New collaboration targets rising costs, manpower gaps, and declining footfall for eateries
Singapore’s food and beverage sector is entering a new phase of transformation as public and private sector players step in to future-proof local businesses against mounting economic pressures.
A Strategic Partnership to Support F&B Businesses
Enterprise Singapore (EnterpriseSG) and Grab have signed a three-year Memorandum of Understanding to strengthen the resilience of Singapore’s food and beverage sector. The partnership aims to address persistent challenges such as rising operating costs, manpower constraints, and softening consumer demand. More than 12,000 F&B companies are expected to benefit from access to data insights, while over 400 businesses annually will take part in structured capability-building programs.
Two Pillars Driving Competitiveness and Growth
The collaboration is anchored on two complementary pillars designed to support F&B businesses of all sizes. The first pillar focuses on boosting market visibility and customer demand, while the second equips businesses with new capabilities and data-driven insights to support long-term transformation. Together, these pillars aim to enhance both immediate revenue opportunities and structural resilience.
Boosting Visibility and Footfall Through Targeted Campaigns
To counter declining foot traffic and weaker consumer demand, Grab’s Dine Out platform will be used to launch targeted marketing campaigns in selected precincts. These initiatives will help diners discover new dining options while driving demand for participating merchants. The first precincts include Jalan Besar, Holland Village, and Tanjong Pagar, with more locations to be added. Campaigns will combine consumer promotions with digital marketing efforts to increase merchant exposure to Grab’s wide user base.
Leveraging Data to Navigate Changing Consumer Trends
As consumer behaviors and digital touchpoints evolve rapidly, many F&B operators struggle to keep pace. Under the MOU, businesses will receive free access to industry insight reports covering consumer trends, digital marketing strategies, and operational best practices. These reports translate Grab’s extensive data into actionable insights, helping merchants better anticipate demand patterns and market shifts.
Practical Upskilling Through GrabAcademy
To ensure insights translate into action, GrabAcademy will conduct hands-on workshops and masterclasses focused on business strategy and operational optimization. Each session will engage up to 50 companies, allowing for interactive learning through expert panels and real-world case studies. These sessions draw on Grab’s experience in upskilling F&B merchants and are supported by EnterpriseSG’s industry expertise.
Industry Leaders Emphasize Long-Term Resilience
Ms Jeannie Lim, Assistant Managing Director at EnterpriseSG, emphasized that the sector’s resilience depends on its ability to adapt and innovate amid uncertainty. She highlighted that partnerships with industry leaders like Grab provide meaningful data and digital capabilities needed to stay competitive. Grab Singapore Managing Director Alejandro Osorio added that local F&B businesses are central to Singapore’s cultural and economic vibrancy, noting that the partnership aims to deliver practical tools and precinct-level support to help merchants thrive sustainably.
This collaboration reflects a broader push to future-proof the F&B sector through data, digitalization, and ecosystem partnerships. For both Indonesians and Singaporeans observing regional economic shifts, the initiative highlights how public-private collaboration can safeguard livelihoods, strengthen small businesses, and reinforce the role of local enterprises in urban economies.
Sources: CNA (2026) , Grab SG (2026)
Keywords: Singapore FNB Sector, EnterpriseSG, Grab Dine Out, FNB Digitalisation, Business Resilience
