All FairPrice stores to be open ‘come what may’, CEO reassures amid increased buying

SINGAPORE — All FairPrice stores will remain open “come what may”, FairPrice Group chief executive officer Seah Kian Peng said in a Facebook post, in response to higher traffic seen at the supermarket chain’s outlets on Friday (April 3).

“Our FairPrice stores are all seeing more people at our stores and also increased buying today,” he said.

“There is no need to rush to buy today or, for that matter, this weekend as all our stores will remain open come what may… Our stores will remain open today, this weekend, next week and so no need to worry that we will not be functioning.”

Mr Seah, who is also a Member of Parliament with Marine Parade Group Representation Constituency, added that there may be empty shelves if more people shop at the same time and buy more than what they normally would.

“When we see 50 per cent more people coming in at the same time and buying 150 per cent their normal purchase, in effect this is equivalent to 225 per cent more. This adds strain to the entire system and you can expect empty shelves till more stocks are delivered from our warehouses to the stores and also replenished at the store shelves.”

In a separate Facebook post, Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong said that he will be speaking at 4pm on TV and radio, and emphasised that the situation is under control but “we want to take a few more steps now”.

Like Mr Seah, Mr Lee also urged Singaporeans to “buy just what you need, and share any extra you have with those who need it”.

Mr Seah added that FairPrice will be getting more help to assist with crowd control at its stores and to help share the workload with existing employees.

“Please help my team and also help ourselves. Look out for each other in the stores; help those who are more vulnerable,” he said.