Retail News CRM

Tag: Singapore

  • Singapore retail sales plunge due to Chinese New Year

    Singapore retail sales plunge due to Chinese New Year

    Singapore retail sales plummeted 10 per cent year on year in February – but the sudden drop was largely due to the timing of Chinese New Year celebrations.

    After excluding motor vehicles from the figures, sales dropped by a slightly higher 10.7 per cent.

    Chinese New Year fell in the middle of the month last year, and early in the month this year, resulting in a shifting of some seasonal spending back into January this time around. Figures combining January and February sales in both comparable periods were not released.

    According to Statistics Singapore, sectors such as food retailers, apparel & footwear, supermarkets & hypermarkets, department stores, furniture & household goods, and medical goods & toiletries registered declines in retail sales of between 10.4 per cent and 24.8 per cent this year.

    Sales of watches & jewellery, optical goods, and books fell by between 7.2 per cent and 9.2 per cent.

    Statistics Singapore estimated total retail sales in February this year at $3.3 billion, with online retail sales comprising about 5 per cent of those.

    Sales of food & beverage services decreased 2.3 per cent year on year. The total sales value of food & beverage services in February was estimated at $855 million, compared to $875 million in February last year.

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  • Massimo Dutti Singapore opens at Jewel Changi

    Massimo Dutti Singapore opens at Jewel Changi

    Massimo Dutti Singapore has launched its sixth store, at Jewel Changi. The Inditex-owned fashion label’s almost 600sqm retail space features the brand’s newest design concept for the first time in Southeast Asia and following the opening of a similar outlet in Munich, Germany.

    Designed to look like a New York apartment, the new interior design layout expresses the natural evolution of the brand. The store concept is focused on lifestyle, offering a more enticing setting via the use of warm, high-quality materials such as wooden furniture and finishes and the use of plants – a blending of contemporary designer furniture that greatly reinforces this updated identity.

    As Massimo Dutti Singapore’s second largest store after Liat Tower, the new venue is in line with the Inditex Group’s latest approach to eco-efficiency.

    Electricity consumption has been reduced by some 30 per cent and water consumption by 40 per cent in comparison with its conventional stores. The eco-efficiency measures implemented include a store lighting system that optimises the lighting for the furnishings, and the exclusive use of LED bulbs. The lighting system also enables partial lighting of store spaces.

    The Changi store also features a Travel Collection, with easy-iron shirts and lightweight crease-resistant suits.

  • Ecco Store opening at Changi Airport Singapore

    Ecco Store opening at Changi Airport Singapore

    Ecco Singapore is opening its newest store in Southeast Asia at Jewel Changi this Wednesday.

    With a design different to other stores in the Ecco Singapore network, the new outlet was inspired by the brand’s philosophy of ‘natural motion’ as well as the greenery and waterfall environment unique to the Jewel Changi space.

    The shop carries a curated collection of the latest Ecco shoes and accessories for both women and men.

    “Since entering the Singapore market more than a decade ago, we have been blessed with tremendous support from our loyal customers who have come to know Ecco for our craftsmanship and premium quality footwear and leather goods,” said David To, GM for Ecco Shoes Singapore and Malaysia.

    “Ecco’s design philosophy is very much inspired by nature and thereby the natural organic features of Jewel is a perfect fit for us. That is why we have chosen this fresh expression of the Ecco brand for this new store to share a new experience with our local customers and Singapore visitors,” he added.

    Founded in 1963, Ecco now has more than 2200 owned shops and 14,000 sales points in 90 countries. The company achieved record sales of US$1.49 billion last year, and posted the highest profit in its 55-year history.

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  • Foot Locker Opens in Jewel Changi Airport, Celebrating Youth and Sneaker Culture

    Foot Locker Opens in Jewel Changi Airport, Celebrating Youth and Sneaker Culture

    Located in Jewel Changi Airport, the two-story space with a dedicated women’s and kids’ area, delivers an engaging retail experience, combining premium products, elevated in-store presentations, as well as enhanced customer experiences.

    With impressive footwear and apparel collections from global brand partners, customers can expect elevated product storytelling from Nike, adidas, Puma, Fila and Champion. The store celebrates basketball culture, offering a premium selection of sneakers and apparel from Nike and Jordan, and features the widest selection of Nike Air Max Plus (TN’s) available in market.

    The store features specially commissioned artwork by local artist Clogtwo, setting the tone for how Foot Locker will regularly tailor the store to the local community.

    To celebrate the launch, Foot Locker hosted a preview event for media. Attendees experienced Xbox gaming, a pop up nail bar and Nike customisation.

    Commenting on the new store, Tomas Petersson, VP and GM, Foot Locker Asia said, “The Jewel store gives Foot Locker a great opportunity to engage and inspire youth culture within the local community. We designed a space that celebrates the city’s creative community and inspires Singapore’ssneaker enthusiasts.”

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  • Gong Cha to open world’s first bubble-tea funhouse

    Gong Cha to open world’s first bubble-tea funhouse

    Gong Cha will team up with Tokidoki to create the world’s first bubble-tea funhouse at Singapore Shilin night market.

    The Tokidoki-themed bubble-tea funhouse will bring three new flavours including Rosa Latte, Berry Biscotti, Bambu Boba, served in Tokidoki co-branded cups.

    Boba enthusiasts can also treat themselves to bubble tea-inspired desserts such as Boba Pancake, and Earl Grey Milk Tea Ice Cream.

    There will also be two limited-edition Tokidoki x Gong Cha-merchandised tumbler and sleeve for the first 500 customers daily.

    At a DIY station, customers can customise their own drinks.

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  • Gucci restaurant pop up heads into Singapore

    Gucci restaurant pop up heads into Singapore

    Osteria, the Gucci restaurant pop up, will open in Singapore next month.

    Set to open at The Arts House, the four-week popup will have a Renaissance theme, replete with the signature red Gucci Herbarium-motif wallpaper.

    The restaurant will open for lunch and dinner on select days from May 1 to 26

    The menu will be conceptualised by chef Massimo Bottura, with Gucci Osteria head chef Karime Lopez.

    Main highlights include Bottura’s signatures dishes, including The Crunchy Part of the Lasagne, Lopez’s creation of sweet-sour pork belly bun, named Taka Bun.

    “We are excited to be able to bring Gucci Osteria to Singapore – a city with a vibrant culinary landscape,” says chef Karime Lopez.

    “At our first international edition, we want to showcase the best of global cuisine, as a country’s cuisine is no longer confined to its birthplace – it can always be reinterpreted and refined. The cuisine we are presenting is not just traditional Italian, but rather a cultural expression that resonates with the global diner of today.”

    Ticket sales open on the 20th of this month. Diners can choose a specially curated four-course lunch (from $128), a seven-course lunch ($228), or seven-course dinner (from $278).

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  • Carousell raises US$56 million from Naspers

    Carousell raises US$56 million from Naspers

    Singaporean m-commerce platform Carousell has raised US$56 million from Naspers, the parent company of the Philippines’ online marketplace OLX.

    As part of the deal, Carousell will also acquire OLX Philippines, with the transaction due to be completed by the second half of this year.

    OLX Group will own a 10 per cent stake in Carousell, and values the company at “over US$550 million,” the firm says.

    The merger will give Carousell a boost in the Philippines and across Southeast Asia.

    Currently featuring 196 million listings Carousell has sold some 71 million items since it was founded in 2012. The company says it wants to continue improving predictive features like smart listings, personalised browsing, chat experiences and price-suggestion functions.

    The firm has raised approximately $170 million to date, and expects a valuation of $1 billion, in the near future.

    Carousell operates in Malaysia, Indonesia, the Philippines, Hong Kong, and Taiwan.

  • Docomo Ventures invests in Singapore’s Kpisoft

    Docomo Ventures invests in Singapore’s Kpisoft

    NTT Docomo Ventures, a wholly owned subsidiary of NTT Group, has made an investment in Singapore-headquartered cloud-based enterprise management solutions provider Kpisoft.

    NTT Docomo Ventures has acquired shares of Kpisoft through its third-party allotment, the company said. Financial details of the transaction were not disclosed.

    According to Docomo Ventures, the solution provided by Kpisoft is designed to analyze data that exists in EPM, BI, human resources management and other relevant systems within an enterprise on a single platform.  The solution has a function that can automatically distribute the analytical findings directly to individual employees in an action proposal form by using machine learning and natural language processing.

    This enables enterprises to make use of analytical findings on enterprise performance and directly and automatically support the actions of individual employees, the company noted.

    Docomo Ventures further said it has made the investment because it “highly expects” the services and knowhow Kpisoft provides will bring added values to EPM or BI the NTT Group offers.

    Reliance Jio Digital Services acquires Haptik

    Meanwhile India’s Reliance Industries, through its subsidiary Reliance Jio Digital Services, has acquired artificial intelligence firm Haptik for Rs 700 crore ($100 million).

    Reliance Jio will hold about 87% of the business with the rest being held by Haptik founders and employees through stock option grants, according to a company release.

    As part of the transaction, Haptik’s existing major shareholder Times Internet will exit the company.

    Akash Ambani, director at Reliance Jio Digital Services said the acquisition underlines the company’s commitment to further boost the digital ecosystem and provide Indian users conversational AI enabled devices with multi-lingual capabilities.

    “We believe voice interactivity will be the primary mode of interaction for Digital India,” Ambani said in a statement.

    “We are delighted to announce this partnership, and look forward to working with the experienced team of Haptik in realizing this vision for offering greater connectivity and rich communication experiences to the billion+ Indian consumers.”

    Founded in 2013, Haptik is chat based virtual concierge mobile application. It client base includes Samsung, Coca-Cola, Future Retail, KFC, Tata Group, Oyo Rooms and Mahindra Group.

    The Haptik team will continue to drive growth of the business, including the enterprise platform as well as digital consumer assistants.

    “This transaction enables Reliance Jio to leverage Haptik’s capabilities across various devices and touch points in the consumer’s journey. The investment focus is on enhancement and expansion of the platform, with an addressable market opportunity of over 1 billion users in India,” the company said in a statement.

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  • Asics Singapore E-commerce Platform Launched

    Asics Singapore E-commerce Platform Launched

    Asics Singapore has launched an online store, with other Southeast Asian markets to follow soon.

    The one-stop destination for all Asics products introduces an integrated shopping experience with shoes exclusive to the online store and a seamless check-out experience.

    The e-commerce site will strengthen Asics’s omnichannel retail strategy in Singapore, providing avid runners with easy access to shoes across all categories and a platform to browse for new purchases while on the move.

    Shoppers can choose to collect their orders directly from the stores or have them delivered.

    Asics’ brick-and-mortar stores will have tablets accessible to customers who want to  experience the Asics.com portal while in store.

    During the next eight weeks, shoppers can collect Asics shopping vouchers at pop-up vending machines across the island. By answering the questions posted weekly on the machines, shoppers can receive an eight-digit code to obtain the vouchers.

    This month, vending machines will be placed at SAFRA EnergyOne Toa Payoh from April 8 to 17; at SAFRA EnergyOne Yishun from April 18 to 27; and at Singapore Polytechnic (InnoMall) from April 28 to May 5. More locations will be revealed on the Asics Instagram account.

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  • Tokyu Hands Singapore to open at Jewel Changi

    Tokyu Hands Singapore to open at Jewel Changi

    Tokyu Hands Singapore will open its fourth store – at Jewel Changi – next week.

    Set to open on the 17th, the Japanese homewares retailer’s newest store in the city will feature new corners offering a selection of products based upon the trading patterns of Tokyu Hands Singapore’s existing stores.

    Each corner will feature a mix of Japanese designs considered “cool” in Singapore.

    A new section Straight up Health will feature pelvis-correction products, with actual devices available for customers to try on.

    “Travel’s Best” is a new corner which provides a collection of products aimed at travellers, along with outdoor accessories. The area offers products designed to make travelling more enjoyable.

    The Tokyu Hands Singapore store opening will feature a Japanese calligraphy performance and workshop by Malik Bin Mazlan, and a Kokuyo Exhibition, introducing Kokuyo products for a limited time.

    The retailer’s already popular Love Writing corner is being expanded with a collection of writing instruments, notebooks with superior-quality paper, and a curated range of other stationery items.

    The Tokyu Hands Singapore Jewel Changi store’s design focuses on the Japanese concept of Kodawaru, which the company says is used to “express careful pursuit, cultivation, approaches, and sensitivity to things one likes”.

    Tokyu Hands Singapore has three other stores: in Jurong East, on Orchard Road and at Suntec City.

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  • Zilingo received fresh investment funding

    Zilingo received fresh investment funding

    Online marketplace Zilingo has raised US$226 million in its recent Series D funding.

    The fresh capital round brings the total amount raised by the company to $308 million. Having secured its latest investments, the company is now looking to China as well as other key Asian markets as part of its growth strategy to expand its B2B business.

    Key investors from this latest round included Sequoia Capital, Temasek Holdings, Burda Principal Investments, Sofina, Singapore investment fund EDBI as well as existing investors.

    “Sequoia’s investment in Zilingo dates back to when the company wasn’t even yet incorporated and the name wasn’t finalised,” said Sequoia Capital (India) Singapore’s MD Shailendra Singh.

    “Ankiti and team have rapidly transformed their original ideas about Zilingo into a platform company that serves fashion consumers, merchants, retailers, brands and manufacturers, collectively representing a multi-hundred-billion-dollar market size. We are amazed by the team’s ability to envision and execute against such an ambitious roadmap and are excited to continue to support them on their journey.”

    The company says it plans to invest the capital in long-term value building across the supply chain, building new and deeper relationships with manufacturing partners in Vietnam, Cambodia, Sri Lanka and China, and expanding into new markets such as the Philippines, Indonesia, Australia and the US this year.”

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  • Online grocery marketplace Dei Lifts Off in Singapore

    Online grocery marketplace Dei Lifts Off in Singapore

    Home-grown online grocery marketplace Dei has launched in Singapore.

    Standing for ‘Daily Everything’, Dei hosts more than 70 physical Singapore-based Indian retailers, and 15,000 products categorised into canned goods, clothing, locally sourced vegetables, fruit and meat.

    Consumers will enjoy same-day delivery along with post-sale services.

    “Dei was founded to promote digital transformation and introduce new technologies for Little India’s merchant community,” said Jay Varman, co-founder and CEO.

    “With Dei, Little India’s retailers and merchants can enjoy greater access to the greater Singapore community and increase their revenue by up to 30 per cent.”

    Appointed by the Little India Heritage Association (LISHA) and the Singapore India Chamber of Commerce and Industry (SICCI), Dei was soft-launched in 2016, and has gained year-on-year growth of 120 per cent, peaking at an average of 50 daily orders with an estimated $900,000 in total revenue.

    “Dei helps to bridge the gap between e-commerce and the traditional brick and mortar space, allowing for the consolidation of shipments into one,” said Rajakumar Chandra, chairman of LISHA,

    “We hope to collectively onboard all business owners and merchants of Little India to ensure that everyone benefits from the nationwide digitalisation push. Furthermore, we are in discussions with representatives from Chinatown and Kampong Glam to expand into their respective precincts, thus providing a truly seamless experience for all Singaporeans.”

    The platform is currently raising seed funding for future expansion. It plans to build hyperlocal, omnichannel-integrated marketplaces across Southeast Asia.

  • Skechers Opens first duplex store in Singapore

    Skechers Opens first duplex store in Singapore

    Skechers Singapore is opening Southeast Asia’s largest and first duplex experiential concept store, at Jewel Changi this week.

    Set to open on Thursday (April 11), the 5000sqft space will incorporate new visual-merchandising and store-design elements with the use of bright lighting and cement panels.

    The space is divided into product categories, including performance, lifestyle and Skechers kids.

    The store also adopts a story-driven design, where key messages behind each product range will be highlighted through visual images and artwork.

    On Level 2 an Instagram-worthy photo zone features thematic displays and images that will be refreshed every season to reflect the keys launches with the Skechers x One Piece collaboration centrestage.

    This will be the first store in Singapore to include a shoe customisation zone with embroidery and heat-press personalisation, and to carry Jewel-exclusive collections including the Skechers SKLX series of training sneakers.

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  • Asus tipped to launch second-generation ROG gaming smartphone

    Asus tipped to launch second-generation ROG gaming smartphone

    The ROG Phone, Asus’ first gaming smartphone was quite expensive at launch, even when compared to other flagships released on the market around the same time. The cheapest Asus ROG Phone could be yours for $900 in the United States, while the most expensive model, which packs 512GB storage, was priced at $1,100 outright.

    Apparently, Asus plans to launch a sequel later this year, but the company will mainly focus on the Chinese market this time. Digitimes reports the second-generation ROG Phone will be launched in Q3 2019, and that Asus will team up with Tencent to advertise the flagship in China.

    Back in December, Asus outlined its new strategy to focus on gaming and premium smartphones rather than entry-level and mid-range models, which is meant to reduce the losses of its smartphone business.

    The report also claims Asus has a big chance of revitalizing its smartphone division if the partnership with Tencent goes through, even though gaming smartphones remain niche products that don’t generate significant profits.

    Although Asus plans to focus on the Chinese market with the next ROG Phone, there’s no reason not to sell the device in other markets like Europe and the United States.

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  • KFC Singapore debuts open-kitchen restaurant at Tampines Mall

    KFC Singapore debuts open-kitchen restaurant at Tampines Mall

    KFC Singapore has launched its first Southeast Asian open-kitchen restaurant at Tampines Mall, revealing how its chicken is prepared.

    The fast-food giant’s Open Kitchen program, also called ‘The Tank’, has already been rolled out in the UK, Ireland, Australia and Japan.

    “With the rollout of the ‘The Tank’ at KFC Tampines Mall and the KFC Open Kitchen program, I hope to proudly share KFC’s heritage and Colonel Sanders’ obsessive passion in cooking the best-tasting chicken,” said Lynette Lee, KFC Singapore GM.

    The chain also plans to host guests on ‘insider tours’ where visitors can watch staff perform Colonel Harlan Sanders’ “7-10-7” technique.

    Beginning today, guided 35-minute tour sessions of KFC kitchens at selected outlets, including Kallang, Waterway Point, Toa Payoh Lorong 6, Jurong Point and Northpoint City, will be available for booking online through KFC Singapore’s website.

    Tours cost $15, including a two-piece KFC chicken meal and a goodie bag. Visitors will get to see the kitchen’s storage area, the chicken breading and preparation stations, and the service counter area.