8 November 2018

NTUC FairPrice and Grab’s subscription programme SCORE expands benefits with new brands GrabFood, Zalora, OCBC Bank, Qoo10 and Cheers

• Subscribers enjoy greater savings and access to more products and services 

SINGAPORE, 8 November 2018 – The SCORE Subscription Programme, a collaboration between NTUC FairPrice (FairPrice) and Grab, today announced its partnership with GrabFood, Zalora, OCBC Bank, Qoo10 and Cheers. The addition of these partners will significantly expand the programme’s offerings and provide subscribers with greater savings and benefits for everyday essentials and lifestyle needs.

Mr Seah Kian Peng, CEO, NTUC FairPrice, said, “Since the launch of our programme earlier this year, FairPrice and Grab have continued to develop greater savings and rewards for customers. Beyond groceries and transport, we have expanded the benefits to offer a wider spectrum of choices to include food delivery service GrabFood, top online e-commerce site Zalora, financial services provider OCBC Bank, online marketplace Qoo10 and our own convenience format, Cheers. With SCORE, we aim to maximise benefits and savings to enhance and complement consumers’ lifestyle needs.”

The updated programme will also see changes to Grab benefits. Subscribers who sign up from 1 December 2018 onwards will enjoy 20% off 15 Grab rides (capped at $5 per ride) every month, after taking five rides. All new and existing SCORE subscribers will also now enjoy 10 free deliveries on GrabFood each month.

Mr Lim Kell Jay, Head of Grab Singapore, said, “Since we launched SCORE with FairPrice, we are seeing subscribers in Singapore save an average of $60 per month on Grab rides alone. We are delighted to expand these benefits so that they can now enjoy savings across more services in our everyday app, including transport and food delivery. Together with our partners, we are glad to bring more convenience and savings to our consumers’ daily lives.”

The new perks will kick in from 1 December 2018, at no additional cost to existing SCORE subscribers.

Mr Giulio Xiloyannis, Chief Operating Officer, ZALORA, said, “Zalora is proud to partner with SCORE in incentivising consumers in Singapore. We’ve always championed the move to convert traditional consumers into e-consumers to promote the development of the e-economy in the region, and SCORE is a great platform for us to engage Singaporeans.  As the region’s leading online fashion retailer, consumers in Singapore will enjoy great value on the best fashion brands available on ZALORA.”

Mr Dennis Tan, Head of Consumer Financial Services Singapore, OCBC Bank, said, “We are pleased to work with NTUC FairPrice and Grab to offer our customers the SCORE programme. OCBC customers can now enjoy cash rebates and savings on their daily spending, such as Grab rides, grocery shopping at FairPrice supermarkets and purchases from Unity stores. This is a powerful proposition for our customers, made possible through collaboration with like-minded companies across industries in this ecosystem, where we are able to leverage one another’s strengths and reward our customers even further for their daily spend.”

Mr HyunWook Cho, Country Manager for Qoo10 SG, said, “As firm believers of nurturing an ultimately sustainable e-commerce ecosystem, we are very pleased to join SCORE. Along with Grab, NTUC FairPrice, and other fellow partners, we hope to bring exciting value to present and future subscribers of the programme.”

Benefits of the SCORE Subscription Programme are summarised as follows:

Subscribers who utilise perks from all participating brands will potentially save an estimated S$140 per month.

The SCORE Subscription Programme, which is only available to residents in Singapore, is priced at S$29.99 for the first year, and S$49.99 for subsequent years of subscription. Visit www.scoresg.com for more information.

Like-Minded Partners to Better Serve the Community
SCORE remains committed to serve its subscribers better, and continues to work closely and seek partnerships with industry leaders to expand its offerings. Potential partners can email partners@scoresg.com.

17 November 2018

Cheers, FairPrice Foundation and Yeo Hiap Seng donate $30,000 to support students’ pocket money needs, in fifth year of collaboration

• Cheers, FairPrice Foundation and Yeo Hiap Seng jointly present $30,000 to The Straits Times School Pocket Money Fund
•  20-cents was pledged for every purchase of Yeo’s beverages at Cheers and FairPrice Xpress stores island-wide

SINGAPORE, 17 November 2018 – Cheers, the convenience store arm of NTUC FairPrice, NTUC FairPrice Foundation (FairPrice Foundation), and food and beverage company Yeo Hiap Seng Ltd (Yeo Hiap Seng) mark their fifth year of partnership in contributing to The Straits Times School Pocket Money Fund (STSPMF), with a joint donation of $30,000. The initiative to raise funds with every purchase of Yeo’s beverages at Cheers and FairPrice Xpress stores has since raised close to $150,000 for beneficiaries since 2014.

For one and a half months, FairPrice Foundation and Yeo Hiap Seng involved customers by donating 20 cents to STSPMF for every drink sale, as part of the campaign. This ran from 22 August to 2 October 2018 at all 158 Cheers and FairPrice Xpress stores island-wide.

Mr Victor Cheong, General Manager, Cheers, said, “It has been five years since we first partnered with Yeo Hiap Seng to do our part for the community by contributing to The Straits Times School Pocket Money Fund, and it remains heartening to see our partner and customers come together to support students in need. We are proud to enable students equal opportunities to do well regardless of their financial background, and it is only fitting that we continue to pledge and celebrate our commitment to this meaningful cause, and spend valuable time with the students today.”

To commemorate the annual initiative, 20 STSPMF beneficiaries were invited for a shopping trip at Cheers@Kallang Wave Mall this morning where each student was given $20 to purchase items of their choice.

Ms Tan Bee Heong, General Manager of The Straits Times School Pocket Money Fund, also received the cheque for $30,000 on behalf of the Fund at the event. She added, “We would like to express our gratitude to Cheers, FairPrice Foundation and Yeo Hiap Seng for bringing joy to our students from low-income families once again. Every year, our beneficiaries look forward to having fun shopping around the store. We look forward to more years of partnership in making a difference to the lives of underprivileged children.”

Cheers, FairPrice Foundation and Yeo Hiap Seng have been supporting STSPMF annually through this initiative since 2014. Proceeds go towards feeding 10,000 low-income students yearly by providing them with pocket money for their schooling needs, and easing the financial burden of their parents.

24 November 2018

Cheers, ExxonMobil and Hock Cheong Group wash cars to support elderly befriending efforts

Funds raised will go towards Lion Befrienders, for their outreach programmes supporting the well-being of seniors

Singapore, 24 November 2018 – Cheers, the convenience store arm of NTUC FairPrice (FairPrice), ExxonMobil and Hock Cheong Group, today partnered with Lions Befrienders Service Association (Singapore) in a charity car wash to raise funds for needy and vulnerable seniors – helping them age in place and enabling seniors to enjoy meaningful and enriching lives.

Mr Seah Kian Peng, CEO, NTUC FairPrice, said, “FairPrice recognises the importance of supporting needy and vulnerable seniors and we are glad to support Lions Befrienders in their efforts towards enriching the lives of the elderlies. Together with our partners, ExxonMobil and Hock Cheong Group, this collaborative initiative aims to nurture the community spirit of empathy and giving by harnessing staff volunteerism and fostering public participation. We encourage the public to show their support for the seniors among us who are in need of care and assistance and together, create a more resilient and caring society.”

Mr Seah, along with over 50 members of the Cheers and FairPrice senior management team and staff, including volunteers from Lions Befrienders, came together in a morning of washing cars for the cause. For each car washed, drivers are invited to donate S$15 or more to charity, with all proceeds going directly to Lions Befrienders. The funds will support their community engagement efforts, which include befriending through weekly home visits, senior activity centre programmes and cluster support services for vulnerable seniors.

Lion William Loh, Chairman of Lions Befrienders said, “Lions Befrienders is thankful for Cheers Holdings’ initiatives in this charity car wash to raise funds for our befriending programmes and activities. We firmly believe that through this collaboration, we can collectively help our disadvantaged seniors keep social isolation at bay and facilitate ageing in place for them.”

This year’s campaign marks the sixth year that Cheers has carried out the car wash activity with ExxonMobil and Hock Cheong Group to raise funds. Over the years, this initiative has supported various voluntary welfare organisations in the community including Disabled People’s Association (DPA), Children-At-Risk Empowerment Association (CARE) and this year, Lions Befrienders. More than S$43,900 has been contributed to these organisations throughout the years in support of their programmes for the community. Beyond raising funds, these efforts are also part of FairPrice’s and Cheers’ initiative to encourage staff and the public to contribute their time and efforts to do their part for the community through the FairPrice Volunteers’ Programme.

25 July 2017

Cheers pilots unmanned and cashless convenience store that doubles up as training facility for students

• The store utilises various front-line retail technologies to empower customers to easily process their own purchases
• It will also function as a training facility for students of Nanyang Polytechnic (NYP) to gain hands on experience running a business and test innovative ideas in a real-world environment

SINGAPORE, 28 July 2017 – NTUC FairPrice (FairPrice) and Cheers today announced the launch of its first unmanned and cashless convenience store, located within the Nanyang Polytechnic campus. The concept store, which also serves as a training facility for Nanyang Polytechnic’s School of Business Management, employs front-line retail technologies to empower customers to self-serve and back-end systems to optimise business operations and boost productivity.

The launch event was graced by Guest-of-Honour, Mr S. Iswaran, Minister for Trade and Industry (Industry).

Mr Seah Kian Peng, CEO, NTUC FairPrice said, “NTUC FairPrice constantly innovates and implements new service concepts to enhance the shopping experience for customers’ convenience. This unmanned store concept aims to challenge industry norms by bringing about a step change in the retail industry through balancing efficient service delivery and operations capability via technology and at the same time, cultivate a self-service culture in Singapore.”

This initiative is in line with the Food Services and Retail Industry Transformation Maps (ITMs) launched last year by the Ministry of Trade and Industry (MTI) and SPRING Singapore. Both ITMs empower businesses to embrace technology and take steps towards transformation. The unmanned convenience store is an innovative solution that complements the brick-and-mortar business concept by creating value for both retailers and a new generation of consumers through productivity and convenience improvements.

Serving customers with technology

The unmanned Cheers store will feature a new unified self-checkout system that incorporates various cashless payment modes including NETS, credit card, EZ-Link, mobile and contactless payment – eliminating the need for multiple payment terminals to enhance user-friendliness, making it more intuitive for customers.

This unmanned Cheers store will also be the first convenience store in Singapore that offers NETS payment by QR code, a new form of payment that utilizes DBS Paylah, OCBC Pay Anyone and UOB Mighty.

Next-generation vending machines will provide customers, looking for a quick bite or a hot meal, with a variety of ready-to-eat foods ranging from pastries and pizza to local delights like fried rice and “hor fun”.

At the back-end, the store will gear up to utilise data and video analytics to customize the store’s inventory to suit customer preference by analysing purchasing behaviour within the store.  An auto-ordering system also eliminates the need to manually track and order stocks while minimizing out-of-stock situations to enhance customer satisfaction.

Boosting productivity and redesigning jobs

Converting the Cheers store to an unmanned and cashless format will save up to 180 man hours per week. The boost in productivity stems from streamlining processes as there is no need for cashiers to be present to process payments and bag customer purchases. The automated point-of-sale self-checkout system also eliminates the need to manually perform cash reconciliation and physically bank in the day’s takings.

Beyond this, the back-end auto-ordering system eliminates the need to manually order products when stock levels are low, thereby boosting productivity and optimising the store’s inventory.

The savings in manpower will allow staff to be redeployed and up-skilled to focus on higher-value jobs such as supply chain management, customer relationship management, digital marketing and data analytics.

Training the next generation of retail professionals

The unmanned Cheers store doubles up as a training facility for NYP’s School of Business Management students specialising in retail, where they will be able to gain hands-on experience running a business and test innovative ideas in a real-world environment.

Ms Jeanne Liew, Principal & CEO, Nanyang Polytechnic, commented: “We are moving our students up the value chain. They are gaining new skills and working with new technologies, such as data analytics and IoT. I would like to thank our partners for this key opportunity.”

Ms Siong Liyi, a third-year Nanyang Polytechnic School of Business Management student, who works at the unmanned Cheers store, said: “I’m glad to have the opportunity to gain a head start and this format is where the future of retail business will be. I am learning skills that are ahead of the curve.”

The store is fully run by the students and over 50 are selected annually. They are deployed in several batches throughout the year to run the store.

Visit the Cheers unmanned store

To shop at the store, customers will first need to download and register themselves on a newly developed “Shop It Yourself” mobile app that will generate a unique QR code customers can use to gain entry to the store, which is locked automatically. The app is currently being tested by a sample group of NYP students and will be available at Apple and Android app stores by 4 August 2017. The unmanned Cheers store is located at Nanyang Polytechnic and opens from Monday to Friday from 7.30am to 7.30pm.

Cheers plans to pilot another unmanned convenience store in Tampines by end August this year.

28 October 2017

Cheers, FairPrice Foundation and Yeo Hiap Seng jointly donate $40,000 to needy students

• Cheers, FairPrice Foundation and Yeo Hiap Seng donate to The Straits Times School Pocket Money Fund for the fourth year running; total donations amount to $130,000 since 2014
• 20-cents was pledged for every purchase of Yeo’s beverages at Cheers and FairPrice Xpress stores island-wide

SINGAPORE, 28 October 2017 – Cheers, the convenience store arm of NTUC FairPrice, NTUC FairPrice Foundation (FairPrice Foundation) and food and beverage company Yeo Hiap Seng Ltd (Yeo Hiap Seng), made a joint donation of $40,000 to The Straits Times School Pocket Money Fund (STSPMF), marking the end of the one and a half month-long campaign. This is the fourth year all three organisations have partnered for a joint contribution to STSPMF.

To encourage consumers to participate in the initiative to support students from low-income backgrounds, FairPrice Foundation and Yeo Hiap Seng each donated $0.20 to STSPMF for all assorted Yeo’s Asian Drinks purchased. This took place from 15 August to 25 September 2017 at all 158 Cheers and FairPrice Xpress stores island-wide.

Mr Victor Cheong, General Manager, said, “We are proud to once again partner Yeo Hiap Seng to contribute to The Straits Times School Pocket Money Fund and are heartened by the support of our customers to benefit needy students. Students should be given equal opportunities to excel in school regardless of their financial background and we continue to do our part to collectively support them in their academic pursuits.”

To mark the occasion, 25 STSPMF beneficiaries were invited for a shopping trip at Cheers@Downtown East this morning where each were given $10 to purchase any item of their choice.

Ms Tan Bee Heong, General Manager of The Straits Times School Pocket Money Fund, received the cheque for $40,000 on behalf of the Fund at the ceremony. She added, “The Straits Times School Pocket Money Fund provides pocket money to students from low-income families to fill their often empty stomachs in schools. The donation received today will go a long way in helping more than 10,000 beneficiaries supported by the fund each year. We are, once again, very thankful to Cheers, FairPrice Foundation and Yeo Hiap Seng for choosing to commit to this meaningful cause.”

Cheers, FairPrice Foundation and Yeo Hiap Seng have been supporting STSPMF annually through this initiative since 2014 and have, to date, collectively donated $130,000 to the cause.

4 November 2017

Cheers, ExxonMobil and Hock Cheong Group support persons with disabilities through charity car wash

• Funds raised by Cheers will go to the Disabled Peoples Association
• Donations will be used to create awareness and engage community in discussions and initiatives around disability
• Cheers gives back to the community with both a monetary and time contribution through this event

Singapore, 4 November 2017 – Cheers, the convenience store arm of NTUC FairPrice (FairPrice), ExxonMobil and Hock Cheong Group today partnered with the Disabled People’s Association (DPA) in a charity car wash activity to raise funds towards DPA’s programme in reaching out and assisting persons with disabilities.

Mr Seah Kian Peng, CEO, NTUC FairPrice, said, “Together with ExxonMobil and Hock Cheong Group, FairPrice is privileged to support DPA in this important and meaningful programme. The car wash initiative enables us to involve the broader community to join us in contributing towards a worthy cause that helps people with disabilities find gainful employment, empowering them to lead independent lives. This is part of our ongoing efforts to build a more inclusive society.”

Mr Seah, along with over 50 members of the Cheers and FairPrice senior management team and staff, and volunteers from DPA, banded together to wash cars for a cause. For each car wash, drivers donate S$15 or more with all proceeds going directly to DPA. The funds will support DPA’s community engagement efforts, including public education, training, consultative services, research and advocacy.

Dr Marissa Lee Medjeral-Mills, Executive Director of DPA said, “DPA would like to thank Cheers for this opportunity. As Singapore continues to innovate, it’s also important for our members to advocate for inclusivity in all aspects of their lives. We hope that this car wash will open up new avenues for the public to learn from, and interact with persons-with-disabilities in order to be a more inclusive society.”

This year’s campaign marks the fifth year that Cheers has conducted this car wash. Over the years, Cheers has supported various voluntary welfare organisations in the community through this activity including Lion’s Befrienders, Children-At-Risk Empowerment Association (CARE) and this year, DPA.  More than $31,000 has been contributed to these organisations thoughout the years in support of their various programmes for the community.

15 October 2016

Cheers and FairPrice’s charity car wash rallies the community to come together to help seniors

• Volunteers from FairPrice and Cheers contribute to Lions Befrienders through an annual charity car wash
• Donations will be channelled towards providing care for seniors supported by Lions Befrienders, enabling them to enjoy meaningful and enriching lives

Singapore, 15 October 2016 – Cheers, the convenience store arm of NTUC FairPrice, has teamed up with Lions Befrienders Service Association (Singapore) for a charity car wash to raise funds for needy and vulnerable seniors, raising a total of $13,150 from today’s initiative. The initiative was spearheaded by Cheers and FairPrice, and made possible in partnership with ExxonMobil and Hock Cheong Group. Staff volunteers from the FairPrice Volunteer’s programme also came out to support this valuable cause as they contributed to the targeted 5,000 staff volunteer hours in giving back to the community this year.

Mr Seah Kian Peng, CEO, NTUC FairPrice, said, “FairPrice is privileged to partner ExxonMobil and Hock Cheong Group in this charity initiative to enrich the lives of the elderly in our community. We are also encouraged by the strong participation by staff volunteers, from Cheers, FairPrice and Lions Befrienders, who have chosen to dedicate their morning here and contribute to a meaningful cause to show their care.”

Mr Seah, along with 20 members of the Cheers and FairPrice senior management team and staff, spent the morning washing cars alongside 10 volunteers from the Lions Befrienders to help raise funds for this initiative. Drivers were invited to donate S$15 or more for each car wash, with all donations going to Lions Befrienders in support of its many programmes.

Dr Chey Chor Khoon, Executive Director of Lions Befrienders said, “We would like to sincerely thank Cheers, FairPrice, ExxonMobil and Hock Cheong Group for supporting our work in caring for and befriending seniors at risk of social isolation, as well as our mission of enabling them to enjoy meaningful and enriching lives. All proceeds from today will go towards supporting the 5,000 seniors that we engage through our befriending and outreach services islandwide, and will provide much-needed assistance in guiding and supporting their day-to-day physical, mental and emotional needs.”

Apart from raising funds, this was also an opportunity for FairPrice and Cheers staff to do their part to give back to the community.  NTUC FairPrice has committed to give back 5,000 hours to the community in volunteer activities this year, with today’s 120 hours forming a part of 2016 efforts. To date, more than 3,000 hours have been clocked in for the year.

Since the programme’s launch in 2012, FairPrice staff have contributed over 12,000 volunteer hours as of 2015, through activities such as packing and distributing food to those in need, visiting beneficiaries’ homes, or participating in excursions with them. All volunteers undergo training to equip them with practical knowledge of volunteerism and working with beneficiaries.  This year, FairPrice has also invited members of the public for the first time to volunteer alongside our volunteers to give back to the community together.

19 November 2016

Cheers, FairPrice Foundation and Yeo Hiap Seng make joint donation of $40,000 The Straits Times School Pocket Money Fund.

• Cheers, FairPrice Foundation and Yeo Hiap Seng mark third year of donations to The Straits Times School Pocket Money Fund
• In line with FairPrice’s promotion of healthy living and healthy eating, donations were pledged to the purchase of Yeo’s Healthier Choice Symbol certified drinks

SINGAPORE, 19 November 2016 – Cheers, the convenience store arm of NTUC FairPrice, and NTUC FairPrice Foundation (FairPrice Foundation) have once again partnered Singapore-based food and beverage company Yeo Hiap Seng Ltd (Yeo Hiap Seng) to contribute $40,000 to The Straits Times School Pocket Money Fund (SPMF). This marks the third year the group has contributed to SPMF and is the highest amount they have contributed to the Fund. 

In addition to encouraging customers to aid children in need through school, this year’s initiative also focused on healthy living by encouraging the community to purchase healthier beverages. For every 500ml bottle of Yeo’s Healthier Choice Symbol (HCS) certified drinks purchased at any of the 154 Cheers and FairPrice Xpress stores islandwide, FairPrice Foundation and Yeo Hiap Seng each donated $0.20 to the initiative. All purchases throughout the month of September contributed to the final amount pledged.

Mr Victor Cheong, General Manager, Cheers Holdings, said, “We are very happy that our customers continue to support us in this initiative to help students in need, through this community initiative in partnership with FairPrice Foundation and Yeo Hiap Seng. At Cheers, we believe that all students should be given the opportunity to learn and focus on their education without being hindered by financial constraints. The Straits Time School Pocket Money Fund looks to help students from low-income families and is an initiative we gladly support.”

To mark the end of this year’s programme, 20 SPMF beneficiaries were invited for a shopping trip at Cheers HarbourFront Centre this morning, and were each given $20 to purchase any items of their choice.

Ms Tan Bee Heong, General Manager of The Straits Times School Pocket Money Fund, received the cheque for $40,000 pledged at this morning’s closing ceremony. She said, “SPMF supports more than 13,000 children a year, and the donations that we receive help to provide children from low-income families with the additional expenses that they require to help themselves through school. We are extremely grateful to Cheers, FairPrice Foundation and Yeo Hiap Seng for their continued contributions to this initiative, which will go a long way in helping our beneficiaries with their school pocket money and other schooling needs.

22 November 2016

Cheers and ExxonMobil unveil brand new service station lifestyle concept

• In-line with the Government’s Food Services and Retail Industry Transformation Map (ITM), the new format uses innovative technologies  to deliver greater value and convenience

• Revamped concept brings new on-the-go lifestyle experience with ready-to-eat meals offered by TCGC Pte. Ltd. and includes brands such as The Soup Spoon, Pastamania, &Will and Udders

SINGAPORE, 22 November 2016 – Cheers, NTUC FairPrice’s convenience arm, and ExxonMobil Asia Pacific Pte. Ltd. today launched a revamped convenience store format for Esso service stations. The store refresh is another achievement for the alliance between FairPrice and ExxonMobil, since it was formed in 2003, to offer motorists greater convenience, quality products and value-added services at Esso service stations. In alignment with the Government’s recent Food Services and Retail Industry Transformation Maps (ITM), the revamped stores will feature a wide range of ready-to-eat meals and additional services driven by innovation and technology.

Mr Seah Kian Peng, CEO, NTUC FairPrice said: “Today’s consumers are time-strapped and this means a greater demand for convenient solutions. We are proud to unveil our revamped service station concept, transforming FairPrice Xpress and Cheers stores at Esso service stations into lifestyle destinations that deliver greater value and convenience. Through this development, we are able to create new growth opportunities with innovative business formats and technology. This also generates more vibrancy for our customers, and provide convenient access to services that are tailored around their lifestyle.”

The refreshed retail format will debut across five Esso service stations in Singapore and will be progressively rolled out to all 62 service stations island-wide over the next two years.

Jimmy Fong, ExxonMobil, Retail Fuels Sales Manager for Southeast Asia and Hong Kong, said: “Last year, ExxonMobil launched an improved petrol formulation, with more additive, so that motorists can enjoy improved engine performance. And now, the alliance is bringing to Esso service stations a whole new food and service experience for our customers. ExxonMobil and FairPrice will continue our quest to leverage our expertise and provide our customers with innovative offerings, more choices and better experiences.” 

Quality Food Choices

To enhance consumer offerings in the Ready-to-Eat meals space, Cheers partnered TCGC Pte. Ltd. (TCGC), a newly formed consortium to provide convenient and delicious food options to all consumers including Ready-to-Eat meals. TCGC offers quality, value-for-money locally-produced food at good value to make lives better for consumers. A new line of Ready-to-Eat products, under a newly created brand called “The Common Good Company”, will be available exclusively at the refreshed stores.

Food offering under TCGC Pte Ltd will feature the following prominent local brands:

• The Soup Spoon, will serve its fresh, flavourful and nutritious soups;
• Pastamania, will present its delectable pasta dishes;
• &Will, started by Chef Willin Low, will retail quality heritage dishes, such as Nasi Lemak;
• Udders, Singapore’s largest ice-creamery, has all its products made locally, designed to please the local palate with the use of premium ingredients.

Various Ready-to-Eat meals sold at the refreshed convenience stores will utilise vacuum skin packaging (VSP) technology which preserves flavour and colour, keeps portions fresh and unmixed, while extending shelf life and retaining nutrition.

Separately, to complement the mix, the stores will also feature a specially selected range of snacks imported from Japan to cater to the changing cosmopolitan tastes of consumers. Fresh produce and frozen meats, a feature that differentiated FairPrice Xpress and Cheers convenience stores at Esso service stations, will continue to remain available along with other daily essentials like rice and bread.

In a survey conducted last year with over 600 drivers and convenience store shoppers, the top products that they purchase include Ready-to-Eat meals, snacks and beverages. 7 in 10 also expressed interest in new product offerings such as hot food, breakfast options, desserts and gourmet coffee. 

Self-service technologies

Aside from the new food offerings, the stores will feature enhanced value-added services. These will include NETs self-service kiosks that provide convenience to consumers with a wide range of financial services such as bill payments and top‐ups.

Consumers can also arrange for delivery and pick-up of packages through the DHL Self-Serve app, complemented by U Collect Lockers for automated self-collection. Payment to DHL can be made electronically through NETs kiosks, lightening the load on service staff.  

The survey also revealed over 6 in 10 drivers and convenience shoppers are more likely to visit the store if parcel collection services are available.

4 November 2015

Cheers rolls out contactless credit payment across convenience stores island-wide

SINGAPORE, 4 November 2015 – Cheers, a home grown convenience store chain under NTUC FairPrice, is rolling out contactless credit payment services at over 100 stand-alone Cheers outlets by end November to enhance the shopping experience and cater to changing lifestyles.

Mr Seah Kian Peng, CEO of FairPrice and Chairman of Cheers said, “Cheers caters to customers with active and busy schedules, and we continually strive to complement their lifestyles by enhancing their shopping experiences. We recognise technology as an enabler in helping us serve our customers better, and this move to extend contactless credit payment makes it fast, secure and simple for customers to check out their purchases.”

Contactless payment has received growing acceptance among consumers in Singapore, making up 30% of all Visa card transactions.[1] The number of unique MasterCard contactless users also more than doubled in Singapore between 2013 and 2014.[2]

With the implementation of the contactless credit payment system, customers will not need to swipe their cards for payment, and no signature or PIN (Personal Identification Number) is required for purchases under SGD$100. This makes contactless credit payment through Visa or Mastercard more convenient and efficient, while ensuring that the process remains secure.

In addition, to encourage customers to adopt the technology, Cheers will offer customers $1 off (with minimum spend of $10) when they pay with OCBC Plus! Visa cards via Visa payWave for one month commencing 14 November 2015.

Over the years, Cheers has looked to introduce various services to meet its customers needs. It has  grown to become a one-stop place for customers to conveniently make bill payments, send parcels through DHL, grab a quick meal and beverage to-go, purchase and top up Cashcards and Flashpay cards, and top up mCash accounts. Cheers stores are located in high traffic areas like neighbourhood centres, bus and train interchanges. Customers can also get on-the-go updates from Cheers via the Cheers Facebook page, Cheers official website and CheersSg app on the latest promotions, announcements and participate in various contests.  In recognition of its successful franchise concept, Cheers was awarded the Franchisor of the Year award by the Franchising and Licensing Association (Singapore) in October 2015.

7 November 2015

Cheers and NTUC FairPrice Foundation partner Yeo Hiap Seng Ltd donate S$30,000 to The Straits Times School Pocket Money Fund

SINGAPORE, 7 November 2015 – Cheers, the convenience store chain under NTUC FairPrice, and NTUC FairPrice Foundation (FairPrice Foundation) have partnered food and beverage company Yeo Hiap Seng Ltd to donate $30,000 to The Straits Times School Pocket Money Fund (SPMF). This is the third year that the organisations are collaborating on the initiative.

Over the month of September 2015, Cheers, FairPrice Foundation and Yeo Hiap Seng pledged to donate 20 cents for each 500ml bottle of Yeo’s coconut juice or Asian drinks sold at all 161 Cheers and FairPrice Xpress stores. More than 160K purchases were made, fulfilling the S$30,000 target for the organisations’ donations to SPMF.

Mr Victor Cheong, General Manager, Cheers Holdings, said, “Cheers, supported by FairPrice Foundation, returns this year with this initiative to once again involve the community in giving back to those in need. The school years are crucial ones for a child and this project helps to ensure that needy children are able to enjoy their education without having to worry about school-related necessities. We are glad to be able to contribute to The Straits Times School Pocket Money Fund to play a part in making a difference in the lives of children, and helping them secure a brighter future.”

The amount raised this year represents a 50 per cent increase in donations compared to last year, when Cheers and FairPrice Foundation donated $20,000 to SPMF through a similar initiative.

Ms Tan Bee Heong, General Manager of The Straits Times School Pocket Money Fund, who received the $S30,000 cheque on behalf of beneficiaries, commented, “The ongoing support for SPMF from Cheers, FairPrice Foundation, Yeo Hiap Seng Ltd and their customers has been very encouraging. These contributions will go a long way in helping beneficiaries of The Straits Times School Pocket Money Fund with school-related expenses, such as buying a meal, paying for transport or meeting other schooling needs. The fund supports about 14,000 children and youths a year and the proceeds from this initiative will continue to ensure that our needy students are provided with monthly school pocket money. ”

As part of the closing event, 20 children from SPMF were invited to a sponsored shopping trip at the Cheers outlet in Kallang Wave Mall where they were each given $15 in vouchers to purchase their favourite foodstuff and toy.