SPECIAL REVIEW
SPECIAL REVIEW
Maissone ’ s winning ways – online to offline
FROM online to offline … to Chicago on March 10 this year to receive a coveted Global Innovation Award ( gia ) trophy for excellence in houseware retailing at the International Home + Housewares Show , Michelle Boyce who started Maissone , a home-based online business in 2014 and quickly opened a bricks-and-mortar shop the following year , is a nimble retailer that adapts to the changing retail landscape in Asia .
Her ability to transit smoothly from a pure online retail business to a physical go-to destination for consumers looking for beautiful home décor and gift items not easily available in Singapore contributes to the success of “ hybrid retailing ”. For example , her clients looking for some inspiration as to what to give moms on Mother ’ s Day ( May 13 ) would first go online to check Maissone ’ s carefully curated selection of eye-catching gift items and head for the store located in a row of old shop houses in a quiet part of town .
Boyce uses her ‘ Click & Collect ” platform to drive impulse sales when customers visit the shop to collect their items .
In recognition of Boyce ’ s passion , innovation and gumption in the competitive world of modern retailing , Maissone won the 2017 / 18 gia Award ( South-east Asia ) given by the International Housewares Association , USA . This annual award is co-sponsored by RETAIL ASIA .
The annual award comes with a free air passage and hotel accommodation to attend the International Home + Housewares Show held every spring in Chicago . ra
Receiving the award at the gala dinner at Aqua Blue Hotel , Chicago , is Michelle Boyce with RETAIL ASIA ’ S publisher , Andrew Yeo .
Tom ’ s Top Trends for 2018
“ WE ’ RE in the middle of a retail renaissance and yet we are so preoccupied with simply coping that we can ’ t see the dramatic positive changes that are unfolding around us ,” declared Tom Mirabile in his Top Trends 2018 wakeup call to manufacturers and retailers attending his 7.30am talk on March 12 at the Grand Ballroom at McCormick Place .
To break things down for some of us who were still half asleep , Mirabile walked us through the main demographics that are affecting the way we conduct our businesses today :
Tom Mirabile ’ s presentation was packed with actionable insights into how each generation ’ s interests and lifestyles are affecting retail today . n Gen Z ( ages 3 – 22 ) n Millennials ( 22 – 42 ) n Gen X ( 43 – 53 ) n Baby Boomers ( 54 – 73 ) n Prime Timers ( 74 +)
His presentation was packed with actionable insights into how each generation ’ s interests and lifestyles are affecting retail today . His main takeaway message was that there are now new ways of engaging the different demographics and most of them involve social media .
“ Where you place yourself and your business within social media is critical ,” said Mirabile , the Consumer Trends Forecaster for IHA , the organiser of the show .
For those who failed to make it to his early morning talk or fell asleep in the hall , you can still catch Tom Mirabile ’ s insightful presentation at www . housewares . org / education / video . ra
40 Retail Asia May 2018