Koh mentioned that that is inevitable, given the thrust components in Singapore, comparable to excessive rental and labor prices, and Johor Bahru taking pictures components, together with the subsequent connection to Johor -Singapore Rapid Transit System (RTS) which is meant to extend the accessibility of town to the patrons of Singapore.
He added that that is notably true for service -oriented retailers comparable to hairdressers, nails, dentists and optometrists.
“With the RTS hyperlink coming in 2026, I at all times wish to say” empty palms go, the empty palms come again “, which implies that the singaporians will journey an increasing number of in direction of JB for the companies associated to hair, eyes, face, tooth, in order that they’ll journey and resume the prepare with out transporting too many issues,” Koh mentioned.
Joshua Koh, president of the Singapore Furniture Industries Council (Sic), advised CNA that Singapore retailers are dropping enterprise for opponents from China and Johor as a result of prices.
For instance, as a result of excessive rental prices, Singapore retailers should actively handle their affords to maximise rents.
This is totally different in Johor wherein the bottom leases imply that retailers have a lot bigger showrooms and a greater diversity of merchandise “at considerably decrease costs”.
“We are involved that the opening of the RTs might be additional added to this tendency of customers who go overseas for his or her purchases of furnishings whereas touring inside and outdoors Johor might be far more handy,” he added.
“Unless there are extra handy measures to scale back prices, the one strategy to degree the taking part in discipline is for Singapore retailers to create a store in Johor.”
The Epitex mattress linen firm mentioned to CNA that it plans to increase its market in Johor Bahru as a result of it turns to Sincecorian or Malaysian guests who work in Singapore however dwell in Johor Bahru.
Tan Shea Shea Hao, retail gross sales director and Epitex operations that the chain has 24 factors of sale in Singapore and that the competitors is “full sufficient”, so it plans to open gross sales shops in Johor Bahru.
Tan noticed that his outlet in Woodlands, close to Johor, is his finest. So the corporate is attempting to open outlets all through the rise and consider the products at barely decrease ranges in comparison with Singapore.
“We have two shops in Malaysia (within the Klang valley) however we’re spending extra to open a number of outlets within the totally different states, particularly in Johor,” Tan mentioned.
Meanwhile, Matsumoto of QB House has mentioned that the primary goal buyer base for his subsequent Johor outlets are the premises.
But he acknowledged that the Singapore may also sponsor these shops for the reason that costs are barely decrease than in Singapore.
