RETAILERS are pulling out all the stops in a bid to draw shoppers, offering special discounts and other deals to get people to spend. The latest to offer goodies is department store Robinsons, which yesterday unveiled its very own 'stimulus plan'.

The store, which has two outlets - at Centrepoint and Raffles City - says it will absorb the 7 per cent goods and services tax (GST) for two weeks, starting from today. Other carrots it is dangling include free home delivery and free parking for the first hour, as well as interest-free instalments for its card members.

PROMOS FROM OTHER MALLS Other retailers and mall owners are not standing pat, and are coming up with different ways to woo shoppers. For instance, department store Tangs is offering its card members sweeteners such as more 'sale days', during which they can enjoy a 12 per cent cash rebate on their purchases. ... more

Singapore Retailers Association executive director Lau Chuen Wei says these measures are needed to boost consumer sentiment, which she says is at an 'all-time low'.

Said Ms Lau: 'This is different from Sars, when people could spend, but did not dare to go out because of the health risks involved. In the current downturn, Singaporeans are unwilling or unable to spend, she added.

Many have been hit in the pocket, and the uncertain economic outlook has seen many others cut spending to save for a rainy day, she said.

Robinsons' general manager of group marketing services, Ms Donna Chua, said the primary aim of its promotion was to help consumers 'stretch their dollar'.

The store is not the first to dangle the no-GST carrot. In November last year, 28 shops at Changi Airport's Terminal3 - which had been branded as a shopping and dining destination but was plagued by lukewarm response - kicked off a similar promotion.

A Civil Aviation Authority of Singapore spokesman said the response to the no-GST promotion had been 'encouraging', adding that it would run the whole year.

Customers' eyes are lighting up at the prospect of being consumer kings. Customer service officer Kym Lim, 30, said such discounts would get her out and about and shopping. She said: 'I will definitely shop at places that give me a better deal, so I can buy more with the same amount.'

Businessman Brandon Lim, 58, meanwhile, said he now chooses to shop only at stores where there is a good bargain to be had. He said: 'Times are tough, so I will take any savings I can get. Every cent is precious.'

weichean@sph.com.sg

Read the full story in The Straits Times today.