Beyond rent, why don’t some international brands last in Singapore – while others do?

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After 16 years in the country, American health and wellness product Holland &amp, Barrett recently announced its return from Singapore on March 10 and shut down all of its 12 stores. &nbsp,

Hands, a former home of Tokyu Hands, even shut down its Jewel Changi Airport location the same day. Singapore has three sources still, down from its previous six.

This quarter, Burger & Lobster bid goodnight to Jewel Changi Airport. One of the longest-running locations at the store since its beginning in 2019 was the famous London restaurant’s Singapore shop, which had a focus on lobster rolls and sandwiches.

Another cherished English merchant, Marks &amp, Spencer, shut its Parkway Parade business in February after more than 20 years at the store.

Never mind the various goods and services, locations, or client demographics, commenters came to the conclusion that the primary factor in each situation was always book. The implicit premise was that lowering the cost of rent, which is frequently seen as the main operating expense, would help a company stay afloat long. &nbsp,

Rent is not at all special to organizations that have closed down, though. Although it may ultimately be the cause of a bank’s collapse, it often seems to be the only factor. &nbsp,

For the time being, it seems that some foreign brands have finally found the obscure formula in Singapore. &nbsp,

ADAPTING TO LOCAL REFERENCES

Furniture, Don Don Donki, Haidilao, and Shake Shack were cited by an expert in stores and urban finance as standout success tales in Singapore, mainly due to their resilience.

According to Assistant Professor Li Zhonglin from the National University of Singapore Business School, these companies have “maintained their main benefit statement” while embracing local interests.

International bars had balance regional needs, historical interests, high prices, fierce competition, and an expanding e-commerce landscape with their international brand identity. However, over-localizing can obscure a company’s essence, and remaining firm may turn off local customers.

Asst. Prof. Li cited the Swedish company Ikea as an example of how it keeps its “budget-friendly equipment focus” and adds “locally encouraged menu items” to it. &nbsp,

The “reputated for its outstanding service” of China’s Haidilao customises its hotpot sauce bases to the tastes of Singaporeans.

Similar to Shake Shack, an American burger joints, has “regionally inspired services,” which are crucial to its long-term charm.

In contrast, Chinese artist Don Donki is focused on a” certain niche with a huge following”: those who are eager to purchase Chinese snacks and household goods at “wallet-friendly prices.” ( It also doesn’t hurt that the essence of Don Don Donki cannot be replicated online. )

And as for gimmick, there will always be a business. While we detest the bleak state of our financial and dining industries, perhaps we also contribute to the churning by continually looking for the next huge brand to understand the Singaporean psyche.

According to Dr. Lynda Wee, an adjunct associate professor of marketing at Nanyang Technological University, “businesses can see the cause-and-effect and increase their giving, promoting quick use and shorter product life cycles,” according to Dr. Wee.

This creates anxious clients who are eager to learn more about the following interesting thing. Therefore, fresh and exciting affords are made.”

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Heathrow Airport closure: London-bound travellers in Singapore alter, cancel travel plans

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WHAT HEATHROW AIRPORT CLOSED,

The busiest airports in the UK was shut down after a fire at an electronic substation in north London. &nbsp,

At least 120 planes in the air had to be diverted to different flights, according to a Heathrow spokesman, who stated” major disruption” is anticipated in the coming weeks.

More than 1, 000 flights may be impacted by the airline’s closing, according to Flightradar24.

Another Singaporean who was impacted was 66-year-old Jacinta Yong, who was anticipating a two-week trip to London and Edinburgh to satisfy her daughter and children. &nbsp,

Before she headed home to look for a new journey option, she spoke to CNA while she was waiting in the car line.

The 66-year-old works in the mental health field and said,” We are going on vacation and then I also booked a musical, so I have to cancel, and I’m ( likely ) not going to get my money back.”

She continued, noting that the captain had made the announcement while she was flying, but that some people had already figured it out after having seen the information on their devices.

British doctor Phyo Tun, 42, noticed the journey had turned around on the journey sensor before the announcement was made.

She was concerned about what might have happened for about 10 days. &nbsp,

” At the time, the weather looked good, ( I thought ) maybe there was an emergency patient,” she told CNA.

Dr. Tun claimed that she would have preferred it if the aircraft had been diverted to a location between London and Singapore. &nbsp,

She said,” We flew ) almost seven hours and ( went back to Singapore, where we have to fly back another 13 or 14 hours.”

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Singapore Airlines cancels flights to and from London’s Heathrow after airport closure

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After a large fire destroyed power at Britain’s largest airport, a number of Singapore Airlines ( SIA ) flights to and from London’s Heathrow Airport and are now cancelled.

In response to CNA’s inquiries, SIA reported on Friday ( Mar 21 ) that eight flights in total were affected by the request.

Airlines between Singapore and Heathrow in London were either diverted or canceled.

Flights SQ322 and SQ306, which left Singapore on Thursday and Friday, between, were diverted to Charles de Gaulle Airport in Paris and Frankfurt Airport.

SQ308 left Singapore for Changi Airport, where it is scheduled to get at 4:30 p.m. The trip will then be canceled, according to SIA.

According to SIA, four planes from Heathrow to Singapore, SQ305, SQ317, SQ319, and SQ321, were postponed on Friday.

Due to a massive fire at a local electrical station, which was causing the airport to shut down power for the entire weekend, Heathrow announced that it would be closed.

Around 70 firefighters, according to the London Fire Brigade, were working on the incident in Hayes, east London, which caused a massive power failure at Heathrow, the busiest airports in Europe, and the fifth-busiest airport in the world.

Great orange flames and smoke could be seen exploding into the clouds. Around 150 people were forced to leave near houses, and thousands of homes were without electricity.

The flames regiment claimed that it was unknown as to what caused the fire.

“SIA will provide all necessary support to the damaged people, including providing hotel accommodations, and reaccommodating them on other planes or land transportation,” the airport said.

Users are advised to check the SIA site for more details on the position of their flights.

” Our top priority is always the safety of our customers and team.” SIA apologizes to all users for the pain caused.

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Woman charged over alleged chopper attack at People’s Park Complex food stall

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Prior to this, officers claimed in response to CNA’s questions that they had been made aware of the incident at around 8.45pm on Wednesday.

Two people, 41 and 30, were taken to the hospital for medical evaluation. The Singapore Civil Defence Force evaluated a 42-year-old gentleman for small injuries, but he chose not to be taken to the hospital.

According to 8World, the front of the barn and the courtyard that followed on Wednesday evening were cordoned off.

The ground near the counter was bloody, and plastic bags, food container caps, and other products were scattered all over the surface.

As a middle-aged person spoke, a police officer spotted him and a police officer in the store, and they both pointed to the body on the spot. &nbsp,

Deliberately inflicting harm with any kind of weapon is punishable by a prison term of up to seven years, a fine, a punishment, or any mixture of the sanctions.

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China’s small cities defy housing slump as young buyers seek affordability

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CHANGING THE Fad

China’s oldest industrial base, including Liaoning state, where Fuxin is located, has lagged behind different areas for decades. &nbsp,

According to Professor Lan Deng of the University of Michigan’s Taubman College of Architecture and Urban Planning, the place was particularly affected by the housing problems, in contrast to places with stronger charm.

Their population is shrinking, and employment is likewise declining. So you now construct a lot of accommodation, and after that you have a much larger stock than your inhabitants or economic opportunities are capable of, she said.

Current efforts to revive the localized business have begun to pay off. Liaoning reported a growth of 5.1 % in gross domestic product ( GDP ) last year, beating the national average.

For the first time in more than a decade, the county saw a online population increase of 86, 000 people in 2023.

The location of the city even plays a role, according to Xiao Zhang, a Fuxin real estate agent.

The distance between two cities is quite short because of the numerous transport options, according to Mr. Zhang, who works for Fu Jia Fang Chan.

” People may claim to be able to make money from it before looking for a position that is not too far away from their capabilities.” They might be able to book a place away from the city or even the company-provided lodging in this situation, he says.

” But, if they live in a more successful town with higher pay, they also face the reality of higher living costs and greater force right”?

Despite this, inhabitants of Fuxin’s population are divided by the influx of young persons from outside the city.

A city’s population “helps a city create further,” according to one resident, while another noted that “it may also drive up property prices, making it more expensive for citizens to buy.” &nbsp,

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Oli968 radio DJ Gunalan Morgan charged with sexual communication with minor, voyeurism

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SINGAPORE: On Friday ( Mar 21 ), Radio DJ Gunalan Morgan was accused of having sexual relations with a minor under the age of 16 and recording the privates of two women.

Gunalan, 43, was charged with seven sexual offenses in the state court, four of which are related to gender crimes. &nbsp,

A joke order was issued based on the personalities of the three reported patients as well as the areas where the alleged offences took place. &nbsp,

Gunalan, a Singaporean, is a producer and presenter for Mediacorp’s Tamil television station Oli968.

Mediacorp responded to CNA’s inquiries by stating that Gunalan was promptly given a termination observe and that he had been given a termination notice after the company learned of his arrest. It declined to comment more.

Gunalan, who was disadvantaged in court, did not make an admission of appeal. He informed the court that he would consult with a solicitor. &nbsp,

Between August 25, 2024 and August 31, 2024, he is said to have had sexual relations with a small under the age of 16.

He is accused of intentionally deleting these discussions on Sep 16, 2024, after being informed that a police report had been filed against him. This qualifies as a cost of obstructing the course of justice. &nbsp,

Gunalan was likewise charged with pornography in a separate case.

On four separate occasions, according to Gunalan, on August 28, 2013, he is said to have recorded a person’s genitalia, shoulder, or undies without her knowledge. &nbsp,

On October 8, 2024, he reportedly used his mobile phone to record another woman’s genitalia or underpants. &nbsp,

On April 21, Gunalan may go back to court for his next appearance. &nbsp,

A person who is found guilty of having an under-16 intimate relationship with a small can face jail time, fine, or both.

A person who obstructs the course of justice may face jail time for up to seven times, a fine, or both. &nbsp,

A person who commits voyeurism may face jail time for up to two years, a fine or be caned, or any combination of the consequences. &nbsp,

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Singapore slips in world happiness ranking, gets knocked off top spot in Asia

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According to Mr. Melvin Tay of the Institute of Policy Studies ‘ Social Lab, study conducted at the consider reservoir has shown that the average number of close friends in Singapore has decreased from about 10 in 2018 to about 6 in 2024. &nbsp,

Our joy is largely influenced by social relationships. This is especially true for young people who report higher levels of anxiety and less pleasure in less social networks, according to the research associate.

” As humans, we seek compassion and mental support. People would feel more vulnerable to mental health issues, panic, and despair, which may lead to a decline in happiness when these relationships were weak.

While Singapore continues to lead Southeast Asia, Mr. Tay noted that the country’s levels of happiness appear to possess waned. &nbsp,

Neighbors are closing the gap, with Vietnam in particular seeing significant increases from 96th in 2015 to 46th next year.

This suggests that social support and powerful social cohesion can significantly increase happiness, yet with lower benchmark GDP levels, he said on CNA’s Singapore Tonight program.

He added that there are opportunities for advancement in non-economic factors like community support and work-life balance.

He echoed the study’s results regarding the link between goodwill and joy.

Studies consistently link pro-social behaviors like helping others, working, and giving to a cause with improved mental health, reducing stress, and enhancing life satisfaction, he said.

Knowing or perceiving that positive actions ( of pro-social acts ) contribute to your own happiness or satisfaction, too.

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GE Newbies Watch: MDDI director among PAP fresh faces; WP, PPP and RDU work the ground

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The senior civil servant was spotted at a Meet-The-People gathering held on March 17 in the Zhenghua branch of the PAP’s Holland-Bukit Timah Group Representation Constituency ( GRC ).

Since December 2023, Ms. Goh has been a producer in the Ministry of Digital Development and Information’s Smart Nation Strategy Office.

She serves as the ministry’s National Artificial Intelligence ( AI ) Group’s director of policy and strategy.

In the previous hustings, Mr. Edward Chia, the latest Member of Parliament for the Zhenghua hospital, was a political novice.

Prior to joining the Prime Minister’s Office, Ms. Goh held positions such as chairman for economic and sustainability and assistant director for socio-economic coverage.

Prior to that, she spent about a decade working for the Economic Development Board ( EDB), where she was the deputy director for strategic planning among other positions.

CNA has reached out to Ms. Goh for opinion.

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Triple whammy: JB Ramadan bazaar vendors grapple with higher costs, stricter rules and price-conscious customers

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The tendency of traders dealing with price-sensitive customers and “exorbitant” operating costs is also present at Ramadan bazaars in Singapore across the bridge. &nbsp,

Many vendors have no choice but to raise their prices, much to the stress of consumers, as the Goods and Services Tax hike of last year increased to 9 % along with the rising rental rates and base pricing. &nbsp,

However, many of these customers and stall owners are still figuring out how to effectively embrace the biennial tradition. &nbsp,

Many Geylang Serai and Kampong Gelam clients have told CNA they are adjusting their investing in response to higher rates, similar to those in Johor Bahru.

Ani, who visited the Kampong Gelam market, said,” I will still go to the market, but I did think twice before making a purchase.” &nbsp,

Naira, 17, concurred with him at the Geylang Serai bazaar,” It is very expensive for basic things, some meals can cost around S$ 20 ( US$ 15 ) and the portions are not even that large.” &nbsp,

However, I also get it because book costs are high.

Patrons dining at the teeming Geylang Serai Ramadan Bazaar on a weekday night. ( Photo: CNA/Lan Yu )

Burhan Jumadi, campaign manager for Gemilang Kampong Gelam 2025, reported to CNA that this year, rental for booths at the bazaar centering the renowned Sultan Mosque has been set at S$ 14,500 for food and beverage ( F&amp, B) vendors and S$ 3,800 for retail vendors.

However, these volumes do not include sellers ‘ utility costs, which they also cover. &nbsp,

Crushed user Asyraf Rasheed, who owns the Kampong Gelam market, reported to CNA that he had spent close to S$ 17,500 on rent and utilities overall, which is an increase of 10 % from the previous year.

Similar to Muzaffar, the owner of Mandi House in Kampong Gelam’s market, said his full monthly rent and utility bills have increased by more than 70 % to S$ 16 000, up from S$ 9 000 in 2023. &nbsp,

A stallholder who has been operating it since 2016 claimed that book is definitely “going upwards” each year at the Geylang Serai market.

The creator of Katoshka, which sells brown fries with sauces, Muhammad Hasif Othman, noted that the full rent for this year, including electricity bills, has increased to over S$ 950.

Hasif told CNA,” The barrier to entry is getting higher, making hard for small businesses to support themselves and for new companies to enter the scene.”

Despite the high prices, organizers claimed that there has been a lot of need for a place at the bazaars. &nbsp,

According to its administrator, CNA reported that all of the Kampong Gelam Bazaar’s booths were being used this year, only as it had been in 2024. &nbsp,

In Geylang, 90 percent of 2024 stallholders even came back this year, according to the administrator in response to CNA’s question.

For some of us, this is our livelihood, and we must work to make it work, Asyraf, the Crushed owner, told CNA.

The barn, which sold burgers next year, then serves burritos, acknowledging that customers are becoming “more choosy” when going to bazaars for shopping. &nbsp,

People may be more conscious of their spending, but they still find way to acknowledge this annual custom, Hasif said. &nbsp,

The creator of Katoshka argued that returning to Geylang Bazaar is more than just business despite the rising prices.

It’s a history, and it has a significant cultural and historical significance, Hasif said. &nbsp,

Knowing that it brings the neighborhood up,” we do what we can to keep it dead.”

At the Geylang Serai Ramadan Bazaar, a customer fingers a customer’s purchase. ( Photo: CNA/Lan Yu )

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