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Tag: captivates

  • Polène Captivates Singapore with Unique Marina Bay Sands Boutique

    Polène Captivates Singapore with Unique Marina Bay Sands Boutique

    Polène, the renowned French luxury leather goods company, has opened its first boutique in Singapore at Marina Bay Sands, the iconic destination designed by architect Moshe Safdie. Spanning 84 square metres, the store draws inspiration from traditional fishing dwellings and features a distinctive canopy of suspended leather panels that distributes light evenly throughout the space.

    According to Polène, each panel was meticulously handwoven using premium full-grain Italian leather. The striking walnut finishes and clean architectural lines create a richly tactile and welcoming retail environment.

    The boutique also features an installation titled “Craft at Work – A Puzzle of Leather”, offering customers an intimate look at the construction process behind the brand’s products.

    As part of the installation, an innovative machine developed specifically for the Singapore boutique allows visitors to observe the precision involved in cutting the 36 individual leather pieces that make up the Mokki bag. The pieces are subsequently assembled by skilled artisans in Ubrique, Spain.

    The opening of the Singapore boutique follows Polène’s recent expansion into other international markets, including China, the US, Japan and South Korea.

    Questions & Answers

    Who designed the new Polène boutique in Marina Bay Sands, Singapore?
    The 84-square-meter Polène boutique at Marina Bay Sands was conceived in-house by the French leather goods brand, drawing inspiration from Singapore’s coastal fishing huts with architectural translation assistance from Marina Bay Sands master architect Moshe Safdie.

    What unique installation does the Polène boutique in Singapore feature?
    The Polène boutique in Singapore includes an installation called “Craft at Work – A Puzzle of Leather,” which gives customers a deeper understanding of the process behind making the brand’s products.

    What recent expansion efforts has Polène undertaken?
    Polène has recently expanded its international presence with new boutiques in China, the US, Japan, and South Korea, along with its latest addition in Singapore.

  • KFC Loyalty Program Captivates China: 590 Million Members and Counting

    KFC Loyalty Program Captivates China: 590 Million Members and Counting

    Yum China, the parent company of KFC in China, reported a significant expansion in its digital loyalty programs which now boast over 590 million members, accounting for over 40% of the country’s population.

    Growth in Loyalty Programs

    According to Yum China’s 2025 earnings report, unique membership in loyalty programs across KFC and Pizza Hut experienced a growth of 13% from the previous year. The report also revealed that 55% of the company’s sales were made through these programs.

    David Slavick, the founder of Ascendant Loyalty Marketing, a US-based consulting firm, referred to the achievement as “the largest loyalty program in the world”.

    Yum China’s Rapid Expansion

    Yum China Holdings, an offshoot of Yum Brands based in Shanghai, owns and franchises more than 18,000 stores across the country. This includes approximately 13,000 KFC locations, which the company claims is the largest restaurant chain in the country.

    The company has pursued a strategy of quick expansion in a market where consumers utilize digital payment apps more extensively than in other consumer markets such as the United States, a trend which has sped up in recent times.

    Impact on Yum China’s Business

    On Wednesday, Yum China’s CEO, Joey Wat, informed investors that the KFC loyalty program was “really helping our long-term and short-term business”. He attributed this to the growth in the popularity of the KPRO brand, a healthier and more upscale version of KFC, which was launched in 2017. Wat revealed that 80 to 90% of KPRO’s sales come from KFC loyalty members.

    Wat also mentioned that the company’s new AI ordering assistant for KFC app users, which was rolled out across the country in January, has been used by two million members so far, mainly by diners ordering breakfast and coffee.

    Increasing Trend of Digital Ordering

    Industry experts indicate that consumers in China use digital ordering apps more frequently than their counterparts in the United States. The market for loyalty programs in China was worth nearly $20 billion in 2025 and is projected to reach almost $33 billion by 2029.

    Yum China reported that 265 million users are active, meaning they have used the program in the past year. The company’s brand-specific loyalty apps, similar to the ones in the US, allow users to order meals and deliveries digitally, and also offer discounts and personalized recommendations. Unlike most restaurant brands in the US, Yum China’s KFC app also has paid and invitation-only tiers in its membership program that provide free deliveries and prioritization in delivery queues.

    Questions & Answers

    What is the scale of Yum China’s digital loyalty programs?
    Yum China’s digital loyalty programs have over 590 million members, which represents over 40% of the population of China.

    How much of Yum China’s sales are made through their loyalty programs?
    According to the company’s report, 55% of their sales are made through their digital loyalty programs.

    What is special about Yum China’s KFC app?
    Unlike most US restaurant brands, Yum China’s KFC app has paid and invitation-only tiers in its membership program. These tiers provide benefits such as free deliveries and prioritization in delivery queues.