We are the voices of Sim Lim Square — long-time retailers, technicians, and entrepreneurs who have served generations of customers from Singapore and beyond.

We operate physical shops, pay rent, hire staff, follow licensing requirements, and support the local economy. Yet in today’s fast-moving digital landscape, we face challenges that go far beyond competition — challenges related to fairness, enforcement, and long-term sustainability.

A Shift in the Retail Playing Field

E-commerce platforms have changed the way people buy.

• Online marketplaces today allow a wide variety of sellers, including those based outside Singapore.
• Listings may include new and used products, often sold directly by individuals or small businesses.

This has created a highly competitive environment. While consumers benefit from convenience and pricing options, physical retailers operate under a different set of expectations:

• Complying with tax registration
• Renting commercial space
• Hiring local staff
• Offering in-person support and walk-in services

What Happens on the Ground

Many customers purchase products online and later visit our shops seeking assistance, even when the original purchase was made elsewhere. In some cases, they assume we were the seller — because the product images, shop names, or location details online appear similar to ours.

We try our best to help — to explain how to use the item or diagnose problems. This is not about blame. It’s about highlighting a recurring pattern that affects both customer trust and retailer sustainability.

Some of us have also reported instances where our product photos or videos were reused without permission on online listings. We submitted reports to platform administrators, but the resolution process can be lengthy. In some cases, similar listings appeared again shortly after takedown.

The Broader Concern

As this trend continues, it raises a key question:

Who benefits, and what does Singapore risk losing?

If more and more transactions are fulfilled by sellers based overseas —

• Where does the spending go?
• Who is responsible for post-sale support?
• How are local jobs, taxes, and knowledge-based services affected?

Physical retailers contribute visibly and directly to the local economy. We provide in-person troubleshooting, warranty services, and hands-on guidance that digital platforms often cannot replicate.

If Support Comes Too Late…

Sim Lim Square has long been a hub for:

• First-time tech buyers
• SMEs seeking hardware solutions
• Students learning from experienced shopkeepers
• Tourists discovering Singapore’s tech scene

If places like Sim Lim Square fade out, Singapore doesn’t just lose a building —

It loses:

• Everyday local jobs
• Skill-sharing between generations
• A space for innovation outside the digital-only world

We are adapting, but we cannot do it alone. We hope that this reflection encourages constructive dialogue and timely support — so Singapore’s physical and digital economies can grow together, not apart.