The upcoming Marina Bay Sands integrated resort (IR) in Singapore is targeting customers with high spending power.
It is promising a waterfront shopping experience, with brands in the upper-middle to high end.
“With integrated resorts, you normally get all sorts of different market segments – the MICE, leisure, gaming customers, and they vary from segment to segment. But we aim at attracting high-spending customers. And that’s why the product is pitched the way it is – more at the upper end,” said David Sylvester, VP of Retail Asia, Sands Retail Asia.
Some new names that Marina Bay Sands will bring in to Singapore include Italian apparel brand Henry Cotton’s, and Paul and Shark.
And to match the shopping experience, the integrated resort will also have restaurants featuring famous celebrity chefs.
Marina Bay Sands said it has been able to attract the top names, despite the current global recession.
“The economic downturn created challenges but the product was so strong, we’ve been able to get the ideal mix. I don’t think there’s a brand we haven’t got that we wanted. Our rents are comparable with Orchard Road. Yes, there’s been pressure on a lot of things with the economic downturn, but we’ve been able to just continue on with our programme,” said Sylvester.
The Marina Bay Sands integrated resort is slated to open in early 2010.
Source : Channel NewsAsia – 15 Oct 2009