The Johor Bahru-Singapore RTS Link will reshape cross-border movement in practical and behavioural ways. Its impact on retail will be nuanced rather than uniform.
Improved connectivity will increase outbound spending while making inbound visits more frequent and predictable. Retailers near transport nodes may benefit from higher footfall but this traffic will be more value conscious.

Landlords will need to sharpen differentiation. Convenience alone will no longer be sufficient. Clear positioning, relevant curation and targeted asset enhancement will be required.

Retailers offering trust, quality and experience will retain relevance despite increased competition. Over time, strategies that account for cross-border behaviour rather than resist it will prove more resilient and sustainable.