Retail sector faces twin challenges of rising rents and manpower costs in 2012

Retail sector faces twin challenges of rising rents and manpower costs in 2012 Strong tourist arrivals this year has helped boost Singapore's retail sector.  Analysts highlighted that the Meetings, Incentives, Conferences and related Events (MICE) segment accounted for 27% - 30% of tourist arrivals annually. SMU LKCSB Associate Professor Annie Koh is of the view that other than the casinos, Singapore ought to have quality conferences that are talk of the town, so that people would look forward to meeting here for networking purposes. Platforms like the World Economic Forum where top people convene would make Singapore stand out as a MICE destination of choice.