_Meaningful spaces for all

What makes retail space like a third space, where somewhere between home, work and where people really like to go?

I think first and foremost, the most basic thing would be comfort, how a person feels when they walk into a space. Does it have enough lighting, the ambient temperature, whether it's cool enough to encourage people to stay a bit longer, the availability of open spaces and elements of greenery. From what we have seen from our Quality of Life survey results, people do like to look for some green spaces to relax in.   

The second thing would be the availability of certain experiences that are tailor made for the individual, so that they feel that they're being treated as a special person. They have people care about them, whether it's in a space to meet up with friends, or having a space to work in, or access to a favourite coffee joint with a coffee barista who knows your name and how you like your coffee done. Those things make a person feel special and willing to visit the space.

Thirdly, it's building that community to be part of something bigger than yourself. If you're able to bring your dog to a pet friendly mall, for example, then there's an opportunity for you to meet up with other pet lovers and then bond with them. Or to support a local startup that's close to your heart. These are things that help to build a sense of belonging, a sense of identity, to make a place feel like a home away from home.

How can we design retail spaces, not just to sell a particular product, but, you know, we can also cater to these groups of people as well?

This is a hot topic right now, this thing about place making, where we create environments to foster community connection, participation and developing building a sense of belonging. And it really requires a change of mindset in designing our retail spaces to be places where we can hold, and hosting community events, public performances, pop stores and such. It's about more purposeful case making. And so landlords really have to think about designing or curating for purpose, not just for profit.

This means bringing together the right tenants not just for their ability to pay rents, but also for the energy, identity and diversity that they bring. They can do this by providing more flexible lease terms for the right offerings, standard rents, graduated rent schemes, some kind of profit share or even shortened lease terms.

For shorter, flexible lease terms for incubator style brands, providing some kind of fit out support is also ideal. All these will actually help lower barriers for the correct tenants to come in. And then retailers themselves will have to also consider things like adapting modular layouts, modular formats that can be adapted for day and night strategies to bring in different kind of catchment profiles throughout the day. Landlords can activate public spaces, public spaces to host young community events, public performances, pop ups and workshops. And also maybe host a variety of events to curate local experiences, to bring in the local crowds, because local communities do tend to support local brands and startups.

Even having like your local farmers market, artisan markets, can help to drive certain local communities to bond together. It will also help to develop or reflect the cultural diversity and vibrancy that Singapore has, and foster a sense of pride that brings local communities together. I think the whole idea is to, you know, get some storytelling out there. Get inspiration from local neighborhoods, stories about them, stories about their people, the quirks right, featuring some local names, familiar names like hawker brands Tian Hainanese Chicken Rice or Hawker Chan. Because when people see themselves reflected in their environment, they will protect that space and they will return, and that's how they build local communities.

How can retail space be curated to be inclusive for both consumers and stakeholders?

I think this is hopefully not a secret. Everybody wants value for money. I think in recent times, we have seen a lot of news articles, media coverage and how a lot of retailers or F&B operators have gone out of business because they cannot sustain a high cost anymore. And at the end of the day, I think we have to see who the main players in the game are. The government has a role to play, landlords, all of you, have a role to play. Retailers have a role to play as well, and how they deliver goods and services to their customers. At the end of the day, retailers operating as business owners have different types of costs they have to look into, because at the end of the day, these costs will be possible to the end consumer, right?

There are costs that they cannot control; cost of products, cost of ingredients that are supplied, these are things they can control. Rental income control is a fixed cost, regardless of whether revenue comes in, so that's a big chunk of costs. Perhaps the government could come in with certain policies to incentivize certain retailers that are active in providing essential services to different segments of the community. Where there is a public interest element, I think the government has a role to play to come to incentivize the sector to help maintain certain prices, to keep things affordable.

When it comes to other segments, each member will then have to see what kind of catchment profiles you're trying to bring to the mall, to that retail space, incentivize the kind of brands that are tenants that focus on delivery services in that sector. Give them some kind of profit share scheme, flexible lease terms, percentage of revenue… a kind of a return exchange programme so that they continue to stay in business and be sustainable.

Another way is to activate public spaces with high impact, low cost activities. These could be having workshops or public performances, DJ sets, Movie Night events. These all drive us to the community, but they don't necessarily involve massive spend, and it also helps to democratize the experience, where people don't have to spend in order to enjoy the space. Such measures can be taken by all parties to make things more affordable and to try to manage and control this high cost of living that we're all facing now.

In light of the growing emphasis on sustainable consumption and the need to reduce waste, how can brick-and-mortar retailers promote more environmentally responsible shopping habits among consumers?  

Retailers can promote sustainable habits by:

• Encouraging circular shopping: Offer take-back, trade-in, and repair programmes.
• Reducing packaging waste: Use recyclable or reusable packaging and minimise single-use plastics.
• Promoting reuse and recycling: Set up in-store recycling bins, resale areas, or refill stations.
• Educating and engaging: Host workshops, offer product info via displays, and highlight sustainability certifications.
• Incentivizing eco-choices: Reward customers for bringing bags, reusing packaging, or buying sustainable products.
• Greening store design: Use sustainable materials, energy-efficient systems, and eco-conscious visual merchandising.

Such strategies reduce environmental impact while enhancing customer loyalty and shopping experience.

As per the Quality of Life Report's findings on the importance of "value-for-money experiences" and the growing demand for recreational activities, how can retail spaces be strategically curated to offer unique and engaging experiences that attract local residents while promoting Singapore as a vibrant and attractive destination for leisure and entertainment? And how can technology and data analytics play a part in optimizing these experiences?

To attract both locals and tourists while meeting the demand for value-for-money leisure experiences, retail spaces in Singapore can be strategically curated by blending shopping with recreation – incorporating entertainment, F&B, wellness, and cultural showcases to create vibrant, multi-use environments. Technology plays a key role through immersive tools like AR/VR, smart retail systems, and personalised loyalty apps that enhance engagement.

Data analytics further supports this by enabling real-time insights into consumer behaviour, allowing retailers to tailor offerings, optimise tenant mixes, and respond quickly to evolving preferences. Together, these strategies position Singapore as a dynamic and attractive destination for leisure and entertainment.

What is the single most important action that policymakers, businesses, and community organizations can take to enhance the quality of life for Singaporeans in the next 5-10 years?

Prioritise inclusive, community-centric urban planning that integrates accessible green spaces, affordable amenities, and sustainable lifestyle infrastructure within our neighbourhoods. By co-creating vibrant, mixed-use environments where housing, work, recreation, and services are seamlessly connected, Singapore can support physical and mental well-being, reduce commute stress, and foster stronger community ties. Backed by data-driven planning and public engagement, this approach ensures that development meets evolving needs while promoting environmental resilience, social inclusion, and a greater sense of belonging.