SINGAPORE - Lifestyle and wellness player Mary Chia is working with aesthetic doctors to launch its first outlet in Singapore even as it announced a loss for the six months ended Sept 30.

It said that its loss was $969,000, higher than the $415,000 reporterd for the same period a year ago. Revenue only inched up 1.11 per cent to $7.8 million.

Mary Chia said that it faced higher cost in raw materials, utilities and property rentals in a competitive beauty and aesthetic industry here. Tight foreign worker conditions have hampered its expansion.

It added that it will boost product mix and develop new product lines. It is also looking for strategic partners across Asia to promote its new beauty and health products.