(Devin Hahm from Qoo10 Singapore’s SEA Business Development team) While not everyone can afford a long vacation overseas, it has become commonplace for Singaporeans to book a staycation on the island’s many hotels, ranging from boutique hotels to luxury 5* hotels. We chat with Devin Hahm from Qoo10’s SEA Business Development team to glean some tips for saving on hotel bookings with Qoo10. James: Are you more of a vacation or staycation person? Which hotels do you usually stay in? Devin: Well, I’m actually a little of both. I’m Korean and being based in Singapore makes it really convenient to travel around Asia for R&R over the weekends. I like to splurge on 5* hotels abroad as it’s relatively value-for-money compared to local hotel rates. When I plan staycations, I tend to pick one of the many hotels on Sentosa because I like to hang out at the beach with friends and have a beer or two. (Booking.com engine on Qoo10) James: Can you tell us a little about Qoo10’s latest collaboration with Booking.com? Devin: We signed an agreement with them to integrate their hotel booking engine on our site. So Qoo10 customers who are looking to book a hotel in Singapore or overseas can click on our ‘Deal & Entertain’ product category tab and select to make their bookings. James: What’s the difference between booking a hotel stay on Qoo10 versus Booking.com itself? Devin: Customers actually pay the same booking price for both, because the transactions are done on the Booking.com site. However, customers who make their bookings through Qoo10 will receive an additional 7% rebate in Qpoints, which they can then use to offset their next purchase at Qoo10. James: Why did Qoo10 decide to collaborate with Booking.com? Devin: For a long time, Qoo10 has wanted to venture into the tourism sector – it is a huge industry which literally never sleeps. Also we managed to find a great partner in Booking.com, which has an extensive network of hotels all over the world. We believe this is a great value-add for our customers beyond the Qpoint rebate. (Extensive network of hotels in each country) James: Any other exciting developments you can share with us?
Devin: It’s a bit early to announce this but we are in talks with several travel agencies specialising in flight bookings. We hope to explore a tie-up with them to integrate their flight booking engine on Qoo10 and make our platform a one-stop travel booking website for our customers.
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Qoo10, in partnership with local charity organisation Mercy Relief, has raised S$33,945.68 in support of its Nepal Earthquake Relief 2015 fund.
Held from 8 May – 30 June 2015, the fundraising campaign saw Qoo10 users donating cash or loyalty points (Q points, Q stamps) earned on the site. 100% of the proceeds will go directly to Mercy Relief, with administrative fees absorbed by Qoo10. Mercy Relief’s rapid assessment team was deployed to ground zero 48 hours after the 25 April earthquake devastated the country. Since 28 April 2015, the team have conducted 27 relief distribution operations and 8 medical missions servicing some of the remotest villages in the Kathmandu, Kavrepalanchok, Sindhupalchok and 4 other districts. In total, Mercy Relief have reached out to nearly 20,000 beneficiaries including 700 patients, which the 6 men medical team treated. Post-acute relief phase, the NGO then undertook several transitional shelter and school projects, racing against time to provide a secure roof for the quake survivors before the onset of the monsoon, as well as ensuring children get back to school as soon as possible. Mercy Relief’s next phase will focus on permanent shelter reconstruction after the monsoon passes. Mercy Relief’s Chairman, Michael Tay, also welcomed Qoo10 to the Singaporean NGO’s ranks of supporters. “Since Mercy Relief’s Nepal Earthquake Relief fundraising campaign was launched, we have received immense support from both members of the public and corporate donors. Qoo10’s contribution towards our fundraising effort is significant. The online community has become a necessary avenue for donor outreach activities and assistance for Nepal’s earthquake-stricken communities”, he says. Qoo10 has added DBS PayLah!, Singapore’s first and fastest-growing mobile wallet, as an integrated payment option to its growing list of convenient payment modes.
Having garnered more than 240,000 registered users since May last year, DBS PayLah! facilitates convenient, fast and secure payment between Qoo10 and its users. Customers can download the iOS or Android app and register for their mobile wallet account with a local mobile number and bank account which offers FAST (Fast And Secure Transfers) services in Singapore. DBS PayLah! is a secure mobile wallet that can be topped up easily (minimum $5 per top-up) with funds from your linked bank account. With a maximum wallet size of $500, the app grants greater convenience for e-commerce payments, requiring the user to enter a short password for verification, instead of a OTP sent to the mobile number or internet banking device. Customers who do not own a credit card will also appreciate the added ease of making online payments for their lifestyle shopping needs on Qoo10. With a few taps on their mobile phone, they can quickly pay for their purchases without having to enter credit card details. No additional charges will be incurred for topping up their DBS PayLah! accounts or making payments to Qoo10. Qoo10 users can select the option to pay with DBS PayLah! at checkout and enter the mobile number registered under the mobile wallet account. A push notification will be sent to the wallet app requesting for payment and the customer can easily approve the transaction with a few taps. “With Singapore’s high mobile penetration, we believe DBS PayLah! will particularly resonate well with customers who own a mobile phone but not a credit card. This mobile wallet will enable them to make fuss-free payments for their online purchases, which will give them a better shopping experience on Qoo10,” said Mr Hyun Wook Cho, Country Manager of Qoo10 Singapore. The DBS PayLah! payment option is now available on web browser-based transactions on Qoo10, with the feature coming to the Qoo10 Singapore app in late-August. To kick off the launch of PayLah! on Qoo10’s website, users will be able to redeem discount coupons at http://qoo10.sg/paylah when they make payment with the mobile wallet from 18 August. From 19 – 21st August, a 3-Day Wow Sale will also be held, with promotional items on 50% discount and more. During this period, the first 5,000 customers will enjoy 20% Q-Points rebate on purchases above $20. Starting from 14 August 2015, Kinohimitsu Singapore in partnership with Qoo10, will be giving out 11,000 complimentary Health Trial Kits containing the bio-nutraceutical company’s star products on a first-come, first-serve basis. One of the largest online sampling campaigns in Singapore, the complimentary trial packs can be redeemed on the brand’s Qoo10 store (http://www.qoo10.sg/shop/beautyandwellness). 10,000 Health Kits (containing 3 sachets of EyeBright and 2 Sachets of JointPro360 worth $10.65) can be redeemed with 1 Qstamp while a Tummy Tuck 5-Day Trial Pack (worth $21.50) will be given to the first 1,000 followers of the brand’s Qstore (http://www.beautynwellness.org/). JointPro360 Kinohimitsu JointPro360 is the perfect, high strength and natural formulation containing Glucosamine Hydrochloride 1500mg, Chondroitin 1200mg, Methylsulfonylmethane (MSM) 900mg in just one single consumption. It works effectively to support healthy joint and cartilage and promote flexibility. Kinohimitsu JointPro360 is the perfect, high strength and natural formulation containing Glucosamine Hydrochloride 1500mg, Chondroitin 1200mg, Methylsulfonylmethane (MSM) 900mg in just one single consumption. It works effectively to support healthy joint and cartilage and promote flexibility. Compared to the other joint formulas in the market, Kinohimitsu JointPro 360 offers less hassle, and is more hygienic. Instead of having to take large, multiple capsules, one can enjoy the delicious fast-absorbing drink anytime and anywhere. Individually sealed sachet ensures freshness and convenience. JointPro360 is especially formulated to benefit sports lovers, sedentary individuals, ladies who wear high heels and people with weak knees. Mix one sachet into 150ml of lukewarm water and consume after meal. EyeBright Kinohimitsu EyeBright is designed to offer in-depth protective elements to the eyes. Coupled with FloraGLO® Lutein, DHA, Lycopene and potent anthocyanins (Maqui Berry Extract& Purple Rice Extract) for ultimate nourishment to the eyes. It is carefully tailored to meet the needs of your eyes from childhood to golden age. Packed with the highest amount of FloraGLO® Lutein (100mg) in the market, Kinohimitsu Eyebright believes to improve the condition of eye problems, lowers the risk of developing cataracts and age-related macular degeneration (AMD). Boosted with other powerful antioxidants to combat free radicals damage, giving you brighter, healthier and sparkling eyes. Especially recommended for people with prolonged exposure to electronic devices, spend long hours driving or contact lenses users. Suitable for all age group and vegetarians. Take 1 sachet a day before breakfast. Tummy Tuck
Kinohimitsu Tummy Tuck Slimming Capsule is an all-natural U.S patented slimming formula that works to target stubborn fat specifically around the abdominal area. Tummy Tuck works by burning off abdominal fat, reducing fat storage at the abdominal area, increasing metabolism rate, and curbing appetite. It is also suitable for vegetarians. |
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