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Straits Times
21 hours ago
- Business
- Straits Times
S'pore competition watchdog raises concerns over problematic features on Agoda website, app
The issues are related to Agoda's accommodation search and booking features, which CCCS was concerned would mislead customers. ST PHOTO: ONG WEE JIN SINGAPORE - Several design changes were made to travel platform Agoda's website and mobile application after the Competition and Consumer Commission of Singapore (CCCS) raised concerns over some problematic features. The issues are related to Agoda's accommodation search and booking features, which CCCS was concerned would mislead customers. 'Best Match' search results CCCS found that Agoda's 'Best Match' search results were presented in a way which suggested that the rankings were most compatible based solely on the search criteria, such as travel dates and guest ratings. CCCS found that Agoda's 'Best Match' search results were presented in a way which suggested that the rankings were most compatible based solely on the search criteria. PHOTO: CCCS But Agoda's search results also factor in the money the platform would earn. Agoda has since replaced the 'Best Match' label with 'Our Picks' to better reflect that the results are the platform's recommendations. Agoda has since replaced the 'Best Match' label with 'Our Picks'. PHOTO: CCCS 'Agoda Preferred' badge This badge appeared on selected properties accompanied by an explainer which said: 'Agoda Preferred recommends trusted and verified properties that have a longstanding relationship with Agoda and meet certain criteria.' The 'Agoda Preferred' badge appears on selected properties. PHOTO: CCCS CCCS said it was concerned that this blurb did not adequately explain the criteria for properties to receive the badge, which include paying Agoda more. Agoda has since revised the explainer to disclose more clearly that these properties pay additional commission to the platform, the watchdog added. Agoda has since revised the explainer. PHOTO: CCCS Default 'ranking' of search results The way accommodation search results are ranked could potentially mislead consumers into believing that the listings were ordered based solely on their search parameters. Agoda has revised the explainer to clarify that the specific placements of these accommodations are influenced by other factors, including paying fees to Agoda. PHOTO: CCCS But accommodation providers could actually boost their visibility by paying Agoda as part of a 'preferred partner programme' or by sponsoring their own listings. In response to CCCS' concerns, Agoda has revised the explainer to clarify that the specific placements of these accommodations are influenced by other factors, including paying fees to Agoda. 'Cheapest x-star stay' label Accommodations presented with this label were not always the lowest-priced options when the search results are sorted by price for the same star rating, CCCS said. To avoid confusing customers, Agoda has removed the label altogether. PHOTO: CCCS It added that it was concerned that this label may have suggested to consumers that the labelled accommodation is the cheapest option available when it may not actually be. To avoid confusing customers, Agoda has removed the label altogether. Time limit to complete booking Agoda website customers were shown a five-minute countdown timer as they input the details needed to complete their bookings. This time limit could be extended by up to 20 minutes by clicking the 'I need more time' button. CCCS said it was worried that this would create a false sense of urgency for consumers to quickly complete the booking. Agoda has since standardised the website's countdown timer to align with that of its mobile application, which is 20 minutes. This provides more time for consumers to complete the booking process, or shop around for better options. Agoda has since standardised the website's countdown timer to align with that of its mobile application, which is 20 minutes. PHOTO: CCCS Using interface features that may mislead or even deceive consumers can be considered unfair trade practices under Singapore's fair trading laws, CCCS said, adding that this could lead to enforcement action by the commission. Instead, businesses should design their user interface to present options in a clear and neutral manner to consumers to make well-informed choices. 'Important and material information, particularly those relating to pricing, should be presented upfront and not be hidden in fine print,' CCCS warned. Statements regarding the practices and policies of a business should also be clear and easily understood. CCCS chief executive Alvin Koh said the exchange with Agoda was part of a series of actions the watchdog will take to improve the online commerce space. This is particularly so where consumers may face undue pressure to complete their transactions, and there are problematic website features, or even 'dark patterns' such as misleading messages, and manipulative user interfaces. 'In the coming months, CCCS will make it a point to educate consumers on identifying these misleading practices and how consumers can better protect themselves,' Mr Koh said. Those who would like to report cases of unfair trade practices by errant businesses may contact the Consumers Association of Singapore (Case) on 6277-5100 on weekdays from 9am to 5pm, or via the Case website. Join ST's WhatsApp Channel and get the latest news and must-reads.
Straits Times
19-05-2025
- Business
- Straits Times
The Snackpacker's Guide: 6 sweet, savoury and spicy nibbles from Sichuan for under $8
Snacks from Sichuan province range from spicy meat jerky to yak milk sweets. ST PHOTO: ONG WEE JIN SINGAPORE – There is no singular reason why China has become the destination of choice for Singaporeans. For some, it is being in cutting-edge cities where drone-delivered meals arrive in under 30 minutes and cashless transactions are done with a wave of the palm. Join ST's Telegram channel and get the latest breaking news delivered to you.
Straits Times
13-05-2025
- Business
- Straits Times
Cordlife gets offer from Thailand's largest stem cell bank Medeze Group for 10% stake in company
Medeze intends to engage with Cordlife as a substantial shareholder to explore long-term business opportunities. ST PHOTO: ONG WEE JIN Cordlife gets offer from Thailand's largest stem cell bank Medeze Group for 10% stake in company SINGAPORE - Thailand-listed Medeze Group is making a move to acquire a 10 per cent stake in Singapore-listed cord blood bank Cordlife Group. The offer, which will be done through Medeze's wholly-owned subsidiary Medeze Treasury, will comprise 25.63 million shares at 25 cents each in cash. This represents a 61.3 per cent premium over Cordlife's last traded price of 15.5 cents on May 9, Cordlife said in a May 13 statement filed on the Singapore Exchange. The offer price also exceeds the 12-month average price of the stock. Cordlife shares were unchanged at 15.5 cents at 9.15am on May 13, after the announcement. If successful, the partial offer will raise Medeze's direct stake in Cordlife to about 10.68 per cent. It will also mark Medeze's first strategic move to expand in the Singapore market. In its statement, Medeze, which is among South-east Asia's largest stem cell storage and services providers, said it intends to engage with Cordlife as a substantial shareholder to explore long-term business opportunities that could deliver long-term value for both parties. For instance, Medeze would be able to offer natural killer cell analysis and hair follicle banking to Cordlife clients, while Cordlife could provide genetic and chromosomal screening services to Medeze's customers. Medeze, which listed on the Stock Exchange of Thailand in October 2024, recorded total revenue of THB 874.3 million in 2024, up 23.6 per cent over the previous year. Its net profit rose 41.4 per cent over the same period to THB 338.7 million. The group was founded and is headed by Dr Veerapol Khemarangsan, an obstetrics and gynecology specialist who is also personally involved in stem cell procedures. Cordlife has currently two substantial shareholders, China's Nanjing Xinjiekou Department Store and TransGlobal Real Estate Group. The partial offer from Medeze comes after Cordlife's cord-blood banking service and human-tissue banking service licences were renewed by the Ministry of Health (MOH) for a year from Jan 14 . MOH said that its audits showed that Cordlife has satisfactorily addressed critical shortcomings in various areas, including temperature monitoring practices, cord-blood inventory management, and incident response. This followed a nine-month suspension of Cordlife's operations from December 2003 to September 2024, due to lapses in the storage of its cord-blood units that damaged the cord blood units belonging to at least 2,150 clients and rendering them unsuitable for stem cell transplant purposes. Cordlife was later permitted to resume operations in a controlled and restricted manner from Sept 15, 2024, to Jan 13, before its licences were renewed on Jan 14. In 2024, Cordlife posted a net loss of $18.7 million, compared with a net profit of $3.6 million a year earlier. Revenue declined 50 per cent to $27.8 million from $55.7 million a year ago, mainly due to almost nine months of suspension of the group's operations in Singapore. In its 2024 results announcement, the company also said that it has made 'significant upgrades' to its processing and storage facility in Singapore, including implementing an enhanced laboratory monitoring system to provide round-the-clock real-time on-site and remote monitoring of key equipment. Cordlife also said that it has also increased the number of laboratory and technical personnel, strengthened operational protocols and established a medical and technical advisory board to provide guidance on best practices. Join ST's Telegram channel and get the latest breaking news delivered to you.
