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Tag: Singapore

  • Bose pop-up store opens at Changi Airport, Singapore

    Bose pop-up store opens at Changi Airport, Singapore

    A Bose pop-up store has opened at Changi Airport’s Terminal 3 Transit Departure Hall.

    Trading until June 30, the store will give travellers the chance to experience and own Bose’s first audio sunglasses equipped with Bose AR capability, and to try out its latest noise-cancellation headphones.

    The Bose pop-up store features two zones that let travellers experience Bose products. In one, travellers get to try Bose Frames – the first audio sunglasses from Bose – and go on virtual adventures across different scenes while a soundtrack plays from the device.

    In the other zone, travellers can try out Bose’s latest headphones in sound domes.

    The pop-up store also has a photo booth where visitors can snap and upload pictures of themselves with the Bose Frames for a chance to win a pair of Bose Frames.

    “This technologically savvy pop-up store is an exciting collaboration between Bose and Changi,” said Teo Chew Hoon, group senior VP of airside concessions at Changi Airport Group.

    “As an international hub for travellers, Changi Airport, and by extension Singapore, is the perfect location for the Asia-Pacific launch of our latest product, the Bose Frames,” said Christian Rojas, market development leader, focus market development at Bose.

    “Through engaging travel retail concepts like this, we are confident that the authentic Bose experience will be showcased and look forward to bringing high-quality sound to transit travellers at Changi Airport.”

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  • Topshop parent wins lifeline in crucial vote

    Topshop parent wins lifeline in crucial vote

    Topshop parent Arcadia Group has been given a lifeline by its creditors and landlords after a Company Voluntary Arrangement (CVA) was approved yesterday.

    The vote was delayed last week after it became clear it would not gain the 75 per cent approval needed to proceed. However it appears a change of heart by the pension regulatory body secured the arrangement.

    Arcadia Group is now free to close a further 23 stores and will receive reduced rent on nearly 200 others.

    CEO Ian Grabiner said he is confident about the group’s future now the deal has been accepted, promising to provide customers “with the very best multi-channel experience, deliver the fashion trends that they demand, and ultimately inspire a renewed loyalty to our brands that will support the long-term growth of our business”.

    “After many months of engaging with all our key stakeholders, taking on board their feedback, and sharing our turnaround plans, the future of Arcadia, our thousands of colleagues, and our extensive supplier base is now on a much firmer footing,” he said.

    “From today, with the right structure in place to reduce our cost base and create a stable financial platform for the group, we can execute our business turnaround plan to drive growth through our digital and wholesale channels, while ensuring our store portfolio remains at the heart of our customer offer.”

    However Chloe Collins, senior retail analyst at GlobalData, said that although Arcadia’s CVA has been approved, it is not surprising it faced backlash from some landlords who have doubts about the retailer’s future.

    “Arcadia’s leading brands – Topshop and Topman – still have a strong following among millennials, however many of the other, such as Miss Selfridge and Dorothy Perkins, are now irrelevant in a highly saturated market and chances of revival are slim, leading landlords to question whether other retailers could offer their spaces more longevity,” she said.

    “The decision to add Topshop and Topman to Asos’ branded offer as part of Arcadia’s turnaround plan is wise to increase the brand’s reach, especially internationally. However it is crucial that the £60 million invested into advancing Arcadia’s digital platforms includes competitive and convenient delivery methods to rival Asos and maintain traction on the brand’s individual sites.”

    Collins said the £75 million invested by Green into its physical stores will be too thinly spread as even after the planned closures Arcadia will have around 500 stores left.

    “These stores have been neglected for far too long and are now unable to match competition which moves in favour of experience-led shopping.”

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  • Pomelo Singapore flagship opening

    Pomelo Singapore flagship opening

    Fast-fashion company Pomelo has launched a Singapore flagship store at 313@somerset.

    The largest Pomelo store to date, and the first outside of its native Thailand, the store boosts the online-to-offline brand’s Southeast Asian presence to nine outlets. The firm’s regional expansion represents a bid to apply its business model to the Southeast Asian fashion and lifestyle industry.

    The more than 6000sqft Singapore flagship will house Pomelo’s full catalog of 8000 products across different lines. Pomelo’s first cosmetics line, Beet, launched in April 2019, will also be sold at the store. The Singapore store will also stock collections tailored to local tastes, including seasonal collections for Ramadan, Christmas, and Chinese New Year.

    “Delivering the best customer experience has always been a key tenet of our business, and what works for one market may not necessarily work for another,” said Pomelo Fashion CEO David Jou. “Our research shows that Singaporeans shop very differently from Thais, with workwear, modest wear, occasionwear and beachwear being particularly popular in Singapore. Responding to this consumer demand, we have made it a point to stock these styles in our Singapore store.”

    While Pomelo has already served the Singapore market for six years, the flagship store rounds out Pomelo’s omnichannel strategy, offering customers a seamless online-to-offline experience across desktop, mobile and offline channels.

    “Our omnichannel strategy is built upon our ability to provide a variety of retail options,” said Jou. “Features like Pomelo Pick Up, which allow customers to try on their online purchases and only pay for what they take home have proven to be extremely successful in Thailand. As a fashion brand with tech DNA that places customer experience at the forefront, we’re excited to finally launch a core tech-driven Pomelo offering to better meet the needs of our Singapore shoppers.”

    Under the Pomelo Pick Up system, customers looking to pick up their online orders can do so by scanning a QR code at a self-service kiosk before proceeding to a fast lane to collect their packages. To check the fit, they can then try on the items they have picked out in a fitting room booked on in-store mini iPads.

  • Singapore Popular Games

    Singapore Popular Games

    Gaming is growing quickly in Singapore. This is due to a number of different reasons. The economy is now booming in Singapore which means that there a range of different games for customers to play. Also, they have more leisure time which makes them seek out the most entertaining games. Also, playing baccarat online is getting popular in Singapore. This is one of the most popular games due to its intense gameplay. In this article, we will look at why baccarat is so popular and also explore other popular games in Singapore. We will also detail the specific business conditions which have led to a gaming boom within Singapore.

    What is Baccarat

    Baccarat is a card game which has become popular around the world. It can be played in casinos, however recently there have been many online baccarat games being developed. These provide an engaging and realistic gameplay experience. One of the reasons why it is so popular is because the rules are simple to learn. It does not have the same complexity as other games, which makes it highly accessible. However, there are also many strategies and side-bets that come into play. This makes the game exciting to learn and to master.  You can find the best baccarat gaming websites on baccarat.net. They have a wide selection of websites on view. Additionally, they also go in depth about the rules and also discuss the best strategies for winning.

    Most Popular Games in Singapore

    Even though online gambling is illegal in Singapore, many have been enjoying legal casinos operating worldwide that accept players from Singapore. Some of the most popular casino games include the classics such as poker and blackjack. However, many Singapore players have also been enjoying highly engaging video slots. Mobile phone gaming is also very popular in Singapore. Smartphones offer a way for people to enjoy the gaming experience wherever they go. Hence, mobile casinos and other mobile games have become very popular. The high powered graphics and engaging gameplay on smartphones is a major reason for this.

    Alongside gambling games, video games are also highly popular. Singapore is the country where people spend the most hours on gaming in the South-East Asia region. On average they spend 7.44 hours on gaming. Some of the most played games include Overwatch which is an online game that is available on all platforms such as PC, PS4, and Xbox ONE. Role-playing games such as Devil May Cry 5 are also very popular. The Singapore public is fond of these games because they provide an immersive and enthralling experience. The storyline and quests are highly engaging.

    Business Conditions in Singapore

    The current business and retail conditions have been positive for Singapore. Traditional retailers have been facing stiff competition from innovative e-commerce companies. This has forced them to change their ways to evolve in order to compete in the new marketplace. They are creating new shopping experiences that are tailored to the customer. Physical stores aim to recapture the customer base from Amazon and Alibaba. The demand for necessity goods has remained as high as ever. Another key development is unmanned stores which could become even more common in the near future. Overall, there have been a few bumps, however, the long term economic and retail outlook is positive. The people of Singapore like to enjoy their earnings on playing games that allow them to relax.

    Conclusion

    You will now have a better idea on which games are most popular in Singapore. You will also have an understanding of what is causing a surge in popularity for many games. Baccarat continues to be one of the most played games in Singapore due to its exciting and addicting gameplay. However, other games are also being enjoyed, and the business boom means that gaming will continue to grow in Singapore. We look forward to new innovations and developments of gaming in Singapore.

  • Japanese-born Pronto Caffe & Bar is opening in Singapore

    Japanese-born Pronto Caffe & Bar is opening in Singapore

    Japanese-Italian cafe chain Pronto Caffe & Bar is opening in Singapore this week.

    Set to open on Thursday (June 13) at Capital Square, the outlet will serve breakfast sets, pastas, pizzas, desserts and coffee by day; and alcohol and bar food by night.

    The menu features a mixture of Japanese-influenced dishes, including Japanese Style of Pork and Spicy Greens, along with more traditional western fare, such as Eggplant with Bacon in Tomato Sauce pasta.

    Green tea beverages are available as well as coffee.

    First opened in 1988, and jointly owned by Suntory and UCC, Pronto now has more than 260 outlets in Japan.

    There are plans to open more outlets in Singapore next year.

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  • Gram Cafe & Pancakes Opening in Singapore

    Gram Cafe & Pancakes Opening in Singapore

    Japanese-based Gram Cafe & Pancakes will open its first Singapore franchised outlet at VivoCity mall.

    Gram is being brought to Singapore by three locals who travelled to Japan and ‘adored’ the chain’s pancakes. A Japanese business partner linked them up with Gram’s owner Takeda Takeshi.

    Established in Osaka in 2014, Gram has six franchised international outlets in Hong Kong, Bangkok, San Francisco, and now, Singapore.

    The 40-seat VivoCity cafe will offer savoury pancakes, such as chilli beef version, as well as an exclusive Japanese Curry pancake set.

    For those who are not pancake fans, the cafe serves French Toast topped with fresh cream, maple syrup, bananas, chocolate sauce and a scoop of vanilla ice cream.

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  • Massive slump in Le Saunda sales

    Massive slump in Le Saunda sales

    After reporting another full-year loss last month struggling footwear retailer Le Saunda said it was expecting a return to same-store sales growth after the bulk of its restructuring program had been implemented.

    Yesterday, however, the company reported a first-quarter slump in sales of 25.2 per cent. Same-store Le Saunda sales fell 6.6 per cent and online sales were down 16.1 per cent.

    The company did not release sales figures in currency terms, just percentage changes – and it reminded shareholders that the data was based on unaudited operational data.

    Last financial year the company closed 126 stores, but as of May 31 this year, store count was down 178 outlets compared with the same period last year, suggesting the closures are continuing.

    Announcing the results last month, chairman James Ngai said the company’s objective in the new financial year was to return to same-store sales growth to improve overall performance.

    “After this year’s restructuring exercise, the group believes that its physical store network has resumed to a relatively healthy level. The management team will continue to monitor closely the operating performances and timely eliminate low-efficient stores so that we can concentrate our resources in developing new stores with greater growth potential,” he said.

    However this month’s trading update suggests substantial work has yet to be completed before Le Saunda returns to positive sales growth – and profitability. Ngai’s comments were reported on May 22, just nine days before the end of the quarter in which the company’s sales performance was trending in the opposite direction to his upbeat comments.

    As at May 31, the group had 486 outlets in Mainland China, Hong Kong and Macau. Of those 428 were self-owned outlets across the markets and 58 were franchised stores on the mainland.

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  • Ramen chain Afuri Opening in Singapore

    Ramen chain Afuri Opening in Singapore

    Japanese ramen chain Afuri is to open its first outlet in Singapore, at Funan mall.

    Brought to Singapore by F&B group Japan Foods Holding, the Funan outlet will be known as Afuri Ramen + Dumpling.

    Besides Afuri’s signature yuzu ramens, the expanded menu will have small plates options as well as gyoza (dumplings).

    Funan mall will open its doors to shoppers on June 28, after a three-year redevelopment.

    Afuri ramen adds to the food options at Funan, including Japanese restaurant Noka, urban farming outfit Edible Garden City, Taiwanese bubble tea brand Milksha, and modern Peranakan restaurant Godmama.

    Named after Mount Afuri in Japan, the chain first started in 2001, known as Zund-Bar, at the foot of Mount Afuri.

    It changed brand to Afuri in 2003, and now has 15 outlets worldwide.

    The latest location was Lisbon, Portugal.

    Afuri ramen instant noodles have been sold in Singapore at selected supermarkets and Japanese speciality food marts.

  • Five Guys confirms Singapore Restaurant Opening

    Five Guys confirms Singapore Restaurant Opening

    American burger chain Five Guys is set to open in Singapore within six months.

    Local franchisee Zouk Group says the first outlet will open somewhere “central”.

    “There will definitely be more than one outlet here, depending on how many the market can sustain,” Andrew Li, Zouk Group CEO said.

    Five Guys is known for its customisable beef burgers, hotdogs, milkshakes and sandwiches.  Singapore outlets have the same menu as the US and Hong Kong.

    Prices have yet to be confirmed, but the outlet will serve alcohol including craft beer.

    Founded in Virginia in 1986, the brand now has more than 1600 restaurants worldwide across the US, Europe, Middle East and Asia.

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  • Love, Bonito to open in Funan Mall

    Love, Bonito to open in Funan Mall

    Online fashion retailer Love, Bonito is about to open its third and largest physical store yet, at Funan mall.

    Set to offer a “thoughtful and feminine” retail experience, the store will have customer touch points such as “Instagrammable” spots, and an express counter for click-and-collect orders.

    “More importantly, the store will hold dedicated and designated space for us to bring our community together to experience the brand, via workshops and events,” Rachel Lim, Love, Bonito co-founder said.

    The store will also offer personal stylists on demand who will be ready to give fashion advice to customers.

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  • Singapore Airlines adds another Airbus A350 to Perth

    Singapore Airlines adds another Airbus A350 to Perth

    Singapore Airlines is continuing its rolling upgrade of flights to Australia, with Perth set to see a second Airbus A350 from July 1, 2019.

    The advanced jet, which boasts Singapore Airlines’ latest flat-bed regional business class seats in what the airline calls a ‘medium-range’ configuration, will slot into daily flights SQ214 (departing Perth at 5.10pm) and SQ223 (wheels up from Singapore at 9.30am).

    SQ226/SQ213 already hosts an A350, with a Boeing 787-10 Dreamliner rostered onto SQ216/SQ215.

    This leaves just one daily flight on the Star Alliance member’s older Airbus A330, and its days are surely numbered.

    The Airbus A350’s 40 business class seats are arranged in a 1-2-1 layout, providing every passenger with direct aisle access, with access to inflight WiFi if you need to work rather than rest – or luxuriate over your Book the Cook meal – on the quick five-hour hop.

    Singapore Airlines intends to roll out lie-flat beds across its entire fleet from 2020, from the longest of globe-spanning trips to short hops such as Singapore-Kuala Lumpur on SilkAir, which will be adopting new flat-bed business class seats on its factory-fresh Boeing 737s.

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  • Visa Expands Contactless Payments to Public Transport

    Visa Expands Contactless Payments to Public Transport

    Singapore joins other major cities that have enabled open-loop Visa payment cards for public transport, including London, Sydney and New York. Commuters in Singapore can now use their Visa contactless cards or compatible devices to pay for bus or train rides under the Land Transport Authority’s (LTA) SimplyGo initiative, Visa said in an announcement on Thursday.

    According to Visa, the project with LTA is one of its largest implementation for contactless acceptance for transit globally, with 30,000 acceptance points.

    SimplyGo was rolled out for MasterCard users in April, aiming to make traveling by public transport seamless and convenient by eliminating the need to carry a travel card or wait in line to purchase or top up a travel card. Fees under SimplyGo are the same as paying with a travel card.

    Visa said has been working with partners and merchants to expand the acceptance of contactless payments nationwide, including transport, quick service restaurants and hawker centers.

    Today, Singapore is already one of the top markets globally in terms of contactless penetration with more than 80 percent of all Visa transactions being contactless. We expect this number to grow even faster with the opening of transit acceptance, Kunal Chatterjee, Visa country manager for Singapore and Brunei, said.

  • Clarks opens first dual concept store

    Clarks opens first dual concept store

    Footwear retailer Clarks has opened its first dual concept store at Suntec City Singapore.

    The store showcases Clarks casual footwear products on one side and Cloudsteppers line, which targets Millennial and GenZ consumers, on the other.

    The store marks what Clarks’ management describe as a “milestone of the retail transformation initiated in Southeast Asia”.

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  • Unmanned pop-up store Unboxed by Singtel

    Unmanned pop-up store Unboxed by Singtel

    In the 45sqm store, customers can consult with a live bot, which is powered by facial recognition technology, to receive personalised recommendations, try out phones, sign up for mobile plans at video-assisted self-serve kiosks and buy and collect phones and devices via an in-store POPStation.

    Customers can browse and buy accessories including headphones, phone cases, power banks and contract-free handsets.

    They can also make bill payments, top up prepaid cards and Dash wallets, and get SIM card replacements.

    “The future of retail is here and now. Our digital transformation integrates online and offline customer touchpoints to deliver fresh and fuss-free buying experiences to consumers,” said Yuen Kuan Moon, CEO of consumer at Singtel.

    “Unboxed fulfils the needs of today’s consumer and provides a peek into the next-generation of retail – fast, instant, convenient and experiential.

    Co-created by Singtel, NCS and SingPost, Unboxedbuilds on the success of the digital transformation of Singtel’s flagship Comcentre store, which offers integrated online and in-store shopping carts, and instant purchases via an automated checkout.

    The store will move to a new location every few months to serve customers at high-traffic areas such as transport hubs and school campuses.

  • Janice Wong continues expansion outside Singapore

    Janice Wong continues expansion outside Singapore

    Confectionery and food brand Janice Wong is expanding its reach both within Singapore and beyond as it chases a broader customer demographic.

    In Singapore, the local foodie’s popular three-year old restaurant at the National Museum will close after its current lease expires this month, allowing the company to focus its attention on her retail business. Janice Wong plans to expand beyond Paragon, Raffles City Shopping Centre, T Galleria and Changi airport Terminal 3, working closely with brands and key partners, as well as developing the menu of the 2am Dessert Bar, which has just marked its 12th year.

    Chairman of Janice Wong Singapore, Manoj M Murjani, says the company has created “a fun-loving and whimsical brand” that has brought joy to customers in creative and innovative markets like Japan, Singapore, Korea and even London.

    “This is the right time to capitalise on our success and expand our presence in the region and globally. We believe the Janice Wong brand also provides a unique platform for strategic corporate partners who want to engage their customers in a bold and memorable way.”

    In the first quarter of this year, Janice Wong has announced partnerships including new concessions at DFS T Galleria in February and at Changi Airport’s Terminal 3 in March, allowing travellers to get a taste of a Singaporean creative chocolatier brand on home ground and broadening the brand’s exposure to a larger demographic.

    Taking her edible art exhibitions abroad, Janice Wong launched her latest installation at the Solaria Plaza shopping mall in Fukuoka, Japan, a 10-day edible-art exhibition featuring 12 ‘edible-flower walls’ made from chocolate and lollipops.

    In South Korea, Janice Wong’s longest-spanning exhibition to date, Wonderbox, in Seoul, will become a permanent work for the next three years, moving to South Korea’s newest indoor theme park, Paradise City in Incheon. It will feature creations such as her Lollipop Ceiling and a four-metre-tall Chocolate Drip Paint.

    In addition to the long-term installation, Janice Wong’s first Wonderbox retail store in South Korea opened last month, featuring a selection of her signature products, such as boxed chocolate collections, chocolate bars and lollipops.

    Three years after entering Japan, the company has formed a new local venture Janice Wong Japan Company. “This newly registered business represents the next steps in affirming a long-term plan in Japan and to significantly growth the brand within this market,” the company said.

    Beyond Asia, Janice Wong is looking to follow up last year’s launch in Harrods in London, with forays into Dublin and Berlin by the end of this year.

    Murjani says that as convenience becomes more significant, the brand will shift its efforts towards innovation and product development within the retail section of the company to meet consumer demands. That will see the brand focus on expanding its retail selection of chocolate-coated products and other confectionery offerings.