Singapore has long been an irresistible magnet for many a visitor, mainly because of its vast selection of air-conditioned shopping malls. Retail therapy is constantly promoted, whether for shopalolic locals or for tourists, especially during the Great Singapore Sale between May to early June. During this time, most stores have amazing bargains, sometimes 70% off, and grabbing them is almost a national obsession.
Orchard Road is the central retail district and is lined on both sides with shopping malls ranging from designer clothes retailers such as
Hilton Shopping Gallery, to high-street
bargains at the
Far East Shopping Center.
Ngee Ann City is the largest mall of all, with more than 100 specialty stores in addition to its flagship Japanese superstore,
Takashimaya. On the top floors of the
Heeren Center, Annex is a collection of market stalls selling vintage fashion and quirky accessories. Below is a huge
HMV, the largest music store in the city.
Centerpoint, in the middle of Orchard Road, is home to
Robinsons, Singapore’s oldest and award-winning department store.
Delfi Orchard has Waterford crystal and Wedgewood china, and
Orchard Towers has Thai silk, antiques and leather among its small shops.
Bugis Junction, whose dark alleyways were once the haunt of Singapore’s transvestite community, is now a glass-covered air-conditioned street known as
Parco, incorporating shop-houses, modern outlets and a huge Japanese department store. The night market at
Bugis Village, opposite Parco, still has the charm of its past years.
Raffles City, at City Hall, contains the noted
Chinese Embroidery House, and opposite are exclusive boutiques at
Raffles Hotel Shopping Arcade.
Near Singapore’s financial district is Chinatown, cultural hub of the Chinese migrants and a colorful web of streets and alleys with a wealth of artifacts, jewelry, clothes, food and medicines behind traditional Chinese shop-house fronts. Tanjong Pagar is filled with traditional teashops, Chinese laquerware, kites and Asian handicrafts.
Smith Street and Trangganu Street are best for gifts and bargains, and stylish and cheap Chinese clothes. The junction of Cross Street, New Bridge Road and Eu Tong Seng Street has modern shopping arcades including department store
Yue Hwa Chinese Products,
Chinatown Point housing the
Singapore Handicraft Center,
and
People’s Park Complex. You can find everything from electrical goods to textiles here.
Little India, on and around Serangoon Road, is a treasure trove of sumptuous textiles, as well as spices, jewelry, handicrafts and cheap Indian CDs. The
Mustafa Center, a three-story emporium open 24 hours, sells mainly electrical goods at fixed prices and offers excellent deals, although it is worth checking the warranty. The
Tekka Center (also known as KK Market) is the busy wet market with fish, fowl, flowers and more.
Singaporeans love
Sim Lim Square (Bugis) for discount electronic goods; six levels stacked with cameras, computer equipment, pirate CDs, hi-fi and video equipment. Again, visitors should check for a valid warranty and do not be tempted by pushy sales staff.
Funan Center (City Hall) has dozens of computer shops on each floor at competitive prices. The warehouses on Dempsey Road sell Chinese antiques, original and reproduction furniture, while
Tanglin Shopping Center, Orchard Road, hoards some of Asia’s finest statues, carpets and antique furniture.
One of the best flea markets is at
Clarke Quay, 3 River Valley Road, every Sunday 1000-1800. The flea market outside
Tanglin Mall, 163 Tanglin Road, is mainly for fashion and is open the first and third Saturday of every month 1700-2300.
Thieves Market on and around Sungei Road is open weekends 1100-1800, with a haphazard collection of second-hand novelty items and handicrafts.
The suburbs are making their mark on the shopping scene, offering a different flavor to the main retail areas.
Holland Village has a bohemian air, with antiques, Asian arts and vintage clothes shops among glam wine bars and wet markets, with good discount stores for clothes. Laid-back
Changi Village seems far from the frenetic air of the city, with bargains in everyday clothes and household goods.
Most stores are open daily about 1000-2100/2200, although boutiques close earlier. All prices include a 7% Goods and Services Tax (GST), which is refundable at Changi Airport’s
Premier Tax Free (website:
www.premiertaxfree.com) or
Global Refund Center (website:
www.globalrefund.com), on individual purchases over S$100, or on S$300 made up of several items with a minimum value of S$100. Shoppers need to look out for the Tax-Free Shopping logo, complete the Global Refund Shopping cheque or Premier Tax Free voucher and present it with their goods. Money is refunded either as cash or Changi Airport Shopping Vouchers (where 10% will be added), or by direct transfer to a credit card or bankers cheque. All items, whether taken as check-in or hand-luggage, require customs validation forms.
The Columbus World Travel Guide has been published for 26 years and is sold in over 90 countries worldwide.
Related Singapore Content
The Columbus World Travel Guide has been published for 26 years and is sold in over 90 countries worldwide.
Word Travels is a comprehensive travel guide covering hundreds of cities and holiday resorts in more than 125 countries.
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