Singaporeans had the opportunity to shop until 11pm on Saturday in the first late night shopping initiative since 1965.

Participating department store retailers say the move was aimed at making it more convenient for working couples who don’t have time to shop together.

Department store Robinsons led the late closing move, with retail manager N. Heyworth telling the Straits Times newspaper: “We are developing late night shopping here, and we will go all out to make it a success, as it has been in Hong Kong.”

Robinsons will remain open until 11pm every Saturday night in the leadup to Christmas.

Rival store CK Tang says it will schedule Singapore late night shopping nights during next month and Robinson’s subsidiary John Little will trade until 10pm for the next three months in a trial. If customers like the concept and spend at nights, the late night closing time will become permanent.