Tag: Singapore

  • Singapore retail gross sales slide three.2 per cent

    Singapore retail gross sales slide three.2 per cent

    Singapore retail gross sales in March slumped three.2 per cent after the distortionary impact of motorcar gross sales is faraway from the info.

    Whereas the official figures present a seasonally-adjusted 1.1 per cent enchancment in March 2015 over the earlier month, knowledge from Statistics Singapore exhibits automotive gross sales soared 37 per cent over February and 40 per cent March on March.

    There was an similar three.2 per cent general decline year-on-year for March after automobiles have been eliminated.

    Seasonally adjusted gross sales of meals & beverage providers decreased 5.2 per cent in March 2015 over February and by 1.7 per cent in contrast with March 2014.

    After seasonal adjustment, retail gross sales of automobiles, mini-marts & comfort shops and meals & drinks elevated between 12.9 per cent and 37.1 per cent in March 2015 in comparison with the earlier month (Desk 1). Retail gross sales of petrol service stations and leisure items additionally rose four.9 per cent and 1.1 per cent respectively.

    Then again, retail gross sales of optical items & books, sporting attire & footwear, telecommunications equipment & computer systems, furnishings & family gear, supermarkets, watches & jewelry and medical items & toiletries decreased between 2.four per cent and 10.four per cent in March 2015 in comparison with February 2015.

  • Singapore franchise axed by Milan Station

    Singapore franchise axed by Milan Station

    Milan Station has terminated the settlement with its Singapore franchisee M C Holdings.

    In a voluntary replace disclosure to the Hong Kong Inventory Change this week, Milan Station says the corporate additionally negotiated the top of consignment gross sales at concession counters at Hong Kong’s 4 cruises.

    The posh bag and equipment retailer stated the rationale for the terminations of the franchise and concessions is that retail gross sales of luxurious items remained stagnant.

    “The termination of the Concession Settlement and the Franchise Settlement shall allow to group to pay attention its useful resource on the extra worthwhile working arms of the group,” Milan Station stated in its replace.

    “The group will assess the market situation repeatedly and can think about re-launching the concession and franchise enterprise when the market outlook turns to be promising in future.”

    The Singapore franchise settlement dates again to June 2013. The 2 events have agreed that half of the safety deposit of S$180,000 shall be deducted by the franchisor as compensation for inconvenience incurred, with the stability to be repaid. Unsold inventory shall be returned to Milan Station.

    The Hong Kong firm says the concession enterprise underneath the Concession Agreements accounted for about 1.eight per cent of the group’s income within the yr to December 31.

    The Singapore franchise enterprise accounted for about two per cent of group income.

    “The Board considers that the termination of the Concession Settlement and the Franchise Settlement has no materials impression on the prevailing enterprise operation and monetary place of the group.”

  • DFS flagship has walk-in bar

    DFS flagship has walk-in bar

    DFS Group has opened a new wines and spirits flagship duplex store at Singapore’s Changi Airport – the first of its kind in the world.

    The 11.400 sqft store at Terminal 3 is DFS Group’s largest single retail space for wines, spirits and tobacco.

    Designed by Masamichi Katayama, the award-winning interior designer and founder of design firm Wonderwall, the store showcases the luxury retailer’s full assortment of wines, spirits and tobacco in a visually dramatic environment and façade inspired by flowing water and undulating shapes. Within the store, warm and modern design elements accentuated by a double-height atrium measuring over eight meters high provides an inviting shopping and tasting environment for travellers.

    Amongst the store’s most innovative features are expanded common areas designed especially for lifestyle and cultural experiences. This includes a Raffles Long Bar – in collaboration with one of Singapore’s most historical landmarks, the Raffles Hotel – the ground-floor atrium tasting bars and a private lounge. The Long Bar will serve its famed cocktail invention, the original Singapore Sling. These common areas also provide space for guided tastings and a monthly program of exciting and interactive activities, featuring master classes for cocktail mixology, bartending and hosting at home.

    Philippe Schaus, CEO and chairman of DFS Group, said that when the company embarked on the project, it wanted to open a wines and spirits store of “a quality and richness unlike anywhere else in the world”.

    “That is why we secured the collaboration of Masamichi Katayama to build this one-of-a-kind, two-level experiential store, drawing inspiration from the most stylish bars and restaurants around the world as well as on the traditional and historic cellars of France and Scotland.

    “This project would not have been possible without the close collaboration and shared vision between DFS and the farsighted management team of Changi Airport.”

    DFS’ Loyal T customers can access The Lounge by DFS for an elevated shopping experience. From private viewings to new personal shopping across all product categories of DFS, Changi Airport stores, customers will be treated to a personalised level of service.

    In the new duplex store, DFS also introduces Changi’s first branded boutiques for wines and spirits, situated on the second floor. Nine brands – Absolut, Dom Pérignon, Glenfiddich, Hendrick’s, Hennessy, Johnnie Walker, The Macallan, Martell, and Penfolds – will showcase their heritage and their finest products within individually-designed boutiques, from the travel trunk-inspired Johnnie Walker House to the Glenfiddich boutique’s cellar and cask design.

    The store will also host visits from master distillers, blenders and brand ambassadors throughout the year, and unveil worldwide product launches for these nine brands.

    “For over 30 years, travellers have shopped with DFS at Changi Airport because we are the destination for the best in wines, spirits and tobacco. Our new store reinforces our promise to our customers, and our vision,” says Brooke Supernaw, senior VP, global merchandising – spirits, wine and tobacco.

    “Travellers will discover exclusive products and unique experiences that will elevate their journey.”

  • Pure Gold opens at Changi

    Pure Gold opens at Changi

    Emirates-based Pure Gold Jewellers has opened the doors of its new store at Singapore’s Changi Airport.

    The store, the first Middle Eastern jeweller to be granted space at the airport, is located in the duty-free departure area of Terminal 1.

    Pure Gold says it designed the boutique with a luxury feel to create a comfortable shopping environment and position the brand as upmarket.

    Pure Gold is a private family-owned business founded 20 years ago which now has more than 125 stores in the Middle East and Asia. It plans to open a further 200 by 2018, selling products sourced from its factories in China and India.

    Chairman and founder Firoz Merchant said Changi airport is one of the busiest and best performing airports in Asia and opening inside airport terminal is a big boost to Pure Gold’s travel retail business.

    “This achievement is in line with our plans to become the largest travel retailer in jewellery globally. Passengers passing through Singapore Changi International Airport can now choose from our extensive range of gold, diamond, pearls, precious and semi-precious gemstone jewellery in the latest styles and best prices.”

    Pure Gold already has a strong duty free business in the Middle East, operating at all terminals in Kuwait and Abu Dhabi international airports, and within the duty free retail facilities in Jordan, Kuwait, Muscat, Dubai and Sri Lanka.

  • Changi Millionaire program extended in Singapore

    Changi Millionaire program extended in Singapore

    Singapore’s Changi Airport has expanded its successful Changi Millionaire promtoion for 2015, as part of its 50th anniverary celebrations.

    From now until October 31, shoppers and diners can participate in the ‘Be a Changi Millionaire’ campaign for an instant chance to win any of the six attractive premiums, on top of the chance to be made a millionaire. This is the sixth year Changi Airport is running its anchor retail promotion, which has the largest cash prize in Singapore.

    In a collaboration with local designers Wang Shijia and Jo Soh, Changi Airport Group is this year offering a set of six exclusive ‘premiums’ as instant prizes in the latest instalment of Changi Airport’s ‘Be a Changi Millionaire’ campaign.

    Meanwhile, to celebrate Singapore’s 50th birthday, Changi Airport has dressed its four Millionaire promotional sites as local icons of yesteryear – the dragon playground, the mobile tricycle ice-cream stall, an old movie theatre as well as the laid-back ‘Mama Shop’.

    For the six months of the campaign, one finalist will be picked each month for the grand draw to be held in early 2016. In addition, this year, the Millionaire excitement will be brought online. Travellers who shop on iShopChangi – Changi Airport’s very own e-commerce portal – will be entitled up to 10 times more chances of being picked as a finalist. At the end of the six-month period – for the first time in the game’s history – a seventh finalist will be picked among the pool of online shoppers to vie for the grand prize of a million dollars. All seven finalists will each win a cash prize of S$5,0001 and a three-night hotel stay.

    So far, five shoppers have been crowned millionaires overnight – including Singaporeans Ivan Rantung (2010) and Peh Hock Peng (2012), Australian Jessica Down (2011), Indonesian Irvung Tio (2013), and Japanese Seiichiro Oiyama (2014).

    Lim Peck Hoon, executive VP of commercial at Changi Airport Group, said after five successful years of Changi Millionaire, the introduction of a seventh finalist from among online shoppers will make shopping on iShopChangi more interesting and potentially very rewarding.

    “This year is a jubilee year for Singapore, and we are infusing local elements into the promotion, so that shoppers from all over the world can join in the celebrations with us. The exclusive premiums combine elements of both Singapore and Changi Airport, making them unique memorabilia for our visiting guests.”

    Airport visitors and travellers only need to make a minimum purchase of S$30 at any of the retail and F&B outlets at Changi Airport2 or iShopChangi.com to qualify for both the monthly finalist draw and games to win instant prizes. The number of winning chances increases with the amount spent. Changi Rewards members and purchases made on iShopChangi.com will receive additional chances. More information is available online.

  • Singapore Customs seizes 700 bags

    Singapore Customs seizes 700 bags

    Singapore Customs has seized some 700 counterfeit women’s bags and wallets imported from China.

    Details of the brands were not officially released but the above image provided by Customs shows clearly distinguishable Cath Kidston branding on some of the seized goods. Other goods bore two other brand names.

    The bags and wallets were discovered during a routine inspection of a consignment of goods at the Tanjong Pagar Distripark.

    Singapore Customs has informed the brand owners of the detained goods and they can now institute infringement actions against the importer under the Trade Marks Act.

    “Singapore does not condone such illegal trading activities and will take firm action against importers of counterfeit goods, and continue to ensure a robust intellectual property rights enforcement regime in Singapore,” said Singapore Customs in a statement.

    Today’s seizure follows another on April 8 involving more than 2300 items including mobile phone accessories, watches, sunglasses, bags and wallets suspected to be counterfeit goods of popular brands. Those items had been air freighted in from China, and included fake Apple accessories, pictured below.

  • Keppel director steps down

    Keppel director steps down

    Keppel Corporation says non-executive and independent director Tony Chew Leong-Chee will retire from its board on May 1.

    Chew will concurrently cease to be chairman of the nominating committee and member of the audit committee.

    Dr Lee Boon Yang, Keppel Corporation chairman, thanked Chew for 13 years distinguished service to the property developer.

    “The Keppel Group has benefited from his extensive business experience, wisdom and entrepreneurial spirit. Tony was lead independent director from 2006 to 2009 and has been chairman of the nominating committee since 2009,… instrumental in overseeing the top leadership succession of the group in recent years. That the leadership transition process was achieved smoothly is a clear testimony to Tony’s capability and commitment to Keppel’s interests.”

    Chew will be succeeded by Tan Puay Chiang as chairman of the nominating committee. Till Vestring, who joined the board in February, will be appointed as member of the committee and the remuneration committee.

  • Whopper quarter for Burger King

    Whopper quarter for Burger King

    US fast food company Burger King has posted its best quarterly sales increase in nearly a decade.

    The company says the sales boost is the result of a promotional ‘two for $5’ campaign, the introduction of the new spicy BLT Whopper and a boost in breakfast sales – no single “silver bullet”.

    Burger King’s same store sales rose 6.9 per cent in the US and Canada, according to parent Restaurant Brands International, but it declined to say if it was the result of increased customer traffic or a high per customer spend. Given the low cost promotional offer, it’s likely to have come at the cost of margins.

    Burger King’s performance is all the more significant due to its coincidence with a 2.6 per cent fall in sales by its larger rival McDonald’s.

    Global same store sales rose 4.6 per cent at Burger King.

  • Ikea Singapore in row over bigot’s drama

    Ikea Singapore in row over bigot’s drama

    Ikea Singapore has found itself at the centre of a social media protest over supporting a drama run by a local religious extremist.

    Ikea is giving members of its loyalty program discounted rates for a show called Vision, which features a homophobic religious zealot renowned for his anti-gay views.

    But Ikea says it stands by its decision to sponsor the show, a move which is outraging Singapore’s gay community who have taken to social media to express their disgust.

    In a statement to the Straits Times newspaper Ikea management said they had undertaken “a thorough review” of the decision to support the show and would stick with its original decision.  “We have spoken directly with the organisers, reviewed the content and confirmed that the Vision show offers high family entertainment value and, on that basis, we are continuing our promotional collaboration.”

    Vision is a magic show performed by pastor Lawrence Khong of Faith Community Baptist Church along with his daughter Priscilla. It will be held at the Esplanade in July.

    Last year Khong organised an anti-gay protest, urging Singaporeans to “wear white” in protest against the holding of the Pink Dot LGBT picnic.

    Khong is a self-appointed pastor of the church he founded and claims to have a congregation of 9000. He is on record saying he makes movies and performs shows in order to spread his evangelical Christian beliefs and to “reclaim the media for God’s Kingdom”.

    Khong considers homosexuals have “a shorter lifespan, more sexually transmitted infections and more health problems than the general population” and he actively fought against the decriminalisation of homosexuality in Singapore, describing it as “a looming threat to this basic (nation) building block by homosexual activists”.

    Lawrence Khong Facebook image

    • Lawrence Khong’s Facebook profile image.

    Ikea appears unconcerned about supporting Khong’s ministry. In its statement the retailer said it respects the diversity and equality of all people in the community

    “We also respect that all individuals have a right to their opinions and personal choices, including the freedom to choose their preferred entertainment,” it said.

    Ikea Singapore’s Facebook page is full of comments about the issue, with an overwhelming percentage in support of the company’s stand. However closer analysis reveals a distinct similarity amongst the supportive posts, the church undoubtedly having rallied its congregation to show support online.

    “Thank you Ikea for making the right move and supporting family!” was one of many similar supportive comments.

    However contrary views were typified by Zulkarnain Sadali: “So disappointing. Do you even see it’s not about entertainment? Out of all the companies in Singapore, this move was never expected of you. I wonder what Sweden HQ thinks of this.”

    Robert Vrolijk observed: “The very vocal Christian minority has again used their organised high volume attack to pressure their opinion. Everyone knows Vision is not just family entertainment. There is no such thing as family entertainment when led by a pastor. And Ikea by supporting this event you support his views. People have a right to choose but you don’t have to promote hate speech hidden as freedom of speech.”

    Perhaps the most ironic post was from Steven Cheong who wrote, apparently unaware of the irony: “Ikea – it is good that you didn’t bow to militant activists!”

  • Pastamania wins Cambodia entry

    Pastamania wins Cambodia entry

    Singapore foodservice operator Commonwealth Capital Group is to enter Cambodia with two F&B brands – Pastamania Casual Dining Restaurant and Gelatofix Italian Gelateria and Cafeteria.

    A franchise agreement has been signed between Commonwealth subsidiary PastaMatrix International and an as yet unidentified local Cambodian company operating in retail and real estate.

    “We expect to open the first flagship outlet for both PastaMania & Gelatofix in the third quarter of 2015 at an exclusive heritage site in Phnom Penh overlooking the scenic Mekong River,” said Yin-Yin Yeo, MD of international business.

    Commonwealth 1 415

    “The location is widely frequented by local trendsetters and tourists. It will serve as a landmark site for a memorable dining and chill out experience,” she said.

    Commonwealth expects to open six PastaMania and Gelatofix stores in total over the next 18 months.

    Yeo said both PastaMania and Gelatofix will provide “more exciting dining and hang out options” for the maturing Cambodian market, she said.

    “PastaMania features the widest range of great tasting pasta dishes along with authentic Italian pizza that suit the taste buds of Cambodians. We will also be the first in the market to launch an authentic Italian gelato coffee shop chain under Gelatofix.”

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    PastaMania is the largest Italian casual dining chain in Singapore with more than 50 stores in eight countries. It offers affordable authentic Italian cuisine with ambience modelled after the Italian piazza concept.

    Gelatofix features creamy gelato cones dripped with dark chocolate created by Italian celebrity chef Ernst Knam and serves up a variety of dishes ranging from desserts to all-day-breakfasts and Italian risottos. The Gelatofix store format was designed by Italian architect Stefano Ricci.

    Yeo says Cambodia has strong economic growth running above seven per cent since 2011, a young population (50 per cent aged below 25) and a more open and vibrant market.

  • CapitaMall Singapore shrugs off retail gloom

    CapitaMall Singapore shrugs off retail gloom

    CapitaMall Singapore’s shopping centres have improved their performance despite a lacklustre first quarter retail market in the city state.

    CapitaMall Trust Management Limited (CMTML), the manager of CapitaMall Trust (CMT), has reported first quarter distributable income of S$92.9 million, a 4.2 per cent increase over the same quarter last year.

    Wilson Tan, CMTML CEO, said shopper footfall in the three months to March 31 rose 4.7 per cent and tenant’s sales by 2.5 per cent. The occupancy rate of its portfolio “remained resilient” at 97.2 per cent.

    CMT has 16 shopping malls and almost 3000 tenants, strategically located in the suburban areas and downtown Singapore. Its centres are Tampines Mall, Junction 8, Funan DigitaLife Mall, IMM Building, Plaza Singapura, Bugis Junction, Sembawang Shopping Centre, JCube, Raffles City Singapore (40 per cent), Lot One Shoppers’ Mall, 90 out of 91 strata lots in Bukit Panjang Plaza, Rivervale Mall, The Atrium@Orchard, Clarke Quay, Bugis+ and Westgate (30 per cent).

    “We constantly reinvent and rejuvenate our malls with a view to reap future benefits for our unitholders,” said Tan in a statement.

    “We are pleased to update that Clarke Quay has completed its reconfiguration works at Block A. New-to-market brands include McGettigan’s, an authentic modern Irish pub from Ireland; Motorino, a popular pizza joint from New York; and Catch!, a new homegrown eatery offering fish and chips.

    “In addition, the asset enhancement works for IMM Building, Bukit Panjang Plaza and Tampines Mall have made good progress and are on track to be completed as scheduled.”

    CMT’s gross revenue grew 1.6 per cent year-on-year to S$167.3 million in the first quarter, mainly due to the completion of the second phase of the Bugis Junction refurbishment last September.

    Net property income increased three per cent to S$117.7 million.

  • Vivo City Singapore completes expansion

    Vivo City Singapore completes expansion

    Vivo City Singapore has finally unveiled its 15,000 sqm basement conversion.

    The waterfront Singapore shopping centre has added US fashion brand American Eagle Outfitters as an anchor of the new basement retail area. The other tenants are Aéropostale, Rabeanco, Steve Madden and Thomas Sabo; beauty brands Etude House, Innisfree and Lab Series; and multi-brand lifestyle retailer Weekends.

    The Basement 1 expansion project – comprising nine new retail spaces – is part of an ongoing effort to “energise the mall and keep it relevant to shoppers”, the company says.

    Targeting “trendy and fashionable shoppers”, the new retail space features “carefully curated brands that appeal to the new generation of trend setters with mid-to-high spending power”.

    “We are optimistic about the shoppers’ responses towards the new Basement 1 retail space, which boasts a cohort of coveted brands,” said Joanna Lee, head of retail management with Vivo City’s manager Mapletree Commercial Property Management.

    “These popular retailers complement our current tenant mix and reinforce our leading position as a lifestyle destination mall in Singapore.

    “This new retail space will take advantage of a constant stream of shopper traffic due to its location at the main thoroughfare that connects HarbourFront MRT Station (at Basement 2) to the main shopping areas in the mall as well as the Sentosa Express Station (at Level 3). The addition will create a seamless shopping experience for our customers across all levels of the mall.”

    Benny Low, MD of Weekends parent Trendspot, described the basement level location as “ideal” to reach its target audience.

    “VivoCity is a cosmopolitan shopping mall where we see a high influx of visitors, both locals and tourists, due to its location and positioning, and being situated just opposite the integrated resorts.”

    To attract shoppers to their stores at Basement 1, the retailers will be introducing their seasonal promotions, as well as offering exclusive deals and rewards to customers. Starting 22 April 2015, VivoCity will be conducting a Facebook contest where shoppers can win prizes and shopping vouchers from a new tenant every week.

  • Orchard Rd night trial extended

    Orchard Rd night trial extended

    The trial of banning cars from a key section of Singapore’s Orchard Rd shopping strip is finding favour with shoppers and tourists alike.

    Orchard Rd is closed at night from the Scotts Paterson Junction to Bideford Junction on the first Saturday night of each month between 6pm and 11pm.

    The Orchard Rd night pedestrian trial will be extended for at least another six months.

    The Orchard Road Business Association reports that a majority of shoppers surveyed approved of the open street initiative and support its continuation.

    The pilot running between October 2014 and March attracted 50,000 visitors each time closure. Although some retailers report they did not see the increased pedestrian count translate into additional sales, they too appear supportive of the project.

    The ORBA and the Singapore Tourism Board are funding the majority of street closures and say they plan to work with malls to extend trading hours.

    They are also looking for events to sponsor to further boost crowds during the closures.

  • Lend Lease wins Singapore bid

    Lend Lease wins Singapore bid

    Lend Lease has won a joint venture bid to buy a strategically significant plot of land in suburban Singapore on which it will build a mixed use development.

    The Australian property developer, which already has extensive interests in Singapore and neighbouring Malaysia, was the highest bidder in the government auction of a site at Paya Lebar Central. It owns 30 per cent of the JV with the balance owned by an unidentified international investment partner.

    According to a statement, the joint venture will pay S$1.672 billion (US$1.222 billion) for the site which has capacity for a development of about 165,000 sqm, including office, retail and residential / serviced apartment use. The site has direct connections to the Paya Lebar Mass Rapid Transit (MRT) Interchange that serves both the Circle and East-West lines.

    The award of the site is subject to the issue of the tender acceptance letter by the Urban Redevelopment Authority, who manages the Government land sales process.

    Lend Lease says the development will be funded by a combination of non-recourse, project level debt and equity.

    Lend Lease Group CEO and MD Steve McCann said the site offered a great opportunity for the company to continue its success in the region, leveraging Lend Lease’s global capabilities to develop large scale urban regeneration projects in major cities around the world.

    “It further cements Lend Lease’s position in the Singapore market and leverages its leading integrated property capabilities encompassing development, construction, investment management and asset and property management platforms.”

  • Connected gadget sales soar in Singapore

    Connected gadget sales soar in Singapore

    Singaporeans’ thirst to be online has seen sales of connected gadgets more than double in just five years.

    While the connected devices sector in Singapore was valued at only USD 950 million five years ago, it has expanded to more than US$1.8 billion in 2014, according to research house GfK.

    ‘Connected devices’ comprise of 20 wireless and connected electronic/digital products tracked by GfK in Singapore, including computers, internet TVs, smart cameras, PC accessories, headphones, headsets, routers and also the latest gadgets – smart watches and health fitness trackers.

    The growth is being powered by Singapore’s affluent and well-developed internet infrastructure, says Gerard Tan, account director for Digital World at GfK.

    “In line with the country’s high internet usage and technology adoption rate, wireless devices with internet connectivity have been growing every year from 2010 to 2013, registering an additional 3.1 million devices sold within this four year span.

    “On the other hand, our sophisticated society is less interested in non-connected devices, with steep falling demand year after year since 2012.”

    Sales reached a peak in 2013 with consumers splurging more than USD 2.1 billion on over 5.2 million connected devices, following which market saturation led to a slowdown in the 2014. By comparison, non-connected, wired devices within the same product categories witnessed an even steeper decline of 29 per cent in value, considerably higher compared to the 15 per cent fall registered in the connected segment.

    In spite of overall decrease in consumer demand, some connected gadgets continued to register growth in 2014, including smart watches, health fitness trackers, phablets, wireless printing devices, smart cameras, and loudspeaker soundbars. The top three fastest growing connected devices in Singapore last year were docking/mini-speakers, phablets and loudspeakers/soundbars at 162, 60 and 55 per cent increased sales respectively over 2014. Despite the easing in sales, manufacturers are launching more new models of connected devices. According to GfK findings, the number of market offerings across all products rose by 15 per cent to hit 4920 – a strong indication of the positive market sentiment going forward.

    “The soaring popularity of this market means we can anticipate more of such products being launched, and the introduction of more new and exciting features, for instance, the function of easy syncing across different products,” said Tan.

    “With today’s heavy reliance on the internet, it becomes even more essential for modern technology to be equipped with the connectivity feature,” he concluded.