Industry News

NNIO, a new Singaporean home appliance brand, is set to officially launch in May, offering a range of minimalistic and affordable products designed to simplify everyday life. First introduced in 2024, NNIO has quickly gained popularity for its smart, space-saving appliances that cater to the needs of tech-savvy Singaporeans living in compact homes.

The brand’s product lines include the A-Cool+ range, featuring energy-efficient fans, air circulators, and air purifiers powered by BLDC motors. These appliances are designed for easy maintenance and optimal performance, with features like child-safe bladeless fans and medical-grade HEPA-14 air purifiers. The C-Tasty+ kitchen range includes an air fryer that uses up to 80% less oil, promoting healthier cooking. Meanwhile, the V-Clean+ range offers cordless vacuum cleaners tailored for small flats, complete with smart attachments for versatile cleaning.

Co-founder and Managing Director Tan Beng Kwee emphasises NNIO’s commitment to consumer-centric design and value. “We study what’s out there, what people actually need, and how to make it better,” he said. NNIO’s products are crafted from sustainable materials, reflecting the brand’s ethos of creating a better tomorrow.

NNIO plans to expand its reach across Southeast Asia, leveraging Singapore as a testing ground. The brand will celebrate its showroom launch on 28 May, offering the first 100 customers in June a free portable handheld fan. Products are available at major retailers and online platforms, including Shopee and Lazada.
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Huttons Asia has shared insights on the Government Land Sales (GLS) sites at Lakeside Drive, Dunearn Road, and Woodlands Drive 17, predicting robust interest from developers. Mark Yip, CEO of Huttons Asia, highlighted the strategic locations and potential demand for these sites, which are expected to attract multiple bidders.

The Lakeside Drive site, one of the last available plots near Lakeside MRT station, is anticipated to draw up to three bidders. Its proximity to the popular Rulang Primary School and the Jurong Lake District enhances its appeal. With over 2,500 flats in the vicinity having met their minimum occupation period, there is a significant pool of potential upgraders. The top bid for this site is expected to range between $900 and $1,000 per square foot per plot ratio (psf ppr).

Meanwhile, the Dunearn Road site is the first to be offered in the new Turf City housing estate. Located near top schools and the Sixth Avenue MRT station, it is expected to appeal primarily to Singaporean buyers, who now make up 80% of the Core Central Region (CCR) home purchasers following a 60% Additional Buyer’s Stamp Duty on foreigners. This site could see one to two bidders, with a top bid between $1,250 and $1,350 psf ppr.

The Woodlands Drive 17 site, the first Executive Condominium (EC) parcel in Woodlands South since 2013, is expected to attract four to six bidders. Its proximity to Woodlands South MRT station and the future Woodlands Regional Centre makes it a prime location. The top bid for this site is estimated to be between $700 and $750 psf ppr.

These developments are part of Singapore’s ongoing urban transformation, with significant projects like the Woodlands Health Campus and the Johor-Singapore Special Economic Zone set to enhance the area’s appeal in the coming years.
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Lazada has released a new report, “Bridging the AI Gap: Online Seller Perceptions and Adoption Trends in Southeast Asia,” developed with Kantar, which highlights the challenges faced by eCommerce sellers in adopting artificial intelligence (AI). The report surveyed 1,214 sellers across six Southeast Asian countries, revealing that AI has been integrated into only 37% of business operations on average, despite 89% of sellers acknowledging its productivity benefits.

The report identifies Indonesia and Vietnam as leaders in AI adoption, with 42% integration, followed by Singapore and Thailand at 39%. However, a significant gap exists between sellers’ perceived and actual AI adoption, with many facing challenges related to cost and implementation. Whilst 93% of sellers agree on the importance of AI for long-term cost savings, 64% cite its costliness and time-consuming nature as barriers.

Lazada categorises sellers into three archetypes: AI Adepts, AI Aspirants, and AI Agnostics, based on their level of AI integration. Only 24% of sellers are AI Adepts, having integrated AI into at least 80% of their operations. The majority, 76%, fall into the AI Aspirants and AI Agnostics categories, indicating a need for more effective AI solutions.

To address these challenges, Lazada is launching the Online Sellers Artificial Intelligence Readiness Playbook, offering strategic guidance tailored to sellers’ AI maturity levels. The playbook aims to help sellers leverage AI-driven solutions to enhance efficiency and competitiveness in the eCommerce landscape. James Dong, CEO of Lazada Group, emphasised the company’s commitment to bridging the knowledge and adoption gap, stating, “We aim to develop accessible AI solutions that address the unique challenges faced by sellers across different markets.”

Lazada’s ongoing investment in AI innovations includes new Generative AI features designed to empower sellers by optimising product listings, streamlining operations, and boosting customer conversions. These efforts are part of Lazada’s strategy to make technology more accessible and drive sustainable business growth across Southeast Asia.
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CBRE has announced the sale of two conservation shophouses located at 54 and 56 Pagoda Street in Singapore’s Chinatown. The properties, which are fully tenanted, are being sold through an Expression of Interest exercise closing on 13 May 2025. With a total land area of 3,010 square feet and a floor area of approximately 9,162 square feet, these shophouses present a unique investment opportunity in a prime location.

The shophouses are situated in the heart of Chinatown, a popular tourist destination known for its vibrant street market. The properties boast a prominent 12-metre-wide frontage along Pagoda Street, ensuring high visibility and foot traffic. Clemence Lee, Executive Director of Capital Markets at CBRE, highlighted the rarity of such offerings, noting that shophouses in this area are considered “trophy assets” and rarely come up for sale.

The indicative guide price for the properties is $26.2 million (S$35.7 million), with no Additional Buyer’s Stamp Duty or Seller’s Stamp Duty applicable, making it an attractive option for foreign investors. The ground floor units, currently leased to retail tenants, are ideal for potential Food & Beverage use, subject to approval from relevant authorities.

The location offers excellent accessibility, being adjacent to Chinatown MRT Interchange and within walking distance of Maxwell and Telok Ayer MRT stations. The area is expected to benefit from increased tourist arrivals, with the Singapore Tourism Board reporting a 21% increase in visitor numbers in 2024 compared to the previous year.

As Chinatown continues to evolve, these shophouses offer investors a chance to capitalise on the area’s growing appeal and strategic location.
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Lita Global has announced the establishment of its regional headquarters in Singapore. This strategic move underscores the company’s commitment to the Southeast Asian gaming community and aims to leverage Singapore’s robust digital infrastructure and skilled workforce to drive growth across the region.

The Teammate-On-Demand platform by Lita Global, which facilitates connections and earnings for gamers through skill-based matchmaking, boasts over 30 million registered users and 1.5 million monthly active users in Southeast Asia. The decision to base operations in Singapore aligns with the country’s leadership in digital infrastructure and supportive regulatory environment, providing an ideal foundation for Lita’s expansion.

To further its local growth, Lita plans to collaborate with gaming and esports organisations, host tournaments, and form partnerships with universities to nurture future gaming talent. The company is also enhancing its platform with features tailored to local gaming preferences. “Singapore isn’t just a strategic location — it represents everything we value as a company: digital ambition, diverse talent, and a forward-thinking gaming culture,” said Yihao Zhang, Founder and CEO of Lita.

Over the next year, Lita aims to increase brand awareness and deepen user engagement in Singapore, launching new features and strengthening ties with local gaming entities. The company’s long-term ambition is to play a pivotal role in shaping Singapore’s gaming economy, not just as a platform provider, but as a community builder. With Singapore now at the heart of its operations, Lita Global is poised to become a leading platform for gamers seeking more than just gameplay — offering career opportunities, community, and a future in gaming.
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Luckin Coffee, China’s leading coffee chain, has partnered with Stripe to support its international expansion into Southeast Asia, specifically targeting Singapore and Malaysia. By utilising Stripe’s scalable infrastructure, technical support, and localisation capabilities, Luckin Coffee has established a robust cross-border payment system to facilitate its growth in these markets.

The Southeast Asian specialist coffee market, valued at approximately $4.4 billion in 2023, is projected to grow by 8% by 2028. Luckin Coffee, which has already opened 60 stores in Singapore, aims to strengthen its brand recognition and provide a seamless user experience in this burgeoning market.

Stripe’s extensive technical documentation and responsive support enabled Luckin Coffee to integrate a full payment system within just one month. This integration model reduces ongoing development costs and sets a strong foundation for further expansion. Stripe’s localisation support allows Luckin Coffee to offer a variety of local payment methods, including credit cards, Apple Pay, Google Pay, GrabPay, PayNow, and FPX, ensuring a smooth payment process for customers.

Zhang Jiangxiang, General Manager of Luckin Coffee Singapore, stated, “Our global strategy is anchored in technology and innovation. We chose Stripe not just for its payment leadership, but for a shared mindset around speed, scale, and seamless user experience.” Sarita Singh, Regional Head & Managing Director for Southeast Asia, India, and Greater China at Stripe, added, “We’re proud to support Luckin Coffee’s global expansion.”

This partnership highlights how strategic technology collaborations can enable Chinese companies like Luckin Coffee to scale internationally with the right infrastructure and local expertise.
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Singapore Airlines (SIA) Group is marking Singapore’s 60th year of independence with a series of initiatives from April to December 2025. As part of the Celebrating with Singapore campaign, SIA is offering special fare deals, bonus miles, and exclusive promotions on platforms like Kris+, KrisShop, and Pelago. Additionally, the airline will feature Singapore-themed content on its in-flight entertainment system, KrisWorld, and serve classic Singapore hawker dishes on selected flights.

The campaign also includes a significant community component. SIA aims to raise $1.3 million through a fundraising campaign, which the airline will match, resulting in a total donation of $2.6 million to AWWA and Rainbow Centre. These organisations support children and youth with disabilities and developmental needs. Furthermore, SIA will host a special two-day SIA Cares Open House in July, offering over 600 beneficiaries from various social service agencies a behind-the-scenes tour of its training centre.

SIA CEO Goh Choon Phong expressed gratitude for the support from customers and the public, stating, “Our story is intertwined with Singapore’s growth and progress as a country, and the Celebrating with Singapore campaign is our way of expressing gratitude, giving back to the community, and marking SG60 meaningfully.”

The campaign also features special SG60 fare deals for flights between Singapore and 77 destinations, with opportunities for customers to win business class tickets and hotel stays in Seoul, South Korea. KrisFlyer members can enjoy additional discounts and bonus miles, whilst Kris+ and Pelago offer SG60 vouchers and discounts on attractions and tours.

In June, KrisShop will launch The Heritage Collection, celebrating Singaporean cultural elements, and Scoot will unveil a limited-edition aircraft model designed in collaboration with LASALLE College of the Arts.
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Deel, a leading global payroll and HR platform, has unveiled a suite of AI-powered products aimed at revolutionising how companies manage international teams. The new tools, launched on 8 April 2025, integrate payroll, HR, and IT functions into a single platform, addressing inefficiencies in fragmented systems.

This suite is now available in Singapore and globally, offering businesses a streamlined approach to operating across borders.

Karen Ng, Deel’s Regional head of Expansion for Enterprise in North and South Asia, highlighted the importance of these innovations in supporting Singapore’s focus on training and skills development. “With intelligent tools that provide data-driven insights, Deel is empowering Singapore businesses to bridge local talent gaps and scale internationally,” she stated.

The product suite includes several key features:

– **Deel Talent**: Connects businesses with staffing agencies directly within the platform, simplifying the hiring process.
– **Deel Workforce Planning**: Offers AI-driven tools for strategic headcount planning and approval.
– **Deel Compensation**: Allows HR teams to manage global compensation strategies, integrated with payroll.
– **Deel Engage**: Enhanced with AI features for employee feedback, career management, and learning management.
– **Deel IT**: New security features for managing devices across 130 countries.

Additionally, Deel has expanded its payroll capabilities, now offering Real-Time Payroll in over 53 markets, with plans to reach 130 by 2027. The company has also launched Deel PEO and Deel Benefits Admin to further streamline HR processes.

Alex Bouaziz, Deel’s Co-founder and CEO, emphasised the need for a unified system, stating, “Deel is changing that. Every product and feature we build is designed with our customers in mind—to help them hire, manage, and pay global teams easily and compliantly.”

With a 60% increase in customers using multiple products and over $11 billion processed in payments, Deel continues to grow, aiming to become the sole platform businesses need for managing global teams.
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HSBC has introduced its most prestigious credit card, HSBC Privé, in Singapore, exclusively available by invitation to Global Private Banking clients. Developed in collaboration with Mastercard, this card aims to cater to the high- and ultra-high-net-worth individuals by offering a range of exclusive privileges and premium lifestyle benefits.

The HSBC Privé card is designed to provide its holders with unparalleled luxury and global experiences. It offers curated access to a variety of exclusive privileges, including elevated travel experiences and premium lifestyle benefits. This initiative underscores HSBC’s commitment to meeting the sophisticated needs of its affluent clientele.

Carina Koh, Senior Communications Manager at HSBC Singapore, highlighted the card’s unique offerings, stating, “HSBC Privé is a gateway to unparalleled luxury and global experiences, tailored specifically for our most valued clients.”

The launch of HSBC Privé marks a significant step in HSBC’s strategy to enhance its services for high-net-worth individuals in Singapore, a key market for the bank. By partnering with Mastercard, HSBC ensures that the cardholders receive top-tier benefits and services that align with their lifestyle and financial needs.

As HSBC continues to expand its offerings for affluent clients, the Privé card is expected to strengthen the bank’s position in the competitive private banking sector. The introduction of this card reflects HSBC’s ongoing efforts to innovate and provide exceptional value to its clients.
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ALUXE, a renowned Taiwanese diamond and wedding jewellery brand, has expanded its presence to Singapore, offering an impressive collection of over 30,000 certified diamonds. Known for its commitment to quality and competitive pricing, ALUXE aims to make premium diamonds more accessible to customers in Singapore.

The brand’s innovative approach includes a real-time selection process, allowing customers to view diamonds with high-resolution 360-degree images. This seamless integration with global suppliers ensures a wide range of ready-to-go options and preorders with guaranteed delivery within two months.

ALUXE’s competitive edge lies in its direct sourcing from the world’s top diamond cutters, eliminating unnecessary markups. As one of Taiwan’s largest diamond importers, ALUXE ensures that customers receive the highest quality diamonds at the best possible price.

Every diamond from ALUXE comes with internationally recognised certification. Natural diamonds are graded by the Gemological Institute of America (GIA), whilst lab-grown diamonds receive certification from the International Gemological Institute (IGI). The exclusive ALUXE Ultimate Diamond Report provides advanced scientific analysis, ensuring only the finest stones are included in their collection.

In addition to classic round diamonds, ALUXE offers a selection of fancy-cut and rare coloured diamonds, including pink, yellow, and blue hues. The ROSÉ My Love collection features lab-grown pink diamonds, whilst the Lovers Collection showcases blue diamonds in elegant wedding bands.

With its flagship store at ION Orchard and additional locations in JEM and Tampines, ALUXE is dedicated to helping couples find the perfect expression of love through meticulously crafted jewellery.
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