Lessons from Robinsons

As Singapore's retail scene gets challenging, the model of opening a store and hoping merchandise will draw customers is outdated

A mural of Santa Claus riding on a sleigh outside the Robinson & Co store at Raffles Chambers (above) in 1960.
A mural of Santa Claus riding on a sleigh outside the Robinson & Co store at Raffles Chambers (above) in 1960. PHOTO: ST FILE
A Robinsons sales event that attracted droves of bargain hunters across ethnicities and ages in 1950.
A Robinsons sales event that attracted droves of bargain hunters across ethnicities and ages in 1950.PHOTO: ST FILE
Senior Correspondent
  • Published
    Jan 9, 2021, 5:00 am SGT
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After 162 years, Robinsons, the grande dame of Singapore's department stores, will close its last store at Raffles City Shopping Centre tomorrow.

This comes after it shuttered its Jem store in Jurong East in August last year and its 186,000 sq ft flagship store at The Heeren on Dec 16.

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A version of this article appeared in the print edition of The Straits Times on January 09, 2021, with the headline 'Lessons from Robinsons '. Subscribe
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