Background
China's Chengdu is emerging as a critical hub for industrial transformation and digital innovation, driven by advancements in smart manufacturing, new retail, and metaverse applications. As Singaporean retailers and businesses look to scale regionally, Chengdu presents valuable lessons in integrating technology, building resilient supply chains, and designing future-ready business models. From the rapid rise of digital-first enterprises like ByteDance and Freshippo to the global ambitions of consumer brands such as Chi Forest, Chengdu demonstrates how industries can leverage AI, automation, and omnichannel strategies to achieve sustainable growth.
This immersion programme equips Singapore retail and business leaders with practical insights into China's innovation-driven economy, enabling them to reimagine retail formats, enhance customer engagement, and drive cross-border expansion.
Outcomes
Participants will develop a strategic innovation roadmap tailored to Singapore's retail transformation. This will include:
- Two redesigned retail roles that integrate digital and customer engagement skills.
- Reskilling and upskilling plans to prepare staff for AI-driven operations and digital marketing.
- Technology adoption strategies, focusing on smart logistics, omnichannel integration, and retail analytics.
- Transformation timelines anchored in lessons from China's digital retail leaders.
The roadmap will provide actionable insights into how Singapore businesses can stay competitive in a fast-evolving regional retail landscape.
Trip Highlights
High-Level Learning & Engagements
- Lectures by leading experts from Peking and Tsinghua Universities on brand strategy, digital marketing, and AI transformation.
- Direct knowledge-sharing on China's retail innovation policies and industry ecosystem.
Cross-Industry Site Visits
- Freshippo (Alibaba Group) – Experience how data-driven customer engagement and supply chain integration redefine new retail.
- ByteDance / Douyin Group – Learn omnichannel digital marketing strategies and AI-powered consumer engagement.
- JD Group – Explore smart logistics hubs with 90%+ automation in e-commerce operations.
- BOE Technology – Gain insights into Industry 4.0 smart factories with AI-driven quality control.
- Chi Forest – Understand brand innovation, zero-sugar product positioning, and multi-channel expansion into Southeast Asia.
- New Hope Liuhe – Study modern agriculture and integrated food industry ecosystems.
Market & Cultural Immersion
- Chunxi Road and Taikoo Li – See firsthand how Chengdu blends heritage with modern retail creativity.
- Jinli Street – Discover cultural roots influencing consumer behaviour.
Networking & Strategic Exchange
- Chengdu–Singapore Entrepreneurial Synergy Forum – Build partnerships, explore business collaborations, and identify joint ventures in retail and digital sectors.
The organiser reserves the right to make any amendments to the programme subject to availability.
Fee Table
| Participant Profile | Self-Sponsored | Employer-Sponsored | |
|---|---|---|---|
| SME | Non-SME | ||
|
Singapore Citizen < 40 years old Permanent Resident · LTVP+ |
$2,517.90 (After SSG Funding 70%) |
$977.90
After SSG Funding 70% + ETSS Funding 20% |
$2,517.90 (After SSG Funding 70%) |
| Singapore Citizen ≥ 40 years old |
$977.90
After SSG Funding 70% + MCES Funding 20% |
$977.90
After SSG Funding 70% + ETSS Funding 20% |
$977.90
After SSG Funding 70% + MCES Funding 20% |
| International Participant | $8,393 (No Funding) | $8,393 (No Funding) | $8,393 (No Funding) |
All prices include 9% GST
Please note that the programme fees are subject to change without prior notice.
Post Secondary Education Account (PSEA)
PSEA can be utilised for subsidised programmes eligible for SkillsFuture Credit support. Click here to find out more.
Employer Sponsored
Enhanced Training Support for SMEs (ETSS) ↓
To qualify for ETSS, companies must meet all of the following criteria:
- Organisation must be registered or incorporated in Singapore
- Employment size of not more than 200 or with annual sales turnover of not more than $100 million
- Trainees must be hired in accordance with the Employment Act and fully sponsored by their employers for the course
- Trainees must be Singapore Citizens or Singapore Permanent Residents
- Trainees must not be a full-time national serviceman
- Trainees are eligible for ETSS funding only if their company's SME status is approved prior to the course commencement date. To verify your SME's status, please click here.
Please click here for more information on ETSS.
Absentee Payroll ↓
Employers who sponsor their employees for the course may apply for Absentee Payroll here. For more information, please refer to:
Self Sponsored
SkillsFuture Credit ↓
Singapore Citizens aged 25 and above may use their SkillsFuture Credits to pay for the course fees. The credits may be used on top of existing course fee funding.
This is only applicable to self-sponsored participants. Application to utilise SkillsFuture Credits can be submitted when making payment for the course via the SMU Academy TMS Portal, and can only be made within 60 days of course start date.
Please click here for more information on the SkillsFuture Credit. For help in submitting an SFC claim, you may wish to refer to our step-by-step guide on claiming SkillsFuture Credits (Individual).
Workfare Skills Support Scheme ↓
From 1 July 2023, the Workfare Skills Support (WSS) scheme has been enhanced. Please click here for more details.