More restaurants, supermarkets are opened 24 hours
SINGAPORE: The word "nightlife" may no longer be associated with just clubbing in Singapore, if the growing trend of 24-hour grocery shops and restaurants is anything to go by.
Singaporeans are shopping not just late at night but past midnight.
24-hour retail operator 7-Eleven opened 35 outlets this year, while
NTUC FairPrice has established five 24-hour outlets since last year.
Some operators say their revenue from operating in the night has
increased by 20 per cent in the past year, but they say it is still
difficult to find workers for the night shifts.
Said Peter Loke, operation manager at Shop N Save: "The main thing
is the staffing problem. Because it is operating in the night, it is
quite difficult to get people to work long hours in the night."
23 out of its 49 outlets are now operating 24 hours, but Shop N Save
has no intention to convert all its outlets to operate round the clock.
Restaurants are also staying open past their conventional opening hours.
Han's restaurants now has four outlets opened round the clock, and another is set to open next month.
Location is an important criteria in deciding where to open a 24-hour restaurant.
Said Han Choon Fook, managing director of Han's Restaurant: "We have a
few outlets in CBD, office area, doing very well in daytime, but I
doubt (they will do as well) at night. But in neighbourhood areas like
HDB, or even private neighbourhoods, I believe there is a good chance
to go in."
Industry players also point out human traffic flow and availability
of night-shift workers in the area as crucial factors when deciding to
open 24-hour shops.
- CNA/yb
No Need everyday 24hrs la. Just friday and sat provide 24hrs will do. I think only these 2days more patrons after midnite and easy to get 24hrs staff cos many student want to get pocket money ma and got the time.