The 75-year-old said he is opening a hair salon a few units away from his clothing shop in hopes the new venture will provide him with another source of income.
“(Even) at this old age, we will never give up. We are still trying a new trade. But the hair salon (business) is very, very competitive,” noted Mr Hong, adding he plans to offer prices as low as S$6 per haircut to stay ahead of competitors in the area.
LOOKING BEYOND CDC VOUCHERS
Department of Statistics data released last Thursday (Jun 5) showed that retail sales growth in Singapore is slowing, easing to 0.3 per cent year-on-year in April, as compared to 1.3 per cent in March.
Experts said consumers are being cautious with their spending.
“Market conditions, which softened in the first quarter of this year could weaken further … and locals are finding better deals when travelling abroad amid a strong (Singapore) dollar,” said DBS Bank senior economist Chua Han Teng.
The Ministry of Trade and Industry (MTI) in March announced the creation of a task force to help rejuvenate retail areas and create opportunities in the heartlands, assisting local enterprises to compete with retail offerings in Malaysia.
The task force said it will work with retailers and merchants’ associations, aiming to release its findings and recommendations in 2026.
Mr Hong suggested that authorities could improve the shopping area in Marsiling with festive decorations and organise more activities like carnivals to attract visitors to the estate.
“Maybe during Christmas or Chinese New Year, they can put up some lighting. This is like a dead town,” he said.
