In the news: IVALO, a mobile shopping app for high fashion, new presidents for Genting Hong Kong, York Hotel Singapore’s revamped website, mobile boarding for more Jetstar’s destinations
MOBILE TECHNOLOGY: MEET IVALO, THE TINDER FOR FASHION
Matti Lamminsalo wants to IVALO to be the world’s marketplace for fashion brands by 2020. (Image credit: IVALO)
See a beautiful dress that you like and want to buy it online, but have to spend some time searching the portal/shop that stocks it? Such an exercise may a thing of the past as the new Finnish mobile app IVALO is bringing the trendiest designers to your fingertips.
Describing itself as the ‘Tinder for fashion’, IVALO gathers the world’s upcoming fashion brands into a single app for you to buy directly from designers from all over the world.
The young entrepreneur behind the app and its CEO, Matti Lamminsalo, said the operating model of the service is the same as in Airbnb.
“IVALO functions as a sales platform where fashion brands list their products and send them to the end customer from their own storage, with IVALO transmitting orders in exchange for a commission.”
The app has a friendly interface. You browse for products by swiping left and right depending on your interest, much like on Tinder. The service also combines all the social media channels of fashion brands into one.
IVALO soft launched last October in its test market, Finland, with nearly 100 upcoming fashion brands.
According to company, “the service took the media by a storm and became the most downloaded shopping app in all of Finland (passing Zalando and H&M, among others).”
It added that sales have increased over 20% per month since then, and it has already been contacted by hundreds of interested fashion brands around the world.
IVALO’s brand team has visited all of the world’s leading fashion weeks (London, Paris, Milan, Berlin) and curated the most interesting brands there to join the service.
The service is launching globally, first with Finnish fashion brands. over spring and summer over 200 upcoming top brands from around the world, curated by the IVALO brand team, will join the service.
“IVALO’s only goal is to be the world’s most interesting marketplace for small fashion brands by the year 2020. As a part of its aggressive growth IVALO will hire 10 to 15 new people to help speed up its rapid global expansion,” said Lamminsalo
The IVALO app is a free download at both the Apple App Store and Google Play.
CRUISE: TOP MANAGEMENT SHUFFLE AT GENTING HONG KONG
Genting Cruise Line, a new division of Genting Hong Kong
Genting Hong Kong has strengthened its management team with the appointment of two presidents — Colin Au as the new group president of the company with immediate effect, and Kent Zhu as president of Genting Cruise Lines from May this year.
Tan Sri Lim Kok Thay, chairman of the board, continues as the company’s CEO.
Au joined the Genting Group 38 years ago and served in different positions within the group in Malaysia, Australia, Singapore, Hong Kong, New York, Miami and Germany. He was the founding president and CEO of Genting Hong Kong in 1993, and introduced cruising in Asia.
Tan Sri Lim said Au’s appointment was in tandem with the “quantum leap” in the company’s size.
“He will focus his attention on Genting Cruise Lines, MV Werften – the German shipyard group – and other assets of the company.”
Genting Cruise Lines is a new division of Genting Hong Kong comprising of three cruise brands – Star Cruises, Dream Cruises and Crystal Cruises. It will leverage on the 50-year old Genting name, which is well recognised in China and other parts of Asia.
The brand was recently strengthened by the International exposure of Genting Resorts Secret Garden in Chongli, Hebei Province near Beijing that is the main venue for the 2022 Winter Olympics.
Au said MV Werten would give Genting Hong Kong the competitive edge in building large ships without relying on the limited number of European shipyards, which have orders stretching to over 10 years.
He expects to see the first 200,000 gross ton ‘Global Class’ ships built by 2020.
Kent Zhu has more than 30 years of international hospitality experience with two global Asian luxury hotel groups, Shangri-La International Management and Wanda Hotels and Resorts.
“With his experience in China, Kent will immediately focus on developing a nationwide distribution network in China with strong travel partners to fill our cruise ships in Asia and elsewhere,” said Hui Lim, executive director of Genting Group.
Zhu, who will be based in Hong Kong, said of his new role: “I will strengthen the relationship with our industry partners, develop a clear distribution strategy and infrastructure and align the brand standards to the changing trends of our customer profile to deliver a unique and memorable customer experience.”
HOTELS: YORK HOTEL BOOSTS ONLINE PRESENCE WITH REVAMPED WEBSITE
Seamless online experience for York Hotel’s guests on new website
York Hotel Singapore, a member of the Goodwood Group of Hotels, has unveiled its new corporate website that aims to enhance the user’s online experience.
Optimised for all operating systems and all mobile devices the new website features a cleaner and consumer-centric design, allowing users to view and compare room choices and rates.
In addition, easily identifiable buttons enable users to access information on amenities, services, corporate membership, York Loyalty programme and the latest room and dining promotions.
The site also has a dedicated section for wedding and conference planners.
In line with its marketing strategy the hotel states “every reservation is guaranteed the lowest rate available online. The ‘Best Rate Guarantee’ ensures a competing rate, which is lower than the lowest rate on the hotel’s website, will be matched.”
Jessie Tan, general manager at York Hotel Singapore, added the new website “will create convenience and a seamless booking experience for travellers while breaking the misconception that best offers are available on third party platforms.”
AVIATION: JETSTAR’S MOBILE BOARDING PASS LANDS IN MORE CITIES
Hassle free boarding Jetstar flights with mobile pass (Image credit: ayo888//iStock)
Jetstar Asia has extended its mobile boarding pass service for departures from Singapore to 21 destinations including Bangkok, Phuket, Denpasar (Bali), Jakarta and Hong Kong.
Guests of the airline travelling with just carry-on baggage can select the option of a mobile boarding pass when checking in online. It is sent as a link to their mobile phone via an email or SMS text, and they can be saved it for offline access.
They can use the mobile pass to enter the airport’s departure hall, pass immigration, and go straight to the departure gate to board their flight.
Jetstar said this paper-free experience would greatly improve the straight-to-gate process, where customers no longer have to self-print their boarding pass, saving time on the pre-flight preparation.
