Singapore

Macy’s, Inc. announced on Jan 4 a series of actions to streamline its store portfolio and intensify cost efficiency efforts. This would bolster its strategy to further invest in omni-channel capabilities, improve customer experience and create shareholder value.

VLC and LED-based indoor positioning technology is being used in one of CapitaLand’s malls to enable communications between Philips light fixtures and shoppers’ smartphones.

ZALORA, one of Asia’s online fashion destinations, recognised the need for a robust cross device to increase conversions and build loyalty across the consumer journey. While Zalora has a dynamic website, it needed to not only increase its mobile app traffic but also repeat app interactions and transactions. In short, the company had to adapt its consumer engagement strategy to become more mobile-centric as consumers’ shopping behaviours changed with the continued increase in smartphone adoption in the region.

To help shoppers experience more of the “Joy of Christmas”, all 13 Far East malls in Singapore have been dressed in various Christmas themes — for the first time — to enhance the festive season.

Pikachu and his friends from the virtual world have arrived at Changi Airport in Singapore to delight travellers and airport visitors during the year-end holiday season. Special Pokémon at Changi installations and activities await travellers and visitors throughout the holiday season until February 2017. Next to a giant Pikachu installation at Terminal 3’s Departure Hall, visitors can explore a towering Gingerbread House, and get a glimpse of Santa’s Workshop and Mrs Claus’ Confectionery — filled with children’s toys and yummy delights.

PROACTIS, a global spend control and e-procurement solutions provider, revealed growing indications that most private, not-for-profit and public sector organisations are recognising the vital need to consistently maintain accurate, up-to-date information for their entire supplier base.

Now is the time for food and grocery businesses “to lead or to lose”, said Joanne Denney-Finch, chief executive of IGD, a food and grocery research expert and a training charity.

Reports says the demand for commercial refrigeration equipment will continue to grow globally due to key drivers such as the rapid growth of e-commerce in China and India.

InContext Solutions, a global provider of virtual reality (VR) solutions for retailers and manufacturers, has announced the closing of a US$15.2-million funding round. The round, led by Intel Capital and Beringea, will help InContext Solutions accelerate sales and marketing efforts, expand its geographic footprint and improve its VR product portfolio, including further development of solutions for head-mounted devices.

Accenture has completed the acquisition of Kurt Salmon, a global strategy consulting rm focused on the retail industry and a subsidiary of Management Consulting Group.

New research has confirmed that the duty-free and travel retail sector faces a bright future at a time when other parts of the international retail market may continue to struggle, according to leading duty-free and travel retail trade association TFWA (Tax Free World Association). What is more, of the top 10 duty-free retailers, six come from Asia-Pacic, namely, South Korea, China, Hong Kong, Thailand, Singapore and Japan.

In the face of relentless competition, tight squeeze on margins and elusive customer demands, Asia-Pacific retailers are working hard to be faster, better and to deliver a compelling value proposition.

C-suite retailers, retail industry experts, and technology specialists from various countries in the region gathered at the Retail Asia-Pacific Top 500 Trends & Strategies Roundtable on October 28 at Sofitel Singapore Sentosa Resort & Spa for an interactive roundtable discussion.

Michael Andrews, New York’s premier bespoke clothier, made a significant expansion in its business with the launch of a made-to-order menswear collection — said to be the rest of its kind. Launched in 2006 with the goal of crafting the world’s finest tailoring, Michael Andrews has earned an international reputation for the quality and fit of its bespoke creations. Clients include Wall Street luminaries, Fortune 500 CEOs and foreign dignitaries, as well as award winning actors, world-renowned musicians and professional athletes.