So long, Robinsons: Vintage department store to close its last Singapore stores

The Robinsons store at The Heeren in Orchard. Photo: Robinsons
The Robinsons store at The Heeren in Orchard. Photo: Robinsons

One of Singapore’s oldest department stores will close its last two remaining outlets in the coming weeks due to bankruptcy.

Robinsons told reporters today that it is in the middle of liquidating its assets and will shut its outlets at The Heeren on Orchard Road and the Raffles City Shopping Center, two months after closing its store at the JEM shopping mall at Jurong East. 

“Subject to confirmation, the liquidators are hoping the stores will remain open for the coming weeks to facilitate final sales for customers before they are shuttered,” the brand said in a statement today.

An Australian restructuring firm is leading the liquidation process of all the retailer’s assets. Robinsons is owned by Dubai-based Al-Futtaim group, which also carries other Singapore retailers such as Zara and Marks & Spencer. 

Robinsons said employees were informed of the liquidation today and will be supported with payment under the Insolvency, Restructuring and Dissolution Act.

Originally Spicer & Robinson, the first store opened in Singapore in 1858. It had been an anchor tenant at Orchard Road’s The Centrepoint mall for 31 years. The Raffles City Shopping Centre store opened in 2001 and its largest store debuted at The Heeren in 2013. Its JEM shopping center location closed in August.

Al-Futtaim did not immediately respond to online queries. 

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