Rising Malaysian star Siti Saleha appointed Brand Ambassador for the new-formulation BRAND’S InnerShine Prune Essence with Vitamin E

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2nd March 2018

InnerShine3 — InnerShine® Brand Ambassador, Siti Saleha

PUTRAJAYA, 1 March 2018 – BRAND’S^® Suntory (Malaysia) Sdn Bhd today introduced Malaysian actress Siti Saleha as its new brand ambassador for BRAND’S^® InnerShine^® Prune Essence with Vitamin E. The English-born actress was officially introduced by Kuang Ming Ming, General Manager of BRAND’S^®Suntory (Malaysia) Sdn Bhd together with Danny Hoh, Customer Director for Watsons Malaysia. The event at IOI City Mall also kicked off the Pencarian Wajah #InnerShineCantikSemulaJadi contest, which is a collaboration between BRAND’S^® Suntory and Watsons Malaysia.

(L-R) Foo Hwei Jiek, Merchandising Director, Watsons Malaysia; Kuang Ming Ming, General Manager, BRAND’S® Suntory (Malaysia) Sdn Bhd; Siti Saleha, InnerShine® Brand Ambassador; Danny Hoh, Customer Director, Watsons Malaysia

Sharing her thoughts at the event, Kuang Ming Ming, General Manager of BRAND’S^®Suntory (Malaysia) Sdn Bhd, said, “Consuming the right nutrients in sufficient amounts is crucial for protecting your skin and promoting your overall wellbeing. It is BRAND’S^®desire through our InnerShine range to help Malaysians achieve a more beautiful, natural you from the inside out, especially with our newly formulated BRAND’S^® InnerShine^® Prune Essence with Vitamin E, launched today. Siti Saleha is a perfect fit as our Brand Ambassador for BRAND’S^® InnerShine^® Prune Essence with Vitamin E, as she too believes in taking care of herself in order to achieve that inner, natural beauty. To maintain her natural beauty, she not only has a skincare routine, she also ensures that she consumes a balanced diet and cares for her physical health.”

The new-formulation BRAND’S^® InnerShine^® Prune Essence with Vitamin E contains prune essence with additional Vitamin E to boost the protection of skin from free radicals, thus making skin healthier and more radiant. Curated with natural ingredients, the 100% fruit-based BRAND’S^® InnerShine^® Prune Essence with Vitamin E is an excellent inclusion into one’s beauty routine, which would normally begin with cleansing and moisturising before ending with an application of face powder or makeup. This nutritional supplement is rich in fibre derived from prunes and resistant maltodextrin, a soluble fibre that promotes regular bowel movement and helps flush out unwanted toxins from the body.

Ming Ming added, “Although this supplement is intended to work on your digestive system and cleanse your body internally, the effect of this is visible externally within 12 days. This is why BRAND’S^® InnerShine^® Prune Essence with Vitamin E complements your skin care routine, helping your skin look more youthful and radiant as the days progress. This is a reflection of what goes on inside your body, which all of us need to pay attention to.”

Concurring with this, Siti Saleha said, “I strongly believe that beauty is not just about how you look on the outside, but how you really feel in your own skin. People may comment on your hair, looks or physical appearance, but if you feel comfortable in your skin, that is when you can feel really good and confident about yourself. And this goes for everyone, regardless of age.” The much-loved rising Malaysian star, who has cemented her presence in the local acting scene with several accolades already to her name, added, “My skin looks more youthful and feels healthier after consuming BRAND’S^® InnerShine^® Prune Essence with Vitamin E over 12 days, and even with the minimal makeup I use for myself, it feels natural. I’m confident you will see the desired effects over time, if you complement your daily beauty regiment with the right nutrients for your body, such as the nutrients in BRAND’S^® InnerShine^® Prune Essence with Vitamin E. Much like discipline, it can sometimes be challenging to stick to a recommended routine, but you will reap the rewards in the end.”

BRAND’S^® Suntory (Malaysia) Sdn Bhd has partnered with Watsons Malaysia, a leader in Malaysia’s health and beauty retail industry with the common vision of reaching out to Malaysians to offer products that can enhance their health, beauty and personal wellbeing. Speaking on behalf of Watsons Malaysia, Danny Hoh, Watsons Malaysia’s Customer Director said, “We are pleased to partner with BRAND’S^® Suntory in offering Malaysians the new-formulation BRAND’S^® InnerShine^® Prune Essence with Vitamin E. We want people to look good and feel great every day, and by offering access to the best products that can benefit consumers, we can play a part in every Malaysian’s journey towards looking and feeling good, inside and out.”

The Pencarian Wajah #InnerShineCantikSemulaJadi contest runs from 1 March to 23 April 2018. Watsons card members who purchase a 12-bottle or 24-bottle pack of BRAND’S^® InnerShine^® Prune Essence with Vitamin E will stand a chance to win the grand prize of an appearance in a future campaign for BRAND’S^® InnerShine^® together with Siti Saleha, as well as receive 200,000 Watsons VIP points. All they need to do is take a photo of themselves looking naturally beautiful and post it on Instagram with a really creative caption and include the hashtag #InnerShineCantikSemulaJadi. Posts must be set to public in order for BRAND’S^® Suntory Malaysia to contact the winner directly and announce the winner via Instagram.

At the same time, from 1 to 5 March 2018, BRAND’S^® Suntory will be running exciting on-ground activities at IOI City Mall for the public. Do not miss this opportunity to get a free skin analysis, special treats such as a manicure by NS Parlour Spa and a makeover by Sugar Belle, henna drawings, and to top it off, feed your sweet cravings with free popcorn for a fun day out.

BRAND’S^® InnerShine^® Prune Essence with Vitamin E is available at a retail price of RM32 for a pack of six bottles and RM58 for a 12-pack at all Watsons outlets nationwide, and other selected pharmacy chains and hypermarkets.

For more information on BRAND’S^® InnerShine^® Prune Essence with Vitamin E and other BRAND’S^® products offered in Malaysia, please visit the BRAND’S^® InnerShine^® Facebook page at https://www.facebook.com/innershineclub/ or the BRAND’S^® website at www.brandsworld.com.my

About BRAND’S^®

The BRAND’S^®legacy started in 1835 when Henderson William Brand, the royal chef of Buckingham Palace in London, created a fat-free, easily digested chicken consommé that later became a huge commercial success. Available in 20 countries worldwide and widely recognised as BRAND’S^®Essence of Chicken, this special formula gained prominence over the next 180 years for its nourishing goodness. With modern science, rigorous research and innovative technology, BRAND’S^®has diversified its products to include health tonics, beauty nutritional drinks and energy drinks. BRAND’S^®remains committed to promoting overall wellness in health, beauty and positive living to enrich people’s lives and create possibilities that inspire them to be their best selves.

About Watsons Malaysia

Watsons Malaysia currently operates more than 430 Watsons stores in the country. Watsons continues to set the standards in the health, wellness and beauty market, providing personalised advice and counseling in health, beauty and personal care on top of its market-leading product ranges, making customers LOOK GOOD, FEEL GREAT every day. Since 2009, Watsons has been the No.1 pharmacy/drugstore brand in Asia Pacific for the 9^th year running*.

Watsons is the flagship health and beauty brand of A.S. Watson Group.

* Campaign Asia-Pacific / Nielsen “Asia’s Top 1000 Brands online study of over 6,000 respondents across 13 markets in Asia Pacific region”.

Lobang Queen?

By

Tan Heng Hong

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1st March 2018

In Singapore, Giant Super Savers Club introduced Lobang Queen in October 2017. She is known as a a legend at smart spending and saving hacks.

https://www.facebook.com/giantsupersaversclub/videos/481385518867542/

Wait a minute, what exactly is ‘lobang’? Remembersingapore.org sums it up best. Lobang is “originally the Malay word for hole (lubang) and is borrowed by the local Chinese to refer to an opportunity, usually in businesses or deals. It has been used so intensively that a person with many sources of business opportunities is called a lobang king.” Here is another explanation by sg.asia-city.com. “In Singlish, it means tips or clues or contacts. How it’s used: I’m looking for a good property agent. You got lobang?”

Here are other examples of lobang in action:

1. Lobang Fitness – a fitness centre that believes in building bodies, not debts

2. Lobangadviser.com – has all the great deals and offers

3. Money Lobang – a financial comparison site

Cultural sensitivity

This Singlish phrase is not to be used in countries like Indonesia or Malaysia because in Indonesian or Bahasa Malaysia, it could mean a woman’s …

That is why if you want to go regional, you have to ditch the word lobang. See the experience of Save22 (then known as Lobangclub) as reported in Tech in Asia.

So Lobang can only survives in Singapore and not in other Malay speaking countries.

Starting a franchise…as easy as 1, 2…7-Eleven!

By

Tan Heng Hong

-

28th February 2018

7-Eleven Malaysia offering franchisee opportunity again.

Kuala Lumpur, 26 February 2018 – The country’s pioneer and leading convenience store operator 7-Eleven Malaysia (SEM) is now offering back its highly successful franchise programme for local entrepreneurs to become partners in managing its outlets which offer more than 2,200 products and services by rolling out its simplest and most affordable franchising package to date – one that requires only RM250,000 in investment from franchisees willing to operate and manage these stores on a full-time basis.

With this latest launch, SEM seeks suitable franchisee candidates that are looking for an exciting business opportunity that’s full of growth potential. As 7-Eleven is a 24-hour, 7 day a week retailer, aspiring franchisees need to be able to commit full time in managing their business thus this programme is especially suited for unemployed graduates and strong entrepreneur minded millennials as one gets a invaluable hands-on learning experience in managing an own business.

“All fresh graduates should consider managing their own business and being a franchisee of 7-Eleven Malaysia as it has a proven track record business and achieving success is not difficult provided one is willing to work hard and put in long hours,” advises Berjaya Group Founder, Tan Sri Vincent Tan.

Tan Sri Vincent Tan added, “Once a franchisee has learned to manage a store well and is successful, they will be viewed favourably to operate more stores so eventually one can be a multi-store operator thus generating more revenue for oneself.”

He concluded by saying, “There are a lot of financing options available to interested franchisees from various Government agencies and one must take advantage of this and strive to fulfil one’s entrepreneurial spirit and desire.”

This year, SEM plans to invest RM70 million to open around 200 new stores and renovate other stores. The company ended last year with 2,225 stores of which less than 10% are franchised. As such, there are many existing stores that are suitable for potential franchisees to operate their own businesses and to earn more as they strive to grow sales.

Acting CEO of 7-Eleven Malaysia, Ho Meng said, “This programme is meant to address aspiring entrepreneurs, adding that this was also to support efforts towards financial independence and the idea of giving opportunities to people with desire, skills and willingness to work hard.”

The RM250,000 outlay, Ho Meng said, included a non-refundable initial franchise fee and refundable deposits for stocks and as security that the prospective franchisee would eventually get back. It’s just an assurance that the new franchisee would comply with the franchisee’s obligations and performance,” he noted.

He concluded by saying, “Our franchise model is based on profit-sharing whereby SEM is responsible for expenses such as leasing of real estate, store equipment, general insurance, inventory audit, merchandizing and marketing services among others as well as providing full training and operational consultation support and as such, franchisees minimises the risks associated with going it alone and incurring even more prohibitive capital outlay. As franchisees are responsible for those direct store operating expenses like labour cost, cash and inventory shortages and other direct operating expenses that are controllable by them, they will benefit more if they manage the businesses well.”

SEM believes that when franchisees are actively involved in running their stores, revenues per store will be higher, in turn boosting overall profitability for both the franchisees and this convenience store chain. Moving forward, SEM – while continuing to grow its store network- would focus more on growing same store sales by improving its products and services through innovation and insights.

To register your interest on this franchisee program, please visit www.7eleven.com.my

est reported market share gain in depressed Thai CSD market

By

Tan Heng Hong

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27th February 2018

Sales of carbonated soft drinks in Thailand fell 4.1% year-on-year in value in 2017 to THB 50 billion (USD 1.6 billion), said Jesdakorn Ghosh, Thai Drinks Co senior vice-president citing Nielsen data. The decline is blamed on poor consumer spending power, cooler-than-expected weather and competing drinks, reported Bangkok Post.

est market share improved

However, the est brand grew the fastest up 2.8% compared with a 7% decline for Coca-Cola and a mere 0.8% growth for Pepsi, making est the only brand to post strong sales growth in 2017. The market share of est also improved from 9.8% in 2016 to 10.5% in 2017.

Three strategies to win CSD market

Thai Drinks Co., a unit of Thai Beverage Group, has outlined three strategies to win in the Thai CSD market in 2018. The three strategies are outlined in the press release as follow:

“1) Insights Power: Only est can respond to teens’ insights by bringing them closer to their idols. The ‘est cola zaa-zeed-sud-kua, muan-i-lee with GOT7’ campaign (which means super fizzy, super fun with GOT7) connects Thai consumers to GOT7, the most popular boy band, which has brought a new look and offers a higher level of enjoyment by doing both Korean and Thai-style dancing

2) Innovation Power: est continues leading with innovation by bringing ‘drinking Bingsu’ to the market in response to the popularity of Bingsu, a Korean-style shaved ice dessert, among Thai teens. est Play launched two new flavors – ‘est Play Melon Bingsu’ and ‘est Play Mango Bingsu,’ and both rocked the market with their outstanding success after only one month. They became the Number 2 and Number 3 best-selling flavors in the convenience store channel, and have the potential to drive est Play’s growth to hit double digits this year.”

3) Summer Promotion Power: This continues from last summer’s campaign that let consumers choose their preferred prize. This summer’s promotion is a much greater extravaganza, with double the entries for online submissions to win one of over 1,200 prizes worth a total of 27 million baht. Consumers can press Button 1 for a exclusive trip to a GOT7 World Tour concert in New York; Button 2 for one of 200 Toyota Yaris ATIVs or Yamaha QBIX motorcycles; or Button 3 for one of 1,000 exclusive photo books signed by all members of GOT7. Also, fans won’t want to miss the limited-edition packaging available only during the summer, with 42 designs featuring the members of GOT7 on various sizes of est packaging. est will also keep our edge in connecting online with Thai youths by offering a hologram experience via a mobile application, so fans can enjoy up-close moments with GOT7 in virtual form.”

Smart kiosk to revolutionise traditional trade in Indonesia

By

Tan Heng Hong

-

27th February 2018

Indonesian retail tech startup Warung Pintar has started a project to upgrade traditional warung or roadside stalls into Warung Pintar or ‘smart kiosk store,’ reported Reuters. The new prefab kiosks comes with a distinctively orange colour and is equipped with an LCD TV, a charging station, digital POS, a surveillance camera, digitalised book keeping and a refrigerator. Shoppers can do online transactions such as purchasing flight ticket or phone credit in addition to grocery shopping. So far, there are now 12 Warung Pintar owners in Jakarta.

Traditional trade has the biggest share of FMCG sales in Indonesia. The ubiquity of warung, which sells limited SKUs but essential goods, has made it a popular choice for top up shopping or daily shopping.

However, warung is under threat from the modern trade especially minimarkets, which offer a more competitive price and comfortable shopping experience.

More information about Warung Pintar can be found by clicking this link.

Start with a capital of IDR 50 million (USD 3,666). Return of investment in 10-12 months and monthly profit of up to IDR 6 million.

Bonus and incentives for owners
Growing revenue channel eg tickets, mobile top up and e-commerce
Access to cheaper goods
Technology support that is fully operational and ready to be used
CCTV to monitor and safeguard the safety of the stall

Warung Pintar has received early stage funding worth USD 4 million from MDV, East Ventures, Digital Garage, Insignia Ventures Partner, Triputra Group and several other angel investors.

Ichitan derives 60% revenue from modern trade, 2nd edition millionaire campaign

By

Tan Heng Hong

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26th February 2018

Ichitan Group PLC, one of Thailand’s leading RTD tea producer, revealed to the Indonesian business daily Kontan.co.id that 60% of its sales come from the modern trade with the balance 40% coming from the traditional trade. This was mentioned by Anna Wibowo, marketing director PT Ichi Tan Indonesia during the press conference announcing the launch of the second edition of the “Mendadak Jutawan” or millionaire program on 20 February 2018.

Modern trade crucial for RTD tea in PET bottle

Similarly with PT Singa Mas Indonesia, a unit of Charoen Pokphand Indonesia, the company said it obtained 70% of the sales of Fiesta White Tea from the modern channel and 30% from the traditional market, reported Kontan.co.id on 28 December 2017. It is the other way around for its Fiesta Black Tea (RTD tea in PET bottle), Teh Serrr (RTD tea in plastic cup), Fruitamax (fruit flavoured drink in plastic cup) and bottled water Frozen where 70% of their sales come from the traditional channel and 30% from the modern trade.

2nd edition of Ichitan Mendadak Jutawan campaign

The second edition of the campaign runs from 1 March 2018 to 31 May 2018 with the same amount of prize money as the first edition – 30 x IDR 300 million (USD 22,000) to be given away to lucky winners.

What Mini Me thinks

Ichitan is recycling an old trick, one that has proven to be immensely popular and successful in generating consumer interest.

Celebrating Pepsi Generations

By

Tan Heng Hong

-

26th February 2018

Pepsi-Cola (Thai) Trading has launched “Pepsi Generations”, a new global campaign to celebrate the brand’s rich history in pop culture for 120 years. The campaign will see “Pepsi refreshes every generation from past to present,” said Somchai Ketchaikosol, marketing director for beverages at Pepsi-Cola (Thai) Trading as reported by The Nation.

The goal, according to PepsiCo’s press release is to “celebrate the best moments of our past, create new iconic moments for today and set the stage for an exciting future, allowing Pepsi to be the choice for decades to come.”

In Thailand, the soft drink company has made available Pepsi in vintage packaging of five eras: 1940, 1950, 1980, 1990 and 2000. Just 3,000 of these five-can-five-design packs, priced at THB 99, are being released.

The “Pepsi Generations” event at CentralWorld included four clubs featuring a disco and neon display for the 80s and jazz lounge for the 40s etc.

The Pepsi’s TV commercial for the US market featuring icons that resonate with the different generations. The message is “Pepsi that’s forever fun. This is the Pepsi for every generation.”

Expect to see a lot more throwback campaigns from Pepsi like the example below where singers dressed in the 1940s style stunned patrons of a food court in Thailand.

https://www.facebook.com/PepsiThai/videos/10155376403211275/

Chinese bottled water companies tapping foodservice opportunity

By

Tan Heng Hong

-

25th February 2018

Drinking “good water” has become a priority for modern consumers who are wary of the water quality they consume at home and out of home. One area where consumers have no say about the water quality is the water used in restaurants and foodservice premises.

As Chinese consumers become discerning about the water used in cooking in restaurants, this opens up the opportunity for packaged bottled water manufacturers to target the foodservice channel with innovative marketing strategies.

Nongfu Spring official water supplier for G20 Summit

Nongfu Spring (农夫山泉), which marketed its bottled water on being “a little bit sweet,” was chosen to supply the G20 Summit in 2016 with natural drinking water, mineral water and fruit juices. The company took this opportunity to promote its Nongfu Spring mineral water as one of the secret ingredients used by leading chefs in creating the delicacies served to international dignitaries.

To prepare the soup for the famous Hangzhou fish ball soup, chef Shen Jun is seen using Nongfu Spring natural mineral water. The natural water is described by Shen as the essential ingredient to make the perfect soup.

Hotpot with Nongfu Spring water

In 2017, Nongfu Spring partnered with Chongqing Hotpot Group (重庆火锅集团) to designate Nongfu Spring water as the official water used in hotpot. The marketing tagline is “To have the best taste, one has to use the best water.”

Endorsed by Japanese rice expert

In 2017, Nongfu Spring launched a commercial featuring an elderly Japanese by the name of 村屿孟. He is widely known in Japan as the person who cooks the best rice and was seen endorsing Nongfu Spring water.

Master Kong Chinese New Year series

In 2018, Tingyi’s Master Kong (康师傅) introduced the Chinese New Year series featuring the auspicious words “福、禄、寿、康.” The characters mean good fortune (福), salary increase (禄), longevity (寿) and health (康). The water is to be served during reunion dinner or used in cooking reunion dishes.

You Yue designated water for 2018 Hotelex

Master Kong’s You Yue (优悦) mid-range bottled water brand released a 2 litre pack in late 2017 for cooking. The water is NSF-certified and was the designated water for the 2018 Hotelex culinary contest.

What Mini Me thinks

The bottled water market in China is expanding into foodservice and in-home cooking applications in search of growth. The examples in China can serve as an inspiration for bottled water companies in other region including Southeast Asia. Consumers in the region are wary of the water quality and some do recognise high quality water is crucial in the making of the best dish.

* All images taken from the web

PepsiCo re-engages in price competition

By

Tan Heng Hong

-

23rd February 2018

PepsiCo’s Revive and Miranda (orange and strawberry) are now available in an affordable RM 1.50 per 500ml PET bottle in the general trade in Malaysia. This also marks the return of Pepsi into the ongoing price competition with Coca-Cola and F&N where all the players are competing in the RM 1.50 price level.

Unlike the other players, Revive and Miranda are sold at RM 1.50 but they have the largest volume of 500ml. For the same price, Coca-Cola’s volume is 425ml, while F&N’s is 400ml.

The competition is now focuses on the general trade targeting price sensitive consumers unlike in the past where 99 Speedmart minimarket chain was at the epicenter of competition.

Indomie Mi Goreng Aceh celebrates Aceh culinary greatness

By

Tan Heng Hong

-

21st February 2018

PT Indofood CBP Sukses Makmur Tbk (ICBP), the maker of Indomie, unveiled its latest Mi Goreng Aceh on 28 January 2018 at Blang Padang in Aceh. The new instant noodle with the taste of Aceh is being distributed in Aceh and Medan in northern Sumatra and in several other districts, reported Kompas.com. The price per 90g pack is IDR 2,500.

We have seen a similar launching of regional taste in Malaysia by the largest instant noodle company Nestle. The Maggi 2-in-1 Mi Kolo + Sup was launched in 2015 catering to consumers in East Malaysia (Sabah and Sarawak) and Brunei.

Indomie Mi Goreng Aceh and Maggi Mi Kolo are products that celebrate the culinary richness of the local community with exclusive products exclusively for the local consumers.

Mini Me Insights

Rising Malaysian star Siti Saleha appointed Brand Ambassador for the new-formulation BRAND’S InnerShine Prune Essence with Vitamin E

Lobang Queen?

Starting a franchise…as easy as 1, 2…7-Eleven!

est reported market share gain in depressed Thai CSD market

Smart kiosk to revolutionise traditional trade in Indonesia

Ichitan derives 60% revenue from modern trade, 2nd edition millionaire campaign

Celebrating Pepsi Generations

Chinese bottled water companies tapping foodservice opportunity

PepsiCo re-engages in price competition

Indomie Mi Goreng Aceh celebrates Aceh culinary greatness

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