Money Matters with Hongbin Jeong and Chua Tian Tian

You’ll more or less notice the signage of this company if you drive along the Tampines Expressway towards the airport - rain or shine. Here’s another hint – it is located within the Tampines Retail Park along with Giant hypermart.  If you’ve guessed COURTS, then bingo, you’ve got it right. But have you ever wondered if COURTS is a Singapore or a Malaysian furniture chain or who actually owns COURTS these days? Well, we will bring you all the answers in this interview.  With roots as a furniture retailer from the UK, COURTS started operations in Singapore half a century ago in 1974 and has since expanded to 13 stores spanning over 464,000 square feet of retail space. The firm expanded to Malaysia in 1987 and most recently ventured into the Indonesian market in 2014.  Once known as COURTS Asia Limited, the firm was previously listed on the mainboard of the Singapore Exchange in October 2012. That was until 2019, when Yokohama-based electrical appliance retailer Nojima Corporation bought over the company’s shares. Today, COURTS is wholly owned by Nojima Corporation, which runs over 900 stores and has a market capitalisation of S$1.8 billion on revenues of S$6.6 billion. So how has the firm changed over the years with Nojima Corporation as its parent? Meanwhile, COURTS is also an interesting company to look at because of its efforts to refresh its offerings to target the next generation of furniture shoppers.  For one thing, the firm had in 2019 opened its first internet-of-things store at Funan to better cater to smart home shoppers. It also opened the 189,000 square feet COURTS Nojima in 2022 to provide an experiential retail space for shoppers.  But how far has the firm’s moves captured the hearts of younger consumers and what are the key drivers of growth in the furniture industry as brick and mortar chains compete against online retailers?  On Under the Radar, Money Matters’ finance presenter Chua Tian Tian posed these questions to Harry Higashiura, Group Chief Commercial Officer, Nojima APAC and Country CEO of Singapore and Malaysia, COURTS.

In today’s evolving business landscape, the role of the executive chairman is under scrutiny. Proponents see it as essential for bridging board oversight and management, especially during transitions. Critics, however, argue it creates conflicts of interest, blurs accountability, and weakens governance. With a push toward streamlined operations and modern practices, the question remains: Should companies move away from the executive chairman role? On The Hot Seat, Hongbin Jeong speaks to Mark Lee, Managing Director, WMH Law Corporation and Walter Silvester, Managing Director, Silvester Legal LLC, to find out.   Presented by: Hongbin Jeong Produced and Edited by: Alexandra Parada (alexparada@sph.com.sg) Want to get featured on our show? Drop me an email today!

Singapore shares started trading in positive territory today, tracking a rise in other global markets. The Straits Times Index (STI) opened 0.2 per cent higher at 3,814.98 points after 36.9 million securities changed hands in the broader market. In terms of counters to watch today, we have Keppel DC Reit, after its manager posted a DPU of S$0.04902 (4.902 Singapore cents) for the second half ended December, up 13.2 per cent from the previous corresponding period.  Meanwhile, from Singapore’s central bank easing monetary policy settings for the first time in over two years, to how the Bank of Japan raised interest rates to their highest since the 2008 global financial crisis – more local and international headlines remain in focus. On Market View, Money Matters’ finance presenter Chua Tian Tian unpacked the developments with Sunny Soh, Lead Technical Analyst (Capital Markets & Investor Education), SIAS.

Web3.0 funding is not just financial but a partnership that aligns shared visions and technological aspirations, connecting innovative founders with forward-thinking investors. This crucial phase transforms funding into a pathway for growth, integrating startups into a wider community-driven network, and enhancing their influence and operational capabilities. On Wealth Tracker, Hongbin Jeong speaks to Max Stuedlein, Head of Strategic Digital Asset Solutions, Sygnum to find out more.

A former English pro with a pedigree as polished as his Mancunian accent, Hasney Aljofree is now rewriting Singapore’s football story - in his role as Head of Coach Development & Education with the Football Association of Singapore. What’s his take on youth development, coaching philosophies, and his son’s potential ties to the Lion City? Tune in for a no-holds-barred chat on Sports Minutes. READ MORE: https://www.straitstimes.com/sport/football/kids-need-to-fall-in-love-with-football-says-fas-head-of-coach-education Got a story to tell? Get in touch! raushan@sph.com.sg

Founded in 2019 by Ravi Prasad, Almora Botanica is a luxury skincare and wellness brand rooted in the timeless principles of Ayurveda and elevated by cutting-edge scientific innovation. Inspired by Ravi’s personal journey of overcoming asthma through Ayurvedic remedies, Almora Botanica merges traditional ingredients with adaptogenic botanicals to create high-performance, sustainable, and clinically-validated products. On The Right Business, Hongbin Jeong speaks to Ravi Prasad, Co-Founder & CEO, Almora Botanica, to share more.   Presented by: Hongbin Jeong Produced and Edited by: Alexandra Parada (alexparada@sph.com.sg) Want to get featured on our show? Drop me an email today!

Deez’GRID took over the Changwon K-pop World Festival stage in 2024, making history as the first Singaporean K-pop cover crew to reach the prestigious competition’s finals. This powerhouse group - a collaboration between two renowned local dance crews, Deez’strict and GRID - earned their place among the world’s best, representing Singapore with electrifying choreography and unmatched stage presence. But their journey didn’t stop at the competition; they shared the stage with K-pop boy band EVNNE, marking a milestone moment for the local dance scene. On The Big Story, Hongbin Jeong speaks to JJ, Leader, GRID & George, Leader, Deezstrict, to share more about their experience.   Presented by: Hongbin Jeong Produced and Edited by: Alexandra Parada (alexparada@sph.com.sg) and Nadiah Koh Want to get featured on our show? Drop me an email today!

We're almost done with the first month of 2025 but Bitcoin has already made big moves. Investors are anxiously wondering where the market is headed next. With key growth periods in 2024, what does 2025 hold? Will it be another year for digital assets? Which digital asset promises key growth? On Wealth Tracker, Hongbin Jeong speaks to Valentin Fournier,  Digital Asset Analyst at BRN to find out more.

Singapore shares started trading in the green this morning, mirroring overnight gains in global markets.  The Straits Times Index (STI) opened 0.6 per cent higher at 3,802.51 points after 41.4 million securities changed hands in the broader market.  In terms of companies to watch, we have CapitaLand Investment, after its wholly owned lodging business unit Ascott signed 16 new properties under the Oakwood brand in 2024 – a 30 per cent increase over the previous year.  Elsewhere, from South Korea’s SK Hynix posting record quarterly profits on the back of strong sales of advanced chips, to how Saudi Arabia is reportedly planning to put in US$600 billion in new US investment and trade – more corporate and international headlines remain in focus. On Market View, Money Matters’ finance presenter Chua Tian Tian dived into the details with David Chow, Director, Azure Capital. 

What happens when a tech guru follows his heart into the world of football? Tune in as we hear from Tariq Cassim, CEO & co-founder of Koach Hub, who’s blending his expertise in tech with his love for the game. Leveraging on technology and data, learn how Koach Hub is empowering players, coaches, and clubs with metrics-driven solutions—and why the future of sports is digital. Got a story to tell? Get in touch! raushan@sph.com.sg