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SingPost's POPStations seems very well-received by customers. Will the cooler for grocery shoppers a game changer for online grocery shop? Good news for RedMart? Let's see...

(not vested)

SingPost to pilot parcel lockers that can keep groceries cool

SINGAPORE — From early next year, online grocery shoppers will not need to worry about not being home when their parcels are delivered.

SingPost said yesterday it plans to introduce smaller versions of its automated lockers, called POPStations, in a trial run.

Called P-POPS (Personal POPStations), these smart parcel stations will address the growing trend of online shopping and meet the needs of smaller businesses, it said.

Measuring about 60cm by 40cm by 40cm, the stations will comprise four smart lockers, with a modular expansion unit that can hold a cooler box for items such as groceries. They will be located near residential areas and offices for the convenience of SingPost customers.

The postal company said the idea for such stations came about after it received feedback from customers that they would like to receive grocery purchases at its POPStations.

“POPStations have been immensely popular with Singaporeans who shop online, as they provide 24/7 convenience … The cooler box is the perfect solution for busy individuals who are not home to receive their grocery deliveries,” said Dr Wolfgang Baier, group chief executive officer of SingPost.

There are currently more than 60 POPStations in Singapore.

SingPost said it has plans to increase the number of such automated smart parcel lockers to 100 island-wide to provide more flexibility, convenience and ease of use for its customers. EMILIA TAN
http://www.todayonline.com/singapore/sin...eries-cool

SingPost's new concept post office will work, IMO. Nowadays, self-service seems the global trend, as long as it is user-friendly, and value for money...

(not vested)

SingPost opens new concept post office at Suntec City Mall

SINGAPORE — At SingPost’s new post office at Suntec City Mall, customers can prepare mailing labels of their own on an ezy2ship kiosk, or pick up or return parcels around the clock at POPStations. They can even try out a 3D printing service to print out prototypes and customised gifts such as accessories and figurines.

Customers also have the option to browse through stamps and other philatelic products on tablets before purchasing them at the counter.

This is SingPost’s eighth new concept post office, which comes as the postal service provider moves to remodel post offices islandwide. These “digitally integrated” post offices began rolling out in March.
...
http://www.todayonline.com/singapore/sin...-city-mall

The company is getting more and more interesting. Time to re-look into it

(not vested)
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SingPost to develop fully integrated eCommerce Logistics Hub in Singapore,
the first such modern facility in the region
• Pre-positioning Singapore as the region’s leading ecommerce hub
• S$182M investment to cater to expanding ecommerce logistics business and
address rapid ecommerce market growth
• 553,000 square ft hub comprises 3-storey integrated centre with fully automated
parcel sorting facility, 2 warehousing floors, 150 simultaneous loading bays and an
office block
http://infopub.sgx.com/FileOpen/PressRel...eID=318096

In line with my expectations that they have to keep sinking in capex in terms of log centres and fleet to rollover out the e-comm initiatives.

Like I always say its an essential part of the transformation, one that is capex laden that will drag ROA as business become more asset heavy but not necessarily the returns.

The returns is the hype associated with BABA. BABA is different as it thrives on volume with its asset light middle man role.

Odd Lots
Cert
Vested
GG

(14-10-2014, 09:25 PM)CityFarmer Wrote: [ -> ]The company is getting more and more interesting. Time to re-look into it

(not vested)
-----
SingPost to develop fully integrated eCommerce Logistics Hub in Singapore,
the first such modern facility in the region
• Pre-positioning Singapore as the region’s leading ecommerce hub
• S$182M investment to cater to expanding ecommerce logistics business and
address rapid ecommerce market growth
• 553,000 square ft hub comprises 3-storey integrated centre with fully automated
parcel sorting facility, 2 warehousing floors, 150 simultaneous loading bays and an
office block
http://infopub.sgx.com/FileOpen/PressRel...eID=318096

I have a slightly different view. BABA's dream can't be fulfilled without a trusted logistic partner, even within China. IIRC, building-up a trusted domestic logistic network is one pending mission of Mr. Ma.

I saw SingPost logistic role in region outside China, i.e. Asean or even South Asia region. Mr. Ma might already have big plan for US, as part of his global master plan for his dream.

Will SingPost benefited by playing the role. I am yet to find out more, but I am cautiously optimistic.

(not vested)

(15-10-2014, 07:51 AM)greengiraffe Wrote: [ -> ]In line with my expectations that they have to keep sinking in capex in terms of log centres and fleet to rollover out the e-comm initiatives.

Like I always say its an essential part of the transformation, one that is capex laden that will drag ROA as business become more asset heavy but not necessarily the returns.

The returns is the hype associated with BABA. BABA is different as it thrives on volume with its asset light middle man role.

Odd Lots
Cert
Vested
GG

The company continue to improve the well-received POPstations...

(not vested)

SingPost announces upgrades to POPstations

SINGAPORE — SingPost rolled out three new features for the eCommerce delivery service POPStation today (Oct 15), namely the POPStation Mobile App, Post @ POPStation and Payment upon collection @ POPStation.

With the POPStation mobile app, consumers can unlock their postboxes using “air unlock”, instead of having to key in their PIN numbers on site.

Post @ POPStation allows consumers to purchase parcel delivery service 24/7 via the SingPost online booking service, www.ezy2ship.com, and opt for courier collection or drop off at the post office. They can also drop their parcels off at the POPStations.

Payment upon collection @ POPStation lets customers pay for online purchases at POPStations and collect them on the spot. This tackles the concern of providing credit card details to online merchants.

Ms Lim Ann Nee, Senior Vice President of Singapore Parcels said: “These new features will enhance overall customer experience for online shoppers. We are working towards offering all Speedpost customers the option of receiving their parcels, both local and overseas purchases, via the POPStation.”
http://www.todayonline.com/singapore/sin...opstations

SingPost looking like Amazon? Looks to me, SingPost is the only GLC that is outperforming or for that matter all listed credible counters in SGX. The link up with Alibaba helps but there is little hope for the man in the street when insiders had already bought before the news. Remember SMRT fiasco where some1 went to report to police on possible insider?

Now what is moving the counter? Just wondering what is the nos analyst are forecasting? Up dividend?

If its another leak, I think many just cant help but feel the injustice of the market place is rigged in favor of insiders!

(24-10-2014, 11:51 AM)ValueBeliever Wrote: [ -> ]SingPost looking like Amazon? Looks to me, SingPost is the only GLC that is outperforming or for that matter all listed credible counters in SGX. The link up with Alibaba helps but there is little hope for the man in the street when insiders had already bought before the news. Remember SMRT fiasco where some1 went to report to police on possible insider?

Now what is moving the counter? Just wondering what is the nos analyst are forecasting? Up dividend?

If its another leak, I think many just cant help but feel the injustice of the market place is rigged in favor of insiders!

I am not an insider, to say the appreciation in price only benefit/serve the insiders seem a bit 'sour'? Apologise in advance if my statement come across as offensive. I am vested even before the alibaba news broke and cannot believe the gap up from 1.55 to 1.68 when trading resumed. Still remember it hit intraday high of 178. When the price dropped in the days to follow, so many online views were saying SP is over valued. All this while, I did not sell and buy more at 1.7x and 1.8x ranges.

I know the PE is high but I believe the company can still growth and the high PE is justified. I am buying not because I am an insider. Point is, the stock market can never be 100% level playing field. News will leak but it doesn't mean we retail investor stand totally no chance to invest in good stocks.

http://www.valuebuddies.com/thread-4576-...l#pid97333

Read the above link and you will have a better understanding of the flushed out that resulted in the recent global volatility.

Sing Post is perceived to be a safe haven counter with BABA growth.

IMHO, I think SingPost share price performance underpinned by e-log will be shaping up for disappointment down the road.

E-fulfillment is a high capex and labour intensive business. Capex to be invested on logistic centres and fleet and the labour involved in delivery is something that BABA as an asset light middleman doesn't have. Hence while BABA thrives on volume, SingPost as a E-fulfillment company will be bogged down by rising A and higher E (ROA, ROE). Conceptually, BABA thrives on asset turn but BABA needs plenty of logistic operators to help them thrive in that role.

Sing Post happened to be that operator. In any event, traditional mails will continue its slow death hence e-fulfillment is an essential business that Sing Post need to transform.

Globally, funds are flushed and hence when everyone buys a certain concept, then a bubble is forming. Note that offshore and marine sector is out liao and can be for quite a while. Hence the amount of $ free up can be mind boggling at least within an illiquid mkt like SGX.

Odd Lots
Cert Vested
GG

http://www.businesstimes.com.sg/companie...-rate-hike

Why green light was given for SingPost postage rate hike
By
Lee U-Wenleeuwen@sph.com.sg@LeeUwenBT
SingPost061114.jpg Parliament was on Wednesday given an insight into Singapore Post (SingPost) as an employer and the national postal service-operator when the government explained why it had allowed it to raise postage rates from Oct 1, in light of declining letter volumes and rising operating costs. PHOTO: SINGAPORE POST LIMITED
6 Nov5:50 AM
Singapore

PARLIAMENT was on Wednesday given an insight into Singapore Post (SingPost) as an employer and the national postal service-operator when the government explained why it had allowed it to raise postage rates from Oct 1, in light of declining letter volumes and rising operating costs.

SingPost, in the face of these trends, has not taken to cost-cutting moves such as reducing its staff strength, closing post offices and scaling back on its daily deliveries. Instead, it has treated its workers "responsibly" by raising their salaries and hiring more older people, and drawn up a S$100 million service-improvement plan for initiatives such as automated sorting machines.

These issues were a "key consideration" for the Infocomm Development Authority of Singapore (IDA), which gave the go-ahead for the first revision to postage rates in eight years, said Minister of State for Communications and Information Sim Ann. She was responding to queries from Non-Constituency Member of Parliament Lina Chiam, who asked why SingPost had raised postage rates despite having made higher profits and mail revenue last year.

From Oct 1, domestic mail postage went up by between four and 20 Singapore cents. Postage for mail under 20g rose from 26 cents to 30 cents. International mail postage adjustments ranged from five to 25 cents, while the charge for international registered mail increased from S$2.20 to S$2.50.

Ms Sim said SingPost had been facing pressures from higher labour and operating costs in the last few years. On top of these, the rates it paid to overseas postal operators had gone up by about 40 per cent since 2010, and will go up by more than 30 per cent by 2017. Such rates are set by the Universal Postal Union.

Mrs Chiam later asked whether future increments to local and international postage rates would come even if SingPost continued making profits, bearing in mind too that it was listed on the Singapore Exchange and was running a monopoly for an essential service.

Ms Sim explained that most of SingPost's profits come from unregulated mail and unregulated business sectors not related to its postal segment. She added that the IDA would first have to study the impact on consumers if another rise in postage rates is mooted.

In September, when the higher postage rates were first announced, SingPost group chief executive Wolfgang Baier said that while the revised rates would contribute about S$16 million in revenue per year, three-quarters of that would go towards investments in infrastructure, staff and other initiatives.

Asked to disclose the number of complaints against SingPost in the last three years, Ms Sim said the figure was "fairly low" - at an average of 100 complaints for the estimated 1 billion mail items a year, or one complaint for every 10 million letters.

"IDA takes a serious view of all complaints, and will impose penalties on SingPost for non-compliance for IDA's postal quality-of-service framework. IDA will monitor SingPost's service-enhancement measures so as to improve the reliability and quality of basic postal services," she said.

SingPost shares ended trading half a cent higher at S$1.95 on Wednesday. The stock has been on a rally since May, when a unit of Chinese e-commerce giant Alibaba said it would buy a 10.35 per cent stake in the firm for S$312.5 million, or S$1.42 a share.