Singapore Hotel - Park View Hotel Singapore

Places of Interest Off The Beaten Track Singapore At A Glance

Shopping

Singapore is not quite the shopper's paradise it once was. Prices have gone up considerably, and many locals would rather shop across the Causeway or when they go abroad for holidays. Still, you'll find that Singapore shopping does offer delightful surprises--from bargains at the big department stores to great finds at the lower-priced factory outlets and neighbourhood shops. Take the time to shop around. And watch the money roll.

Shopping hotspots

Orchard Road

This is one of the favourite shopping belts in the city. Whatever your budget, you'll almost always find something you want. Most shopping centres will have an anchor tenant (usually a major department store) and other smaller retailers. Gems for the picking range from designer labels, to mid-range goods, to budget items. Some popular department stores to check out: Marks & Spencer, Robinsons, Tangs and Tangs Studio.

Getting there: You can take the MRT to any of these three stations within the Orchard Road belt--Orchard, Somerset, Dhoby Ghaut. If you're coming from Clementi or Holland Road, take SBS bus 7.

Around Marina Square

Marina Square itself is the size of seven football fields. If you're just setting up your home, check out the Habitat and Mothercare stores. Next to Marina Square is Suntec City Mall--stroll round the Fountain Terrace to view the full circle of gastronomic treats. CHIJMES is worth a visit for its architecture and speciality shops. Further up Stamford Road towards the National Library and Museum, MPH House offers three storeys of books, CDs, videotapes, and a cafÈ.

Getting there: Take the MRT to City Hall station. Look for exit signs that point in the direction of Temasek Boulevard or Suntec City.

Riverside

At Clarke Quay, air-conditioned shops now reside within former godowns and shophouses. The streets are lined with pushcarts selling handicrafts and knick-knacks.

Getting there: Take a walk from the Dhoby Ghaut MRT station.

The Suburbs

Shopping centres a la Orchard Road have also sprung up in housing estates away from the city centre. There's Junction 8 in Bishan, Lot 1 in Choa Chu Kang, Parkway Parade in the East Coast, Century Square and Tampines Mall in Tampines, Ginza Plaza in the West Coast, and Northpoint in Yishun.

Where to look for what: Some quick pointers

Arts, crafts and antiques: Holland Road Shopping Centre - Head this way if you love ethnic-looking furniture and other paraphernalia.

Big sizes: Coretti at Holland Road Shopping Centre, Marks & Spencer and Robinsons.

Books and stationery: Names like MPH, Times and the Word Shop.

Borders at Wheelock Place and Tower Books at Pacific Plaza have been drawing the crowds. For academic and school texts, head for the Bras Basah Complex. Places like Big Bookshop and Popular Bookshop offer stationery at bargain prices.

CDs: HMV at the Heeren and Tower Records at Pacific Plaza.

Many other smaller shops around town and the housing estates will carry the same labels for less.

Computer hardware and software: Funan Centre.

If you're at a loss, check out the Challenger mart on the sixth floor.

Designer labels: shops at the Hilton Hotel, Palais Renaissance, the Paragon, the Promenade and the Raffles Hotel Shopping Arcade.

Sales are often held at hotel function rooms. Scan the newspapers for these ads.

Electric and electronic goods: Sim Lim Square.

Sim Lim's reputation has taken a few dents, but still worth going.

Factory overruns: names like the Export Shop and Factory Outlet.

Esprit has its own factory outlet along Bendemeer Road; Fifth Avenue has one in Clarke Quay.

Sports shoes: Queensway Shopping Centre.

The place is rather dingy, but you'll find good value and most shops are open to bargaining.

Speciality stores

Cola Connection: outlets at Raffles City and Wisma Atria.

What to look for: Anything singing the Coca-Cola brand--apparel, miniature bottles, glassware, beach towels, die-cast toys, postcards, keychains, magnets, tin boxes and limited-edition items.

The Disney Store: Takashimaya at Ngee Ann City.

What to look for: Theme displays featuring animated Disney characters. Familiar Disney music and videos.

The Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York Shop: outlets at the Paragon and Raffles City.

What to look for: Copies and adaptations of objects from Asia, the Mediterranean, Medieval and Renaissance Europe, and ancient Egypt. Items include jewellery, sculpture, scarves and neckties, metal objects and desk accessories, prints of great paintings, art books and stationery.

Warner Brothers Studio Stores: outlets at Suntec City Mall and Wisma Atria. What to look for: Collectibles featuring Looney Tunes characters and DC Comics superheroes. The list includes T-shirts, leather jackets, baseball caps, watches, silk ties, jewellery, boxer shorts, ceramic cookie jars, plush toys and tongue-in-cheek tableware.

Shopping Tips

Opening times

Most stores and shopping centres are open every day from 10 am to 9 pm. During festive seasons, shopping is extended to 11 pm or midnight. Some stores will close on certain public holidays, and on a couple of days a year for annual functions or stock-taking.

Prices and bargains

Fixed prices and price-tagging are the rule at many department stores and retail outlets. Compare prices before buying.

Bargaining is a fast-disappearing way of life. But if you do came across shops that are open to bargaining--start by asking the retailer for his "best price", then make a realistic counter-offer. Be prepared for some to-and-fro before settling on a price that both you and the retailer are happy with.

Always check the goods, especially electrical and electronic gadgets. It's good sense to leave a deposit in some instances (e.g. tailoring and photo development), and pay in full when you have checked and are satisfied with the results.

Sales

"Sale" is one of the most overused words on the Singapore shopping scene. You may come across "pre-festival" sales, "post-festival" sales, and "closing-down" sales that seem to go on forever. Then there is the "Great Singapore Sale", which is on from June to July each year, where almost all the shops will stick their necks out to offer their best bargains. Incidentally, the Great Singapore Sale coincides with the annual Singapore Food Festival, when true-blue Singaporeans can feast to their hearts' content and shop till they drop.

Goods and Services Tax (GST)

A 5 per cent Goods and Services Tax (GST) is levied on almost all goods and services. Note that the GST applies only to GST-registered traders. Look for the certificate of registration that is usually near the checkout counter. Some retailers will absorb the GST, and most of the smaller shops do not collect GST.

Exchanges and refunds

Most of the bigger retailers will exchange goods if they are intact and if you return them within a few days with the receipt. Some smaller shops may not be so accommodating, so always check the goods carefully before buying. Refunds are less common. Some retailers (such as casual clothing store Giordano) offer a money-back guarantee, no questions asked. Others (at some point in their promotion efforts) will offer a refund if you can find the same item for less elsewhere.

Complaints

At one time, it was a curse to be Caucasian and to walk down Lucky Plaza along Orchard Road. Touts with offers of fake watches would approach expat or tourist alike. The problem has died down, although you should be wary of any offer that sounds too good to be true.

Should you get into a dispute with a retailer, contact the Small Claims Tribunal at Apollo Centre (Tel: 6435-5937, Fax: 6435-5994). Cases are usually heard within a day; the fee is just $10; and you won't need a lawyer and high legal fees.

Last modified : 30 September 2004.