12 Surprising Businesses That Boomed During The Pandemic
7 min readThere's opportunity in every crisis.
“Wah, you know that char kway teow place we used to go to when you were a kid? It’s closing shop!” said my Dad at breakfast this morning. Sadly, this is an all-too-common story nowadays, as many businesses have been forced to close down due to the effects of the pandemic.
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But it’s not all doom and gloom, as there are some who are unexpectedly thriving in this challenging environment. Here are a few of these surprising successes:
1. Bicycle Shops
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With many of us cooped up at home and unable to travel, exploring our little island has been one way to get some fresh air. What better way to do that than on a bicycle? The Park Connector Network (PCN) is flooded with bicycles on weekends, and the demand for foldable bikes has skyrocketed. The waiting time in Singapore for a Brompton can be up to a year—some have even taken to selling their order slot online, in typical Singaporean style!
2. Plants & Gardening
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One look at your Facebook and Instagram feeds makes you think that everyone’s a botanist nowadays. Since we’re staying home more, we might as well beautify the place by greening it up, right? Plants can help purify the air in our home, and also provide a calming effect that reduces stress. No, we’re not talking about weed, that’s illegal 😬
3. Baking Supplies
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Similarly, our social media feeds have been filled with the yummy-looking creations of many aspiring Masterchefs. Baking supplies have been flying off the shelves as people are picking up new skills in the kitchen. Some have even turned this hobby into a side hustle, as seen from the numerous home bakery businesses that have sprung up online.
4. Gym & Sports Equipment
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Restrictions on gyms have seen more turning to workouts at home, and equipping their home gyms with dumbbells, kettlebells, yoga mats, chin up bars and the like. I know I’ve been guilty of spending a little too much on Decathlon stuff. Don’t forget to post your #fitspo photos online—pics or your workout didn’t happen!
5. Alcohol
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Sadly, hanging out with friends at your favourite watering hole has become a distant memory. As a result, more people are starting to stock up on drinks to enjoy at home, like whiskeys and wines. Because no virus is gonna stop us from enjoying a nice tipple while winding down after a long day of WFH.
6. Used Cars
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Many people who are worried about travelling on public transport have been looking to get their own ride. With rising COE prices pushing new car costs to ridiculously expensive levels (Cat A is at S$52,709 and Cat B at S$80,210 at the time of writing), the demand for used cars is heating up like never before. Plus, the best thing about driving your own car is that you don’t need to wear a mask!
7. Renovation
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“Sorry, I’m gonna mute myself—my neighbours are renovating.” How many times have we heard that during our Zoom meetings nowadays? With more people needing their own space, property prices have been shooting through the roof. And with it, a huge boom in the renovation business.
8. Furniture
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Remember the long queues that formed at IKEA when the government implemented a Circuit Breaker and everyone had to WFH? And how so many people bought Secretlab chairs for their home office, that their CEO can now afford a S$36m bungalow? Safe to say, the pandemic has made some people very rich indeed.
9. Pet Shops
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It’s no secret that a furry companion makes staying home more bearable. That’s why we’ve seen crazy demand (and prices!) for pets. Due to the difficulties in importing, the cost of some special breeds like Shiba Inus has jumped from $5k to $12k. If you don’t want to pay for it, someone else will! It doesn’t help to see all those adorable furkids in your Instagram feed. Who can resist those cute faces?
10. Mental Health Counselling
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The pandemic has brought all sorts of stresses into our lives, and we’re all trying to cope with it the best we can. That has led to more people seeking counselling to deal with a difficult situation which we’ve never experienced before. Remember, there’s no shame in seeking help—you’re not alone on your roller coaster of mental health, and there are other people in the world going through the exact same thing.
11. Telemedicine
With the virus running rampant, many people don’t want to leave their house unless it’s absolutely necessary, and they especially don’t want to go to clinics where they are at greater risk of infection. With telemedicine, patients can see doctors online and have medication delivered to their homes, making it a safer choice for some.
12. Gaming Shops
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Staying home more often means we’re looking for more indoor entertainment options, and that naturally includes gaming. At the height of the Circuit Breaker, the Nintendo Switch was sold out everywhere, and the Animal Crossing craze had everyone creating their own virtual islands to escape to. If you still have your Switch today, maybe try using it to get some exercise in?
Not gloom, but an opportunity to boom
COVID-19 has changed the way we live and accelerated changes in consumer behaviour like never before. This has forced businesses to reinvent themselves and adjust to the new normal.
In the words of Albert Einstein, “In the middle of every difficulty lies opportunity.” Those who can quickly innovate and adapt in the face of adversity will not just survive, but thrive.
The eldest of the Tng family. Smart, buff, responsible, and very single. Bobby works in IT in the civil service and is a loyal son, brother and friend. Like his father, he is always brewing with ideas and his greatest wish is to be an entrepreneur one day.