Cold Storage E-Commerce Website

1. Introduction

Electronic commerce (e-commerce) is the use of electronic communication to do business. It may be used to carry out business-to-business or business-to-consumer transactions. The real benefit of e-commerce is not that it makes old processes work better, but rather it provides a means to break with tradition and create new ways of doing business. For example, using the Internet will allow some businesses to remain small while building a larger turnover by reducing the cost of doing business.

The Internet is now a valuable communication tool which offers small business a great opportunity to market itself internationally and reach a global client base. It is estimated that 81% of small businesses in Australia are connected to the Internet.

The best e-commerce solution is dependent on the type of data trading partners need to exchange to run their businesses effectively. It is important to focus on the business process rather than the technical issues such as hardware and software. Different e-commerce tools are suited to different business objectives and different trading partners

Benefits Of E-Commerce
E-commerce can provide the following benefits over non-electronic communication:

• Reduced Costs : reduced labour, reduced paper work, reduced errors in keying in data, etc.
• Reduced Time : shorter lead times, faster delivery of product.
• Flexibility with Efficiency : the ability to handle complex situations, product ranges and customer profiles without the situation becoming unmanageable.
• Enhanced Long-Term Trading Partner Relationships : improved communication between trading partners leads to enhanced long-term relationships.
• Lock in Customers : the closer you are to your customer and the more you work with them to change from normal business practices to best practice e-commerce the harder it is for a competitor to upset your customer relationship.
• New Markets : the Internet has the potential to expand your business into wider geographical locations. However, it is necessary to develop the appropriate production capacity and distribution channels to support market demands generated by promoting your business to a larger marketplace.

2. Company Profile

The name “Cold Storage” is an icon and its story is unique in the corporate histories of Singapore. The Company had humble beginnings - a small depot storing and selling mainly frozen meat from Australia. From that, it has grown to become the premier player in retailing in Singapore.

Established in 1903, Cold Storage was the child of the Industrial Revolution and Pax Britannica, when Singapore was the “Clapham Junction of the Eastern Seas”. Together with electricity and refrigeration, it allowed European agents of change - the colonial civil servants, merchants, miners, planters, traders - to acclimatise to living in the tropics. It can thus be said that if there were no Cold Storage the modern history of Singapore would probably be quite different.

In its early days, the Company's primary concern was to have a quick and profitable turnover of its imported meats and range of products. Later, Cold Storage shifted from counter-service to self-service, introducing the supermarket to Singapore. Then the Company pioneered the concept of multiple retailing, capitalising on bulk buying and economies of scale. Always, the strategy is to bring Cold Storage to be where consumers are.

As the island's oldest established supermarket operator with over 100 years of experience in Singapore, Cold Storage the market leader in Singapore, constantly introducing new store concepts that set clear industry standards. It is the first supermarket in Singapore to receive the CASE TRUST mark introduced by CASE in 1998 to distinguish companies that receive a high degree of consumer confidence.

Cold Storage is the first supermarket in Singapore to receive MUIS certification for its supermarket operations in Causeway Point. In 1998, for the first time in Singapore's history, a supermarket retailer was able to provide Muslims the assurance of Halal purchases.

In recognising the importance of freshness guaranteed, Cold Storage started the Fresh Food Distribution Centre in Singapore back in 1999, a composite multi-temperature warehousing for fresh and frozen food distribution.

Cold Storage is the first supermarket retailer in Singapore to put a fully integrated system in place to ensure cold chain distribution system from supply chain to store level to ensure the safe handling of perishable items - from paddock to palate - every step of the way.

Operates 32 Cold Storage, The Fresh Food People supermarkets strategically located across the island in city center, affluent suburbs and HDB estates.

Cold Storage is The Fresh Food people supermarket retailer, committed to delivering value, variety based on ethnic mix, freshness, innovative food ideas, superior customer service and a pleasant shopping environment that enhances the consumer's lifestyle.

Operates 5 Market Place stores: Jasons The Gourmet Grocer, Tanglin Market Place, Paragon Market Place and Jasons Market Place and an organic and wellness-focussed store - naturally marketplace by cold storage.

Market Place is a full serviced retailer dedicated to offer the widest range of quality, good value, and international merchandise to satisfy the daily needs of its target customers in a relaxed and pleasant shopping environment.

Operates naturally marketplace by cold storage at VivoMart, an innovative concept by Cold Storage Supermarkets dedicated to good food and wellness. It is the first supermarket in Singapore to retail a comprehensive and unique range of food with about half of the products focused on organic, natural, fresh, dietary-sensitive and eco-friendly merchandise.

In line with growing demand for healthy living, naturally marketplace by cold storage carries more than 1,000 organic products - the biggest organic range under one roof by a retailer in Singapore. All departments within the store have a selection of organic or natural products catering to different consumer needs. And to further promote healthy living, the store does not sell cigarettes.

Operates 50 Shop N Save supermarkets islandwide.

Being a leading discount supermarket chain in Singapore, Shop N Save exemplifies simplicity and efficiencies. Its commitment is to provide convenience and offer a comprehensive range of quality products and fresh food at the most competitive prices to its customers.

Partnering with SingaporeONE (the nationwide broadband network), Cold Storage is the first supermarket to offer its merchandise in cyberspace in 1997. The number of regular customers has since then grown from 6,000 in 1998 to currently over 15,000; ranging from housewives, working parents to professionals and secretaries.

Cold Storage believes in the potential of electronic commerce which will help meet our objective of making shopping as convenient and as hassle-free as possible to our customers.

Our House Brand - First Choice

As a store known for stocking leading brands we are always looking for more to offer our customers. Here we have created a premium brand range of our own, one which could give you the opportunity to enjoy the difference and quality that is equal to or better than the market leading brands, but at a lower price.We have developed over 1,500 products ranging from fresh food to beverage, grocery to household products. We designed our range to cover everything from day-to-day essentials and traditional favourites, to delicious treats and authentic dishes.

This means each time you buy First Choice, you can be confident that you are getting premium quality at the best price.

First Choice, A Name You Can Trust for Quality and Value.

Promoting The Nation's Well-Being

As Singapore's leading Fresh Food People, Cold Storage strongly supports the government's efforts in maintaining high levels of health standards in the country.

Cold Storage works in support of Agri-food & Veterinary Authority of Singapore to help educate and inform customers about food safety, and with the Health Promotion Board to encourage healthy eating with the "Eat 2+2 Program".

On top of a wide variety of healthier offerings, our very own "Wellness 4 Life" initiative at selected outlets also provides the shoppers with tips on healthier eating habits.

Our Vision

To be the leading Fresh Food People

Our Mission

We always care for our customers

3. Business Model

There is the cold storage online service that brings customers the convenience of placing an order through internet,Telephone or Fax. Before the customer places an onder through the internet,he/she must register before he/she can buy groceries online. Just a click on the BUY icon beside the item and at the end of it,just click on the CHECK OUT icon. Customers can check for the latest promotions on the website.There are even recipes available on the website. Cold Storage operates on a B to C (Business to Consumer) business model.Cold Storage would get their food supplies from the relevant suppliers and sell it to consumers.Customers can make multiple purchase through the internet.

Besides selling just groceries,Cold Storage also sells their housebrand ,First Choice.This would come in a relatively cheaper price and thus bring cost savings to consumers. Cold Storage does BBQ foods . Embark for life for wellness, Market place and Guardian health and beauty are ways in to reach out to health conscious consumers.There is even Jayson’s Wine Cellar that provides the widest selection of wines.
Customers can just log on to the Cold Storage website and make their selection. At the end,customers can submit their order and to know if their order is processed successfully,Cold Storage will send them an email on the acknowledgement of their order.

4. Payment scheme

This website allows the customer to make payment through The Choice Card, Visa, Master, Cash and Personal Cheque. The Choice Card is a member card of the Cold storage Pte Lte. It is a HSBC credit card.

The Choice Card is a HSBC credit card which enable user to have special discounts with Cold Storage. It is to encourage loyalty from the customers and provide loyalty customers with extra benefits. In return, the company can increase their customers and sales.

It is a brick and mortar company but it had advance to use e-commerce to catch up with technology, which a lot of companies had do so. It has wide range of payment which not all companies offer, like cash or personal cheque. It does not have the paypal system which is quite popular with company like ebay.com. It cannot do delivery to overseas as it sells grocers which will perish.

The website is being secured with Casetrust and Nettrust. It ensures the security of payment using credit cards. Customers will be able to shop happily and with no worries.

Benefits And Features Of The Choice Card

• Pay for your purchases at Cold Storage Group of Stores and earn Rewards points
• Complimentary with an HSBC credit card

More places to save and earn rewards

Introducing The Choice Card - a programme that complements HSBC credit cards. The Choice Card allows you to shop for everyday items while earning Rewards points from HSBC at any one of the following Cold Storage Group of Stores in Singapore:

• Cold Storage
• Giant
• Photo Finish Digilab
• Guardian
• MarketPlace
• Jasons The Gourmet Grocer
• Shop N Save

Don't have The Choice Card? Apply for one today

• Existing cardholders - For existing HSBC credit cardholders, click here to complete the application form and The Choice Card will be mailed to you upon approval.
• New applicant - For new applicants applying for HSBC credit cards, click here to complete the credit card application form and indicate your acceptance of The Choice Card. Once your credit card application has been approved, you will receive The Choice Card with compliments from HSBC.

Please note that The Choice Card is not available for HSBC's Revolution cardholder.