Singapore’s provision shops struggle to keep shutters open in HDB heartlands
Surrounded by a clutter of carton boxes, bottles of dishwashing liquid and rows of dry snacks, Ramasamy Vellasamy holds court behind a cashier. For nine hours a day since 1986, he has been running a provision shop on the ground floor of a housing block in northern Singapore and knows the neighbourhood and its residents like the back of his hand. Despite Samy Provision Shop’s enduring presence, it…
Ramasamy Vellasamy, a provision shop owner in Singapore, has been running his store for over three decades. Despite its long-standing presence, the shop is barely breaking even, as Ramasamy lamented the struggle of adapting to the changing preferences of customers. The once bustling racks of vegetables and spices have faded away, replaced by delivery and takeaway services.
In 1986, there were approximately 560 standalone provision shops in the HDB heartlands, but now there are only under 250, according to local media citing HDB data. Competition from minimarts, convenience stores, and online deliveries has intensified, along with high rents and a lack of successors, according to industry observers and experts.
The surge in oil prices has further worsened the situation, as suppliers and delivery companies have increased costs. Many provision shop owners, like Abdul Rawoof who has been running his shop for 11 years, have seen their profit margins significantly reduced. These shops serve as informal social spaces, fostering familiarity and a sense of belonging among elderly residents, according to retail experts.
They help animate public spaces and reflect Singapore's history of small-scale entrepreneurship and neighborhood life.
Written by urgent.news from South China Morning Post's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
