IT was not too long ago that Singapore's malls were eerily silent, as the "circuit breaker" kept consumers at home and rendered the once bustling shopping centres a veritable ghost town.

But things have started to turn around, and suburban malls are leading the recovery as shoppers flock to their neighbourhood retailers in search of a bite, entertainment, retail therapy or groceries. Anecdotally, business in the food & beverage (F&B) sector is picking up - with some restaurants even seeing brisk business.

With leisure travel still on hold, Singapore residents could also channel their dollars into staycations - creating a spillover effect for retailers and F&B players in or near hotels.