Business
Unilever Sri Lanka partners CBL Group to expand B2C transactions over the internet
* Vision is to enable shoppers to purchase all their basket needs on a single platform
* How it would be made a buyer-oriented market place remains ‘confidential information’
by Sanath Nanayakkare
Unilever Sri Lanka recently took a notable step forward to enrich its official e-commerce platform, uStore.lk, through a partnership with CBL Group in order to expand the range of products available to customers and augment their Business to Consumers (B2C) transactions on the internet.
Unilever said that the move which was the first step in a series of portfolio expansions on UStore.lk, demonstrated its commitment to drive the e-commerce landscape of Sri Lanka to make the FMCG shopping experience more convenient in Sri Lanka.
“First launched in 2019, uStore.lk has gained significant acceptance by consumers island wide as a shopping platform of choice, as it offers them the convenience of directly purchasing products from the safety, comfort, and convenience of their homes. With the addition of over 80 products from 7 CBL renowned brands including confectionary, spices, pulses, coconut milk, and cereals, uStore.lk shoppers can now access over 300 products with free delivery to any part of the country,” Unilever said.
“Today’s online shopper is more experienced and knowledgeable than ever, purchasing in different categories and from diverse channels depending on their needs, motivations and occasions. Unilever’s vision is to enable shoppers to purchase all their basket needs in a single platform, at their convenience, while having access to some of the best brands and deals. Each brand on the platform will be based on relevancy, desirability, specialism, and sustainability criteria, following a careful selection process and data driven insights. The platform will create consumer centric but differentiated bundles, specifically targeted at the Sri Lankan online shopper based on carefully analyzed data and identified trends,” Unilever noted.
Marking this partnership, Hajar Alafifi, Unilever Sri Lanka Chairperson and MD stated, “uStore.lk was initially launched to exclusively offer Unilever Sri Lanka’s diverse range of products on a single, state-of-the-art e-commerce platform. Today, I am excited to see the efforts of my Customer Development and IT teams coming to fruition as we launch the expanded uStore.lk platform with enhanced access to FMCG. I’m extremely pleased to partner with CBL as together Unilever and CBL share deep roots in the country, and brands which are cherished by the people of Sri Lanka.”
Shea Wickramasingha, CBL Group MD commented, “I’m excited about the partnership with Unilever on the uStore.lk platform as it will enable us to together, deliver an enhanced customer experience through a new emerging channel with direct interaction with our customers. They can now log on to uStore.lk and purchase food& refreshments, personal care and home care items conveniently while enjoying special offers and deals.”
CBL products were made available on uStore.lk from 16th June 2023.
When The Island Financial Review asked Unilever Sri Lanka Chairperson, Hajar Alafifi how the platform would be made a truly buyer-oriented market place with diverse sellers being brought on board, she replied,” Confidential information’, repeating it three times.
The Delegation of German Industry and Commerce in Sri Lanka (AHK Sri Lanka) proudly facilitated the first-ever Sri Lankan delegation’s participation at Drupa 2024, the world’s largest trade fair for the printing industry and technology. Held after an eight-year hiatus, Drupa 2024 was a landmark event, marking significant advancements and opportunities in the global printing industry.
AHK Sri Lanka played a pivotal role in organising and supporting the delegation, which comprised 17 members from the Sri Lanka Association for Printers (SLAP), representing eight companies from the commercial, newspaper, stationery printing, and packaging industries. This pioneering effort by AHK Sri Lanka not only showcased the diverse capabilities of Sri Lanka’s printing sector but also facilitated vital bilateral discussions with key stakeholders from the German printing industry.
Business
Unveiling Ayugiri: Browns Hotels & Resorts sets the stage for a new era in luxury Ayurveda Wellness
In a captivating reimagining of luxury wellness tourism, Browns Hotels & Resorts proudly unveiled the exquisite Ayugiri Ayurveda Wellness Resort Sigiriya. This momentous occasion, celebrated amidst a vibrant and serene grand opening on the 6th of June, heralds a new chapter in the Ayurveda wellness tourism landscape in Sri Lanka. Nestled amidst 54 acres of unspoiled natural splendour, Ayugiri features 22 exclusive suites and stands out as the only luxury Ayurveda wellness resort in the country offering plunge pools in every room, rendering it truly one-of-a-kind.
The grand opening of Ayugiri Ayurveda Wellness Resort was an enchanting event, where guests were captivated by the melodies of flutists and violinists resonating through Sigiriya’s lush landscapes. As traditional drummers and dancers infused the air with vibrant energy, Browns Hotels & Resorts’ CEO, Eksath Wijeratne, Kotaro Katsuki, Acting Ambassador for the Embassy of Japan and General Manager, Buwaneka Bandara, unveiled the resort’s new logo, marking a significant moment witnessed by distinguished guests from the French Embassy, Ayurveda and wellness enthusiasts along with officials from the Sigiriya area, LOLC Holdings and Browns Group.
“Our strategic expansion into wellness tourism with Ayugiri Ayurveda Wellness Resort Sigiriya symbolises a significant milestone for Browns Hotels & Resorts. Wellness tourism has consistently outperformed the overall tourism industry for over a decade, reflecting a growing global interest in travel that goes beyond leisure to offer rejuvenation and holistic well-being. By integrating the timeless wisdom of Ayurveda with modern luxury, we aim to set a new standard in luxury wellness tourism in Sri Lanka. Whether your goal is prevention, healing, or a deeper connection to inner harmony, Ayugiri offers a sanctuary for holistic well-being” stated Eksath Wijeratne.
Ayugiri encapsulates the essence of life, inspired by the lotus flower held by the graceful queens of the infamous Sigiriya frescoes. Just as the lotus emerges from the murky depths, untainted and serene,
Ayugiri invites guests on a journey of purity and rejuvenation, harmonised with a balance of mind, body and spirit, the essence of nature, echoes of culture and the wisdom of ancient Ayurvedic healing.
HNB General Insurance, one of Sri Lanka’s leading general insurance providers, has been honored as the Best General Bancassurance Provider in Sri Lanka 2024 by the prestigious Global Banking and Finance Review – UK.
The esteemed accolade underscores HNB General Insurance’s unwavering commitment to excellence and its outstanding performance in the field of bancassurance. Through dedication and hard work, the HNB General Insurance team has continuously endeavored to deliver innovative insurance solutions, cultivate strong relationships with banking partners, and provide unparalleled service to customers nationwide. This recognition is a testament to the team’s dedication and relentless pursuit of excellence in the bancassurance business.
“We are honored to receive this prestigious award, which reflects our team’s tireless efforts and dedication to delivering value-added insurance solutions and exceptional service through our bancassurance partnerships,” said Sithumina Jayasundara, CEO of HNB General Insurance. “This recognition reaffirms our position as a trusted insurance provider in Sri Lanka and motivates us to continue striving for excellence in serving our customers and communities.”
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