Walk through any heartland mall today and you will see the same thing: familiar local shops disappearing, while more shoppers turn online. Rental remains a major cost, and small retailers are competing with online sellers that do not face the same overheads. For family businesses that have been around for decades, staying relevant is getting harder.
Stefanie grew up inside one of them. Her parents started Tom & Stefanie before she was born, then named her after the business. Thirty years on, the local chain that once ran two long cashier lines at West Mall is down to its last few outlets. One more, at Hillion Mall, was about to close.
Still a Year 2 student at SMU, Stefanie juggles school with helping the family business, testing new products, social media and changes to the stores. Host Qi Jia joins her at PLQ to find out whether a family shop can still compete with online shopping, and what the next generation can do differently.
Then, on Hillion’s final day, Stefanie watches another outlet switch off its lights for the last time.
*Timestamps:*
0:00 Preview
0:46 Growing up in the store
2:13 Ten outlets down to three
2:44 Cheaper than online? Let’s check
5:11 Slime capsules and Pokémon cards
6:23 The admin nobody sees
7:12 The one that went viral
8:09 She was headed for corporate
8:35 Why she’s keeping it open
9:49 The final sale at Hillion Mall
11:48 Seven years, last day
12:23 Closing up for the last time
13:06 Outro
Hosted by Qi Jia.
Gen Z Crash Course
#Singapore
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so sad sia the closes Tom and Stefanie to me at million mall change to Molly Tea 🙄
Very tough business, look at how Metro and BHG closing their outlet. Chinese and online competition are wild. All the best. If the owner need someone to look into the business for free, do reach out.
I always thought T&S was a Western brand cuz they always used Caucasian models. And I remember frequenting the West Mall store as a kid!
Totally understand the responsibility Stephanie has to sustain her parents’ business and to uphold her parents’ values like to support the staff’s employment.
Sometimes I think parents can be quite selfish to expect their children to continue what they chose to start, and interfering with the child’s career ambitions. Selfless for the child to be so filial.
She is so pretty
She really took her parents business seriously.
I will always cherish and support her business in life
Wow didn’t know you guys are opened at woodlands civic Center or PLQ too. Will visit!
Also how did the shop name came about?
Support locals please
Business close down but they find somebody called qi Jia to be host is damm funny sia HAAHAHHAHA
Just say rent is an issue la. White wash for what
yes the daughter is correct. Not everything online is cheap. I'm buying paint now and i am surprised to see that a local store at serangoon Guan Heng Hardware Trading (Address 166 yio chu kang road S545619) sells nippon paint price much cheaper than lazada and shopee. Example i want to get Aqua Primer Sealer Undercoat, online sells around 80+- and the shop sells lower. The shop is advertised by the children so meaning another local shop struggling. Do support local if possible.
Stephanie can try consider pivot to online like Taobao.
Tom and Stephanie has horrendous quality. Never knew it was a local company though. Probably went there 20 years ago. There's no future in retail though.
Cheaper than online was a big suprise. More people need to know this and support brick and mortar stores
For retailers in singapore for sure they are having a huge challenge due to high rental and also online shopping. You need to ask yourself what make you better and unique than online, i can tell you price is one factor but is not the main factor i would judge as a consumer.
As for the new boss, hope you can use your business skill you learn in uni and apply at work. There are many framework that is taught. I hope all the best, if there is a time your brand dominate local market that is the time where you already shine :). Wish you all the best
move to waterway point!
I used to go to the West Mall outlet almost every weekend when I was a kid. My grandma will say go tom & jerry(stefanie) gai gai 😂 Knowing now that it was named after their daughter gives it a lot more sentimental. I hope she succeeds and continues the family business
I thought it is a Australian company.
TOM&STEFANIE❤❤❤
Those who wanna get something from toy-r-us, please check them out first. Bought my baby/younger cousins' some bday presents a few weeks back, and I was so amazed by the selection and price!!! THANK YOU FOR KEEPING A SINGAPOREAN BRAND ALIVE.
It is definitely not easy for Stefanie to continue her parents' business. She has to juggle her studies and taking the responsibility in sustaining an Singaporean homebrand in her free time. I really respect her tenacity and the nostalgic's feeling about the shop drive her passion. Tom & Stefanie is definitely form part of my childhood, as visited their former flagship outlet at West Mall. Stefanie you can do it!
this is a great series to promote local businesses
I got a lot of my son's stuff from the west mall outlet. Love the price and products, not that expensive.
Wonder whats the reason for mall operator to keep raising the rental price at exorbitant rate
Actually the lighting in the shop must improve. Modernise the shop might help.
Mediacorp ah, instead of always saying support local, maybe ask why are landlords so unscrupulous?
I love this young lady. I hope Singaporeans support her remaining shops. Good luck.
Stefenie is not giving up, she is still bringing her store to life despite the rise of Pop Mart and KKV
U go girl!!!!
yes indeed the instagram are viral. have also part of the followers in ig. sometimes is not about where is cheaper.. is the intention. i will definitely visit and support, having this shop as my main goto location.
I used to buy their tshirt and quite cheap and cute design! Will visit again and now I got to know what it is a local brand