[Shoutout] Konnichiwa, Singapore! Japan’s number one online shopping mall Rakuten celebrates Singapore launch
Rakuten has officially launched in Singapore! Now you have an additional online shopping portal for all your needs. Bookmark Rakuten now~~
To celebrate its launch in Singapore, the e-commerce giant has brought together the best of its Japanese and local merchants’ products in an experiential showcase called “Rakuten Super Bag” at Ngee Ann City Civic Plaza over three days, from March 28 – 30. Set against the ultimate icon of shopping – a larger-than-life Rakuten Shopping Bag installation – the event will give members of the public a taste of what Rakuten has to offer on its Singapore e-commerce site (www.rakuten.com.sg).
If you have not set foot at Ngee Ann City, today is the last day to do so and witness some of the amazing products Rakuten has to offer. Hurry down!
Highlights include product showcases from top merchants in the fashion and beauty, food, and home and living categories; celebrity culinary demonstrations; sampling of Japanese snacks and games. In Japan, Rakuten is a household name with more than 75 million members using its site to purchase an extensive array of items ranging from fashion to cosmetics, electronics, toys, household goods, food and much more.
Let's take a tour at the [Food] category...
At the [Food] booth, gorgeous array of fresh fruit, premium seafood, sake and
delectable sweets and snacks all the way from Japan, from merchants Kuriya Fish
Market and more
We were delighted by the innovative way of entering a lucky draw via a wristband we were given...
Integrating with technology and social media
About Rakuten Singapore
Officially launched in Singapore in January 2014, the Rakuten Singapore Marketplace currently carries over 100,000 goods from over 150 merchants with a diverse mix of product categories, including fashion apparel and accessories, health and beauty products, consumer electronics, toys and games, food and beverages and home furniture. Rakuten Singapore aims to acquire 300 merchants by the end of this year.
Rakuten’s global tagline is “Shopping is Entertainment”. Its idea of service is to provide shopping as a form of entertainment in people’s lives. It does that in several ways – by ensuring that the shopping site has many merchants providing an exciting range of quality products; through its reward programme, Rakuten Super Point, which allows customers to shop more, for less (100 Super Points are worth S$1, which can be spent on products across the website during the next purchase); and by creating enjoyable shopping-related events such as the hallmark Rakuten Super Sale – a big discount festive event, later this. Watch out for these exciting deals on to www.rakuten.com.sg.
Media area.
Launching the celebrations today was Kiren Kumar, Director, Infocomms and Media, Singapore Economic Development Board, together with Shin Hasegawa, Global Vice Chief Marketing Officer, Rakuten and Shingo Okamoto, Head of Singapore e-Commerce Business, Rakuten.
Hosted by the lovely Nikki Muller
Shin Hasegawa, Global Vice Chief Marketing Officer, Rakuten gave his opening speech.
“One key reason why we chose to start up our Singapore operations was that we saw a tremendous response from Singapore consumers on our global marketplace. We thus wanted to create a Singapore e-marketplace that offers consumers access to high-quality Japanese products that are not readily available elsewhere, with the added benefits of lower shipping rates and shorter delivery times than when purchasing from our global marketplace. Through this event, we hope to introduce the Rakuten brand to even more people in Singapore, and enable more people to experience and enjoy what we have to offer.”
From
Left to Right:
Shin
Hasegawa, Global Vice Chief Marketing Officer, Rakuten;
Kiren
Kumar, Director, Infocomms and Media, Singapore Economic Development
Board;
Shingo
Okamoto, Head of Singapore e-CoCommerce Business, Rakuten
“Rakuten’s Singapore e-Commerce launch and its Asia headquarters here add significantly to the vibrancy of our e-Commerce ecosystem. We are pleased that digital marketplaces like Rakuten continue to leverage Singapore’s talent pool, ICT infrastructure and research capabilities to capture opportunities in the fast growing consumer market in Asia,” said Kiren Kumar, Director, Infocomms & Media, Singapore Economic Development Board. “Singaporeans can look forward to exciting new eCommerce jobs, as well as enjoy a variety of products from both local and regional merchants.”
VIP Tour at Rakuten Singapore Launch Credit: Rakuten SIngapore
VIP Tour at Rakuten Singapore Launch Credit: Rakuten SIngapore
We were later to an exclusive media tour which included a fashion consultation and a food demonstration. Read on!
Here we have Nikki Muller upclose, greeting us at the [Fashion] booth.
Ever as bubbly and charismatic, she engaged us in a light hearted chitchat.
Together with Cue Sae Katayama (left), fashion curator for Rakuten, we got some of the latest fashion highlights in Japan for this season now.
Speaking through a translator, Sae told us, “If there’s one color palette that’s going to dominate this season, it’s pastels. From honeydew green, to peach pink and baby blue, you can expect to see a rainbow of pastels whether you’re in Harajuku and Omotesando or just hanging out in Shinjuku – not surprising since the S/S’14 shows of Versace, Miu Miu and many other popular designers in Japan prominently featured these gorgeous shades. Floral prints are also a big hit, as seen in the S/S’14 collections of Dolce & Gabbana and Stella McCartney. Taking inspiration from Burberry, lace will also be very popular this season.”
This season's focus is on white ensembles and leave the floral blooms and soft colours to your accessories instead. Seen here on the model are the white flowy jacket and the floral headband.
Perfect for Singapore's weather, the other ensemble is a structured 2 piece outfit that's well-tailored and comfortable.
" The key to wearing floral prints is to avoid overdoing it. The golden rule: Stick to one statement piece for your outfit. For meetings, play down the prints and keep things structured by throwing on a solid-coloured blazer over a floral dress. Or reverse it by pairing a lacey floral cardigan over a neutral blouse-skirt combination."
Next, a volunteer was picked for some fashion makeover with Sae.
Sae then went on to pick an outfit suitable for the lady based on their complexion, hari color and style
Tada, this was the dress picked!
It was really an interesting interactive session and we had fun watching the action.
Let's tour around the [Fashion] booth which showcases the best of Japanese fashion from Rakuten Direct and more.
Next, moving on back to the [Food] section once again, we were treated to a live sushi making demonstration by the chefs from Kuriya Fish
Market.
Here we go!
Laying out the seaweed and rice
Roll, roll, roll
Time to cut them up
And... we are done! time to tuck in~
Our youngest media guest... this cute outspoken little boy getting our attention.
Curious to take a look at how sushi was made.
We were also given a tasting of this Hokkaido potato fries.
Tasted amazingly very much like the actual potato, without artificial flavorings and best of all, not salty at all. Love this
And the Hokkaido White Lover's chocolate...
Wide array of wine and beverages selections
And you can also purchase fresh japanese seafood produce all the way imported and delivered right to your doorsteps. How amazing is that?
Let's move on! But before that some photos~~met Meryl, a fellow blogger at the event
Last but not least, moving on to the [Home & living] booth: A display of Consumer electronics, home furnishing and toys by merchants Parisilk, BLMg and Toys’R’US respectively
Danboard chargers- adorable!
Luggages for your travel needs
Assorted household accessories to delight your living space.
Even toys for your kids can be bought from Rakuten Singapore.
HELLO LINE~~~ ^_^
And finally we have Nikki saying bye to us at the end of the tour~~
If you too would love to experience the excitment, head on to the the three-day “Rakuten Super Bag” extravaganza (11am – 10pm daily), members of the public can experience the following and more:
* Japanese culinary demonstrations by celebrities Paul Foster and Keagan Kang (March 28, 6.30pm), Michelle Chia (March 29, 5.30pm) and Wong Lilin (March 30, 2.30pm), together with a chef from merchant Kuriya Fish Market
* Stand to win exciting prizes on-site through Facebook and make international free calls with Viber
and enjoy Special discounts on all showcasing products, and more at www.rakuten.com.sg
Heartiest congratulations to Rauten Singapore once again!
facebook: https://www.facebook.com/RakutenSG
1 comments
Wonderful blog post!! I am loving it!!
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