• Announcement made at newly-renovated FairPrice supermarket at Dawson Place better serves customers in the Queenstown vicinity
  
• FairPrice launches “For These Things Are Priceless” commemorative book to capture insights into FairPrice’s multi-pronged efforts at serving the community

SINGAPORE, 25 June 2014 – NTUC FairPrice Foundation announced a donation of two vans to NTUC Eldercare to help support transportation services for the elderly. This is in view of the rising number of elderly Singaporeans who are in need of care support. Population trends in 2013 showed that Singaporeans aged 65 years and over crossed the 10 per cent share among resident population for the first time, rising from 9.9 per cent in 2012 to 11 per cent in 2013.

Population trends also reflected the ratio of Singaporeans aged 20-64 years to elderly residents aged 65 years and over continued to fall. There were 6.4 residents aged 20-64 years for each elderly resident aged 65 years and over in 2013, a further drop from 6.7 in 2012. This would mean that more caregivers would require help in meeting the needs of the elderly.

The vans, which FairPrice Foundation pledged to donate, are worth about $85,000 each and will be specially-equipped with wheelchair lifters to enable NTUC Eldercare to reach out to more elderly in need, including those who are wheelchair-bound. These vans will aid NTUC Eldercare in transporting elderly between homes and day/senior care centres for community day care or rehabilitation services when their caregivers/families are at work.

This announcement was made at the re-launch of the newly revamped FairPrice supermarket at Dawson Place this morning.

Mr Ng Ser Miang, Chairman of NTUC FairPrice, shared, “As Singapore progresses, we should not forget our pioneers and our elders who have contributed to Singapore’s success. We hope that the two vans will provide relief for their transport needs and assist NTUC Eldercare in their continuous efforts to ensure these seniors can lead happy, meaningful and dignified lives.”

Back in 2011, the Foundation had also donated $1 million to NTUC Eldercare to help in the expansion of their home care services.

Launch of “For These Things Are Priceless” commemorative book

The event also saw the launch of the “For These Things Are Priceless” commemorative book to capture insights into FairPrice’s multi-pronged efforts at serving the community. This ranges from passing on savings to customers through various initiatives, to channeling time, energy and resources to uplift and strengthen the community.

Some of these initiatives include protecting the earth by minimising the Co-operative’s environmental footprint and engaging customers to do likewise; caring for the community through various schemes like the annual FairPrice Share-A-Textbook project; delighting customers by ensuring product quality, food safety and excellent service; and cherishing staff by investing in their personal and professional well-being.

The book also features the Co-operative’s philanthropic efforts where S$76 million has since been donated to FairPrice Foundation to help the community through various initiatives such as the signature NTUC FairPrice Food Voucher Scheme.

Re-opening of newly renovated FairPrice @ Dawson Place

FairPrice first opened for business at Dawson Place in 2004 to serve customers in the vicinity. As part of FairPrice’s continuous efforts to remain relevant and continuously improve the shopping experience, the store has gone through three months of renovations, to better serve its customers.

The store is now brighter and includes new product displays, a redesigned layout for better traffic flow, while various sections like the cold delicatessen, frozen seafood and health and beauty sections have been expanded to offer a wider product range. More checkout counters have also been added to shorten waiting times and provide greater convenience to shoppers.

Mr Ng added, “Beyond providing residents with their daily grocery needs, FairPrice stores have also become a place for the community to mingle and interact. Grocery shopping has become an activity for families and couples to spend time with each other. We are happy to be able to share these moments with them.”

By the end of 2013, NTUC FairPrice had a total of 120 supermarkets and hypermarkets islandwide, which serve about 430,000 customers daily. The co-operative intends to open at least five more supermarkets, including the seventh FairPrice Xtra hypermarket at Singapore Sports Hub in 2014.