Rivals undeterred by Rakuten's exit from Singapore

Singapore

Rakuten's exit from Singapore this month may have left Japan-loving consumers and merchants dispirited, but the overall e-commerce sector here continues to see a future in the business, local players and investors told The Business Times.

HipVan, an online startup for designer furniture, said: "Commerce is moving online and not heading back to brick-and-mortar any time soon, so I don't think we need to be too concerned over Rakuten's exit."

It added that while it is a pity consumers and merchants hav…