LG TV, Roku, Xbox, and Xfinity Flex. There are two subscription options for Paramount+ subscribers. The one with Limited Commercials offers over “30,000 episodes and movies, originals, live sports and news with limited commercial interruptions” and is priced at $5.99 a month or $59.99 for a year (which works out to more than a 15% savings for paying a year in advance).

    The second subscriber option is ad-free service. Besides watching content without ads, those with this tier of service are allowed to download content to view offline. The price of this subscription tier is $9.99 per month, or $99.99 for a full year of service. (Pay a year in advance to receive a 15% discount). Each subscription allows content to be viewed over three devices simultaneously and profiles can be created for each member of your family. With Paramount+, users can cancel or change their plan at any time. Thus, there are no commitments.

    Demand for major streaming services has been on the rise. Recently Disney+ was able to hike its monthly subscription price from $6.99 a month to $7.99 a month. While that doesn’t sound like a huge increase for Disney+ members, it is a big deal for Disney since it adds over $90 million a month or over $1 billion into Disney’s coffers over the course of one year.

  • iPhone users finally getting the YouTube Music Now Playing redesign

    iPhone users finally getting the YouTube Music Now Playing redesign

    It took Google nine months to bring the redesigned Now Playing UI to YouTube Music users on iOS. iPhone owners probably don’t remember, but redesigned Now Playing UI was first released on Android back in June.

    The new redesign makes it easier to access various controls by putting them on the same page. For example, the shuffle and repeat buttons show up on the Now Playing page instead of being hidden in the queue. Some of the buttons have been moved around to make room for the new ones, but the important thing is that it’s now easier to access them.

    There’s one important feature that’s hidden behind the artwork displayed while a song is played, so make sure to tap on it if you want to share, download, start listening to a radio station, or cast. iPhone users who received the new UI will also notice that there’s a smaller Song/Video toggle at the top of the cover art.

    The new Now Playing UI redesigned is rolled out to iPhone users in waves. There’s no way to manually download this yet, as YouTube has decided to make it available via a server-side update.

  • Benetti Yachts Commits to Reduce Carbon Footprint across Family-Owned Business

    Benetti Yachts Commits to Reduce Carbon Footprint across Family-Owned Business

    From shipyard investment to innovative yachts, Benetti has been an industry leader in sustainably-minded innovation since 2002 with the introduction of the first hybrid diesel-electric propulsion system, “65-metre Ambrosia yacht”. One of the world’s leading superyacht builders, Benetti is part of a forward-thinking, family-owned business that understands that yachts are a family activity to enjoy one of nature’s greatest treasures: the open sea. With this mindset, Benetti commits to navigate how to limit or reduce carbon footprint across construction, design and protection so that yacht owners have options.

    “At Benetti, we deliver our enduring passion for the sea and for sailing by combining Italian craftsmanship and innovation into every yacht we design and build. Following the pandemic, we’ve accelerated our commitment to reduce carbon footprint. It’s time, money and resources that we feel are worth it,” says  Peter Mahony, General Manager at Benetti Yachts Asia. He continues, “Fortunately, the Benetti company mission is supported by a growing trend across Asia for innovative and forward-thinking options. With a Benetti yacht, we have the sweet spot where green awareness technology meets the utmost quality and comfort, which is possible through constant innovation and research.”

    Sustainable Shipyard Improvements

    Benetti Yachts has been implementing improvements at the Livorno and Viareggio Italian shipyards to enhance energy efficiency and reduce both pollution and waste at the source. Benetti looks at every possible way to improve the production cycle including reducing water waste, reducing fuel consumption with new high-power stations for moored Giga yachts of over 100 metres, replacing incandescent light bulbs with LED lamps to reduce 70% of energy consumption, installing a photovoltaic plant and a sophisticated solar thermal system to reduce 50% of methane greenhouse gases and insulating the Livorno shipyard sheds with cladding to enhance energy efficiency at thermal and acoustic levels.

    Improving Yacht Energy Efficiency

    Benetti’s design efforts are primarily focused on the hybrid engines to reduce fuel consumption and  harmful CO2 emissions. Most of the yachts have the option to be equipped with innovative propulsion systems and carefully-chosen materials while advancing propulsion systems and improving onboard energy efficiency.

    Both the 107-metre giga yacht Benetti FB272 Luminosity gigayacht and Asia market-favourite, the Benetti B.Yond 37M, are equipped with hybrid propulsion systems to reduce environmental impact and fuel consumption. Luminosity, the biggest hybrid in the world features an intelligent propulsion system developed by top industry experts co-ordinated by Benetti’s Technical Department. While B.Yond 37M is a popular yacht in the Asian market due to its reduced environmental impact with the hybrid diesel-electric propulsion system developed by the Siemens Marine Global Competence Centre in Italy. The many optimized hybrid engines integrations available from Benetti  don’t sacrifice comfort or style.

    From shipyard investment to innovative yachts, Benetti has been an industry leader in sustainably-minded innovation since 2002 with the introduction of the first hybrid diesel-electric propulsion system, “65-metre Ambrosia yacht”. One of the world’s leading superyacht builders, Benetti is part of a forward-thinking, family-owned business that understands that yachts are a family activity to enjoy one of nature’s greatest treasures: the open sea. With this mindset, Benetti commits to navigate how to limit or reduce carbon footprint across construction, design and protection so that yacht owners have options.

    “At Benetti, we deliver our enduring passion for the sea and for sailing by combining Italian craftsmanship and innovation into every yacht we design and build. Following the pandemic, we’ve accelerated our commitment to reduce carbon footprint. It’s time, money and resources that we feel are worth it,” says  Peter Mahony, General Manager at Benetti Yachts Asia. He continues, “Fortunately, the Benetti company mission is supported by a growing trend across Asia for innovative and forward-thinking options. With a Benetti yacht, we have the sweet spot where green awareness technology meets the utmost quality and comfort, which is possible through constant innovation and research.”

    Sustainable Shipyard Improvements

    Benetti Yachts has been implementing improvements at the Livorno and Viareggio Italian shipyards to enhance energy efficiency and reduce both pollution and waste at the source. Benetti looks at every possible way to improve the production cycle including reducing water waste, reducing fuel consumption with new high-power stations for moored Giga yachts of over 100 metres, replacing incandescent light bulbs with LED lamps to reduce 70% of energy consumption, installing a photovoltaic plant and a sophisticated solar thermal system to reduce 50% of methane greenhouse gases and insulating the Livorno shipyard sheds with cladding to enhance energy efficiency at thermal and acoustic levels.

    Improving Yacht Energy Efficiency

    Benetti’s design efforts are primarily focused on the hybrid engines to reduce fuel consumption and  harmful CO2 emissions. Most of the yachts have the option to be equipped with innovative propulsion systems and carefully-chosen materials while advancing propulsion systems and improving onboard energy efficiency.  

    Both the 107-metre giga yacht Benetti FB272 Luminosity gigayacht and Asia market-favourite, the Benetti B.Yond 37M, are equipped with hybrid propulsion systems to reduce environmental impact and fuel consumption. Luminosity, the biggest hybrid in the world features an intelligent propulsion system developed by top industry experts co-ordinated by Benetti’s Technical Department. While B.Yond 37M is a popular yacht in the Asian market due to its reduced environmental impact with the hybrid diesel-electric propulsion system developed by the Siemens Marine Global Competence Centre in Italy. The many optimized hybrid engines integrations available from Benetti  don’t sacrifice comfort or style.

  • Eateries keen to go on board with AirAsia’s food delivery service

    Eateries keen to go on board with AirAsia’s food delivery service

    Eateries say they are keen to go onboard with airasia food because of its low commission and islandwide delivery. The newcomer is offering them free delivery within 8km for two weeks until March 16, and charging a 15 percent commission after that.

    Other food delivery platforms like Deliveroo and Foodpanda charge commissions of 30 percent to 35 percent and deliver within a restricted radius of 2km to 6km, while GrabFood delivers islandwide for only selected partners. Oddle charges 10 percent for islandwide service but uses Lalamove for deliveries, which can cost eateries another $12 to $20 for each order.

    Swee Choon Tim Sum Restaurant signed up with airasia food on Tuesday (March 2) because of its low rates and islandwide delivery. But owner Ernest Ting raised concern over the availability of riders.

    “We often face issues such as lack of riders and service reliability,” he said.

    Baoshi F&B Management goes on the platform today with five of its outlets, while the rest will go onboard three weeks later. It runs the Wee Nam Kee chicken rice, Monga Fried Chicken and Lai Bao Fish Head Steamboat eateries.

    The company’s co-founder, Mr Lem Cheong, said he, too, was attracted to airasia food’s attractive rates and islandwide delivery.

    Mr Douglas Ng, who runs Fishball Story in Circuit Road selling fishball noodles, said he messaged airasia food for more information last Thursday after learning about its launch, and will sign up due to the attractive rates.

    He currently uses GrabFood, which he finds efficient, and he considers the 20 percent commission fair. But he finds its delivery radius of 3km too small – which is why he also does his own deliveries.

    Mr Melvin Chew of Jin Ji Teochew Braised Duck & Kway Chap in Chinatown Complex said he heard about airasia food’s low commission and was keen to find out more, such as the availability of drivers or riders.

    The founder of Facebook group Hawkers United – Dabao 2020, which supports hawkers during the pandemic, said he will likely sign up so he can understand how airasia food’s system works and share the information with fellow hawkers.

    All the eateries agree that having more delivery platforms is good for them.

    Baoshi’s Mr Cheong said: “Being on more platforms makes our food more accessible. We are positive that as the competition increases, the rates and prices offered to us will be better.”