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Was reading the new below and suddenly have this question in my mind. I am more on the side that group buy is like a trip to the supermarket, provided that everyone observe the safety measures spelled out by MOH. But some of these groups can involve >100 members at its peak, so can the measures be adhered to all the time? Not just free delivery and bulk discounts: The rise of community group buys in Singapore https://www.channelnewsasia.com/news/cnainsider/free-delivery-bulk-discounts-singapore-rise-community-group-buys-15240638 SINGAPORE: In the year or so since Mrs Tan began joining group buys, she has seen everything from high-quality fresh fruits to microfibre cloths to ergonomic chairs being hawked at a discount. Today, the 31-year-old, who wished to be identified by her last name only, estimates that half her groceries come from orders placed through chat groups on WhatsApp or Telegram run by others in her estate. “While the prices weren’t necessarily cheaper than in a neighbourhood supermarket, we felt the fruit and vegetables were significantly fresher than what we were getting. We eat a lot better with the same amount of money,” she said. She also appreciated the flexibility and convenience of being able to pick up her items at her neighbours’ homes. This process, known as group buying, involves people in the same estate banding together to place bulk orders for items in order to cut delivery costs and enjoy discounts from suppliers. And it is gaining traction in Singapore, fuelled by COVID-19 restrictions. A simple search on Instagram yields more than 50 group-buy profiles tagged with the names of different estates. Group buys have also sprung up island-wide based on shared interests, like for those buying children’s toys or for couples looking to renovate their homes. But even as it appears that the primary aim of group buys is to get a good deal, other side benefits have emerged along the way. Even hawkers are benefiting, though the question remains: To what extent? And while there is uncertainty about breaching regulations in running group buys, the positives outweigh the drawbacks, so far, for the likes of Mrs Tan.