HDB gives small retailers a leg up with new initiatives

Share   |      |    Comment   |    E-mail to friend   |    Bookmark & Share   

THE Housing and Development Board (HDB) held its inaugural retail seminar
yesterday - to help heartland retailers remain competitive and relevant.

Through networking and input from successful entrepreneurs, HDB hopes to create
awareness of opportunities available to heartland retailers and inspire them to
improve their operations.

'This is a key way for us to reach the
retailers themselves,' said Senior Minister of State for National Development
and Education Grace Fu, who was guest of honour at the seminar.

'Besides
looking at hardware upgrading and improving facilities, it is important for
shopowners to have the opportunity to upgrade their retail management
skills.'

HDB also launched the website Where2Shop@HDB - an online
directory of heartland shops in the 148 towns and neighbourhood centres
island-wide.

Through a simple search, users can find products and
services provided by HDB shops in different districts. Transport advice and
maps will be offered alongside the information.

Ms Fu said: 'Small
retailers have to keep up with the challenge of the newer and bigger shopping
complexes coming up. We are helping them by providing a directory,
consolidating businesses, helping them get listed on line and hopefully getting
the mind-share of younger shoppers who are Internet savvy.'

While the
government is helping retailers through various schemes, it is vital that
retailers be receptive to new ideas so as to create new markets for themselves,
Ms Fu said.

Where2Shop@HDB is looking at listing more than 10,000
heartland shops.

Asked whether HDB will host the site in a language
other than English, Ms Fu said: 'We will definitely consider doing so if there
is positive feedback.'

Share   |      |    Comment   |    E-mail to friend   |    Bookmark & Share