Some were surprised that business was also better than expected on Jan 28 - CNY's third day - even though most Singaporeans had returned to work.

Thanks to the legions of tourists who splurged on food and souvenirs, many shop owners still raked in money that day, despite the lack of local customers.

Fragrance Foodstuff, which sells bak kwa (barbecued pork) and other CNY goodies, told my paper that its Chinatown outlet was 'packed with people' in the three weeks leading to CNY.

Business was better than that of the same period last year despite the economic downturn, although it was unable to give figures.

A shop in Chinatown selling gift items also said that business was exceptionally good during the holiday period.

It managed to attract more customers than usual because fewer shops were open during the holidays.

In addition, it slashed prices of the CNY decorations it sold - each item was priced at only $1 - which drew crowds.

Fragrance Foodstuff, which was closed during the holidays, said that its main customers on CNY's third day are usually tourists who buy its products in bulk.

At Giftmaster, a shop in Chinatown selling souvenirs and ornaments, business was 'okay' because tourists like its reasonably-priced souvenirs. Items in the shop are sold at three for $10.

Still, shop owners are wary about their sales for the rest of the year.

They told my paper that the real test has yet to come.

Fragrance Foodstuff expects sales to be poorer in the months ahead but believes that revenue from tourists will buffer the dip in sales.

Meanwhile, Giftmaster's manager, Ms Kwek Pei Yun, said that business next month is likely to be the worst in the year.

As it is the end of the summer holidays for most tourists, she will see fewer of them, she said.

However, Mr Tay Ah Seng, a helper at Mingfa Fishball in Chinatown, is confident of his food stall's business.

The 61-year-old felt that even though fewer tourists would visit Singapore because of the poor economy, demand would not be too badly affected.

He pointed out the increased number of foreign workers here which would create more demand for food businesses.

'After all, everyone needs to eat,' he said. -- MYPAPER