When Mr Jeffrey Neo started his furniture business more than 10 years ago, it was so successful that he had four outlets in public housing estates, including one each in Marsiling and Woodlands.
Even though Mr Neo acknowledged that many factors may hurt brick-and-mortar businesses such as his, he placed the most blame for the business downturn on the competition just over the Causeway in Johor Bahru , Malaysia. Asked what he intends to do to arrest the decline of his business, Mr Neo sounded almost defeatist: “I’ll just continue running the shop until the day I’m forced to close.”greater ease in crossing the borderSince March, travellers arriving in and departing Singapore at the land checkpoints by car have been able to
Some Woodlands residents told CNA TODAY that they are buying goods from JB either more frequently or in larger quantities in recent years, mainly due to the rising cost of living that adds pressure on them to pinch pennies. Many retail and service owners in the Marsiling area reported a drop in sales since COVID-19 of up to 50 per cent. Business has been even grimmer this year than the last, they told CNA TODAY.
Due to its proximity, the hawker centre there has long been a hot spot for Malaysians looking to have a meal before their work day starts. But even this is not enough to save the overall level of business there from dwindling. This is because a consumer might not find it worthwhile braving a traffic jam for the few dollars that can be saved by going to JB, he explained.
Prof Loh, who is from the school’s department of strategy and policy. added: “Often, the outing is a total experience that may include eating and entertainment conveniently available without having to travel across the country.” Some merchants reported an uptick in sales recently, boosted by the expiring Community Development Council vouchers and the December cash payout under the government's Assurance Package.
Like many residents interviewed, the trips he makes to JB include not just shopping, but also having a meal and going for services such as massages. Woodlands and Marsiling businesses are bracing for further impact when the RTS Link begins service, tentatively by end-2026. He acknowledged that the stronger Singapore currency and high rental costs in Singapore pose “an inherent challenge that is hard to surmount”.However, businesses still hope that more can be done to help them stay afloat.
There are already existing regulations that prohibit importation of certain goods altogether, or that require specific permission be obtained before a traveller brings the goods into Singapore.