Xmas cheer expected in Orchard Rd
Despite warnings of an impending economic slowdown, retailers in Orchard Road are still expecting business to remain brisk during the year-end festive season this year.
This is especially because the unemployment rate here remains low and there is still a high level of job security, said Mrs May Sng, chairman of the Orchard Road Business Association (Orba).
Speaking at a media conference on the upcoming annual Orchard Road Christmas light-up yesterday, she noted that Singaporeans were prepared to spend "in the spirit of the festive season", even during a recession in 2008 and 2009.
"(Retailers) are still very optimistic. The overall month-on-month spending level of shoppers in Orchard Road so far has been generally comfortable," she said.
"We certainly don't expect sales to be lower than last year's, but by how much it will grow is what we can't tell."
Some 6.57 million people visited both Orchard Road and Marina Bay during the Christmas season last year, an increase from 6.06 million in 2010.
And despite heavy rains, sales for Orchard Road merchants last December rose by between 10 per cent and 12 per cent from 2010, based on a survey of 12 major retailers conducted by Orba last year.
The festive lights in Orchard Road this year will be switched on from 7pm tomorrow, with President Tony Tan as the guest of honour at the official light-up ceremony held at ION Orchard.
Shoppers this year can look forward to folklore-inspired Christmas decorations, with nutcracker soldiers and toy trains alongside classic festive ornaments, such as doves, hearts and snowflakes.
Giant ornaments will also hang overhead from the many trees that line Orchard Road.
These ornaments will be accompanied by some 1,390 strings of 3m-long Christmas baubles.
Set to the theme of Christmas On A Great Street, this year's light-up and decorations will divide the 2.2km shopping strip into three zones, each with its own motif: Tree For Joy at the Tanglin zone, Heart For Love at the Orchard zone and Dove For Peace at the Somerset zone.
A new addition to the festivities this year will be gift shops in front of Tang Plaza and Ngee Ann City, where shoppers will be able to take home a piece of Orchard Road's annual Christmas light-up.
Limited-edition keepsakes - such as tote bags, T-shirts, keychains and mugs featuring this year's Christmas decorations - will be sold there.
To add to the festive cheer, nightly live-music performances will be held at four areas along the Orchard Road walkway between Scotts Road and Bideford Road.
~News courtesy of Omy~
No comments:
Post a Comment