Isetan closed two of its three Singapore stores in six months — only Scotts remains

Isetan, the venerable Japanese department store chain that traces its roots to 1886, closed two of its three Singapore stores within six months. The Tampines Mall outlet, which had operated for approximately 30 years, closed in November 2025. The Serangoon Central (NEX Mall) outlet, in operation for 15 years, followed on 26 April 2026. The closures left Isetan Scotts at Shaw House on Orchard Road as the brand's sole remaining location in Singapore.

The Serangoon closure was attributed to the completion of the store's lease, which Isetan chose not to renew. The Tampines closure was part of the same downsizing strategy, reflecting the broader challenges facing traditional department stores in Singapore. Retail analysts noted that Japanese department stores had struggled to maintain relevance in a market increasingly dominated by e-commerce and specialised concept stores.

The closures were part of a wider trend in Singapore's retail landscape, where department stores faced declining foot traffic, rising operational costs, and changing consumer preferences toward online shopping and experience-based retail. Isetan's downsizing followed similar moves by other department store operators in the region, as the traditional Japanese department store model—with its extensive floor space, full-service counters, and broad product range—struggled to compete in a market where consumers increasingly shopped across channels and expected curated, differentiated experiences.