PAP - Pay And Pay

[LITTLEREDDOT]

Quote: "The shop assistant told me the rent had more than doubled to $15,000 a month, so the business owner had no choice but to close."

This is contrary to the PAP's mantra that rent is not the main contributor to business cost.

Forum: Save traditional businesses and trades in heritage areas​

Mar 07, 2025, 05:00 AM

Recently, when I heard that a shop in Arab Street was closing, I rushed there as it specialises in selling robia, a cotton voile that is used to make kebayas.

Fabric of this quality is difficult to obtain, and even Malaysian kebaya makers come to Singapore to buy it.

The shop assistant told me the rent had more than doubled to $15,000 a month, so the business owner had no choice but to close.

In the past year alone, I have seen about five heritage businesses along this historic road close due to, I suspect, rent issues.

Arab Street was well-known for its many shops selling all manners of fabrics and haberdashery items. It is also home to long-time batik sellers like Basharahil Bros Batik, which even my grandmother shopped at. Now you are more likely to see shops selling souvenirs, scents and coffee. The face of Arab Street is changing, and not for the better, I fear.

It is ironic that the kebaya was inscribed onto Unesco’s intangible cultural heritage list, yet the trades that support the making of this garment and everything connected to it are being driven out.

I was happy to read that a task force is being set up to promote heritage districts and trades (New task force to help grow and sustain heritage businesses in Singapore’s historic precincts, Feb 21), but I wonder if we are already too late.

Noreen Chan Guek Cheng

 

[LITTLEREDDOT]

SingPost increases price of postage-paid smartpac parcels​

Each package now costs 50 cents to 80 cents more.PHOTO: SINGAPORE POST
Chin Soo Fang
Dec 18, 2024

SINGAPORE - It will cost more to send festive gifts using smartpac envelopes and boxes this Christmas.

Singapore Post (SingPost) has increased the price of its postage-paid product ahead of the peak holiday season, with each package now costing 50 cents to 80 cents more.

This is due to significant increases in essential operational costs, including materials, production and manpower, a SingPost spokeswoman said in response to queries from The Straits Times.

“These factors are critical for sustaining the high standards of service and support that customers have come to expect from us,” she said.

“After carefully analysing the impact of these cost increases, we have made the difficult decision to adjust our rates accordingly.”

Smartpac packages can be tracked from the time they are posted until they are delivered. They are used by many e-commerce platforms, especially during the year-end period.

A small smartpac, which can fit a small paperback book, now costs $2.70, up from $2.20 before Nov 8.

The price of a medium smartpac, which can fit A4-size documents, has increased from $2.20 to $3, while a smartpac box that can hold items such as clothes and small electronics is now $3.70, up from $3.20.

However, the national postal service provider said the price of smartpac products has decreased over the years.

Before Oct 15, 2020, prices for the three sizes of smartpacs were $3.20, $3.80 and $4.70.

In November 2022, SingPost lowered this to $2.15 for small and medium packages, and $3.15 for the box. This was followed by a five-cent increase as an adjustment to higher goods and services tax rates in 2023.

Staying competitive was part of SingPost’s reason for adjusting smartpac prices in 2022, the spokeswoman said.

“The rate adjustment followed a thorough review of market options for similar services at that time,” she added. “We offered a more competitive rate for smartpac to reflect our commitment in providing value to our customers while adapting to market conditions.”

In October 2023, SingPost increased postage rates for standard regular mail from 31 cents to 51 cents. This was due to declining mail volumes and the rising cost of expenses such as labour, utilities and fuel, the company said.

In September 2024, ST reported that SingPost had closed 12 post offices, or one in five branches, in the past two years. This came as most people turn to electronic communication instead.

Ms J.J. Chong, who owns Sugar Mummy dehydrated treats for pets, was relieved she had bought 80 pieces of smartpac in October.

The 55-year-old said she will switch to normal post, which costs her $2, to send products to clients.

If they prefer tracked delivery via smartpac, they will have to top up the difference, said Ms Chong, who declined to reveal her full name.

Another regular smartpac user, Ms Stella Tan, said she will stick to the product to send birthday and festive treats to close friends.

The chemist in her 50s has been using smartpac for more than a decade. She said she understands the need for the price hike as SingPost has closed many of its outlets and is facing rising operational costs.

“So long as I can afford it, I am willing to pay more for the reliable service.”

 

[birdie69]

I think Changi Airport should be sold to the wealthy Arabs, after all the PAP regime loves asset stripping whatever remains of this island. Look at NOL and Chartered Semiconductor, both sold off to foreigners.

I'm sure those Arabs can run an airport more efficiently and economically than those jiakliaobee scholars.

SIA also can be sold to India TATA!

 

[parrardee]

May 2025 prove to be a disaster for PAP at the upcoming erection.

Oh wow, your wish came true.