What: Isetan has exited Tampines Mall, continuing operations only at its Orchard Road and Nex locations in Singapore.

Why it is important: This closure reflects a broader trend of department store consolidation and adaptation to rising rents and digital disruption, as seen in recent Notion reports.

Isetan’s departure from Tampines Mall after three decades marks a significant shift in Singapore’s retail landscape, illustrating the challenges faced by traditional department stores amid rising rents and evolving consumer behaviors. The closure, prompted by the expiry of its lease and a strategic reassessment of local market conditions, leaves Isetan operating only at its flagship Orchard Road and Nex outlets. This move is part of a broader pattern of consolidation, as department stores across Asia scale back their physical presence to focus on high-performing locations. The rise of e-commerce and a marked shift in consumer preferences have further pressured brick-and-mortar retailers, leading to declining sales and prompting a reevaluation of store networks. As anchor tenants like Isetan exit, shopping malls are compelled to rethink their tenant mix and introduce new experiential concepts to maintain foot traffic. International retail brands are also adapting by emphasizing premium positioning and flexible formats, underscoring the need for continuous evolution in a rapidly changing environment. 

IADS Notes: Isetan’s closure of its Tampines Mall store after thirty years exemplifies the ongoing transformation in the Asian retail sector, where department stores are consolidating in response to rising rents, digital disruption, and changing consumer preferences (May 2025, Inside Retail). This mirrors trends in South Korea, where regional department stores are closing and major chains are restructuring (December 2024, Inside Retail). Singapore’s retail property market shows a split between resilient prime spaces and struggling secondary sites, supporting Isetan’s focus on Orchard Road (June 2025, Inside Retail). The growing share of online sales and the departure of anchor tenants like Isetan are prompting malls to innovate, while international brands adapt with premium and flexible strategies (November 2025, Inside Retail; September 2025, Inside Retail; July 2025, Maeil Business Newspaper).

Isetan closes Singapore store after 30 years