Nanyang Optical undergoes voluntary liquidation after 65 years, customer's S$1,800 order stuck in limbo

A long-time customer of Nanyang Optical has found her S$1,800 contact lens order stuck in limbo, after the company informed customers that it is undergoing voluntary liquidation.

The Business Times reported that the home-grown company will liquidate after 65 years of operations, and will close four of six stores.

The customer, Karen, 45, told Mothership that she had placed an order for a year’s supply of contact lenses on Dec. 23, 2025.

She was informed at the time that the order would take around four weeks to be fulfilled.

After waiting for four weeks with no update, Karen contacted the company on Jan. 22 to check on the status of her order. The Northpoint City branch she ordered from stated that they would contact headquarters.

However, on Jan. 28, Karen received a WhatsApp message from Nanyang Optical, stating that the company is going into voluntary liquidation.

Called number provided multiple times, no answer

In the same Jan. 28 message, Nanyang Optical acknowledged her outstanding order and asked her to wait another month, stating that it would "try to fulfil” the order as soon as possible.

“We are sorry to let you know that Nanyang Optical is going into a voluntary liquidation.”

The company also provided Karen with a number to call for any enquiries, but despite dialling in multiple times, her calls went unanswered.

She said that the message left her with uncertainty about the fulfilment of such a large order amidst the company's liquidation.

Karen stated that her stash of contact lenses had run out.

"I need to know if I should be ordering a new batch as well, or if my money is already lost.”

No indication of refund

Speaking to Mothership, Karen stated that she had patronised Nanyang Optical for "many many many years" and wanted to warn other Mothership readers about the impending closure.

According to Karen, the company has not indicated whether a refund would be possible should her order ultimately not be fulfilled.

Apart from the liquidation notice and the request to wait another month, she said she has received no further clarification.

While she is unsure how many other customers may be affected, she said she hopes sharing her experience will alert others to exercise caution.

Four stores directly operated to close

Nanyang Optical's managing director Bernard Yang told BT that there are four stores at Northpoint City, Kovan and Parkway Parade, as well as sister brand Alexis Eyewear Boutique at Wisma Atria.

The remaining two stores at Junction 8 and The Clementi Mall under franchise arrangements are unaffected and will continue operating independently.

“After reviewing both the operational outlook and the longer-term viability of the business, the directors concluded that an orderly (wind-up) under a formal process was the most responsible course of action.”

BT reported that a meeting of Nanyang Optical's creditors will be held on Feb. 13, 2026 at 2:30pm for the appointment of liquidators.

Yang stated that voluntary liquidation will allow the company “to conclude its affairs in an orderly and transparent manner under a formal process, rather than prolonging uncertainty”.

Voluntary liquidation

In a voluntary liquidation, a company ceases operations and appoints a liquidator to wind up its affairs, including selling assets and paying creditors.

Customers with unfulfilled prepaid orders may be considered unsecured creditors, and refunds are not guaranteed.

In June 2025, Yang spoke to CNA about the pressures his company faced, including sluggish sales, rising rents and other operational costs.

Their Marine Parade outlet had to downsize by nearly half its original space, and part-time staff hours were cut.

In September 2025, Yang told BT that the company decided to close its Causeway Point outlet in Woodlands after three years due to a 12 to 13 per cent increase in monthly rent.

Mothership has contacted Nanyang Optical for comment.

Top photo from CP NYO/Google Maps