The 10th annual New Sunrise i.c.e. works conference and study tour 2019 was held during August 2018 in Singapore.
Two-hundred and fifty delegates were treated to a week of insight, valuable workshops, a first-hand view of the local market, as well as the opportunity to connect with retailers, suppliers, friends and familiar faces.
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Day one: Welcome cocktail party – JW Marriott, South Beach
Supported by Lion Dairy & Drinks, Platinum Partner
The 10th annual conference was officially opened on Monday 30th July 2018.
New Sunrise Managing Director Steve Cardinale welcomed all attendees, reinforcing the ever-present family connection growing year on year, and uniquely shared at i.c.e. works and beyond.
As proud Platinum partners to i.c.e. works 18, Vishal Sachdev from Lion Dairy and Drinks also welcomed attendees and spoke of the strong business relationship shared between both companies.
Day two: Business session: ‘Savour the past, taste the future’ – JW Marriott, South Beach
Supported by Coca-Cola Amatil, Platinum Partner
The independent convenience education workshop (i.c.e. works) on day two was held at the JW Marriott ballroom, a fantastic setting for a day of learning, presenting new ideas and sharing best practices.
Mr Cardinale opened the day and quickly laid a solid platform in speaking about the theme of this year’s event. By presenting the evolution of convenience retailing over the past 10 years, it was clear that over this time the offer in-store has been “modernised and pre-immunised”, led by food and coffee. Traditional convenience cues have been largely removed, and offers that truly resonate with consumers have been introduced – all of which had been developed at previous i.c.e. works workshops and now form an integral part of the New Sunrise retail strategy.
Although inroads have been made, Mr Cardinale said, there are still some fundamental challenges facing the convenience industry, including the increase in conversion from pump to purchase.
Coca-Cola Amatil Business Intelligence Agent Melissa Ang addressed the economic outlook for the Australian market, presenting the demographic shifts influencing the future of the retail landscape. Melissa drew attention to a range of market factors, from the growth in the non-Australian-born population to the changing taste palate of the Australian consumer – everything that will force retailers to diversify and stay relevant.
New Sunrise National Merchandise Manager Joseph Alessi opened with reference to the Back to the Future film trilogy, as he reviewed the 2018 retail merchandise results and strategy house. He also presented the New Sunrise social media and digital platform, as well as the in-store “premiumised” point-of-sale relaunch.
Convenience Measures Australia Managing Director Brett Barclay presented findings in the recently commissioned ‘New Sunrise Convenience Shopper’ report. This report found that New Sunrise stores were strong performers in the ‘food-on-the-go’ category, with a higher average spend and visit frequency than the channel average, with a clear, continuing opportunity to engage further with female consumers in the channel.
ACAPMA CEO Mark McKenzie presented the current landscape of the fuel industry and pressures that continue to face the industry. He stressed the increasingly critical areas of regulatory compliance before presenting his views on fuel retailing in the future: “fuel-retail businesses that recognise and respond to the changing consumer and technological trends will be rewarded with a vibrant business that is well poised for the future”.
Exciting and informative presentations from a range of speakers followed, touching on new product initiatives and future developments
During the afternoon, suppliers and retailers were given the opportunity to connect over a more formal setting during a business-engagement session.
i.c.e. works dinner: 1-Altitude Bar, Raffles Place, Singapore
Supported by Schweppes, Gold Partner
That evening, attendees met at the highest rooftop bar in Asia, 1-Altitude. With uninterrupted 360-degree views across the city skyline, the triangle-shaped bar offered a night that we hope all attendees will remember for many years to come.
Day three: New Sunrise study tour – Singapore Market
Supported by PepsiCo, Gold Partner
Day three presented an opportunity for retailers and suppliers to get a close-up view of the local market. To give further insight into the international market, Nancy Caldarola of Convenience Store Decisions presented a brief overview of trends facing the US market, before introducing local Singapore retailer Tony Chng from Vendcafe to give attendees insight into his global business. Various retailers visited throughout the day to give firsthand demonstrations of the technological advances of ‘unmanned’ retail solutions (vending), cashless operations, and good-quality food and coffee available in the local market.
Day four: Snowball Gala Dinner, Clifford Pier at Marina Bay
After party, Media Bar, supported by Frucor Suntory
Singapore is a cultural melting pot of Asian, English and Indian influences over many hundreds of years. To celebrate the final night of the 2018 i.c.e. works event, attendees were greeted with a cultural explosion of colour, fun, dance and vibrancy that included everything from snake charmers to parrot fortune tellers.
The stage was set to celebrate another year as the New Sunrise family, and recognise and reward outstanding achievement from retailers and suppliers who have performed over and above during 2018. Celebrations continued into the night at the Frucor-supported after party at Media Bar, capping off a truly memorable i.c.e. works experience.
Award winners
Snowball Retailer of the Year: Dunning’s Fuel, accepted by Steven Dunning.
Snowball Account Manager of the Year: Warren Zuel, Coca Cola Amatil.
Click here to see photo gallery.
