News
Malaysian brands know what they want to be — their incentive structures disagree
22+ hour, 33+ min ago (605+ words) Here is a question most Malaysian business leaders can answer immediately: What is your brand promise? Here is the question almost none of them can answer with the same confidence: Who in your organisation is accountable when that promise is…...
Shopping perks boost spending amongst first-time buyers, report says
3+ week, 4+ day ago (267+ words) Shoppers using rewards are 18% more likely to buy again. Consumers who use a reward on their first purchase are 18% more likely to buy again within two quarters, and spend 28.4% more than those who bought without an incentive. According to Bain…...
Kim Chuan eyes Philippines, Vietnam, and Japan for bakery fat sales
1+ mon, 4+ day ago (293+ words) The bakery fat and flavoured butter maker says finding the right exhibition channel remains its biggest barrier to APAC entry. Kim Chuan Oils & Fats is testing trade shows across Asia-Pacific as it looks for buyers that can carry its bakery…...
Spending shift under subsidy programme pressures Thai grocery sector
1+ mon, 1+ week ago (323+ words) Spending expected to normalise after programme ends in September. Thailand’s retail sector may see a shift in relative performance between grocery and home improvement retailers, according to CGS International. The report noted that the government’s Thai Help Thai Plus programme…...
Singapore retail sales up 5.4% in April as consumer spending momentum picks up
1+ mon, 1+ week ago (233+ words) Total retail sales for April were estimated at $4.3b. Retail sales in Singapore increased 5.4% year-on-year in April 2026, up from 4.6% in March, according to the Department of Statistics. Excluding motor vehicles, parts and accessories, sales increased 4.5%, accelerating from 3.0% in the previous month....
Australian retail spending rises 5.1% in April despite inflation pressures
1+ mon, 2+ week ago (346+ words) The figure was up from $37.18b in April 2025. Australian retail spending increased 5.1% year-on-year in April, with households spending $39.07b across the retail sector, according to the latest Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS) Household Spending Indicator. The figure was up from $37.18b in April…...
FairPrice locks prices of over 500 essentials until end-August
1+ mon, 2+ week ago (237+ words) The expanded price freeze covers groceries and daily necessities to help households manage rising costs. FairPrice Group will lock prices on more than 500 daily essentials from 1 June to 31 August 2026. The expanded basket includes FairPrice housebrand rice, cooking oil, eggs, vegetables,…...
Malaysia FMCG shelves under pressure as SKU launches increase
1+ mon, 4+ week ago (429+ words) The country recorded over 12,000 new SKUs launched last year. Competition for retail shelf space in Malaysia’s fast-moving consumer goods (FMCG) market is intensifying as thousands of new products continue to enter the market each year. Speaking at the Retail Asia…...
How can Australian retailers manage cost strain from Iran war?
2+ mon, 1+ week ago (357+ words) Kearney sees rising fuel, freight, and packaging costs squeezing margins. Australia’s retail sector faces rising costs and supply delays as the Middle East war disrupts shipping routes and energy supply, squeezing margins and limiting price increases. Retailers are dealing with…...
MR D.I.Y. launches ‘Harga Tetap Sama’ initiative as inflation pressures households
2+ mon, 2+ week ago (140+ words) Covers essentials like batteries, garbage bags, food, beverages, and stationery. MR D.I.Y. has launched its ‘Harga Tetap Sama’ initiative, keeping prices unchanged on a wide range of everyday products across all its stores nationwide. The move aims to help Malaysians cope…...