FairPrice has taken a bold step towards sustainability with the opening of its most eco-friendly supermarket yet, located at City Square Mall in Singapore. This flagship store is setting a new standard for how supermarkets can operate in a greener, more environmentally conscious manner, and it’s doing so in style. With a massive 24,000 square foot space, this outlet is not only big, but it’s also a testament to FairPrice’s ongoing commitment to sustainability and supporting local producers.
The standout feature of this new store is its incredible 30% lower carbon footprint compared to the average FairPrice supermarket. This reduction is made possible by a whole range of innovative and eco-friendly technologies, from the cooling systems to the store’s lighting and fixtures. The store uses carbon-dioxide refrigerants, which are significantly more eco-friendly than traditional refrigerants, and every light is LED, consuming half the energy of conventional fluorescent bulbs. Even the shopping trolleys are made from recycled plastic—talk about walking the green talk!
The sustainability efforts don’t stop at energy-saving initiatives. The store’s fittings, such as the server counters and dining table tops, are made from recycled or sustainably produced materials. This attention to detail is part of FairPrice’s mission to introduce more eco-friendly solutions in its stores, with the hope of expanding these initiatives across all their outlets in the future.
Customers shopping at this new store won’t just be saving money on groceries—they’ll also be making a positive impact on the planet. The store features more than 400 sustainable products, from eco-friendly household staples like dishwashing liquids to items with reduced packaging. Additionally, for those who are mindful of single-use plastics, the store offers a refill station for Bio-home household cleaning liquids, where you can top up your bottles instead of buying new ones.
One of the most exciting features of the new store is its focus on local produce. FairPrice is committed to offering the freshest locally grown vegetables and other farm-to-store items, delivered within just 24 hours. This means that when you buy your spinach, lettuce, eggs, or fish, you’re getting produce that’s as fresh as it gets—and you’re also supporting local farmers. With over 150 locally farmed fresh items on offer, this store boasts the widest range of local produce in the FairPrice Group.
But that’s not all. The new store also tackles the important issue of food waste. In a pioneering move, it has adopted a zero-food waste policy. Blemished fruits and vegetables that don’t quite meet aesthetic standards are either sold at a discount through FairPrice’s IMperfect Fellas programme or donated to those in need via the Neighbourhood Food Share Initiative. For the food that doesn’t make it to the shelves, the store works with the mall’s food digester to convert waste into usable material, ensuring that as little as possible ends up in landfills.
For shoppers keen on making more sustainable choices, the store has a range of educational tools to help them along the way. Partnering with World Wide Fund for Nature (WWF) Singapore, FairPrice has incorporated in-store sustainability education to empower customers. Stickers offering sustainability tips and eco-friendly package labelling can be found throughout the store, and there are also stations for recycling e-waste and reusing bags. This is the only supermarket in Singapore that has been designed with sustainability education at its core.
The City Square Mall outlet is not just about making it easier for customers to make sustainable choices; it’s about leading the way for future supermarkets. With the support of customers, these innovative eco-friendly measures could be rolled out to other FairPrice locations across the island. FairPrice Group CEO, Vipul Chawla, summed it up best when he said, “Our sustainability targets reflect our position as Singapore’s largest retailer. This opening of our most sustainable supermarket represents our stride towards a greener future and will serve as a benchmark for how we incorporate care for the environment into our growth.”
With Singapore moving towards its sustainability goals, FairPrice’s new store is an excellent example of how businesses can be a driving force for change. It’s a win for the environment, a win for local producers, and a win for customers who want to make more conscious choices without sacrificing convenience or quality.
So, if you’re keen to reduce your carbon footprint while picking up your groceries, the new FairPrice supermarket at City Square Mall should be at the top of your list. Not only will you find fresh, locally sourced produce and eco-friendly products, but you’ll also be supporting a retailer that’s genuinely committed to building a more sustainable future.
