Retail & F&B Productivity Nexus Launch @ Sunway Putra Hotel
On 8 February 2018, I attended the launch of the Retail and F&B Productivity Nexus flagship programmes at Sunway Putra Hotel, Kuala Lumpur. As someone who spends most of her time eating at cafes and restaurants, I was curious to see what this initiative would mean for the places we love to visit.
What Is the Productivity Nexus?
The Productivity Nexus is an industry-led, one-stop centre that helps retail and F&B businesses become more productive and innovative. The sector employs around 2.7 million people in Malaysia, yet it has traditionally been one of the least productive. The programme planned to work with 80 to 100 flagship companies and use industry associations to spread best practices. The launch was officiated by Dato’ Dr Mohd Ghazali Abas, Secretary General of the Ministry of Human Resources.
The Three Flagship Programmes
Retail and F&B Productivity Nexus Champion Dato’ Bruce Lim summed up the theme of the day: the future is digital. Three programmes were introduced:
- Retail Digitalisation Programme – helps brick-and-mortar shops move online and build e-commerce stores.
- O2O Growth Venture Programme – led by Joel Neoh, founder of Fave, it teaches businesses to use online channels and customer insights to drive sales.
- Top Transformers – led by Dato’ Michael Tio of PKT Logistics, it trains managers to build better workplaces and results.
Why It Matters for Food Lovers
Looking back, this event was an early sign of how much our dining habits would change. Online ordering, deal apps and delivery platforms are now part of everyday life, and many of the small cafes and restaurants featured on this blog rely on them to reach customers. It was interesting to see the groundwork being laid for that shift.