[SINGAPORE] Department store operator Isetan Singapore will close its outlet at Tampines Mall in November 2025, it announced on Tuesday (May 6).
Speaking to The Straits Times, a company spokesperson said that the decision was made as its lease was coming to an end. The department store has been an anchor tenant in Tampines Mall since the mall opened in 1996.
“We have decided to close the store after careful consideration of local conditions and future profitability, allowing us to better align with the business objectives,” the spokesperson said.
Isetan plans to hold a clearance sale ahead of the store’s closure, with more details to be announced.
Shoppers who frequent Tampines Mall said it was a pity that the Isetan outlet will be closing.
“I do feel nostalgic knowing now that Isetan is closing down – it was and maybe still is an iconic part of Tampines Mall,” said Chua, a financial consultant. Like other shoppers ST spoke to, he did not want to give his full name.
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“While I haven’t shopped there frequently in recent years, it was a place that was frequented in my younger days. Knowing that it is about to close down feels like a change of an era to me,” said the 31-year-old, who used to buy scented candles from the store, among other things, but shops more online now.
The department store was so familiar a place that he would use it as a landmark when meeting friends.
Eng, 57, a housewife, said Isetan Tampines holds many memories for her.
“That’s where I bought my children’s toys, clothes and even bedsheets. It’s already been around for so long… I’m sad that it’s closing,” she said.
Yon, a housewife in her 60s, said she likes buying kitchen household items like frying pans, cooking pots and bowls from Isetan Tampines.
“I still have no idea where to buy these items in the future,” she said, upon hearing about the outlet’s closure.
At its peak, Isetan had six retail stores in Singapore, at the end of 2013. The stores were Isetan Scotts, Isetan Wisma Atria, Isetan Katong, Isetan Serangoon Central, Isetan Tampines and Isetan Westgate.
The last closure, in 2022, was Isetan Katong in Parkway Parade.
Following the closure of the Tampines store, two outlets – Isetan Scotts and Isetan Serangoon Central – will continue operations.
“Isetan remains committed to Singapore’s retail landscape and will continue adapting our business to better serve our customers in the years ahead,” the spokesperson said.
Isetan Singapore was established in 1970 to operate Japan’s Isetan Mitsukoshi’s department store business here.
In August 2024, Isetan Mitsukoshi, which remained a co-owner of the Singapore entity, completed its acquisition of the remaining 47.27 per cent in Isetan Singapore that it did not own for about S$140 million.
Isetan Singapore suspended trading of its shares on the Singapore Exchange in August, and delisted in September. It is now a wholly owned subsidiary of Isetan Mitsukoshi. THE STRAITS TIMES
