Isetan will shut its Tampines Mall location in November 2025, ending nearly 30 years at the eastern Singapore shopping center.
The department store has been at Tampines Mall since it opened in 1996. It spans two floors and sells beauty products, clothes, travel items, and toys.
An Isetan Singapore spokesperson told The Straits Times the closure decision came as the lease was ending.
“We have decided to close the store after looking at local conditions and future profit potential, to better match our business goals,” the spokesperson said.
Isetan plans to hold a clearance sale before closing, with details coming later.
Tampines Mall has started planning for the space’s future use.
A mall spokesperson thanked Isetan in a statement to CNA for “their close partnership and for their part in the mall’s journey.”
“We have been planning ahead for Tampines Mall’s update. With Isetan leaving, we will bring in new brands to take over the space, including fashion and beauty brands. This will improve the mall’s mix of stores and offer more options to shoppers,” the spokesperson added.
Local shoppers have expressed nostalgic feelings about the closure.
Mr. Chua, a 31-year-old financial consultant, told The Straits Times: “I feel nostalgic knowing Isetan is closing – it was and maybe still is an iconic part of Tampines Mall.”
He noted that while he shops online more now, he still used the store as a meeting point with friends.
For 57-year-old housewife Madam Eng, the store holds many memories. “That’s where I bought my children’s toys, clothes and even bedsheets. It’s been around for so long… I’m sad that it’s closing,” she said.
Ms. Yon, a housewife in her 60s who bought kitchen items at the store, worried about where she would find these products in the future.
This closure continues Isetan’s shrinking presence in Singapore.
At its peak in 2013, Isetan ran six stores across Singapore – Isetan Scotts, Isetan Wisma Atria, Isetan Katong, Isetan Serangoon Central, Isetan Tampines, and Isetan Westgate.
After the Tampines closure, only two locations will remain – Isetan Scotts at Shaw House in Orchard and Isetan Serangoon Central at Nex.
Isetan first opened in Singapore in 1972 at the Apollo Hotel on Havelock Road.
Isetan Singapore was set up in 1970 to run Japan’s Isetan Mitsukoshi’s department store business in the country.
In August 2024, Isetan Mitsukoshi bought the remaining 47.27 percent stake in Isetan Singapore for about SGD$140 million.
Isetan Singapore stopped trading shares on the Singapore Exchange in August 2024 and delisted in September, becoming fully owned by Isetan Mitsukoshi.
Despite the closure, the company says it isn’t leaving Singapore.
“Isetan remains committed to Singapore’s retail landscape and will keep changing our business to better serve our customers in the years ahead,” the spokesperson said.
