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PTPN Group and Suntory Garuda Open New Market: First Export of Indonesian Oolong Tea to Vietnam

By
Tan Heng Hong
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PTPN Group and Suntory Garuda Open New Market: First Export of Indonesian Oolong Tea to Vietnam

JAKARTA, Aug. 8, 2023 /PRNewswire/ — PT Perkebunan Nusantara (PTPN) Group, in collaboration with PT Suntory Garuda Beverage, has successfully embarked on its maiden export of Oolong tea to Vietnam for Suntory Pepsico Vietnam Beverage. This milestone marks the beginning of a strategic collaboration between the two corporations to supply high-quality raw materials for ready-to-drink (RTD) beverages across Asia.

The collaboration of Suntory and PTPN gave Suntory access to one of the largest plantation holdings in Indonesia with commercial and operational excellence. PTPN stood to benefit from Suntory’s global know-how and world-renowned expertise as a manufacturer of beverages, especially oolong tea by committing to follow sustainable agricultural methods and adheres to international quality standards to ensure the excellence of the product

Oolong tea, known for its unique characteristics and smooth flavor, was carefully selected as the export commodity in response to market demand. Dwi Sutoro, the Marketing Director of PTPN Group, emphasized the company’s commitment to producing the market-oriented tea products. “This is our first experience in producing Oolong tea. We ventured into this production due to specific market demands, and we have the expertise to develop all types of tea according to buyers’ requests,” he stated.

PTPN Group manages over 23,000 hectares of tea plantations in Indonesia, making it one of the largest tea plantation companies globally, with an annual production capacity of 50,000 tons or accounting for 40% of the national production. Apart from Oolong tea, PTPN Group also offers black tea (orthodox and CTC), green tea, and white tea. The company owns several retail tea brands, including Nusakita, Walini, Teh Kayu Aro, Goalpara, Rollas, Kaligua, Gunung Dempo, Semugih, and Tobasari.

The export of Oolong tea to Vietnam will be utilized by Suntory to create ready-to-drink products in the Asian market. Suntory, a Japanese consumer packaged goods company established in 1923, is renowned for its leading packaged beverage brands such as TEA+, Ribena, and Okky Jelly Drink.

Neeraj Kumar Goyal, CEO of Suntory Garuda Beverage, emphasized the importance of using high-quality raw materials. “At Suntory, we are always striving to employ better and more innovative methods to cater to various tastes and healthy lifestyles worldwide,” Neeraj said. “Our partnership with PTPN is part of our commitment to share our global know-how to ensuring the high-quality products to our consumers.”

The collaboration for the export of Oolong tea began in 2021 and underwent various preparation stages, including trials, assessments, and audits. The Oolong tea produced by PTPN Group has met the Indonesian National Standard (SNI) and passed pesticide content assessment with 268 required active ingredients. Additionally, the product has also passed heavy metal content assessment (Cd, Pb, Sn, Hg, and As) and microbiological content assessment (TPC, Coliform, Yeast, and Mould).

Beforehand, the black tea product manufactured by PTPN Group had expanded its presence in the international market, reaching various countries including Pakistan, Russia, Malaysia, East Asia, the Middle East, US, and Europe. The product has successfully complied with the food safety standards mandated by each respective country. Moreover, there is an ongoing effort to boost the production of green tea, particularly in the plantations situated in the Sumatra region, in response to market demands.

This inaugural export is expected to open up new business opportunities for PTPN Group, Suntory, and other multinational companies while providing economic benefits to the country. For information about tea business opportunities with PTPN Group, inquiries can be directed to tea@holding-perkebunan.com. Furthermore, this collaboration is anticipated to promote the export of high-quality Indonesian tea products to the international market, showcasing the richness and allure of Indonesian tea.

FedEx Supports Local Vegetable Farming Program to Nurture Healthier Urban Communities in Malaysia

By
Tan Heng Hong
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FedEx team members engaged in a community vegetable program to help disadvantaged communities in urban areas

KUALA LUMPUR, Malaysia, August 11, 2023 – FedEx Express (FedEx), a subsidiary of FedEx Corp. (NYSE: FDX) and one of the world’s largest express transportation companies, collaborated with sustainability-focused environmental organization Treat Every Environment Special (TrEES) to provide fresh vegetables to disadvantaged communities in Malaysia.

From August to October 2023, FedEx will be working with TrEES to establish a 1,000 square feet community garden in the Klang Valley. FedEx volunteers will be engaged in planting, harvesting, sorting of vegetables and distributing, as well as garden maintenance. On August 6, the first batch of volunteers consisting of 23 FedEx team members kick-started the program by planting vegetables in the garden.

“We are privileged to be able to use our resources to support underserved communities in urban areas that are facing poor living conditions and socio-economic challenges,” said Tien Long Woon, Managing Director, FedEx Express Malaysia. “By farming vegetables and delivering them to households, we hope to improve their well-being and promote a healthier lifestyle, while reinforcing the importance of protecting the environment. Throughout our three decades in Malaysia, we have been committed to positively impacting customers, the market and our communities.”

This program is part of the FedEx Cares global community engagement program underpinned by our culture value of “Committing to Do Good.” Progress in key areas of our FedEx corporate social responsibility initiatives, including pillars such as Community Engagement, Global Entrepreneurship and Sustainable Logistics can be found in the latest FedEx Cares Report.

Al-Ikhsan Chooses ComeBy as Retail Analytics Partner to Elevate Customer Experience and Store Performance

By
Tan Heng Hong
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KUALA LUMPUR, 11 AUGUST 2023 – Al-Ikhsan Sports, the Malaysian premier sports retailer in Malaysia, has recently embarked on a comprehensive research initiative to identify innovative technology providers as part of their commitment to delivering exceptional shopping experiences to their customers. After careful evaluation, Al-Ikhsan Sports is proud to announce its strategic partnership with ComeBy, a prominent retail analytics platform, to revolutionise the customer’s experience and enhance store performances across the nation.

With a strong focus on staying at the forefront of technological advancements in retail, Al-Ikhsan Sports aims to tailor its products and services to meet customer-specific advance needs. This collaboration will enable Al-Ikhsan Sports to tap into a wealth of data, improving the way they understand their customers, optimise their stores, and drive revenue growth.

“At Al-Ikhsan Sports, we are always looking at ways to improve the overall customer journey within our stores,” said Mr. Vach Pillutla, Chief Executive Officer of Al-Ikhsan Sports.

“Through our partnership with ComeBy, we can really leverage on technology to understand the key metrics of Traffic, capture and conversion at the stores and can improve individual store performance by putting in place initiatives to drive traffic, enhance front end look and feel to bring in higher footfalls or ensure stronger visual merchandising or even bring in the most appropriate merchandise for the catchment. The combination of our industry-leading expertise with cutting-edge solutions from Comeby which surely allow us to deliver a future-ready retail experience.”

As part of their proactive approach to data-driven decision-making, Al-Ikhsan Sports will leverage a robust platform to track their return on investment in real time, ensuring efficient resource allocation. The platform will also empower Al-Ikhsan Sports stores to measure staff performance, including visitor-to-customer conversion rates as well as average transaction values to upsell and obtain cross-selling capabilities. Armed with valuable insights on shopper browsing, best-selling products, and emerging trends, Al-Ikhsan Sports will be able to make informed decisions to eliminate blind spots and sustain its competitive edge.

This collaborative effort highlights Al-Ikhsan Sports and ComeBy’s shared vision to shape in-store retail’s future by integrating advanced technology with exceptional service, setting new industry standards.

Al-Ikhsan Sports is set to roll out the solution across 51 outlets across Malaysia, with further expansion planned soon.

About ComeBy

ComeBy is a pioneering force in the realm of retail innovation, offering a dual-powered solution that revolutionises both consumer shopping experiences and retail analytics. As a Digital Shopping Assistant, ComeBy empowers shoppers with real-time guidance, personalised recommendations, and seamless product information, reshaping their journey in physical stores. ComeBy captures the essence of “offline cookies,” unlocking deep behavioural insights through comprehensive full-funnel analytics. This wealth of data equips brick-and-mortar retailers with the tools to refine strategies, optimise layouts, and deliver tailor-made shopping experiences.

Improving Overall Health, Eating Habits, and Mental Health Ranked as Top Three Health Goals by Increasingly Health-Conscious Malaysians

By
Tan Heng Hong
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Having a support group motivates individuals to make positive changes in their lifestyle.

A Herbalife Survey

KUALA LUMPUR, August 11, 2023 – Herbalife, a premier health and wellness company and community, recently released the findings of its Asia Pacific Health Priority Survey, which revealed that a vast majority (79%) of Malaysian respondents became more health conscious as a result of the Covid-19 pandemic.

According to the survey, up to 75% of Malaysian respondents have shifted their health priorities after the pandemic with a greater focus on living a healthy, active lifestyle, and achieving a holistic approach to health. Malaysian respondents also shared that improving overall health (60%), building healthy eating habits (52%) and improving mental health (50%) are the top three health goals they aspire to achieve, followed by becoming fitter (50%) and enhancing immunity (49%).

The survey further revealed that different generations have varied priorities for improving their health. Across the Asia Pacific, older respondents such as Generation X and Boomers are more focused on strengthening their immunity (50%), in comparison to the younger Generation Z and Millennials (42%). On the other hand, 46% of the younger generation consider improving their mental health a crucial part of their health goals, while only 34% of the older generation shared the same.

Also, while 92% of Malaysian consumers surveyed are taking steps to work on their health goals, a lack of finances (49%) and a lack of time (48%) have been the top challenges preventing them from working towards their goals. To overcome these challenges, an overwhelming majority (61%) of Malaysian respondents recognise the importance of having a support group in their health and wellness journey.

Steven Chin, Senior Director/General Manager of Herbalife Malaysia and Singapore said, “Recognising the increased focus of Malaysians on prioritising their health and achieving their wellness goals, Herbalife is committed to supporting this through our wide range of nutritional products and dedicated distributors who offer personalized coaching and a supportive community that motivates people to embrace a healthier, more active lifestyle.”

“We also run various programmes such Herbalife Month in March and the upcoming Herbalife Run, to help Malaysians adopt healthy active living habits while nurturing community support for achieving their goals.” added Steven.

Malaysians have also set their sights on improving their fitness levels and are taking initiatives to achieve their goals.

Willingness to Spend on Health and Wellness 

With consumers in Malaysia becoming more health conscious, it is not surprising that many of them (75%) are willing to increase their spending related to health and wellness. On average, up to 39% of Malaysians respondents indicated that they would be willing to spend 6% to 10% more.

Recognising the importance of investing in health, Malaysians respondents also shared how they would like to use their increased expenditure to:

  • make healthier food choices (61%)
  • purchase / consume dietary supplements (56%)
  • go for regular health check-ups (46%)
  • seek mental health consultation (26%)
  • engage experts for advice (24%)

It is clear from these survey results, Malaysians appreciate the key role that nutrition plays in maintaining long-term health and vitality.

Benefits of a Support Group

 When it comes to pursuing health goals or making positive lifestyle changes, it can be challenging to stay committed and motivated along the way. As such, a support group plays an important role in overcoming challenges to increase the odds of reaching goals, a sentiment that was shared by Malaysian respondents (61%). The perceived benefits of a support group include:

  • providing guidance and encouragement (58%)
  • sharing of valuable experience and knowledge (54%)
  • reaching out for health-related advice (53%)
  • accountability on their health journeys (43%)

Conducted in April 2023, Herbalife’s Health Priority Survey polled 5,504 consumers aged 18 to 78 across 11 Asia Pacific markets, including Malaysia, Australia, Hong Kong, Indonesia, Japan, Korea, Philippines, Singapore, Taiwan, Thailand, and Vietnam.

About Herbalife

Herbalife (NYSE: HLF) is a premier health and wellness company and community that has been changing people’s lives with great nutrition products and a business opportunity for its independent distributors since 1980. The Company offers science-backed products to consumers in more than 90 markets through entrepreneurial distributors who provide one-on-one coaching and a supportive community that inspires their customers to embrace a healthier, more active lifestyle in order to live their best life.

Shopee Empowers Sellers to Customise Products for Malaysians

By
Tan Heng Hong
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Zaid Othman of Lampu Cherita with his staff at the Shopee Seller Summit 2023

Local Handcrafted Products Gain Traction Online

KUALA LUMPUR, 10 August 2023 – #ShopeeSapotLokal sellers, Lampu Cherita and HomeDecoStore, are deeply motivated by their most important asset: their customers. Their dedication to crafting personalised designs and exceptional service has earned them a loyal customer base, while shaping the rise of value-based Malaysian businesses online. They leverage interactive Shopee features like Shopee Seller Chat, Shopee Live, and Shopee Prizes games to engage customers in two-way feedback, understand values, and interests.

Mohd Zaid Othman (left), founder of Lampu Cherita*, understands Malaysians’ desire for high-quality candles similar to international brands, but at more affordable prices. He handcrafts locally-sourced 100% soy wax and environmentally friendly candles from as low as RM7.00. Zaid actively engages customers through Shopee Seller Chat to provide personalised recommendations and explanations about how various scents can be incorporated in their day-to-day lifestyles. This customer-centric approach has earned Lampu Cherita a rating of 4.9 stars from 19 thousand reviewers and gained 23 thousand followers since opening his store on Shopee five years ago.

To keep up with demand, Zaid enlists his family’s help and hires two part-time staff. They meticulously hand-pour and custom-create 50 to 100 candles every day from their home-based operations in Cheras. Lampu Cherita’s best-selling line (which has sold close to 30 thousand units) the Scented Candle 200ML, includes a range of Malaysian-inspired scents such as Klasik, Pandan, Lychee, Coconut, and Lime Basil Mandarin.

Lampu Cherita’s Best Selling Scented Soy Candles include Malaysia-inspired scent like Pandan

“Four years ago, when I couldn’t afford expensive candles, I embarked on a mission to offer the best candle experience to fellow Malaysians without breaking the bank. Using 100% soy wax sourced from Selangor and Kuala Lumpur, I offer top-quality products at the most affordable prices. From my interactions with customers through Shopee Seller Chat, I firmly believe Malaysians are ready to embrace local products that rival international brands in both quality and value. Thanks to Shopee, I have the platform to reach more Malaysians, and with the invaluable dedication of my talented staff, my business grew ten times. Together, we take pride in crafting high-quality, affordable candles that align with Malaysians’ preferences,” says Zaid.

Edward Wong of HomeDecoStore with his staff at the Shopee Seller Summit 2023

Edward Wong, the owner of HomeDecoStore**, discovered the potential of his current hero product, the mini sejadah (prayer mat) by listening to invaluable feedback from his Muslim staff. They highlighted the high demand (but scarcity) for high-quality and affordable options in this category to him. Since launching the HDS Sejadah Muka two months ago, it has rapidly become HomeDecoStore’s best-selling item. Steady demand and bulk purchases up to 10 thousand pieces within two to three weeks are often for special occasions like kenduri (banquet/feast) door gifts.

Edward with the mini sejadah that he designed based on his discussions with customers via Shopee Live

“I believe what sets me apart from other sellers is the fact that I create my own unique sejadah designs. I ask customers about their favourite designs and application preferences whenever I engage them on Shopee Live. These valuable inputs inform how I tailor the prayer mats while respecting religious sensitivities. In addition, I get to showcase the products in a 360 way on Shopee Live, enabling me to close deals on the spot. The inclusion of game features like Shopee coins and the Spin the Wheel is crucial in retaining customers’ engagement and rewarding them to drive loyalty,” says Edward.

Edward’s commitment to offering relevant products, benchmarking competitors’ offerings and sourcing from trusted suppliers has earned HomeDecoStore a loyal following of over 34 thousand customers on Shopee. He has also garnered 4.9 stars rating from over 10 thousand reviewers and maintained outstanding Chat Performance of 100% within minutes for four years.

Lampu Cherita and HomeDecoStore have successfully matched the values of their Malaysian customers by playing to local preferences in their innovative candle scents and prayer mat designs. Proactive customer engagement that encourages dialogue and live interactions on Shopee’s platform, has allowed them to grow their local businesses and include downstream suppliers in the economy. Their passion for preserving Malaysian heritage shines through in their offerings that provide affordable options serving local needs.

*Lampu Cherita’s Shopee store: https://shopee.com.my/lampucherita

**HomeDecoStore’s Shopee store: https://shopee.com.my/homedecostore

Value based sellers: Sellers who match the values of their customers (especially customers who shop with purpose online)

Burger King uses new Hatyai Chicken King to broaden consumer base

By
Tan Heng Hong
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Burger King Thailand has introduced Hatyai Chicken King featuring the Thai Southern-style fried chicken as the new permanent menu item. The company is using Hatyai fried chicken to target local consumers where it is already popular.

By launching a new chicken item, this will enable Burger King to tap into the THB 25 billion fried chicken market in Thailand, which is worth 2-3 times bigger than the burger market, said Burger King (Thailand) Co general manager Tanawat Damnernthong.

Over the next 5 months, Burger King will focus on opening more restaurants in upcountry locations, including Phuket and Pattaya, in order to attract consumers who may not have been previously interested in burgers. However, there are no plans to open new outlets in Bangkok in 2024.

Currently, Burger King’s core customers are aged between 30 and 39 with a high level of income (A level). With the introduction of the Hatyai Chicken King, the company aims to broaden its consumer base to include those with a B level of income.

SNNP debuts new Lotus Crispy Crab Stick, first half revenue up 17.7%

By
Tan Heng Hong
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Thailand’s Srinanaporn Marketing Public Company Limited (SNNP) has just launched Lotus Crispy Crab Stick, which comes in two flavours. Available at 7-Eleven, the new Lotus Crispy Crab Stick features crab stick as the new base ingredient.

SNNP has earlier launched Lotus Stick Biscuit in Mala flavour and Lotus Drumstick Truffle Flavour.

During the second quarter of 2023, SNNP launched new flavours under the Jele brand such as Jele Chewy Jelly cola, sala, and blueberry as well as new products under the Magic Farm Fresh brand including coconut jelly and grass jelly.

For the first six months of 2023, the company had revenue from sales at THB 2.9 billion, up 17.7% year-on-year. Revenue from domestic sale during the first six months of 2023 increased 18.2% year-on-year to THB 2.2 billion, while overseas sales rose 16% year-on-year to THB 686 million.

New Tropicana Slim Korean Goguma sugar-free cookies launched

By
Tan Heng Hong
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Nutrifood has launched another Korean-inspired flavour in Indonesia. The new Korean Goguma or purple yam flavoured biscuit is free from sugar and is sold under the Tropicana Slim brand, which is known for its sugar-free products. This sugar free cookies come with the sweetness of purple yam and only have 100 calories per serving.

Bewildering new mystery ‘Fanta’ flavor takes Thailand by storm with exciting new ‘#WhatTheFanta’ Campaign: Can You Unravel the Secret?

By
Tan Heng Hong
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Tuesday 08 August 2023 – ‘Fanta’ is inviting fans to take part in an electrifying flavor exploration like never before, with the release of its latest #WhatTheFanta mystery drink under the campaign ‘Fanta’ #WhatTheFanta.

This is the 4th year the whimsically delicious addition is packed with excitement, keeping fans of the #WhatTheFanta line on their toes in a suspenseful guessing game. This innovative campaign aims to enhance the image of ‘Fanta’ as a brand that embraces fun and playful colors. ‘Fanta’ is excited to introduce the ‘Flavor Hunters’, a team of skilled individuals who will lead everyone on an extraordinary journey through the exciting activities led by Off-Jumpol and Gun-Atthaphan, who along with their teams, will engage in exhilarating challenges to figure out what this deliciously mysterious flavor is.

Mrs. Richa Singh, Marketing Director, Coca-Cola Thailand, Myanmar, and Laos said: “The success of creating excitement for consumers continues into the fourth year of the #WhatTheFanta campaign. After receiving many positive responses, ‘Fanta’s commitment to becoming an iconic brand that adds a playful touch to an otherwise dull and overly serious world has been reinforced. We value our consumers’ preferences and actively listen to their feedback. Understanding that many Thais enjoy seeking out new experiences, we have introduced #WhatTheFanta as one of our responses. This decision is in line with our broader business strategy, which emphasizes ongoing innovation and investment in our brands. Ultimately, our aim is to cater to people’s boundless and timeless curiosity as well as their longing for delightful and thrilling encounters. We invite consumers to engage in puzzle-solving through social media as to what flavor this purple, mysterious, refreshing, zero sugar, and fruity drink actually is.”

Join the thrilling #WhatTheFanta Mystery Flavor Hunt Challenge! Participate in online and offline activities with fellow fun-loving consumers. Simply scan, taste, and guess! Scan the QR code on the ‘Fanta’ bottle to start the adventure. The first 200 participants who correctly guess the puzzle solution will be rewarded with fantastic prizes, including PlayStation 5 consoles, Off-Gun-designed blankets, and an exclusive #WhatTheFanta Premium Snack Box. 7-Eleven customers can also upload their receipts showing the purchase of two or more bottles of ‘Fanta’ #WhatTheFanta for a chance to win a Nintendo Switch OLED Model and Fuji Instax Mini 12 film camera. Join us from August 1 to September 30, 2023.

‘The Flavor Hunting Show’, a one-of-a-kind online series by ‘Fanta’, takes viewers on an outrageously hilarious, twisted, and immensely entertaining journey to unveil the indulgent new #WhatTheFanta flavor – hosted by Off-Gun and a team of influencers. The mission comprises three episodes via watch, taste and guess the full flavor of the mystery. The episodes will be broadcast on GMM TV, beginning with the premiere on August 15, 2023. Come and join us as we reveal the delightful, fizzy, and sugar-free attributes of this new purple drink on October 1, 2023 – and don’t miss the opportunity to discover the secrets of this refreshing beverage with Off-Gun at the Amphitheater Siam Square Soi 7 at 10:00 AM – 5:00 PM.

Get ready! There’s a new mystery to be solved by taste buds far and wide. Stay connected to find more information about ‘Fanta’ #WhatTheFantaby visiting www.facebook.com/FantaThailand, https://wtf.fanta.co.th for ‘The Flavour Hunting Show’ air dates, teasers, and the big flavor reveal. The latest #WhatTheFanta flavor comes in 500 ml PET bottles in the zero-sugar variant, which is available at convenience stores, supermarkets, department stores, and on e-commerce channels.

KSL debuts Kane’s Natural Golden Sugar that is low in GI

By
Tan Heng Hong
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Image by Khon Kaen Sugar Industry

Thailand’s Khon Kaen Sugar Industry (KSL) has recently launched Kane’s Natural Golden Sugar, which is a sugar replacement product that is low in the glycemic index (GI).

“We expect the low-GI sugar to build a new market offering high-quality and premium choice of sugar to Thai consumers,” said Chalush Chinthammit, president of KSL.

KSL currently operates five sugar manufacturing plants in four provinces — Khon Kaen, Loei, Sa Kaeo and Chon Buri. The factory in Loei is the plant that makes the low-GI sugar.

Kane’s Natural Golden Sugar is made from natural cane. KSL is able to use Singapore-based Nutrition Innovation Co’s patented technology Nucane to produce the low-GI sugar. Nucane Life is a natural sugar that helps food brands achieve sugar reduction of up to 70%.

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