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Tag: Singapore

  • Konnectivity to buy out remaining shares of M1

    Konnectivity to buy out remaining shares of M1

    Konnectivity, the joint venture buying out Singapore’s M1, has revealed plans to embark on a multi-year transformation of the operator to enhance its competitiveness in the market. The venture revealed it will compulsorily acquire the remaining shares in M1 after securing a 94.55% stake.

    Konnectivity, which is jointly owned by Keppel Corporation and Singapore Press Holdings, announced it will exercise its rights to acquire all remaining M1 shares at the offer price of S$2.06 ($1.52) per share, and then take the company private.

    After the compulsory acquisition, Konnectivity will own 80.69% in M1, while Keppel Corp subsidiary Keppel Telecommunications and Transportation will own the remainder.

    After the acquisition closes, Keppel Corporation and SPH plan to work with M1 on a transformation strategy focused on the three prongs of innovation, technology adoption, and digitalization to help Singapore’s smallest operator better compete with larger rivals Singtel and StarHub.

    “As a member of the Keppel Group, M1 looks forward to working closely with the Keppel Group and with SPH to accelerate the changes needed to deliver even more innovative and compelling products and services, to stay ahead of the competition,” M1 CEO Manjot Singh Mann said.

    “M1 shall endeavour to transform to be at the heart of convergence of various digital services and technologies that present day consumers and enterprises demand. Keppel and SPH bring with them their organisational strengths and stability, which will help us chart our growth plans aggressively, while seeking significant opportunities of synergy with them.”

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  • Singapore’s Start-Up To Launch World’s First All-In-One Digital Currency App

    Singapore’s Start-Up To Launch World’s First All-In-One Digital Currency App

    A team of Singaporean startup will be launching the world’s first all-in-one digital finance mobile application to help general public come onboard to the world of digital currency or better known as cryptocurrency.

    Started off as a media portal AsiaTokenFund, the company has launched the app called ATF to integrate its media platform with a dynamic cryptocurrency “store & utilize” platform. The company realized that as more and more real-businesses are moving into blockchain and adopting cryptocurrency, there is a need to bring more people from the general public into the industry by adopting and utilizing cryptocurrency in everyday life. The main issue is that, at the present moment, it is very difficult or troublesome for a new-to-crypto user to come onboard as the processes are so segmented.

    “Right now if a new user wants to obtain a cryptocurrency, he/she have no idea what it is. He/she will have to read information about it somewhere. Next, he will need to download and set up a wallet and thereafter find a OTC or platform to buy his first cryptocurrency. Thereafter, he’ll have to find other platform to trade or download other app to make payments. It’s just too fragmented with too many processes. You can’t drive mass adoption this way” Said Ken N, Co-Founder & CEO of ATF.

    With ATF Platform / App , users will be able to read the latest news on what’s happening in the blockchain & cryptocurrency space , get the latest market analysis , find out what new currencies are out there to purchase and learn some basic information.

    Adding to that, users will also be assigned their own asset function which comes with a secured wallet to store and utilize their cryptocurrency. In the asset function, users can also purchase cryptocurrency using fiat via bank-transfer or credit / debit cards. Users can also sell their cryptocurrency with the same method.

    In Addition, users can transfer cryptocurrency to peers for free. With the added supported merchant function, users can now purchase items listed in the app by merchants and pay by cryptocurrency. What more, users can also use the ATF app to scan & pay directly at merchant physical shop using their digital currencies.

    “We’ve real companies embarking to accept digital currencies. Recently, we’ve seen news that Starbucks will soon start to accept bitcoin as payment in the US. We’ve also seen news on Facebook announcing its cryptocurrency. I foresee in the near future, more real businesses especially merchants will be able to accept cryptocurrency. There is a gap in the market to provide a one-stop-solution. I hope we are able to do just that” Said Ken N.

    The full function of the app can be summarized as follow:

    • News, Research Articles & Market Analysis.
    • Latest Project Fundraising, issuing new cryptocurrency for purchase.
    • Secured Wallet to store cryptocurrency.
    • OTC, fiat-to-crypto purchase or sell cryptocurrency.
    • Aggregated to Exchange for trading.
    • Transfer crypto peer-to-peer for free.
    • Purchase in-app merchant listed items.
    • Scan & Pay at merchant physical store using crypto.

    ATF currently have over 80,000 subscribers on their media channel www.atfnews.com and social media following of over 140,000 in facebook and other platforms. Headquartered in Singapore, ATF have international teams based in Shanghai, Vietnam, Thailand, Philippines and Germany.

    ATF Mobile App will be launched in both Google Play store and Apple store in first week of April 2019. The company is now set to raise its Series A equity funding to support its global expansion initiatives.

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  • Ho Say Liao, Singapore! Shake Shack’s First Southeast Asia Restaurant Lands at Jewel Changi Airport

    Ho Say Liao, Singapore! Shake Shack’s First Southeast Asia Restaurant Lands at Jewel Changi Airport

    Singaporeans, the wait is finally over! Shake Shack is set to make its highly anticipated debut in Singapore (and in Southeast Asia!) at Jewel Changi Airport on 17 April 2019. The Singapore menu will feature Shake Shack’s signature items including the ShackBurger®, Shack-cago
    Dog™, classic crinkle-cut fries, craft beer, wine and frozen custard ice-cream. Shake Shack will also partner with local food purveyors and producers to create one-of-a-kind items for the Singapore community. Stay tuned to @shakeshacksg for details on the exclusive menu! Shake Shack has partnered with SPC Group, a leading global food company based in the Republic of Korea to bring Shake Shack to the Lion City. The SPC Group is a 74-year-old food company with 51 subsidiaries and 35 brands around the world including USA, France, China and Singapore. In 2016, SPC Group launched the first Shake Shack in Korea and is currently operating 8 Shake Shack restaurants across Seoul.

    Shake Shack is a critically acclaimed, modern day “roadside” burger stand known for its 100% all-natural Angus beef burgers (no hormones or antibiotics – ever), griddled flat-top beef hotdogs, fresh-made frozen custard, crispy crinkle cut fries and more. A fun and lively community gathering place with widespread appeal, Shake Shack has earned a cult-like following around the world. In its fifteen-year history, Shake Shack has been recognized with countless accolades, including Bon Appétit’s “The 20 Most Important Restaurants in America” (ranked #16), TIME Magazine’s “17 Most Influential Burgers of All Time” (ranked #7 for the ShackBurger) and winning “Best Burger” in 2007 and 2014 at the South Beach Wine and Food Festival’s Burger Bash.

    Shake Shack started as a hot dog cart in Madison Square Park, created by Danny Meyer’s Union Square Hospitality Group to support the Madison Square Park Conservancy’s first public art project. After three summers of fans lining up daily for the cart, Shake Shack opened a permanent kiosk in the park, and Shake Shack was officially born. An instant neighbourhood fixture, Shake Shack welcomed people from all over the city, country and world who gathered together to enjoy fresh, simple, high quality versions of the classics in a majestic setting.

    Fine dining roots are a unique part of Shake Shack’s beginnings. For its first three summers, Shake Shack operated out of Eleven Madison Park’s private dining-room kitchen (voted #1 restaurant in the world in 2018) and continued to work closely with the restaurant for years. That fine dining heritage remains a core tenant of Shake Shack today – from its premium ingredients to its sourcing practices to the acclaimed chefs Shake Shack collaborates with around the world like Dominique Ansel, Missy Robbins, Rosio Sanchez, Chef Zaiyu Hasegawa, Daniel Boulud, David Chang, and more. Shake Shack sources only high quality, premium ingredients from the best ranchers, farmers, bakers and food purveyors.

    The beef patty is 100% all-natural Angus, vegetarian fed, humanely raised and source verified with no hormones or antibiotics. The fries are crinkle cut with zero artificial ingredients and the vanilla and chocolate frozen custards use only real sugar, no corn syrup, and milk from dairy farmers who pledge not to use artificial growth hormones. Shake Shack’s fine dining heritage and commitment to community building, hospitality and the sourcing of premium ingredients have helped pioneer a new “fine casual” restaurant category. Fine Casual couples the ease, value and convenience of fast casual with the high standards of excellence grounded in fine dining heritage: thoughtful ingredient sourcing and preparation, hospitality and quality. As a pioneer in this new category, Shake Shack strives to maintain the culinary traditions of the classic American burger stand, while providing guests with a menu of inspired food and drinks, made with carefully sourced and quality ingredients, and always cooked to order

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  • Boardwalk Advendture vending machine cluster opens at Sentosa

    Boardwalk Advendture vending machine cluster opens at Sentosa

    Royal Vending has launched 35 cashless-enabled vending machines in a cluster it calls Boardwalk Advendture.

    Featuring more than 50 brands, Boardwalk Advendture is the first automation cluster set in a tourist attraction which the company says ushers in a new age of automated retail-tainment.

    “Boardwalk Advendture pushes the envelope and signals a new age of smart retailing,” said Jae Teo, Royal Vending MDr.

    “The innovative vending concepts of today can help hero made-in-Singapore brands, start-ups and host unexpected products. We hope that the Boardwalk Advendture will inspire other locales to embrace the next generation of retailing.”

    GOH meeting the artists from the Art Faculty by Pathlight

    GOH meeting the artists from the Art Faculty by Pathlight

    Starting off from VivoCity, the first ‘Fresh Point’ cluster kicks off with snacks, refreshments and essentials that visitors can grab to beat the heat and stay cool.

    The midway point houses a ‘Gift Street’ featuring quirky souvenirs, local crafts and tourist favourites from the city.

    There are other pleasant surprises dotted along the way, including ‘Fun Alley’ with game machines and outdoor must-haves that will keep both parents and children entertained.

    An air-conditioned ‘Foodie Zone’ is available at the end for tourists to re-fuel before heading into Sentosa.

    “With the support from Enterprise Singapore, Royal Vending was able to adapt its business model and curate a range of products that … enhance the customer experience as they walk down the Sentosa Boardwalk,” said Alan Yeo, director of Retail & Design, Enterprise Singapore.

    “We encourage more retailers to take the bold step to innovate and introduce differentiated retail concepts that can serve to delight their customers and ensure long-term business growth,” he added.

    Royal Vending’s Boardwalk Advendture will enrich the experience with 24-hour amenities such as food and beverage takeaways.

    Brands already signed up to the cluster include Art Faculty by Pathlight, beauty brand su:m37 and Singapore souvenirs and gift supplier Love SG.

    Royal Vending is one of Singapore’s largest vending machine companies, with more than 15 years of experience.

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  • Singapore retail sales up with 5.3 per cent

    Singapore retail sales up with 5.3 per cent

    Singapore retail sales rose by 5.3 per cent in January, underpinned by consumers stocking up ahead of the Lunar New Year holiday.

    When motor vehicles are included in the data, the official topline figure was a 7.6 per cent increase.

    Lunar New Year fell two weeks earlier this year compared with last year, which means some volume of pre-holiday stocking up was completed in January rather than the first half of February.

    According to Statistics Singapore, the total retail sales value in January was about S$4.2 billion. Online retail sales accounted for a solid 4.8 per cent of sales.

    Most retail industries recorded higher sales in January this year compared to last. Sales of apparel & footwear, medical goods & toiletries and by department stores, supermarkets & hypermarkets and food retailers registered growth rates of between 8 per cent and 10.5 per cent, as a result of higher demand during the Lunar New Year lead up.

    In contrast, sales of computer & telecommunications equipment declined 11.5 per cent, due in part to lower demand for mobile phones during this period.

    Sales of food & beverage services increased 5.9 per cent in January, reaching $862 million, compared to $814 million in January last year.

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  • DFS to Celebrate Eighth Prestigious Masters of Wines and Spirits Event in Singapore

    DFS to Celebrate Eighth Prestigious Masters of Wines and Spirits Event in Singapore

    DFS Group (DFS), the world’s leading luxury travel retailer, in partnership with Changi Airport Group, will host its eighth annual Masters of Wines and Spirits event in Singapore at the end of March. The most celebrated and prestigious event in the industry, Masters of Wines and Spirits will showcase a curation of 140 of the rarest and finest whiskies, wines, Cognacs and Champagne from around the world, all under one roof.

    The 2019 edition of Masters of Wines and Spirits will take place on Saturday, 23 March and Sunday, 24 March, bringing together esteemed guests from around the world. The event is an annual testament to DFS’ leadership in global travel retail, as well as highlighting the expertise of DFS’ merchants who spend a year of extensive research to selectively curate a world-class, bespoke collection of wines and spirits.

    Hosted at Infinite Studios, Singapore’s state-of-the-art studio, this year’s edition of Masters of Wines and Spirits explores the theme of “Masters at Work” – an homage to those who have acquired complete knowledge or skill in a subject, technique or artform and whose passionate commitment to their task continues to raise the bar for all others in the field. DFS celebrates six masters across a spectrum of backgrounds. Guests will be taken on an interactive and immersive journey through activations and experiences that explore each brand’s heritage and which ignite the senses.

    The six “Masters at Work” comprise: Brooke Supernaw of DFS as Master of Curation, Ewan Gunn of Diageo as Master of Whisky, Sarah Burgess of The Macallan as Master of Malt, Fabrice Papin of Château Lafite Rothschild as Master of Wine, Hidetsugu Ueno of Bar High Five as Master of Cocktails and DJ Arthur Bray as Master of Music.

    “The eighth edition of Masters of Wines and Spirits will showcase another outstanding collection of more than 140 masterpieces from 60 of the world’s most legendary wine and spirits houses,” said Brooke Supernaw, Senior Vice President Spirits, Wine, Tobacco and Gifts, DFS Group. “Here at DFS, we take pride in curating an ever-growing collection of wines and spirits that become more exclusive, bespoke, rare or limited-edition each year, and which capture the heritage and craftsmanship of each brand.”

    The 140-piece strong curation – featuring collectable items such as the oldest whisky ever released by The Macallan, The Macallan 72 Year Old in Lalique – The Genesis Decanter; a set of three extremely rare vintages, The Château Lafite Rothschild Double Magnum Collection; and an exceptionally unique bottle produced from the owner’s original stocks – Port Ellen’s 39 Year Old. The collection will also be showcased and celebrated at Changi Airport through a series of activations at Terminals 2 and 3 until the end of April.

    DFS’ Masters of Wines and Spirits 2019 Collection

    More than 80 Cognacs and Whiskies make up this year’s collection and include The Dalmore Constellation Vintage 1973 Drinking Cabinet, a very special bespoke and handcrafted cabinet commissioned by Richard Paterson, containing The Constellation Vintage 1973 (cask no.10). The Bunnahabhain 39-Year-Old Spanish Octave Finish, an exclusive limited edition piece that forms part of the new Bunnahabhain Element Series which is crafted around the importance of various elements impacting on the character of each Bunnahabhain whisky, and the DFS Exclusive, Caol Ila 35 Year Old boasting a fine freshness, cleanliness and precision for its age.

    The Glenfiddich 45-Year-Old, an exclusive blend for DFS Masters of Wines and Spirits, honors a whisky-making tradition dating back to 1887 and is a true reflection of the passion and innovative spirit passed down through all five generations of the Grant family. Possibly the last ever cask of Karuizawa Single Malt to be bottled in Japan is the Karuizawa Single Cask 1995. Port Ellen 39-Year-Old is an elegant complex 39 year old Single Malt Whisky, unlocked from the heart of Port Ellen and expertly married from a selection of ex-Bourbon and ex-Sherry refill casks.

    Macallan presents The Macallan 72-Year-Old In Lalique – The Genesis Decanter, the oldest whisky ever released by the Macallan family in commemoration of the opening of its new Distillery and Visitor Experience. Presented in a bespoke limited-edition crystal decanter handcrafted by Lalique, this exceptional whisky celebrates the collaboration of masters from across the fields of whisky, crystal, architecture, construction and craftsmanship. Also from the Macallan family comes The Macallan Fine & Rare Decades Collection. Created exclusively for DFS, the collection features five Fine & Rare vintages from 1938, 1947, 1954, 1965, 1976, each drawn from a single unique cask, denoting key historical events for the year.

    From the world of wine, DFS presents more than 60 collections including The Château Lafite Rothschild Double Magnum Collection, a rare opportunity to collect three of the great vintages produced by the estate in big formats and The Château Mouton Rothschild Magnum Collection, a unique six-vintage magnum set of exceptional vintages from 1988 to 2009.

    The Penfolds 2015 Bin 707 Cabernet Sauvignon Imperial is one of the world’s most iconic Cabernet Sauvignons and a true representation of the Penfolds ‘House Style’ and has shown its ability to age with grace and finesse since the first vintage in 1964. All great wines begin with a great site, and the Continuum Tim Mondavi Library Vertical Selection is a unique collection offering an opportunity to enjoy a vertical flight of Continuum vintages from 2010 through 2015.

    Giving reason to celebrate is the Rare Le Secret Magnum Vintage 1997 With Emerald, Ruby, Sapphire from Piper-Heidsieck. Inspired by the muse of both Maisons, Marie- Antoinette, Queen of France, Rare Le Secret High Jewellery is royally embellished with a one- carat precious stone, interwoven golden bands set with 510 diamonds. Presented in a majestic box, this spectacular edition has been for more than 20 years in the cellar of Régis Camus, Rare  Champagne’s Cellar Master.

    DFS Masters of Wines and Spirits is part of the DFS Masters Series, a signature program of exhibitions around the world. The Masters Series is a showcase of the pinnacle of DFS’ leadership and innovation in curating and creating exceptional experiences across its five pillars of luxury: Wines and Spirits, Beauty and Fragrances, Watches and Jewelry, Fashion and Accessories, and Food and Gifts.

  • Grand Opening of Elizabeth Arden White Tea House In The Shilla Duty Free Changi Airport

    Grand Opening of Elizabeth Arden White Tea House In The Shilla Duty Free Changi Airport

    Elizabeth Arden has partnered with Changi Airport Group and The Shilla Duty Free to open a world exclusive pop-up concept celebrating the travel retail prelaunch of two new fragrances – White Tea Wild Rose and White Tea Vanilla Orchid.

    The Elizabeth Arden White Tea House opens on Sunday 3 March and sits beside The Shilla Cosmetics & Perfumes Central Store at Singapore Changi Airport’s Terminal 1 Transit Departure Hall until 13 April 2019.

    Elizabeth Arden’s first White Tea fragrance launched in 2017 with the aim to capture the feelings of simple pleasures, a carefree afternoon, a good book or the first sip of tea in a pure and uncomplicated fragrance. Today, Elizabeth Arden is expanding the experiential collection with the launch of White Tea Wild Rose and White Tea Vanilla Orchid.

    Experiential

    The White Tea House is part of Elizabeth Arden’s commitment to present memorable and coveted travel experiences and presents travellers with the opportunity to embark on a #WhiteTeaMoments experiential journey.

    Fragrance and skincare sampling are presented to travellers in a “degustation style” – customers get to experience the three scents of White Tea, White Tea Wild Rose and White Tea Vanilla Orchid before deciding on their complimentary cup of tea, inspired by each of the fragrances.

    Elizabeth Arden’s best-selling skincare products are presented in sampling portions, and plated in degustation style. Customers will be able to share their experience with other travellers via the Tea House message board and photos against a specially designed floral wall to share with friends and family on social media via hashtags #WhiteTeaMoments #Changi 1st. They will also receive a free hardcopy polaroid photo.

    Stephane Bonnet, Elizabeth Arden Vice President of Global Travel Retail explained: “The White Tea House is an excellent way to kickstart the launch of our new White Tea fragrances. The tea house integrates beauty and lifestyle elements beautifully with various memorable touch points during the service journey. We hope the travellers will attach this pleasant memory to the subtle yet enchanting scents of Elizabeth Arden’s White Tea Fragrances.”

    Exclusive gifts

    Customers are rewarded with a Changi Airport-exclusive magnet and postcard set designed in collaboration with Grace Ciao, an illustrator globally recognised for her delicate and chic fashion illustrations using real flowers and watercolours.  The design depicts a modern woman in a dress created from wild rose, posing elegantly against a backdrop of pink roses and white vanilla orchids, symbolizing the two new pre-launch fragrances. Elizabeth Arden also provides free mailing service for travellers who want to post the postcard to their loved ones.

    The shopping experience in the White Tea House is further elevated by a tea blending activity where customers can customise their own White Tea blend to bring home in a personalised sealed tea bag upon purchase of a White Tea fragrance.  This customisable gift is available only at the White Tea House in Changi Airport.  “Personalisation of gifts, either for yourself or for your loved ones is becoming increasingly important in the competitive and congested retail environment. Customers want to be part of the process of creating something unique for themselves,” shared Yumie Chia, Senior Regional Director of Asia Pacific Travel Retail Division at Elizabeth Arden.

    “Multi-level engaging expereience”

    “Changi Airport is honoured to host the world’s first Elizabeth Arden White Tea House experiential pop-up concept and be the first airport to launch the two new beautiful fragrances ahead of the rest of the world. Passengers flying through Terminal 1 can take a moment to indulge in the fragrance of white tea to ease the stress of travelling, and bring home some elegant mementos from Changi Airport,” said Teo Chew Hoon, Group Senior Vice President of Airside Concessions, Changi Airport Group.

    Phil Yoon, Managing Director from The Shilla Duty Free added: “As The Shilla Duty Free continues to seek for innovative partnership launches, this collaboration with Elizabeth Arden provides a multi-level engaging experience that will delight even the weariest travellers.  A traveller’s buying behaviour has evolved in marvellous ways.  The concept of a Tea House is a great way to appeal to our increasingly sophisticated travellers and engage with them on both olfactory and gastronomical levels.”

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  • Iuiga defends use of Muji brand on its website

    Iuiga defends use of Muji brand on its website

    Singaporean retailer Iuiga says it has done “nothing wrong” using the Muji brand name on its website.

    “The information on our website is factually accurate and our manufacturing processes are legal,” said Jaslyn Chan, Iuiga chief growth officer.

    Iuiga says it works directly with Original Design Manufacturers (ODM), who produce for large international brands including Muji. Under the ODM business model, the exterior, aesthetics, materials, dimensions and patented technologies are developed by the ODM and these product and design rights belong to them.

    “There is no direct ownership of the product by any single brand entity, allowing the ODM to produce for more than one brand. This is what Iuiga means when it says a certain product is from the “same manufacturer as Brand A”.

    Based on this, Iuiga maintains it is working with ODMs that also work with Muji.

    “Iuiga is also preparing a list of manufacturers that both Iuiga and Muji work with to be released to the media later,” Chan added.

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  • CTG, Global Switch, Daily-Tech open Singapore data center

    CTG, Global Switch, Daily-Tech open Singapore data center

    China Telecom Global, Chinese data center infrastructure developer and operator Daily-Tech and the UK-based Global Switch have jointly open a data center in Singapore’s Woodlands district as part of their three-way partnership.

    The S$280 million ($206.4 million) Global Switch Singapore Woodlands data center spans 25,000 square meters and has been constructed to operate to Tier III+ standards.

    The Singapore data center is the second to be built under the three-way partnership after the HK$5 billion data center in Tseung Kwan O that opened in December 2017.

    The Singapore Woodlands data center is designed to a power usage efficiency of just 1.34, making it the most power efficient data center available to customers in Singapore. The data center services are powered by 30MVA of utility power supply capacity and backed by a 24/7 networks operations center.

    The data center will connect to China Telecom Global’s network of subsea and terrestrial cables as well as other data centers around the world. It is Global Switch’s 12th data center globally.

    “This is a milestone entry into the Southeast Asian countries’ market for Daily-Tech through our strategic business partnership,” Daily-Tech chairman Li Qiang said.

    “Customers in the region – particularly those looking to expand through China’s Belt and Road projects, will now find more convenient connections and access to well-managed services to support their business growth. This partnership offers customers commitment, a track record in servicing and bespoke services, and best practice management.”

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  • Pizza Hut Singapore appoints BLKJ as Singapore creative agency of record

    Pizza Hut Singapore appoints BLKJ as Singapore creative agency of record

    Pizza Hut Singapore appoints BLKJ, an independent creative agency, as Agency of Record to resonate with young adults while maintaining its strong heritage among families. BLKJ, one of the fastest growing independent creative agencies in Singapore, was established in 2017. BLKJ will be managing all Pizza Hut’s upcoming campaign launches. They will lead all marketing efforts in content creation, creative designs and art direction. BLKJ will be tasked to deliver innovative ideas and refresh the Pizza Hut brand in Singapore.

    “We were bowled over by the boldness of their ideas, their appreciation for the brand challenges and spot on solutions to win the hearts of the Millennials. Most of all, it was a meeting of minds and we believe this is fundamental to any successful partnership,” says Joyce Tan, Senior Director, Marketing & Food Innovation, Pizza Hut Singapore. “We launched ‘Your Slice of Simple’ campaign last year and believe that BLKJ is a strong partner to help reinforce and cement this positioning for our brand.”

    The appointment was made following a three-way agency pitch. Pizza Hut was particularly drawn to BLKJ’s good grasp of the category and the Pizza Hut brand. The decision to partner with BLKJ was made after a stringent evaluation process which involves key marketing and senior stakeholders.

    “We are very excited to be working with Pizza Hut. Firstly it’s a great brand with the potential for creating ground-breaking work. Pizza Hut’s positioning of ‘Your Slice of Simple’ is a great place to start from. Secondly, from the word go the chemistry between the two parties was great. Both of us want to make Pizza Hut more successful than it’s ever been before,” says Rowena Bhagchadani, CEO and Co-Founder, BLKJ.

    The appointment will be further enhanced with the launch of Pizza Hut’s new brand campaign in March 2019. With the addition of BLKJ, Pizza Hut will continue to rekindle the simple and delicious pizza experience, further emphasising an alternative to “foodie complexity”. The partnership with BLKJ will elevate Pizza Hut brand among millennials in Singapore and brings captivating ideas to life.

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  • UNIQLO to Open its Second Largest Store in Singapore at Jewel Changi Airport

    UNIQLO to Open its Second Largest Store in Singapore at Jewel Changi Airport

    After opening its Global Flagship Store at Orchard Central in 2016, UNIQLO will welcome its second largest store in Singapore on 11 April 2019, as it sets foot in the iconic Jewel Changi Airport. Aspiring to showcase its LifeWear ethos to the world, UNIQLO aims to leverage Jewel – a choice lifestyle destination that will draw in both locals and visitors globally – to share its brand experience that champions Simple Made Better through constant innovation.

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  • Singtel to invest a further $536m in Bharti Airtel

    Singtel to invest a further $536m in Bharti Airtel

    Singtel Group has revealed plans to subscribe to Bharti Airtel’s 250 billion rupee ($3.57 billion) right issue, taking up its full entitlement for its direct stake of 15%.

    Airtel will take up 170 million new shares at an issue price of 220 rupees per share for a total of 37.5 billion rupees ($535.7 million).

    Airtel major shareholder Bharti Group has also committed to taking its full entitlement under the issue, while fellow major shareholder Bharti Telecom has renounced part of its entitlement in favor of Singapore sovereign investment fund GIC Singapore, which will invest around 50 billion rupees.

    The major shareholders and GIC have together committed a total of 67% of the rights issue. The renunciation to GIC will take Singtel’s effective interest in Airtel to 35.2%, with the operator maintaining its position as Airtel’s largest shareholder.

    “Our participation in this rights offering with our partners and a leading investor such as GIC reflects our long-standing commitment to Airtel and the confidence in the future of the Indian market,” Singtel International CEO Arthur Lang said.

    “Airtel has performed well despite business headwinds and is consolidating its position in a more sustainable market. Our partnership with Airtel spans some two decades and we continue to take a long-term view of India, having recently invested in Bharti Telecom and Airtel Africa.”

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  • Dune London about to open in Singapore

    Dune London about to open in Singapore

    Footwear brand Dune London is planning to expand into Singapore and Bangkok this year.

    The brand says expansion into new international markets is one of its core strategies for this year.

    In the UK, the brand will expand its standalone store network by opening a new location in Newcastle Eldon Square and opening outlet stores in Cheshire Oaks, Icon O2 and Kildare Village.

    South America is another focus area, and Dune plans to roll out eight new concessions with its existing partner in Chile. It will also debut in Romania.

    “This is a very exciting time for Dune London, as international expansion is a focal part of our overall growth strategy,” said James Cox, CEO.

    “We will focus our efforts on specific markets with best-in-class support strategies and tactical initiatives that are regionally appropriate and perfectly aligned with our product and marketing investments.”

    Dune has opened 10 new concessions in department stores in Mainland China, two in Macau and one in Hong Kong, as well as new standalone stores in Kuala Lumpur; Ho Chi Minh City and Hanoi in Vietnam; and Manila in the Philippines.

    In the Middle East, it trades in more than 50 locations.

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  • Reebonz teams up with Japan’s Komehyo

    Reebonz teams up with Japan’s Komehyo

    Singapore’s e-commerce platform Reebonz has partnered with Japanese offline pre-owned luxury product boutique Komehyo.

    Reebonz is expected to make Komehyo’s products available to an estimated 5.5 million members on its platform, supporting both companies’ missions to bring authentic pre-owned luxury to consumers around the world.

    “The next step for us is to continuously support their growth in sales across Asia Pacific,” commented Nupur Sadiwala, Reebonz CFO.

    “Furthermore, with the growing demand for authentic pre-owned luxury complemented by growing demand for new luxury products, we believe that this partnership will allow us to further deepen our ecosystem strategy of offering the broadest selection of quality new and pre-owned luxury products.”

    “In addition to the opportunity for us to amplify our brand awareness, we believe that by working with Reebonz, we will be able to further improve our consistency in delivering authentic high quality products to aspiring consumers across the region,” added Shinji Kai, Komehyo’s IT department assistant GM.

    Established in 1979, Komehyo currently has 40 retail stores across Japan and an online platform, selling bags, jewellery, leather goods and accessories, to watches, shoes and apparel.

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  • Muji Singapore to offer home renovation products

    Muji Singapore to offer home renovation products

    Muji Singapore is set to expand its offer to include the new Muji Renovation concept. By 2025, Muji Singapore customers might be able to go to the Japanese retailer for a complete home transformation, said Satoru Matsuzaki, president and representative director of Muji owner Ryohin Keikaku.

    “I always want to bring new formats to Singapore first, develop it here, then [take] it out to the region,” Matsuzaki added.

    “Coming soon for Singapore shoppers is the expansion of the Muji Walker active wear range, launched in the 2018 Spring/Summer season and meant for light exercise.

    “This is really a good match for Singapore,” said Matsuzaki, pointing to the island’s year-long warm weather and ageing, health-conscious population.

    It also aims to expand its product range, narrowing the gap between the 7000 items sold in Japan and the 4000 here.

    Store sizes will expand as well, from an average of 6000sqft to some 18,000sqft.

    Strong sales have fuelled the brand’s confidence and the plans to expand store footprints. Despite the local retail sector supposedly being on the downtrend, Muji Singapore’s sales are rising steadily each year.

    Meanwhile, Muji is seeking a court order for Singapore retailer Iuiga to stop its use of the Muji mark and the retailer is launching first store in Vietnam next year.

    Muji Singapore opened first store in 2003, and now has 11 local outlets.

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