Ramadhan represents uptick in e-commerce sales in SEA

+Online sales and website traffic start increasing three weeks before Ramadhan in Southeast Asia (SEA)

+E-commerce sales spiked by 110% during the third week of Ramadhan

+Shoppers spend less time browsing and shopping online during sunset

+Mobile continues to be a key driver for discovery and sales with an increase of 126% during Ramadhan

Source: Criteo infographic. Fashion sells best during Ramadhan.

Criteo, the performance marketing technology company, has released seasonal data to help e-commerce businesses better engage consumers during the festive season.

It revealed that online sales and traffic increased in the lead up to and during Ramadhan, but declined during Eid el-Fitr (Hari Raya), the holiday that marks the end of Ramadhan. Based on consumers’ online browsing and buying activity, the three weeks leading up to Ramadhan, and also the third week of Ramadhan represent the biggest opportunity for retailers to engage consumers when they are actively browsing and purchasing items for upcoming celebrations. During this period, there was an average of 67% uplift in online retail sales and 14% uplift in online travel sales.

Criteo’s data also revealed that Ramadhan traditions influence shoppers’ behaviour throughout the day. To engage with shoppers, retailers need to know when they are most active online. During the fasting period between sunrise and sunset, e-commerce transactions were lower at 71%, compared to 76% for the period prior to Ramadhan. However, after breaking fast, there is an increase in e-commerce sales to 29%, from 24% pre-Ramadhan, representing a timely opportunity for retailers to reach out to shoppers.

Understanding how and what shoppers are buying is also crucial. With 37% of onsite retail conversions happening on the mobile app, retailers need to be investing beyond just a mobile-friendly site to an intuitive app. Fashion-related items are the most popular during this period, followed by home and living products and electronics, toys and games.

“Ramadhan is an important festive season in this region. Rapidly rising disposable incomes, a growing appetite for modest fashion, halal products and services mean that retailers need to enlist smart solutions to engage shoppers across all touchpoints and deliver the most impactful content at every point in the customer journey. As shoppers spend time with their friends and families after sundown and on Eid, they are less likely to browse and shop online. Retailers must pick the right time of the week and time of day to increase their digital marketing efforts, so they can achieve an uptick in online transactions,” said Alban Villani, GM, Southeast Asia, Criteo.

Criteo analysed more than 8 million online transactions from 143 retailers based in Indonesia, Malaysia and Singapore. Other key findings from the report include:

+Website traffic and e-commerce sales increased from three weeks before Ramadhan and spiked during weeks three and four, with an increase of 110% and 77% respectively.

+During the start of Eid el-Fitr, there was a decline of 44% in online sales and 20% in website traffic. However, in the week post-Eid, online sales rebounded, increasing 35%.

+During weeks three and four of Ramadan, online mass merchants were the biggest growth driver – with an increase of 87% and 52% respectively.

+The cross-device journey was evident – 46% of shoppers were found to be viewing products across multiple devices, with one in four shoppers switching devices at least three times during their purchasing journey.

“In addition, retailers need to embrace omni-channel marketing – as we continue to see the rise of offline-to-online and online-to-offline (O2O) shopping habits. Our data shows that during the period of Ramadhan, shoppers are browsing in stores and purchasing online, and vice-versa. However, whichever way you look, mobile will still be the foundational building block and key driver in O2O retail. Half of the retail transactions in Southeast Asia are already taking place on mobile,” said Villani.

Ramadhan 2017 begins around May 25, 2017. The date varies in different countries depending on the sighting of the moon. 

Interested?

Download the infographic on Ramadhan 2016

posted from Bloggeroid

Consumers embrace DIB Consumer Card

Source: DIB website. Banner for the Consumer Card page.

The Consumer Card introduced by the Department of Economic Development (DED) in Dubai and Dubai Islamic Bank (DIB), the largest Islamic bank in the UAE, has exceeded all expectations by end-2016 in a highly competitive market, highlighting the importance customers place on the transparent nature of the offering and the customer-centric focus of the card.

Customers are drawn to the transparency the card offers, as they are rewarded for simply doing every day transactions, as opposed to increase their spending in return for rewards. The Consumer Card was launched in June 2016. Over the past six months, thousands of Consumer Cards have been issued, to the point where the card has already exceeded its target for its first year, while the total cashback payouts are at a record high. The highest combined amount of cashback was in the supermarket category, with the highest number of transactions on fuel spends. Salik and Nol payments were also popular.

Mohammed Ali Rashed Lootah, CEO Commercial Compliance & Consumer Protection (CCCP) sector in DED, said: "We are delighted with the success of the Consumer Card as it was launched as part of our strategic objective to make shopping in Dubai a pleasant experience through strengthening trust and productive partnerships between retailers and consumers. The card not only provides a new interface for substituting cash payments with smart payment options, but also enables consumers to avail of attractive discounts from various retail outlets.”

Lootah added that the success of the Consumer Card also underlined the successful co-operation between DED and DIB in stimulating growth and productivity in Dubai. “We are pleased to continue working with the Dubai Islamic Bank towards transforming Dubai into an innovation-driven and diversified economy,” he said.

Sanjay Malhotra, Chief of Consumer Banking at DIB, commented, “We are delighted to see that this unique Consumer Card launched in collaboration with DED has been a success with our customers who have acknowledged this product is not only easy to use but also convenient for them to earn cash back on. When we launched the Consumer Card, our core objective was to offer a low-cost, high-value payment solution in order to appeal to a larger number of customers who can enjoy the many exclusive benefits this product has to offer on their everyday purchases. I can proudly say that DIB and DED have been able to offer not just a product but a great experience to our customers, which is indeed a remarkable feat."

Ibrahim Selim Ergoz, GM, UAE, Qatar & Pakistan, Visa, said: “The Consumer Card is one of the key initiatives under a strategic partnership we have with DED and DIB, and is a great example of the public and private sectors working in tandem to help consumers in the UAE manage their finances in a safe, secure and responsible way. It has been successful because it meets a real consumer need while being easy to use, convenient and rewarding. As Dubai powers on with its Smart City initiative, Visa looks forward to being part of more initiatives like the Consumer Card that help to bring the Emirate’s vision of a cashless society a step closer to fruition.”

Issued in partnership with Visa, there are two variants, the Rewards Consumer Card and the Platinum Consumer Card, both offering discounts in over 450 outlets across the country. Card users are also eligible to receive up to AED1,000 cashback per month on daily purchases from supermarkets, automobile servicing, utility bills, fuel spend and movie ticket transactions. The card offers consumers savings and rewards on their daily supermarket purchases, fuel bills, utility bills, movies and more.

DIB is at the forefront of delivering innovative shari'ah-compliant products. Serving 1.7 million customers, DIB continues to grow as it develops products tailored to changing consumer preferences.

Interested?

Read the Suroor Asia blog post about the launch of the Consumer Card

DED and Dubai Islamic Bank launch shari'ah-compliant credit card

Source: DED.

 

The Department of Economic Development (DED) in Dubai and Dubai Islamic Bank (DIB), the largest Islamic bank in the UAE, have launched of the Consumer Card in the UAE. DIB boasts today one of the largest retail bases in the UAE with over 1.5 million customers and 90 branches across the country.

The co-branded credit card is dedicated to protecting the rights of consumers and providing them with savings on their daily purchases. The card is an addition to the partnership initiatives being launched by DED along with the private sector and to the ongoing efforts to enhance the shopping experience in Dubai, and across the UAE.

Developed and designed in line with the spending habits and distinct needs of consumers in the UAE, the shari'ah-compliant card is issued in partnership with Visa and carries no hidden charges. It has two variants, the Rewards Consumer Card and the Platinum Consumer Card.

While enabling customers to make savings on everyday spends, the Consumer Card also carries a host of discounts at over 450 outlets across the country. It offers up to 4% cashback across a number of outlets including supermarket or hypermarket, for all automobile servicing, on Etisalat and Du bills, Salik and Nol recharges, fuel purchases, utility bills and cinema tickets. Card users will be able to receive up to AED1,000 cashback per month on their spends across the UAE.

The card was launched today at the Mall of the Emirates in the presence of His Excellency Sami Al Qamzi, Director General of DED, Dr. Adnan Chilwan, Group Chief Executive Officer at Dubai Islamic Bank, and in addition to senior managers from the organisations.

Mohammed Ali Rashed Lootah, Executive Director of the Commercial Compliance & Consumer Protection (CCCP) sector in DED, said the card highlights the effectiveness of public-private partnerships in bringing added value to businesses and consumers. "The Consumer Card is part of the initiatives of the Department of Economic Development to promote trust and partnership between retailers and consumers. Dubai is a global shopping and entertainment destination and we focus on making the shopping experience in the emirate as convenient and rewarding as possible," he said.

Sanjay Malhotra, Chief of Consumer Banking, at DIB said: "Domestic spending remains today the backbone of the UAE economy and we are keen to invest our expertise and resources in developing payment solutions that are favourable to spurring further growth. As one of the most innovative banks in the market today, we are pleased to offer our client base attractive payment solutions and savings on their daily purchases. Moving forward, we will continue to leverage our partnerships to present a unique banking experience while adhering to the highest standards of service excellence.
"While the market already offers benefits on credit cards, we have focused on areas where customers spend their money regularly thus maximising their gain. With this in mind, we have developed the Consumer Card as a low-cost, high-value proposition in order to appeal to a larger number of customers and allow them to enjoy unique benefits."

Ihab Ayoub, General Manager MENA at Visa, said: "The Consumer Card – a major step in this direction – will help in spreading further awareness about the benefits of electronic payments and the related cardholder rewards through a wide network of customers. Providing consumers with a safe and convenient way to pay is one of Visa's main priorities, and our participation in this initiative is aligned with our ongoing efforts to promote financial literacy on the ways to save, spend and budget responsibly.

"We are confident that through a partnership of public and private sectors, the "Consumer Card" initiative will support the UAE's efforts to be a leader in developing innovative payment technologies, and drive its transformation into a cashless society."

Ahmed Al Zaabi, Senior Manager - Consumer Awareness, at DED said: "The Commercial Compliance & Consumer Protection sector constantly seeks to strengthen the relationship between the merchant and the consumer, and improve awareness among consumers on their rights and responsibilities. We also focus on regulating the market and launch programmes that protect businesses. The Consumer Card is part of our efforts to raise the quality of services provided to customers and enhance their satisfaction and happiness. Our partnership with Dubai Islamic Bank and the advantages it brings to consumers and traders will strengthen economic activity in the UAE."

Interested?

Ask the DIB Call Centre about the Consumer Card at +971 4609 2222.

Islamic art, fashion make waves in global economy

Islamic art and fashion are growing quickly within the Islamic economy. In 2014, the Islamic, or modest, fashion sector expenditure reached US$230 billion, constituting 11% of the global fashion market. It is projected to grow a further 6% to reach US$327 billion by 2020, according to the upcoming State of the Global Islamic Economy report, to be published in conjunction with the Global Islamic Economy Summit (GIES) taking place in Dubai this October.

Art and culture are important components of the Islamic economy, and while Islamic art has always been a mainstay of museums around the world, it has increasingly gained importance as an investment. Initiatives across the GCC region, and especially in Qatar and the UAE, have turned a spotlight onto Islamic art that retains a focus on traditional religious works, while also introducing audiences to more contemporary offerings. As part of the drive within the GCC to create a more vibrant cultural profile, innovative spaces such the Mathaf in Qatar and the Guggenheim and Louvre in Abu Dhabi, as well as contemporary galleries in Dubai, are all encouraging investment in Islamic art and helping it go mainstream.

Islamic fashion is another fast-growing market and an integral pillar of the Islamic economy. Contrary to the rest of the fashion industry, which is facing financial pressures as a result of global recession, it continues to expand. Initially catering to the inherent modesty of the Muslim world, Islamic fashion is generating demand from other regions and cultures where modesty is a priority, as well as attracting attention from major mainstream fashion players.

Said a representative from Sefamerve, a leading modest fashion retailer based in Turkey with a representative in Malaysia: "While global brands that focus on modest fashion have been catering to Muslim sensibilities for years, they must also keep in mind a fast-growing conservative customer base that is also interested in modest fashion. These two complementary groups can help elevate these brands into key players in the fashion industry."

Paolo Costanzo, Chairman of Infinita Group, which represents Italian design, said: "Being part of the of the Global Islamic Economy Summit gives us the opportunity to enter the modest fashion market, a sector we believe has great potential, and one we are confident that we can support globally through our network of key players in the Italian fashion market.'

Kerim Türe, Founder and CEO of Modanisa.com, ranked the top Islamic fashion site globally, said: "Social media and the Internet are the driving factors behind the transition of Islamic fashion into the global mainstream. Women worldwide are looking for the latest trends in elegant and conservative style, in line with Islamic culture. Serving them through a one-stop shop that provides variety, quality, and excellent service is the key to success in this rapidly developing modest fashion market."

Alia Khan, Chairwoman of the New York-based Islamic Fashion and Design Council, said "People are intrigued by the Islamic fashion industry, and rightly so; there is much more to it than meets the eye. It has tremendous potential to lead and can set a wonderful example for the mainstream fashion industry, offering powerful solutions that will revolutionise fashion - while maintaining its dignity, elegance, and class."

Islamic art and fashion will both feature in the Global Islamic Economy Summit with dedicated sessions on the second day to foster discussion around these pillars of the Islamic economy. Khan will chair a moderated panel on modest fashion, with panellists including prominent players in the fashion industry from Turkey, Indonesia, Kuwait and the UK. The session on Islamic art will be chaired by Sultan Sooud Al Qassemi, Founder of Barjeel Art and includes panellists from Christies, the Jameel Foundation, Qatar Museums and the Dubai Culture and Arts Authority.

GIES 2015, which is taking place under the patronage of His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, will discuss Islamic finance as part of its remit. Featuring more than 60 international speakers across 15 sessions, the summit will offer comprehensive insights on the seven core pillars of the Islamic economy: Islamic finance, halal Industry, Family tourism, Islamic Knowledge, Islamic Arts and design, Islamic digital Economy, and Islamic standards.

One of the morning sessions at GIES 2015 will discuss the importance and relevance of the Islamic economy to Islamic finance, featuring a debate by Tirad Al Mahmoud, Jamal Bin Ghalaita and Dr Adnan Chilwan, the respective CEOs of the Islamic banks ADIB, Emirates Islamic and Dubai Islamic Bank. 

The CEO debate will be followed by a session covering how Islamic financial institutions have moved from niche to mainstream. The session will also discuss whether Islamic financial institutions can meet the needs of people who are financially excluded solely for religious reasons, and whether Islamic finance can act as a financial inclusion mechanism for non-Muslims.

Interested?

The GIES 2015 summit, organised by the Dubai Chamber of Commerce & Industry, the DIEDC and Thomson Reuters, gathers over 2,000 policymakers, thinkers and business leaders on 5 and 6 October 2015 at Madinat Jumeirah, Dubai, UAE. Register here

Read the Suroor Asia blog post on GIES 2015 

Read the Suroor Asia blog post on trends identified to date by the State of the Global Islamic Economy Report 2015-2016

Read the Suroor Asia blog post on Islamic finance trends from the State of the Global Islamic Economy Report

Hashtag: #2015GIES

Bosch Singapore promotion for Mother's Day covers wide range of premium appliances

Bosch has created a promotion for Mother’s Day that is available at all major departmental and home appliances stores across Singapore from now until 10 May 2015. Free gifts that go with selected product purchases are available for redemption from now until 5 June 2015.

According to consumer research by Euromonitor, over 50% of Singaporean women cook at home at least three to four times a week for their families. The brand is highlighting a number of kitchen aids that can simplify food preparation processes to save time and effort:

Source: Bosch. The Styline
Kitchen Machine.

Styline Kitchen Machine 

The Styline Kitchen Machine is a tried-and-tested classic among food processors, boasting a wide range of accessories including a patisserie set (beating whisk,
stirring whisk, kneading hook).

Other accessories include a continuous shredder with four
discs for shredding, grating and
cutting; a mixing attachment
and a citrus press. 

Normally priced at S$789, the Styline Kitchen Machine is available at a promotional price of S$599, and comes with a free WMF Breadbin and cooking class worth S$260.

Source: Bosch.
The MaxxiMUM
Kitchen Machine.

MaxxiMUM Kitchen Machine 

The Bosch MaxxiMUM is a premium machine for passionate bakers. With a full metal housing, the MaxxiMUM features user-friendly features such as 'easy pour' handles and a range of easy to use accessories. 

The 3D PlanetaryMixing accessory moves kneading hooks or whisks in three directions simultaneously for more productive mixing, while the 1.75 litre glass ThermoSafe blender, which comes with the MUMXL40G option, is both heat and cold resistant to handle the spectrum of recipes from hot soups to frozen fruit.

The MUMXL20T option usually costs S$1,499 and is now available for S$1,299 and the MUMXL40G option, which used to be S$1,699, is now available for S$1,399. This purchase also comes with a free WMF Breadbin and cooking class worth S$260.

Source: Bosch.
Free Standing Activewater
Dishwasher.

Bosch Free Standing Activewater Dishwasher 

The first Bosch dishwasher designed for the modern Asian family, the whisper-quiet Bosch Free Standing Activewater Dishwasher has a wok programme that is designed for heavily soiled woks and pots. Its glass protection technology washes valuable glassware and delicate china with special care to prevent glass corrosion. 

This dishwasher has a promotional price of S$999 (usual price S$1,399) and the purchase includes free gifts worth S$365: a year’s supply of Finish Tablet and Rinse Aid (12 boxes of Finish and four bottles of Rinse Aid), a chopstick holder, and a demonstration of the dishwasher. 

Water and energy-efficient, this dishwasher’s hygienePlus Option rinses dishes at extra high temperatures for maximum cleanliness.

Selected washers, dryers, gas hobs, and chimney hoods will come with discounts of up to S$1,300 during the Mother’s Day promotion. 

Vegetarian and vegan to be increasingly popular in health-conscious ANZ

Mintel's ANZ consumer outlook for 2015 includes observations on vegetarian and vegan food.  

People are becoming more informed about their health and are increasingly seeking out superfoods free from chemicals and additives, locally and seasonally sourced, observes Mintel.

“In 2014, we saw health becoming increasingly important in ANZ, and consumers are seeking out new ways to get healthier – a trend set to become even more important in 2015. Information and public health campaigns from governments about the importance of a healthy diet and exercise regime, along with personalities in mainstream and social media is creating sub groups of people subscribing to new lifestyles and diets, think Paleo, Vegan, Organic, Raw, Dukin and Atkins," said Mintel’s Senior Trends & Innovation Consultant Jane Barnett.



 
"Every month or so there seems to be a ‘superfood’ to end all superfoods, and consumers are buying them in droves, leading to world shortages of foods including kale and quinoa. In 2015, consumers will increasingly seek out natural options and local (according to Mintel’s Global New Products Database [GNPD] all natural product claims in new products have increased from 4% to 8% over the last 5 years) seasonal produce will only become more popular,“ said Barnett.

Barnett said the Australian almond industry had produced from 10,000 tonnes in the past 10 years to 78,000 tonnes in 2013 as Paleo and vegan consumers shunned dairy and soy in favour of nut and seed milks. "Almond milk has experienced growth of 93% and oat milk has risen 38%. New grain milks including quinoa, coconut and blends of different nuts and seeds are also increasing in popularity. The percentage of products with vegan and no animal ingredients claims have doubled, from 3% in 2009 to 6% in 2014. Conversely, vegetarian claims have increased at a similar rate, increasing from 4% to 9% in the last five years,” she said.

“Sourcing of food and drinks that consumers are increasingly demanding are leading to worldwide shortages. Furthermore, consumers are less trusting of big business and need to be assured that they are not being misled about sourcing or processes. Consumers will be buying less packaged foods, will demand more organic produce for a reasonable price, and will move beyond the supermarkets and towards farmers markets and the like if they can’t get what they want. Reduction of chemicals and additives is crucial, and the use of processes such as cold pressed and raw food will be more in demand.

“Detoxing, and in particular juice detoxes, have been increasing in popularity, off the back of numerous celebrities who advocate the fasts as a way to cleanse the body of impurities. Vegan, raw food diets are becoming much more mainstream, and ‘wellness warriors’ preaching their lifestyle choices are gaining more momentum and notoriety. While the extreme lifestyles have of course attracted some criticism, they have also gained support, which they have capitalised on.”

Barnett added that quitting sugar is the latest global trend, one that is particularly strong in Australia. "This trend is driving increased interest in natural sweeteners like stevia. According to Mintel’s GNPD low/no/reduced sugar claims have also increased, from 6% in 2009 to 8% in 2014," she said. “In 2015, there will continue to be huge interest in superfoods and more ‘alternative’ diets and lifestyles, but the issue will be sourcing. With quinoa and kale experiencing shortages, Australians will need to look elsewhere for their superfood benefits. Predictions are that cauliflower, brussel sprouts and amaranth will become some of the most in-demand superfoods for 2015.”

Click here to download the free report.

Read the blog post about Mintel's vegetarian and vegan research here.