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Tag: Singapore

  • 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.

  • Changi Airport Group partners with Alipay

    Changi Airport Group partners with Alipay

    Alipay and Changi Airport Group (CAG) have signed a strategic five-year partnership agreement to roll out the Alipay mobile payment option on a wide scale at the airport.

    They have also agreed to share marketing activities by offering customised and targeted shopping and dining offers to Chinese passengers using Alipay.

    Run by Ant Financial Services Group, Alipay has more than 520 million active users and is the first Chinese mobile payment partner for Singapore’s airport.

    Changi Airport’s yearly concession sales grew 5 per cent to hit another new high at S$2.3 billion (US$1.7 billion) last year, with travellers from China accounting for a third of all retail sales. The new mobile payment option will offer travellers more convenience when shopping and dining at the airport, including duty-free shops for cosmetics and perfumes, and wines and spirits.

    Progressively introduced at the airport since May, the Alipay mobile payment service is now available at more than 78 shopping and dining outlets. Under the joint marketing agreement, Alipay and CAG will collaborate to create information and promotions for passengers, as well as location-based information about shopping and dining options at the airport.

    Alipay will also partnering CAG in the eighth season of the “Be a Changi Millionaire” anchor shopping promotion. Shoppers who use Alipay as a payment mode will double their chances of winning the $1 million cash prize or an all-new Volvo S90 luxury sedan.

    “Changi Airport provides a myriad of customised services for our Chinese travellers including our Mandarin-speaking shopping concierge services and Chinese version of the airport’s online shopping portal,” says CAG senior VP for airside concessions Teo Chew Hoon.

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  • Changi T4 to commence operations on 31 October 2017

    Changi T4 to commence operations on 31 October 2017

    Changi Airport Group (CAG) today announced that the new terminal four (T4) at Changi airport is scheduled to commence operations on 31 October  2017.

    This follows the recent successful conclusion of major trials, with a small number of checks and reviews to be completed in the final phase of the preparations.

    As reported, the new T4, hailed as a shopping and dining haven, will comprise more than 80 retail and food and beverage outlets featuring popular brands and unique experiential zones.

    The unique integrated duty-free zone, covering liquor and tobacco (DFS Group) and cosmetics and perfumes (Shilla Duty Free) — both companies triumphed in the hotly contested core category tenders in 2014, which covers T4 — allows shoppers to pay for purchases at common counters.

    To ensure a smooth transition of flight operations from the existing terminals, the operations of the nine T4 airlines—the AirAsia Group (of four airlines), Cathay Pacific Airways, Cebu Pacific Air, Korean Air, Spring Airlines and Vietnam Airlines—will be shifted to T4 over one week.

    Cathay Pacific and Korean Air will move over on Tuesday 31 October 2017, Cebu Pacific Air and Spring Airlines on Thursday, November 2 and AirAsia Group and Vietnam Airlines on Tuesday, November 7.

    The first arrival and departing flights at T4 will be operated by Cathay Pacific—CX659 from Hong Kong and CX650 to Hong Kong respectively.

    Since October 2016, CAG has collaborated with its airport partners to prepare T4 for flight operations.

    This began with table-top exercises to develop the standard operating procedures and later progressed to ground deployment exercises to familiarize staff with the new terminal and processes.

    Volunteers from the airport community and members of the public were invited to role-play as passengers to test the critical airport systems and processes.

    These included the Fast and Seamless Travel (FAST) self-service options at check-in, bag-drop, immigration and boarding, as well as security screening, baggage handling, flight information, ground transport, way-finding and transfer processes.

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  • In Good Company expands to the Philippines

    In Good Company expands to the Philippines

    Singapore-based fashion label In Good Company has expanded into the Philippines with its first shop in The SM Store Makati.

    The store, located on level 2, offers all seasonless clothing, classic silhouettes and accessories.

    In Good Company also brings its latest collection called Capsule 11. Using draping techniques, the collection is inspired by the 80s and 90s trends.

    “We explored new shapes and draping techniques that create more movement and dimensionality, as well as new hardware such as oversized grommets, hanging ties and d-rings that give the capsule a modern utilitarian look, in an ultra-wearable way,” said creative director and co-founder Sven Tan.

    Besides the Philippines, In Good Company has recently launched in Dubai at Robinsons Department Store.

    The brand also has standalone lifestyle stores in Hong Kong, Indonesia and Thailand

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  • Singtel to close copper-based ADSL networks

    Singtel to close copper-based ADSL networks

    Singtel has revealed plans to progressively shut down its copper-based ADSL networks as part of a push to accelerate fiber based service adoption to business and residential customers.

    The operator will shut down copper-based ADSL that supports broadband, TV, digital voice and private network services in stages during a process expected to be completed by early 2018.

    In addition, Singtel plans to cease copper deployment to commercial buildings that obtain temporary occupation permit (TOP) status from April 2018, and instead serve customers in the buildings using fiber-based networks. The company stopped deploying copper to new residential buildings in 2013.

    “We are pleased to make this technology adoption push in support of today’s digital economy and tomorrow’s connected Smart Nation. Fiber-based networks today [are] capable of offering far greater speeds and supporting a much wider range of services than the prevailing copper-based networks,” Singtel VP of consumer products for consumer Singapore Wong Soon Nam said.

    “Singtel will work closely with relevant stakeholders to ensure our customers will enjoy a smooth and fuss-free transition to the fiber network. We will also reach out to customers through various channels to make sure they are informed of the impending change and make available a range of affordable plans to cater to their varied communication needs.”

  • Orchard Road to gain design incubator

    Orchard Road to gain design incubator

    A “design incubator” to showcase home-grown brands and designers will open in the heart of Orchard Road by the end of next year.

    This was revealed by Trade and Industry Minister S Iswaran at the Singapore Retail Industry Conference on Friday.

    He said the design incubator, to be run by retailer Naiise, will house a retail showcase and incubation space under one roof. It is expected to feature more than 60 local brands covering fashion, lifestyle products and souvenirs, and is being supported by the Singapore Tourism Board, Spring Singapore and JTC. Helping local brands go global is one of the key strategies of the Retail Industry Transformation Map launched last year.

    Local brands and designers may soon also be able to use department stores as a launchpad to showcase their products, boost their profile and expand market access. Iswaran said Spring is working with department stores to explore the incubation of local and regional designers.

    Also, the Singapore Retail Association (SRA) is embarking on a project under Spring’s Local Enterprise and Association Development Plus (Lead+) program to transform and upgrade its capabilities, the minister said. It will undertake specific initiatives to drive the adoption of retail and backend technologies among retailers, including the use of the “endless aisle” which enables retailers to showcase all their products without having to stock them in their physical stores.

    SRA will develop a website mobile portal and enhance its GoSpree shopping app launched in June.

    Government agencies are also looking at ways to enliven Orchard Road as a shopping and lifestyle destination, said Iswaran. He said a steering committee overseeing this has been set up, co-chaired by three government ministers.
    Other initiatives on the table include enhanced programming along the pedestrian malls, pop-up and permanent activations at available spaces, and making the shopping belt more pedestrian friendly.

    Iswaran said the retail industry is an important part of the republic’s economy. The sector comprises 23,000 retail establishments that chalk up about S$35 billion (US$26 billion) in annual receipts and contributed 1.4 per cent to Singapore’s GDP last year.

    As another resource for retailers, the Retail Centre of Excellence will be launched at the Singapore Management University’s Lee Kong Chian School of Business next month. It will partner retailers in addressing the gaps and challenges of the fast-changing retail landscape, Iswaran said.

  • Singtel adds HOOQ to OTT video portal app

    Singtel adds HOOQ to OTT video portal app

    Singtel has expanded its OTT video portal app CAST to incorporate the video on demand streaming service HOOQ.

    HOOQ, a joint venture between Singtel, Sony Pictures Entertainment and Warner Bros, has a library of over 20,000 movies and TV series. It has launched across SEA and in India.

    Movies are available on the platform up to 90 days after cinema release, and TV series are telecast on the same day as the US.

    With its incorporation into CAST, the HOOQ content library can now be viewed on mobile devices, tablets or TV screens through Android TV or Chromecast.

    CAST users will be offered a three-month trial of HOOQ, after which they can subscribe on a 12-month contract for S$4.90 per month.  Access can also be purchased contract-free for S$7.90 per month.

    “Hollywood, Asian and kids’ content are extremely popular with our customers. We are pleased to offer HOOQ’s vast selection in the palm of their hands or comfort of their own homes,” Singtel managing director home consumer Goh Seow Eng said.

    “We will continue to expand CAST’s content library for our customers’ enjoyment.”

  • World debut for GrabPay retail payment in Singapore

    World debut for GrabPay retail payment in Singapore

    Grab plans to work with more than 1000 retailers in Singapore as it expands its business base from its ride-hailing app into e-payments, via GrabPay.

    The company has already expanded its payment services from allowing passengers to use GrabPay instead of cash when riding in Grab cars and taxis to letting friends and family members transfer cash to each other.

    Now it wants customers to buy goods, book cinema tickets and order food using the app.

    GrabPay chief Jason Thompson told the Straits Times that its primary target is hawker stalls and small retailers who do not currently accept cashless payments.

    “Rolling out peer-to-peer transfer first makes it easier for consumers. First, I am able to pay someone I trust, and the next step is paying a merchant with the same steps,” he said.

    “Our wallets already exist in Singapore and are already being used everyday here. We’re just allowing them to use it more,” he said.

    Singapore will be the first country in which GrabPay will operate outside its own ecosystem.  Payments will be facilitated by customers scanning QR codes on their mobile devices.

  • Digital Private Bank Hits Singapore

    Digital Private Bank Hits Singapore

    Another digital wealth manager is poised to enter the Singapore market. How does the newest entrant seek to grab market share off rivals?

    Kristal will launch in Singapore on Thursday, as reported. The city-state would be the wealth manager’s third market, after Hong Kong and India.

    The platform allows investors to pick and choose investment strategies – so-called Kristals – among independent advisers and portfolio managers.

    With the glut of digital efforts hitting the market, how is Kristal carving itself a niche?

    «Sandbox» Shield

    It is meant to service mass affluent clients who are not getting the service that they want today from their wealth managers and private bankers,» co-founder Asheesh Chanda said.

    Kristal will operate under a shielded «sandbox» permit offered as a regulatory light-touch testing ground for start-ups which allows them to take a limited amount of client money.

    DBS and Cyberport Ties

    Kristal already manages an undisclosed amount of funds from retail and affluent clients, and says it will keep working on a machine-learning algorithm to feed its own strategies for its portfolios.

    «We expect to exit the sandbox in nine months and then we have to decide what kind of licence we take,» Chanda said.

    Kristal completed a «pre-accelerator» program backed by DBS last year, and is part of Cyberport’s incubation in Hong Kong this year.

    Interactive Brokers, Saxo Bank

    Clients can invest as little as S$1,000 in exchange-traded funds for equities, bonds, foreign exchange, options and futures.

    Kristal’s fees hinge on investment strategies: bond portfolios are cheap, while an alternative investment-heavy one will cost more, Chanda said.

    Kristal uses Interactive and Saxo Bank in Singapore and Hong Kong for execution and as asset custodians. 

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  • Singapore Airlines: new first class, business class launch Nov 2

    Singapore Airlines: new first class, business class launch Nov 2

    Singapore Airlines will reveal its all-new Airbus 380 first class suites and business class seats on November 2, ahead of the delivery of the first of five new super jumbos to join the fleet.

    The Star Alliance member will unveil the new products at an international media launch held in Singapore.

    Also tipped for the grand reveal are new designs for premium economy and economy class, resulting in a tip-to-tail refresh for the decade-old design of the A380s.

    The new seats are expected to be retrofitted to most of Singapore Airlines’ existing A380 fleet.

    As previously reported, the new first class suites will be larger than their current counterparts, although there’ll be fewer of them – with between six and eight suites on the new birds, down from 12 today, although there’s speculation that the airline could also offer an oversized 1A ‘apartment’ suite.

    First class will also be relocated to the upper deck, instead of the nose of the superjumbo’s main deck.

    Arrayed behind those suites will be redesigned business class seats which will stretch all the way to the end of the upper deck.

    (This same business class seat will also appear on a new ultra-long range version of the Airbus A350 due in late 2018, which Singapore Airlines will use to restart non-stop flights from Singapore to Los Angeles, New York and a third as-yet-unnamed US destination.)

    Sydney is still believed to be earmarked as a launch route for the new Airbus A380, with London to follow.

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  • Virtual Closet offers interactive approach to fashion

    Virtual Closet offers interactive approach to fashion

    In a first for Singapore, The Shoppes at Marina Bay Sands has unveiled an interactive concept, the Virtual Closet.

    Located on the Grand Colonnade of The Shoppes, it is an interactive platform enabling shoppers to browse the latest collections from Burberry, Dolce & Gabbana and Tom Ford. Each brand showcases its collections for at least a fortnight, with the closet closing its doors on October15.

    Set up to resemble a walk-in wardrobe, the Virtual Closet has interactive digital mirrors offering a 360-degree view of selected products. Visitors can interact with the display cases and mirrors to switch colours and designs clothing items and accessories.

    A feature is a multi-sensory photo booth where shoppers can choose a projected background and audio soundtrack as they pose for selfies. Those who upload their image on social media can win treats from restaurants at The Shoppes or Marina Bay Sands’ celebrity-chef restaurants.

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