The Catbird Story

About Catbird

Catbird takes its name from the catbird, a songbird recognised for its distinctive catlike voice, keen situational awareness and adaptability.

Known for its clear and unmistakable call, the catbird is often found perched on tall branches, gaining an unobstructed view of its surroundings. From this vantage point, it observes patterns, anticipates change and responds with precision. The species is also highly adaptable, having learned to thrive alongside human environments by adjusting its behaviour as conditions evolve.

Catbird draws inspiration from these principles:

Distinctive Voice
‍Independent thinking and the confidence to offer clear, differentiated perspectives.

Strategic Perspective
‍Elevated vantage point of view to understand context, risk and opportunity beyond individual transactions.

Thoughtful Adaptability
‍Applying judgement and agility to navigate shifting consumer behaviour, asset performance and market cycles.

In an industry often driven by scale and speed, Catbird was created to operate with clarity, restraint and long-term intent, offering considered advice grounded in perspective, experience and strategic discernment.

Why Catbird

Catbird was founded on the belief that successful retail is never accidental. It comes from considered discernment, informed perspective and a genuine understanding of how people use and experience retail spaces over time.

Get In Touch

Ethan Hsu

Founder & CEO

Catbird was founded by Ethan Hsu, whose career has been shaped by a deep passion for Singapore’s retail landscape and a sharp instinct for what makes retail succeed. With over 20 years of experience across retail assets, developers and international real estate firms, he brings a clear understanding of how retail spaces perform, evolve and endure.

Ethan is recognised for his strengths in retail identity, positioning and curation, and for his work on retail development projects including Asset Enhancement Initiatives that have rejuvenated established malls and kept them relevant in a dynamic retail sector. He also works closely with international and local brands to secure flagship stores, shape retail footprint strategies and bring retail storytelling to life.

Inspired by the catbird for its distinctive voice, elevated perspective and adaptability, Ethan founded Catbird as a founder-led real estate firm built on clarity, sound judgement and long-term thinking.

Track Record

Media

Track Record

Founder’s Track Record

Media

1 in 5 retailers looking at short-term leases of less than one year: SRA

Youtube

One in five retailers in Singapore is looking at short-term leases of less than a year and flexible store formats. That's according to the Singapore Retailers Association, which notes this figure is about 10 per cent more than last year. Landlords are also increasingly open to such flexible structures, with...

‍Fresh wave of new F&B brands move in as Singapore’s dining scene matures

The Business Times

Chick-fil-A, Chipotle, Korea’s Lotteria among global F&B giants tapping Singapore consumers’ evolving taste

Is Singapore retail property in dire straits?

The Business Times

On this episode of PropertyBT, a podcast of BT Correspondents, Leslie Yee sits down with Ethan Hsu, head of retail at Knight Frank Singapore, to unpack what really drives survival in the retail and lifestyle sectors.

What's Killing Our F&B Businesses? | Talking Point | F&B Business Closures - Part 1/2

Youtube

Singapore may be a famous for being a food paradise, but in recent years, the F&B industry’s feeling the heat. Businesses are shutting their doors at record rates, with the highest number of closures seen in about two decades. In this two-part special, Diana Ser finds out what’s really eating our favourite F&B spots, and what’s really at stake should this...

Deep Dive Podcast: Have rising commercial rents reached a tipping point?

CNA

Amid rising rents and growing competition, some Singapore businesses are closing down or relocating to cheaper premises. Are commercial rent hikes spiralling out of control, or is this simply market forces at work?

‘The streets were full of laughter’: What happened to Clarke Quay, Keong Saik Road and Club Street?

The Straits Times

The current wave of F&B business closures and decline of entertainment outlets are worrying trends that may change the face of nightlife in Singapore.

Singapore’s restaurant boom: A tasty trend or a recipe for disaster?

The Business Times

Too many cooks: Singapore’s F&B sector at risk of oversupply as openings outpace closures

Singapore F&B businesses survived Covid, only to be killed by rising costs and competition, with thousands closing

The Business Times

2465 businesses ceased operations, with an average of 274 closures per month

What would it take to make Orchard Road great again?

Tatler Asia

Recent high-profile hotel, F&B and lifestyle retail openings in Orchard Road have given the area a boost. But what would give the precinct an even bigger shot in the arm?

Incubating Merchlions

Every time a homegrown brand closes down, there is a collective sense of loss as “another one bites the dust”. My first thought-leadership article of the year on a government-led incubation strategy for our young “Merchlions” - Singapore merchants and brands that are successful icons of the Singapore...

Young Singapore brands need a sandbox to grow in, to survive the unforgiving retail jungle

The Business Times

At the height of the Covid pandemic between 2020 and 2021, there was a surprising surge in local private enterprise setups in the retail and food and beverage (F&B) sectors.