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Provision shops in Singapore’s HDB areas struggle to stay open
The number of standalone provision shops has fallen to under 250 from more than 560 since the 1980s, according to Housing Development Board data cited by local media.
A feature on Singapore’s provision shops in HDB housing neighborhoods highlights how small retail stores are finding it harder to remain viable as customer habits shift toward app-based delivery and takeaway. The story describes one operator, 75-year-old Ramasamy Vellasamy, who has run a provision shop since 1986 but says the business has barely been breaking even as supermarkets and convenience options expand.
The article attributes the decline to several pressures, including increased competition, high rents, and difficulty finding successors. It also notes that the retail racks once devoted to vegetables and spices have disappeared over time, reflecting changes in what customers buy.
According to the report, the count of standalone provision shops has dwindled to under 250 from more than 560 since the 1980s, citing Housing Development Board data. Sales at broader retail stores that stock daily items are also described as falling in recent years, with online competition singled out as a major factor.
Competition is further intensified by minimarts and convenience stores, which can outperform smaller shops that operate on thin margins and low transaction values. The story quotes Lee Kwan Ok, a professor at the National University of Singapore Business School, saying larger retailers are better placed to negotiate wholesale prices and spread costs across multiple outlets.