The halal market is big business, and so is e-commerce. Tapping on this opportunity is AladdinStreet.com.sg which rounds up halal products and premium goods in one convenient online marketplace for both B2B and B2C communities.
If the name sounds a little Alibaba-ish...well, I guess it has the same ambitions!
The site which was launched today (21 Oct 2016) joins a bigger AladdinStreet network of 30 countries, and next up is AladdinStreet China (targeting the 20 million Muslims who live there).
AladdinStreet Singapore showcases not only food and beverage items, but also vitamins, cosmetics, pharmaceuticals, fashion and other services. It has signed up close to 60 merchants, of which almost half are halal-certified. Participation is by invitation only and the vendors are screened to ensure halal-friendliness and compliance. This is great news for Muslims who want to shop online with confidence for halal and related items.
“There has been a growing acceptance of the health benefits for halal products even in non-Muslim countries,” says co-founder of the Aladdin Group Dato’ Dr Sheikh Muszaphar Shukor Al Masrie (second from right in photo). He's actually quite a character - an orthopaedic surgeon and Malaysia's first astronaut.
“But manufacturers and producers of the halal industry can only meet 20 per cent of this demand because there is a lack of reliable marketing platforms," he says. "In fact one of the biggest importers of halal products is actually Singapore, and given the country’s good track record in governance and high standards of halal compliance, Aladdinstreet.com.sg will help these SMEs access this market to its fullest potential.”
Singapore Co-founder & President, Dato’ Dr Grace Kong (second from left in photo) adds that Aladdinstreet.com.sg is not just for Muslims because halal is about making healthier choices for everyone including non-Muslims, and everyone has become more socially conscious of their consumption patterns.
Dato’ Kong explains, “They want to know what they eat, wear, what they apply on their face, where it comes from and how the animals were treated. It’s about cruelty free, ethical and sustainable consumption too.”
AladdinStreet Singapore hopes to create new markets for halal products beyond food.
Dato’ Kong explains, “They want to know what they eat, wear, what they apply on their face, where it comes from and how the animals were treated. It’s about cruelty free, ethical and sustainable consumption too.”
AladdinStreet Singapore hopes to create new markets for halal products beyond food.
Note Cosmetics is one of the non-food vendors. It was established in 2015 after they noticed a lack of halal cosmetics retailers in the market. Located in Joo Chiat Complex, they have since seen an increase in sales from non-Muslims customers, who have grown to appreciate their products because they do not contain ingredients derived from animals.
Tudung Ku Collection was set up in 2012 to address the modern Muslim woman who want easy-to-wear scarves but with a touch of luxury. It has seen a 20 per cent increase in sales over the last four years.
Juz Demure started designing and selling dri-fit sports hijab, after they saw more Muslim women wanting to pursue an active lifestyle without compromising on modesty. Sales have jumped 20 per cent since it started operations in 2015.
Tudung Ku Collection was set up in 2012 to address the modern Muslim woman who want easy-to-wear scarves but with a touch of luxury. It has seen a 20 per cent increase in sales over the last four years.
Juz Demure started designing and selling dri-fit sports hijab, after they saw more Muslim women wanting to pursue an active lifestyle without compromising on modesty. Sales have jumped 20 per cent since it started operations in 2015.
These companies have partnered with AladdinStreet Singapore to extend their reach beyond Singapore and hope to increase sales by 40 per cent in the next 12 months.
In terms of its pricing strategy, Aladdinstreet.com.sg is bucking the trend of discounts and flash sales associated with other e-commerce sites because its priority is quality and integrity, and these values are driven by its business integrity checks and stringent halal compliance requirements. In fact, it is rolling out a halal educational programme for merchants to help them better understand these halal compliance requirements.
On the future of Aladdinstreet.com.sg, former senior Minister of State, Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Mr. Zainul Abidin Rasheed, is optimistic that the e-commerce site will create new brand purpose, values and new avenues for growth, especially now that Singapore is experiencing an economic slowdown.
"Singapore is well-known for its branding as a business and financial centre, both in terms of its integrity and quality standards, and this applies to its halal standards too," says Mr. Zainul.
Congratulations
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