The Singapore retail sector showed overall growth in sales in the first half of 2025.
- Growth Drivers: Sectors that performed well include Computer & Telecommunications Equipment, Watches & Jewellery, and Supermarkets & Hypermarkets, which saw year-on-year growth in sales in July 2025.
- Online Retail: Online retail continued to be a significant part of the market, accounting for an estimated 13.1% of total retail sales in July 2025. This proportion is even higher in specific sectors, such as Computer & Telecommunications Equipment and Furniture & Household Equipment.
Outlook for the Retail Sector
The outlook for the second half of 2025 is generally one of moderation and caution, with global trade tensions, potential tariffs and the slow recovery of the tourism sector expected to impact the sector.
On the upside:
- Digital Integration: Retailers are increasingly adopting omnichannel strategies, blending online and offline touchpoints to create seamless experiences across channels.
- Social and AI-Driven Commerce: AI is becoming a key part of the decision-making process. Consumers, particularly millennials and Gen Z, are open to making purchases directly through AI interfaces.
- Experiential Retail: Retailers that offer unique experiences are a key demand driver, with experiential stores accounting for a significant portion of new store openings in prime malls.
Digital Transformation and the Shift to Experiential Retail in Singapore’s Retail Sector
Technology is now a central force driving change in retail, blurring the lines between online and offline shopping. Adding to this, intense competition from e-commerce giants is prompting physical stores to redefine their purpose.
Digital Transformation
Technology is being applied in several areas across the retail value chain in Singapore:
Omnichannel Retail: A single purchase journey can involve researching on a mobile app, checking reviews on a social platform, then buying it in a physical store. Businesses that offer seamless experiences across all touchpoints are more likely to build customer loyalty.
AI and Personalization: Artificial intelligence (AI) is being integrated into retail operations to enhance the customer experience. This includes AI-powered chatbots for customer support, data-driven personalized product recommendations, and optimized inventory management to reduce stockouts.
E-Commerce Dominance: E-commerce continues to grow at a healthy pace, outpacing the general retail sector. Key growth areas include groceries, electronics, and fashion. The rise of livestream shopping and social commerce is also a significant trend.
Shift to Experiential Retail
Brick-and-mortar stores are no longer just places for transactions.
Experiential Retail: Physical stores are becoming destinations that offer curated, unique experiences. This trend is particularly strong in the F&B and lifestyle sectors, where the focus is on creating memorable experiences.
Value-Added Services: To stand out, retailers are offering services that go beyond the product itself. This includes workshops, events, and other activities that provide customers with a reason to visit and engage with the brand in person.
Towards a Technology-focused, Sustainable Workforce
Singapore retail sector’s ongoing transformation has given rise to a new set of job roles that blend traditional retail skills with digital and analytical expertise. These roles often fall under two main categories: customer-centric and technology-focused positions.
1. Customer-Centric Roles
Traditional roles like retail assistants and store managers are being reshaped to include value-added tasks to create a more engaging experience for the customer.
Omnichannel Retail Associate: This role is skilled in both in-store sales and online customer engagement. They might help customers in the physical store while also managing the store’s online presence or processing click-and-collect orders.
Customer Experience (CX) Specialist: This role focuses on optimizing the entire customer journey. These specialists use data and feedback to identify pain points and improve every interaction so as to build brand loyalty.
2. Technology & Data-Driven Roles
The move towards e-commerce and data-driven decision-making has created a need for specialized technical roles.
E-commerce Director/Manager: This role is responsible for the entire online retail strategy. They oversee the e-commerce platform, digital marketing campaigns, and online sales performance to drive online revenue.
Data Analyst/Market Research Associate: These professionals analyse data from various sources—online sales, social media, loyalty programs—to provide insights on customer preferences and marketing strategies.
Product Innovator/Specialist: With the emphasis on unique brand stories and differentiated experiences, this role focuses on developing new products and concepts to create offerings that stand out from the competition.
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Star Retail Talents
To support the ongoing transformation of the retail sector, there are a number of talents in our candidate pool who are open to opportunities:
Luxury Watch, Workshop Lead/ Supervisor l $5000 to $8,000
5-years exp/ Immediate
Boutique Assistants, Luxury brands, Footwear, Fashion, Watch & Jewellery l $2,000 to $3,100
1-year exp/ Immediate
Store Manager, MBS/Airport l $4,000 to $7,000
5-year exp/ Immediate
Beauty Advisors, Town/MBS l $2,000 to $2,700
1-year exp/ Immediate
Logistics Assistant, Beauty Brand l $2,100 above
1-year exp/ Immediate
x100 Retail roles: Retail Assistant, Bartender, Cashier l $2,300 to $2,800 + comm
1-year exp/ Immediate
Part-time Retail help for festive season l $11 -$15 up
Immediate
For enquiries on our retail talents
Email: passion.one@achievegroup.asia Office: +6565909966
Email: ashley.soo@achievegroup.asia Office: +6565909914