99 Speedmart has made a surprise announcement on 15 May 2020 informing the public that its Singapore operation will cease from 31 May 2020. The Malaysian minimarket chain first entered the island state in December 2019 but COVID-19 has dashed the hope of 99 Speedmart to make a mark in Singapore.
The minimarket operator did not elaborate on the reason for pulling out from Singapore but given the tough operating environment due to the circuit breaker and poor consumer sentiment, 99 Speedmart has probably made a cleaver choice to cut loss.
There is always the possibility for 99 Speedmart to re-enter Singapore once the situation recovers.
Retailers have found a willing delivery partner in the form of taxi operators who are struggling with dwindling passengers due to the lockdown imposed in cities in Southeast Asia. In Indonesia, supermarket chain Indogrosir has partnered with PT Blue Bird Tbk to deliver grocery using Blue Bird’s fleet of taxis. The minimum spend is IDR 500,000 with a limit of up to 200kg and 750L. Consumers have to bear the fees at IDR 5,200 per kilometre. The service is only available for Indogrosir members.
Hypermarket chain Hypermart has earlier collaborated with Blue Bird to offer the same service.
In Singapore, Redmart has teamed up with ComfortDelGro to deliver groceries. The move provides another source of income to taxi drivers who are impacted by COVID-19, while solving the last-mile delivery issue for the retailer.
7-Eleven Philippines has become the first convenience store chain in Southeast Asia to offer DIY milk tea pack to satisfy the milk tea craving for everyone at home. Convenience stores and foodservice operators in the Philippines have launched take-home packs as a way to create a new stream of revenue to reach out to stay-at-home consumers.
The 500g classic milk tea powder is priced at PHP 190 (USD 3.7) and can make 16 servings. Brown sugar pearls are sold separately at PHP 400 for a pack of 20s and PHP 20 per pack.
Availability of stocks may vary by store. Click here for the list of participating outlets.
In addition to milk tea, the country’s largest convenience store chain has also launched City Blends coffee beans in pack for home consumption. The price per pack is PHP 255 and is available at selected 7-Eleven stores in Luzon. City Blends are made with 100% Arabica beans.
Philippine Seven Corp, the operator off 7-Eleven, said the company will only open 200 stores in 2020 instead of its initial target of 400 as COVID-19 has taken a toll on the company. The ban on public transportation has affected employees from being able to reach 7-Eleven outlets, said Philippine Seven President and Chief Executive Officer Jose Victor P. Paterno.
The convenience store operator is adding more shelves because they can no longer use their seating. He also added that “people don’t need food service so we’re doing frozen food and we’re selling the frozen food of some restaurants so that may be another side business for us.”
Tremendous Entertainment and GWB Entertainment along with the Royal Shakespeare Company would like to announce that the Kuala Lumpur season of Matilda The Musical, originally scheduled from 2 – 14 June 2020 at Istana Budaya, has been postponed. Matilda The Musical in Kuala Lumpur will be rescheduled to 9 – 21 March 2021.
The decision was made in light of health and safety concerns surrounding the COVID-19 outbreak worldwide. Strict travel restrictions put in place due to the outbreak has also directly impacted the planned logistical arrangements and touring schedule of the travelling production.
We know that many fans in Malaysia have been looking forward to the production’s premiere in Kuala Lumpur, but unavoidable circumstances have made it almost impossible for us to carry on with the initially scheduled dates.
For the love of the arts and not wanting the Malaysian audience to miss out on the grandeur this internationally renowned theatre promises, we believe that we are now looking at a better date for the production to premiere at Istana Budaya, Kuala Lumpur.
We encourage all patrons to hold on to their purchased tickets and witness Matilda The Musical in March 2021 instead.
All affected patrons will be notified of the new performance dates via email and will be given the option to EITHER (1) retain their existing ticket and have it rebooked to one of the rescheduled dates of their preference OR (2) request for a refund subject to Terms and Conditions.
We would also like to take this opportunity to remind everyone to stay safe during this time.
We appreciate your understanding, cooperation and support on this matter. If you have any enquiries, you can email them to matildakl@touchpoint.international
From left to right:
Rungruang Sukkirdkijpiboon, Chief Executive Officer of Central JD Fintech HoldingStephane Coum, Chief Executive Officer of Central Food Retail Group, a part of Central Retail that oversees both Tops and Central Food Hall
Bangkok, 15 May 2020 – Dolfin application, as part of Central JD Fintech Group have announced a new ‘Order & Collect’ service on its interactive Dolfin application, in collaboration with Tops. The new feature will allow customers to browse, order and pay order for essential items online at the comfort and safety of their homes, with easy, fast and secure order and pick-up service that will help to reduce shopping time and prevent the spread of Covid-19.
To use, simply download the Dolfin app, select the ‘Tops’ tab to browse for items and pay directly through the Dolfin e-Wallet within the app. Orders can be made every day from 08.00 – 18.00 hrs. and can be picked up within 2 hours at 10 participating Tops branches near you.
“With over 1,000 curated items to select from, customer can easily shop for essential items online through the Dolfin app, just like shopping at Tops, which will help to reduce their commute time as orders can be made from anywhere,” said Stephane Coum, Chief Executive Officer of Central Food Retail Group, a part of Central Retail that oversees both Tops and Central Food Hall.
Customers can now experience the new Order & Collect service with no queues through the Dolfin application. Orders made between 8.00 – 18.00 hrs. can be collected within two hours at “Customer Service” points across 10 selected Tops branches including: Tops Market Rama 9, Tops Market Chaeng Watthana, Tops Market Ladprao, Tops Market Rama 2, Tops Market Rama 3, Tops Market Pinklao, Tops Market Sukhaphiban 3, Tops Market Seacon Bangkae, Tops Superstore West Gate and Central Food Hall Bangna, with on-going plans to extend the service across all branches of Tops and Central Food Retail Hall throughout Bangkok in the near future.
In addition, this May 2020, Dolfin will be extending its Order & Collect service to other participating stores in the Central Restaurant Group, along with plan to launch Thailand’s premier “Dine-In-Zero-Touch” service, that will allow customers to order, pay and dine-in without contact, all through the Dolfin application.
The Nescafe Cold Brew range in Malaysia has been enriched with the new hazelnut flavour. As a follow up on to the citrus flavour launched in 2019, the new hazelnut flavour adds a nutty cream finish to the cold brew range. The cold brew range now comprises latte and hazelnut.
Also launched in early April 2020 is the new Nescafe Iced Cappuccino in a 500ml PET bottle and is available at 7-Eleven. The drink is said to be brewed by barista. The same RTD coffee was earlier launched in Singapore but with an addition variant – Iced Chococino.
AEON has partnered with Bungkusit to deliver AEON Delica food and beverages. Shoppers can now have their favourite plate of Mak Kiah Nasi Lemak, Fried Chicken, Laksa and many more and have them delivered to their doorstep.
Consumers missing their favourite IKEA food can also order using Bungkusit. During Ramadan, IKEA has added local favourites such as Martabak, Chicken Satay, assorted kuih and more as part of the Ramadan Special, which is available from 24 April to 23 May 2020.
After making available cook-it-yourself McDo favourites, McDonald’s Philippines announced on 11 May 2020 that it has launched cook-it-yourself ingredients at select McDonald’s stores through take out and drive-thru starting 11 May 2020. Click here for the list of participating stores.
The cook-it-yourself ingredients cover premium coffee grounds, hotcake mix, hotcake syrup, Tonkatsu sauce, mayonnaise, hot fudge topping and caramel topping. However, these products are not available in supermarkets.
Other variants of Cook-It-Yourself Packs including marinated chicken cuts, Chicken McNuggets and Breaded Chicken Filletmay be available in select supermarkets but are not longer available at McDonald’s outlets.
Below are the prices:
Coffee Grounds (80 g or approx. 7 cups) is PHP 99 per pack
Hotcake Mix (1 kg or approx. 27-28 servings) is PHP149 per pack
#BOBAJELAH ANYTIME, ANYWHERE WITH FREE DELIVERY TO YOUR DOORSTEP FOR THE FIRST 300 ONLINE ORDERS*
KUALA LUMPUR, 13 May 2020 – Boba lovers rejoice! Wall’s Special Edition Tealive Boba Ice Cream, the latest collaboration between Malaysia’s popular ice cream brand – Wall’s and Malaysian’s favourite bubble milk tea chain – Tealive, is now available nationwide online and offline after two weeks of overwhelming response in the market. Malaysians can all #BobajeLAH with #WallsBobalicious anytime, anywhere!
Made with 100% rich milk tea flavours and real chewy pearls in every bite, #WallsBobalicious aims to deliver a new sensorial experience to a familiar Malaysian staple with an exciting contrast in textures, from creamy frozen ice cream to soft chewy pearls. It is sold at an affordable price, ensuring Boba lovers enjoy their favourite drink in the form of ice cream to their hearts’ content at any given time and place!
“At Wall’s, we always keep a pulse on the latest consumer trend and it is undeniable that boba has taken this nation by storm in the last couple of years. In order to continuously bring our consumers on an exciting journey, our latest creation in collaboration with local popular bubble milk tea chain, Tealive Malaysia – Wall’s Special Edition Tealive Boba Ice cream is set to bring Malaysian the latest and newest boba experience, conveniently packaged in the form of an ice-cream stick, where we can all enjoy and #BobaJeLAH wherever we are, and whatever the occasion may be,” said Shiv Sahgal, Marketing Director, Foods & Refreshments, Unilever Malaysia.
This May, whether you’ve had a long day, or craving your next boba milk tea or ice cream fix, or if you simply just need a little mood booster in these uncertain times while we are social distancing, this sweet solution is sure to please. Share it with friends and family as a unique addition to your iftar sessions this Ramadan and family gathering during Hari Raya celebration. Just #BobaJeLah! Because with #WallsBobalicious, you can have enjoyment anytime, anywhere.
For a limited time only, #WallsBobalicious will be available at all major mini-stores, supermarkets, hypermarkets, convenience stores (711, My News, Shell, Petronas, Caltex and many more), as well as selected Tealive stores nationwide in the form of single regular sticks at the suggested retail price of RM2.20 – RM2.70 each.
Wall’s Special Edition Tealive Boba Ice Cream is also available on partnering e-commerce sites namely Lazada, Grab, Shopee and Beepit in a pack of 15 and 30 regular sticks. Enjoy #WallsBobalicious delivered to your doorstep (Klang Valley, Penang and Johore Bahru) while you stay at home practicing social distancing. Free delivery is now available for the first 300 online orders on Lazada. Every online purchase on Lazada, Grab and Shopee will also receive a 50% off on 2nd cup beverage Tealive voucher.
Order #WallsBobalicious online today through the following links:
Lazada (Klang Valley & Penang): (First 300 sets Free delivery)
If there is one take-away from the recent Coronavirus outbreak, it is that there is a growing need for digital measures to the business world. The new global norm of social-distancing has enveloped societies of the world right down to even the simple act of grocery shopping.
Malaysia’s Movement Control Order (MCO) saw many resorting to online shopping for necessities since everyone had to stay at home. Coupled by limited business hours and long entry queues, a trip to the grocer’s became more of an inconvenience.
Naturally, all and sundry in the retail world took a hit with the lockdown but at Bridzia, we look to helping our clients emerge as success stories in these hard times.
MYDIN – a household name in wholesale and retail – is one such case. In just ONE WEEK, Bridzia helped the firm gain overwhelming positive feedback from its customers with its “Drive-Thru” service via MYDIN Express (http://mydinexpress.my/).
The click and collect e-commerce site which Bridzia developed enabled its customers to shop online and pick-up their items at a store of their choice. It was a win-win for MYDIN, as well as customers, as it reduced the need to control shopping crowds, alleviated fear of the spread of the virus and there was no long waiting hours on the part of shoppers. All customers needed to do was pick the items they needed online, select a store to pick up from, and collect their items in just two to three hours, once they are ready.
MYDIN, which has 69 outlets nationwide and sells food, household items, electrical gadgets and textiles, also managed to increase its value to customers since the MCO was implemented.
There have been many positive feedbacks stemming from the “Drive-Thru” launch besides good feedback from MYDIN’s customers. Express shopping is the new go-to for customers without having to spend hours in the store. The click and collect e-commerce site minimises risk of the spread of the virus and enables a shopping process from the get-go.
On the part of the store, lesser crowds increases the efficiency of MYDIN operations and reduces the risk of staff falling ill as well.
If we have piqued your curiosity and you are a retailer looking for a similar break-through, we can help you achieve this and allow your business to continue thriving even after the MCO is lifted.
Data presents that consumers will continue making online shopping their preferred channel so Bridzia assures you that this click and collect e-commerce site will still be useful as a long-term solution.
It won’t take us long; only seven-steps to help you achieve results. Our aim is to understand your requirements and objectives. Leave it to us to plan the design and process flow of the site to optimise user experience, develop it and run tests to ensure the site is bug-free. You won’t have to worry about training the users either, we will take care of that. Don’t wait. Success can only be three days away! Contact us now!
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