Rio Tinto Shares Hit Record High After Ending Glencore Merger Talks 
Vietnam’s Trade Surplus With US Jumps as Exports Surge and China Imports Hit Record 
South Korea Assures U.S. on Trade Deal Commitments Amid Tariff Concerns 
Why have so few atrocities ever been recognised as genocide? 
The pandemic is still disrupting young people’s careers 
Why a ‘rip-off’ degree might be worth the money after all – research study 
Every generation thinks they had it the toughest, but for Gen Z, they’re probably right 
Dow Hits 50,000 as U.S. Stocks Stage Strong Rebound Amid AI Volatility 
Glastonbury is as popular than ever, but complaints about the lineup reveal its generational challenge 
Locked up then locked out: how NZ’s bank rules make life for ex-prisoners even harder 
SpaceX Prioritizes Moon Mission Before Mars as Starship Development Accelerates 
The American mass exodus to Canada amid Trump 2.0 has yet to materialize 
The ghost of Robodebt – Federal Court rules billions of dollars in welfare debts must be recalculated 
Asian Stocks Slip as Tech Rout Deepens, Japan Steadies Ahead of Election 
Nintendo Shares Slide After Earnings Miss Raises Switch 2 Margin Concerns 
Gold Prices Slide Below $5,000 as Strong Dollar and Central Bank Outlook Weigh on Metals 
India Services Sector Rebounds in January as New Business Gains Momentum: HSBC PMI Shows Growth 
South Korean café chain, Compose Coffee prepares to debut internationally in Singapore. Recognized as Korea's favorite coffee shop in 2023, the popular brand is set to open its first overseas branch in Singapore's bustling Suntec City shopping centre, with the exact date to be confirmed.
Since its establishment in 2014, Compose Coffee has successfully launched around 2,200 stores in its home country, primarily in Seoul and Busan. Notably, the brand was honored with the grand prize at the 2023 Korea's Most Loved Brand Awards.
While the confirmation is still pending on the official Compose Coffee website, the mall already showcases Compose Coffee branding and imagery on its displays, accompanied by the caption "opening soon."
Originating in Busan, Compose Coffee has experienced rapid outlet growth, expanding its footprint to include 2,200 stores throughout South Korea, with a predominant presence in Seoul and Busan. Surpassing 100 stores in 2017 and rapidly escalating to 800 sites within three years, Compose Coffee celebrated its 2,000-store milestone last year, almost doubling its total compared to 2020.
In May 2023, Compose Coffee achieved the distinguished title of being named the nation's favorite coffee shop at the prestigious "2023 Korea's Most Loved Brand Awards," organized by Forbes Korea and supported by South Korea's Ministry of Science and ICT and Ministry of Trade, Industry, and Energy.
Singapore, known for its business-friendly policies and strategic location, serves as an attractive market for international brands, often acting as a gateway to tap into other emerging markets in Southeast Asia. In March 2023, China's Luckin Coffee made its successful international debut with two pick-up stores in Singapore, signaling its first step in overseas expansion.
Similarly, in the same month, Japanese conglomerate Marubeni Corporation announced plans to introduce Tim Hortons in Singapore, eyeing the opening of "hundreds of new Tim Hortons franchises" across Singapore, Malaysia, and Indonesia by 2033.
Not long ago, Australian bubble-tea brand Chaffic made its way into Singapore by opening its first store at the Westgate shopping centre, following the market entry of the popular US-based juice brand, Jama Juice.
According to Statista, Singapore's ready-to-drink beverage market revenue is estimated to be on the rise.
Photo: Nathan Dumlao/Unsplash
