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Shopping Whether it is because Singapore offers great shopping or whether it is because it is continually being talked up, a reputation as a shopper’s paradise is immovably entrenched. The Great Singapore Sale from May to early July, with bargains of up to 70% off, is almost a national obsession and attracts shoppers from throughout the region. Orchard Road is the central retail district and is lined on both sides with one shopping mall after another, ranging from Lucky Plaza at the lower end of the market to high-end shopping at the Palais Renaissance, the Hilton Shopping Gallery and Paragon. With its towers looming above the rest, Ngee Ann City is the largest mall of all, with more than 100 speciality stores in addition to its flagship Japanese superstore, Takashimaya. The top floors of the Heeren Centre are a collection of market stalls selling fun and novelty items. The same centre is also home to a huge HMV, the largest music store in the city. Centrepoint, in the middle of Orchard, is home to Robinsons, Singapore’s oldest and award-winning department store. Orchard Road, however, does not have the monopoly on great shopping. There are more than 120 malls and arcades on the island. Bugis Junction, once Singapore’s transvestite locale, has had its shop-houses renovated and integrated into a gleaming, air-conditioned complex known as PARCO and there is also a street market selling cheaper items and souvenirs. Raffles City, at City Hall, is another popular mall, with the exclusive boutiques at Raffles Hotel just across the road. Chinatown (Outram) is a colourful web of streets and alleys with a wealth of artefacts, jewellery, clothes, food and medicines for sale behind traditional Chinese shop-house fronts. The newly paved Smith Street and Trengganu Street are good for cheap clothes and souvenirs. Gold, priced according to weight, is heaped up in the stores crowding the People’s Park Complex, while hawkers offer the full-smelling durian fruit or grilled pork to passers-by. Nearby is Yue Hwa Chinese Products, a five-floor department store selling all things Chinese, while Chinatown Point contains the Singapore Handicraft Centre. While the major department stores and chains operate fixed prices, bargaining is de rigeur in other places and it is always worth comparing prices before buying. The Singapore Gold Circle seal at stores is an assurance of quality and reliability and, unlike much in the ethnic quarters, has the official thumbs up. But it is in those areas where the more interesting buys are likely to be had. Arab Street (Bugis) is lined with shops selling high-quality cottons, silks, velvets and batiks. Otherwise, the only alternative flavours are found at Far East Plaza in Scott’s Road. Little India, on and around Serangoon Road, is another treasure trove of sumptuous textiles, as well as spices, jewellery, handicrafts and cheap Indian CDs. At the far end of Serangoon Road is the Mustafa Centre, a three-storey emporium mainly selling electrical goods at fixed prices. It offers some of the cheapest deals in town, although visitors should check that there is a full warranty. Its popularity means it is usually packed at weekends. Singaporeans go to Sim Lim Square (Bugis) for discount electronic goods; four levels stacked with cameras, computer equipment, pirate CDs, hi-fi and video equipment. Again, visitor should check for valid warranty. Funan The IT Mall (City Hall) is a shopping centre with dozens of computer shops on each floor at competitive prices. Across the road, the Adelphi is the place to spend thousands of dollars on top-of-the-range audio equipment, while nearby Peninsula Plaza is a favourite stop for camera gear. Some of the most exquisite homes of wealthy Singaporeans are adorned with art and antiques from all over Asia – much of which can be purchased in Singapore. The warehouses on Dempsey Road sell Chinese antiques, original and reproduction furniture, while the cool, dimly lit units at Tanglin Shopping Centre (Orchard Road) horde some of Asia’s finest statues, carpets, textiles and antique furniture. For a taste of contemporary Asian art, Art2, at The Substation, Armenian Street, sells works by established as well as up-and-coming local artists. The flea markets around town offer a totally different shopping experience and bargains and novelty items can be found by browsing through a lot of junk. One of the best 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 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. New shops over the last couple of years include the Manchester United Store at Orchard Parade Hotel; Yves Saint Laurent at the Hilton Shopping Gallery; the Louis Vuiton flagship store and the Cartier flagship store, both at Ngee Ann City; the Mango flagship store at Suntec City; and the Nike Speciality Store at Changi Airport’s Terminal 2. Most stores are open daily about 1000-2100/2200, although boutiques close earlier. All prices include a 3% Goods and Services Tax (GST), which will go up to 5% from 2003. However, this is refundable at Changi Airport’s Global Refund Centre on individual purchases over S$300 or on S$300 made up of several items of a minimum value of S$100. Shoppers need to look out for the Tax Free Shopping logo, complete the Global Refund Shopping cheque and present it with their goods. Money is refunded either through cash, Changi Airport Shopping Vouchers (where 10% will be added) or through direct transfer to a credit card or bankers cheque. |
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