How long have Singapore businesses been around?
ACRA registration data for 18,492 Singapore businesses: which categories have the longest track records and which have the most new entrants.
By Lookup Data Team · Updated October 2026 · 3 min read
Using ACRA registration dates for 18,492 listings we could match to a registered entity, here is how long Singapore businesses in each category have typically been operating.
Categories with the longest track record
| Category | Median years registered | 20+ years old | Matched businesses |
|---|---|---|---|
| Pharmacies | 39 | 82% | 90 |
| Courier Services | 30.5 | 78% | 68 |
| Property Agencies | 27 | 65% | 105 |
| Logistics & Warehousing | 24 | 61% | 128 |
| Karaoke | 21.5 | 57% | 30 |
| Tyre Shops | 20.5 | 51% | 74 |
| Financial Advisers & Insurance | 20 | 51% | 84 |
| Landscaping & Gardening | 20 | 53% | 57 |
| Pest Control | 20 | 52% | 164 |
| Rubbish Disposal | 20 | 51% | 356 |
| Tailors & Alterations | 20 | 51% | 43 |
| Movers | 19.5 | 50% | 52 |
| Thrift & Second-Hand Stores | 19.5 | 50% | 38 |
| Hotels | 19 | 47% | 309 |
| Photographers & Studios | 19 | 47% | 55 |
Categories with the most new entrants
Share of businesses registered in the last three years:
| Category | Registered ≤3 years ago | Median years |
|---|---|---|
| Pilates Studios | 33% | 6 |
| Hawker Centres | 26% | 7 |
| Psychologists & Counsellors | 20% | 8 |
| Yoga Studios | 20% | 7 |
| Pet Boarding | 18% | 7 |
| Gyms | 17% | 7 |
| Tattoo & Piercing Studios | 16% | 10 |
| Bowling & Gaming | 14% | 10.5 |
| Ramen | 13% | 8 |
| Bubble Tea | 13% | 17 |
| Bars | 13% | 11 |
| Cafes | 13% | 14 |
| Japanese Restaurants | 12% | 11 |
| Dance Studios | 12% | 11 |
| Car Detailing | 12% | 8 |
Why it matters
Years in business isn't a guarantee of quality, but for prepaid packages (beauty, fitness, tuition, renovation) a longer track record lowers the risk of a business closing with your money. Every Lookup listing shows the ACRA registration date where we can match it.
Method
We matched Lookup listings to ACRA's register of live entities by name and postal code, and computed years since the entity's UEN issue date as of 2026-10-09. Only categories with at least 25 matched businesses are shown. Registration age measures the legal entity, which can be older or younger than a particular outlet.