Enterprise Singapore, Housing & Development Board and the Federation of Merchants’ Associations Singapore launch pilot to help small businesses diversify business models

Senior Minister of State (SMS) for National Development Ms Sim Ann, and Minister of State (MOS) for Trade and Industry Ms Low Yen Ling, launched a pilot for digital kiosks at a visit to Guan Meat Enterprise minimart in Bukit Gombak today. For this pilot, family-run heartland minimart Guan Meat Enterprise has deployed seven digital kiosks across two locations at Bukit Gombak housing estate, while Kee Guan Huat Supermarket, a minimart in Clementi, has deployed four kiosks at Clementi housing estate. (See Annex 1 for details)

2. This pilot, launched by Enterprise Singapore (ESG), the Housing & Development Board (HDB), and the Federation of Merchants’ Associations, Singapore (FMAS), is part of the efforts by the Heartland Digitalisation and Revitalisation Committee (HDRC), co-chaired by SMS Sim and MOS Low, to support heartland merchants in advancing their digitalisation efforts and expanding their revenue streams.

3. The pilot, which will run for one year, supports other efforts like the Heartlands Go Digital initiative, which encourages heartland merchants to go online and use digital marketing.

4. The digital kiosks are integrated with a backend inventory management system that is automatically updated when purchases are made, and thus tracks inventories in real time. Minimart operators can then collect and analyse data to manage inventory based on customer preferences.

5. Mr Joseph Zhang, Director of Heartland Enterprise Division, ESG, said, “Digital solutions like the kiosks that we are piloting can help heartland shops explore new business models at a relatively low cost. Heartland business owners can also look forward to new e-payment and digital commerce solutions under the refreshed Heartlands Go Digital programme next year.”

6. Ms Kee Lay Cheng, Group Director of Properties & Land Group, HDB, said “With these digital kiosks in the heartlands, residents will now enjoy even greater convenience. The kiosks operate 24/7, so residents can purchase their groceries at any time of the day. We will continue to support our heartland retailers as they embrace new technologies and business models, so that they can better serve the needs of our residents.”

7. Mr Yeo Hiang Meng, BBM, President of FMAS said, "Digitalisation comes across in many forms and channels, and the digital kiosks concept represents one of the many solutions today our heartland businesses can explore. Businesses can leverage the digital kiosks to extend their operating hours and also expand their sales channels while serving the changing needs of our residents today."

8. Heartland enterprises that are interested to adopt digital solutions and explore alternative business models may contact the Heartland Enterprise Centre Singapore (HECS) hotline at 6741 3429 for complimentary business advisory.

ANNEX 1: Profiles of enterprises participating in the pilot
ANNEX 2: Details on how the digital kiosks work

Joint Press Release by ESG, HDB and FMAS - Digital Kiosks to Help Heartland Enterprises Reach Customers 24/7