JB businesses say lesser S'porean shoppers due to rainy weather, expect more crowd in coming weeks

Business owners in Johor say they are expecting a surge of shoppers from Singapore in the final two weekends of 2025, despite a slower-than-usual start to the year-end period.

Businesses noted that crowds from across the Causeway have yet to fully return, according to The Star, but attributed this largely to rainy weather rather than the strengthening of the Malaysian ringgit.

Weather plays a more significant role rather than strong ringgit

Johor Bahru Small Businesses Association chairman Tey Tian Hwang said that an increase in visitors from Singapore is expected soon.

He also believes that numbers from Singapore had not picked up yet largely due to gloomy weather conditions rather than the stronger ringgit.

“While the stronger ringgit may have some effect, I believe the weather plays a more significant and decisive role.”

Tey added that Singaporeans are likely to return regardless, particularly during the year-end period.

He also pointed out that although the ringgit has strengthened, the Singapore dollar still remains more than three times stronger.

“So, it will not really be much of an issue as they can still enjoy cheaper prices for goods and services here.”

Electric Train Service (ETS) to draw more visitors

Johor Bahru Bazaar Karat Development and Welfare Association president Fuad Rahmat echoed similar sentiments, saying business activity had been dampened by the rainy spell but was expected to recover once conditions improved.

He said:

“The stronger ringgit did not really affect sales for my members, and we should be able to see the usual year-end spike in visitors, including from Singapore, if the weather improves.”

Fuad added that the recent launch of the ETS between Johor Bahru and Kuala Lumpur is also expected to draw more visitors to the state.

Flooding and heavy traffic also affecting numbers

Johor Indian Muslim Entrepreneurs Association secretary-general Hussein Ibrahim said that aside from weather, concerns over flooding and heavy traffic had also affected visitor numbers.

While Singaporeans’ spending habits remained largely unchanged, he noted that Malaysians working in Singapore appeared to be spending more cautiously, as fluctuations in earnings had led some to tighten their budgets.

“Some seem to be more careful with their spending since their earnings have dropped slightly.”

Shift towards quality and unique experiences

Providing a broader industry perspective, Inbound Matters founder Uzaidi Udanis said that a stronger ringgit could make Malaysia marginally more expensive for international tourists, but added that this could also be beneficial in the long run.

He said a firmer currency helps stabilise operating costs, as many businesses rely on imported goods, and could allow operators to better manage expenses, improve service quality, and invest in product development.

Uzaidi added that exchange rates are not the sole factor influencing travel decisions.

“This is a good opportunity for Malaysia to shift from competing on price to competing on quality and unique experiences in view of Visit Malaysia Year 2026.”

Earlier reports showed softer footfall

Earlier this month, Johor businesses had reportedly seen a decline in Singaporean customers compared to previous years, with several operators citing drops of between 10 and 40 per cent and launching promotions to attract visitors.

Stall owners interviewed by Shin Min Daily News cited concerns over the stronger ringgit and softer spending.

Despite the recent lull, businesses now are beginning to be optimistic that Singaporeans will return in greater numbers in the final weekends of 2025, in line with typical year-end travel and shopping patterns.

Top images from Carol Yuen/Google Maps, ezadhfizy_/X