Shopping in Singapore!!!!!

Shopping is second to food as a national pastime. You can shop till you drop!! The malls, department stores, boutiques which are exclusive and pricey but for bargains too there are stores galore. The annual Shopping Festival takes place from June to July. There is a wide range of products which are marked down to make it a truly wonderful experience for all. The bargains are genuine and value for money. In fact, if you want antiques and rugs, the best time is the Great Singapore Sale.

 

Places to Shop in Singapore

Orchard Road

A visit to Orchard Road is a must. Packed with hotels, cafes, salons, spas, boutiques and shopping malls on both sides of the road, is an experience to remember. One could spend a whole day, the stretch starting from Tanglin Mall on Tanglin Road down to Plaza Singapura at the lower end of Orchard Road. Shopping malls and centres are stocked with practically everything under the sun from apparel, consumer electronic items, local/international fashion labels and housewares. There is always some kind of fair or activity taking place in the malls and centres so there is never a dull moment. The Heeren, Tanglin, Tangs, Centrepoint, Wisma Atria, Ngee Ann City, Paragon, Far East Plaza are just names of some of the malls.

 

Clark Quay and Riverside Shopping

You will also find many retail shops, entertainment and bars along the Riverside and Clark Quay. Central is another store right at Clark Quay, housing 280 stores. Just hop on to the famous Bum Boats and get off along side the river, wherever you want. Located next to Clark Quay is Liang court, with 5 storeys of shopping, home to many Japanese retail outlets.

 

Marina Bay

Breezy promenade strolls, entertainment venues, wide open spaces and lofty hotels, shopping and offices add up to make this area a significant visit. Tourists will be kept occupied with an endless gamut of retail offerings. Visitors can enjoy ease and comfort moving around Marina Bay at street level, above or underground. Sheltered sidewalks, covered walkways, underground and second-storey links ensure all-weather protection and seamless connectivity between developments and MRT stations.

 

Raffles City Shopping Centre

Logically, this would ideally be the first stop to access Marina Bay’s retail outlets. Raffles City Shopping Centre sits above the City Hall MRT stop. The complex also houses two hotels, offices, food & beverage outlets and a convention centre.

 

Suntec City Mall

The largest shopping mall in Singapore, Suntec City is divided into four thematic zones - Galleria, Tropics, Entertainment Centre and Fountain Terrace – housing over 400 retail outlets, over 50 pushcarts and over 100 food and beverage establishments, including Singapore’s largest hypermarket, Carrefour of France. A comprehensive store directory lists arts & crafts, bridal, international and local fashion names, sports apparel, music, children’s toys and more. Located in the heart of the mall is the Fountain of Wealth, certified as the world's largest fountain by The Guinness Book of Records in 1998.

 

Chinatown

One of the fastest ways to acquaint oneself with Chinatown is to go on a walking tour of the shops and stalls on these streets – Pagoda Street, Trengganu Street, Sago Lane, Smith Street and Temple Street. Here you will come across trinkets, knick-knacks, paintings, t-shirts, Chinese silk, tailors, home decorations, herbal shops and CDs. Some stalls will let you bargain but generally prices are competitive.Yue Hwa Emporium, Chinatown Complex, Chinatown Point & Singapore Handicraft Centre are some of the must visits here.

 

Little India

One of the most colourful and vibrant ethnic areas in Singapore, Little India is a bundle of activity from dawn to midnight everyday. The focal point of the Indian community, Little India has become a well established area with its own MRT stop and another one called Farrer Park. The main thoroughfare, Serangoon Road is easily connected by side lanes, which makes shopping and walking around a breeze. Shops teeming with spices, rich sari fabrics, flower garlands, jewellery, brassware, silverware, traditional snacks and more. The most popular place to visit is the Mustafa Centre.

 

Geylang Serai, Joo Chiat and Katong shopping

Located east of the central area of Singapore, Geylang Serai has been the centre of the Malay community since the mid-19th century. Today, one can browse around the markets and shops there selling wares catering to the needs of the Muslim community. During the Ramadan month of fasting, the district is turned into a colourful fairyland of lights and bustling festive stalls. Across the road is the Joo Chiat area, is known for its interesting architecture. From Joo Chiat Road, head south towards the suburb of Katong renowned for its historical appeal. The main areas to shop here are the Geylang Serai Market, Malay Village, Joo Chiat Complex and Katong East Coast Road.

 

For bargains, the best place would be Bugis Street, Chinatown, Little India and Arab Street. For some good bargains you can also try Far East Plaza And Lucky Plaza.

Most shopping centres are open daily between 10am to 9pm. Some even close by 10pm. Singapore being very safe, staying out late is not a problem.

A GST ( Goods and Service Tax) of 3% is applied during a purchase, though if you spend over S$300, you can apply for a refund of the GST paid. Some of the larger shops or department stores will exchange goods or possibly refund the price of goods if they are returned undamaged within a specified number of days from the purchase date with the receipt or cash slips. Smaller shops may not be so accommodating. It is advisable to check the shop's return policy before making a purchase. At the point of purchase, always insist on a sales receipt and clearly filled-out original warranty card, especially for electrical goods where the manufacturer's international guarantee card should be available.