[SINGAPORE] Popular Chinese hotpot chain Haidilao is closing its flagship Singapore outlet in Clarke Quay on Aug 31 as its lease expires.

A text message was sent out to Haidilao members on Wednesday (Aug 13) to inform them of the closure.

The Clarke Quay outlet, which operates in a space managed by CapitaLand, opened in 2012 and marked the brand’s entry into Singapore. The Business Times has reached out to Haidilao and CapitaLand for comments.

The closure of the Clarke Quay outlet follows Haidilao’s recent shuttering of three suburban restaurants – in Bedok, Pasir Ris and Punggol – after a period of rapid expansion.

A Haidilao spokesperson previously told BT that the brand’s key business considerations include labour costs, outlet locations and rental costs. It had noted that some of its stores are shifting focus as they optimise resources and expand menu offerings.

The exit comes against the backdrop of softer demand for retail space in the central region. Savills Singapore on Wednesday noted in a report that weak market sentiments continue to weigh on leasing demand for retail space, with islandwide retail vacancy rising to 7.1 per cent on quarter in Q2 2025.

Retail trade in the central region has been less resilient to ris...