URA's reply, 29 May 2015
Land use: URA replies
About 80 per cent of the supply of commercial space from the Government Land Sales programme in the second half of last year and the first half of this year is for office use and not for retail use ("Writing's on the mall: Not enough shoppers" by Ms Diana Ong Ing Cheng; Monday).
Most of the supply was made available for sale on the reserve list and it would be launched for sale only if there is sufficient market interest to trigger the sale.
Sin Lye Chong Group Director Land Sales and Administration Urban Redevelopment Authority
Letter, 25 May 2015, The Straits Times
Writing's on the mall: Not enough shoppers
It is not surprising at all to read about poor sales and the closing down of shops in shopping malls ("New mall in prime location, but no shoppers"; last Monday, and "Retail industry still quiet in first quarter"; May 9).
There are far too many stores and malls in Singapore, and not enough shoppers.
Consumers are spoilt for choice, but actually have less choice, as big retailers and successful brands squeeze small retailers and budding entrepreneurs out of the retail scene.
With the emerging generation of online shoppers and the rise of online channels, the retailers in shopping malls will find it harder and harder to compete.
We are seeing the demise of many less popular malls and small shops.
As the vacancy rate of malls continues to rise, many malls are adjusting their tenant mix by bringing in more food and beverage outlets and tuition centres.
While this can save some malls, the result is definitely not what one would define as vibrant shopping malls. These malls actually look desolate, and shopping is becoming utterly banal.
Could the Government Land Sale programme be adding to this problem?
In the second half of last year, sites yielding 352,000 sq m of commercial space were released, and in the first half of this year, released sites could yield up to 265,000 sq m of commercial space.
Up for sale is a large parcel of land in Holland Road.
The mixed-use site is slated to offer more retail and dining options to enhance the area's buzz, as well as create new community spaces for people to gather and interact.
The site is currently a beautiful plot of green space. Instead of adding to the oversaturated retail and food and beverage scene, couldn't a neighbourhood park be created to serve as a community space?
Many green spaces have been given up to build malls. But with such a lack of shoppers, many shopping malls are crumbling economically and physically. I hope they will not become representations of vulnerability and desolation.
Diana Ong Ing Cheng (Ms)