After 174 years, John Little is closing its last department store in Singapore.
The remaining outlet at Plaza Singapura will shutter by the end of next month.
In a statement on Friday, Robinsons Group – which manages John Little, the oldest department store in Singapore – said that the decision was made “after evaluating the relevancy and sustainability of the John Little brick-and-mortar business”.
But it does not mark the end of the John Little brand. Robinsons Group said that John Little will “evolve as a brand into a pop-up format, which is in line with the global trend for retail businesses”.
John Little’s new format will be revealed next year.
The closure is part of consolidation efforts to focus on businesses that are growing within the group, the statement said.
The Al-Futtaim Group – the Dubai-based owner of Robinsons Group, Royal Sporting House and other retail brands – announced plans earlier this year to shut 10 loss-making outlets here.
John Little had seven branches in 2002, including its flagship store at Specialists’ Shopping Centre, which it vacated in 2007, after more than 20 years.
Its outlet at Jurong Point shopping mall shut its doors earlier this year.
Staff affected by the closure of John Little have been briefed and will be deployed to other businesses within the organisation, which includes Robinsons and Marks and Spencer, Robinsons Group’s statement said.
John Little Plaza Singapura will be holding a moving-out sale offering discounts of up to 90 per cent until it closes.
