What an incredible night at the SRA Retail Awards Gala Dinner held on Thursday 16 November 2023!! It was a night of fun, celebration, and networking where over 600 retailers together with their staff, landlords and their supportive tenants as well as business partners decked out in their best to celebrate the industry.
The winners of the SRA Retail Awards 2023 were announced where our Guest of Honour, SMS Sim Ann presented trophies to 18 deserving winners for the outstanding impact they have each made in the SG Retail scene through innovation, creativity, passion, and resilience.
The Workforce Transformation Award by Workforce Singapore were also presented during the evening to SKP Inc, who have taken bold steps towards transforming their workforce and investing in human capital development through redesign by participating in the Career Conversion Programme (CCP) for Retail Industry administered by SRA.
Special thanks to our Guest of Honour, Ms Sim Ann, Senior Minister of State, Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Ministry of National Development for gracing the event, our Valued Retail Industry Partners – CapitaLand, Fairprice Group, ION Orchard, Singapore Pools, Singtel, Stellar Lifestyle, Workfoce Singapore, KNOW App, Comexposium Asia Pacific, Eu Yan Sang and 7-Eleven – DFI Retail Group /lucky draw/prize sponsors for your support in making the event a resounding success !
See you again next year at our SRA Retail Awards Gala Dinner 2024 as we come back even bigger and better !
Winners of the SRA Retail Awards 2023:
Retailer of the Year – FairPrice Group
Established in 1973, FairPrice Group’s Retail Business, originally NTUC Welcome, has evolved into an omni-channel retailer, serving over 500,000 customers daily. Celebrating its 50th anniversary, FairPrice remains committed to cost moderation and supply resilience. Initiatives like FairPrice On Wheels and the “Priority Shopping Hour” during the pandemic showcased the company’s dedication. As a leading supermarket, FairPrice sets benchmark prices, offers discounts on daily essentials, and diversifies its product range, affirming its commitment to affordability. Despite challenges, FairPrice has achieved steady revenue and operating profit growth, benefiting over 600,000 customers through initiatives like basket savings and promotions.
The company’s commitment to its workforce is evident through the Progressive Wage Model (PWM) framework and its investment in employee training for skills enhancement. Guided by values like community service and integrity, FairPrice’s customer-centric approach, innovative concepts, loyalty programmes like Link, and a revamped marketing strategy through ‘Greater Value Every Day’ showcase its leadership in affordability. Digital adoption through the FPG App and online store doubled, highlighting the success of FairPrice’s technology innovations in providing a seamless omni-channel shopping experience.
Retail Leader of the Year – Ms Elaine Heng, Chief Executive Officer (Retail Business) & Deputy Group Chief Executive Officer, FairPrice Group
As the CEO of Retail Business at FPG, Elaine oversees FairPrice’s diverse portfolio, introducing transformative concepts like FairPrice Xtra hypermarkets and Scan & Go across 16 stores. Elaine’s commitment extends to sustainability, initiating charges for disposable plastic bags. Leveraging her banking experience, she played a crucial role in launching Trust Bank, a digital bank with over 500,000 customers and $1 billion in deposits by May 2023. Under Elaine’s guidance, FPG continues to redefine customer service and innovate, solidifying its position in the retail and digital banking sectors.
Best New Retail Store – The Shirt Bar @ Vivo City
The Shirt Bar’s new VivoCity boutique redefines retail with a unique Bachelor’s Pad concept, embodying the essence of slow fashion. The meticulously designed space mirrors a bachelor’s apartment, featuring distinct sections such as the Bar Counter, Living Room, Study Room, Gym, Walk-in Wardrobe, and Fitting Rooms. With brand ambassadors dedicated to building trust and fostering enduring relationships, the store experienced a remarkable 30% sales surge in the last fiscal year, attributed to targeted marketing and personalised styling sessions. The brand’s commitment to exceptional customer service is evident through bespoke alterations, accommodation of special requests, and streamlined delivery services, including same-day and home delivery options. This dedication not only strengthens relationships but also solidifies The Shirt Bar’s reputation as a brand that prioritises the unique preferences and loyalty of its customers.
Best Experiential Retail Store – Cheers @ NTU
Marking its 25th anniversary, Cheers, a significant arm of FairPrice, recently introduced Cheers at NTU—a groundbreaking hybrid manned-unmanned store launched in May 2022. This innovative retail concept, integrating autonomous store technology with manned hot food counters, exemplifies FairPrice’s commitment to technological advancement and convenience. Cheers at NTU not only surpassed sales projections by over 3% a but also caters to more than 50,000 monthly visitors, earning widespread market acceptance. The store’s operational efficiency is bolstered by the LitePOS system, offering flexible payment options, real-time inventory monitoring, and a dynamic product assortment. Customer testimonials, online reviews, and media features collectively underscore Cheers at NTU as a thriving retail hub that resonates with the needs and preferences of its community.
Best Retail Customer Experience Initiative – La Prarie @ ION Orchard by Luxasia and Miffy’s Merry Holiday by Frasers Property Singapore
To celebrate the global launch of the Skin Caviar Harmony L’Extrait, La Prairie introduced the Caviar Lab—a multi-sensorial pop-up at ION Orchard’s Level 1 Atrium. This immersive experience, spanning six interactive zones, surpassed sales targets by 117%, with 52% attributed to new clients and tourists. The pop-up not only heightened brand visibility but also provided a unique experience, exceeding expectations and fostering new discoveries for those encountering La Prairie for the first time. The strategic proximity to the La Prairie ION Orchard Boutique further enhanced engagement, contributing to the overall success of the campaign.
Frasers Property Retail, a subsidiary of Frasers Property Singapore, adeptly responded to post-pandemic shopping shifts with their innovative gamification initiative, “Miffy’s Merry Surprise.” This campaign, featuring the beloved character Miffy, strategically incorporated in-mall, in-app, online, and social interactions to counteract the rise of online shopping. The initiative not only achieved an impressive 28% boost in sales, exceeding £107 million, and a 32% increase in footfall but also received widespread acclaim for its nostalgic charm and effectiveness in driving customer engagement.. The multifaceted approach of blending physical and digital interactions proved to be a winning strategy, underscoring the enduring appeal of gamification in fostering customer loyalty and driving physical store visits.
Best Retail Business Transformation Strategy – Luxasia
LUXASIA, a key player in the beauty industry across the Asia Pacific since 1986, has thrived as a brand builder for over 120 luxury beauty brands. Through a comprehensive approach encompassing luxury retail, online commerce, consumer analytics, and supply chain management, LUXASIA has facilitated the success of renowned brands such as Aveda, Bvlgari, and SK-II. The company’s dynamic #OneTeam, comprising 2700 talents, plays a vital role in shaping the luxury beauty landscape across 15 markets in the region. Notably, escentials, LUXASIA’s omni-retail concept for luxury beauty in Southeast Asia, has achieved significant success with four physical stores and localized eCommerce sites in Singapore and Malaysia, and ambitious plans for further expansion. The digital transformation journey of escentials, initiated in 2016, accelerated during the COVID-19 pandemic, resulting in 25% growth and positioning LUXASIA optimally for the evolving retail landscape in the Asia Pacific region as outlined in their three-year growth plan, LX24.
Best Retail Sustainability Initiative – Project Green by CapitaLand and Sam & Sara Holdings Pte Ltd
CapitaLand Investment’s Project Green, a sustainability initiative, was launched at Raffles City Singapore with the support of CapitaLand’s S$50 million Innovation Fund. The initiative aimed to promote sustainable habits and raise awareness across CapitaLand’s Singapore Retail network. The three-month campaign, featuring a public showcase and a permanent recycling feature called The Green Corner, drew over 28,800 visitors and collected over 6,200kg of fabric waste. The success led to expansion across other CapitaLand malls downtown and inclusion in the 2023 sustainability festival, Let’s Get Down to Earth. Project Green’s impact continues to grow, prompting plans for further expansion across CapitaLand’s Singapore retail network.
Sam & Sara Holdings Pte Ltd is on a mission to enrich lives through handcrafted products, providing meaningful income opportunities for artisans and promoting sustainability. Collaborations with institutions and participation in events like underscore their commitment to sustainability, transforming materials like tin cans and e-waste into luxury items. Continuously innovating their supply chain, engaging in life cycle analysis, and pursuing sustainability reporting, Sam & Sara Holdings aims to position Singapore’s retail industry as a beacon of sustainability.
Best Efforts in Corporate Social Responsibility (Retail) – Metro (Private) Limited
Metro prioritises community engagement and corporate social responsibility (CSR) with a commitment to contribute 1.5% of its retail revenue to the “Metro is Singapore” CSR initiative. Notably, the company partners with Food from the Heart to reduce waste by donating excess goods, with dedicated collection points at Metro Woodlands and Metro Paragon Customer Service Counter. Metro actively engages in environmental conservation, introducing a retail bag charge—the first among department stores—with proceeds supporting WWF Singapore and garnering over 1 million transactions for the Bring Your Own Bag (BYOB) campaign. Collaborative efforts with WWF Singapore, including beach cleanups, underscore Metro’s dedication to making a tangible impact on the environment.
Most Promising Local Retail Brand – Hegen
Founded in 2015 by Ms. Yvon Bock, Hegen is revolutionising the global breastfeeding experience through well-designed products. Hegen has expanded to 27 locations in the past year, targeting 35 markets by 2025. The e-store, Hegen.com, reported an 80% increase in traffic and a 23.7% YoY growth. Hegen’s success includes accolades like the Red Dot Design Award 2023 and recognition on prestigious lists for Singapore’s fastest-growing companies and the FT ranking of high-growth companies in the Asia-Pacific region. Focused on creativity, diversity, and continuous learning, Hegen is redefining the global mother and baby category with elevated standards in the retail industry.
Best Efforts in Centre Management (Shopping Mall) – Paya Lebar Quarter (PLQ) by Lendlease
Best Efforts in Advertising & Promotions (Shopping Mall) – Jewel Changi Airport
My Favourite Shopping Mall – Raffles City Singapore
Retail Manager of the Year – Mr Wong Wei Yong – Singtel
Wei Yong, Senior Business Manager for Retail Sales at Singtel, is a dynamic leader focused on innovation and people-centric strategies. Overseeing corporate-owned Singtel Shops, he excels in achieving excellence in both sales and customer experience. Wei Yong’s proactive approach to address labour shortages resulted in a 40% decrease in attrition and a remarkable 350% improvement in new hiring by the end of 2022. Passionate about career development, he collaborated with HR to transform job roles, aligning with Workforce Singapore’s Retail Job Transformation Map. His holistic approach, blending employee development and customer-centric initiatives, underscores his commitment to driving positive change at Singtel.
Retail Executive of the Year – Mr Thomas Ng – 7-Eleven and Ms Joanne Heng – Aspial Group – Goldheart
Thomas, a Retail Field Consultant at 7-Eleven, provides hands-on support to stores and franchises, focusing on operations, layout, visual merchandising, and customer experience. His dedication to operational excellence and innovative approaches showcases a commitment to customer satisfaction and the overall success of 7-Eleven stores under his purview. His exceptional leadership is evident in the remarkable YoY growth of 85% in 2022 and YTD growth of 85% in 2023 in his area.
Joanne epitomises exceptional leadership and commitment, ensuring smooth store operations through effective rostering, training, and active participation in company projects. With a sharp focus on customer relations, she leads her team to surpass sales targets, showcasing expertise in sales transactions, inventory management, and strategic approaches to enhance store footfall. Beyond her responsibilities, her management skills encompass effective leadership, empathy, clear communication, and meticulous planning.