We were invited to attend the Singapore Retailers Association’s AGM and Retail Forum 2026, and many of the conversations on the ground reinforced observations our team has been seeing across the retail landscape. 

Minister of State for Trade and Industry and National Development, Alvin Tan, shared a personal reflection on his grandfather’s connection to Raffles Hotel and his mother’s experience running a retail shop. What stood out was a common thread across generations: retail has always been shaped by change. In today’s environment, that change is increasingly digital. 

Tong Hong, Co-founder and Managing Director of ActionCity, spoke candidly about how Singapore’s retail scene is lagging behind markets such as China. The lesson was not that Singapore should imitate other markets blindly, but that retailers must learn faster, look outward, and adapt thoughtfully to local realities. 

Ms Jenny Wee May Ling, District Counsellor from the South West Community Development Council highlighted a sobering reality: the job market is undergoing a deep structural shift. Her message was clear. Those in the workforce must continue learning and adapting, because digital capabilities and AI literacy are no longer optional. 

The broader takeaway from the forum was simple. Retail must digitalise. There is no real alternative. Businesses that embrace digital tools across operations, data, and customer experience are moving ahead, while those that delay risk being left behind.