25 Jun 2024
The Retail Segment: Market Dynamics and Outlook
Property Insight

Economic Boost in Q1 2024

In the first quarter of 2024, Singapore's economy saw substantial growth fueled by significant events and international performances. The Singapore Airshow, held in February, along with concerts by Coldplay, Mayday, and Taylor Swift, attracted numerous visitors, contributing to economic expansion. The retail trade sector grew by 2.7% year-on-year, recovering from a 0.3% contraction in the previous quarter. This growth was driven by higher sales volumes of motor and non-motor vehicles. Similarly, the food and beverage services sector grew by 1.1% year-on-year, rebounding from a 1.5% contraction, driven by increased sales at food caterers, cafes, and food courts.

Retail Space Market Dynamics

Retail space prices increased by 1.8% in Q1 2024, up from 1.2% in Q4 2023, reflecting strong demand. Despite a reduction in the number of retail spaces from 85 units in Q4 2023 to 62 units in Q1 2024, the overall value of retail transactions also declined from $175.3 million to $107.8 million. However, the first four months of 2024 showed a positive trend, with a 23.9% year-on-year increase in retail space transactions and a 34.8% increase in total transaction value compared to the same period in 2023.

Significant Retail Transactions

Notable transactions in early 2024 included the sale of a unit at Royal Square at Novena for $11.0 million ($4,121 psf) and a ground-level unit at Lucky Plaza for $10.5 million ($15,242 psf). These transactions underscore the high value and demand for strategically located retail properties in Singapore.

Retail Rental Market

Retail rental rates saw a slight moderation of 0.4% in Q1 2024. The moderation in rental rates was influenced by evolving tenant demand, consumer behavior trends, and strategic pricing by property owners. Despite the overall moderation, the Outside Central Region (OCR) experienced a significant increase in median monthly rentals, rising by 10.6% quarter-on-quarter to $21.77 psf in Q1 2024. This growth highlights robust demand in suburban areas driven by increased consumer footfall and expanding retail activities.

Retail Space Occupancy and Vacancy Rates

The volume of retail rental transactions moderated by 21.5% quarter-on-quarter in Q1 2024, with the total leasing value also decreasing by 24.6%. The occupied retail space increased by 8,000 square meters, while the stock of retail space expanded by 19,000 square meters. Consequently, the island-wide vacancy rate of retail space rose to 6.7% from 6.5% at the end of the preceding quarter, indicating a slight increase in available retail space.

Outlook

The continued recovery in air travel and tourism is expected to support growth in tourism-related sectors, including retail trade and food & beverage services. The Singapore Tourism Board (STB) anticipates international visitor arrivals to reach between 15 to 16 million in 2024, generating $26.0 to $27.5 billion in tourism receipts. This influx of visitors is likely to drive up retail sales, particularly in key shopping districts and tourist areas. New hotel openings, enhanced experiences at integrated resorts, and a vibrant array of leisure activities will attract more visitors, increasing foot traffic and spending in retail establishments.

Overall, the anticipated growth in tourism, combined with strategic developments in the retail industry, presents a promising outlook for Singapore's retail sector in 2024.

Click here for the full report 

Prepared By: 

Mohan Sandrasegeran 

Head of Research & Data Analytics  

You may also like

Property Insight
27 Apr 2026
Singapore Private Residential Market 1Q2026 Performance and Outlook

Singapore’s private residential market in 1Q2026 reflects a phase of steady recalibration, where headline moderation masks underlying resilience. While new private home sales excluding Executive Condominiums declined from 2,940 units in 4Q2025 to 2,013 units in 1Q2026, this does not fully capture market activity. When EC transactions are included, total new home sales increased to 3,181 units, representing a 5.3% quarter on quarter rise. This highlights how the composition of launches, particularly the inclusion of EC projects such as Coastal Cabana and Rivelle Tampines, played a significant role in shaping overall figures rather than indicating a weakening in demand.

The EC segment emerged as a key driver of activity during the quarter, with 1,168 units sold, marking the highest quarterly performance since 3Q2017. This reflects sustained demand from owner occupiers and HDB upgraders, particularly in the Outside Central Region. The continued ramp up in EC supply through the Government Land Sales programme appears well aligned with this demand, helping to provide a steady pipeline of more accessible housing options while supporting overall market stability.

In the resale market, transaction volumes moderated to 3,225 units in 1Q2026, continuing a gradual easing trend from the peak of 3,881 units in 3Q2025. Despite this moderation, resale activity remains healthy and broadly in line with historical norms. Demand continues to be supported by larger, well established developments, with the top selling projects led by Treasure at Tampines, Parc Esta and Stirling Residences. Notably, transaction volumes across the top developments were closely clustered, suggesting that demand is broad based rather than concentrated within a narrow segment. This points to a resale market that remains active and supported by genuine housing needs.

Looking ahead, the market is expected to remain supported by a steady pipeline of new launches, including projects such as Vela Bay, Tengah Garden Residences and Hudson Place Residences. These developments are likely to sustain transaction activity, particularly when supported by strong location attributes and competitive pricing. At the same time, macroeconomic conditions, including inflationary pressures and geopolitical uncertainties, may encourage a more measured pace of decision making among both developers and buyers.

Click

here

for the full report:

Prepared By:

Mohan Sandrasegeran

Head of Research & Data Analytics

Email: mohan@sri.com.sg

Property Insight
27 Apr 2026
HDB Resale Market Update 1Q2026: Balanced Growth

The HDB resale market in 1Q2026 reflects a continued transition towards a more balanced and sustainable phase, with both transaction activity and price movements pointing to a gradual normalisation of market conditions. Resale volumes rebounded to 6,285 units in the quarter, representing a 19.6% increase from 4Q2025. This recovery aligns with a recurring seasonal pattern, where activity typically moderates in the fourth quarter before picking up in the first quarter as deferred demand returns to the market. 

Price movements in 1Q2026 further reinforce this trend. The HDB Resale Price Index registered a slight moderation of 0.1% quarter on quarter, marking the first instance of easing since 2019. While modest in magnitude, this shift is directionally significant and reflects a continuation of the gradual slowdown in price growth observed throughout 2025. Rather than signalling a weakening market, this development points towards a stabilisation of prices following a sustained period of strong growth, supported by the cumulative impact of earlier supply side measures. 

Demand continues to remain broad based across towns and flat types, underpinned by factors such as affordability, availability and location attributes. Areas with a larger supply of flats and improving connectivity continue to anchor transaction volumes, while buyer interest in well located units remains firm. This is evident in the increase in million dollar transactions, which rose to 412 units in 1Q2026. The rise reflects not only the overall recovery in transaction volumes, but also sustained demand for larger and better located flats, particularly in mature estates with strong amenities and accessibility. 

Looking ahead, supply dynamics are expected to play an increasingly important role in shaping market conditions. The continued ramp up in BTO supply, the reintroduction of multiple Sale of Balance Flats exercises, and the expanding pool of MOP flats will enhance resale supply depth and provide buyers with greater choice. This is likely to reduce competition intensity for limited stock and support a more stable and sustainable pace of price formation.

Click

here

for the full report:

Prepared By:

Mohan Sandrasegeran

Head of Research & Data Analytics

Email: mohan@sri.com.sg

Property Insight
15 Apr 2026
Developer Sales Jump to 1,937 Units in March 2026 on Surge in New Launches

Developer sales staged a strong recovery in March 2026, with a total of 1,937 units sold including Executive Condominiums (ECs), a significant increase from the 266 units transacted in February. This marks the first time this year that monthly sales have crossed the 1,000-unit threshold, signalling a meaningful pickup in primary market activity following the seasonal lull during the Chinese New Year period.

The rebound in sales was largely driven by a corresponding increase in new project launches. Developers released 1,615 units in March, a substantial rise from the limited supply seen in February. Key projects such as Pinery Residences, Rivelle Tampines and River Modern were major contributors, collectively accounting for about 76.9% of total transactions. This highlights a clear trend in the current market environment where buyer demand remains intact, but is closely tied to the timing, quality and positioning of new launches.

The strong performance of these projects reflects how well calibrated offerings continue to resonate with buyers. In particular, Pinery Residences and Rivelle Tampines each recorded over 500 units sold, underscoring the continued strength of demand in the Outside Central Region (OCR), where pricing remains relatively accessible and is supported by first time buyers and upgraders. At the same time, River Modern’s robust take up, with 416 units sold at a median price of about $3,220 psf, points to sustained interest within the Core Central Region (CCR). 

Looking ahead, the momentum observed in March is expected to carry into the coming months, supported by a pipeline of upcoming launches such as Vela Bay and Tengah Garden Residences. As more projects enter the market across both established and emerging precincts, transaction volumes are likely to remain supported by genuine demand, albeit at a more calibrated pace.

Click

here

for the full report:

Prepared By:

Mohan Sandrasegeran

Head of Research & Data Analytics

Email: mohan@sri.com.sg

Mask group
Singapore Realtors Inc

CEA License No. L3010738A

1 Kim Seng Promenade #17-10/12

Great World City, West Tower

Singapore 237994

+65 6958 5000

admin@sri.com.sg

For Home Owners

Buy
Sell
Rent
New Launch
Commission Guidelines

For Corporate

Property Management
Local Project Marketing
Capital Markets
Auction
International Project Marketing

For Agents

Why Join SRI?
Culture and Community
Technology & Tools
Mentorship
Training

Company

About
Team
Technology
Agent Reviews
Contact

© 2026 SRI Pte Ltd • Privacy Policy & Data Protection

Follow us on
iconiconiconiconicon