Sirs Singapore Institute Of Retail Studies (nyp)

What Sirs Singapore Institute Of Retail Studies (nyp) does

SIRS (Singapore Institute of Retail Studies), legally Nanyang Polytechnic-Singapore Institute of Retail Studies (UEN: T08GB0032G), is a Continuing Education and Training (CET) centre operating under Nanyang Polytechnic since 2006. It is the first CET institute established in Singapore and holds appointment as the anchor training provider for the retail industry under SkillsFuture Singapore (SSG). Its core function is the design, accreditation, and delivery of retail-focused and adjacent workforce-development programmes, spanning WSQ certificates and diplomas (Retail Operations, eCommerce/Omni-Channel), SkillsFuture Career Transition Programmes (SCTP), short-form professional courses, mentorship programmes, masterclasses, and enterprise customisation through its Customised Workplace Solutions arm.

SIRS delivers training via a blended-learning stack combining classroom facilitation, asynchronous e-learning (Google Classroom), and synchronous online sessions across two physical academies—the Lifelong Learning Institute (11 Eunos Road 8) and the Nanyang Polytechnic campus at Ang Mo Kio Avenue 8—with administration and registration natively integrated into SkillsFuture's STEP Portal (SingPass login, PayNow and NRIC-based refund processing). Course content covers retail operations, customer experience, visual merchandising, digital marketing, eCommerce enablement (with co-developed curricula for Alibaba Business School, Amazon Global Selling, Lazada, Shopee, eBay, Qoo10, Carousell, TikTok Shop, WeChat/Dodoca, Shopmatic), plus emerging tracks in AI/Tech Innovation, Sustainability in eCommerce, and Critical Core Skills.

Revenue is generated through published course fees that are heavily subsidised (50–90%) by SkillsFuture Singapore based on residency status, age (Singapore Citizens aged 40+ receive 90% funding), and SME sponsorship, with full fees ranging from under SGD $500 for short courses up to SGD $7,303 for the Alibaba Master Programme. Go-to-market is a sales-led hybrid: direct website enrollment and STEP Portal self-service for individual learners, supplemented by phone, WhatsApp, and email-assisted sales, plus a dedicated business development function ([email protected]) serving enterprise customers such as BHG, Changi Airport Group, Charles & Keith, OCBC, Sony, Sheng Siong, and The Body Shop. As a government polytechnic CET centre, SIRS has no venture or public-shareholding structure; its commercial metrics are constrained by SkillsFuture funding rules, but it is institutionally funded through Nanyang Polytechnic and aligned with the Retail ITM 2025 and SkillsFuture Enterprise Credit 2025–2027 policy windows.

Name

Sirs Singapore Institute Of Retail Studies (nyp)

Legal name

Nanyang Polytechnic-Singapore Institute of Retail Studies

Website

https://sirs.edu.sg

Company type

Private

Founded year

2006

Operating status

Operating

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Retail Workforce Training & Education

NAICS

Professional and Management Development Training (611430)

SIC

Services-Educational Services (8200)

akta.pro primary industry

Certification & Exam Prep Course Marketplaces (EDAFAIAJ)

akta.pro secondary industries

Corporate Training Course Marketplaces (B2B Content Libraries) (EDAFAIAH), Credentialing, Certification Prep & Exam Training (BPACANAJ)

Keywords

• Retail training
• Workforce development
• Ecommerce education
• Digital marketing courses
• Continuing education

GTM type

B2B and B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Infrastructure, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D

Revenue model

1. Course Fee Revenue: SIRS generates revenue primarily through course fees charged for training programmes. Fees vary by course type and are subsidized by SkillsFuture Singapore (SSG) for eligible Singapore Citizens and Permanent Residents. Full course fees are published, with subsidies of 50-90% available based on eligibility criteria (age, employment status, company type). Revenue is recognized on a per-course/per programme basis as one-time professional services fees rather than recurring subscriptions.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels6 records

Marketing channels8 records

Core offering

SIRS is a government-funded Continuing Education and Training (CET) institute under Nanyang Polytechnic that delivers retail, e-commerce, digital marketing, and workforce development training programmes. It serves as the appointed anchor training provider by SkillsFuture Singapore for the Retail industry, offering certification programmes, diploma courses, short workshops, mentorship programmes, and customised corporate training solutions to both individual learners and retail enterprises.

Product overview

SIRS (Singapore Institute of Retail Studies) is a training and education institution that offers a comprehensive suite of programmes and courses for retail and digital commerce professionals. The institution operates as a platform of training solutions rather than a single unified product, encompassing certification programmes, diploma programmes, short courses, mentorship programmes, masterclasses, and enterprise consulting services. The portfolio includes Alibaba Business School programmes (Master Programme, CEO Programme, Managerial Elite Programme, Entrepreneur Startup Programme), Amazon Global Selling courses, e-commerce platform training (Lazada, Qoo10, Shopee, eBay), AI and tech innovation courses (Generative AI Content Creation, Microsoft Copilot), social commerce programmes (WhatsApp Marketing, TikTok), mobile content creation courses (Mobile Photography, Mobile Videography), visual merchandising programmes, WSQ certification programmes (Certificate, Advanced Certificate, Diploma in Retail Operations), and customized corporate training solutions. These offerings are designed to support the full spectrum of retail industry needs from foundational skills to advanced digital transformation.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Alibaba Master Programme: Digitalising Businesses Towards Success

Quantifiable outcome

• Over 200,000 professionals and companies have trained with SIRS and are thriving in their careers and businesses
• +1 more outcomes

Named customers3 records

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature2 records

Partnerships

15 partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• Alibaba Business SchoolcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerSIRS partners with Alibaba Business School to deliver eCommerce and Digital Commerce programmes including Alibaba CEO Programme, Alibaba CEO Master Programme, and Alibaba Managerial Elite Programme. Programmes include travel components to Alibaba headquarters in Hangzhou, China for hands-on learning in New Retail, eCommerce, social commerce, omnichannel marketing, and data analytics.
• Amazon Global SellingcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerSIRS co-developed the 'Cross Border e-Commerce: Mastering Selling Strategies on Amazon.com' programme with Amazon. The exclusive programme helps new global eCommerce sellers understand selling on Amazon.com, covering product listing optimization, sourcing, profit margin calculation, brand registry, and fulfillment options.
• LazadacoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorSIRS offers Lazada-specific training programmes including 'Getting Started on Lazada (Onboarding)' and 'Drive Sales Performance on Lazada (Marketing)'. These programmes help merchants onboard and optimize their sales on the Lazada marketplace platform.
• ShopeecoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorSIRS offers Shopee-specific training programmes including 'Getting Started on Shopee (Onboarding)' and 'Driving Sales Performance on Shopee (Marketing)'. These help sellers effectively launch and market products on the Shopee platform.
• eBaycoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorSIRS offers eBay Global Selling onboarding programme to help sellers start selling on eBay's global marketplace. Part of comprehensive eCommerce training suite.
• Qoo10coreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorSIRS offers Qoo10 training programmes including 'Getting Started on Qoo10 (Onboarding)' and 'Driving Sales Performance on Qoo10 (Marketing)' to help merchants succeed on the Singapore-based eCommerce marketplace.
• Enterprise SingaporecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerSIRS collaborates with Enterprise Singapore to deliver 'Best Practices of E-Commerce Transactions ESG TR 76' accreditation programme. Enterprise Singapore supports Singapore enterprises in internationalization and productivity improvements.
• Singapore Media AcademyminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerSIRS partners with Singapore Media Academy to deliver the 'Professional Certificate in Digital Retail Entertainment' programme, combining retail operations with digital entertainment and content creation skills.
• Singapore Productivity CentreminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerSIRS partners with Singapore Productivity Centre to offer 'Certified Digital & Productivity Consultant' programme, developing professional capabilities in digital transformation and productivity improvement.
• SingtelminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerListed as one of SIRS strategic partners, indicating collaboration on technology or business initiatives. Singtel logo appears on SIRS partnership page.
• Changi Airport GroupminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerListed as one of SIRS strategic partners. Changi Airport Group logo appears on SIRS partnership page.
• SMRTminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerListed as one of SIRS strategic partners. SMRT logo appears on SIRS partnership page.
• ChanelminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerListed as one of SIRS strategic partners. Chanel logo appears on SIRS partnership page.
• SkillsFuture SingaporecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerSIRS is the appointed anchor training provider by SkillsFuture Singapore (SSG) for the Retail industry. SSG provides CET Centre designation and oversees SkillsFuture funding programmes that SIRS courses participate in.
• Nanyang Polytechnic (NYP)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerSIRS is one of Nanyang Polytechnic's Continuing Education and Training (CET) centres. NYP provides institutional support, branding (UEN: T08GB0032G), and administrative infrastructure. NYP 360 provides consultancy services deployment.

Scale indicators4 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Broad incumbents

• Singapore Polytechnic (CET arm): Government polytechnic with a continuing education and training arm offering SkillsFuture-eligible courses across multiple industries. Larger and broader portfolio than SIRS; shares the Singapore public-sector CET model and competes for the same SkillsFuture learner pool but lacks retail specialisation.
• Institute of Technical Education (ITE): Singapore government statutory board delivering technical and vocational training, including retail and service-sector programmes. Overlaps with SIRS in serving working professionals and SkillsFuture learners in adjacent industries under similar funding mechanisms.
• Temasek Polytechnic (CET arm): Government polytechnic with a continuing education arm offering SkillsFuture-funded courses. Competes with SIRS for individual learner enrolment and corporate training budgets across business, digital, and service verticals.
• Republic Polytechnic (CET arm): Government polytechnic operating a continuing education division offering industry-specific training including retail and digital skills. Structural peer as a polytechnic-affiliated CET centre competing for SkillsFuture individual and corporate training budgets across multiple verticals.

Emerging players

• Coursera: Global MOOC platform offering professional certificates, certifications, and degree programmes across business, tech, and retail-relevant topics. Competes indirectly with SIRS for self-directed adult learners, though without the in-person Singapore delivery and SkillsFuture funding integration.
• General Assembly: Global digital skills bootcamp provider (now part of Adecco) offering courses in data, digital marketing, and tech. Comparable in the digital/e-commerce upskilling segment though not Singapore-anchored or SkillsFuture-integrated like SIRS.

Direct peers

• Lithan Academy: Singapore-based edtech academy focused on digital skills, e-commerce, and career transition programmes aligned with SkillsFuture initiatives. Overlaps with SIRS in the digital retail and e-commerce learner segment and corporate upskilling.
• Aventis Learning Group: Singapore-based training provider offering professional certification, corporate training, and SkillsFuture-eligible courses across business, digital, and management domains. Direct competitor in the B2B corporate training marketplace alongside SIRS.
• NTUC LearningHub: Singapore-based continuing education and training provider offering workforce upskilling courses across multiple industries including digital, retail, and professional skills. Directly comparable to SIRS in serving individual learners and enterprises through SkillsFuture-eligible programmes with similar funding mechanics.
• Marketing Institute of Singapore (MIS): Singapore's leading professional body for marketing training and certification. Overlaps with SIRS in digital marketing, e-commerce, and customer experience course offerings, serving both individual marketers and corporate marketing teams in the same SkillsFuture framework.

Market position

Strengths4 records

Weaknesses4 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles7 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Sirs Singapore Institute Of Retail Studies (nyp)