Aussie retailer Spotlight plans to open more shops in S’pore, Malaysia

SINGAPORE - Australian retailer Spotlight is looking to increase its presence in Singapore and Malaysia, as it reopened its newly revamped store at Plaza Singapura on Wednesday.

The family owned and operated business sells a wide range of products such as homeware and sewing materials.

Spotlight chief executive officer Quentin Gracanin told The Straits Times that the brand was looking to open at least two more stores here – one in Tampines and another in the northern part of the island.

“We think geographically, it’s a good spread across Singapore. We also think our assortment of products really talks to every customer in Singapore,” he said.

The brand is also looking at opening more stores in Malaysia, besides its two current ones in Kuala Lumpur, said Mr Gracanin.

There are also plans to open Spotlight Creative, a new concept store that started in Australia and has four outlets so far. The concept store focuses on Spotlight’s “creative” categories and sells a range of items such as party supplies and sewing materials. However, unlike Spotlight, it does not sell homeware.

“So we hope to open not just in Singapore, but also across Asia as well,” said Mr Gracanin.

Spotlight’s first foray into Asia was its store at Orchard Point, which opened in 1995. In 2002, the brand relocated to Plaza Singapura and opened a second outlet at Westgate in 2018.

Since the opening at Plaza Singapura, the store has continued to evolve and grow. It has increased its offerings of home and decor, craft and haberdashery products.

During the pandemic, the company’s business prospered as many people stayed at home and turned to crafting or decorating their homes, said Mr Gracanin, adding that the brand offers materials that consumers need.

“Spotlight was able to bring joy and happiness during a very difficult time and, as a consequence, the business was able to prosper and grow as it supported the community and customers during the pandemic.”

The company’s online business did well and expanded during the pandemic. For example, the company rolled out a click and collect option amid Covid-19, where customers could order their items online and collect at the cashier at either of the stores.

Spotlight has since rolled out a dedicated space at both stores for customers to collect their items.

From late September to mid-November, the Plaza Singapura store was closed in sections for a revamp.

The revamped store, which occupies 2,543 sq m of retail space, now has more than 1,000 additional product lines across home decor and party essentials. It also has a dedicated space for faux floral products.

Ahead of the store’s reopening at 10am, a queue of at least 100 customers had formed, with some in line as early as 7.30am.

Security officer Moira Koh, 65, who was first in the queue, was excited to enter the revamped store.

“I don’t know what I will buy yet, but I am looking forward to seeing the new products and what’s on offer.”