Robinsons' downfall forces rethink of digital innovation strategies for businesses

Many firms still held back by legacy processes and unclear objectives, but pressure is mounting as the digital economy, accelerated by the pandemic, is picking its winners

Published Thu, Mar 18, 2021 · 05:50 AM

Innovation

Singapore

BEFORE it closed, department store operator Robinsons Singapore had tried to set up its own retail app. The company also attempted to go digital by selling its products on e-commerce platform Lazada.

But, as many other companies have also found out, digital innovation is not easy.

"Companies sometimes think that they can digitise just by investing lots of money and rolling out apps," said Daniel Flynn, director for Asia-Pacific and the Middle East at Roberts Group Consulting. "But apps do not magically solve pain points. They need to be in response to a clear business issue or opportunity and fit into the wider ecosystem."

And although companies often talk about "innovation" and "digital transformation", many …