Upcoming retail stores step up technology adoption

OUE Downtown Gallery and SingPost Centre are introducing new initiatives.

The retail landscape in Singapore remains tough with overall rental declining in Q3 2016, falling by 3.0% q-o-q to about $20.10 per sq ft per month. To adapt to the changing landscape of the retail sector, Edmund Tie&Co notes that several upcoming developments are integrating technology with their physical stores to manage manpower constraints, as well as to attract the technological-savvy consumers.

For example, the upcoming OUE Downtown Gallery will introduce a new F&B concept, whereby diners place their food orders via a mobile app.

This reduces the amount of leasable space required by the food establishment, as well as its reliance on manpower.

In addition, the research house notes that the upcoming Singapore Post Centre (SPC) will introduce click-and-collect and hands-free shopping.

Future shoppers at SPC will be able to browse through the products in-store, purchase the product and arrange for product delivery. Moreover, shoppers also have the flexibility of shopping through the e-merchants and arranging for pickup timings at the physical stores.