iShopChangi has unveiled its March Spring Sale, offering travellers and non-travellers alike the opportunity to enjoy significant savings on a wide range of products. Running until 31 March 2025, the sale features tax-free prices on luxury fashion, beauty products, and travel essentials from renowned brands such as GUCCI, SK-II, and Braun Büffel. In celebration of International Women’s Day, the sale also highlights women-led brands, providing a platform for female entrepreneurs to showcase their offerings.

The Spring Sale includes exclusive promo codes, allowing shoppers to save up to 60% on their purchases. For instance, a minimum spend of S$150 can earn a 12% discount, capped at S$50, whilst a S$500 spend offers a 20% discount, capped at S$250. Mastercard users can enjoy an 18% discount on a minimum spend of S$350, capped at S$80.

Amongst the featured products are the GUCCI Women’s Flora Gorgeous Gardenia Eau De Parfum Spring Gift Set, priced at S$228.30, and the Anker MagGo Ultra-Slim Power Bank, available for S$99.88. Additionally, the sale includes exclusive travel and beauty finds, such as the SK-II Facial Treatment Essence Duo Set for S$491.80 and the Isle of Leomhann Single Malt for S$131.60.

iShopChangi’s initiative not only offers substantial savings but also supports female-led brands like Dr Ora, Scent Journer, and Bohème SG. Wynnie Tham of Dr Ora, Joyce Lian of Scent Journer, and Veronique Manchharam of Bohème SG are among the entrepreneurs featured, each bringing unique products to the market.

The sale also includes special offers for new iShopChangi shoppers and Changi Pay users, with discounts available on their first purchases. Non-travellers can enjoy tax-absorbed prices with free delivery on orders over S$59, whilst travellers can shop up to 30 days in advance and collect their purchases at Changi Airport.

Launched in 2013, iShopChangi continues to enhance the shopping experience for both travellers and local residents, providing access to over 30,000 products from 900 brands. The March Spring Sale is a testament to its commitment to offering convenience and value to its customers.
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Singapore’s CUBE Boutique Capsule Hotels has unveiled its latest venture, CUBE Social@Boat Quay, a social capsule hotel that combines affordable luxury with a community atmosphere. Situated in a restored heritage shophouse along the Singapore River, this new property aims to attract savvy travellers seeking both comfort and social interaction.

The hotel features 72 premium capsules, 13 private rooms, and a women-only section, all designed with high-quality amenities such as plush mattresses, 300-thread count linen, and sound insulation for a restful stay. Guests can enjoy shared spaces including a bar lounge, verandah with river views, and a private soundproof booth for teleconversations.

CEO Mohd K Rafin highlighted the hotel’s unique blend of heritage charm and modern amenities, stating, “CUBE Social is redesigned to provide well-travelled guests with affordable premium lifestyle capsule accommodation and a space that encourages social interaction within an elegant setting.”

The location offers easy access to Singapore’s Civic District and its cultural landmarks, making it an attractive destination for both locals and tourists. Founder and COO Sonia Anya Tay noted, “Our guests appreciate the premium capsule accommodations, safety, and cleanliness, and the vibrant, community-oriented atmosphere in our shared spaces.”

CUBE Hospitality is open to franchising and joint ventures, with plans to expand into Southeast Asian countries such as Bali, Vietnam, and Hong Kong. Rates at CUBE Social@Boat Quay start from $62 (S$85) per night, offering a budget-friendly yet upscale experience for travellers.
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Manulife has announced a significant milestone in its digital transformation journey, with 75% of its global workforce now actively engaged with GenAI-powered solutions. This development is part of a broader multi-billion-dollar investment in digital capabilities, including the introduction of ChatMFC, a proprietary GenAI assistant that saves employees up to two hours weekly. The company expects these advancements to generate a threefold return on investment by 2027.

The AI integration spans various business functions, such as sales enablement tools developed in Singapore, which are now being rolled out globally to provide personalised insights for financial consultants. Additionally, AI-powered contact centres are enhancing customer interaction efficiency across Asia and North America, supporting 110 million interactions annually.

Jodie Wallis, Global Chief Analytics Officer at Manulife, highlighted the transformative impact of AI, stating, “By equipping our teams with GenAI tools, we’re enabling them to work smarter, move faster, and make a bigger impact.” The company has already realised over S$600m in benefits in 2024 from its digital initiatives.

Manulife’s commitment to responsible AI is underscored by its adherence to ethical and sustainability standards, ensuring innovations align with these principles. The company’s AI strategy includes deploying over 35 GenAI use cases across Canada, the US, and Asia, with plans to expand to 70 more by the end of 2025.

As Manulife continues to embed AI across its operations, it aims to deepen customer relationships, improve adviser connections, and unlock new revenue streams, reinforcing its position as a leader in AI adoption within the financial services sector.
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Ocean Network Express (ONE) and the Singapore Maritime Foundation (SMF) have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to foster a talent pipeline for the maritime industry. The agreement, effective from 2025 to 2027, will see ONE sponsor at least two MaritimeONE scholarships and two internships annually, enhancing its collaboration with SMF.

The scholarships and internships, managed by SMF, aim to connect young individuals with the maritime sector through immersive learning experiences. This initiative is part of SMF’s broader MaritimeONE programme, which includes company visits, participation in the Maritime Youth Forum, and exclusive opportunities like the MaritimeONE VIP Pass.

Tan Beng Tee, Executive Director of SMF, highlighted the importance of this partnership, stating, “The deepening of our partnership through the signing of the MoU demonstrates our collective commitment to nurturing future maritime talent. It comes at a pivotal juncture as the industry transitions into a future where technology is pervasive and shipping becomes greener, requiring a workforce with new skillsets.”

Tay Ai Lin, Senior Vice President of Global Human Resources and ONE Academy at Ocean Network Express, added, “This MoU further cements our commitment to work with our stakeholders in the industry to create opportunities for bright minds to transform challenges into opportunities.”

This collaboration underscores the commitment of both organisations to equip the next generation with the skills needed to navigate the evolving maritime landscape. As the industry embraces decarbonisation and digitalisation, such initiatives are crucial for sustaining growth and innovation.
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Indian fintech leader Razorpay has announced its expansion into Singapore, marking its second venture in Southeast Asia following successful operations in Malaysia. The company aims to empower Singaporean businesses with seamless, real-time payment solutions, reducing cross-border transaction fees by 30-40% and supporting the country’s digital economy.

Razorpay’s entry into Singapore comes as the nation leads a digital payments boom in Southeast Asia, with a 97% digital payment penetration rate. The fintech giant plans to bridge the gap between local and international payment gateways, enabling businesses to transact effortlessly across borders. Shashank Kumar, MD and Co-founder of Razorpay, stated, “Our expansion aligns with Singapore’s bold vision for a cashless, innovation-driven economy.”

The company’s payment technology platform for Singapore will include multi-currency transactions, real-time payments, and an AI-powered payments suite called Agentic-AI. This suite will transform financial operations by enabling AI agents to engage in transactions, enhancing operational efficiency. Additionally, Razorpay introduces RAY, an AI concierge for payments, and Magic Checkout, which offers a one-click payment experience.

Angad Dhindsa, Southeast Asia Head of Razorpay Singapore, highlighted the importance of addressing the unique challenges faced by small and medium businesses in Singapore. “With 30-50% of online payments being cross-border, businesses need seamless, cost-effective solutions,” he said.

Razorpay will collaborate with banks, financial institutions, and regulatory bodies to ensure compliance with Singapore’s financial landscape. This expansion is expected to strengthen Razorpay’s presence in the Southeast Asian market, following its 10X growth in Malaysia.
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Mediacorp has announced the appointment of Susan Ho to its Board of Directors, effective 1 March 2025. With more than three decades of experience in international branding, strategic corporate positioning, and reputation management, Ho is set to bring a fresh perspective to the media giant. Her career includes significant roles such as Corporate Banking Head of Creative Industries and Global Head of Brand and Sponsorships at Standard Chartered Bank, as well as senior leadership positions at Brunswick and Airwallex.

Mediacorp Chairman Niam Chiang Meng expressed enthusiasm about Ho’s appointment, stating, “Susan is a key addition to Mediacorp’s Board, given her extensive expertise and leadership experience across different sectors within the region. Her presence will enhance the diversity of perspectives crucial for navigating the challenges and opportunities in our competitive industry.”

The appointment follows the departure of former Board Directors Robin Hu and Roy Quek, who stepped down at Mediacorp’s Annual General Meeting on 30 August 2024. Niam acknowledged their contributions, noting that their insights have strengthened the company’s strategic decisions and audience engagement.

Joining Ho on the Board are notable figures including Tham Loke Kheng, CEO of Mediacorp, and Eng Chin Chin, Non-Executive and Independent Director at Olam Agri Holdings Limited, amongst others. This diverse group is expected to guide Mediacorp through its ongoing journey of innovation and growth.
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DBS Vickers Securities has released its latest Singapore Market Focus report, identifying new opportunities beyond the traditional index leaders. The report, dated 6 March 2025, highlights the Monetary Authority of Singapore’s (MAS) equity market support measures as a significant factor benefiting certain stocks. Additionally, the report provides insights into the fourth quarter (Q4) results season, recommending five stocks to buy and two to avoid.

The report’s key takeaway is the revised year-end target for the Straits Times Index (STI), now set at 4,080. DBS advises investors to consider buying on pullbacks, suggesting confidence in the market’s upward trajectory. This adjustment reflects a positive outlook on Singapore’s economic environment and the potential for growth in specific sectors.

Amongst the beneficiaries of the MAS equity market support measures, DBS identifies several stocks poised for gains. The report does not specify these stocks in detail, but it emphasises the importance of looking beyond the index titans to uncover hidden opportunities in the market.

The report also delves into the Q4 results season, offering strategic advice on stock selection. Whilst it recommends five stocks for purchase, it cautions against investing in two others, though specific names are not disclosed in the press release.

In conclusion, DBS Vickers Securities’ report underscores a bullish sentiment towards the Singapore market, driven by supportive measures from MAS and strategic stock selection. Investors are encouraged to stay informed and consider the report’s insights for potential investment opportunities.
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In 2024, Singapore’s Central Business District (CBD) Grade A office rents grew by approximately 2% and are projected to continue this trend in 2025. This growth is attributed to the limited availability of new office spaces and sustained demand for premium locations. The report also notes a slight rise in office vacancy to 9.4% in 2024, largely due to the addition of the 1.25-million-square-foot IOI Central Boulevard Towers.

Chris Carver, Executive Managing Director and Head of Asia-Pacific Valuation & Advisory at Newmark, stated, “Increasing office-using employment and declining office supply should help to better balance the market’s supply and demand over the next 12 months, supported by steady economic growth and export growth.”

Newmark has unveiled a report forecasting a positive outlook for Singapore’s office leasing market in 2025, buoyed by stable economic growth and a constrained supply of new office spaces. The study, conducted by Newmark’s Valuation & Advisory and Leasing & Brokerage teams, anticipates moderate rental growth and increased demand for high-quality office spaces.

The “Flight to Quality” trend remains a significant factor in office relocations, as businesses focus on talent acquisition and retention. Key service sectors, including information and communications, financial, and professional services, experienced growth in 2024 and are expected to drive further office demand in 2025.

Newmark’s comprehensive analysis underscores the resilience of Singapore’s office market, with implications for continued investment and development in the sector.
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YouBiz, a leading multi-currency corporate card and spend management platform, has teamed up with TikTok for Business to support the growth of Singapore’s e-commerce sector. This strategic partnership, announced on 6 March 2025, aims to provide local businesses with enhanced advertising and financial operations, as the sector’s gross merchandise value is projected to rise from US$8b in 2023 to US$9b in 2024.

The collaboration seeks to address the increasing demands of the market by offering targeted support to maximise marketing and advertising return on investment (ROI) and streamline financial processes. Benedict Khong, General Manager of YouBiz, stated, “This partnership with TikTok for Business is designed to bridge that gap. By seamlessly integrating YouBiz’s innovative financial solutions with TikTok’s dynamic advertising platform, we are empowering businesses to not only survive but thrive in the fast-evolving digital economy.”

A key feature of the partnership is an exclusive cashback scheme, offering new TikTok advertisers up to U$100 in ad credits. Additionally, businesses can benefit from up to 3% upsized cashback on TikTok ad spend with YouBiz, enhancing ROI and freeing up capital for reinvestment.

The partnership was unveiled at an event featuring a panel discussion titled “Unlocking Growth on TikTok: Content, Ad and Financial Strategies for Success.” Speakers, including Genecia Alluora, co-founder of Alluora, shared insights on leveraging digital platforms for effective marketing and the importance of financial tools in reducing foreign exchange fees.

By integrating financial and marketing solutions, YouBiz and TikTok for Business aim to empower e-commerce businesses in Singapore, driving growth and innovation in the digital economy.
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StarHub has announced its exclusive partnership with Xiaomi to launch the Xiaomi 15 Ultra in Singapore, offering a range of promotions for customers. The pre-order period, which runs until 7 March, allows customers to enjoy a S$50 discount when ordering online through StarHub. Additionally, those who pre-order the Xiaomi 15 Ultra will receive a complimentary Camera Kit valued at $199 and a Redmi Pad SE (6+128GB) worth S$229.

From 8 to 23 March, customers purchasing the Xiaomi 15 Series with a 2-year Device Plan can take advantage of further launch promotions. Buyers of the Xiaomi 15 Ultra will receive a free Photography Kit Legend Edition, valued at S$199, and a Redmi Pad SE worth S$299. Meanwhile, purchasers of the Xiaomi 15 will receive a Redmi Pad SE worth S$229.

Customers opting for a 2-year Device Plan can also benefit from up to S$200 off when signing up for a new line or porting in from another telco, along with an additional $200 trade-in cashback for device upgrades. From 14 March, StarHub introduces a Buy Now, Pay Later option with the Star Plan, starting at S$50 per month, enabling customers to save up to S$628.

The Xiaomi 15 Series, designed for professional imagery, is aimed at creative professionals seeking to enhance their mobile photography. Customers can experience the devices in StarHub stores, with pre-orders available online via the StarHub app or website. For more information, visit StarHub’s website.
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