Business still poor during Singapore GP despite promotions

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http://www.straitstimes.com/breaking-news/singapore/story/business-still-poor-during-singapore-gp-despite-promotions-20130923

Ghost town

Five years after Marina Bay shopping malls first complained of poor business during the Singapore Grand Prix, sales in and around the circuit are still slow.

Some retailers at Raffles City, CityLink Mall, Marina Square, Esplanade and Suntec City say takings plunge by as much as 50 per cent during race week, as regular shoppers stay away.

The problem is not new. Since the first race in 2008, shoppers have given Marina Bay a wide berth due to the six-day road closures during the race week.

Promotions such as shopping vouchers and discounts have not seemed to work.

But food and beverage outlets are not complaining.

Takings at Raffles City's Thai Express were about $12,000 on Saturday, an increase from the $8,000 to $10,000 on typical weekends, said its manager Rahman Sharif, 41.

The restaurants at Marina Square's new dining wing also reported better business during dinnertime.

Amos Tan, a marketing and retail lecturer at Singapore Polytechnic's business school, said malls can give out discount vouchers which are valid over the F1 period "but if people don't want to carry their shopping bags to watch the F1, then it's going to be tough".