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  

You may also like

Property Insight
11 Nov 2025
Bukit Timah Road GLS Draws Strong Developer Interest with Top Bid at $1,820 psf ppr

The Bukit Timah Road Government Land Sales (GLS) site attracted strong developer interest, drawing eight bidders in total. The top bid was submitted by HH Investment Private Limited, a company linked to Taiwan’s Huang Hsian Construction Corporation, at $566.3 million or $1,820 psf ppr. This outpaced the second-highest bid from Hoi Hup Realty and Sunway Developments by 12.3%, underscoring robust confidence in the site’s long-term potential. It also marks the highest GLS land bid since the Cuscaden Road site in 2018, which achieved $2,377 psf ppr.

The spirited participation highlights developers’ optimism toward the Core Central Region (CCR) market amid its ongoing recovery. With limited centrally located residential plots available, the strong premium over competing bids demonstrates the strategic value developers place on sites that combine connectivity, exclusivity, and investment resilience.

Located within the Newton Planning Area, the site is zoned for Residential (Non-Landed) use and is expected to yield about 340 housing units. It benefits from direct access to Newton MRT Interchange, linking the North–South and Downtown Lines, and close proximity to Orchard Road and the CBD. This connectivity enhances its appeal among both investors and owner-occupiers seeking convenience and long-term capital stability.

The area’s transformation is further supported by the upcoming Draft Master Plan 2025, which envisions Newton evolving into a vibrant mixed-use precinct anchored around Newton Circus, Scotts Road, and Monk’s Hill. These clusters are set to feature enhanced greenery, improved public spaces, and an integrated mix of residential, lifestyle, and retail offerings. The Bukit Timah Road GLS site will likely emerge as a key catalyst in this rejuvenation, potentially serving as the first major residential development to lead Newton’s renewal journey.

The tender outcome mirrors earlier activity in the Newton precinct, particularly the Kampong Java Road GLS site that was awarded for Kopar at Newton, which attracted seven bids at the time. The consistency of competition affirms the enduring attractiveness of Newton as a luxury residential enclave and its positioning for long-term growth.

Market momentum in the CCR strengthened in 3Q2025, with developers selling 903 units, the highest quarterly figure since 4Q2010 (994 units). This resurgence reflects growing confidence and demand among affluent buyers, buoyed by recent successful launches such as River Green, UpperHouse at Orchard Boulevard, and The Robertson Opus. These projects have reignited enthusiasm for luxury homes through strong branding, architectural distinction, and desirable locations.

The sustained performance of the CCR segment reinforces the market’s resilience, particularly for premium developments that continue to draw discerning local and foreign buyers seeking enduring value.

Click

here

for the full report 

Prepared By:

Mohan Sandrasegeran

Head of Research & Data Analytics

Email: mohan@sri.com.sg

Property Insight
04 Nov 2025
Kingsford Tops Bid for Telok Blangah Road GLS Site at $1,326 psf ppr

Kingsford Development has emerged as the top bidder for the Telok Blangah Road Government Land Sales (GLS) site, marking a strategic expansion of its landbank into the Rest of Central Region (RCR). The developer submitted a winning bid of $918.3 million ($1,326 psf ppr), surpassing the second-highest offer by 4.4%. This reflects Kingsford’s strong conviction and competitive stance in securing a site within one of Singapore’s most ambitious urban transformations—the Greater Southern Waterfront (GSW).

With the GLS programme ramping up to ensure a steady housing pipeline, developers are exercising greater selectivity and spreading participation across more sites. The Telok Blangah Road parcel stands out as a trophy opportunity for forward-looking developers seeking early positioning in this transformative district. The site is expected to yield about 745 residential units, offering excellent connectivity and proximity to HarbourFront, VivoCity, and Sentosa Island—key lifestyle and retail anchors that enhance its attractiveness. Nearby rejuvenation works, including the planned redevelopment of HarbourFront Centre into a 33-storey mixed-use building, will further reinforce the precinct’s long-term appeal.

As the first private residential plot under the GSW transformation, the Telok Blangah Road site is expected to set early benchmarks for design, pricing, and urban integration—much like the Turf City GLS site in Bukit Timah.

Click

here

for the full report 

Prepared By:

Mohan Sandrasegeran

Head of Research & Data Analytics

Email: mohan@sri.com.sg

Property Insight
27 Oct 2025
3Q2025 HDB Resale Market Trends: Steady Growth and Sustained Demand