AMONG the latest restrictions which will be in place till June 13, dining out has been banned.

Among the latest restrictions which will be in place till June 13, dining out has been banned. PHOTO: SPH

In this period, F&B operators are to receive increased wage support under the Jobs Support Scheme (JSS).

The government will raise its wage support for food and beverage (F&B) establishments to 50 per cent from 10 per cent. Under the JSS, co-payment by the government will apply to the first S$4,600 of gross monthly wages paid to local employees during the period for which dining-in is prohibited.

From the private sector front, retail landlords have rolled out some support that they say will help their F&B tenants tide through this period.

GuocoLand

The real estate developer has reached out to group buy communities all over Singapore, including those in estates such as Punggol, Yishun, Bedok, Chua Chu Kang, and Jurong, to make bulk order purchases from F&B tenants at Guoco Tower.

The initiative aims to expand its tenants' sales channels as well as provide its customers with easy access to food options typically unavailable at heartland areas. To further incentivise purchases, some of Guoco Tower's tenants also offer between 10 per cent to 25 per cent discounts or free deliveries for orders above a minimum.

GuocoLand also offers communities who hit a minimum spending tier with free gifts from its other tenants. As such, GuocoLand also aims to promote its other retailers while supporting F&B sales.

City Developments Ltd (CDL)

CDL is providing marketing and operational support for its F&B tenants through its online retail and food delivery platform CDL eMall.

Launched at end-2020, CDL eMall aims to provide tenants at City Square Mall, Palais Renaissance and Republic Plaza with an alternative sales channel, extend their customer reach and enhance their online presence.

CDL eMall's additional Phase 2 support includes the absorption of its onboarding cost, zero commission charges and free delivery services.

Starting May 19, CDL will also extend the grace period for delivery drivers at City Square Mall to 30 minutes.

Since the beginning of the pandemic last year, the real estate company has given property tax and rental rebates to its tenants. In light of the recently heightened restrictions, CDL will provide more flexibility in rental payments for tenants facing severe cash flow issues, the company said on Tuesday.

CapitaLand

The group is providing support for its F&B operators through its platform Capita3Eats. This includes the waiver of platform and commission fees, free delivery offers and rewards for takeaway orders.

It also plans to set up designated dining areas for front-line staff and delivery riders.

Meanwhile, retailers can also leverage delivery services and click-and-collect options on the group’s digital platform eCapitaMall. CapitaLand will also provide its retail tenants whose operations are directly or indirectly impacted by the latest measures with rental rebates and operational support, the group said on Saturday.

It has also extended its grace period for drivers to 30 minutes and plans to set up designated dining areas for front-line staff and delivery riders.

Frasers Property Retail

The group offers free delivery services for all orders made through Frasers Makan Master till 30 June, Frasers Property Retail said on Monday.

Launched in April last year, Frasers Makan Master is a digital F&B concierge which allows customers to place contactless takeaway and delivery orders from almost 200 of Frasers Property's F&B tenants.

With a portfolio which consists largely of suburban malls, Frasers Property is working closely with F&B tenants to set up designated collection points so that orders can be picked up smoothly while safe distancing measures are maintained. Its malls have also implemented a 30-minute grace period for vehicles.

In addition, the group is offering a waiver of delivery and service fees from Monday till 30 June to all tenants on its Frasers eStore. Retail tenants joining the app platform for the first time will also receive complimentary listings, said Frasers Property.

Suntec Real Estate Investment Trust (Suntec Reit)

In addition to heightened health and safety measures, Suntec Reit is also introducing additional support for its mall, Suntec City.

The mall has separated dining areas within its Food Republic and Big Appetite food courts exclusively available for safe distancing ambassadors, safe management inspectors, enforcement officers and food delivery riders.

Suntec City will also waive the payment of gateway fees and commission for F&B providers participating on its Suntec+ Eats platform.

To add, all vehicles accessing the property's car park will be given an extended 30-minute grace period for the benefit of delivery drivers, riders and shoppers.

As for its other tenants, Suntec City will provide in-mall, digital marketing, and "case-by-case" rental support. Tenants will also have the flexibility to shorten their store operating hours to reduce operating cost, the trust said on Thursday.

By LISA KRIWANGKO