FairPrice Group rings in Chinese New Year with price freeze, discounts, block parties
These are among a series of initiatives to commemorate SG60 with Singaporeans
SOME shoppers must have been relieved when NTUC FairPrice did not hike its grocery prices during the Chinese New Year period.
A survey conducted by the supermarket chain in January showed that there were price increases of up to 40 per cent at wet markets for seafood, pork and vegetables.
The average price for Chinese pomfret, for instance, was S$57.33 a kilogram at wet markets. At FairPrice supermarkets, the fish cost S$39.80 for 600 to 800 g – representing a 31 per cent variance. Meanwhile, enoki mushrooms from China went for S$0.80 a pack at wet markets, compared with S$0.45 a pack at FairPrice stores – a 44 per cent price variance.
Pork and other seafood cost 20 to 30 per cent more at wet markets than at FairPrice supermarkets, too, with the price difference increasing the closer it got to Chinese New Year.
“The price freeze and other discounts that FairPrice announced so far this year have helped me to get the necessities that my family needs,” said one shopper, a 48-year-old homemaker who wanted to be known only as Mrs Tan.
This move is part of FairPrice Group’s series of initiatives commemorating the Republic’s 60th year of independence – SG60 – with Singaporeans this year.
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Tan, who shops at her “go-to supermarket” at least once a week, has also been affected by rising costs of living.
“With rising costs, the same household budget gets me less food and other items. I have less flexibility in shopping for the items we need, and sometimes I need to forgo or buy certain things at a later time,” she said.
“I appreciate any help that can keep prices affordable.”
Vipul Chawla, group chief executive of FairPrice Group, said: “Our purpose is to make every day a little better for all in Singapore, and our focus this year will be to deliver on this promise with a series of initiatives that will help Singaporeans stretch their dollar while developing deeper community bonds.”
This comes as the Monetary Authority of Singapore forecasts core inflation to average between 1 and 2 per cent for 2025, with inflation remaining a key concern for Singaporeans. As a household name, FairPrice Group hopes to alleviate some of the impact with its initiatives.
This year marks the third that the group is freezing prices on popular fresh produce such as seafood, pork and vegetables.
“(The price freeze and discounts are) done to ensure that festive essentials are kept within reach for customers planning their Chinese New Year celebrations with families and loved ones,” the group said.
While its expenses do increase during the festive season, FairPrice Group does not pass these costs on to consumers.
“High demand for festive produce inevitably drives prices up, and so this price freeze is our way of making every day of the season a little better for our customers by keeping these popular festive essentials within their reach,” said Vipul.
Further discounts
Another SG60 initiative by the cooperative is raising the discounts offered to Community Health Assist Scheme (Chas) blue and orange cardholders, who are already eligible for various subsidies.
From January to March, these cardholders can receive a 6 per cent discount – up from 3 per cent – on purchases of up to S$200 in a single transaction at all FairPrice supermarkets and Unity outlets around Singapore.
Chas blue cardholders can redeem the discounts every Thursday, while Chas orange cardholders can use them on Fridays.
These increased discounts are funded by FairPrice Foundation, the group’s charity arm.
Jean Khong, general manager at FairPrice Foundation, said: “Food and grocery expenditure accounts for more than 20 per cent of the average household monthly budget, and we believe that more can be done to keep these essentials within reach for lower-income families.
“(Increasing) our Chas blue and orange discounts on Thursdays and Fridays, respectively, from 3 per cent to 6 per cent is our way of supporting a wider group of Singaporeans in need, and building a better, stronger Singapore this SG60.”
At the start of January, FairPrice Group also handed out S$6 return vouchers for every S$60 worth of Community Development Council vouchers spent in a single transaction at FairPrice outlets.
It has launched a second wave of return vouchers – S$8 for every S$100 spent – redeemable until Feb 28.
Festivities in the heartlands
To celebrate the festive season, FairPrice Group – through FairPrice Foundation – held two block parties in Tampines and Redhill, where attendees played games and received goodie bags.
“These block parties are a way for us to deepen our bonds within the community, and directly engage and support Singaporeans in need,” Khong said.
More than 400 residents attended; they watched lion dance performances and sampled the supermarket chain’s seasonal products, such as yusheng and bak kwa chips. They were also given goodie bags containing coffee powder, kaya spreads, cream crackers, FairPrice vouchers, tissues and wet wipes.
Khong added: “Our block party initiative was started on National Day 2023 to bring heartland Singaporeans together in celebration of festive occasions; and as at Chinese New Year 2025, we’ve held block parties in 20 neighbourhoods across the island for thousands of residents.”
FairPrice Foundation has vowed to continue delivering on its mission to make daily essentials accessible to Singapore’s vulnerable communities, including through direct engagement.
“These initiatives – from our Chas discounts and community block parties to signature programmes like Start Strong, Stay Strong (which educates children and their families about nutrition) – reflect our commitment to leveraging FairPrice Group’s size and scale to help those in need in meaningful ways,” Khong noted.
Vipul added: “This is just the beginning of the year-long birthday celebration we have planned to mark Singapore’s diamond jubilee.”
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