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Independent Singapore
3 days ago
- Business
- Independent Singapore
Singapore bars serve non-alcoholic drinks and unique experiences to win over Gen Z amid falling alcohol consumption
SINGAPORE: Singapore bars are using non-alcoholic drinks and unique experiences to win over Gen Z, as occasional or regular alcohol consumption while socialising fell to 74% in early 2025, down from 78% four years earlier, according to a GlobalData survey. Tim Hill, key account director for Southeast Asia at GlobalData Plc, said the biggest drop was among men aged 25 to 34, where regular drinking fell from 35% in the first quarter of 2021 to 25% in the same period this year. Still, he told Singapore Business Review that the longer-term outlook for Singapore's pub sector remains 'cautiously optimistic'. Philippe Chan, general manager at YouGov for Hong Kong and China, said only 3 in 10 Gen Z Singaporeans drink beer, compared to 44% of the general population. Just 12% drink red wine and 11% drink whisky, both lower than the national averages of 23% and 18%, respectively. Mr Hill said regular alcohol drinkers in the Asia-Pacific region tend to spend more across all food service categories than non-drinkers. So if fewer people drink regularly, spending per capita across all food service channels may also drop. While this is the case, Nathanael Lim, Asia Pacific Insight manager for beverages at Euromonitor International, said non-alcoholic experiences are popping up in Singapore tourism, pointing to a local tour called the SingaPour Drink Tour, which brings visitors to three bars to try alcohol-free drinks and snacks. Mr Lim said low- and no-alcohol cocktails are catching on as young people move away from alcohol consumption. Rob Temple, managing director of Sinowine Pte. Ltd, said this could be Singapore's edge, as bars in the city-state offer wines and spirits that are harder to find elsewhere. Notably, 11 local bars made it to Asia's Top 50 Bars 2024, which Mr Temple said shared common traits like creative use of local ingredients and bartenders who give guests a memorable, social media-friendly experience. One of the bars on the list is Fura, located at 74A Amoy Street, which serves cocktails made with low-carbon-footprint ingredients like their martini with jellyfish and spirulina. They also offer non-alcoholic drinks made from upcycled surplus produce. Mr Temple said, 'Wines and spirits that offer authenticity with a story will be appealing to young consumers who value these attributes over brand strength.' Meanwhile, Bar Spectre in Tanjong Pagar hosts wellness workshops like 'Death in the Afternoon', where guests get two drinks and join talks on death, missed chances, and finding life's deeper meaning for S$50. Mr Lim said this kind of unique product offering, which provides a novel experience and sense of community, is key to attracting Gen Z to bars while helping bars thrive in an increasingly competitive nightlife market. It will also amplify brand visibility, as Gen Z consumers seek social connection and share widely on social media, he added. Mr Hill remains optimistic about pub revenues this year, driven by regional business and leisure travel beyond local demand. /TISG Read also: With costs rising, S'pore companies freeze wages and look abroad for AI skills
Business Times
23-05-2025
- Business
- Business Times
Asia's coming sustainable beauty revolution
ASIA'S beauty industry stands at a pivotal crossroads. It may lead with sustainable innovation or risk falling behind in an increasingly regulated, values-driven market. The continent is already the world's beauty powerhouse. Total sales are projected to hit US$249 billion by 2028, growing at 4.8 per cent compound annual growth rate and outpacing both North America and Europe. For brands competing in this dynamic region, sustainability is no longer a side project. It's the foundation for future growth and the key to long-term market leadership. The continued hovering threat of Donald Trump's tariffs has become an unexpected catalyst, accelerating the shift towards regional self-sufficiency and giving sustainability practices a sharper competitive edge. In Asia's fast-growing beauty sector, this moment presents a powerful opportunity. Consumer imperative Sustainability for beauty isn't just good ethics – it's good business. This precept is deeply aligned with regional consumer values. Clean beauty in Asia is not a trend, but a reflection of cultural ideals rooted in harmony, balance and respect for nature. The Chinese concept of 'liang' celebrates natural, effortless radiance, while the Indian Ayurvedic traditions tie physical beauty to internal wellness through herbal rituals and detox practices. These are not surface-level preferences – they reflect a lifestyle and mindset that prioritises well-being, transparency and environmental integrity. Today's consumers expect products to reflect these values, from ingredient sourcing to ethical manufacturing. These expectations are now reshaping the market. According to Euromonitor, 31 per cent of Asia-Pacific beauty consumers prioritise all-natural ingredients, while 25 per cent demand sourcing transparency. A NEWSLETTER FOR YOU Friday, 12.30 pm ESG Insights An exclusive weekly report on the latest environmental, social and governance issues. Sign Up Sign Up Clean beauty in Asia extends far beyond formulation – it encompasses packaging, production methods, and waste reduction. Eco-conscious consumers are rewarding brands that reduce plastic use, adopt circular models and disclose their sustainability practices. The results speak for themselves: sustainable beauty products in Asia grew at 9 per cent compound annual growth rate between 2020 and 2023, nearly double the market's average. By 2027, the continent is expected to contribute over half of new sales in such products. For beauty brands, the message is clear. Sustainability is no longer a differentiator – it is the precursor of entry. Winning in this market means localising not just language, but values. Asia moves ahead In the West, sustainability is being met with increasing hesitation. 'Green hushing' has emerged in the US, particularly with the return of Trump-era deregulation, where brands are downplaying sustainability efforts for fear of political or consumer backlash. In Europe, too, brands are treading carefully due to rising scepticism and anti-greenwashing scrutiny. By contrast, Asia is stepping up. Governments are enacting clear, enforceable sustainability policies – pushing brands towards greener practices: China has made 'green consumption' part of its national strategy. Its e-commerce platforms must meet green packaging standards, and beauty imports are subject to new cosmetic safety and environmental labelling laws; India has implemented Extended Producer Responsibility rules for plastic packaging, making companies accountable for collection and recycling; Japan introduced its Plastic Resource Circulation Act, mandating corporate reporting on plastic usage and requiring eco-friendly product design; Singapore has launched the Zero Waste Masterplan, offering tax incentives for sustainable packaging and R&D grants for eco-product innovation; South Korea passed the K-Eco Labeling Act, requiring disclosure of recyclability and pushing refillable product formats. It also banned microplastics in rinse-off cosmetics; Thailand is banning single-use plastics in phases and offers subsidies for companies switching to biodegradable packaging. Green growth areas To seize this moment, brands must think beyond compliance and redesign their business around sustainability. Here are a few ways how leading brands are stepping up their sustainability agenda. 1. Packaging that protects the planet: Lightweight bioplastics and biodegradable materials are the future. Companies like Sulapac in Japan and Veolia in China are leading the charge with innovative packaging alternatives. Even Chanel is getting in the game, using 3D-printed mascara brushes to cut plastic use. Local sourcing will also help brands manage costs while reducing carbon footprints. 2. Smarter manufacturing and supply chains: Eco-consciousness starts behind the scenes. Shiseido's use of AI to forecast demand cut overproduction by 17 per cent – saving US$10 million a year. Blockchain is helping trace ethical ingredient sourcing. Cleaner operations mean fewer resources wasted, lower emissions and leaner operations. 3. Responsible consumption in the digital age: The digital tools that once fuelled hyper-consumerism can now help reverse it. Virtual try-ons reduce product returns, and artificial intelligence-powered recommendations encourage smarter buying. Sephora and Tmall are already using these tools to reduce waste while keeping customers happy. 4. Circular beauty models: Brands such as The Body Shop are normalising refill stations, and AmorePacific's AMORE:CYCLE initiative aims for 100 per cent recycled bottles. Waterless products – like Kao's shampoo sheets – are also gaining ground. These aren't gimmicks; they reflect real shifts in consumer behaviour towards more mindful consumption. Paying off and futureproofing Legacy systems, especially in packaging, still rely heavily on plastic. Sustainable materials can be heavier and more expensive. Small beauty players, in particular, may find it hard to scale eco-friendly solutions. But the payoff is significant: lower long-term costs, loyal consumers and reduced regulatory risk. The shift will require upfront investment but so did e-commerce, and no brand today would trade that back. Asia's beauty market isn't just large – it's influential. Trends born in Tokyo, Seoul and Shanghai often set the pace for the rest of the world. That means what happens here matters globally. Consumers are sending a clear signal: they want products that are effective, ethical and in harmony with their values. Eco-consciousness, once a niche concern, is now mainstream. Brands that align with this movement – by investing in sustainable sourcing, transparent storytelling and responsible packaging – will thrive. It's not just about perfection. It's about progress and intention. And in Asia, where cultural values, consumer demand and regulations are converging, the time to be future-proof is now. Lawrence Loh is director of Centre for Governance and Sustainability at NUS Business School where he is also professor in practice of strategy and policy. Belle Tran is an MBA student at NUS Business School.
CNA
22-05-2025
- Business
- CNA
E-commerce company Allegro goes local to stand out from Asian competitors
GDANSK :E-commerce platform Allegro is doubling down on its local offering in a bid to differentiate itself from Asian competitors like Temu, its finance chief said on Thursday. Allegro, which aside from its home market Poland runs third-party marketplaces in the Czech Republic, Slovakia and Hungary, has in recent months removed offers with long shipping times, mostly from East Asia, from its international platforms, it said in an earnings statement. "We're looking to really double down on our differentiators versus the Asian players that are in the market, and make it really clear to the consumer why they look to Allegro every day as the main place to shop," CFO Jon Eastick said during a conference call. Eastick told Reuters in an interview that the move followed a similar one for its Polish marketplace, which he said had "almost no impact" on the gross merchandise value of the business. It also plans to improve its platform, including features for its consumer loyalty scheme and initiatives that use AI solutions to drive better recommendations and choice of advertisements, Eastick said. Allegro, which has been developing the platform since 1999, remains the go-to online shopping place for millions of Poles despite growing competition from international players. Its share of the Polish retail e-commerce market was 38.8 per cent at the end of 2024, according to data analytics company Euromonitor International. Amazon held a 3.9 per cent share, followed by AliExpress with 3.4 per cent and Temu with 1.5 per cent. "There was fairly rapid progress from zero in 2023 and early part of 2024, but it's slowed down dramatically now," Eastick said about the performance of Asian platforms in its markets, referring to Allegro's own monthly survey looking at transaction share across e-commerce players. "We'll continue to defend our position in terms of marketing spend," he added. Temu entered Poland in June 2023 and has been splurging on marketing. "The advertising intensity may be a little bit higher so far, but it hasn't changed massively," Eastick said. "But marketing spend and share of voice is definitely where we feel the impact of the new competitors the most." Allegro's marketing costs rose 10 per cent to 317.1 million zlotys ($84.46 million) in the first quarter, slowing down from a 28.7 per cent in the fourth quarter that included the busy holiday season. ($1 = 3.7545 zlotys)
Khaleej Times
21-05-2025
- Business
- Khaleej Times
UAE's e-commerce market is expected to exceed Dh50.6 billion by 2029
The UAE's e-commerce market is projected to surpass Dh50.6 billion ($13.8 billion) by 2029, a report showed on Wednesday. According to the 'E-Commerce Report in the Mena Region 2024, created by EZDubai, the fully dedicated e-commerce zone in Dubai South, in collaboration with Euromonitor International, the world's leading provider for global business intelligence, the UAE's e-commerce market reached Dh32.3 billion ($8.8 billion) in 2024. The UAE's e-commerce sector continues to expand, driven by a tech-savvy, youthful population with a strong preference for online shopping, alongside advanced infrastructure, widespread internet access, and efficient delivery services. In 2024, the top three product categories by value were apparel and footwear, consumer electronics, and home care. According to Euromonitor's Digital Consumer Survey, credit and debit cards remain the most used payment method in the UAE. However, digital wallet usage has grown significantly, from 41 per cent in 2020 to 53 per cent in 2024. Additionally, alternative payment options such as Buy Now, Pay Later are gaining popularity, increasing both conversion rates and average basket values—highlighting consumer confidence in flexible payment solutions. Free delivery and free returns are powerful drivers of e-commerce in the UAE, with retailers strategically balancing these offerings to enhance customer satisfaction while carefully managing logistics to minimise their impact on profitability. Regionally, the Middle East and North Africa's (Mena) e-commerce market reached Dh126.7 billion ($34.5 billion) in 2024, recording a 13 per cent year-on-year growth. This surge was fuelled by the rise of mobile commerce and cross-border transactions. By 2029, the market is expected to reach Dh212.2 billion ($57.8 billion). Growth across the region, particularly in the UAE and Saudi Arabia, is supported by infrastructure investments, government-backed digital initiatives, and a highly connected consumer base. Food, beverages, and home care products saw significant growth between 2019 and 2024, a trend expected to extend to other categories. The expansion of cross-border e-commerce in Mena is also being driven by increasing demand for international products, improved logistics and payment platforms, and more efficient customs processes. Mohsen Ahmad, CEO of Logistics District, Dubai South said: 'The e-commerce sector in the UAE is evolving rapidly, and EZDubai is proud to be at the forefront of this transformation. By offering world-class infrastructure and seamless connectivity, we are enabling global and regional players to thrive and scale. This growth is also being fueled by the UAE government's forward-thinking policies, smart regulations, and sustained investments in digital transformation, logistics, and infrastructure. As a result, the UAE is not only reinforcing its position as a leading e-commerce hub in the Mena region, but also emerging as a competitive global player shaping the future of digital commerce.'
Hi Dubai
21-05-2025
- Business
- Hi Dubai
EZDUBAI: UAE E-Commerce Market Continues to Grow, Reaches AED 32.3 billion in 2024
UAE's total e-commerce market is expected to exceed AED 50.6 billion by 2029. MENA's e-commerce market estimated at AED 126.7 billion in 2024. UAE's e-commerce industry to grow at a CAGR of 9.4% from 2024 to 2029 EZDubai, the fully dedicated e-commerce zone in Dubai South, has released the fifth edition of its 'E-Commerce Report in the MENA Region 2024' in collaboration with Euromonitor International, the world's leading provider for global business intelligence, market analysis and consumer insights. The report reveals that the UAE's e-commerce market reached AED 32.3 billion (USD 8.8 billion) in 2024 and is projected to surpass AED 50.6 billion (USD 13.8 billion) by 2029. The UAE's e-commerce sector continues to expand, driven by a tech-savvy, youthful population with a strong preference for online shopping, alongside advanced infrastructure, widespread internet access, and efficient delivery services. In 2024, the top three product categories by value were apparel and footwear, consumer electronics, and home care. According to Euromonitor's Digital Consumer Survey, credit and debit cards remain the most used payment method in the UAE. However, digital wallet usage has grown significantly, from 41% in 2020 to 53% in 2024. Additionally, alternative payment options such as Buy Now, Pay Later are gaining popularity, increasing both conversion rates and average basket values—highlighting consumer confidence in flexible payment solutions. Free delivery and free returns are powerful drivers of e-commerce in the UAE, with retailers strategically balancing these offerings to enhance customer satisfaction while carefully managing logistics to minimise their impact on profitability. Regionally, the MENA e-commerce market reached AED 126.7 billion (USD 34.5 billion) in 2024, recording a 13% year-on-year growth. This surge was fueled by the rise of mobile commerce and cross-border transactions. By 2029, the market is expected to reach AED 212.2 billion (USD 57.8 billion). Growth across the region, particularly in the UAE and Saudi Arabia, is supported by infrastructure investments, government-backed digital initiatives, and a highly connected consumer base. Food, beverages, and home care products saw significant growth between 2019 and 2024, a trend expected to extend to other categories. The expansion of cross-border e-commerce in MENA is also being driven by increasing demand for international products, improved logistics and payment platforms, and more efficient customs processes. In his comments, Mohsen Ahmad, CEO of Logistics District, Dubai South said: The e-commerce sector in the UAE is evolving rapidly, and EZDubai is proud to be at the forefront of this transformation. By offering world-class infrastructure and seamless connectivity, we are enabling global and regional players to thrive and scale. This growth is also being fueled by the UAE government's forward-thinking policies, smart regulations, and sustained investments in digital transformation, logistics, and infrastructure. As a result, the UAE is not only reinforcing its position as a leading e-commerce hub in the MENA region, but also emerging as a competitive global player shaping the future of digital commerce. EZDubai was designed to attract leading e-commerce companies and create a benchmark with its infrastructure. The e-commerce zone, launched in January 2019 by HH Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, is strategically located in the heart of the Logistics District of Dubai South. For further insights, please download the full report via the following link. News Source: Cicero & Bernay
