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Tag: Singapore

  • Singapore completes public safety trials with NEC

    Singapore completes public safety trials with NEC

    NEC and NEC Asia Pacific have announced the completion of three safety and security test bed projects, held in and near Singapore’s Jurong Island, under the Safety and Security Industry Program (SSIP) 2020.

    The SSIP 2020 is led by the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA), Singapore Economic Development Board (EDB) and is being conducted in collaboration with JTC.

    The three trials were conducted over a period of 12 months from September 2016, and were aimed at using data analytics and security insights to address Singapore’s safety and security needs.

    They involved early detection of suspicious behavior, off-site security clearance of authorized personnel and on-the-spot enrollment for first-time visitor access to controlled areas.

    In the first trial, NEC provided and tested a system that utilized its high performance NeoFace Facial Recognition software together with the Intelligent Complex Event Processing engine which correlates audio and video analytics, to detect suspicious behavior and identify Persons of Interest (POIs) in both indoor and outdoor areas.

    The second trial facilitated off-site security clearance for entry of authorized personnel into Jurong Island, thus reducing congestion at checkpoints. NEC provided and tested a Bus Sensors Monitoring Management System using customized tamper-proof security sensors to prevent unauthorized opening of vehicle doors during bus journeys.

    The third trial tested the feasibility of an automated system to provide a more efficient method of enrolling first-time visitors for entry into Jurong Island. The system leveraged NEC’s biometric solution to expedite clearance of such visitors via on-the-spot facial and fingerprint recognition enrollment at car inspection bays.

    For all the three trials, the technologies provided real-time monitoring and alerts to the simulated Command Center, to inform the authorities of activities which may require law enforcement action.

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  • Takashimaya Singapore to sell Hera soon

    Takashimaya Singapore to sell Hera soon

    Korean beauty company Amore Pacific is to introduce its makeup and skincare brand Hera in Singapore with a counter at Takashimaya.

    Launching in April, the counter will offer not only Hera’s full range, but also its Homme line.

    Hera has been one of the main sponsors for Seoul Fashion Week in the past few years, and is fronted by Korean actress Gianna Jun of My Sassy Girl.

    Singapore is only the second country outside Korea after China to have Hera, as reported, , and a standalone store is planned for the third quarter of this year.

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  • Katrina brings So Pho to Shanghai; maiden outlet opened with Ajisen Group

    Katrina brings So Pho to Shanghai; maiden outlet opened with Ajisen Group

    Katrina Group Ltd. (“Katrina” or the “Group”), an established and recognised Food & Beverage (“F&B”) group specialising in multi-cuisine concepts and restaurant operations, today announced that it has opened its first So Pho restaurant in Shanghai under the joint venture (“JV”) company, So Pho International Limited, with Big Benefit Group Limited, a wholly-owned subsidiary of Ajisen (China) Holdings Limited (“Ajisen China”, and together with its subsidiaries, collectively, the “Ajisen Group”).

    The BaiLian Chuansha Shopping mall is located in Chuansha New Town in the Shanghai Pudong New Area. The Pudong area is a financial hub of modern China and one of the most populous districts in Shanghai. Nearby landmarks include the Port of Shanghai, the Shanghai Expo and Century Park, Zhangjiang Hi-Tech Park, Shanghai Pudong International Airport, the Jiuduansha Wetland Nature Reserve, and the Shanghai Disney Resort.

    The Group’s outlet in Shanghai is approximately 1,162 square feet with a seating capacity of 42. The location of its maiden outlet enhances the Group’s ability to raise the So Pho brand profile to a wider consumer mix, thus helping to pave the way for further expansion in the region.

    The Group has also opened three new restaurants in Singapore, one each in Causeway Point and Northpoint City under the brand name “So Pho” and one at Suntec City under the brand name “Streats”. The Group looks to complete the opening of its outlets at Marina One and West Mall by end-January2018, which will bring the total number of restaurants operated by the Group to 41. Adding to this, the Group has also signed agreements to open a “Streats” outlet in Tampines 1 and a “So Pho” outlet in Jewel Changi Airport.

    We have made good progress since our listing in July 2016, increasing our total number of restaurants by seven to 41 by end-January 2018. Although conditions have been less than favourable since we listed, we see some improvement in consumer sentiment. With the foundation that we have set, we believe that 2018 is a year with the potential for significant positive development for the Group.

    We will continue to persevere and look ahead for further opportunities to raise our profile and market position in the region.”

    The Group will continue to update the market as and when there are material developments to its business.

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  • Wakanui Grill Dining to open at Marina One

    Wakanui Grill Dining to open at Marina One

    New Zealand-themed restaurant Wakanui Grill Dining has opened its third international outlet – an 86-seat restaurant in a glass capsule on the fourth level of Marina One.

    Singapore is the second territory for Wakanui following the concept’s launch in Tokyo by ANZCO Foods Japan in 2011 (it now has two restaurants there). Its feature dishes are New Zealand Ocean Beef and Wakanui Spring Lamb, both grilled over Japanese Binchotan charcoal in a central open kitchen.

    Starters included clam soup, steamed green-lip New Zealand mussels, hot-smoked salmon, Kikorangi blue-cheese Caesar salad and Wakanui spring lamb chop. The company raises its lambs for about six months on lush pastures, with the mean being aged for around four weeks.

    Other menu features include the Ito Wagyu Chef Creation, plus – a favourite with New Zealanders – Hokey Pokey ice cream with its crunchy confectionery pieces.

    “Wakanui”, which is Maori for big canoe, is a rural centre in Canterbury, in New Zealand’s South Island.

  • Standard Chartered sets up digital innovation, fintech investment unit

    Standard Chartered sets up digital innovation, fintech investment unit

    Standard Chartered PLC has established a new business arm named SC Ventures, to drive digital innovation, invest in fintech and start-up companies and promote rapid testing and implementation of new business models.

    The new unit will focus on problem solving and spreading innovation best practices and client centric design, managing minority investments in FinTech companies and further investments in promising technologies and sponsor and oversee new disruptive technology ventures that are wholly or partially owned by Standard Chartered.

    SC Ventures will be headed by by Alex Manson, who is the Global Head of Transaction Banking.

    “Technology is at the heart of Standard Chartered’s strategy – driving efficiencies, increasing automation, introducing global platforms, reducing manual errors and strengthening how it combats financial crime,” the group said in a statement.

    In 2015, it announced it was investing about US$3 billion (RM11.9 billion) over three years in technology and systems.

  • Chinese smartphone maker Vivo is looking to arrive in Singapore soon

    Chinese smartphone maker Vivo is looking to arrive in Singapore soon

    Singaporeans are spoiled for choice when it comes to choosing a new smartphone, and it looks like Chinese smartphone maker Vivo is looking to make an impression in their purchasing decisions.

    In a Facebook post on Monday (Feb 15), Vivo announced that it would enter the Singapore market for the first time with its flagship V7+ and Y65 handsets.

    The plans have been brewing since October last year, when the company announced that it intended to bring its products into more markets as part of an international expansion, as reported.

    “Singapore is a key market for us and we want to establish our presence here,” said CEO of Vivo Singapore Mr Liu Hong Bin.

    He added that the company would bring in additional handset models in the coming months.

    Vivo’s flagship V7+ and Y65 handsets, which will be available in both gold and matte black, will be on sale from Jan 20 at mobile retail stores.

    Meanwhile, Vivo is still in talks with local telcos to bring the devices in through them sometime next month.

    The V7+ device packs a 16-megapixel primary camera on the rear and a 24-megapixel front shooter for selfies (we all need those killer selfies right?). It runs on Android 7.1 and is powered by a 3225mAh battery.

    The Y65 handset runs on the same OS, but has lower hardware specifications, such as a 5-megapixel front-facing camera and a 3000mAh battery.

    The Chinese smartphone maker has made a name for itself, even beating tech giants like Apple and Samsung to the punch with its in-display fingerprint scanning technology.

    Not forgetting to mention that that very innovation led to Vivo clinching the “Best of CES 2018” award from tech news blogs like Digital Trends.

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  • Sip on the world’s first blue wine at a blue-themed cafe in Clementi

    Sip on the world’s first blue wine at a blue-themed cafe in Clementi

    Blue wine. Guess it’s a thing now. Gik is the Spanish company that made waves in the wine industry over a year ago with its new concoction, which blends red and white grapes with organic pigments and flavors, resulting in a sweet, blue-tinted wine that has intrigued some and outraged others.

    Taste-wise, blue wine is said to be reminiscent of a cross between a wine cooler, a cocktail mixer, and juice. Obviously, it won’t really appeal to the snooty wine purist crowd, but if you’re rather liberal and adventurous when it comes to all things booze, perhaps you’d like to give it a go — if just for the ‘gram — ’cause it has finally made its way to our shores.

    Besides ordering bottles online ($55 each)  — on the official Singapore site or retail platforms like RedMart — and hosting blue wine-fuelled parties, you can also sip on the unusual drink at Blue Willow, a new blue-themed cafe in Clementi.

    Gik, a bright blue wine from Bierzo in northwest Spain made with red and white grapes.

    Brought to you by the team behind Fresh Fruits Lab and Harry Potter cafe Platform 1094, the bistro serves up glasses ($13) of the blue beverage for those who simply want to sample it to understand the hype. Apparently, the menu also offers other blue-hued options such as blue carbonara with sous vide egg and rocket leaves, blue pancakes with blue maple sago, blueberries, and butterfly pea, and a dome-shaped mousse cake that’s — surprise, surprise — a shade of blue.

    As for the blue wine itself, only time will tell whether it sticks around or winds up being just another novel millennial invention. Move over, pink rosé?

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  • Hubbed Signs Deal with DHL eCommerce to Launch New International Delivery Service

    Hubbed Signs Deal with DHL eCommerce to Launch New International Delivery Service

    HUBBED has recently partnered with DHL eCommerce to launch the latest and convenient international delivery service.

    HUBBED is currently offering competitive rates to sellers who are using eBay’s eCommerce platform— and will help them save at least 20 percent on HUBBED’s international standard rates.

    “We’ve partnered with HUBBED to offer you a competitive international shipping service with DHL eCommerce.” DHL Spokesperson

    This offer is only available to eBay sellers and will give them access to HUBBED locations for parcel drop-offs, HUBBED’s international standard rates, quick access to their eBayaccounts, and parcel tracking with email notification on their delivery.

    All rates include parcel tracking, PO Box delivery accepted, insurance coverage of up to $50, and email notifications. Special rates are only valid until 15 February 2018.

    eBay sellers need to link their store to HUBBED and start shipping orders in bulk in a few minutes.

    All import orders from their eBay account go directly into their HUBBED Parcels account. Sellers will then have to package their items, complete the transactions, and then generate their own consignment label.

    Once the packages are all set, sellers will then have to drop off their parcel at any of the 1000+ HUBBED locations near their area. They can track the parcel directly from their HUBBED account and will also receive email notifications for the items.

    Never miss any delivery with HUBBED

    HUBBED offers a much better way for retailers, customers, and carriers to deliver their parcels. They also provide hassle-free returns process at any of their locations.

    They also have the innovative technology solutions that can help you track and deliver your order easily. The company is currently working with several logistics company such as TOLL, BP, Couriers Please, Singapore Post, UPS, and many others.

    What do you feel about HUBBED’s partnership with DHL e-commerce? Share your thoughts down below.

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  • FairPrice and Grab to launch new subscription service

    FairPrice and Grab to launch new subscription service

    A subscription service is being planned by supermarket chain NTUC FairPrice and on-demand transportation/mobile payments platform Grab.

    They have signed a memorandum of understanding to embark on a joint initiative to complement the online-to-offline lifestyle of consumers by offering better value, convenience and access to goods and services.

    “Our strategic partnership with Grab signifies our ongoing efforts to cater to the evolving needs of the community,” says NTUC FairPrice CEO Seah Kian Peng.

    Grab Singapore group CEO/co-founder Anthony Tan says the partnership will offer its customers extra discounts and perks from FairPrice. “With both supermarket and transport services as part of this initiative, we are thrilled to provide greater cost savings and convenience.”

    A survey of more than 1000 customers between 20 and 40 years old has shown that 95 per cent are likely to subscribe to such services, while 56 per cent of respondents indicated they are not subscribed to a service. Groceries (69 per cent) and transport (54 per cent) also top the list of services they want from a subscription service.

    Consumers opting for the Grab/FairPrice subscription service will be offered exclusive savings, rebates and access to services on groceries and transport. It is targeted for launch this first quarter.

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  • Korea’s Caffe Bene sees the end

    Korea’s Caffe Bene sees the end

    Korean coffee chain Caffe Bene has collapsed, filing for a court-led restructuring scheme on Friday.

    Yonhap news service reports the court will soon decide whether to put the ailing coffee chain under its receivership or commence liquidation.

    The legal move follows a protracted slump and mounting losses, the company said. In 2016, the company lost about US$32 million on sales of $73 million, down 32 per cent on the previous year. At that time it operated 800 stores in Korea, a figure it said would shrink as it restructured, and about 50 in the US.

    Launched in 2008, Caffe Bene expanded to become one of South Korea’s largest coffee franchises, opening more than 1000 stores in five years, but lost ground in the saturated coffee market. While its US website claims it has opened 1600 stores worldwide, the exact number still trading is difficult to ascertain. It has opened in Vietnam, the US, China, Canada, Brunei, Singapore, Japan, Indonesia, the Philippines, Saudi Arabia, Malaysia, Cambodia and Mongolia.

    But the international foray has met with mixed success. The Cambodian store has already closed and the last Facebook post by the Singapore cafe is dated February last year. In Vietnam several stores have opened and closed, including its downtown flagship which drew huge queues when it opened in 2014. Three outlets remain trading there, but it is not clear if they are franchised or company-owned.

    The company also appears to have exited the Canadian market.

    While rapid growth in the consumption of brewed coffee drove up the Korean coffee industry’s overall expansion, Caffe Bene was unable to match the growth rate at home.

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  • Singapore’s UOB unveils digital advisory service

    Singapore’s UOB unveils digital advisory service

    UOBAM said in a statement that it has launched its own digital advisory service UOBAM Invest that bids to allow companies to manage their discretionary investments through the firm’s portfolio solutions and in some cases achieve results within a matter of minutes.

    According to UOBAM Singapore the new digital service is offered exclusively to UOB’s commercial banking clients, which are mainly medium-sized companies. The launch is the city state’s first digital advisory service for companies to manage their discretionary investments, UOB said.

    It will be offered to the bank’s other corporate clients, as well as to retail investors, and across UOBAM’s network in Asia, in subsequent phases.

    Through the service, clients will be able to submit their financial information, obtain their risk profile, and receive an investment portfolio proposal in minutes.

    The clients can choose to invest in the proposed portfolio or to adjust it.

    Thio Boon Kiat, group chief executive, UOBAM, said: “At UOBAM, we have observed our clients’ increasing preference to receive investment advisory and to manage their investments digitally. Using our proprietary screening methodology and asset allocation framework, we designed UOBAM Invest to meet the needs of these investors and to make our portfolio solutions easily accessible online.”

    Portfolio creation

    The portfolios will be created from a wide range of UOBAM-managed funds and global exchange-traded funds (ETFs) spanning various asset classes, such as equities, high-yield and investment-grade bonds, as well as money market and short-term fixed income.

    UOBAM Invest said that a conservative portfolio will typically comprise ETFs or unit trusts that are invested mainly in government bonds, money market and short-term fixed income. The most aggressive portfolio will largely consist of ETFs or unit trusts that are equities-based, and a small allocation to those that are focused on high-yield bonds.

    Eric Tham, head of UOB group commercial banking, said: “Our clients look to discretionary investments in various fund products to maximise their returns and to strengthen their balance sheets. However, as they focus on their day-to-day business operations, they may not be able to afford the time needed to choose and to track their investment portfolios closely. With UOBAM Invest, it is now more convenient for our clients to manage these investments with UOBAM.”

    Technology partner

    UOBAM’s technology partner on UOBAM Invest is FNZ Group, a global FinTech company specialising in providing multi-channel wealth management services to the financial services and wealth management sectors.

    UOB Asset Management Ltd (UOBAM) is a wholly-owned subsidiary of United Overseas Bank Limited. Established in 1986, UOBAM has been managing collective investment schemes and discretionary funds in Singapore for more than 30 years. As at 30 November 2017, UOBAM and its ubsidiaries manage about S$33.9bn (US$25.2bn) in clients’ assets. UOBAM has an extensive presence in Asia with regional business and investment offices in Malaysia, Thailand, Brunei, Taiwan and Japan.

  • Indian jeweller Malabar Gold & Diamonds to break a record

    Indian jeweller Malabar Gold & Diamonds to break a record

    Indian jewellery chain Malabar Gold & Diamonds today added 11 showrooms across six countries to its network.

    Taking its retail store count to 208, the showrooms include AMK Hub in Singapore, Ampang Mall in Malaysia and Warangal in Telangana, India. Other showrooms are in malls across the UAE. The brand has 90 showrooms in India, and last year opened 27 showrooms internationally.

    As well as another 50 showrooms in different formats internationally, the Malabar Group plans to add more manufacturing units this year, says chairman MP Ahammed. “This will fuel our vision to become the top jewellery retailer in the world.”

    The company will expand into new countries such as Brunei, Bangladesh, Sri Lanka and the US, says Malabar Gold international MD Shamlal Ahammed.

    The expansion will generate more employment and enhance such initiatives as the government’s Made In India, says Malabar Gold & Diamonds India MD O Asher. The group has earmarked 5 per cent of its annual profit for CSR activities in five key areas: housing, health, environment, women’s empowerment and education.

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  • Sa Sa International looking good, thanks to tourists

    Sa Sa International looking good, thanks to tourists

    Stronger store traffic drove overall sales for cosmetics retailer Sa Sa International for its third quarter to the end of December.

    This was in line with expectations, says the company.

    Total transactions increased by 5 per cent year on year to 5.1 million, while the number of transactions with local and mainland tourists grew 6.6 and 4.1 per cent respectively. The average transaction value also rose, by 4.2 and 2.8 per cent (to reach $367) respectively.

    The group’s total turnover grew by 6.5 per cent to HK$2.2 billion (US$281 million), led by Hong Kong and Macau where the growth was 8.1 per cent to reach $1.8 billion, while same-store sales increased by 3.7 per cent.

    Overall retail sales and same-store sales had 9.5 and 5.6 per cent growth respectively during December.

    Turnover in Mainland China, Singapore and Malaysia grew 13, 3.6 and 3.9 per cent respectively, while the turnover for Taiwan and e-commerce dropped by 5.5 and 21.9 per cent.

    Total turnover for the nine months to the end of December was $5.9 billion, up 3.4 per cent. For Hong Kong and Macau the figure was $4.8 billion, up 4.5 per cent.

    Same-store sales were flat for the nine months, while the average sales per transaction rose 3.3 per cent for to $343. There were 14 million transactions, up 1 per cent.

    At the end of December the company had 290 stores, no change from a year previously. However, the number of stores increased in Hong Kong and Macau (from 115 to 119), while there was a drop in Singapore (from 21 to 19) and in Taiwan (from 25 to 21). China and Malaysia had no change with 56 and 73 stores respectively.

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  • Say Chiizu stretchy cheese toast opening outlets across Singapore

    Say Chiizu stretchy cheese toast opening outlets across Singapore

    Thailand’s Say Chiizu cheese toast is stretching all the way to Singapore, with takeaway kiosks being set up at four malls next week.

    Its cheese is made on the company’s own farm in Thailand which has cows and machinery imported from Japan, hence its main product being called Hokkaido cheese toast. Its special formula combines three types of cheese to produce its special taste and super-stretchable texture.

    Its Hokkaido milk toast comes in five flavours: charcoal, chocolate, strawberry, matcha and original.

    As well as its toast, Say Chiizu offers snacks such as Pizza Cheese Fries, BBQ Pull Chicken/Pork Cheese Fries, Cheese Fries and Classic Fries.

    Its drinks line-up includes yuzu, matcha, strawberry and peach cheese teas.

    Say Chiizu’s first outlet opens at VivoCity on Monday, followed by 313 @ Somerset on Tuesday, White Sands Shopping Centre on Wednesday and The Clementi Mall on Thursday.

    The brand is aiming to open 10 outlets in SIngapore by the end of the year, including a sit-down cafe at Bugis next month.

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  • Café that Shuns Cash and Welcomes Bitcoin Opens in Singapore

    Café that Shuns Cash and Welcomes Bitcoin Opens in Singapore

    Cash is not accepted for coffee at Singapore’s Ducatus Cafe, which has officially opened at Oxley Tower on Robinson Road.

    Owned by cryptocurrency mining company Ducatus Global, the cafe does not take cash, depending on credit cards and, of course, cryptocurrencies – available through a special ATM in the store.

    However, in its latest Facebook posting, the cafe says its cryptocurrency ATM is temporarily out of service.
    Bitcoin is accepted as well as its own Ducatus coin, available via the Ducatus App which can be found in the Google Play Store. CEO Ronny Tome says there are plans to accept other cryptocurrencies soon.

    “The idea of developing the cafe was because we wanted to make sure people can use our Ducatus coins as well as bitcoins and other cryptocurrencies in day-to-day business.

    “Right now, cryptocurrencies are mostly used for speculation on markets…We want to make it part of our daily life,” he says.

    Also launched this month, the Ducatus coin is worth about 10 cents.

    The in-store cryptocurrency ATM is to enable customers to make cash-to-bitcoin deposits while waiting for their order. As well as coffee and snacks, the cafe sells branded gifts.

    Tome says he will open more cafes in Singapore. His initial cafe opened in Seminyak, Bali, on December 12, and he has plans to roll out the cafes in other countries as well as team up with hotels and travel agencies.

    Meanwhile, Tome is confident the virtual money industry will help national economies grow faster. He says governments should give cryptocurrency the chance to further grow.

    “Cryptocurrency and the underlying technology of blockchain will change the world. I’m 100 per cent sure of that – it’s here to stay.

    “I see only upsides, and it just requires all of us, all players, the government as well as businesses, to work together and find the best way of making use of this new amazing technology.”

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