FairPrice freezes prices of 100 daily essentials, doubles Chas discounts

[SINGAPORE] FairPrice Group (FPG) will freeze the prices of its 100 most popular daily essentials to help Singaporeans cope with rising costs of living amid the Middle East conflict.

The price freeze will be in effect from April 9 to May 31.

Included are FairPrice’s house-brand rice, oil, eggs, fresh and frozen pork and chicken, Milo, milk and detergent.

FPG said more than nine in 10 of its customers from households with a lower monthly income – Community Health Assist Scheme (Chas) Blue and Orange card holders – purchase products from its basket of 100 essentials.

The group will also double discounts for the same beneficiaries from 3 per cent to 6 per cent for the period of the price freeze.

This will be supported by FPG’s philanthropic arm FairPrice Foundation.

Vipul Chawla, group chief executive officer of FPG, said on April 8 that these initiatives are rooted in its core purpose since it was first established as a single cooperative supermarket to keep staples affordable amid the 1970s oil crisis.

“Food and groceries make up over 20 per cent of the average household budget; and even more for lower-income families,” he said.

“Through our price freeze and doubled weekly Chas discounts, we are stepping up to help Singaporean households navigate these uncertain times.”

He added that FPG’s mission is to keep meals nutritious and healthy, regardless of market volatility.

“We made a promise 50 years ago to stand by Singaporeans in times of need, and we’re keeping that promise today by doing everything we can to keep essentials within reach.”

Ng Chee Meng, secretary-general of the National Trades Union Congress, said: “At NTUC and FairPrice Group, our social mission is clear. No worker or family should face rising cost pressures alone.”

He added: “The doubling of discounts for Chas Blue and Orange card holders means real savings for those who need it most. The price freeze on 100 daily essentials is our way of saying – we hear you, and we’re doing our part to keep essentials within reach.”

In December 2025, FPG extended its daily discount schemes for seniors, Pioneer generation (PG) and Merdeka generation (MG) individuals, and CHAS Blue and Orange card holders for another year till end-2026.

The group said it returned more than S$25 million to customers and members through Linkpoints redemption and its discount schemes for seniors, PG and MG, and Chas Blue and Orange card holders in 2025.

Since the start of 2026, FPG has rolled out a series of initiatives to help Singaporeans stretch their dollar.

These include the ongoing “12 weeks of deals” offering discounts of up to 36 per cent on Singaporeans’ favourite house-brand essentials through the FairPrice Best Sellers for Less campaign, which is set to last till June 10.

When contacted by The Straits Times, other supermarket chains said they have existing promotions to help customers manage their daily expenses.

Sheng Siong is offering a 4 per cent discount for senior citizens on Tuesdays and Wednesdays till Dec 31. Chas Blue card holders will get a 4 per cent discount every Thursday till June 30. At the same time, Sheng Siong has introduced a new 4 per cent discount for Chas Orange card holders, available every Friday till June 30.

When shopping at Giant, Chas Blue card holders get a 3 per cent discount every Thursday, while the Orange card holders get the same discount on Fridays, until Dec 31.

Prime supermarkets are giving a 3 per cent discount to Chas Blue card holders every Wednesday, and the same discount to seniors every Tuesday and Thursday.

On April 7, the Government said nearly S$1 billion has been set aside to help those most affected by price increases, as well as to provide broader support for households and businesses.

This is on top of the S$155 billion previously committed in Budget 2026.

The disbursement of the S$500 CDC vouchers has also been brought forward to June from January 2027. The amount is split equally between participating heartland merchants and hawkers, and participating supermarkets.

Nurulhuda Mustapha, a Chas Blue card holder, spends about S$350 to S$450 monthly at FairPrice, purchasing groceries for her family of three.

“The extended 6 per cent discount and price freeze will make a meaningful difference for us, especially now when prices are rising,” the 36-year-old administrative executive said.

“It’s particularly helpful during the middle of the month, before our salaries come in, when things can feel a bit tight.” THE STRAITS TIMES