Tag Archives: Singapore

Some more on Singapore’s Shophouse and Art-Deco Heritage

Posted on March 4, 2024 by Leigh Sparks

In the short time I had in Singapore this January, we decided to continue to seek out the old amongst the new. It was, as I noted last year in my piece on shophouses good to see pockets of old … Continue reading →

Posted in Art Deco, Branding, Cinemas, Design, Historic Shops, Places, Retail History, Singapore, Streetscapes, Tiles, Uncategorized, Urban History | Tagged , , , , , , | Leave a comment

The Importance of Markets, Asian Style

Posted on February 27, 2024 by Leigh Sparks

As I think I have mentioned, I was away in January, mainly in Cambodia, but also in Singapore. Since I have been back it has been a little hectic and so some posts reflecting on aspects of my time away … Continue reading →

Posted in Cambodia, Food Retailing, Localisation, Markets, Networks, Producers, Singapore, Uncategorized | Tagged , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Redeveloping a Shopping Centre – Singapore Style

Posted on November 3, 2023 by Leigh Sparks

There is much debate in the UK at present about the future of shopping centres, and especially those in town and city centres. The expansion of this retail agglomeration form from the 1970s and 1980s has left us a legacy … Continue reading →

Posted in Cinemas, City Centres, Connectivity, Experiential, Food & Beverage, Gardens, Malls, Reinvention, Restaurants, Shopping Centres, Singapore | Tagged , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Singapore Shophouses and Tiles

Posted on October 30, 2023 by Leigh Sparks

It was a pleasure to be back in Singapore at the end of September for our latest graduation of students from our partnership with SIM (Singapore Institute of Management). I am no great fan of monolithic corporate hotels, so arranged … Continue reading →

Posted in Architecture, Azulejo, Design, Heritage, Historic Shops, Singapore, Streetscapes, Tiles, Uncategorized, Urban History | Tagged , , , , , , , , , | 1 Comment

Three Go To An Exhibition

Posted on October 12, 2018 by Leigh Sparks

It was not quite my shortest visit to Singapore, but it came close; a couple of days launching a new partnership with Amity University and our annual graduation ceremony with SIM.  For reading on the plane I had grabbed a book … Continue reading →

Posted in Advertising, Architecture, archives, Department Stores, Historic Shops, History, Retail Change, Retail History, Retailers, Singapore, Urban History | Tagged , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Happy 50th to/from the University of Stirling

Posted on November 24, 2017 by Leigh Sparks

I’ve mentioned it a couple of times in this blog, but more often on Twitter – 2017/18 is the 50th Anniversary of the founding of the University of Stirling.  Whilst I have not been here since the start (honest), though … Continue reading →

Posted in Academics, Art, Christmas, Corporate History, Education, Heritage, History, Institute for Retail Studies, Japanese, Retail Degrees, Retail History, Retailing, Singapore, Stirling, University of Stirling | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 1 Comment

Talking Tesco (Again)

Posted on November 17, 2017 by Leigh Sparks

It has been quite a few weeks for Tesco, currently ending in the positive column.  The recent interim results showed quite a lot of commercial progress and the intended restoration of the dividend cheered the City considerably.  The trials of … Continue reading →

Posted in Accounting, Booker, CMA, Competition, Competition and Markets Authority, Convenience stores, Finest, Food Retailing, International Retailing, Local Retailers, Market Shares, NTUC FairPrice, Profits, Retail Change, Retailers, Singapore, Suppliers, Tesco, Wholesaling | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Singapore’s Scary Monsters

Posted on October 13, 2017 by Leigh Sparks

Back in the warmth of Singapore for our graduation and alumni events and associated student and other meetings, and there seemed to be only one question people had for me; what could be done about Singapore’s ailing retail sector?  On … Continue reading →

Posted in Adjacencies, Art, Brands, Corporate branding, Customer engagement, Design, Experiential, Flagship, Food and Beverage, Gentle Monster, Korea, Malls, Online Retailing, Retailers, Retailing, Shopping Centres, Singapore, Space, Vacancies | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , | 2 Comments

Time Out in Lisbon: Part One

Posted on September 26, 2017 by Leigh Sparks

It has been some time since I was in Lisbon and thus it was a pleasure to receive an invite to present a keynote to a conference on retail, consumption and urban governance, especially in early autumn, which is slightly … Continue reading →

Posted in Academics, Architecture, Brands, Eataly, Emporium Shokuhin, Food and Beverage, Food Court, Food Tourism, Gastronomy, Historic Shops, History, Lisbon, Markets, Places, Regeneration, Retailers, Scotland Food and Drink, Singapore, Time Out, Tourism | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , | 3 Comments

Vending Machines and the Internet

Posted on November 28, 2016 by Leigh Sparks

I first encountered John Dawson when I was working in the City Council in Townsville, Northern Queensland.  I was on a four-month exchange as a student and had been asked to do some research on shopping centres.  As a consequence … Continue reading →

Posted in Academics, Automation, Consumer Lifestyle, Farm Shops, Online Retailing, Opening Hours, Restaurants, Singapore, Technology, Uncategorized, Vending Machines | Tagged , , , , , , | Leave a comment