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FranchiseMeets Singapore economy | Franchise Asia |
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Transcript of FranchiseMeets Singapore economy | Franchise Asia |
At a Glance
Singapore’s economy is expected to grow by around 3.5% in 2014 aided by healthy domestic
demand and a strong services sector. Economic growth is expected to gather momentum from
2015 to 2018 as external demand strengthens.
Franchise Glance
Singapore is an open friendly economy. For the 9th continuous year the World Bank ranked
Singapore #1 for ease of doing business. It is a forward country with solid supply chains and a
developed infrastructure. The franchise industry is very well controlled and transparent so there
are few regulatory hurdles compared to its Asian neighbours. Due to the trusted system there is
a certain peace of mind when dealing with potential Singapore partners.
According to McKinsey, Singapore is ranked as the 4th most connected country in the world so
offers a good hub for your regional headquarters and a springboard to expand across Asia. There
are around 7,000 multinational corporations with more than half of them using Singapore as
their regional headquarters.
Of 20 private economists surveyed by the Monetary Authority of Singapore (MAS) expected GDP
growth for 2014 is 3.8% and this is forecast to increasingly grow over the next 5 years.
Despite comparatively slower Asian growth, retail sales were up 5.5% in July 2014 (Singapore
Department of Statistics) and are forecast to increase by nearly 20% from 2014-2016 (PwC).
The food and beverage industry contributed approximately 3.2% to GDP in 2013 with Singapore
having the highest per capita food consumption in Southeast Asia (Research and Markets). The
retail and wholesale trade sector accounted for 16% of GDP, up 5% from the previous year; the
financial services sector grew 10.6% and business services rose 5.1% (HKTDC). The service
sector is by far the biggest employer and adds around 60% to GDP.
The government has a very global attitude and is reliant on global business and imported goods.
There are a raft of global and regional free trade agreements with hardly any tariffs on most
agri-food products. Franchise information (including financial incentives) can be found through
the following government backed organisations:
SPRING-Standards, Productivity and Innovation Board.
International Enterprise (IE) Singapore.
| FRANCHISE Key Point | Singapore has a very multi-cultural, globally aware population and is
therefore a great test marketing location before committing to a regional launch. The population
is small and predominately urban but has an enviably low unemployment rate. As a result, it is
one of Asia’s richest countries in terms of consumers, the level of per capita wealth is one of the
highest in the region and has risen consistently over previous years.
The average monthly household income of Singaporeans rose from $8,110 in 2007/08 to
$10,500 in 2012/13 with households spending an average of $4,720 a month on goods and
services. Total consumer expenditure is forecast to grow by CAGR 5% from 2011-2016 and 36%
of Singaporeans feel the next 12 months would be a good time to buy the things they need or
want (Nielsen 2014).
Food is the 2nd biggest expenditure behind housing and, interestingly, private education
accounts for a high percentage of spend-equivalent to university education expenditure
(Singapore Department of Statistics).
Given the higher income, the average consumer is well traveled and is very brand savvy. They
have a good level of sophistication and are very receptive to foreign products and services.
| FRANCHISE Key Point | The generally higher affluence means there is a less price resistant
market-a useful point for premium brand companies to bear in mind.
The franchise business in Singapore is healthy; there are over 600 concepts with more than
35,000 franchisees. Franchising and licensing accounts for 18% of total domestic retail sales
volume and generates a turnover of about $6 billion. Franchisors from a range of countries are
present, across a range of sectors. The majority of brands are from America though Singapore
remains the most popular Asia destination for Australian franchisors.
Singaporeans are keen to find new franchise opportunities and are adept in dealing with foreign
franchisors. They not only have a good understanding of their domestic market but also the
regional market. This, combined with the strategic location creates openings for foreign brands
to partner with knowledgeable Singapore companies in order to extend their brand across the
region.
A successful foreign concept proven in the Singapore market has the possibility to be taken on
by the domestic partner and developed across the region, therefore significantly mitigating the
risk and cost to the foreign company.
Useful information snapshots
Consumers will be very conscious of food safety and health.
Singapore’s consumer foodservice industry reported US$7.5 billion in total retail sales in
2011, a 3.3% growth from the previous year.
Singaporeans spend about US$5 billion annually eating out. Restaurants as a group
account for 37% while fast food outlets account for 13% of the total revenue in the food
and beverage services industry.
Nearly two thirds of Singaporeans (61%) surveyed ate out more frequently in the past
year than they did in the two years prior.(Weber Shandwick 2014)
The Singapore confectionery market is promising having showed steady growth of 20%
over the last 5 years. The US$210 million market is primarily led by sugar and chocolate
products (Canadian Government).
Profitability ratio of the overall food and beverage services industry was 7.3% in 2012. All
food and beverage services reported increases in operating receipts in 2012 (Singapore
Department of Statistics).
Tuition and private education is a healthy sector and represents a growing expenditure for
Singaporeans. They do however have greater respect for reputable, proven brands.
Two major supermarket chains dominate the Singapore retail industry: Cold Storage
(Dairy Farm) and NTUC Fairprice. In addition to this Singapore has another 1,300 specialty
food and drinks outlets- and these enterprises are trending.
Singapore is considered to be one of the most aggressive discounting societies (Reed).
An estimated US$3.5 billion is predicted to be spent online in 2015. (asianewsnet.com).
Weber Shandwick’s 2014 survey reported over half of respondents (53%) purchased food
online at least once and 15% buy between one and three times per month.
Sector trends
Specialist products will rise, such as artisan bakeries, organic grocers and natural
cosmetics.
Bespoke beauty products and services are a growing sector.
Unprocessed and functional foods will increase in popularity as consumers become more
health aware.
Guess what-cupcakes are the new big trend in Singapore.
Healthy, fresh juice drinks will be an emerging sector.
Restaurants that have a distinct environment and offer a unique eating experience are a
present and future trend.
Singapore consumer
Consumers in Sinagpore are very open to purchasing foreign products and services. They are
generally loyal to a brand so it is essential to offer some kind of retention scheme. However
Singaporeans do like to experiment and will try new products-especially if they have seen the
concept while traveling or heard about the quality or customer service.
Although they have a high standard of living they are innately very price conscious. The price
point has to be appealing and match the market so it is recommended thorough research is
carried out: pricing yourself out of this market could prove a catastrophic mistake.
Analysing Singaporean consumer behavior does not seem so difficult as there appears to be a
general consensus about why they purchase. Franchise Meets suggests pushing your brand
through initial price promotions, thereby generating initial consumers, and retaining them (while
simultaneously creating a great word of mouth campaign) with your level of quality and service.
As with the rest of Asia, convenience is becoming a main purchase motivator. Modern retail
formats, lack of time and over work are factors supporting this change in behavior. Brands that
ease the process of purchase and/or offer a variety of delivery channels will have a higher
chance of success.
Lastly, Singaporeans like to have an emotional connection with a brand so a story behind the
brand can be a key marketing point. Emphasis your heritage or the quality of your
produce/service. Make much of your clients, endorsements and your domestic image.
The bottom line
A safe market that doesn’t leave much to the imagination-don’t read this as a negative. The
clear regulations and trustworthiness of partners make for a simpler, more professional process
than in some other Asian countries, and there is a lot to be said for that.
To conclude: A mature, solid market and well regulated industry, but small.
Franchise Meets reckons: 6/10.