Birkin International Hotel celebrates Chinese New Year and Ramadhan 2026

Birkin International Hotel, a new coastal haven located in Klebang, Melaka offers guests the perfect blend of seaside serenity and the cultural charm of heritage. The hotel is set to welcome 2026 with two major festive dining celebrations, featuring a vibrant Chinese New Year buffet dinner and the much-anticipated Gulai Kawah Tradisi Ramadhan buffet. 

Source: Birkin International Hotel. Celebrate the season of togetherness at Birkin International Hotel with a Chinese New Year spread, featuring auspicious yee sang and classic favourites, followed by a comforting, flavourful Ramadhan buffet.

The Chinese New Year buffet dinner has been curated to capture the joy, abundance, and togetherness of the Lunar New Year. Available on 16th, 17th and 18th February 2026, from 6:30 pm to 10 pm at Birkin Kitchen, the buffet features festive favourites and classic Chinese New Year dishes. 

To complement the buffet experience, Birkin International Hotel also offers the Prosperity Toss (yee sang, sometimes called lohei or yusheng) from 26 January to 3 March 2026. Available in three variations — Prosperity Ahead, Abundance Year, and Abalone Fortune — the yee sang symbolises good fortune, success, and abundance, and serves as a meaningful addition to any Chinese New Year celebration.

For guests seeking a more private dining experience, the hotel's Chinese set menu will be available till 3 March 2026, served in private rooms from 6:30 pm to 10 pm. 

As Ramadhan approaches, Birkin International Hotel continues its tradition of bringing people together through food with the Gulai Kawah Tradisi Ramadan Buffet, running from 27 February to 19 March 2026, daily from 6:30 pm to 10 pm.

This buffet showcases authentic Malaysian heritage cuisine, with a strong emphasis on traditional flavours and communal dining. Highlights include the fan-favourite kambing gulai kawah, alongside a spread featuring rusa golek, kambing golek, nasi Arab, ayam bakar tandoori, ayam panggang Maharani, ketam bunga masak lemak, murtabak tomahawk, ekor asam pedas, and sup sum-sum, a beef or mutton soup made with marrow-filled bones. 

"These festive promotions reflect our commitment to celebrating Malaysia's rich cultural diversity through food and meaningful experiences," said Kevin Lee, GM of Birkin International Hotel.

"Whether welcoming the Lunar New Year with prosperity and joy or breaking fast together during Ramadhan, we aim to create memorable moments for our guests."

Details

The Chinese New Year buffet dinner costs RM180+ per adult. 

The Ramadhan buffet is priced at RM205+ for adults. There is a Buy 10 Free 1 promotion as well. 

Call +6012-558 7295 or email reservations@birkinhotels.com for reservations and enquiries.

Advance reservations are strongly recommended, and all promotions are subject to availability. Prices are subject to prevailing sales and service tax (SST).

Iftar, kampung-style at the Four Points by Sheraton Singapore, Riverview

Source: Four Points by Sheraton Singapore, Riverview. Iftar buffet at Four Points by Sheraton Singapore, Riverview.

This Ramadhan, Four Points by Sheraton Singapore, Riverview invites guests to break fast over a spread inspired by kampung-style cooking. Returning by popular demand, the hotel's Kampung-Style Iftar Buffet celebrates the spirit of togetherness through familiar dishes that have long been part of family gatherings and festive evenings.  

Rooted in the simplicity of village life, kampung-style cuisine is defined by bold spices, slow-cooked recipes, and dishes meant to be shared. Priced at S$58 nett per person, the spread includes staples such as bubur lambuk, accompanied by a variety of traditional condiments. 

Signature highlights include fragrant ayam lemak chilli padi, tangy ikan masak asam pedas, and crispy kampung ayam goreng. At the laksa live station, bowls of rich, aromatic coconut-based dish will be prepared on the spot. 

Guests can also enjoy a refreshing selection of drinks, including bandung, iced Milo, and blue lagoon longan. 

To conclude the meal, guests can indulge in a selection of traditional desserts, including assorted Nyonya kueh, a chendol DIY station, and the hotel's signature durian pengat. 

Details

27 February – 15 March 2026
Fridays, Saturdays, and Sundays
6 pm – 10.30 pm (last entry at 9.30 pm)

Jubilee Ballroom, Level 4
Four Points by Sheraton Singapore, Riverview
382 Havelock Road, Singapore 169629

Advance reservations of at least one day prior required. Reserve online at https://sevn.ly/xyBu4k54 

+65 6349 4872 | WhatsApp +65 9837 3635 | eatery@fourpointssingaporeriverview.com

Enjoy 20% off the Iftar Buffet with promo code IFTAR2026 when booking directly via the official reservation platform. Terms and conditions apply.

Taobao Malaysia holds first Raya sale

Source: Taobao Malaysia Instagram page. Duit Raya is up for grabs on Wednesdays in March.

Taobao Malaysia is ushering in its first-ever sales campaign dedicated to the Ramadhan and Raya season. Running throughout March, the month-long campaign features promotions, daily free shipping vouchers, and curated festive essentials.

Following the successful introduction of its English interface in September last year, Taobao Malaysia continues its commitment to making the platform more accessible to local users with tailored shopping solutions and promotions via the Raya campaign.

Jess Lew, Country Head of Taobao Malaysia said: "We are thrilled to celebrate one of our country's biggest festive moments together with our first-ever Raya campaign. We have prepared an abundance of promotions to make it easier and more rewarding for our customers to shop for their festive needs. With the successful implementation of the English interface, we can further enhance the shopping experience, ensuring that everyone can easily access the Taobao platform and shop effortlessly."

Serikan Rumah untuk Raya & Balik Kampung Essentials runs from 9 to 22 March. There will be discounts on décor, furniture, lighting, carpets and travel essentials like suitcases. 

The Last Call Raya Sale will be held from 23 to 31 March.

On top of these shoppers have the chance to grab a limited-time offer, and an RMB35 voucher (equivalent to RM21) to enjoy free shipping with no minimum spend required during this promotion period. For first-time Taobao shoppers, deals for as low as RMB1 (equivalent to RM0.62) are up for grabs. 

Taobao Malaysia is also introducing the Spend & Win Duit Raya promotion. Shoppers stand a chance to win up to RMB50 (equivalent to RM30) in duit Raya every Wednesday in March at 12 pm when they make a purchase, with 100 winners per day. The duit Raya will be in the form of a cashback amount, and equivalent to the amount shoppers spend, capped at RMB50 (equivalent to RM30).

"We hope to build a more holistic shopping environment with the promise of delivering our biggest promotion in Malaysia ever. We believe Malaysians will be able to save more and enjoy more this festive season," said Lew.

Explore

The Taobao app is available to download on both the Apple App Store and Google Play. 

Watch the associated video at https://www.tiktok.com/@taobao.malaysia/video/7478181353075313927

*Platform rules will prevail over the specific promotion details.

Iftar at StraitsKitchen, Grand Hyatt Singapore

Source: The Grand Hyatt Singapore. A selection
of dishes from the Ramadan buffet.

The Grand Hyatt Singapore welcomes guests to celebrate the spirit of togetherness with an iftar buffet at StraitsKitchen, Singapore’s first halal-certified buffet restaurant in a five-star hotel on Orchard Road.

Under the guidance of Chef Mohamad Mohamed Abdelmoety Ahmed, Chef Khairul Akmal Bin Zakaria, and Chef de Cuisine Nelson Wong, StraitsKitchen’s culinary team has prepared an extraordinary Ramadhan experience. 

Till 31 March 2025, StraitsKitchen will offer a buffet that brings together authentic Singaporean flavours with a touch of Middle Eastern cuisine. 

The dining experience begins with a selection of traditional mezze (appetisers), including smoky baba ghanoush and silky hummus, served with warm pita bread. 

Beyond the appetisers, guests can enjoy a variety of live stations and regional specialties celebrating both Malay and Arabic traditions. In addition to the Malay barbecue station serving chicken, beef, and mutton satay accompanied by warm peanut sauce and traditional ketupat (rice cakes), guests can enjoy Middle Eastern street food at its finest with the shawarma station, serving freshly-carved chicken shawarma wrapped in warm pita bread, topped with lettuce, onions, and tahini sauce.

Guests craving hearty mains can enjoy ayam buah keluak, a rich Peranakan specialty: braised chicken cooked with nutty buah keluak*, and beef rendang, a slow-cooked, coconut-infused beef dish fragrant with lemongrass and other aromatics. Seafood lovers will be delighted with ikan bakar, where sustainable barramundi is grilled to perfection, then served in a banana leaf and slathered with sambal. Udang Belado, a fiery tiger prawn stir-fry coated in homemade belado sauce, is another option.

To complete the feast, guests can indulge in handcrafted desserts, from flaky baklava filled with crushed nuts and drizzled with Arabic syrup, to dense, honey-soaked basbousa topped with toasted hazelnuts. The buffet also offers traditional Southeast Asian desserts, including pulut hitam (black glutinous rice in coconut milk), goreng pisang (crispy banana fritters), and bubur cha cha (a creamy coconut dessert with yam, sweet potato, and sago pearls). Sweet treats like chendol as well as an assortment of durian mochi and Nonya kueh are also on the menu.

In the evening, the Ramadan Dinner buffet offers a spread of dinner exclusives. In addition to the core mezze offerings of hummus and baba ghanoush, the dinner spread presents tabbouleh, fattoush, tzatziki, feta cheese salad, and warak enab (grape leaves stuffed with Arabic-spiced rice and raisins). The seafood on ice station adds on slipper lobster, mussels, and clams in the evenings to accompany the black tiger prawns available throughout the day.

Dishes like lamb mandi (fragrant steamed basmati rice with saffron and slow-cooked lamb, topped with pine nuts and coriander) and sayaduyah rice (صيادية, an Arabic dish of jasmine rice cooked with shrimp, barramundi, and spices) offer a taste of the Middle East’s vibrant culinary heritage, and guests can savour the kambing qorma (a rich, slow-braised lamb dish infused with creamy cashew nut sauce and aromatic bell peppers) and mahshi felfel (capsicum stuffed with spiced rice, dill, tomato, and minced beef). 

The dinner buffet is rounded out with comforting soups, including sup tulang merah, a robust, red-hued mutton bone stew served with crusty baguette, and sup ayam Palembang, a delicate kampung chicken soup with tofu and fresh basil leaves.

To end the meal on a sweet note, guests can visit the Date Bazaar, featuring an exquisite selection of premium dates from across the Middle East and North Africa, including the rich, caramel-like Ajwa and the chewy and flavourful Mabroum from KSA, the prized Medjoul from Jordan and Palestine, and the delicate Deglet Nour from Tunisia. Complementing these are natural dried figs and apricots from Turkey. Guests can also enjoy warm treats such as the aish el saraya (عيش السرايا), a classic Arabic bread pudding perfumed with fragrant syrup, as well as ladida coconut, a confection blended with mixed dried fruits.

StraitsKitchen also invites guests who are not fasting to experience the lunch buffet, which features a selection of local and regional favourites from Singapore’s Malay, Chinese, Indian, and Peranakan cuisine, complemented by a touch of Middle Eastern flair.

Details

Ramadan Buffet at StraitsKitchen
2 March – 31 March 2025 (including Hari Raya eve and Hari Raya Puasa (Eid))

S$68++ (lunch) | S$98++ (dinner)
All prices are subject to 10% service charge and 9% goods and service tax.

To reserve a table, please visit https://www.singapore.grand.hyattrestaurants.com/straitskitchen. 

Hashtags: #GrandHyattSingapore, #GoGrand

*Buah keluak comes from the Pangium tree. It is fermented before cooking.

Experience the flavours of Ramadhan at Window on the Park, Singapore

Source: Holiday Inn Singapore Orchard City Centre. Dishes from the Citarasa Ramadan Buffet Dinner.

Window on the Park at the Holiday Inn Singapore Orchard City Centre invites Muslims to break fast during Ramadhan at a sumptuous buffet.

Commence your culinary journey with the traditional soto ayam, then indulge in signature dishes such as rendang, ayam masak merah, and sambal paru. Enjoy live stations serving delights such as satay and grilled lobster. Window on the Park's Chef’s recommendations include heartwarming bubur lambuk and creamy durian pengat.

A diverse selection of Asian and international favourites are also available, including Japanese sushi, a Western-style beef burger at a live station, and Singapore chilli crab with deep-fried mantou bread. 

For added convenience, a prayer room is available within the vicinity. In-house Muslim guests can also enjoy a suhoor breakfast throughout Ramadhan. 

The hotel is currently acquiring halal certification from Majlis Ugama Islam Singapura (MUIS).

Citarasa Ramadan Buffet Dinner

6 pm to 10 pm (sunset times range from 7.15 pm to 7.21 pm)
2 to 9 March 2025: S$49.90++ per adult
10 to 30 March 2025: $118++ 1-for-1 adult

Window on the Park, Level 2,
Holiday Inn Singapore Orchard City Centre
11 Cavenagh Road
Singapore 229616

Enquiries and reservations: call +65 6733 8333, WhatsApp +65 9298 0019, or email: wop.hisinorchard@ihg.com

Reserve online at https://www.tablecheck.com/en/sinpv-window-on-the-park/reserve

One for one Ramadhan buffet at the Holiday Inn Singapore Orchard City Centre

This year, the Holiday Inn Singapore Orchard City Centre presents Selera Iftar (tastes of iftar) during the month of Ramadhan at the the MUIS halal-certified restaurant Window on the Park. 

Source: Holiday Inn Singapore Orchard City Centre. The spread at the Selera Iftar buffet.

Featuring nearly 40 varieties of local classics and international dishes, diners can enjoy traditional favourites like chicken satay and beef rendang, as well as specialties such as wok-fried glass noodles with crab meat, Singapore chilli crab with golden mantou, Nyonya chap chai as well as roast lamb with black pepper sauce.

Sweets include pengat pisang with red bean soup, Arabic bread and butter pudding, pandan chiffon cake and assorted kueh (local cakes).

During this period, Window on the Park will also organise activities such as balloon sculpting and henna art.

Special 1-for-1 promotional rates for the buffets are available throughout the whole month of Ramadhan, which runs from April 3 to May 2.

Details:

Holiday Inn Singapore Orchard City Centre
11 Cavenagh Road, Singapore 229616

Selera Iftar Ramadhan dinner buffet at Window on the Park
2 April to 8 May 2022

Monday to Thursday, 6 pm to 10 pm - S$108++ for 2 adults

Friday to Sunday, 6 pm to 10 pm - S$120++ for 2 adults

A lunch buffet is also available:
Monday to Thursday, 12 pm to 2.30 pm - S$90++ for 2 adults

Friday to Sunday, 12 pm to 2.30 pm - S$99++ for 2 adults

All dine-in guests will receive a complimentary box of cookies.

Call +65 6733 8333 or email info.hisinorchard@ihg.com for reservations and enquiries.

PSA and life pro tips for Ramadhan from International SOS

International SOS, the global medical and security risk services company, offers tips for a healthy Ramadhan, highlighting the importance of organisations promoting healthy routines to the workforce.

International SOS’ advice for a healthy Ramadhan includes:

- Eat moderately at iftar, and make sure to have a healthy meal at dawn before you start your fasting

- Get eight hours of sleep during each 24-hour period

- Wait two to three hours after iftar before exercising and focus on lighter activities like brisk walking

- Consult your doctor on how to manage medications and chronic illnesses such as diabetes before Ramadhan.

- Try to conduct more difficult work tasks earlier in the day, and drive safely.

Dr Firas Ayash, Senior Coordinating Doctor, Assistance Centre at International SOS, commented on what individuals and employers can do to reduce risks. “Organisations should remind employees about maintaining a balanced diet, drinking plenty of water and the importance of regular rest and exercise. Individuals who are fasting should check their weight, blood pressure, sugar levels and cholesterol before Ramadhan. Each of these are key indicators for lifestyle-related conditions that are not often checked and known,” he said.

International SOS is also raising awareness about road safety among employers and employees during this busy time, particularly in the hours before sunset when the ability to concentration can decrease due to the long fasting day, International SOS said.

Road safety is one of the top hazards for business travellers and each year approximately 1.352 million people die in road accidents around the world and between 20 and 50 million people sustain non-fatal injuries*.

Julian Moro, Regional Security Director, EMEA at International SOS and Control Risks, said: “Road safety during Ramadhan is a major and often unappreciated danger for travellers and those staying in their home countries. During Ramadhan, traffic accidents tend to peak as sunset nears and people rush to iftar. We would advise people to avoid any unnecessary travel on the roads at this time and take safety measures seriously whenever they are on the roads, whether as a driver, passenger or pedestrian.”

“With 30%** of road accidents being work related, travellers, managers and support staff to negotiate the pitfalls and opportunities that exist with a mobile workforce. With a few simple precautions, individuals and employers can reduce the risks associated with being on the road.”

*Global status report on road safety 2018. Geneva: World Health Organization; 2018. 

**https://community.michelinchallengebibendum.com/

Mövenpick Hotels & Resorts in Jordan share Ramadhan plans

Mövenpick Hotels & Resorts in Jordan will be holding iftar buffets with Ramadhan sweets, juices, ambient gathering spaces, traditional games and live music come Ramadhan (around May 6).

“Ramadhan is a special time for us to give back to the community, as well as to reflect on the many things we are grateful for. Wonderful guests and amazing team members of course, but also the opportunity we have to do something we are passionate about: whether it’s creating traditional delicacies in the kitchen, or providing atmospheric gathering spaces,” said Michael Nugent, Accor VP of Operations, Levant and Pakistan.

Among Mövenpick Jordan’s highlights for the month of Ramadhan are:

Mövenpick Resort & Spa Dead Sea

Al Saraya Restaurant’s iftar buffet features seasonal dishes, hot and cold mezzeh, live cooking stations, juices and desserts. A complimentary iftar voucher is given for the purchase of 10 or more prepaid vouchers. Groups can take advantage of the entrance to Ramadan Nights at the Village Square. After iftar, Valley Café continues the Ramadhan spirit with oud entertainment, cards, fresh juices, oriental desserts, and traditional hot beverages.

Mövenpick Resort & Residences Aqaba

A traditional iftar spread complemented with international dishes and Ramadan juices will greet guests who break their fast at Palm Court Restaurant in Aqaba. With views of the shore, Aqaba’s fine seafood restaurant Red Sea Grill will be serving a four-course iftar set menu alongside Ramadhan juices.

Mövenpick Resort & Spa Tala Bay Aqaba

Fresh shrak bread can be had at Najel restaurant’s authentic iftar buffet. Middle Eastern dishes, international classics and desserts are highlights, with Ramadhan juices are poured by Juice Man himself. For àla carte delicacies, Siraj and Mello will offer background music, live oud tones and argileh (shisha).

Groups of 10 or more can enjoy special iftar and suhoor packages across all Mövenpick’s resorts in Jordan. Mövenpick is also offering value Ramadhan room rates.

Bay Hotel introduces Ramadhan buffet

Rumah Rasa at the Bay Hotel Singapore uses herbs from its own garden in the cooking, which is described as "home style with a twist". For Ramadhan the restaurant is serving an Ramadan Iftar Menu with rarer and more unusual Indonesian dishes.

At a lunch media preview of the evening Ramadhan buffet ahead of Ramadhan (started May 17), I had the privilege of trying many of the dishes that would be in the buffet menu. Chef Esa Hassim, himself from Indonesia, said the dishes were typically sourced by asking others what Indonesian dishes were not commonly available in Singapore.

If there is one word to describe this menu, it is "texture". Chef Esa has matched the creamy with the crunchy, the firm and the tender together to create a new definition of mouth-feel.

There were also a lot of greens complementing the rich gravies and sauces, making the meal a new experience of Indonesian cuisine that went beyond the standard gado gado and kicap manis-based food most Indonesian restaurants serve.

Service was impeccable. Dishes were replenished quickly, and my used dishes were cleared almost immediately.

Dishes I tried included:

This powdery mixture is chicken serunding. It is sweet, savoury, and crispy all at the same time, and best eaten with rice.

Urap singkong. This salad is made with finely shredded tapioca leaves. It was quite spicy. Chef Esa shared that onions and spicy peanut sauce are in the recipe.

Urap mangga, a crunchy green mango salad.

Kerabu sotong is a fusion of Thai and Indonesian flavours. The squid is just the right chewy texture.

Urap taugeh was tangy and my favourite salad. Chef Esa said it contained taugeh (beansprouts), long beans, sambal and tamarind.

This rice had subtle blue grains in it, coloured by the butterfly pea flower (clitoria ternatea).

Bubur asyura is a bright yellow porridge. Asyura, (عاشوراء or 'ashura'), refers to 10 Muharram. There are many practices associated with the date, including the making of a porridge of made of seeds and beans called ashura pudding. Rumah Rasa's version is served with shallots and peanuts with ikan bilis. The peanuts and ikan bilis were fresh and crispy, a very nice complement to the subtly fragrant congee. A number of the other dishes in the buffet combine well with the porridge, including eggs, vegetables and the chicken serunding, for those who prefer non-spicy food.

Udang karang, or crayfish in crabmeat chilli sauce. The crayfish was juicy and separated easily from the shell. It was nicely complemented by the sinful chilli sauce. The sauce was slightly too sweet for me but would probably be just right for others.

Sayur lemak gudeg, or braised young jackfruit in coconut broth, basically a curry. This is a chunk of young jackfruit, including half a jackfruit seed, with the flesh around it and the sticky, fleshy part that surrounds the seed. The cooked jackfruit tastes like artichokes on the outside, while the seed had the texture of roast chestnuts. The seed was covered by a tough membrane that separated easily, and which I discarded.

Ayam woku belanga, hot and spicy chicken flavoured in pandan and basil, is a marinated chicken seasoned in spice mixture from the Manado cuisines of North Sulawesi, Indonesia. This is a signature dish at Rumah Rasa. 

Asam pedas kakap, or seabass in spicy tamarind broth. The fish is fresh and comes in generous chunks. The flavours harmonised well. While "pedas" means spicy, this was not very spicy to me.

A closer look at the asam pedas kakap.

A single piece of the very tender rawon sapi.

Rawon sapi, braised beef in buah keluak. The beef was very tender, flavoured with rich buah keluak gravy.

The bebek cabai ijo, Indonesian braised duck in a green chilli sauce, where the tender duck pieces are smothered in Chef Esa's homemade ijo (green chilli sauce). The ijo has a spicy kick.

Keredok, raw vegetables for a local salad. The top basket contains winged beans (Psophocarpus tetragonolobus). There was also a Western salad counter, and boiled vegetables. There were several chilli dips to try, including two red chilli sambals, and the green chilli sambal called ijo.

The generous salad section included several types of eggs: century, salted, and quail. There were also plain hard-boiled eggs in the gado-gado section. These are sambal quail eggs.

The generous salad section included several types of eggs: century, salted, telur pindang* and quail. There were also plain hard-boiled eggs in the gado-gado section. These are the salted eggs.

A stack of roti John, kept warm next to the live station for asam laksa. The Indonesian version of French toast was not greasy, with the bread still crispy and chewy, and enlivened with generous chunks of chicken.

Containers of bandung and water. Tea and coffee are also served as part of the menu.

Longans were some of the tropical fruit on offer. Jambu and duku were also served.

Duku above and jambu below. Duku are also known as langsat and lanzones. Jambu is also called water apple.

Shot glasses of thick creamy liquid banana flavoured cream was counterpointed by sago in gula melaka.

Some of the kueh-kueh (snacks) at the buffet. This coconut-covered kueh is eaten with gula melaka (coconut sugar syrup).

More kueh. This has a creamy coconut pudding layer on top and rice coloured by the butterfly pea below.

Other dishes included:

Cumi cumi hitam (stirfried calamari in squid ink sauce) was a crowd favourite. It disappeared very quickly. It is less chewy than cumi cumi kerabu, and would go well with rice.

Bubur kacang ijo (mung beans porridge with coconut milk and cane sugar), a sweet thick green bean soup.

Details:

Rumah Rasa will start serving breakfast from 5am daily till mid-June. A takeaway set for two and four at S$40 nett and S$80 nett respectively is also available. There is also a lunch buffet with a standard menu.

From Sundays to Thursdays, the Ramadan Iftar buffet will have live stations serving laksa asam and roti John. On Fridays, Saturdays and the eves of public holidays, a live BBQ station will feature marinated sotong (squid), fresh tiger prawns and kembong fish.

Bay Hotel is at 50 Telok Blangah Rd, Singapore 098828. Make a reservation online

*In the pindang process, common in Indonesia, eggs are boiled in water, salt, soy sauce, a colouring agent and other spices. The recipe is similar to that for Chinese tea eggs. Instead of using black tea to colour the eggs, telur pindang make use of other colouring agents such as shallot skins and teak leaves.

*The meal was sponsored by Bay Hotel.

Marketing bonanza during Ramadhan: Google

According to Think With Google, Ramadhan is a very special month for marketers in MENA. Consumer spend increases 53% during the month of Ramadhan (May 17 to June 14 2018), especially on regular household items - this rise was recorded in KSA and the UAE among other countries.

Broadcast content on YouTube peaks for the year during Ramadhan, Google said. Marketers also have up to two weeks post-Ramadan to engage with their audiences as people catch up with their favourite shows on their own time.

There are typically shorter working hours and more free time, which is reflected in online spending habits. According to the Think With Google Ramadan 2018 guide:

A month before Ramadhan, cooking videos on YouTube become popular. Watch times peaks at almost 30% higher than average in the first week of Ramadhan, Think with Google said. Searches for recipes are also 50% higher than the annual average, especially at the start of the month.

During Ramadhan, people are more willing to watch videos in longer formats - there is a 60% year-on-year increase. Audiences also spend more time on mobile, and organic viewership of advertising increases.

Source: Think with Google report. Overall engagement with YouTube videos increases during Ramadhan.

The changes in behaviour continue for two weeks post-Ramadhan, so marketers can capitalise on engagement at this time. Searches for air travel and hotels go up 20 to 25% around Eid, too.

YouTube is more popular than TV, AThink with Google said. With TV ads set at a 100 baseline, YouTube ads were scored at 150 by KSA respondents, according to the Ipsos MENA 2017 Ramadan Insights report.

Google also runs the Lantern Award, which celebrates MENAs most engaging and creative Ramadhan and Eid al Fitr YouTube campaigns. Last year’s Lantern Award winner, from VIVA Kuwait, described how frustrated women can get when their Tupperware is forgotten at guests’ homes, in a humorous manner.  

To master content during Ramadhan, Think with Google suggests:

- Use storytelling, and use multiple stories instead of repeating content

- The idea of giving back to society is a favourite for audiences during Ramadhan

- Be authentic, addressing real user needs, passions and relevant real-life issues

- Get reliable consumer insights

- Leverage on the increased interest in travel, beauty and fashion during Eid


Think With Google has also shared Ramadhan advertising figures for 2017 in a blog post.
According to the Google division, 23% of ad spend was dedicated to Ramadhan in MENA, quoting to Ipsos 2017 research. In contrast, Ramadhan viewership on YouTube over the last three years has increased threefold compared to TV, whose viewership remained flat. 

Explore:

Download the Ramadan 2018 guide from Think with Google (PDF)

Entries for the 2018 Lantern Award close 24 June.

View the 2017 Lantern Award winner and finalists (generally in Arabic. Some have English subtitles)

Sales for Ramadhan peak two weeks before Raya

Source: Criteo Ramadan 2018 report.
Ramadhan graphic.

- The peak shopping period for Ramadhan 2017 was about two weeks before Eid al-Fitr

- Health/beauty and electronics categories saw the biggest sales uplift in Singapore, whereas Southeast Asia (SEA) saw the biggest sales uplift from health/beauty and toys/games. 

- More retail shoppers in SEA are shopping on mobile

Criteo, the commerce marketing technology company, has released seasonal data for Ramadhan from 2017 to help commerce providers better engage shoppers in anticipation of the festive season. According to the company, retailers should intensify their advertising campaign efforts during specific periods in Ramadhan to gain early visibility, increase engagement with shoppers and enhance sales.

The analysis revealed strong online sales in the Southeast Asia (SEA) region in the lead up to and during Ramadhan, which took place from 26 May to 24 June in 2017. Ramadhan 2018 begins 17 May, and ends 14 June. In 2017 online retail sales were at its peak on 8 June, about two weeks before Eid al-Fitr 2017 (25 June). Eid is on 15 June for 2018. 

A maximum of 52% increase in online retail sales was observed during this period in 2017, indicating exactly when shoppers are more compelled to spend for the season. Online travel sales also saw a gradual rise during Ramadhan, with the biggest uplift seen two days after Eid al-Fitr – a 14% uplift.

The top performing sub-verticals in the SEA region, based on uplifts in sales are:

- Toys and games – 62% (Singapore: 98%)

- Health and beauty – 53%(Singapore: 143%)

- Electronics – 42% (Singapore: 99%)

- Home and living – 42% (Singapore: 91%)

The trend is similar elsewhere. Shoppers in the Middle East typically shop a couple of weeks before Ramadhan begins as well, Criteo said. This trend continues to escalate during Ramadjan, where the highest uplift in sales was observed one to two weeks before Eid al-Fitr. 

Consumer electronics, fashion, and food and travel lead the way as the strongest performing sub-verticals, but more people are also shopping online for home and living goods, health and beauty products, and groceries. A difference between the region and SEA was that travel sales saw a surge in the last week of Ramadhan as many in the Middle East tend to travel during Eid al-Fitr, which also corresponds with three-month summer holidays in the region.

“The global halal industry is projected to surpass US$1 trillion in size by 2030*. Given that Ramadhan is a key festival in the region, SEA is set to contribute significantly to this market growth. We are seeing a rise in variety and awareness of halal products amongst Muslim and non-Muslim shoppers. Retailers can stand out by bidding more aggressively at the right time to boost online engagement and transactions,” said Alban Villani, GM, Southeast Asia, Hong Kong and Taiwan, Criteo.

Criteo’s findings also highlighted the need for retailers to optimise their mobile apps and sites for increased retail sales and travel bookings during Ramadhan. More retail shoppers in SEA are shopping on mobile, as seen by the maximum uplift of mobile apps at 64% (Singapore: 61%) and 52% (Singapore: 46%) on the mobile web. Travel sales are no exception, with SEA noting a 28% maximum uplift in sales for mobile apps three days after Eid-al-Fitr and the mobile web four days after Eid-al-Fitr respectively. 

For Singapore, the maximum uplift in sales for mobile apps was close to three weeks after Eid-al-Fitr at 20%, while maximum uplift in mobile web occurred slightly over two weeks after Eid-al-Fitr at 33%.

“Millennials are a rising demographic within the Islamic community*. They are tech-savvy and use social media to regularly connect with their favourite brands. With Millennials having a greater inclination towards discovering new online products and purchasing them during Ramadhan, this season presents retailers with a key opportunity to engage both first-time and existing buyers. This sets the platform for further engagement beyond the Ramadhan season, through our commerce marketing technology, to sustain brand loyalty and encourage repeat purchases. Our findings reinforce that mobile is an imperative channel for retailers to effectively reach out to Millennials,” said Villani.

Criteo’s findings were derived through an analysis of more than 44 million retail shopping transactions and more than 28 million travel sales transactions on desktops and mobile devices from 57 major advertisers across the SEA region.

Explore:

Read the Criteo report for Ramadhan in SEA 2018

*State of the Global Islamic Economy 2017/18, Thomson Reuters

Bayara hits on brilliant digital engagement activity

Bayara, known for its dried fruits, nuts and spices in the Middle East, has organised an iftar (breaking of fast meal during Ramadhan) at The Oberoi, Dubai with a twist - the dishes on the buffet menu were created from recipes crowdsourced from their social media fans.

Source: Bayara. Jean-Marc Lourau, CEO of Bayara, congratulated the winners
whose dishes were featured at the buffet and also shared the progress that
Bayara has made over the last 25 years that they have been in the market.

The invite-only iftar on June 21, 2017 took place at Nine7One restaurant at The Oberoi, Dubai. Fans and their families graced the iftar along with the management of Bayara and media personalities.

Bayara's Head of Marketing, Sylvain Joyau commented, "As a brand we have always focused on connecting with our fans and giving them the best. Driven by this passion, we came up with the idea of Social Iftar, an online-offline activity that helped us have a more intimate relationship with our customers. The event was a huge success only because of our fans and we would like to thank them for their support and love."

With a legacy of 25 years in the region, Bayara has been able to successfully build on the expertise and heritage of Gyma Food Industries, in manufacturing and distributing fast-moving consumer goods (FMCG) products across the Middle East and North Africa region. Bayara is looking forward to have many more social events for its fans in the near future to make it a brand that is Full of Life.

Malaysia shoppers diversifying in what they buy online

In the Ramadhan and Raya period of 2017, 11street predicts:

· A 50% increase in online sales on its platform;

· Malaysians will head online to shop for electronics, home gadgets and clothing apparels to prepare for Hari Raya;

· More Malaysians will purchase buka puasa e-vouchers online, and in preparation to balik kampung, buy more car services and road safety-related items.

11street, one of the largest online marketplaces in Malaysia, has revealed that in preparation for the Ramadhan and upcoming Raya (Eid) festival celebrations, more Malaysian consumers will explore buying new items online, such as e-vouchers and groceries, in addition to shopping online solely for items such as clothing and electronics.

Hoseok Kim, CEO, 11street says: “Malaysian shoppers keep surprising us. During the Ramadhan and Raya period from 2015 to 2016, we have experienced more than 2.5 times uplift in overall online sales. 11street projects that online sales will continue upward by at least 50% throughout the Ramadhan and Raya periods this year, thanks to our customers’ evolving shopping patterns.”

Malaysians will continue to shop for sought-after items online, such as electronics, home gadgets and clothing apparels as they prepare for Hari Raya, 11street said. According to 11street’s findings, there was a significant increase in the purchase of e-vouchers in 2016 as there are now more options in the category. Leading to that, the search for food and beverage e-vouchers surged to more than 1.2 million during Ramadhan last year.

Kim said: “This year, we expect consumers to purchase more of e-vouchers especially for buka puasa (iftar) buffets, encouraged by the fact that more five-star establishments and restaurants have hopped aboard 11street to offer their delectable spreads. We are constantly evolving to move faster than current online shopping trends, as you can see from our vast offerings. As we amplify our offerings and make online shopping more secure, we see consumers’ confidence in us improving, through the purchase of motorcycles on our platform!”

As the Hari Raya holiday period approaches, 11street also anticipates that Malaysians’ search for car services and road safety-related items to multiply rapidly as they prepare to balik kampung. Since its inception in 2015, 11street has witnessed at least a threefold increase in both searches and online sales for baby car seats and car maintenance packages.

The online marketplace notes that these trends are driven by the lower prices found online to combat rising cost of living, and also the convenience of online shopping coupled with the abundance in variety.

The observations were made in conjunction with the launch of 11street's new campaign. "It is endearing to live in multicultural Malaysia, as everybody celebrates all festivities here. 11street is excited to announce our latest campaign – Gila-Gila Raya – with a host of irresistible deals with shocking promotion discounts for every avid shopping shopper out there!”

On till 23 July, 11street's Gila Gila Raya campaign has promotion pages in English and Bahasa Malaysia. Irresistible deals on popular items, key brands and renowned ready-to-wear designer apparel start from RM1.

Throughout the campaign period, consumers can also enjoy credit cashback up to 22% for every purchase storewide, and instant shipping and free delivery for selected items. Last but not least, 11street’s Gila-Gila Raya campaign reaches a crescendo through partnerships with popular celebrity designers such as Remy Ishak, Amar Amran, MariBeli Butik; as well as consumer and lifestyle brands such as Firefly, F&N, L’Oreal, MamyPoko, Nestle, Unilever and Samsung.

“We are optimistic that Malaysians will continue to turn to 11street as they prepare for Hari Raya. Therefore, we are constantly cognisant of our consumers’ shopping pattern, so that we can create stronger promotions that resonate with their needs. After all, we want to make each of their shopping experience on 11street an enjoyable one, every time,” concluded Kim.

Source: 11street. 11street shows what Malaysians are really interested in for Ramadhan and Raya.

Interested?

Look out for the RM1 deals at 11am and 11pm.

posted from Bloggeroid

Significant savings on Honda cars in the UAE this Ramadhan

Source: Al-Futtaim Group. Honda cars are on Ramadhan offer in the UAE.

This Ramadhan, Al-Futtaim Honda, the exclusive distributor of Honda cars, bikes, marine engines and power products in the UAE, is offering lower starting prices and free service and warranty across the car range. Ramadhan has traditionally been a time when people buy new cars in the GCC, and there are offers from all the vehicle brands during the month.

Honda Civic

Save up to AED12,000 on five years’ service and warranty on the sedan. The Honda Civic features Bluetooth, Cruise Control and Electric Parking Brake along with LED Daytime Running Lights, starting from AED67,900.

Honda Accord

Priced from AED82,900, the Accord also comes with up to AED13,000 in savings on five years’ service and warranty. The Honda Accord sports Rear Parking Sensors, Keyless Entry and Cruise Control.

Honda Accord Coupe

Enjoy savings of up to AED14,000 on five years’ service and warranty on the sporty Honda Accord Coupe. Pricing starts from AED94,900.

Honda City

The Honda City (AED 51,900 and up) is known for its comfortable interior. Save up to AED11,000 on five years’ service and warranty on the City, which includes Bluetooth and Cruise Control.

Honda Pilot

Slash up to AED18,000 on five years’ service and warranty on the stylish Honda Pilot. The family-friendly Pilot boasts LED Daytime Running Lights, Rear-View Camera, One Push Start System and Front/Rear Parking Sensors, from AED115,900.

Honda CR-V

The urban-chic Honda CR-V is available from AED89,900. The vehicle is fitted with LED Daytime Running Lights, Cruise Control, Bluetooth and Alloy Wheels. Save up to AED14,000 on five years’ service and warranty.

Honda Odyssey

Beginning at AED135,900, the Odyssey MPV has first-class features. Save up to AED14,000 on five years’ service and warranty.

Honda Odyssey J

With a starting price of AED104,900, the Odyssey J provides both comfort and ample cargo space. Save up to AED14,000 on five years’ service and warranty. 

Interested?

Call 800 HONDA (46632) in the UAE with questions

Customers purchasing a new Honda cars during the campaign period will also receive an Al-Futtaim Retail gift card which can be used at participating stores including F&F, Plug Ins, GUESS, Marks & Spencer, Al-Futtaim ACE, The Watch House and Toys “R” Us with values ranging from AED200 to AED2,000.

Criteo breaks down Ramadhan 2016 shopping behaviour in SEA

+Online sales and website traffic start increasing three weeks before Ramadhan in Southeast Asia (SEA)

+E-commerce sales spiked by 110% during the third week of Ramadhan

+Shoppers spend less time browsing and shopping online during sunset

+Mobile continues to be a key driver for discovery and sales with an increase of 126% during Ramadhan

Source: Criteo infographic. Fashion sells best during Ramadhan.

Criteo, the performance marketing technology company, has released seasonal data to help e-commerce businesses better engage consumers during the festive season.

It revealed that online sales and traffic increased in the lead up to and during Ramadhan, but declined during Eid el-Fitr (Hari Raya), the holiday that marks the end of Ramadhan. Based on consumers’ online browsing and buying activity, the three weeks leading up to Ramadhan, and also the third week of Ramadhan represent the biggest opportunity for retailers to engage consumers when they are actively browsing and purchasing items for upcoming celebrations. During this period, there was an average of 67% uplift in online retail sales and 14% uplift in online travel sales.

Criteo’s data also revealed that Ramadhan traditions influence shoppers’ behaviour throughout the day. To engage with shoppers, retailers need to know when they are most active online. During the fasting period between sunrise and sunset, e-commerce transactions were lower at 71%, compared to 76% for the period prior to Ramadhan. However, after breaking fast, there is an increase in e-commerce sales to 29%, from 24% pre-Ramadhan, representing a timely opportunity for retailers to reach out to shoppers.

Understanding how and what shoppers are buying is also crucial. With 37% of onsite retail conversions happening on the mobile app, retailers need to be investing beyond just a mobile-friendly site to an intuitive app. Fashion-related items are the most popular during this period, followed by home and living products and electronics, toys and games.

“Ramadhan is an important festive season in this region. Rapidly rising disposable incomes, a growing appetite for modest fashion, halal products and services mean that retailers need to enlist smart solutions to engage shoppers across all touchpoints and deliver the most impactful content at every point in the customer journey. As shoppers spend time with their friends and families after sundown and on Eid, they are less likely to browse and shop online. Retailers must pick the right time of the week and time of day to increase their digital marketing efforts, so they can achieve an uptick in online transactions,” said Alban Villani, GM, Southeast Asia, Criteo.

Criteo analysed more than 8 million online transactions from 143 retailers based in Indonesia, Malaysia and Singapore. Other key findings from the report include:

+Website traffic and e-commerce sales increased from three weeks before Ramadhan and spiked during weeks three and four, with an increase of 110% and 77% respectively.

+During the start of Eid el-Fitr, there was a decline of 44% in online sales and 20% in website traffic. However, in the week post-Eid, online sales rebounded, increasing 35%.

+During weeks three and four of Ramadan, online mass merchants were the biggest growth driver – with an increase of 87% and 52% respectively.

+The cross-device journey was evident – 46% of shoppers were found to be viewing products across multiple devices, with one in four shoppers switching devices at least three times during their purchasing journey.

“In addition, retailers need to embrace omni-channel marketing – as we continue to see the rise of offline-to-online and online-to-offline (O2O) shopping habits. Our data shows that during the period of Ramadhan, shoppers are browsing in stores and purchasing online, and vice-versa. However, whichever way you look, mobile will still be the foundational building block and key driver in O2O retail. Half of the retail transactions in Southeast Asia are already taking place on mobile,” said Villani.

Ramadhan 2017 will begin around May 25, 2017. The date varies in different countries depending on the sighting of the moon.

Interested?

Download the infographic on Ramadhan 2016

Digital marketing methods must change in the Middle East during Ramadhan

Source: Think with Google website. Changes in statistics for Musalsalat, a hub for a Ramadhan TV series, during the month.

Ramadhan requires specific digital marketing optimisation techniques in the Middle East and North Africa, says the Think with Google blog. According to blog authors Vrinda Singh, Google Analytical Consultant, David Lacklen, YouTube Specialist, and Younis Maqousi, Google Analytical Consultant, people access the Internet more often on their mobile devices, watch more YouTube videos, and use search engines more often during the month.

"We also notice that during Ramadhan people are more willing to engage with brands, they watch more ads on YouTube and they share, like and comment more. This heightened engagement behaviour is then sustained for the remainder of the year, so establishing a strong presence in Ramadhan is crucial for long term success," say Singh, Lacklen and Maqousi.

According to Google, average view duration during Ramadhan increases by 11%, users subscribe at 13% more quickly, and commented 57% more during Ramadhan 2016 compared to the rest of the year.
The top six learnings from top Ramadhan ads in 2016, garnered through the inaugural Lantern award, are:

1. Do multi-part stories

2. Think like a service provider, such as a bank or telco

3. Engage people

4. Try different ways to tell the story

5. Consider not using a celebrity

6. Eid is a good focus, too

Timing is important, too. The Ramadhan build-up begins a month before the start. Searches for recipes are 50% higher than the annual average at the start of the month, and cooking videos on Youtube increase in views a month before, spiking at almost 30% higher than average in the first week of Ramadhan. Think with Google says that there is a 44% decrease of viewership between the first and last week of Ramadhan, and 25% more viewership during the month than in other months.

Source: Think with Google page. Spikes in searches for recipes during Ramadhan.

Internet activity is typically up in the hours before the fast is broken, and down thereafter, for example. According to the blog authors, UAE food delivery queries go up 144% between 1pm and 7pm. The busiest search times for restaurant information then comes between 6 PM and 8 PM - just around iftar, but continues until around 2am.

There are more searches around faith and religion, particularly for music and film, but also animated movies, possibly to entertain children, the blog authors said. Other popular searches were for keywords around luxury vehicles, fashion and beauty.

Interested?

Browse the detailed statistics for Ramadhan digital behaviour in Ramadan Insights part 1, about data mining and insight generation

Watch the top videos of Ramadhan 2016 on Ramadan Insights part 2, about creative development

Read the Ramadan Insights part 3 post on designing a campaign