8 April 2020 Bangkok – Yen Yen, the No.1 ready-to-drink herbal tea in Thailand, announced the launch of its new product “Supercool Jab Liang drink” as a must-try product for the summer season. Boasting the health benefits of 12 herbs and the ultimate refreshment of an innovative cooling effect, Yen Yen Supercool serves as an alternative for consumers who seek an ideal cooling beverage during social distancing amidst the summer heat.
Tan Passakornnatee, President and CEO of Ichitan Group Public Company Limited, said, “In response to the needs of consumers who always seek new experiences when it comes to food and beverage choices, Yen Yen ready-to-drink Jab Liang herbal tea is introducing a new product Yen Yen Supercool to the market this summer. Developed under the concept of ‘Fight Hot and Spicy with Yen Yen,’ the new product combines the benefits of 12 cooling herbs with the properties of cooling down the heat and neutralizing spicy flavors, perfect for the tropical climate in Thailand and Thai consumers’ preference for spicy food. Yen Yen Supercool also bursts with the ultimate cooling effect that provides a refreshing sense even without freezing. This drink is set to become a new option for consumers who seek an escape from heat, stress and dullness while practicing social distancing or working from home to avoid the spread of the novel coronavirus.”
Yen Yen “Supercool Jab Liang drink” comes in the 400 ml bottle with a brand-new blue label design. It is available now at convenience stores and retailers nationwide at the price of 15 baht. Food delivery customers who order from the selected 10 spicy restaurants via Wongnai or LINE MAN on April 1-30 will receive a free Yen Yen Supercool 400 ml, and another bottle will be given to the LINE MAN delivery driver of the order. For more details about Yen Yen Supercool, please visit https://www.facebook.com/yenyendrinks/
From voluntary to becoming a must, the wearing of mask has become obligatory when shopping in most of the leading retail outlets in key markets in Southeast Asia. The change in behaviour follows new requirements by local authorities as well as changing perception towards mask, now seen as a form of protection for people to curb the spread of the virus.
Previously, the WHO advises the wearing of mask only when you are sick with a cough or sneezing illness (with or without fever). But emerging evidence has caused health bodies to change their recommendation.
Vietnam is quite early to the game requiring all Vietnamese and foreign nationals to wear face masks in public places such as supermarkets effective 16 March 2020. Other countries in Southeast Asia started making mask wearing in public mandatory in April 2020 with the Philippines imposing this requirement from 2 April 2020, followed by Indonesia from 5 April 2020 and Singapore from 12 April 2020.
So far Malaysia is the only major economy in the region without such a requirement. However, some individual outlets and wet markets in Malaysia have already imposed the mask wearing requirement as a precautionary measure.
Inside the stores, retailers are protecting their frontliners with face shield. At 7-Eleven in the Philippines, counter shield has even been set up to form a barrier between the staff and the customer to prevent the unnecessary spread of viruses. So far, sneeze guard, which is being installed in supermarkets in the US, is not seen in this region yet and this is probably due to higher incidence of people wearing mask compared to the US.
(left) image credit: 7-Eleven Philippines; (right) face shield worn by a Village Grocer staff (image credit: Minimeinsights.com)
In Thailand, Central Food Hall has become the first supermarket to introduce disinfection robot using UV-C light to reduce the spread of COVID-19. The UV-C Disinfection Robots, researched and certified by the World Health Organization (WHO) and the Center for Disease Control (CDC), are being deployed at the Central Food Hall Central Chidlom as the first location, during non-opening hours.
Most recently, the Jaya Grocer premium supermarket chain in Malaysia has installed sneeze guard to protect the frontliners.
Ento, the Malaysian edible cricket startup, has done the unthinkable by suggesting consumers to try dumpling (pau) filled with larvae. From the look of it, the combination does look gross but for those who have bought into the idea, insect and larvae are high in protein, calcium and iron. They are also a sustainable source of protein.
Crickets are:
Ento’s products are available in roasted crickets and roasted larvae in various flavours including BBQ, salted egg yolk, kimchi and original. Granola Protein Bites Honey Almond is available for purchase as well as 100% Cricket Protein Powder.
Get RM10 discount when you buy any ento product on @kravve.co and remember to use the promo code CZ779X. Free delivery when you purchase RM 50.
Free shipping is available for order on Ento.my until 30 April 2020.
FamilyMart in Thailand has rolled out two new retail concepts to cope with changing consumer shopping behaviour during the COVID-19 outbreak. To fight the spread of COVID-19, authorities in Bangkok and Phuket have ordered convenience stores to stop operating 24 hours a day. Convenience stores in Bangkok must close from 12am to 5am, while those in Phuket have to cease operation from 8pm to 3am until the end of April 2020.
As a result of the new ruling, FamilyMart responded by placing vending machines outside of their selected stores to sell snacks and chilled beverages, reported Marketingoops.com.
The other business model is to place container stores in front of shopping centers, condominiums, universities, residential communities and factories using attractive designs such as graffiti art to attract consumers. The container concept fulfills the proximity shopping needs of nearby residents during a time when consumers are encouraged to stay at home and limit their shopping trip to the minimum.
On 27 March 2020, Grab launched GrabMart in partnership with Central Food Retail Group to provide convenience to consumers to buy more than 64 consumer products such as ready-to-eat meals and beverages from more than 230 FamilyMart outlets.The delivery fees start from THB 55.
In mid-April 2020, the service will be expanded to Tops Market and Central Food Hall.
Singha Corporation, which sells Masita seaweed snacks, has partnered with the Korean fried chicken chain Bonchon to roll out a new co-branded product. The new roasted seaweed snack features the soy garlic fried chicken flavour and is free from MSG.
Masita has been with using K-pop to promote its seaweed snacks, which makes Bonchon, one of the leading South Korean fried chicken chains, as a natural partner for the latest cross-category promotion. Masita has previously collaborated with Bar B Q Plaza in 2018.
The new Masita Bonchon soy garlic fried chicken flavour is available at 7-Eleven Thailand for THB 39 per pack.
Leading grocery retailers in Malaysia are scrambling to offer order and pick up service to provide consumers, frustrated by the lack of delivery slots, with another means to get their groceries.
Tesco Malaysia is the latest grocery chain to provide the order and pick up service. Details below:
Click here for the list of participating Tesco outlets and their Whatsapp number.
COVID-19 has sparked a surge in consumer interest in online shopping but the inability of service providers to fulfill order could dampen consumer interest in online shopping, especially online grocery shopping, going forward. The order and pick up service is just a temporarily stop gap measure.
Tesco Online Malaysia
The spillover effect of this is the strong performance of proximity stores such as 99 SpeedMart, which has become a key beneficiary of the current crisis. Even before COVID-19, shoppers are already switching to smaller format stores, driven by convenience and value-for-money, and this trend is expected to continue after COVID-19.
Update:
Tesco Malaysia has made available more slots for online shopping with its Click+Collect service. Consumers can book their slots and place their orders on Tesco Online, bit.ly/TOcnc. Then select your store for self-collection.
The free service is now available at 8 stores: Tesco Extra Cheras Tesco Extra Mutiara Damansara Tesco Extra Puchong Tesco Extra Selayang Tesco Extra Seberang Jaya Tesco Extra Ipoh Tesco Extra Tebrau City / Desa Tebrau Tesco Melaka
Due to the long queue, we decided to give the AEON Personal Shopper Service a try on a Saturday afternoon. The process was quick and easy. Just fill in the form including the details of the shopping list. An AEON staff would be there helping you to pick up the products. In our case, the AEON staff was the one who gave us the form and we were able to go through the shopping list with her so that she understood our requirements
Since the requested items totalled only less than 10 SKUs and all of them were fresh vegetables, the entire process took under 10 minutes including payment and waiting.
The AEON Personal Shopping Service is convenient for consumers armed with a shopping list and are only interested in a quick shopping experience. Such service is not suitable for price-sensitive shoppers and those who would like to wander around the aisles looking for products to buy.
Shah Alam, April 8, 2020 – You have made it through 20 plus days of the Movement Control Order (MCO), stayed at home and #dudukrumahdiamdiam. You have cooked everything you know with the ingredients you have at home, twice. The food on the delivery apps are ‘meh’ and you’re worried about the delivery charges.
What can you do?
How about trying these quick and easy recipes to add variety to your stay at home. Using only affordable pantry essentials that you have at home, these dishes are so simple with minimal ingredients. Pair them with a carbohydrate of your choice for a filling meal. If you don’t have an ingredients, skip it or substitute with what you do have. Don’t have a stove top or oven, then a microwave will work for some of these.
1 ) ONE PAN BAKED BEANS WITH EGGS
Do you have a can of baked beans, eggs and some basic spices? Then you can make this one pan baked beans and eggs. The baked beans and eggs are good sources of protein, essential vitamins and minerals. For your bored taste buds the combination of sweet and firm Ayam Brand baked beans with creamy eggs is a heavenly treat. Another plus point – only one dish to wash up after.
2 ) TUNA PIZZA
White bread can be challenging to find. When you do get it, make it special and make it last with this Tuna Pizza recipe. Use the Ayam Brand tuna that you have, spread a base of tomato ketchup or puree on the sandwich bread. Sprinkle on mozzarella or any cheese that you have, and jazz it up with some Ayam Brand sweet corn or other toppings of your choice. Grill in an oven, or heat through until the cheese is melted in a microwave or on a stove top. So satisfying. https://www.ayambrand.com.my/recipe/recipes-video/866-tuna-pizza.html
3 ) COCONUT & PANDAN RICE
Rice, Ayam Brand™ coconut milk and pandan from the garden. That’s all you need to make this super fragrant and appetising coconut pandan rice in your rice cooker. It will immediately elevate your daily rice meal into a nasi lemak experience.
4 ) SARDINE PASTA
You have had bread for breakfast, rice for lunch and dinner for a week. It is time for a change. How about an easy pasta with a ready sauce from your pantry staple of Ayam Brand™ sardines in tomato sauce? Tasty, filling, exotic with a hint of basil. Mmmm. https://www.ayambrand.com.my/recipe/recipes-video/104-sardines-pasta.html
5 ) CURRY MACKEREL
Never cooked curry before but craving for it? The Ayam Brand™ curry mackerel is deliciously simple and you can stretch one can of mackerel over two meals, if you are on a tight budget. Add vegetables for a balanced, piquantly Malaysian meal. https://www.ayambrand.com.my/recipe/recipes-video/68-curry-mackerel.html
6) SPICY TUNA POTATOES
Potatoes, Ayam Brand™ Tuna, chilli powder and onions and you’re ready to roll this out. Fry this up and enjoy the aroma, the spiciness and the deliciousness. Garnish with whatever you have. https://www.ayambrand.com.my/recipe/recipes-video/180-spicy-tuna-potato.html
7) FRIED SARDINE ROLLS
Celebrate scoring some bread with this simple yet classic sardine roll recipe. Get your bread, Ayam Brand™ sardines, eggs and seasonings. Mash up a seasoned sardine paste, roll up in a slice of bread, dip in beaten egg and fry it up. Dip in chilli sauce or ketchup. Perfect for lunch or a light dinner.
Find more stay at home recipes from Ayam Brand™ recipes from https://www.ayambrand.com.my/recipe/stay-at-home.html. Until the MCO is over, stay home, stay safe and stay healthy.
About Ayam Brand
Ayam Brand, a household name in Malaysia and Asia for 128 years, is famed for its wide range of quality and healthy canned food that are preservative free and contain no added MSG. Ayam Brand products are manufactured in state-of-the-art facilities that meet the highest international standards with worldwide-recognized certifications (HACCP, ISO 9001) and are certified ‘Halal’. Since 2013, Ayam Brand has been ranked in the Top 10 of Malaysia’s most chosen FMCG brands, according to the Kantar Worldpanel’s Brand Footprint Study.
Singapore, 9 April 2020 – Following the recent challenges that have been felt across the Singapore F&B scene, Junior is keeping spirits high with the launch of Junior at Home. Guests can still continue to enjoy their favourite tipples and selected food menu items from the comfort of their living rooms.
Featuring a selection of bottled cocktails and DIY food kits, the menu which will be updated on a regular basis (keep an eye on the Junior Instagram page for the latest offerings), features classic throwbacks from some of Junior’s early menus. Kicking things off, Junior returns with NORMA, the bar’s very first concept from the spring of 2017. Five of the best-loved Agave cocktails together with fresh tacos and guacamole are up currently up for grabs.
To order, guests can simply drop a message to the team via Instagram, SMS, WhatsApp or call at +65 8121 1462. All orders made before 6 pm will see same day delivery, however, don’t fret if you miss the cut off as Grab couriers or self-collect can be arranged until 10 pm each night. Free delivery is available for those who spend $130 and above.
All cocktails are pre-mixed, properly diluted and arrive chilled and ready to drink. Garnishes, nice ice and premium mixers are also included where needed. Servings come in 700ml bottles, which will see from five to nine servings of regular size drinks, depending on the cocktail. Food comes ready for you to heat up and assemble, so no need to worry about anything arriving cold!
Singapore, 8 April 2020 – As F&B establishments close doors to do their bit to keep Singapore safe, guests are invited to enjoy the very best of ATLAS from the comfort of their own homes with the launch of ATLAS’ online retail store and new takeaway menu, #ATLASatHome.
Housing a selection of home cocktail sets, handcrafted bottled cocktails and a range of gin, including the exclusive St. George ATLAS Orange Gin, ATLAS’ online store offers all that is needed to enjoy a much-loved tipple at home or to your home bar. With new additions to the site each week, guests can choose from a curated selection of cocktail sets, including sets for gin and whiskey, with the option to add a range of premium bar tools, ideal for those who enjoy indulging in the art of fine drinking from home.
An extensive selection of gin, wine and Champagne is also available for purchase directly through ATLAS. Those interested are encouraged to reach out to ATLAS directly via WhatsApp or email, where the team will share the full product brochure and instructions for placing an order. All orders placed online and via WhatsApp or email over $100 will enjoy free delivery.
The new ATLAS dining takeaway menu features a mix of classics and new additions. All-time favourites, such as the arancini, beef short ribs and madeleines, as well as family-style options, are available for pickup curbside. Takeaway hours are from 12 pm to 9 pm daily, and orders can be placed via WhatsApp. No meal at ATLAS is complete without a classic cocktail, so guests are invited to choose from five bottled cocktail options including the ATLAS Martini, all of which come in 100ml, 250ml and 500ml options.
Dutch Mill has launched new Dutch Mill Plus containing probiotic LGG, which is supplied by Chr. Hansen. The LGG probiotic helps strengthen the immune...
Osotspa has launched Calpis Lacto White Strawberry in Thailand. Consumers can now indulge in the premium taste of Japan with the sweet and refreshing...
