At the Singapore Retail Industry Conference on September 8, S Iswaran, minister for trade and industry, announced that a Ministerial Steering Committee, co-chaired by himself, Minister for National Development Lawrence Wong, and Second Minister for Transport Ng Chee Meng, has been formed to drive the rejuvenation of Orchard Road.

Initiatives being planned for the rejuvenation include enhanced programming along pedestrian malls, pop-up and permanent activities at available spaces, and enhanced walkability for the precinct. The minister says shoppers can look forward to more initiatives like the 10-day ‘Star Wars: Experience the Force Singapore Festival’, featuring pop-up experiences such as augmented and virtual reality experiences along Orchard Road.

Iswaran also says that as part of the annual Christmas festival and Orchard Road light up, the Orchard Road Business Association will partner shopping malls in the precinct, and players like MasterCard, to attract shoppers to Orchard Road with rewards and programmes.