28 Mar 2025
Retail Property Market 2025: Trends Shaping Investor Strategies
Property Insight

Singapore's retail landscape demonstrated resilience in 2024, underpinned by a sharp rebound in international visitor arrivals and strategic investor activity. Visitor arrivals surged by 21.5%, growing from 13.6 million in 2023 to 16.5 million in 2024, with strong contributions from Mainland China, Indonesia, and India. This growth was fueled by a robust calendar of high-profile events—including concerts by global artists like Taylor Swift, Ed Sheeran, and Coldplay, as well as the Formula 1 Singapore Grand Prix and Singapore Art Week—which bolstered tourism-related sectors like retail and hospitality.

Retail property transactions in 2024 moderated slightly, registering approximately 250 caveated transactions compared to 272 in 2023. Despite this moderation, District 7 (Middle Road/Golden Mile) emerged as the top-performing district with 52 transactions. This reflects investor confidence tied to the transformation of the Golden Mile Complex into The Golden Mile, integrating retail, office, and medical suites alongside the upcoming Aurea residential tower. Districts 14 (Geylang, Eunos) and 9 (Orchard, River Valley) followed with 35 and 32 transactions, respectively, underscoring demand for strategically located and historically stable commercial zones.

From a project perspective, Parklane Shopping Mall led with 12 transacted retail units, indicating sustained interest in older, strata-titled developments with flexible configurations. Far East Plaza and Sim Lim Square also recorded strong activity, each with 10 units transacted, appealing to niche businesses and tourist-centric trades.

Notably, City Developments Limited’s acquisition of Delfi Orchard for S$439 million highlighted institutional interest in Orchard Road’s rejuvenation. Other high-value deals included transactions along Irrawaddy Road, North Bridge Road, and Beach Road—signaling a preference for prime, high-footfall locations.

The leasing market also improved, with total retail rental value rising by 2.7% year-on-year from $254.5 million in 2023 to $261.2 million in 2024. Median rentals held firm across multiple regions, with the North and North-East regions commanding premium rates. Fringe and Central Areas also experienced rental recovery, reflecting sustained demand in key retail corridors.

Looking ahead to 2025, Singapore's retail sector is poised for continued growth. The Singapore Tourism Board projects 17.0 to 18.5 million visitors, generating up to $30.5 billion in tourism receipts. This optimism is supported by new attractions such as Illumination’s Minion Land at Universal Studios Singapore and the Disney Adventure Cruise Line, both expected to draw significant regional traffic.

Retail will also benefit from a vibrant MICE calendar, bringing in high-spending business travelers. Experiential retail, the integration of physical and digital commerce, and evolving consumer expectations will continue to shape leasing and investment trends. While external risks such as geopolitical uncertainties and macroeconomic fluctuations persist, the sector remains anchored by Singapore’s strong fundamentals, diversified tourism base, and investor confidence in well-located assets.

Click here for the full report 

Prepared By:

Mohan Sandrasegeran

Head of Research & Data Analytics

Email: mohan@sri.com.sg  

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16 Jun 2025
May 2025 Sales Up Nearly 40% from a Year Ago

Developers sold 312 private residential units (excluding ECs) in May 2025, marking a measured pullback from April’s 663 units. This moderation was widely anticipated, as developers tactically held back major launches amidst external developments such as the Liberation Day tariff announcements and Singapore’s General Election period. 

However, May 2025 saw a 39.9% year-on-year increase in sales compared to May 2024’s 223 units, signaling improved market sentiment. The first five months of 2025 recorded 4,350 units sold, excluding ECs—an impressive surge from the 1,688 units in the same period last year. This rebound highlights resilient buyer confidence and more compelling project offerings, even amid broader economic uncertainties.

Among the best-selling projects, One Marina Gardens stood out as the top performer, with 62 units sold at a median price of $2,975 psf. This city-fringe development’s success reinforces strong demand for premium RCR homes. Following closely was Bloomsbury Residences with 32 units sold at $2,506 psf, and The Hill @ One-North, which moved 26 units at $2,484 psf. These results point to growing interest in One-North, a precinct benefiting from its proximity to research, innovation, and business hubs.

Looking ahead, the second half of 2025 presents a pivotal window of opportunity. Developers are aligning project launches to coincide with lower unsold inventory, especially in the mass-market segment. From high-end branded homes to city-fringe freehold residences and ECs in emerging precincts, a diverse slate of projects will drive market momentum amid evolving buyer preferences.

Click

here

for the full report 

Prepared By:

Mohan Sandrasegeran

Head of Research & Data Analytics

Email: research@sri.com.sg

Property Insight
13 Jun 2025
2H2025 GLS Programme Brings Fresh Opportunities for Homebuyers and Developers

The Government has expanded the 2H2025 Government Land Sales (GLS) Programme to maintain housing affordability and ensure a sustainable pipeline of private homes. The total estimated supply has increased by 8.2% compared to 1H2025, bringing it to 9,200 units across the Confirmed and Reserve Lists. This move builds on earlier injections of land supply and reflects a continued proactive approach in managing housing demand in Singapore’s land-scarce environment.

This calibrated supply approach is timely, especially as recent data shows that private residential prices moderated to a 0.8% increase in 1Q2025, down from 2.3% in 4Q2024. Inventory levels are also adjusting in response. Uncompleted unsold private residential units fell from 19,405 in 4Q2024 to 18,125 in 1Q2025, with the Outside Central Region (OCR) segment experiencing a sharp 43.6% year-on-year drop in unsold stock. This signals strong market absorption and buyer demand, especially among first-time buyers and HDB upgraders.

In response to the sustained demand for Executive Condominiums (ECs), the 2H2025 GLS Programme will introduce two new EC sites at Miltonia Close (Yishun) and Woodlands Drive 17, adding an estimated 990 units. This follows the introduction of three EC sites in 1H2025. Demand in the EC market remains robust. The expanded EC pipeline offers more options to middle-income households, reinforces affordability, and mitigates the “fear of missing out” effect in a tight market.

A clear theme in the 2H2025 GLS Programme is precinct intensification. This involves introducing sites in proximity to existing or upcoming developments, such as the second Turf City plot at Dunearn Road, the eighth site in Lentor at Lentor Central, and the new Dover Road plot in One-North. These strategic locations foster synergy between public infrastructure and housing, supporting the formation of cohesive, future-ready communities.

Click

here

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Prepared By:

Mohan Sandrasegeran

Head of Research & Data Analytics

Email: mohan@sri.com.sg 

Property Insight
04 Jun 2025
Lakeside Drive GLS Site Draws Strong Developer Interest with 6 Bidders

The Government Land Sales (GLS) site at Lakeside Drive attracted 6 bids, marking the second-highest number of bids for a GLS site in 2025 to date. CDL Polaris Properties and CDL Polaris Commercial secured the top spot with a $608 million bid, translating to $1,132 psf ppr. This bid outpaced the second-highest by approximately 10.4%, demonstrating CDL’s firm commitment and confidence in the site’s potential.

The strong showing contrasts with the response to the earlier Jurong Lake District white site, which received only two bids and was not awarded. This divergence underscores developers’ preference for sites with more straightforward development parameters and manageable risk, especially in today’s more cautious market climate. With commercial use permitted on the first storey, the Lakeside Drive parcel offers developers flexibility while remaining fundamentally residential in character.

Strategically located adjacent to Lakeside MRT Station, the site boasts immediate connectivity to Boon Lay and Jurong East MRT stations, placing residents within minutes of Jurong Point, Jem, Westgate, and IMM. The broader Jurong region is poised for enhanced accessibility with the upcoming Jurong Region Line and Cross Island Line, further integrating the area with major commercial and education hubs across Singapore.

Lakeside Drive stands out as a rare and timely opportunity for developers. Its location, potential buyer catchment, and proximity to key infrastructure upgrades position it as a highly desirable site with long-term value.

 Click

here

for the full report  

 

 

 

Prepared By: 

Mohan Sandrasegeran 

Head of Research & Data Analytics 

 

 

Email:

mohan@sri.com.sg


 

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