Alipay+ accepted at FairPrice Group-owned supermarkets, convenience stores, foodcourts
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Staff at 30 Cheers outlets have been trained in basic Mandarin to deliver greetings and essential phrases to Chinese tourists.
PHOTO: COURTESY OF FAIRPRICE GROUP
SINGAPORE – Alipay+ users can now use the mobile payment platform to make transactions at over 500 outlets that are part of the Fairprice Group (FPG) – which include its supermarkets, convenience stores like Cheers, and foodcourts such as Kopitiam and Foodfare.
The move is part of a strategic partnership between FPG and Ant International, which owns cross-border mobile payments and marketing platform Alipay+.
Also part of the partnership is the launch of the Cheers Mini App on Alipay, which serves as a “virtual concierge” for Chinese tourists in Singapore and is designed to guide them throughout their visit, according to a joint press release by FPG and Ant International on Sept 26.
Through the app, tourists can rely on product recommendations and create shopping lists before they arrive in Singapore. Upon arrival, completing in-app tasks on the app gets them a voucher for a complimentary bottle of FairPrice coconut water.
For the duration of their stay, users will receive location-based recommendations for products available in nearby Cheers outlets and can unlock special deals or win prizes through participating in different challenges.
And before their flight home, they can go through a curated catalogue of over 500 products on the app for gift and souvenir ideas.
The partnership, said FPG and Ant International, aims to enhance the travel and retail experiences for Chinese visitors.
They noted that the Republic welcomed more than three million visitors from China in 2024. Singapore also ranks as a top 10 destination worldwide for international travellers, according to Alipay+ data in 2025.
China’s Golden Week holiday, which runs from Oct 1 to 7, may contribute to a surge in Chinese visitors. In 2024, local tour operators and travel platforms said that the demand from Chinese travellers doubled in that week.
FPG group chief executive Vipul Chawla said that Alipay’s existing presence in Singapore and standing as a well-known platform among Chinese consumers allows FPG to “redefine retail” for Chinese tourists.
He added: “As the nation’s largest retailer, FPG is deeply committed to making every day a little better for those we serve.”
Alipay+ connects 18 international e-wallets and bank apps – representing travellers from 12 countries and regions – to merchants across Singapore, including FPG. Places supported by Alipay+ include Mongolia, Macau, South Korea and Italy.
Ant International chief executive Peng Yang said: “AI-powered digitisation tools of Alipay+ will help our partners obtain and engage consumers in richer, more imaginative and safer ways.
“We look forward to a long and exciting journey with partners like FPG to unlock more local and regional growth opportunities.”
Employees at 30 Cheers outlets have been trained in basic Mandarin to deliver greetings and essential phrases to Chinese tourists.
The 30 stores, which are near Singapore’s top tourist spots, have been stocked with travel essentials and a dedicated souvenir shelf featuring local favourites such as chilli crab paste, salted egg fish skin and durian candy.
