Covid-19: Mixed picture for Singapore F&B, retail outlets since Phase 2 reopening — some on brink of closure, others expandingRetailers and F&B businesses report mixed results during the one month since they were able to resume business under Phase Two of Singapore’s reopening of the economy. — TODAY pic
Retail outlets are allowed to reopen with safe distancing measures in place, and F&B dine-in is also allowed, with restrictions such as not having more than five diners per table. Many eateries have reduced their seating capacity to meet safe distancing requirements. Home-grown eatery chain Founder Bak Kut Teh, which has been around since 1978, will be forced to close in the next two months if business does not turn around after sales have continued to stay at levels 85 per cent below those of February, said Nigel Chua, a second-generation owner.
Head chef Oliver Truesdale-Jutras said that their first five services since reopening were sold out, an impressive feat in a large restaurant, and one that has been repeated many times since then. Under safe distancing restrictions, the 120-seater restaurant can now accommodate 80. “Many people are shutting down so there needs to be a replacement,” said Goswani, whose three new outlets in the residential areas of Sembawang, Tiong Bahru and Upper Thomson will open between August and October, with some requiring only minimal renovations.
Seeing other countries hit by second and third waves of the virus, Lim decided he would “go down market with our dine-in and up the game with our delivery” which “can be done from anywhere”.A poll conducted by the Singapore Tenants United For Fairness among 124 retailers on Friday found that sales at 41 per cent of businesses are still 50 per cent lower than pre-pandemic levels. Another 29 per cent reported that sales are 30 to 50 per cent lower.
The lack of tourists is also a major problem for many retailers, such as local gift shop Hygge, located in popular tourist hotspot Haji Lane. Owner Tony Liu Moon told TODAY that sales are down 80 to 85 per cent on pre-Covid times owing to the lack of tourist traffic.