More than 10 years ago, in a 2013 publication, a National Heritage Board community heritage e-resource on ‘wet markets’ identified the numerous challenges facing wet market stall owners such ascompetition from hypermarkets, changing consumer profiles, unwillingness ofchildren to take over stalls, significant physical labour and long hours.
Overthe last few years, stall owners have cited very high COE prices for commercial vehicles as another reason to fold-up their businesses.
Despite challenges, some wet markets remain relatively more popular—with Tekka and Geylang Serai being good examples. What is the Ministry’s longer-term plan for wet markets in smaller and localised neighbourhoods which do not command the footfall they once did, and for wet markets where stalls have seen poor take upover the last few years.
