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Tag: Singapore

  • Gentle Monster Singapore takes movie theme

    Gentle Monster Singapore takes movie theme

    A documentary movie has inspired the theme for Korean luxury eyewear brand Gentle Monster Singapore’s new store at Ion Orchard.

    By US director Ron Fricke, Samsara explores spirituality and the human experience. Key symbols from the 2011 film, a camel, lion and child, feature throughout the shop in intricate art installations, offering an immersive experience for customers.

    As they enter the store, shoppers are greeted by the camel, an installation comprising a futuristic spinning wheel with multiple threads and a camel-shaped prop that moves up and down.

    They then enter a darkened space featuring the lion, a sculpture made of tresses of hair surrounded by wall-mounted lion tails.

    In the final room is a platoon of rotating dolls and a throne in a lit setting of faux arches.

    Gentle Monster says the store explores the core philosophy of salvation introduced in Friedrich Nietzsche’s Thus Spoke Zarathustra 2, in which the German philosopher writes that salvation can be achieved only through overcoming one’s self. He describes the three transformations of the spirit as obedience, symbolised by the camel, with the lion for governance and child for complete freedom.

  • SaladStop! heading for Korea

    SaladStop! heading for Korea

    Established eight years ago, Singapore food brand SaladStop! is about to launch into Korea.

    It opens in Seoul next month, about the same time as its first non-Asia location, in Barcelona. The brand has 19 outlets across Singapore, 12 in the Philippines, three in Jakarta and four in Tokyo.

    Co-founded by Adrien Desbaillets and his father Daniel, SaladStop! Is still a family affair. At 36, Adrienne is president while Daniel, 67, is director and chairman. Daniel’s sister Katherine handles marketing while her Paris-born husband Frantz Braha is business development manager, spearheading overseas franchising.

    The Desbaillets are Swiss citizens who put down roots in Singapore 22 years ago. Daniel was previously a hotel executive. When Adrien returned to Singapore after working in China for a hotel investment company, he planned a chain of nutrition-conscious quick-service restaurants.

    However, the says affordable, wholesome and nutritious were three options rarely found together in one meal, and he guessed that expats like himself were “craving a good salad”.

    Father and son opened their first store in Marina Square, working with corporate chef Tony Tan.

    All overseas locations have more or less the same core combos, but franchise holders modify them to suit local preferences.

    In Singapore, the next stage of growth is a mobile app.

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  • Tata Comms trials live 360-degree video streaming

    Tata Comms trials live 360-degree video streaming

    Tata Communications and Formula 1 have conducted a test of truly live 360-degree video streaming at the 2017 Formula 1 Singapore Airlines Singapore Grand Prix.

    To-date, any 360-degree video experiments in sports have been hampered by a 30-second delay between the 360-degree video and live TV feeds, preventing a widespread adoption of the technology.

    This proof-of-concept by Tata Communications and Formula 1 is the first time when the live 360-degree video feeds and TV broadcast have been shown in complete sync.

    There were two 360-degree cameras at the Marina Bay Street Circuit in Singapore in the trackside and paddock to show how viewers at home could immerse themselves in the world of F1 and experience these exclusive areas through a virtual reality (VR) like environment via the Official F1 App.

    For example, during a Grand Prix build-up, fans could use their tablet to access a live 360-degree video feed from the paddock and see the biggest names in the sport. Or, during a race, as a driver pulls into the pits for a tyre change, fans could complement the action on TV with a 360-degree view of everything that is happening in the pit lane in real-time.

    The live video feeds from the two cameras were distributed from the Marina Bay Street Circuit in Singapore back to Europe using Tata Communications’ Media Ecosystem. This includes the Video Connect service, which brings together traditional video contribution and IP connectivity globally in the cloud, underpinned by Tata Communications’ global network.

    “Eliminating the delay in 360-degree video means that, for the first time, it’s possible to offer fans truly live 360-degree video experiences on a global scale,” said Mehul Kapadia, managing director of Tata Communications’ F1 Business.

    “This will enable sports and entertainment organisations to engage with their audiences in new ways and generate new revenue streams – helping the 360-degree video and VR market achieve its $60 billion potential,” said Kapadia.

  • Foody Vietnam sold to Singaporean firm

    Foody Vietnam sold to Singaporean firm

    Online restaurant directory Foody Vietnam has sold a majority stake to consumer internet group Sea Limited.

    Worth about US$64 million, the transfer was announced on a NYSE listing by Sea.

    Foody, which also accepts meal bookings and runs a delivery service, has announced that foreign entity Airview Investment of Singapore has taken an 82 per cent shareholding.

    Sea says it has acquired a Vietnamese food-delivery platform to help expand its payment platform AirPay, launched in Vietnam in 2014.

    “We intend to pursue strategic investment and acquisition opportunities in order to grow our user base, deepen our market penetration and further expand our offerings, including complementary services and products,” says Sea.

    Foody Vietnam was founded in 2012. Sea, valued at $3.75 billion, has already invested in Foody, as series-B investor in July 2015.

  • Shell starting to edge out 7-Eleven Singapore

    Shell starting to edge out 7-Eleven Singapore

    Convenience store chain 7-Eleven Singapore is about to divorce from oil company Shell after an 11-year partnership.

    Shell Singapore has started rebranding its petrol station convenience offer to align with its “long-term business strategy”. Retail general manager Aarti Nagarajan says this started with the launch of its Tampines Avenue 2 station in June.

    “A national revamp will take place in phases with the introduction of Shell Select and Deli by Shell”.

    Saying the move would allow it to focus on more profitable activities, Shell engaged 7-Eleven in 2006 to run its petrol station network in Singapore. It had nearly 70 stations then, but the number has dropped to 57.

    “We are committed to invest and grow our retail business in Singapore, which remains a strategic country for Shell,” says Nagarajan.

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  • DHL Supply Chain’s APAC head of marketing joins JLL

    DHL Supply Chain’s APAC head of marketing joins JLL

    Global real estate services firm JLL has appointed Ross Ballantyne (pictured) as head of corporate solutions marketing, Asia Pacific. Based in Singapore, Ballantyne will focus on driving marketing and engagement in JLL’s Future of Work framework, a “unique” outlook on the changing world of work and its impact on the next generation of real estate.

    He will report to Nicole Worthington, chief marketing officer, JLL Asia Pacific. Ballantyne was most recently the head of marketing, Asia Pacific at DHL Supply Chain for close to three years, and according to his LinkedIn, has been with the company for over seven years. As the head of marketing, he responsible for driving the marketing and external communications agenda across 14 countries in the region, to accelerate business growth and enhance customer retention rates.

    Prior to that, Ballantyne was marketing manager, North Asia for 10 months, during which he was responsible for coordinating marketing activities across China, Hong Kong, Japan, South Korea and Taiwan.

    He also created digital marketing campaigns to drive awareness of DHL Supply Chain’s service offering and new growth opportunities, via online advertising, LinkedIn and electronic direct mailers. At DHL Supply Chain, Ballantyne also took on the role of marketing manager for the automotive industry across Europe. He also worked at JP Morgan Chase.

    “We’re delighted to welcome Ross Ballantyne to JLL as head of corporate solutions marketing, JLL Asia Pacific. Ross’s extensive experience, gained both in the UK and Singapore, will be a great asset as we continue to develop and implement creative, innovative marketing strategies that deliver business growth and superior client experience,” Worthington said.

  • Japanese Farmers’ Market lands at Changi

    Japanese Farmers’ Market lands at Changi

    Hailed as a Singapore first, the Premium Japanese Farmers Market offers everything from seasonal vegetables and fruits to meat products and sake imported from Japan – in Changi Airport’s Terminal 3 departure hall.

    Some items, including egoma tea, a special sushi selection and wagyu sake, are new to Singapore.

    The store also offers ready-to-eat bento boxes by Go-Zen, which can be customised from a range of 25 ingredients including scallops, snow crab, ikura salmon roe, Niigata Japanese rice and wagyu beef.

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  • New store plus pop-up for Changi Airport

    New store plus pop-up for Changi Airport

    A new retail concept and a food pop-up were introduced at Singapore Changi Airport last month, which registered 5.27 million passenger movements, up 7 per cent from August last year.

    Mobile network company StarHub opened its first 24-hour outlet, with an airport lounge concept, in the public area of Terminal 3’s Basement 2. It offers a range of services including broadband, and mobile and cable TV services. It also offers business enterprise services such as corporate fibre broadband installation for airport tenants and partners.

    Meanwhile, a Mid-Autumn Festival Mini Food Hall in the transit area of Terminal 2 is offering mooncakes by 155 South Bridge, Peach Garden, Starbucks and Tai Chong Kok until October 5.

    Changi Airport caters for more than 100 airlines, connecting Singapore to about 380 cities in 90 countries and territories. With more than 7000 weekly scheduled flights, an aircraft takes off or lands at Changi roughly once every 90 seconds.

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  • Green Beacon Beer Introduced on Singapore Airlines

    Green Beacon Beer Introduced on Singapore Airlines

    Singapore Airlines will introduce Green Beacon Brewin beer on all business-class flights between Brisbane and Singapore, beginning October 1. The flights will offer the popular Teneriffe brewpub’s Wayfarer American Wheat Beer ale.

    Since opening in 2013, Green Beacon has extended business interstate, selling its beers in Melbourne, Sydney, Perth and the Northern Territory. Its products can be found in bars, bottle shops and restaurants, but now it’s literally taking off.

    “Singapore Airlines saw that business-class customers wanted a craft beer selection on their flights,” says Clarissa Wiederkehr, Green Beacon’s marketing coordinator. And she reckons it’s a great chance for the local brewery to reach a wider audience.

    The collaboration with Green Beacon is part of a Singapore Airlines initiative to source craft beers from local breweries in every state or capital city for their business-class menu.

    A pale ale from Margaret River’s Crazy Monkey Brewery will feature on Singapore Airlines flights from Perth. Melbourne and Sydney’s beers are expected to be announced soon.

  • Miffy the bunny to pop up at Kumoya Singapore

    Miffy the bunny to pop up at Kumoya Singapore

    Following its success with Sanrio character Cinnamoroll, Japanese-French cafe Kumoya Singapore is again transforming for a pop-up collaboration, this time featuring Dutch artist Dick Bruna’s cartoon bunny Miffy.

    As well as character-themed decor the menu will feature mains, desserts and beverages designed by food artist Shirley Wong of Little Miss Bento. She and Kumoya owner say they will continue with the character theming, with Miffy in house from October 5 to 31.

    Already Wong has a Miffy-themed English cookbook on sale at the halal-certified cafe and at bookstores.

    Items on the Miffy menu, include You, Me & Miffy Makes 3 Chicken Katsu Burger; Splashing Good Fun Japanese Seafood Curry Rice; Wonderfully Waffles with Karaage Chicken; Awesome Miffy Orange Sponge Cake; Double-Take Salted Caramel Cake; and

    Miffy Original Orange Soda.

    There will be a minimum spend of S$10 (US$7) a person, and dining times may be limited to 90 minutes.

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  • Singtel debuts unlimited mobile data plan

    Singtel debuts unlimited mobile data plan

    Singtel has launched what it says are Singapore’s first mobile plans with unlimited data, talktime and SMS, following a nationwide network upgrade to 500Mbps on compatible handsets.

    The operator’s new Singtel Combo 3, 6 and 12 mobile plans will be upgraded with unlimited talktime and SMS, will come with an optional add-on providing unlimited local data for S$39.90 ($29.68) per month. The price for the entry-level Combo 3 plan is S$68.90.

    The DATA X INFINITY add-on is subject to a fair use cap of 50GB above the data bundle allocated in the base plan (3GB, 6GB and 12GB respectively), after which data speeds will be capped at 1Mbps until the next billing cycle.

    Singtel also reserves the right to implement a daily fair use policy that prioritizes network data allocations away from heavy users.

    At launch, customers subscribing to the Combo 6 (S$95.90) and 12 plans will also be provided with a monthly free data roaming plan and will be able to bundle additional data roaming options to stay connected while overseas.

    “We recognise that our customers want flexibility and control over their mobile plans… With our nationwide network upgrade to 500Mbps supporting the latest iPhone 8 and iPhone X, as well as Samsung Note8, our customers can now enjoy the full potential of their devices at blazing speeds,” Singtel CEO consumer Singapore Yuen Kuan Moon said.

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  • BluGate broadens delivery options

    BluGate broadens delivery options

    Singapore startup Blu has introduced BluGate, a service that offers online shoppers more flexibility with deliveries.

    It has a network of 49 BluPort Parcel Terminals where shoppers can opt to pick up their purchases. These are situated in shopping malls, office buildings, Cheers convenience stores and Esso petrol stations.

    To use the service, shoppers sign up online for a BluGate account and buy BluTokens, available on demand or by plan. This gives them access to a virtual shipping address, corresponding to the parcel terminals.

  • The Lime Truck brings tacos to Suntec

    The Lime Truck brings tacos to Suntec

    Featuring fusion food, Californian chain The Lime Truck has parked one of its kitchens on wheels in Singapore – its first permanent site out of the US.

    At the PasarBella@Suntec City food hall, the stationary truck has a Mexican-inspired menu serving six varieties of taco as well as Singapore exclusives like fried chickenskin with chipotle honey drizzle and cheese. The Lime Truck also makes its own tortillas, a first for Singapore.

    There are also slushies, churros for dessert, and rice and salad bowls topped with grilled meat. There are also one-off daily specials.

    The truck initially appeared in Singapore at a pop-up event in Orchard Road three years ago as part of a charity initiative with Fiji Water, where more than 1000 tacos were sold out in two hours.

    Chef Daniel Shemtob launched The Lime Truck in 2010, expanding it from a single truck in Orange County, California, to five trucks in other cities in the state. He also has three restaurants in California, and came to cook at the truck’s Singapore launch.

    The Lime Truck won the second season of Food Network’s The Great Food Truck Race in 2011 and was placed on Yahoo’s Top 10 Trucks In America list for three years running from 2012.

    “There’s a hidden Asian element to a lot of the dishes, so it’s familiar but kind of different,” says Shemtob, who picked up his cooking skills “from the streets”. He started cooking when he was about six years old, learning from YouTube, cookbooks and “just messing around in the kitchen”.

    While regulations prevent the food truck from roving the streets as it does in California, Shemtob says he hopes it can make appearances at events such as the Formula One races.

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  • Singapore retail sales continue to rise

    Singapore retail sales continue to rise

    Real Singapore retail sales rose in July – but restaurants noticed a downturn.

    According to Statistics Singapore, retail sales (excluding motor vehicles) rose 2.2 per cent year-on-year for the month, to S$3.7 billion. Including motor vehicles, they rose 1.8 per cent.

    Against June, retail sales (excluding cars) rose 2. 6 per cent.

    Sales of food & beverage services declined 0.5 per cent in July, to an estimated total of $723 million.

    Compared to July 2016, retail sales by petrol service stations, of medical goods & toiletries, by department stores, of watches & jewellery, wearing apparel & footwear, computer & telecommunications equipment, recreational goods and at supermarkets increased between 0.1 per cent and 8.1 per cent in July.

    But sales of furniture & household equipment, by food retailers, mini-marts & convenience stores and of optical goods & books decreased between 1.2 per cent and 6.3 per cent.

    Turnover of restaurants decreased 5.8 per cent year-on-year in July. But, sales of fast food outlets, by food caterers and other eating places rose between 1.5 per cent and 7.1 per cent.

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  • SingPost Centre starts opening in phases

    SingPost Centre starts opening in phases

    The SingPost Centre mall has started opening in phases following the repurposing of space as part of an omni-channel e-commerce experience.

    The mall aims to offer convenience by bringing together retailers, customers and e-commerce last-mile fulfillment all under one roof.

    OCBC Investment Research says the mall will complete the omnichannel e-commerce experience involving both online and offline retailers.

    When fully opened, the mall is expected to produce S$17 million (US$12.6 million) a year in rental and property-related income.