Working at DFI Retail Group Singapore: Company Culture, Benefits, and Leadership

DFI Retail Group Holdings Limited, formerly Dairy Farm International Holdings Limited, is a Hong Kong-based retail company with legal bases in Bermuda and Singapore. A subsidiary of the Jardine Matheson Group, it's a major retailer in East and Southeast Asia, specializing in food, health, and beauty products. In this article, Aniday will delve into the details of Working at DFI Retail Group Singapore, covering aspects such as Company History, Culture, Benefits, and Leadership.

General Information

DFI Retail Group stands out as a prominent pan-Asian retailer deeply ingrained in various facets of individuals' daily experiences. With a presence spanning 13 countries and territories, the group boasts a network of more than 10,700 outlets and a dedicated team of approximately 218,000 members.

Company History 

1886-1892: Founding and Early Growth

• 1886: Dairy Farm founded in Hong Kong with a focus on supplying clean and affordable cow's milk.

• 1889: Records improved profit of HK$4,374, signaling early success.

• 1892: Establishes a Central depot on Lower Albert Road, a precursor to future developments.

1900-1946: Diversification and World War II

• 1900: Ventures into rearing pigs and fowl, supplying to various sectors.

• 1916: Reorganizes the central depot into Hong Kong's first supermarket/delicatessen.

• 1924: Builds a modern ice factory at East Point, enhancing capabilities.

• 1936: Introduces protective capping on bottles for improved hygiene.

• 1941–1946: Navigates challenges during World War II, demonstrating resilience.

1960-1989: Mergers, Expansion, and Independence

• 1960: Merges with Lane Crawford to form Dairy Lane Limited.

• 1964: Acquires Wellcome grocery chain and secures independence from Lane Crawford.

• 1972: Acquired by Hongkong Land but maintains autonomy.

• 1986: Successfully demerged from Hongkong Land, listing on the Hong Kong Stock Exchange.

• 1989: Acquires the 7-Eleven chain in Hong Kong, expanding retail presence.

1990-2022: Global Ventures and Leadership Changes

• 1990: Expands globally with acquisitions in Spain and New Zealand.

• 1992: Enters Singapore market with the acquisition of Cold Storage and expands into China.

• 2005: Increases investment in PT Hero in Indonesia and enters the Thai market.

• 2011: Further expands into Cambodia and the Philippines.

• 2015: Acquires the 15-store supermarket chain in Macau, San Miu.

• 2021: Rebrands as the DFI Retail Group.

• 2022: Scott Price appointed Group Chief Executive.

2023: Sustainability Milestone

2023: Receives validation from the Science Based Targets initiative, showcasing commitment to emissions reduction.

yuu Rewards Platform

2020: Digital Innovation and Loyalty Launch

• DFI Retail Group launches the 'yuu' rewards platform in Hong Kong, introducing a novel digital lifestyle platform.

• The platform offers members opportunities to earn points across 1 million+ points of sale in over 2,500 outlets.

• Amid the Covid-19 pandemic, DFI Retail successfully expands the 'yuu' platform to cover delivery and insurance services.

2021: Exponential Growth

• The integrated full-funnel marketing plan proves highly successful, resulting in the rapid acquisition of 2 million+ users within four weeks.

• The 'yuu' platform's membership base grows to exceed 4.2 million members, surpassing initial expectations.

2022: Recognition and Achievements

• YouGov ranks 'yuu' as Hong Kong’s third most recognized brand in 2022, following Google and YouTube, highlighting its cultural impact.

2023: Continuing Success

• The 'yuu' platform continues to thrive as an integral part of the DFI Retail Group's digital ecosystem, providing innovative solutions and value to its growing membership base.

Products and Services

• Grocery Retail: DFI Retail Group represents some of Asia's largest and most trusted grocery retail brands. They strive to grant customers access to high-quality groceries, offering good value that helps shoppers make the most of their budget.

• Convenience: DFI Retail Group's array of local stores facilitates the convenient and effortless navigation of our customers' daily lives. Ranging from Ready-to-Eat meals and snacks to payment services and parcel collection, these outlets serve as indispensable elements in the routines of our customers.

• Health and Beauty: DFI Retail Group operates over 1,500 health and beauty stores throughout Asia. These outlets are dedicated to assisting customers in achieving their optimal look and feel, both internally and externally.

• Home Furnishings: DFI Retail Group manages IKEA stores across various territories. Renowned as a prominent figure in home furnishings, they provide customers with a blend of style and value, coupled with a steadfast commitment to sustainability.

• Restaurants: Maxim’s presents a diverse range of dining options, encompassing upscale Asian and Western restaurants, cozy cafes, bakeries, and the licensing of well-known global F&B brands.

• Other Associates: DFI Retail Group holds ownership interests in various regional retailers, including one in mainland China and another group in the Philippines, covering a wide spectrum from department stores to supermarkets.

Company Culture 

DFI aims to build an inclusive and empowering culture where everyone is free to be themselves and express themselves freely. Furthermore, they also believe that everyone should have equal opportunities when it comes to recruitment and development, no matter their background, race, gender, or age.

Goals

Their goal is to provide customers throughout Asia with a trustworthy store that delivers quality and value at the same time.  

Values

• Put Our Customers First, Always

• Respect Each Other

• Care Passionately

• Do The Right Thing

Employee Benefits

• Competitive salary and perks

• Join a global team of passionate, collaborative leaders with diverse backgrounds, contributing varied knowledge to Dairy Farm.

• Opportunities for career growth span diverse industries within Dairy Farm and extend across the Jardine Matheson group.

• Enjoy discounts on our diverse brands, catering to your everyday and special occasion needs in grocery, health, and beauty.

• Experience a fun and engaging work environment that encourages camaraderie and supports helping those around you.

• Be part of making a difference in the lives of millions, providing fresh food and health & beauty solutions to Southeast Asia.

Company Leadership

• Scott Price - Group Chief Executive: Scott has over 30 years of retail, logistics and consumer packaged goods sectors experience from around the world.

• Choo Peng Chee - CEO, Food: He's been a director on the DFI Retail Group Management Services Board since 2013 and is a member of the Executive Board. Choo also serves as a Board Member of Robinsons Retail Holdings, Inc., an associate company of DFI Retail Group.

• Danni Peirce, CEO of 7-Eleven since November 2023, oversees operations in the Chinese mainland, Hong Kong, Macau, and Singapore. Previously, she held roles at DFI, including Managing Director of Guardian Singapore, CEO of yuu Rewards, and Commercial Director for North Asia Food & Group Convenience since joining in 2018.

• Andrew Wong became CEO, Health & Beauty in November 2023, overseeing Guardian and Mannings across all DFI markets. His diverse career journey spans start-ups, the public sector, and a continuous commitment to driving businesses toward excellence, innovation, and sustainability.

In Summary 

DFI Retail Group, formerly known as Dairy Farm International, is a Hong Kong-based retail company, specializing in food, health, and beauty products. Renowned in East and Southeast Asia, DFI embraces inclusivity and empowerment in its culture, fostering an environment where colleagues from diverse backgrounds have equal opportunities to express themselves and succeed.This article by Aniday offered insights into DFI Retail Group Singapore, covering Company History, Culture, Benefits, and Leadership.