About a quarter of Housing Board shops were found in breach of guidelines on displaying goods outside, in a recent joint check by the HDB, Singapore Civil Defence Force, National Environment Agency and local town councils.

For instance, some goods displays spilled beyond the designated areas, National Development Minister Khaw Boon Wan said in a blog post on Monday. This could obstruct shoppers and even compromise fire safety, noted Mr Khaw. Designated areas are marked by yellow boxes outside shops.

While most shopkeepers took corrective action once reminded, summonses were issued to "a handful of serious cases".