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[[File:Naiise Singapore.jpg|thumb|''Naiise is a homegrown retailer that curates and promotes Singaporean makers.'']]
Founded in 2013, Naiise is a homegrown lifestyle and design retailer known for its curated collection of locally-made products. The company started as an online retailer but has since opened brick-and-mortar stores in Singapore and Malaysia. The business has also expanded into the United Kingdom market, having opened a month-long pop-up store in Shoreditch, London in 2017.<ref>Tay Suan Chiang. "[https://www.businesstimes.com.sg/lifestyle/weekend-interview/dennis-tay Weekend Interview: Dennis Tay]". ''The Business Times''. January 14, 2017. Accessed on 26 February 2020. </ref><ref>Law, Katie. "[https://www.standard.co.uk/lifestyle/london-life/naiise-london-popup-truman-brewery-singaporean-lifestyle-brand-dennis-tay-amanda-eng-a3669461.html Naiise in London: meet the power couple behind the cult Singaporean lifestyle store]". ''Evening Standard''. October 27, 2017. Accessed on 27 February 2020.</ref> As of 2020, Naiise stocks 800 brands across its physical stores and website of which 600 are based in Singapore.<ref>Lam, Fiona and Mui, Rachel. "[https://www.businesstimes.com.sg/consumer/design-retailer-naiise-apologises-for-payment-delays-after-brands-exit Design retailer Naiise apologises for payment delays after brands exit]". ''The Business Times''. January 21, 2020. Accessed on 26 February 2020.</ref>

==Background==
[[File:Dennis Tay Naiise.png|thumb|''Dennis Tay is the founder and CEO of multi-label retailer Naiise. Photo from [https://generationt.asia/people/dennistay Generation T].'']]
The brand name "Naiise" (pronounced as "nice") encompasses the direction and value that the company hopes to uphold.<ref>"[http://thecathay.com.sg/trending/beyond-brand-interview-naiise BEYOND THE BRAND: INTERVIEW WITH NAIISE]". ''The Cathay''. October 25, 2016. Accessed on 26 February 2020.</ref> The name is also meant to draw in local consumers.<ref>Chan, Kimberly. "[https://www.businesstimes.com.sg/companies-markets/emerging-enterprise-2017/naiise-story-about-designs Naiise story about designs]". ''Business Times''. September 7, 2017. Accessed on 26 February 2020. </ref> Naiise was founded by Dennis Tay who in 2018, was featured on the Gen.T List for his contributions to the local creative and retail industries.<ref>Chong Seow Wei. "[https://sg.asiatatler.com/dining/chasing-the-entrepreneur-dream-with-naiises-dennis-tay Chasing The Entrepreneur Dream With Naiise's Dennis Tay]". ''Singapore Tatler''. August 8, 2018. Accessed on 26 February 2020.</ref><ref>"[https://generationt.asia/people/dennistay Dennis Tay]". ''Gen T.'' Accessed on 26 February 2020.</ref>

===Founding===
Before founding Naiise, Dennis Tay started a creative agency where he was exposed to the financial reality of creatives in Singapore.<ref>"[http://thecathay.com.sg/trending/beyond-brand-interview-naiise BEYOND THE BRAND: INTERVIEW WITH NAIISE]". ''The Cathay''. October 25, 2016. Accessed on 26 February 2020.</ref> Due to low local demand, these individuals were struggling to create or sell their work.<ref>"[http://thecathay.com.sg/trending/beyond-brand-interview-naiise BEYOND THE BRAND: INTERVIEW WITH NAIISE]". ''The Cathay''. October 25, 2016. Accessed on 26 February 2020.</ref> Dennis then kickstarted Naiise with a starting capital of S$3,000<ref>Chia, Rachel Genevieve. "[https://www.businessinsider.sg/the-founder-of-singapore-brand-naiise-made-his-girlfriend-his-first-employee-and-doing-business-together-led-them-to-marriage The founder of Singapore brand Naiise made his girlfriend his first employee – and doing business together led them to marriage]". ''Business Insider Singapore''. April 1, 2019. Accessed on 26 February 2020.</ref>, hoping that the company will create more entrepreneurship opportunities for creatives. Within the first year of its inception, Naiise made S$30,000.<ref>Tay Suan Chiang. "[https://www.businesstimes.com.sg/lifestyle/weekend-interview/dennis-tay Weekend Interview: Dennis Ta]y". ''The Business Times''. January 14, 2017. Accessed on 26 February 2020. </ref>

===Business model===
Naiise operates as a multi-label retailer and makes profit on a consignment basis.<ref>Lam, Fiona and Mui, Rachel. "[https://www.businesstimes.com.sg/consumer/design-retailer-naiise-apologises-for-payment-delays-after-brands-exit Design retailer Naiise apologises for payment delays after brands exit]". ''The Business Times''. January 21, 2020. Accessed on 26 February 2020.</ref> In a 2017 interview with ''The Business Times'', Dennis shared that Naiise stocks brands that have original, quality products that must also be useful in daily life.<ref>Tay Suan Chiang. "[https://www.businesstimes.com.sg/lifestyle/weekend-interview/dennis-tay Weekend Interview: Dennis Tay]". ''The Business Times''. January 14, 2017. Accessed on 26 February 2020. </ref> Naiise's diverse products are sold at a wide range of price points and broadly targeted at the general public.<ref>Chan, Kimberly. "[https://www.businesstimes.com.sg/companies-markets/emerging-enterprise-2017/naiise-story-about-designs Naiise story about designs]". ''Business Times''. September 7, 2017. Accessed on 26 February 2020. </ref>

==Expansion==
[[File:Naiise Iconic The Pantry.png|thumb|''The Pantry at Naiise Iconic in Jewel Changi Airport. Photo credit to Huy Pham/ TheSmartLocal.'']]
Naiise started experimenting with omnichannel retailing in March 2015.<ref>Naiise. "[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ewwyHGINt8s Naiise @ The Cathay Launch Party 3 June 2016]". ''YouTube''. June 6, 2016. Accessed on 26 February 2020. </ref><ref>Tay Suan Chiang. "[https://www.businesstimes.com.sg/lifestyle/weekend-interview/dennis-tay Weekend Interview: Dennis Tay]". ''The Business Times''. January 14, 2017. Accessed on 26 February 2020. </ref> It took 5 physical Naiise stores before founder Dennis Tay bit the bullet to open a flagship store at The Cathay in 2016.<ref>Naiise. "[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ewwyHGINt8s Naiise @ The Cathay Launch Party 3 June 2016]". ''YouTube''. June 6, 2016. Accessed on 26 February 2020. </ref> By 2016, Naiise was stocking products from 1,300 brands.<ref>Tay Suan Chiang. "[https://www.businesstimes.com.sg/lifestyle/weekend-interview/dennis-tay Weekend Interview: Dennis Tay]". ''The Business Times''. January 14, 2017. Accessed on 26 February 2020. </ref> As of February 2020, Naiise has 3 major stores islandwide located in Jewel Changi Airport, Suntec City and Paya Lebar Quarter.<ref>"[https://naiise.com/pages/stores Stores]". ''Naiise''. Accessed on 26 February 2020.</ref>

===Flagship store (2016)===
After testing the waters through pop-up stores and customer feedback, Naiise moved into its flagship store in 2016.<ref>"[http://thecathay.com.sg/trending/beyond-brand-interview-naiise BEYOND THE BRAND: INTERVIEW WITH NAIISE]". ''The Cathay''. October 25, 2016. Accessed on 26 February 2020.</ref> The 8,500 square feet retail space consisted of a workshop area, a gift-wrap corner and an "events showcase" corner.<ref>"[http://thecathay.com.sg/trending/beyond-brand-interview-naiise BEYOND THE BRAND: INTERVIEW WITH NAIISE]". ''The Cathay''. October 25, 2016. Accessed on 26 February 2020.</ref><ref>Eliza Yusof. "[https://www.homeanddecor.com.sg/shopping/9-cool-things-we-spotted-at-naiises-biggest-store-yet-at-the-cathay/ 9 cool things we spotted at Naiise’s biggest store yet, at The Cathay]". ''Home and Decor''. June 6, 2016. Accessed on 26 February 2020.</ref> The flagship store has since closed down.

===Naiise Iconic (2019)===
Naiise opened its 9,500 square feet Iconic store at Jewel Changi Airport in 2019.<ref>Tan, Alanna. "[https://vulcanpost.com/664078/naiise-iconic-jewel-changi-singapore/ Inside Naiise's 'Iconic' Store At Jewel: Sample Teas, Design Your Own Stationery And Gifts]". ''Vulcan Post''. May 16, 2019. Accessed on 26 February 2020.</ref> Apart from a Gift Bar where customers can personalise their gifts,<ref>"[https://naiise.myshopify.com/pages/naiise-iconic-jewel-changi-airport Our Story]". ''Naiise Iconic''. Accessed on 26 February 2020.</ref> Naiise Iconic also houses a café called The Pantry featuring local F&B businesses like Joe & Dough.<ref>Farzanah Farveen. "[https://www.marketing-interactive.com/naiise-sg-reportedly-faces-retail-woes-and-payment-issues/ Naiise SG faces retail woes and payment issues]". ''Marketing Interactive''. January 21, 2020. Accessed on 26 February 2020.</ref> The two-storey store also hosts an array of workshops by local designers ranging from resin jewellery making<ref>"[https://naiise.com/products/resin-jewellery-workshop-21st-mar-2020-11-30am-jewel?variant=32304654549036 Resin Jewellery Workshop | 21st Mar 2020 | 11.30am | Jewel]". ''Naiise''. Accessed on 26 February 2020.</ref> to soap making.<ref>"[https://naiise.com/products/gemstone-soap-making-workshop?variant=32233951199276 Gemstone Soap Making Workshop | 7th Mar 2020 | 12pm | Jewel]". ''Naiise''. Accessed on 26 February 2020.</ref><ref>Tan, Alanna. "[https://vulcanpost.com/664078/naiise-iconic-jewel-changi-singapore/ Inside Naiise's 'Iconic' Store At Jewel: Sample Teas, Design Your Own Stationery And Gifts]". ''Vulcan Post''. May 16, 2019. Accessed on 26 February 2020.</ref>

==Community initiatives==
[[File:Design Orchard Naiise.png|thumb|''The retail space at Design Orchard - operated by Naiise. Photo credit to Pichan Cruz/ TheSmartLocal.'']]

===Design Orchard mentorship programme===
In 2019, Naiise partnered with Enterprise Singapore, JTC Singapore and the Singapore Tourism Board (STB) to conduct a mentorship programme for fledging homegrown brands and designers.<ref>Boonlong Pailin. "[https://thesmartlocal.com/read/design-orchard/ Design Orchard Has Over 60 Local Brands & A Rooftop Garden For You To Dodge The Crowds]". ''The Smart Local''. February 15, 2019. Accessed on 26 February 2020.</ref> This programme was founded in conjunction with the new Design Orchard mall that was unveiled in January 2019.<ref>Tan, Alanna. "[https://vulcanpost.com/654480/design-orchard-singapore-mentorship-naiise/ S'pore Retailer Naiise To Mentor 58 Emerging Local Brands, With Opening Of New Mall At Orchard Road]". ''Vulcan Post''. January 11, 2019. Accessed on 26 February 2020.</ref> Other mentors in the programme include Motherswork and Spa Esprit Group.<ref>Tan, Alanna. "[https://vulcanpost.com/654480/design-orchard-singapore-mentorship-naiise/ S'pore Retailer Naiise To Mentor 58 Emerging Local Brands, With Opening Of New Mall At Orchard Road]". ''Vulcan Post''. January 11, 2019. Accessed on 26 February 2020.</ref>

===Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR)===
{| class="wikitable"
!Year
!Campaign/ Iniative
!Organisation Partnered
!Beneficiaries
!Refs.
|-
|2016
|Grant A Wish
|Club Rainbow
|100 Club Rainbow beneficiaries
| rowspan="3" |<ref>Navin Sregantan. “[https://www.businesstimes.com.sg/companies-markets/company-of-good/a-naiise-way-to-bring-joy-to-children A Naiise way to bring joy to children]”. ''Business Times''. August 21, 2017. Accessed on 3 May 2019.</ref>
|-
|2015
|Christmas card Fundraiser
|Touch Community Services
| -
|-
|2014
|1 Gift, 2 Gives
|Volkswagen Singapore
|The Red Pencil Singapore
|}

==Defaulted payments (2019)==
In 2019, there were reports of vendors pulling out from their business agreement with Naiise due to delayed payments from the retailer.<ref>Tay, Tiffany Fumiko. "[https://www.straitstimes.com/singapore/some-local-brands-pull-out-of-naiise-due-to-payment-delays-of-up-to-a-year Some local brands pull out of Naiise due to payment delays of up to a year]". ''The Straits Times''. January 20, 2020. Accessed on 26 February 2020.</ref> According to some vendors, Naiise had been defaulting on payments since 2016.<ref>Lam, Fiona and Mui, Rachel. "[https://www.businesstimes.com.sg/consumer/design-retailer-naiise-apologises-for-payment-delays-after-brands-exit Design retailer Naiise apologises for payment delays after brands exit]". ''The Business Times''. January 21, 2020. Accessed on 26 February 2020.</ref> It has been reported that Naiise owes several vendors amounts ranging from a few hundred to a few thousand dollars.<ref>Lam, Fiona and Mui, Rachel. "[https://www.businesstimes.com.sg/consumer/design-retailer-naiise-apologises-for-payment-delays-after-brands-exit Design retailer Naiise apologises for payment delays after brands exit]". ''The Business Times''. January 21, 2020. Accessed on 26 February 2020.</ref>

===Naiise's statement===
In response to this issue, Naiise has issued a formal apology to the affected brands. The retailer cites administrative issues as the cause of its defaulted payments.<ref>Farzanah Farveen. "[https://www.marketing-interactive.com/naiise-sg-reportedly-faces-retail-woes-and-payment-issues/ Naiise SG faces retail woes and payment issues]". ''Marketing Interactive''. January 21, 2020. Accessed on 26 February 2020.</ref>

==References / Citations==
<references />
[[Category:Singapore Brands]]