Digital Resilience Bonus (DRB) For Retail & F&B Companies: What It Is, What Your Options Are If You’ve Missed Out

The Digital Resilience Bonus (DRB) is one of the types of Government support measures aimed at local SMEs in the Food Services and Retail sectors. 

Local businesses need local shoppers and diners to thrive. Businesses and the Government fully understand that, and it is precisely why these hard-hit businesses in the Food Services and Retail sectors are getting a boost from the Government via the Digital Resilience Bonus (DRB) and more. 

The need for businesses to go digital isn’t just a form of defence in the COVID-19 world that we live in. Adopting digital solutions that work is a necessity to remain in business, remain competitive. 

Read on to find out more about:

• What is the Digital Resilience Bonus (DRB)?
• Who qualifies for the Digital Resilience Bonus (DRB)?
• Other Government support for businesses in Singapore 

What is the Digital Resilience Bonus (DRB)?

The Digital Resilience Bonus (DRB) is an initiative by the Infocomm Media Development Authority (IMDA) to provide assistance to businesses in the food services and retail sectors so they can improve their operational efficiency and stay relevant in our increasingly digitalised society. 

To encourage businesses in these sectors to adopt innovative digital practices and IMDA pre-approved solutions that would help them go further, eligible businesses that fulfil all stipulated criteria can obtain a DRB payout of up to S$10,000. 

In case you’re wondering, the DRB payout is an extra incentive, distinct from the digitalisation assistance provided under the SMEs Go Digital programme.

Who qualifies for the Digital Resilience Bonus (DRB)?

The DRB is specially designed for food services and retail businesses incorporated on or before 26 May 2020 and have signed up for PayNow Corporate accounts without suffix and Nationwide e-invoicing Network. 

To get the bonus DRB payout of up to S$10,000, these businesses must adopt pre-defined categories of digital solutions for Business Processes, Digital Presence and Data Mining and Analytics.

Missed out on the DRB? Here are other government support for businesses to know about  

For the uninitiated, the DRB initiative concluded on 30 June 2021. But that’s not to say there isn't any other existing support from the Government to help local businesses transform or digitalise. 

In fact, hawkers and local SMEs in select sub-sectors within the Food Services and Retail industries can still get assistance from the government. Read on to find out more. 

#1 Hawkers Go Digital 

In a bid to help hawkers go digital, develop a more sustainable commercial model, explore online delivery options and adopt e-payment platforms, a workgroup comprising government agencies, hawkers associations, community partners and delivery platforms has been launched. 

For example, hawkers are highly encouraged to adopt the SGQR unified e-payment solution. By using a SGQR, stallholders will be able to receive payments through a whopping 19 different payment schemes, including DBS PayLah!, GrabPay and Singtel Dash — not only does this reduce the need for physical contact, it’s also great for many of us who rely on the convenience that mobile payments afford. 

Interested hawkers can speak to their Digital Ambassadors at SG Digital community hubs or reach them at 6377 3800.

Just so you know, the Government is covering transaction fees (i.e. merchant discount rate of 0.5% payable by merchants) until 31 December 2023.

#2 Food Services Industry Digital Plan (IDP)

The Food Services Industry Digital Plan (IDP) is designed to make it simple for SMEs in the food services industry to become digital-ready. It provides a step-by-step guide on the digital solutions SMEs can adopt at each stage of their growth. 

It is meant for local SMEs in select sub-sectors within the Food Services industry:

• Restaurants
• Cafes and Coffee Houses
• Snack Bars and Food Kiosks
• Food Courts, Coffee Shops and Eating Houses

Adopting digital solutions recommended in the Food Services IDP doesn’t have to be an arduous task. The IMDA offers a list of pre-approved solutions that have been assessed to be market-proven, cost-effective and supported by reliable vendors. 

Also, basic advisory services and specialist consultancy services are available, depending on your business’ needs. 

Need funding support from the Government? SMEs can apply for the Productivity Solutions Grant (PSG) on the Business Grants Portal, before purchasing and implementing digital solutions.

#3 Retail Industry Digital Plan (IDP) 

Similar to the Food Services IDP, the Retail Industry Digital Plan (IDP) is designed to make it easy for SMEs in the retail industry to become digital-ready. It provides a step-by-step guide on the digital solutions SMEs can adopt at each stage of their growth. 

It is meant for local SMEs in select sub-sectors within the Retail industry:

• Supermarkets and convenience stores
• Fashion and sporting goods
• Consumer electronics
• Department stores
• Jewellery and Timepieces
• Furniture and Household Products

Adopting digital solutions recommended in the Retail IDP doesn’t have to be a chore. The IMDA offers a list of pre-approved solutions that have been assessed to be market-proven, cost-effective and supported by reliable vendors. 

Additionally, basic advisory services and specialist consultancy services are available, depending on your business’ needs. 

Need funding support from the Government? SMEs can apply for the Productivity Solutions Grant (PSG) on the Business Grants Portal, before purchasing and implementing digital solutions.

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