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SINGAPORE : With the APEC Summit coming to a close on Sunday, retailers around the vicinity of Suntec Singapore and the Esplanade are hoping business will return to normal.
The Esplanade was closed to the public on Saturday, as APEC leaders and delegates took some time off to unwind during an evening of cultural performances.
It resumed operations on Sunday.
But the Esplanade Mall said its retailers suffered an overall drop in sales since Day One of the week-long APEC meetings.
Caleb Goh, managing director, Naturalist, said: "During the APEC meeting, our sales did get affected about 10-15 per cent as compared to last year."
Business at the Simply Peranakan restaurant was affected too. But it came across a rare business opportunity.
Shireen Khoo, business development manager, Simply Peranakan, said: "We served the White House guests... Originally, they wanted to have the full seating booking at our restaurant.
"However, because of (US President Barack) Obama's change in schedule, they cancelled and they came back last evening to order take-away from us. So in appreciation, they gave us a small collar pin seal; we feel really honoured about it."
Some retailers said they are now hoping to make up for the shortfall in sales during the upcoming year-end festive season. And they are rolling out more promotions to draw in shoppers.
Esplanade Mall said it will also be holding free performances from December 11 to attract crowds.
Over at Suntec Singapore - the main venue of the meetings - organisers have begun packing up, while some barricades have been removed. - CNA/ms
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