Hawkers and business owners in Singapore are allegedly experiencing drops in sales following the reopening of the Malaysia-Singapore border.
Based on a report by The Straits Times, they shared that the decrease in sales is caused by Malaysians returning home to Malaysia and Singaporeans opting to shop in Malaysia due to the cheaper prices here.
Many of them, including businesses around Marsiling Mall, Marsiling Lane Food Centre and the Woodlands MRT station, are feeling the departure of Malaysian workers who were previously stuck in Singapore during the Covid-19 lockdowns.
“Our sales have dropped by about 30%, I usually won’t be so free at this time,” shared a 46-year-old beef noodle stall worker on Saturday (2 April) morning.
For others, they foresee their sales dropping further with the reopening of the border.
“Both Malaysian and Singapore customers will prefer shopping in Malaysia because of the cheaper prices and the favourable exchange rate,” an accessories shop worker explained, adding that his sales will likely drop by 30% to 40%.
They have since shared their hope that their businesses will recover once Malaysians start commuting to Singapore for work again.
“The Malaysian workers will return to work in Singapore anyway, it is a temporary issue. They are finally able to return home freely. I am happy for them,” another hawker stall owner shared optimistically.
Stay tuned for more updates.
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