Indian tourists are playing an increasingly pivotal role in sustaining Singapore’s luxury retail sector, helping the city-state counter a broader global slowdown in premium consumption. Data from the Singapore Tourism Board (STB) shows that Indian visitors spent SGD 812.17 million in the first half of 2025, marking a 4.4 per cent increase compared with the same period last year.
Industry representatives say this steady rise in spending has been instrumental in supporting Singapore’s high-end retail ecosystem, particularly along Orchard Road, the country’s premier shopping destination and home to many of the world’s leading luxury brands.
“Indian travellers continue to be one of the island’s most commercially significant markets and are among the tourists helping to lift luxury spending in Singapore,” said Mark Shaw, Chairman of the Orchard Road Business Association (ORBA), which oversees and promotes the Orchard Road precinct.
Beyond headline figures, industry experts point to travel patterns that make Indian tourists especially valuable to retailers. According to Shaw, Indian visitors tend to stay longer and spend across a wider range of categories than many other traveller segments.
“Indian travellers have higher spending levels and longer-than-average lengths of stay at 6.3 days. These extended trips translate into greater discretionary spending across retail, dining, entertainment, attractions and accommodation,” he said.
Shaw’s remarks come amid increased footfall at Orchard Road’s Christmas Market and Village during the year-end festive season, a crucial period for luxury retailers. While Indian tourists have emerged as a key growth driver, industry observers note that visitors from China and Indonesia are also contributing to Singapore’s resilience against global luxury market headwinds.
The trend reflects broader changes in Indian consumer behaviour. The Mastercard Economics Institute’s 2024 Travel Trends report highlighted that India’s expanding affluent class is increasingly seeking luxury experiences, high-end fashion and jewellery, driven by rising disposable incomes and aspirational lifestyles.
Tourism data further underscores this shift. Indian visitor arrivals reached 1.03 million in the first ten months of 2025, up 2.6 per cent year-on-year, according to STB figures. Overall, Singapore recorded 14.25 million visitors between January and October 2025, representing a 2.5 per cent increase from the same period last year.
Singapore also stands out among global luxury hubs. Market research firm Euromonitor International expects the city-state to be among the few major destinations to register growth in luxury sales in 2025, projecting an increase of 7 to 9 per cent to approximately SGD 13.9 billion. This performance is expected to outpace other regional shopping destinations, including China and Japan.
The growth is being driven by affluent consumers seeking premium products, curated experiences and what analysts describe as “quiet luxury.” Singapore’s appeal is further bolstered by its growing wealth base, with the country home to 55 billionaires, according to a UBS wealth report released on December 4.
Capitalising on the surge in visitor activity, global luxury brands such as Prada and Van Cleef & Arpels have intensified their presence along Orchard Road’s hotel-shopping belt, deploying outdoor installations and festive displays to attract shoppers. A major draw remains ORBA’s annual Orchard Road Christmas Light-Up, consistently ranked among the world’s top five, featuring elaborate decorations, snowfall shows, markets, live entertainment and street festivities.
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