ATTRACTING HIGH-END BRANDS
Some researchers noted that these regions have also caught the attention of high-end companies as they seek to establish their brands and establish connections.  ,
Earlier this month, for example, a Louis Vuitton pop-up appeared in Joo Chiat. In 2023, luxury company Coach opened a shop along the busy Keong Saik Road.  ,
The trend toward innovative retail spaces is especially important in nations like Singapore, where shopping malls “often lack variety in design and experience,” according to Ms. Ginette Chittick, program leader for the diploma in artistic direction for fashion at LASALLE College of the Arts.
This move is also driven by the interests of Gen Zs, who “prioritise integrity, dignity and important engagement with companies”, she added.  ,
” In Singapore, where malls tend to follow a formulaic method, brands setting up in these innovative spaces, such as history shophouses, repurposed commercial buildings or outside pop-ups, you break away from the monotony and have out”.
These places feel “more authentic and unadulterated” with their own distinct styles, according to Dr. Samer El Hajjar, senior marketing lecturer at the National University of Singapore Business School, which some brands desire.  ,
They “want to offer something new to consumers.” Because they all appear the same, shopping malls can feel monotonous, he continued.  ,
” By using a unique space, these brands can surprise customers ( and ) give them an experience that they will remember” . ,
However, according to experts, traditional shopping malls still have a place in today’s society despite the growing number of hotspots for storefronts.  ,
” It’s all about providing different experiences for different consumer segments”, said Dr El Hajjar.
” I still think Orchard Road and the common shopping roads in Singapore will always be popular for shopping, but we will also have other neighbourhoods, other new hotspots for shopping that offer different experiences for the consumers,” he said.