Singapore – Stellar Lifestyle, the business development arm of SMRT Corporation, has launched its inaugural innovation space, Hive Express, at Raffles Place MRT station to help merchants pilot cutting-edge retail experiences across Singapore’s MRT network.
The new innovation space builds on the success of Stellar Lifestyle’s Hive 2.0 hub, enabling merchants to accelerate retail innovations across the transit network more quickly and cost-effectively.
Hive Express brings Stellar Lifestyle closer to its vision of a high-tech retail ecosystem by creating innovation spaces across Singapore’s rail network. By reimagining the use of open areas in SMRT-operated MRT stations, the company plans to introduce innovative retail concepts like smart vending machines and self-service checkout stores to more stations across the city.
Tony Heng, president of Stellar Lifestyle, said, “Building on the success of Hive 2.0, Hive Express creates even more opportunities for SMEs to innovate and test retail concepts within train stations. By harnessing new technologies and SMRT’s vast rail network, we can deliver unique retail experiences in compact spaces, enhancing convenience and enriching the daily journeys of commuters. Hive Express reflects Stellar Lifestyle’s commitment to designing dynamic, future-ready environments that serve both commuters and small businesses alike.”
At its launch, Hive Express will showcase its first partner, online supermarket RedMart. RedMart’s debut physical store at Raffles Place MRT will offer a curated selection of daily essentials for busy office workers and commuters. Shoppers can access these products at competitive prices through vending machines integrated with Lazada’s app.
Customers can make payments through the app, and the vending machine will instantly dispense their selected products, seamlessly combining the convenience of online shopping with the immediacy of an in-store experience.
RedMart’s vending machine store, the first of its kind by a grocer in Singapore, will operate daily, offering commuters a wide range of products, including beverages, snacks, and personal care items. The selection is tailored to the needs of Raffles Place MRT commuters, providing quick access to essentials like drinks, workout fuel, and personal care products. Shoppers can also explore RedMart’s affordable private label items, including kombucha, trail mix, drinking water, and exclusive samples like the viral MONDAY haircare line.
Martin Daney, head of RedMart at Lazada Singapore, commented, “We understand that consumers on the go are looking for both online and offline touchpoints for greater convenience. We are delighted to partner with Stellar Lifestyle to expand RedMart’s presence beyond the Lazada app to give consumers a taste of the wide range of products that we offer. We want to help busy commuters save time by seamlessly integrating grocery shopping into their daily commute while providing a wide assortment with competitive prices.”
