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Tag: Singapore

  • Singapore’s MyRepublic enters Indonesia with fiber Internet services

    Singapore’s MyRepublic enters Indonesia with fiber Internet services

    It would seem that Singapore-based startup Internet provider MyRepublic has just launched operations in a new market: Indonesia.

    A quick look at MyRepublic’s Singapore website now shows Indonesia listed as one of the countries of operation along with Singapore and New Zealand. The New Zealand operation launched in October last year.

    MyRepublic’s Indonesian site is also live in Bahasa Indonesia and lists nine retail locations in areas such as Palembang and Surabaya.

    MyRepublic plans

    The site lists prices for all. The cheapest fiber optic plan is the Basic, which retails at US$15, while the most expensive plan Supernova retails at about US$70.

    It should be noted that the Supernova plan has a maximum download speed of 300Mbps, as opposed to the 1Gbps maximum speed MyRepublic customers in Singapore enjoy.

    This move into Indonesia, however, does not come as a surprise as one of the company’s investors, the Sinar Mas Group (who in May of 2014 invested US$3.5 million) is based in Indonesia.

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  • GigaMedia snaps up StrawberryNet.com

    GigaMedia snaps up StrawberryNet.com

    Taiwan’s GigaMedia, a web-based video games and computing providers supplier, is to purchase 70 per cent  of worldwide eCommerce cosmetics retailer Strawberry Cosmetics.

    Taipei-based, Singapore-listed GigaMedia can pay about US$93.1 million for the stake.

    Strawberry Cosmetics owns and operates the web site StrawberryNET.com and the associated cellular software. It has a complete gross sales and distribution community masking main nations worldwide, with growing enterprise in Asia, is translated into 38 languages and has a worldwide buyer base of greater than three million.

    Strawberry Cosmetics has additionally established a worldwide sourcing community of a complete vary of magnificence merchandise with greater than 700 manufacturers and 30,000 SKUs.

    During the last 4 years the web site has achieved annual gross sales exceeding $200 million, largely in Oceania, the US and Europe.

    GigaMedia believes Strawberrynet.com has vital progress potential in Asia.

    “As Strawberry Cosmetics is a longtime and confirmed eCommerce platform with an present buyer base, the corporate is of the view that the transaction would assist diversify the corporate’s general enterprise dangers and broaden the corporate’s enterprise portfolio within the web and know-how sector and permit the corporate to faucet into the quick rising magnificence and cosmetics eCommerce market,” GigaMedia stated in a press release.

    It sees potential vital synergies from leveraging its IT, on-line and offline advertising, in addition to its native connections in numerous Asian nations together with China, Japan and South Korea.

    GigaMedia’s on-line video games enterprise is an progressive chief in Asia with rising recreation improvement, distribution and operation capabilities, in addition to platform providers for video games; focus is on cellular video games and social on line casino video games. The Firm’s cloud computing enterprise is concentrated on offering enterprises in Higher China with essential communications providers and IT options that improve flexibility, effectivity and competitiveness.

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  • Louis Vuitton rescues Jones the Grocer model

    Louis Vuitton rescues Jones the Grocer model

    Louis Vuitton’s personal fairness arm L Capital Asia has purchased the stays of collapsed Singapore gourmand meals retailer Jones the Grocer.

    The upmarket grocery retailer was initially based in Australia, however collapsed final yr. It has shops on Dempsey Hill and in Mandarin Gallery.

    L Capital Asia had taken a 63 per cent stake within the Singapore arm of the enterprise, Jones the Grocer Worldwide, (JTGI), three years in the past, believing the model and idea had robust potential in Asia. However it was positioned beneath judicial administration in December.

    The Singapore Enterprise Occasions reported the corporate had money owed of $15 million and a financial institution stability of $61,000 on the time.

    Recent Bay Investments, a subsidiary of L Capital Asia, has paid S$2.75 million for the model rights and different belongings of the enterprise, however not the debt, probably angering some suppliers. Singapore information media report L Capital has already acquired the worldwide model rights from the Australian firm which it additionally has a majority stake in.

    In addition to its unique funding, and final week’s $2.75 million for the shell, Recent Bay has reportedly ploughed an extra $17 million into maintaining the enterprise afloat till now.

    L Capital Asia managing companion Ravi Thakran informed AsiaOne Enterprise that his firm knew the Jones the Grocer enterprise greatest and was subsequently the only option to rebuild the model.

  • Sa Sa gross sales up, revenue trimmed

    Sa Sa gross sales up, revenue trimmed

    Hong Kong-based magnificence merchandise retailer Sa Sa has elevated gross sales regardless of the home market challenges.

    The group’s complete turnover elevated by 2.7 per cent from HK$eight.756 billion to HK$eight.993 billion within the yr to March 31.

    Retail gross sales in Hong Kong and Macau elevated by three.three per cent to HK$7.259 billion. However revenue slipped 10.three per cent to HK$838.eight million.

    The high-profile chain added a internet seven shops through the yr taking its community to 287, including only one in Hong Kong.

    In a telling signal of the problem dealing with Hong Kong retailers, because the demographic profile of Mainland Chinese language guests modifications, the variety of transactions in Hong Kong and Macau shops rose by 6.eight per cent, however the common ticket worth fell three.three per cent.

    “To put these figures in context, the variety of transactions of Mainland China vacationers elevated by 17.four per cent, whereas common gross sales worth per ticket decreased by 11.three per cent,” Sa Sa stated in its annual outcome.

    “The variety of transactions by native shoppers declined barely by 2.four per cent with a mean spending improve of four.three per cent. Briefly, gross sales progress for as soon as lagged behind the market.”

    In 2014, Mainland vacationer arrivals rose by a gentle 16 per cent. Similar day customer arrivals have been nonetheless the main engine of progress with a rise of 19.1 per cent, elevating gross sales in non-tourist areas, notably within the New Territories close to the border with the remainder of China.

    “Nevertheless, this was offset by an 11.three per cent drop within the common ticket gross sales of Mainland vacationer clients, which in flip was attributable to the weaker buying energy of vacationers originating from decrease tier cities and having much less spending functionality. One other issue was the growing demand for lower cost level merchandise, similar to Korean merchandise, which nonetheless diluted gross sales progress though driving retailer visitors.”

    Sa Sa stated, as well as, there was a better gross sales combine from day trippers whose spending is usually decrease than in a single day vacationers.

    “The change in consumption patterns was additional exacerbated by the rise of cross border eCommerce, which facilitated a lot quicker market penetration of cheaper and quick to market Korean merchandise with ideas which might be nicely appreciated by Asians, and particularly the more and more prosperous Chinese language shoppers.”

    Whereas Sa Sa reported 10.2 per cent retail gross sales progress within the first half of the fiscal yr, gross sales have been dragged by weaker shopper sentiment within the second half. Gross sales progress slowed within the third quarter and additional deteriorated within the fourth quarter with March 2015 being particularly weak due to anti-parallel items merchants incidents in residential areas, turning an in any other case constructive January to February two months’ interval into destructive territory for the fourth quarter.

    “As well as, the appreciation of the US greenback and the relative power of the Renminbi and Hong

    Kong greenback inspired extra Mainland vacationers to journey to markets with weaker currencies resembling Europe and South Korea. The relief of visa insurance policies by different nations strengthened their

    attractiveness to Mainland vacationers, whereas robust outbound travelling led to weaker native spending.”

    Sa Sa stated the Occupy Motion and anti-parallel items merchants incidents in Hong Kong broken Hong Kong’s profile and discouraged vacationers whereas additionally inflicting a drop in gross sales to native clients.

    Sa Sa’s general gross revenue margin dropped from 46.6 per cent to 44.eight per cent resulting from extra promotions being launched to drive gross sales in a slower market.

  • IKEA to furnish Temasek Polytechnic students with retail lessons

    IKEA to furnish Temasek Polytechnic students with retail lessons

    Furniture giant IKEA will turn into a giant classroom for some Temasek Polytechnic students, after IKEA Singapore launched a three-year partnership with the school on Monday.

    A joint press release by IKEA and TP said this long-term partnership is a first for Singapore’s retail industry and puts IKEA in line with the Government’s SkillsFuture programme. As part of the collaboration, IKEA will provide input across three years of TP’s Retail Management Diploma course.

    IKEA’s Learning and Development team will give classroom lectures, as well as an in-store lesson for second-year students. There will also be a real-time business challenge project for third-year students. This year, the project involves spending four months working on a campaign for the new IKEA METOD Kitchens. IKEA will offer internships that will provide students with a mentor and 12-weeks of hands-on experience in four key departments – Sales, Communications & Interior Design, Customer Relations and Logistics.

    The partnership will see an IKEA Innovation Award presented to a graduating student with the best grades. IKEA and TP named Ms Cheong Say En, who has a Grade Point Average of 3.99, as this year’s winner of the inaugural award. She takes home IKEA furnishings worth S$1,500 and complimentary space planning consultation.

    “TP is glad to collaborate with IKEA Singapore to enhance the level of professional retail training for our students,” said Mr Daniel Yeow director of the School of Business at TP.

    “The IKEA store will be transformed into an ‘external classroom’ where our students will understudy and be mentored by IKEA co-workers. Together, TP and IKEA will create a learning platform for the students to hone their industry-relevant skills as well as to acquire first-hand experience in retailing,” he added.

    Ms Jing Li, Deputy Store Manager at IKEA Tampines said: “This partnership will elevate Singapore’s retail industry by building much needed skills and giving students an inside look at one of the world’s most successful retail operations.”

    “At the same time, we hope this programme will help us to cultivate the next generation of leaders –  exposing young people to long-term career possibilities in everything from sales and customer service to supply logistics and goods flow management,” she added.

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  • Buffalo Wild Wings critical about Asia

    Buffalo Wild Wings critical about Asia

    US informal eating chain Buffalo Wild Wings is within the means of securing grasp franchisees in at the very least six extra Asian nations as its first foray into the area pays off.

    In January BWW opened its first restaurant within the continent, in Manila, in partnership with Philippines grasp franchisee The Bistro Group. That restaurant, in Estancia Mall at Capitol Commons in Pasig Metropolis, proved so profitable inside its first few months two extra websites are beneath improvement already because the rollout plan is accelerated. These eating places will open in Glorietta and Uptown Mall.

    Buffalo Wild Wings CEO, Sally Smith informed Inside Retail Asia in an interview the corporate will probably be signing a grasp franchise settlement in Vietnam in a fortnight with the primary BWW outlet scheduled to open there someday subsequent yr.

    A separate franchise settlement has been concluded for a area in India with the primary restaurant there more likely to be buying and selling inside as little as six months.

    Smith was in Hong Kong this week for talks with suppliers and potential companions and advised Inside Retail Asia the corporate is already speaking with potential companions in Singapore, Malaysia, Thailand and Indonesia. She has additionally been taking a primary hand take a look at the Hong Kong eating scene with a view to contemplating enlargement there, too.

    However she gained’t be dashing into any of those markets.

    “One of many issues that’s necessary to us is discovering the fitting associate, so we’re going to take our time. We need to ensure that our associate understands our enterprise, that they perceive our model and that they share the identical values as we do.

    “Once we choose a companion, they go to us within the US, they practice within the US they usually go to a lot of shops in order that they see how we function – that’s all earlier than they turn out to be a associate.

    “We’re in search of nice franchise companions,” stated Smith. Not simply anybody with a cheque guide.

    Native challenges

    Smith says when getting into a brand new market, BWW understands the necessity to tailor its menu and pricing factors accordingly. Concentrating on locals relatively than expats or vacationers, Smith says the model is lifelike and trusts its franchise companion to work with it on each fronts.

    In Manila, probably the closest Asian market when it comes to dietary habits to North America, BWW has added rice to its menu and it’s contemplating a steak sandwich to satisfy native demand.

    “We definitely work to think about native flavours locals are in search of. However others nonetheless need that genuine Buffalo Wild Wings expertise,” Smith stated.

    In Vietnam, the place the ‘center class’ by definition is on an revenue as little as US$500 a month, BWW is about for an extended, affected person progress cycle.

    “I used to be in Vietnam final yr and I used to be very excited. The overall inhabitants is rising and there’s some nice information on the financial entrance. However we’ll take our time constructing out Vietnam and we’ll attempt to not overbuild.”

    Smith says the franchise companion there’s already evaluating actual property choices.

    A key think about BWW’s portability into new markets is that hen is an accepted a part of the weight-reduction plan in most elements of the world – and sport captures the eye too.

    A key element of the BWW idea is stay sport, with giant screens within the eating places encouraging dwell time. Within the US and the Philippines, American Soccer, basketball and ice hockey are staples on the sports activities menu; in Southeast Asia it is going to be English Premier League. Smith stated in the course of the Superbowl remaining early this yr the Manila restaurant opened early and queues shaped of locals eager to eat and benefit from the match.

    The corporate can also be testing know-how options that may allow clients in its eating places to take part in on-line social gaming, enjoying towards clients of different eating places in the identical nation.

    Buffalo Wild Wings already boasts 1094 eating places serving 21 signature flavors of Buffalo, New York-style hen wings. Its foray into the Philippines was its first step outdoors the Americas.

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  • Singapore attire market stagnant

    Singapore attire market stagnant

    The Singapore attire market progress has been nearly stagnant since 2010 based on a brand new market report.
    The Singaporean attire retail business had complete revenues of US$2.four billion in 2014, representing a compound annual progress fee (CAGR) of 1.6 per cent between 2010 and 2014.
    However the report, Attire Retail in Singapore, forecasts CAGR of two.9 per cent for the five-years from 2014 to 2019, which might drive the business to a worth of $2.eight billion by the top of 2019.
    The womenswear phase was the business’s most profitable in 2014, with complete revenues of $1 billion, equal to 42.9 per cent of the business’s general worth.
    The business profile, one in every of a collection of reviews on Asian attire retail markets, is out there to buy on-line.
    It accommodates descriptions of the main gamers together with key monetary metrics and evaluation of aggressive pressures inside the market.
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  • Singapore greets Apple Watch with a shrug

    Singapore greets Apple Watch with a shrug

    In tech-savvy Singapore, new Apple products typically trigger snaking lines spanning multiple blocks, but the Apple Watch got short shrift.

    When stores on the city’s Orchard shopping district opened their doors at 9am, a group of around 40 had gathered at the iconic ION mall. Across the street, around 15 people were milling outside Paragon’s iStudio store while a crowd of around 25 lined up outside luxury watch store The Hour Glass.

    Because Singapore doesn’t have an Apple retail store, only select authorized re-sellers are allowed to carry the Cupertino giant’s products.

    “I was expecting a much longer queue, so this is good news for me,” exclaimed Mario Dinata, a mobile engineer waiting in line at iStudio.

    Indeed, the turnout pales in comparison to previous Apple launches in the wealthy Southeast Asian city-state. Last September, hundreds of fans queued for the iPhone 6 days before the official launch after slots for online pre-orders vanished in mere minutes.

    The smartwatch only becomes available on Apple Singapore’s online store on Friday afternoon and phone inquiries have been minimal in the past week, according to employees at the iStudio store.

    As an app developer, Dinata says he’s often first in line for the newest Apple toys so he can test it out before his competitors. “This is definitely much smaller than previous lines,” he said, smiling.

    None of the stores were able to provide a sales update by mid-morning, but judging by a brief survey of people in line, the Apple Watch Sport was by far the most in demand out of the three models.

    The 38mm Sport retails for $349, versus $549 for the Apple Watch. Local pricing of the third option, the luxury Apple Watch Edition crafted from 18-karat gold, remained unconfirmed by Friday morning.

    “If I had the money, I would buy the Edition model any day over a luxury Swiss watch,” remarked 56-year old Mrs. Li, who declined to give her first name. “I’m buying the Sport today since it’s the cheapest one available. I’m an Apple fan, so I have to get the Watch. I have all their other products.”

    The device has already hit the market elsewhere in the region following an April launch in Japan, China and Hong Kong. Aside from Singapore, the watch also goes in sale in six other countries Friday, including South Korea and Taiwan.

    Rob Enderle, president and principal analyst at technology advisory Enderle Group, doesn’t expect much hype going forward.

    “The Watch has one problem the iPhone didn’t have. Kids have stopped using watches some time ago, so Apple has to undo this perception that watches are for old folks and out of date,” he told CNBC. “This will likely go through three versions before reaching its stride, if it ever does.”

    Apple CEO Tim Cook has remained silent on global sales thus far, but 2.8 million units may have been sold since its April debut, Slice Intelligence told Reuters earlier this month.

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  • Gordon Ramsay opens Marina Bay Sands eatery

    Gordon Ramsay opens Marina Bay Sands eatery

    TV superstar chef Gordon Ramsay has opened a brand new eatery at Singapore’s Marina Bay Sands complicated.

    Bread Road Kitchen restaurant and bar gives basic British European fare in a energetic and bustling area dealing with the spectacular waterfront.

    Situated on the south promenade of The Shoppes at Marina Bay Sands, the restaurant options an in depth menu that showcases British favourites reinvented by the multi-Michelin starred chef on the model’s London flagship.

    Ramsay stated he’s excited to open in Singapore as a result of its individuals are so enthusiastic about meals.

    “Bread Road Kitchen is a mixture of classic and trendy with an ever-changing menu, dishes impressed by native elements, and a lovely view of the waterfront and metropolis skyline.”

    Ramsay’s eatery joins 9 different movie star chef eating places in Marina Bay Sands: Adrift by David Myers, CUT by Wolfgang Puck, db Bistro & Oyster Bar by Daniel Boulud, Lengthy Chim by David Thompson, Osteria and Pizzeria Mozza by Mario Batali, Sky on 57 by Justin Quek, Spago by Wolfgang Puck (upcoming) and Waku Ghin by Tetsuya Wakuda.

    Designed by Wilson Associates’ Blueplate Studios, the two-storey restaurant and bar stays true to the model’s East London industrial roots. Nevertheless, the design group reinvented sure model parts to create a definite sense of place, beginning with the flooring and ceilings. The black and white tiled flooring are reworked into abstracted geometric patterns that add “a unusual playfulness” to the venue and assist distinguish the totally different eating environments. The ceilings on the bottom degree – resembling a woven orange checkered board – deliver heat and dimension to the glass enclosure.

    To additional obtain the eclectic industrial vibe, the furnishings, finishes and fixtures are a mixture of classic and trendy influences. Uncovered pipework, wire mesh, black mirrors, and vintage-inspired lighting and equipment complement the tufted banquets and dark-stained timber. Black and white photographs of St. Paul’s Cathedral hold on the wall, alluding to the situation of “Bread Road” inside the previous Metropolis of London. Additionally they improve the sense of nostalgia that makes the Bread Road Kitchen expertise novel, but acquainted.

    The primary entrance of the restaurant is a collaged walkway of genuine Singaporean manholes. These manholes are a playful reference to the precise ‘road’ in Bread Road Kitchen. To the left of the walkway sits the venue’s focus: the bar. The bar is a tribute to the mezzanine wine cellar within the London location. It’s a brasserie-industrial fusion comprised of native suar wooden and expanded mesh that’s bathed in subtle mild.

    The general design really feel is an eclectic industrial assortment of marble, bronze, combined timbers, and leather-based that creates an intimate, bespoke eating expertise for quite a lot of friends.

    Bread Road Kitchen’s signature dishes embrace Pork Stomach, Shepherd’s Pie and Roasted Veal Carpaccio, in addition to the BSK Burger, with melted Monterey Jack cheese and spicy sriracha mayo in a brioche bun.

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  • Diane von Furstenberg Singapore’s new store

    Diane von Furstenberg Singapore’s new store

    The Shoppes at Marina Bay Sands is home to Diane von Furstenberg Singapore’s newest store.

    Securing the famous luxury lifestyle brand, founded by Diane in 1970, adds to The Shoppes’ reputation as Singapore’s leading luxury shopping destination.

    Diane von Furstenberg will offer a full collection of ready-to-wear and accessories including handbags, shoes, small leather goods, scarves and jewellery at the new store, including exclusive items not available in its other two boutiques in the city.

    “The Shoppes at Marina Bay Sands is such a vibrant, landmark luxury shopping destination,it is the perfect place for us to expand our presence in Singapore,” said von Furstenberg.

    The new store, which spans 1300 sqft, is located at B2-18, Canal Level.

    The first Shoppes-exclusive item is a DVF Brookes Parka is a leopard green paper habotai hooded parka lined with a detachable and reversible leopard printed lamb fur (Priced at S$7,460).

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  • Meals focus for brand spanking new Katong Sq.

    Meals focus for brand spanking new Katong Sq.

    Katong Sq., a brand new two-storey 55,000 sqft retail improvement in Singapore’s east will supply greater than 20 meals and beverage choices.

    Scheduled to open within the first quarter of 2016, Katong Sq. can be located within the coronary heart of Katong, close to the junction of East Coast Rd and Joo Chiat Rd. Designed as a meals and beverage enclave by Katong Holdings Personal Ltd, it’s created to be the eating vacation spot of selection for meals lovers and is predicted to attract crowds each from the East and past.

    Katong Sq. will probably be a part of an built-in improvement, sitting under two upcoming resorts that may boast a mixed complete of near 600 rooms – Lodge Indigo (the primary of InterContinental Lodge Group’s boutique model entry into Singapore) and Vacation Inn Categorical.

    The Joo Chiat Police Station which has been marked by the City Redevelopment Authority as a conservation constructing, will type a part of the retail part of Katong Sq.. The retail supply has been rigorously curated to ship a singular culinary expertise to clients via an eclectic mixture of eating ideas. This features a number of homegrown and worldwide manufacturers, in addition to cuisines from each East and West.

    “Having one of many largest open areas within the neighborhood, Katong Sq. goals to create a vibrant city sq. with guests bringing their households and buddies to participate in common stay occasions resembling art-related and busking performances,” stated Katong Holdings in a press release.

    Government chairman of Revolver Asia, appointed retail marketing consultant for this challenge, Michel Lu says with Singapore’s id as a meals nation, meals and beverage is near everybody’s coronary heart.

    “Katong Sq. is a one-of-a-kind venue with a distinct segment focus in meals and beverage, which we consider will draw important mass. We courtroom the best meals & beverage manufacturers with a robust following of their very own and powerful model fairness of their numerous fields of culinary experience to determine Katong Sq. as a meals hub synonymous with Singapore’s status as a multicultural meals haven.

    “A unprecedented meals hub mixed with the colourful communal area, we foresee Katong Sq. as a buzzing city sq. within the East Coast and Katong,” added Elaine Seah, improvement supervisor of Katong Holdings and Grasp Contract Providers.

    “Steeped in tradition and heritage, Katong is a outstanding cultural landmark within the East. Because the colonial occasions, Katong’s robust cultural id has been manifested of their Peranakan or Nonya delicacies, which mixes Chinese language and Malay influences to create a singular mix of dishes distinctive to their heritage.”

    According to a robust emphasis by the City Redevelopment Authority (URA) to preserve Katong’s historical past and heritage, Katong Holdings needs to include options unique to Katong inside the improvement.

    “On the similar time, we can be introducing different established meals and beverage operators to enrich the present meals choices in Katong to reinforce their id as Singapore’s first heritage city.”

    With the approaching development of the Thomson-East Coast Mass Speedy Transit (MRT) line, Katong Sq. might be located subsequent to the deliberate Marine Parade MRT station. Moreover,

    there will probably be as much as 300 obtainable automotive park tons at Katong Sq. to deal with the restricted parking challenge within the Joo Chiat space. Occasions and programmes themed across the idea of the mall corresponding to worldwide meals and wine festivals will probably be launched all year long.

    Katong Holdings is collectively owned by three Singapore-based builders and builders: Grasp Contract Providers, Keong Hong Development and Asia Improvement.

    The id of the manufacturers signing as much as the centre shall be revealed in two to 3 months.

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  • NTUC FairPrice chooses Cognizant

    NTUC FairPrice chooses Cognizant

    Cognizant has partnered with Singapore grocery store retailer NTUC FairPrice to digitally rework its enterprise and supply clients with a seamless multi-channel buying expertise.

    Cognizant has reengineered FairPrice’s enterprise processes and carried out a digital eCommerce platform for the multi-format retailer to offer built-in, constant and personalised customer support throughout a number of contact factors, enhancing buyer satisfaction, loyalty and model notion.

    The digital transformation program has additionally enabled FairPrice to enhance real-time product and stock visibility, make retail administration extra environment friendly, and achieve a greater understanding of buyer preferences and buy historical past. Because of cross-channel integration, FairPrice has been capable of roll out progressive providers for buyers, together with its Click on&Acquire on-line supply service –  an choice to purchase on-line and decide up the acquisition from a retailer.

    With enhanced insights into buyer and employees behaviour, FairPrice can additional strengthen its provide chain, website and retailer operations, advertising, and merchandising to drive progress and differentiation. Cognizant can also be making a cellular channel for FairPrice to interact higher with its present clients and appeal to new ones.

    “Cellular and on-line retail is essential to addressing heightened expectations of in the present day’s digitally-enabled consumers, and digital know-how has monumental potential to reinforce their purchasing expertise,” stated Seah Kian Peng, CEO, NTUC FairPrice.

    “This digital transformation programme underscores our dedication to our clients and represents a strategic benefit in that we will now leverage stock throughout a number of places and streamline fulfilment processes to not simply delight our clients, but in addition improve gross sales and scale back operational prices. Cognizant’s expertise and capabilities have complemented our digital commerce imaginative and prescient and helped to strengthen our fame as a retailer with a coronary heart.”

    NTUC FairPrice Co-operative is Singapore’s largest retailer serving about 400,000 consumers every day, with a community of over 120 retailers, comprising FairPrice supermarkets, FairPrice Best and FairPriceXtra. Its comfort arm includes a community of over 160 FairPrice Xpress and Cheers comfort shops, which serves over 100,000 clients day by day. NTUC FairPrice additionally owns a Recent Meals Distribution Centre and a centralised warehousing and distribution firm.

  • SingPost POPStation wins international honour

    SingPost POPStation wins international honour

    Singapore Submit’s POPStation sensible lockers idea has gained a world accolade in Belgium.

    SingPost has rolled out a community of in extra of 100 POPStations which permit internet buyers to have items delivered to a set level accessible 24-seven, circumventing the have to be at house or office to obtain parcel deliveries.

    The idea was judged the most effective idea within the Retail Buyer Entry class on the 16th World Mail Award 2015. It’s the third consecutive annual honour on the awards – SingPost gained within the eCommerce class in 2014 and for Individuals Administration in 2013. It had beforehand gained the highest award for Mail High quality.

    The World Mail Awards, the annual “Oscars” of the mail and categorical business, recognise the achievements and greatest practices inside the postal and categorical sector. These awards are introduced to postal operators or service suppliers worldwide, which have been reviewed by a panel of judges comprising Common Postal Union (UPU) members, worldwide postal business leaders and customers.

    Dr Sascha Hower, group COO of SingPost stated it was encouraging to obtain the distinguished worldwide accolade.

    “It recognises our funding and pioneering efforts to innovate and supply an built-in retail platform. With our POPStations we at the moment are delivering a seamless and extra handy on-line buying expertise for shoppers. We need to make receiving parcels so simple as attainable and hopefully delight our clients within the course of. POPStations are a part of our effort to offer shoppers a multiplicity of touchpoints and enabling merchandise returns.”

    Lim Ho Kee, Chairman of SingPost, added: “This World Mail Award recognises our endless quest for innovation, productiveness and customer support to convey larger worth to SMEs and retail clients. We proceed to have grave considerations about mail income decline and encourage our individuals to grab alternatives and use IT to serve clients in new methods. Confronted with challenges like e-substitution and way of life modifications, SingPost is on a ‘burning platform’ and we have to rework and diversify our enterprise to stay related. Therefore, we launched into our transformation in 2003 after itemizing. SingPost’s core competency in final mile supply and trusted model present us a superb basis to develop the ecommerce logistics enterprise in Singapore and the area. The POPStation is one such instance the place we lead and innovate the native ecommerce panorama with an clever set-up for parcel supply and returns.”

    At POPStations, shoppers cannot solely obtain shipments, however simply organise returns of merchandise for trade, demonstrating, says SingPost, how on-line and mobility will help make their lives simpler.

    SingPost plans to increase the community to 200 inside the subsequent two to 3 years.

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  • Singapore retail gross sales enhance

    Singapore retail gross sales improved in April, in response to knowledge from the Division of Statistics.

    In March, retail gross sales excluding motor automobiles, slumped three.2 per cent. However in April they recovered a bit of, rising zero.eight per cent.

    Yr on yr gross sales have been down zero.7 per cent on April 2014, though with motor automobiles included within the determine they rose 5 per cent.

    Complete retail gross sales in April 2015 have been an estimated $three.three billion – $200 million greater than the earlier month.

    Gross sales of meals & beverage providers (seasonally adjusted) elevated zero.three per cent over the earlier month, however declined 1.7 per cent in contrast with April 2014.

    The full gross sales worth of meals & beverage providers in April 2015 was estimated at $615 million, decrease than the $626 million in April 2014.

    By class, after seasonal adjustment, gross sales of telecommunications equipment & computer systems,
    optical items & books, medical items & toiletries, furnishings & family gear and
    supermarkets elevated between 1.four per cent and eight.6 per cent month on month.  Gross sales of attire & footwear rose zero.9 per cent.

    On the opposite aspect, gross sales of meals & drinks, watches & jewelry, mini-marts & comfort shops, leisure items and department shops decreased between 1.four per cent and 6.eight per cent in April 2015 in comparison with March 2015.

    Yr on yr, gross sales of telecommunications equipment & computer systems, department shops, watches & jewelry and medical items & toiletries additionally elevated between 2.four per cent and three.eight per cent. In distinction, retail gross sales of petrol service stations decreased 21.1 per cent, partly because of decrease petrol costs.

    Equally, Singapore retail gross sales of meals & drinks, leisure items, attire & footwear, furnishings & family gear, mini-marts & comfort shops and optical items & books declined between 2.6 per cent and seven.zero per cent in April 2015 over April 2014. Supermarkets recorded a lower of zero.5 per cent in gross sales throughout the identical interval.

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  • Marimekko Singapore opens first retailer

    Marimekko Singapore opens first retailer

    Marimekko Singapore has opened its first retailer – within the Capitol Piazza buying centre.

    The Finnish model says this and the brand new Thailand retailer which opened in Bangkok in April, reveal its persevering with give attention to Asian enlargement.

    The corporate says it should open extra retailer-owned shops in Singapore and the remainder of Southeast Asia over the subsequent few years.

    “In our enlargement, we have now targeted at the start on areas with excessive progress potential,” says Päivi Lonka, CSO.

    “The Asia-Pacific area is our second-largest market space, and we have already got a reasonably robust foothold in East Asia. Thus, increasing into Southeast Asia felt like a pure transfer.

    “Singapore is a contemporary metropolis and really engaging to us, as it’s thought-about one of many area’s prime enterprise hubs and buying locations.”

    In April, Thailand’s first Marimekko retailer opened in Bangkok.

    “The town is in an fascinating stage of improvement from the retail viewpoint. It’s turning into an more and more essential worldwide metropolis, the place numerous high-class malls have been opened just lately,” stated Lonka.

    Marimekko merchandise are bought in 140 shops in about 40 nations and final yr, model gross sales totalled euro 187 million, with firm shops accounting for euro 94 million of that.