The Indonesian yogurt drink manufacturer Yoforia has entered into the fermented milk drink category with Activ8. The new drink, launched in September 2019, contains Lactobacillus (L. Case 431), which helps with digestion, and is formulated with 20% less sugar compared with similar fermented milk drink in the market.
Yoforia is a name inspired from the word “yogurt” & “euphoria”. The Yoforia Yogurt Studio in Bandung offers various yoghurt-based food and beverages. The company also offers a range of yogurt drinks in various flavours for the retail market.
Mynews Holdings Bhd, the operator of myNEWS convenience stores in Malaysia, can now deliver condom straight to your home in one hour if you live near the 8 outlets that offer online delivery under myNEWS Dash.
myNEWS cooperated with ONE Condoms to deliver what is known as the country’s first 1-hour condom delivery service.
Not only contraceptive, the new myNEWS Dash service, the first of its kind in the country provides other food and non-food products. The non-food items that are available for delivery on Mynewsdash include fabric softener, laundry detergent, dishwashing liquid, garbage bag, toothpaste, sanitary pad and haircare products.
The myNEWS Dash service started with the Taman Tun Dr Ismail outlet in Kuala Lumpur in September 2019 covering a radius of 12km, according to the company announcement in early October 2019.
myNEWS Dash, through its own dedicated website at Mynewsdash.com, helps to bridge the last mile delivery issue to provide greater convenience to consumers especially when they run out of critical items like battery or even condom.
The portal also offers beer delivery service but only covers alcoholic brands under Carlsberg Brewery Malaysia Berhad. Rival brewery Heineken Malaysia Berhad has its own dedicated beer delivery portal called Drinkies.
The ready-to-eat meals are made by myNEWS Kineya, a joint venture with Japan’s Gourmet Kineya Co,. Ltd., and consist of the following items:
The Japanese-inspired bakes are made by myNEWS Ryoyupan, which is a joint venture with Japan’s Ryoyu Baking Co., Ltd.
Below are some of the desserts that are available for purchase on Mynewsdash.
In early October 2019, myNEWS and partners Ryoyu Baking and Gourmet Kineya announced the launching of their RM 100 million Japanese-inspired food production centre (FPC), which is located at the Rawang Integrated Industrial Park. The ready-to-eat (RTE) and bakery operations are housed in the same building. The RTEs and bakery items are currently supplied to over 300 outlets in the Klang Valley.
In early November 2019, myNEWS said it has added cut fruits to provide more fresh offerings in stores.
(Top left: Almond Rum Raison, Top right: Apricot Mango Coconut
(Bottom left: Chestnut Green Tea, Bottom right: Morello Cherry Chocolate)
November 11, 2019, Singapore – Splash your world with colour this festive season as Janice Wong presents Neon Christmas, an exclusive range of products and flavours created to evoke the senses and create a memorable experience for all to enjoy.
As the countdown to Christmas begins, Janice’s 2019 collection sees the introduction of exciting new items, as well as an imaginative twist on much-loved classics. A creative and colourful curation of sweet treats, the Neon Christmas collection offers the perfect gifts to share with loved ones this festive season. Following the success of last year, Neon Christmas will also see the return of Janice Wong’s popular festive hampers.
This year welcomes the creation of four Christmas Cake Specials that showcase Janice’s expressive and bold approach to art. The Almond Rum Raison, filled with ginger almond sponge, rum & raisin chocolate and almond praline mousse is modelled on a winter pinecone and splashed with neon blue. Shaped like a festive tree ornament, the bright yellow Apricot Mango Coconut is bursting with coconut dacquoise, mango creameux, apricot & Cointreux Gelee and white chocolate mousse.
The cake collection also includes the Chestnut Green Tea made with green tea sponge cake, chestnut mousse, green tea panna cotta and sea salt, as well as the fun and vibrant Morello Cherry Chocolate with cherry compote, olive oil cake, strawberry Crème Brulee and chocolate mousse. All cakes are priced at S$9.50 and available for purchase from the first week of December until 26 December 2019.
(Above: Neon Christmas Bon Bons)
Janice’s famous chocolates have been reimagined for Neon Christmas with the addition of five new flavours, Popcorn & Spice, Gingerbread, Dulce De Leche, Cherry and Dark Chocolate Peppermint. All chocolates have a colourful neon splash and are available for purchase in boxes of nine (S$38), 16 (S$65) and 25 (S$98) from the first week of December until 31 December 2019. Exclusively for Neon Christmas, boxes come with a festive sleeve designed by Janice and her team.
Available in three different options, Janice Wong’s festive hampers make a return for Neon Christmas. Each bursting with festive joy, the hampers come in three different sizes priced at S$150, S$250 and S$350. Available for purchase instore from the first week of December, hampers can be topped up with a bottle of wine or Champagne for that added Christmas cheer. Festive gift boxes are also available for individual purchase at S$18 and can be filled with individual items from Janice Wong’s classic and Christmas selections such as the range of new Chocolate Coated Nuts and Fruit Jellies available in festive pouches (S$16).
Thailand’s herbal medicine producer Sand-M International Co., Ltd., the maker of pocket-sized herbal solution to fit the modern healthy lifestyle, has introduced Handy Herb Night Night. This new shot drink in 50ml contains chamomile known to help to calm the mind and promote a good night sleep.
Night Night also has L-theanine, a green tea extract, that reduces stress and improves the sleep quality. The shot is free from sugar and preservatives. Night Night is available at 7-Eleven at a price of THB 20.
Night Night is interesting as it shows the entry of the shot format into the sleep promoting segment.
Responding to Malaysian consumer shift towards healthy eating, China’s ChaCheer, known for its sunflower seed snacks, has made available its highly popular ChaCha Daily Nuts.
Both ChaCheer and ChaCha refer to the same company Qiaqia Food Co., Ltd., one of the leading producers and sellers of nuts and roasted foods from China. QiaQia has recently put into operation a new manufacturing in Thailand. ChaCha Food Thailand is initially involved in the production of sunflower seeds. Phase two will see the factory producing nuts.
ChaCha Daily Nuts contain walnut (33%), blackcurrant raisin (22%), dried cranberry (15%), cashew (13%), almond (10%) and hazelnut (7%). The nut and fruit mix is described as containing the “fresh taste from 6 countries.”
First launched in China in 2016, ChaCha Daily Nuts (洽洽每日坚果) in a small yellow bag is a highly successful product in China. ChaCha Daily Nuts has been instrumental in raising the company’s nut sale from a mere RMB 100 million in 2016 to RMB 500 million in 2018 to contribute nearly 10% of the company’s revenue in 2018.
In Malaysia, ChaCha Daily Nuts (23gx5) are selling at a premium at RM 20.49 (Giant) compared with Nature’s Wonder (130g) at RM 16.45 and Camel Natural Cocktail Mix (150g) at RM 16.59.
Vitagen, one of the leading cultured milk drinks in Malaysia, has added a new distribution channel. Riding on the immensely popular free messaging and VoIP service Whatsapp, consumers can now order their Vitagen on Whatsapp (018-298 2393). There will be no delivery charge for the Home Delivery Service. Payment method is cash on delivery.
Selling though Whatsapp offers extra convenience to consumers without the hassle of shopping online and paying with online bank transfer/credit card. Even elderly Malaysians are well versed with Whatsapp, which makes it possible for them to order Vitagen for their grandchildren.
Beyond this, brands can start exploring social media retailing by launching social media-exclusive items to engage specific consumer groups.
Singapore’s Sunshine Bakeries has launched limited edition packaged wholemeal cream buns in the decadent flavours of Caffe Mocha and Salted Caramel.
According to the press release, “both are high in iron, vitamins, trans-fat free and enriched with prebiotics for that guilt-free pleasure.”
“Made with finest salted caramel, the Salted Caramel Wholemeal Cream Bun gives a sweet yet salty taste, complemented by the soft, fluffy wholemeal bun.
The Caffé Mocha Wholemeal Cream Bun is made with roasted Arabica coffee beans and Belgian cocoa powder.
Affordably priced at SGD1 each and available for a limited time only available at major supermarkets and convenience stores.”
Sunshine Bakeries has previously introduced Pandan cream buns, which come in the form of two local favourites – Gula Melaka and Kaya Butter.
Left to right: Mr Tang Meng Loon, Director of Gamuda Land Clubs operations; Mr Gary Tan, Sales Director of Carlsberg Malaysia; Mr Patrick Lim Kay Seng, Nett Champion of Carlsberg Golf Classic 2019; Mr Stefano Clini, Managing Director of Carlsberg Malaysia; Mr Jung Young Guk, Gross Champion of Carlsberg Golf Classic 2019; Ms Pearl Lai, Corporate Communications & CSR Director of Carlsberg Malaysia; and Ms Caroline Moreau, Marketing Director of Carlsberg Malaysia.
Probably The Best Golf Tournament crowned two-time finalist Jung YoungGuk the Gross Champion
Shah Alam, 1 November 2019 – Great golf, good fun and “Probably The Best Golf Tournament” came to a fitting finale with the staging of the 2019 Carlsberg Golf Classic National Finals at Kota Permai Golf & Country Club on November 1.
The National Finals was the culmination of a hugely successful 26th edition of the country’s most popular amateur golf series, which saw more than 3,700 avid golfers taking part at 36 legs nationwide.
Carlsberg Golf Classic concluded 36 qualifying tournaments and saw 72 gross and nett finalists who competed for the championship title at the National Finals.
“We are certainly proud that the Carlsberg Golf Classic is the country’s biggest and longest-running amateur golf tournament and that this year’s 26th edition was a huge success with great fun on and off the course. While I am relatively new to golf, I am truly impressed by the participants’ passion for the game and their support of the golfing industry,” said Carlsberg Malaysia’s Managing Director, Stefano Clini, during the prize presentation lunch.
As one of the hallmarks of the Carlsberg Golf Classic, the National Finals was much more than just a golf tournament. It was also a golf industry gathering with invited players comprising sponsors, golf club managers and other stakeholders joining the gross and nett winners of each leg for a competitive yet fun day of golf.
Fun was indeed the keyword at the National Finals, as Carlsberg pulled out stops to ensure that everyone had a great time regardless of their score. Living up to the event’s promise to deliver Probably The Best Golf Experience, players enjoyed Carlsberg Smooth Draught and savoured the fruity and sparkling variants of Somersby cider while negotiating the fairways.
Numerous novelty contests added to the merriment, highlighted by the ‘Beat The Pro’ challenge at the 18th hole where participants took on local tour star Keegan Kam off the tees and the quirky ‘Nearest The Bottle’ contest at Hole 8, as well as ‘Sure-To-Win Hole-In-One’ and ‘Longest Drive’ contests. There was also a roving “Loudest POP” contest, where flights were invited to POP their Carlsberg Smooth Draught caps simultaneously to see who had the highest sound decibel to win even more merchandise.
As golfers waited to tee-off at the long par-three sixth hole, masseurs helped them limber up and relax with quick shoulder and upper body massages.
The serious side of the National Finals saw Jung YoungGuk, a 52-year-old Korean national living in Kuala Lumpur, emerge as the 2019 Gross Champion. The one-handicap golfer carded a gross score of 73, which was highly impressive considering that the tees were pushed back and that Kota Permai’s tricky greens were rolling at 11.5 on the Stimpmeter.
“Over my four years in Malaysia, I have participated twice in the Carlsberg Golf Classic and made it to the finals. But this year I am overwhelmed at winning the Gross Champion title,” said Jung, who qualified for the National Finals via the qualifying round at Templer Park Country Club in Rawang, Selangor.
For his remarkable effort, Jung walked away with a Titoni Airmaster watch.
The nett title meanwhile went to 43-year-old Patrick Lim Lay Seng, a three-time participant who qualified from the Horizon Hills Golf & Country Club qualifying round. Playing off a handicap of 15, the businessman signed in a nett score of 68 to triumph. All scores were capped to a maximum of four-under-par following the Carlsberg Golf Classic rules, with any ties settled on countback.
“The game was well-organised and went smoothly, as smooth as the Carlsberg Smooth Draught! What we liked about the tournament is that there were many activities and freebies at the prize presentation ceremony. Overall, I had a lot of fun,” said Lim, who also took home a Titoni Airmaster watch.
Despite the quality of the field which represented the best of Malaysian club golfers, there were no aces scored during the National Finals. The hole-in-one prizes of a Mercedes-Benz A200 AMG, Mercedes-Benz E200 Avantgarde, Titoni Master Series watch and Ogawa Masterdrive 4D Thermo Care massage chair thus went unclaimed.
Those who did not play that well on the day still had a chance to win something through the 20 over lucky draw prizes, given out at the end of the fun-filled prize presentation lunch. These included the grand prize of a Titoni Airliner watch, along with stays at The Saujana Hotel, Ogawa Zen Foottee massagers, Adidas golf merchandise and Mercedes-Benz driving experiences.
The 2019 Carlsberg Golf Classic was sponsored by Mercedes-Benz, Adidas, Titoni, TaylorMade, Mars Whisky, Healthland, Ogawa, Saujana Hotels & Resorts, Sunplay and ParGolf.
Thailand’s OISHI Group Public Company Limited has launched Oishi Apple Honey and Oishi Apple Honey Light with exclusive ingredients of Japanese apples harvested in Aomori and Hyakku-mitsu honey from Hokkaido.
Supporting the launch is the announcement of the collaboration between OISHI and Thailand’s number 1 multiplayer online battle arena (MOBA) game “ROV” to roll out the “Oishi X ROV: Full Set of 5 Japanese Skins” campaign. Teen gamers and Oishi fans can win more than 50,000 prizes of ROV’s special items daily as well as the jackpot – full set of 5 Japanese skins.
The recent partnership between Oishi and ROV is a reflection of the ever increasing collaboration between beverage companies and game publishers to reach out to young gamers.
We have seen how Ichitan and TC Pharmaceuticals have launched various campaigns in the past to target gamers.
For example, Ichitan’s latest Hunt for the Code of the Galaxy Doom’s Fire Gun Skin campaign in partnership with Garena Online in September 2019 involving Ichitan Chew Chew Kyoho Grape and Ichitan Chew Chew Lime Honey is aimed at extending the consumer base particularly to Gen Z (born between 1995 and 2010).
In terms of production innovation, the RTD tea category is embracing apple as a flavour. The entry of Oishi Apple Honey joins competitor Ichitan, which has already introduced Aomori Fuji Apple Flavoured Green Tea and Fuji Apple Flavoured Iced Black Tea.
F&N Foods and the Singapore National Environment Agency (NEA) have jointly launched the RecycleNSave initiative with support from FairPrice to place a total of 50 smart Reverse Vending Machines (RVMs) across Singapore by March 2020, according to a press release on 31 October 2019.
At the moment, 10 RVMs have been installed at various locations in Singapore and the subsequent placement of 40 RVMs will be completed by March 2020.
The ten locations are:
FairPrice Finest Waterway Point
FairPrice Northpoint City
FairPrice Xtra Ang Mo Kio Hub
FairPrice Xtra NEX
FairPrice Finest Changi City Point
FairPrice Finest Paya Lebar Quarter
FairPrice Our Tampines Hub
FairPrice Xtra JEM
FairPrice Xtra Jurong Point
YewTee Point
To encourage consumers and shoppers to recycle, F&N will reward them with a SGD 0.20 FairPrice discount coupon for every four empty plastic drink bottles and aluminium drink cans deposited into the RVM.
These coupons can be used at all FairPrice outlets, FairPrice Xpress stores and Cheers convenience stores, and are valid for 30 days from the date of issue. Up to a maximum of 10 coupons can be used per transaction.
The machines are programmed to identiy and reject containers which are not plastic drink bottles and aluminium drink cans, or are not empty or without readable barcodes.
Mr Lee Meng Tat, CEO Non-Alcoholic Beverages, Fraser and Neave Limited said, “Recycling is an important step we can all take to contribute towards saving the environment. We are delighted to embark on this programme with NEA, FairPrice, our long-time business partner, the community and consumers.”
We have seen other FMCG brands including Aura Mineral Water in Thailand using RVMs to launch their green programs. The use of RVMs is set to expand further in the region and this will no doubt benefit the manufacturers of RVMs.
