Dominique Backhouse’s Post

Building meaningful relationships with key media outlets and food critics is vital to our growth at Chilli Fagara and MâmAmis, which is why we proactively extend invitations for exclusive tasting experiences at both restaurants. These bespoke events offer influential journalists and influencers the opportunity to truly immerse themselves in the unique culinary worlds we've created, allowing them to directly experience the flavours, techniques, and philosophies that define our concepts. By personally hosting these tasting sessions, we can share not just the quality and craftsmanship of our dishes, but also the powerful stories behind our ingredients, recipes, and service standards. This intimate, behind-the-scenes access enables media guests to craft engaging, authentic narratives that pique the curiosity of their audiences and drive them to discover our restaurants for themselves. To maximise the impact of these media tastings, we carefully select writers, editors, and content creators who have a genuine interest in the dining scene in Hong Kong, as well as those with demonstrated interests in wellness, sustainability, and cultural preservation. By tailoring the experience to each guest's unique perspectives and readerships, we can rest assured that their stories resonate with our target consumer base and solidify our standing as industry-leading culinary destinations. #mediatastings #publicrelations #pr #relationshipbuilding #businessgrowth #restaurantbusiness #hongkong #hongkongbusiness

Shanghai to Boost Consumption with 500 Million Yuan in E-Coupons The city of Shanghai has announced a major initiative: the distribution of 500 million yuan (approximately USD $71 million) in consumption vouchers. The e-coupons will be available to both residents and visitors, covering a wide range of purchases, including dining, hotels, films, and sporting events. These vouchers are designed to capitalize on the upcoming National Day "golden week" break to drive spending and attract tourists. The e-coupons will be distributed in two stages: - September-October: Focused on vouchers for dining and movies, encouraging spending during the peak holiday period. - November-December: Centered on accommodation and sports vouchers, boosting off-season demand. As Shanghai leads, other major cities and provinces may soon follow with similar programs. The consumption vouchers will likely result in a surge in local spending, particularly in retail, dining, and entertainment. #ShanghaiEconomy #DigitalVouchers #RetailRecovery #EcommerceChina #ConsumerGrowth

⭐️ THE POWER OF BRANDING ⭐️ But first, here’s my honest take on the much-hyped FUIYOH! IT’S UNCLE ROGER Fried Rice. Personally, I enjoyed it! It hits the perfect balance between street-style fried rice and Din Tai Fung’s version. A bit on the pricier side (Egg Fried Rice with Garlic Shrimp @ RM34), but given it's at Pavilion, it’s expected. Definitely worth a try and a spot I’ll be bringing my foreign friends when they visit Malaysia! 😁🇲🇾🍳🦐🍛 Now, onto my main point: Nigel Ng (Uncle Roger) skyrocketed to fame with his hilarious critiques of Asian cuisine, building a massive following across YouTube, Instagram, and TikTok. His perfect mix of humor, cultural insight, and authenticity made his brand resonate globally. But it wasn’t just about being funny—Nigel’s genuine love for food, consistency in content, and his strong audience connection built real trust and loyalty. By the time his restaurant opened, his personal brand had already established such a strong foundation that it naturally attracted a crowd. Fans who loved Uncle Roger online were excited to experience his food in person. With more outlets already underway, this success is a perfect example of how powerful personal branding can be, turning online influence into real-world achievement! 💥 🌟 💫 #PersonalBranding #UncleRoger #HAIYA #FoodBusiness #SuccessStory

Just two papers to go at the International Place Branding Association (IPBA) #Bangkok conference. Ake Pattaratatanakun, Nuttapol Assarut, Theeranuch Pusaksrikit and ApichartKanarattanavon are examining the revitalisation of the Ban Tad Thong neighbourhood - an interesting place I have visited twice - and a neighbourhood which is largely subject to land ownership by Chulalongkorn University. In this example, the expertise in the university’s business school is being used to develop a place brand for Ban Tad Thong, a place described as one the “coolest” streets in Bangkok. This is kind of microbranding I suggested in my keynote address at the conference - an example of how place branding might begin to engage with the hyperlocal. Interesting to see deployment of terms such as network effect (agglomeration in my language), and the construction of resilient place-based ecosystem. Would be good to apply Institute of Place Management 25 Priority Interventions through a place quality audit. https://lnkd.in/eZgZqKWR

Yes ! already :-). It started one year ago after a cool lunch with my friend 🍴Hacene Taibi from Bistrochat at Bouillon restaurant in Hong Kong. I was wondering which new venture I could start to sustain financially in Hong Kong. Before the dessert, we ended up with this outsourced data marketing agency dedicated to helping restaurants activate their customers' Data through targeted and regular E-Newsletters ( nice newsletters with valuable content). Ten days later, I started this new venture with the no less famous Tony Paese and his Crust restaurants. One year later, we are still there. > 5 persons working as freelance > No physical office > A few dozen clients since then > More than 800 000 newsletters sent in 12 months > with an average Open rate of 26% ( we find it quite well) > with an average Click rate of 2,8% ( our clients really like this one..) > R.O.I. on customers who did not come for six months or more: The average is $1 on $5, meaning they spent $1 on our services. They generated $5 of reactivation bookings from clients who did not come for six months or more and booked less than two weeks after your newsletter. In the era of powerful social media marketing trends, fancy words like Blockchains, A.I., and other cool and bankable keywords, we surely make some people smile. And, of course, It's not sending rockets to the moon. But we are simply helping everyday small and medium restaurant owners share their uniqueness and creative culinary ideas with their clientele, get their clients to come back, and generate more bookings so they can continue to live their lives and share their passion. That's rewarding enough for us :-). I want to express my gratitude to them for trusting our relationship. I look forward to seeing you all on our second anniversary. Free tips for you guys: With Art Week happening this week in Hong Kong, Did you know that HEIMAT, Modern German Bistro, is the only BAUHAUS-inspired restaurant in Hong Kong ( Peter Find) ? and Mr Wolf has a unique collection of 25 Original Photos from the international photographer David Yarrow around the Wolf theme ( Chai Santos-Hall) . Come and have a look if you are around. #themartyeffect #datamarketingagency #hongkong #fnbindustry #hariwtf

Fairprice Finest debuts at Clarke Quay! That's right – Clarke Quay isn't just for party enthusiasts anymore. Introducing Fairprice Finest @Clarke Quay in Singapore. NTUC FairPrice 📽 Check out the video below! 🛒 Unlike the typical NTUC layout, this innovative establishment, situated in a warehouse space, offers a lifestyle-driven experience encompassing grocery and gift shopping, food & wine, and entertainment. 🛒 Nestled in the heart of Singapore's bustling entertainment and residential hub, tourists, residents from the nearby River Valley area and office crowd can anticipate a unique range of merchandise, distinct from conventional groceries. So, what can you expect? 1.Grocer Food Hall – centrally located, offering diverse cuisines, along with Pick n Cook service, a cheese corner, fresh sushi, and more. 2. Grocer Bar – a cozy setting to unwind with a glass of wine or cocktail. Indulge in Asian specialties like the Ondeh Ondeh Cocktail for $15 each. Plus, explore an interactive screen to select your whiskey. 3. The "Orange Container" – available for private dining or events. 4. Space for cooking classes and demonstrations. 5. Singapore-themed corner – situated at the main entrance, featuring a variety of SG-themed souvenirs, collab with Singapore designer and local brands, perfect for tourists. I love this spot because it showcases to tourists the must-buy in Singapore and uniquely designed souvenirs. 🛒 It's been years since a supermarket graced this location. The last one, Japanese MEIDI-YA (now relocated to Great World City), resided at the now-defunct Liang Court along River Valley Road. 🛒 Typically, NTUC Finest outlets aren't found in town (except for the one at 111 Somerset, if memory serves me well). So, setting up shop at Clarke Quay presents a unique opportunity to raise brand awareness, especially among international visitors. 🤔 Still Curious? Visit and explore it firsthand. I'll love to hear your thoughts! >>>>>>>>>> Til the next one. This is Kelvin C.. LinkedIn ❤️If you enjoy my content, do me a favor to CLS Or 🛎️Follow Me for a regular dose of interesting retail and marketing share. >>>>>>>>>> #retailwallker #retail #retailnews #retailsingapore #supermarkets #branding #ccpn #kelvinc

🌏 Discover the World of Asian Traditional Trade with PRS IN VIVO 🌏 💡 Traditional trade channels remain vital in Asia, and understanding these channels is key to unlocking the Asian market's potential. 📹 Join Nour, our intern, as he shares insights on the three key channels in Asia's diverse traditional trade landscape: 1️⃣ Bustling Wet Markets: Discover dry good stores offering essential condiments, canned food, and all kinds of sauces. 2️⃣ Hole in the Wall shops: Learn about compact stores providing quick, affordable essentials in sachets. 3️⃣ Neighbourhood Provision Stores: Explore larger, treasure-filled stores that encourage shoppers to discover new products. 👉 Get in touch with Sophie Mahé, our APAC MD, to discover how PRS IN VIVO can help you better navigate the Asian market! #AsianTradeChannels #FMCG #MarketResearch #ShopperInsights #PRSINVIVO

I really loved being a part of the Hong Kong Baptist University B-DARE business simulation competition. The students were asked to prepare a report and presentation to tackle the question of “How to make a Western brand such as Subway more popular in a market like Hong Kong?”. After a short briefing about the brand, the students went away and prepared. What they submitted was phenomenal, truly impressive insights about a market we feel we are constantly learning about. Although there could be only one winner on the day, I felt like there weren’t any losers. Every team had put their heart and soul into their work and it showed. Here are some key takeaways from the finalists presentations: 1. Localise some of the menu and marketing. Have local flavours that draw in the local consumer. Introducing the customer to the brand with a softer landing. What a great way to connect with the consumers in whatever market you are selling. Use local influencers that really understand the local people, that’s how you create a loyalty that is unique to the market. 2. Digital ordering and innovation. Online ordering, pick up, loyalty programs, self order kiosks. You name it, it was featured in these presentations. In this ever changing market, this one couldn’t be more accurate as we strive to provide greater convenience and efficiency for our consumers. 3. Snacks! Younger consumers, a lot of our consumers, snack. They eat throughout the day, lighter and more regular meals. If the population here are not buying footlongs, what can they buy with the 6-inch to increase the ticket? Bring more side items, like McDonald’s here who do it so well and watch the average ticket balloon! This includes drinks like healthy smoothies. 4. Simplify the menu and order process. Do away with some of the customisation and let the customer save time at Subway, get asked less questions, but have a sub made with all the flavours the experts recommend! Sounds like the signature series launching at Subways all around the world, watch this space! There were a good deal more but these were some that really resonated with me and the other judges. Well done to all the teams involved and thanks so much to HKBU for having me. More information can be found here: https://lnkd.in/gAvU95XD I look forward to the next competition! #Subway #HongKong #HKBU #greatinsights

𝐖𝐡𝐞𝐧 𝐀 𝐁𝐫𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐁𝐞𝐜𝐨𝐦𝐞𝐬 𝐀 𝐋𝐢𝐟𝐞𝐬𝐭𝐲𝐥𝐞 🛍 While leisurely shopping at my usual haunt, MUJI, I was greeted with a shelf of popular local snacks in Singapore. Think fish, prawn, belinjau, vegetable crackers, and addictive popcorn in local flavors like Nasi Lemak, Pulut Hitam, and Tom Yum! The no-frills packaging with simple images for easy identification is so MUJI. 🤔 I must admit, I was a bit puzzled at first. How did this fit into the overall concept of the brand? I could understand the usual Japanese offerings, but crackers? 🍦 To me, MUJI has always been about simplicity (the Japanese aesthetic of "su" / 素, meaning plain or unadorned) and functionality. It's about a lifestyle. 🌎 And since MUJI is a global brand, it makes sense to localize their offerings to resonate with Singaporean customers. 🤗 It's no longer just about food. It's about understanding local culture and nuances. Its about sharing moments of customers' lives—days spent in front of the TV or a laptop, binging on your favorite snack, or buying mega packs of crackers from the back of a van in the Central Business District. 💪 This simple yet powerful narrative aligns perfectly with the MUJI philosophy. Customers are no longer just buying MUJI products. They're subconsciously purchasing items that fit their lifestyle, becoming part of a community that embodies the MUJI philosophy. 🤝 When a brand becomes part of a customer's lifestyle, it becomes "sticky". This creates a strong bond or brand loyalty that's hard to shake off, possibly more powerful than any form of paid marketing. >>>>>>>>>> Till the next one. I'm Kelvin C.. 🔔 𝘏𝘪𝘵 𝘵𝘩𝘢𝘵 𝘍𝘰𝘭𝘭𝘰𝘸 𝘣𝘶𝘵𝘵𝘰𝘯 𝘧𝘰𝘳 𝘺𝘰𝘶𝘳 𝘳𝘦𝘨𝘶𝘭𝘢𝘳 𝘧𝘪𝘹 𝘰𝘧 𝘳𝘦𝘵𝘢𝘪𝘭 𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘮𝘢𝘳𝘬𝘦𝘵𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘪𝘯𝘴𝘪𝘨𝘩𝘵𝘴!    👋 𝘐𝘧 𝘮𝘺 𝘤𝘰𝘯𝘵𝘦𝘯𝘵 𝘩𝘢𝘴 𝘦𝘷𝘦𝘳 𝘵𝘪𝘤𝘬𝘭𝘦𝘥 𝘺𝘰𝘶𝘳 𝘧𝘢𝘯𝘤𝘺, 𝘥𝘰 𝘮𝘦 𝘢 favor to 𝘓𝘊𝘚 (𝘓𝘪𝘬𝘦, 𝘊𝘰𝘮𝘮𝘦𝘯𝘵, 𝘚𝘩𝘢𝘳𝘦). 𝘠𝘰𝘶𝘳 𝘴𝘶𝘱𝘱𝘰𝘳𝘵 𝘪𝘴 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘤𝘢𝘧𝘧𝘦𝘪𝘯𝘦 𝘵𝘩𝘢𝘵 𝘬𝘦𝘦𝘱𝘴 𝘮𝘺 𝘤𝘳𝘦𝘢𝘵𝘪𝘷𝘪𝘵𝘺 𝘣𝘶𝘻𝘻𝘪𝘯𝘨! >>>>>>>>>> #retail #retailwalker #retailsingapore #localisation #marketing #branding #customerloyalty #consumerinsights #muji #ccpn #lbfalumni #kelvinc 📸 mine

The best dumplings in Hong Kong aren't in a restaurant. They're in a secret apartment that changes location every few months. No fancy signage. No marketing budget. Not even a permanent address. Yet every local knows about these iconic Nepalese momos. Last weekend, I followed a friend to a random floor of an apartment building, knocked on a door, and found myself in a tiny flat packed with people waiting for the best dumplings in the city. How does a "restaurant" with no fixed location become iconic? They didn't compete on convenience. They didn't chase trends. They didn't discount their value. They simply made something remarkable and let their transformation story spread. I learned the same scaling my brand to a 7-figure exit: The most memorable brands don't compete on noise. They create experiences worth talking about. Your customers don't want another holiday promotion. They want to be part of a story worth sharing. ____________________________________________________________________ I help founders turn "great product, slow sales" into scalable success stories. Ready to transform your growth trajectory? DM me to learn how I help brands scale strategically.