We all know our gov is all out to impress the delegates of IMF. But
looks to me, they only know how to take care of things for their
own needs but overlooks or thought nothing of retailers within
Suntec City.
What do you think?
=======================================================
Wondering how a big international event affects your life? Well,
read on.
BIG SALE IN SUNTEC CITY
Thanks to the World Bank and IMF meetings, Singapore gets...
By Tan Mae Lynn
September 11, 2006
ALL it The Great Suntec City Sale.
The tight security around the Suntec area for the International
Monetary Fund (IMF) and World Bank meetings might deter local
shoppers.
But retailers at Suntec City Mall are banding together to entice
them with discounts, freebies and lucky draw prizes that include
Singapore Airline tickets to places like Tokyo and Paris.
The retailers' message: If you're willing to brave the expected
traffic snarls and blockages, we will make it worth your
while.
If the thought of air travel doesn't appeal to you because you are
more of a homebody, Carrefour is giving away free gifts such as a
DVD player, an LCD TV and even a home theatre system, depending on
how much you spend.
--Jonathan Choo
Need snacks for TV-watching? Rack up $60 at the supermarket and you
can get a porcelain enamel iron wok at $10 to toss up a quick meal
of fried rice, or a four-tier cabinet (also $10) to store your
crisps and cookies.
Looking for a laptop?
Courts at Suntec will also be offering discounts of up to 10 per
cent on selected electronics and accessories.
Mr Patrick Lum, chief executive officer of Suntec City Development,
said: 'The mall continues to operate at normal hours and is working
closely with its retailers to plan a 10-day shopping extravaganza
with a host of special promotions that will attract both delegates
and local visitors during this period.'
To further sweeten the deal for shoppers, the mall management will
also have daily lucky draws and a 'Sure Win Lucky Dip' for
shoppers, offering prizes such as air tickets - taxes fully paid -
on Singapore Airlines to destinations like Tokyo, Paris, Sydney and
San Francisco, as well as Suntec City shopping vouchers.
SLUMP EXPECTED
Judging by the reaction of shoppers, retailers are understandably
worried that they will face a dip in business over the next 10
days.
Their concern is not out of place.
Of 100 shoppers we interviewed at the Suntec City area, only nine
said they would want to be around the area during this
period.
Even some regular shoppers are put off by the road
restrictions.
Madam Rita M, 65, said: 'It's very inconvenient. If I have to take
my grandchildren with me, I'd have to go in a cab. But with the
road blocks, I would have to drop off somewhere and walk.'
Talk like this makes retailers glum.
Store supervisor Catherine Lim is anticipating up to a 40 per cent
drop in business at her women's wear boutique in the coming
week.
The big retailers - Carrefour, Courts and brand-name outlets like
Warehouse and Topshop - don't expect to be spared from a potential
dip in business either.
But a spokesman for Carrefour said: 'With the free shuttle bus
services picking shoppers up at City Hall MRT station and dropping
them off right in front of our store, this will greatly reduce the
inconvenience.'
Furthermore, all carparks except the blue zone directly below the
convention centre remain open.
Managing director of Courts Singapore, Mr Terry O'Connor, said: 'We
do expect a dip in our sales of around 20 per cent for the Suntec
City outlet during the IMF/World Bank meetings.
'(But) we are working closely with the Suntec City management team
to minimise the impact.
'We have put together special promotional prices for delegates as
well as Singapore customers (during this period) at Courts Suntec
City.'
Wing Tai Retail's spokesman said: 'We will be working with American
Express Credit Cards (and will have) special promotions to attract
shoppers to Suntec City and Marina Square, as well as with the
Singapore Tourism Board to offer special shopping privileges for
visiting delegates and their accompanying spouses/partners during
this period.'
Wing Tai Retail has 15 clothing outlets in Suntec City and Marina
Square, including stores like Topshop, Dorothy Perkins and
G2000.
Other retailers are more optimistic.
Ms Helen Goh, partner of Habanos, a shop selling cigars and tobacco
products, said that while she expects a dip in business, she hopes
that the large number of visiting delegates in the area would make
up for the loss in business from her regular customers.
DIFFERENT THIS TIME
She said that during the International Olympic Committee (IOC) meet
in July last year, business slowed due to tight security
measures.
'But the profile of visiting delegates at this meet will be
different from the IOC visitors, which comprised lobbyists and many
sportsmen.
'This time round, there'll be senior officials and bankers.'
They, she hopes, will be more willing to shop and spend.
Restaurants in the area are also waiting eagerly for the event to
start as they believe it will ring in more business.
Some shoppers were pleased to hear about the bargains.
NSman Michael Tan, 19, said: 'It's an added perk that shops are
offering discounts on their products.
'It's an exciting time to be in Singapore anyway, and who knows
what sort of activities will be going on around the area.'
- Additional reporting by
Belle Charlene Kwan and
Dominique Mosbergen
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Bars, restaurants more hopeful
WHILE some shops are worried about a potential dip in business,
restaurants and bars at the Suntec City and Marina bay area are
expecting to benefit from the influx of 16,000 delegates for the
IMF-World Bank meeting.
At least one bar has made special preparations to meet the expected
increase in demand.
Mr Michael Lu of Suba bar at Millenia Walk said: 'We're very
excited about it... We have beefed up our manpower strength and
increased our order of supplies.
'We have been actively engaging all the concierges of the hotels
where the delegates will be and working with the tourism board to
cater to the delegates and media who will be here.'
He said that most of his customers work in the area.
'We do expect to enjoy an increase of business. It's hard to tell
at this stage how much of an increase we will enjoy, but I think a
50 per cent increase would not be a stretch.
'There are a lot of people coming to town. With the road closures,
it also means people are 'stuck' in the area as well,' he
said.
Among its promotions next week, Suba will be offering delegates a
first drink on the house when they show their passes. Everyone else
will also get to enjoy one-for-one beer (some brands only) for the
whole month.
Similarly, Paulaner Brauhaus' general manager, Mr Henry Quah, said
that with the restaurant-bar's location opposite the Suntec City
Convention Centre, he is looking forward to spin-off benefits that
come with the visiting delegates.
16,000 POTENTIAL CUSTOMERS
Mr Quah said: 'While our regular customers may stay away, 16,000
delegates will be here to cushion the loss, so we're not worried
about a loss in business. Besides, we are (favourably) located
between the event location and hotels housing delegates.'
He said that although the restaurant is not fully booked ahead of
the event, he expects last-minute bookings for the visitors.
The restaurant will offer a 15 per cent discount to delegates who
show their passes at lunch.
Over at Balaclava bar, the sentiment is less optimistic because it
is at the convention centre, which means access to the area is
restricted.
The bar's main entrance is along an area blocked off from public
access, so customers can only get to the bar using via a side door
inside the mall.
Balaclava's marketing manager, Ms Carol Anne Wah, said: 'We have
many regular customers and they are not just those who work in the
area. It will be difficult to get to us (next week), so business
will be affected.'
Ms Wah said the bar's capacity will also be reduced during the
event because they had to shut the seating area outside its main
entrance for security reasons.
'I'm not too sure (the event) will have a 100 per cent positive
impact on our business, but I don't think there'll be a significant
dip either because the delegates will at least make up for some of
the loss from our regulars.'
