http://newpaper.asia1.com.sg/news/story/0,4136,190817,00.html?
CROWDS FLOCK TO 24-HOUR SUPERMARKETS
The night is long and so are the queues
January 25, 2009
FANCY stocking up on groceries or buying extra tidbits just before your early morning football match starts?
Late-night shopping is becoming such a hit with Singaporeans that major supermarket chains have started round-the- clock outlets to cater to night owls.
While Mustafa Centre was the first outlet to provide round-the-clock shopping in 2003, there are now at least 26other supermarkets which are also open 24 hours day.
NTUC FairPrice Xtra Hypermart at Jurong Point is the latest addition to the 24-hour supermarket family.
It opened last month, and is FairPrice's third outlet to go 24-hour in a year.
Cold Storage has two such branches, while Shop N Save has 21 outlets offering round-the-clock service at various locations around the island. Both chains introduced the service in 2005.
Supermarket chains noticed the growing late-night trend and adapted their services to cater to it.
'We observed that there were many people doing their shopping after their late-night dining or working shift in the estate,' said a spokesman for Cold Storage and Shop N Save supermarkets.
When The New Paper visited the newly opened Hypermart at Jurong Point just before 1am last Saturday, scores of people were spotted shopping for their groceries despite the late hour.
SHOP TILL YOU DROP: (Top) This woman at the NTUC FairPrice Xtra Hypermart at Jurong Point yawns as she does some late night shopping. PYJAMA PARTY: (Above) This little girl looks like she's ready for bed once the grown-ups are done grabbing groceries. UNDER THE NIGHT SKY: (Below)
There are so many shoppers that it can be hard to tell how late it really is.
One of them, Mr Firdaus, 23, a bartender, was there with his brother, wife and child.
He said: 'Today is my off day so I came to accompany my wife, but on other days I also come here to buy food after work if I am hungry.'
Wide aisles
The 24-hour hypermart is popular with families. The wide aisles are a big plus, allowing prams and wheelchairs through easily.
Ms Alice Lee Siew Li, 35, a customer service officer, took three generations of her family on a late-night shopping trip.
'I think it is convenient for those who have unusual office hours, and it is better for my parents because it is less crowded at this hour,' she said.
Families aren't the only ones taking advantage of these opening hours - youths are too.
Students Hafiz and Saifullah, both 19, were at the hypermart to buy last-minute party supplies.
When asked why they did not choose to make use of online delivery services the chain provides, Saifullah said: 'I prefer to come down personally because I want to choose the items myself'.
On the street, other youths like Milu Rose Matthew, 18, noted that having a 24-hour supermarket in the vicinity 'helps when I stay up late to complete my school work'.
--TNP PICTURES: KELVIN CHNG
Anything that can be done in the day, can be done at night as well.
'I've had customers buy washing machines, refrigerators and even LCD screens at 3 in the morning,' store manager Henry Ang said.
Not everyone is aware that the major supermarket chains have 24-hour outlets.
Mr Leong Chun Keong, 34, a teacher, was surprised when he heard about it from a friend.
'The extra service would be good for people who work late hours. It would be more convenient for them to buy things like fresh fish and vegetables, which are usually not available in convenience stores like 7-Eleven and Cheers,' he said.
'I like to shop at Mustafa Centre, because I know that they have those items.'
More outlets
Those who like the convenience of all-hours shopping will be pleased to know that there may be more 24-hour supermarts popping up in other areas.
'We will continue to monitor the situation and introduce more 24-hour stores where there is market demand,' says NTUC FairPrice Managing Director, MrSeah Kian Peng.
All 24-hour Cold Storage, Shop N Save, and Jason's Outlets will be open during the Chinese New Year period.
- By Han Su-Ying, newsroom intern.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Some 24-hour supermarkets
Cold Storage
Katong Mall
Holland Village
Jason's
Claymore Drive
NTUC FairPrice
Hypermart at Jurong Point
Clementi Central
Compassvale Link
Shop N Save
Bedok Market Place
Bangkit Road Block 256
Hougang Plaza
Ang Mo Kio Blocks 525 and Block 340
Yishun Block 102 and Block 293
Admiralty MRT Station
Woodlands North Plaza
Pasir Ris Block 440
Ghim Moh Block 21
Tampines Central
CROWDS FLOCK TO 24-HOUR SUPERMARKETS
The night is long and so are the queues
January 25, 2009
FANCY stocking up on groceries or buying extra tidbits just before your early morning football match starts?
Late-night shopping is becoming such a hit with Singaporeans that major supermarket chains have started round-the- clock outlets to cater to night owls.
While Mustafa Centre was the first outlet to provide round-the-clock shopping in 2003, there are now at least 26other supermarkets which are also open 24 hours day.
NTUC FairPrice Xtra Hypermart at Jurong Point is the latest addition to the 24-hour supermarket family.
It opened last month, and is FairPrice's third outlet to go 24-hour in a year.
Cold Storage has two such branches, while Shop N Save has 21 outlets offering round-the-clock service at various locations around the island. Both chains introduced the service in 2005.
Supermarket chains noticed the growing late-night trend and adapted their services to cater to it.
'We observed that there were many people doing their shopping after their late-night dining or working shift in the estate,' said a spokesman for Cold Storage and Shop N Save supermarkets.
When The New Paper visited the newly opened Hypermart at Jurong Point just before 1am last Saturday, scores of people were spotted shopping for their groceries despite the late hour.
SHOP TILL YOU DROP: (Top) This woman at the NTUC FairPrice Xtra Hypermart at Jurong Point yawns as she does some late night shopping. PYJAMA PARTY: (Above) This little girl looks like she's ready for bed once the grown-ups are done grabbing groceries. UNDER THE NIGHT SKY: (Below)
There are so many shoppers that it can be hard to tell how late it really is.
One of them, Mr Firdaus, 23, a bartender, was there with his brother, wife and child.
He said: 'Today is my off day so I came to accompany my wife, but on other days I also come here to buy food after work if I am hungry.'
Wide aisles
The 24-hour hypermart is popular with families. The wide aisles are a big plus, allowing prams and wheelchairs through easily.
Ms Alice Lee Siew Li, 35, a customer service officer, took three generations of her family on a late-night shopping trip.
'I think it is convenient for those who have unusual office hours, and it is better for my parents because it is less crowded at this hour,' she said.
Families aren't the only ones taking advantage of these opening hours - youths are too.
Students Hafiz and Saifullah, both 19, were at the hypermart to buy last-minute party supplies.
When asked why they did not choose to make use of online delivery services the chain provides, Saifullah said: 'I prefer to come down personally because I want to choose the items myself'.
On the street, other youths like Milu Rose Matthew, 18, noted that having a 24-hour supermarket in the vicinity 'helps when I stay up late to complete my school work'.
--TNP PICTURES: KELVIN CHNG
Anything that can be done in the day, can be done at night as well.
'I've had customers buy washing machines, refrigerators and even LCD screens at 3 in the morning,' store manager Henry Ang said.
Not everyone is aware that the major supermarket chains have 24-hour outlets.
Mr Leong Chun Keong, 34, a teacher, was surprised when he heard about it from a friend.
'The extra service would be good for people who work late hours. It would be more convenient for them to buy things like fresh fish and vegetables, which are usually not available in convenience stores like 7-Eleven and Cheers,' he said.
'I like to shop at Mustafa Centre, because I know that they have those items.'
More outlets
Those who like the convenience of all-hours shopping will be pleased to know that there may be more 24-hour supermarts popping up in other areas.
'We will continue to monitor the situation and introduce more 24-hour stores where there is market demand,' says NTUC FairPrice Managing Director, MrSeah Kian Peng.
All 24-hour Cold Storage, Shop N Save, and Jason's Outlets will be open during the Chinese New Year period.
- By Han Su-Ying, newsroom intern.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Some 24-hour supermarkets
Cold Storage
Katong Mall
Holland Village
Jason's
Claymore Drive
NTUC FairPrice
Hypermart at Jurong Point
Clementi Central
Compassvale Link
Shop N Save
Bedok Market Place
Bangkit Road Block 256
Hougang Plaza
Ang Mo Kio Blocks 525 and Block 340
Yishun Block 102 and Block 293
Admiralty MRT Station
Woodlands North Plaza
Pasir Ris Block 440
Ghim Moh Block 21
Tampines Central
