World City Guide

Shopping

Singapore has always had a reputation for being a shopper’s paradise, and one which is continually promoted, especially during the Great Singapore Sale from May to early June, which, with bargains of up to 70% off, is almost a national obsession and attracts shoppers galore. 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 Centre. Ngee Ann City is the largest mall of all, with more than 100 speciality stores in addition to its flagship Japanese superstore, Takashimaya. On the top floors of the Heeren Centre, 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. Centrepoint, in the middle of Orchard Road, is home to Robinsons, Singapore’s oldest and award-winning department store.

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.

Chinatown 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, and great for buying gifts especially along Smith Street and Trengganu Street. Nearby is Yue Hwa Chinese Products, a five-floor department store selling all things Chinese, while Chinatown Point contains the Singapore Handicraft Centre.

Little India, on and around Serangoon Road, is a treasure trove of sumptuous textiles, as well as spices, jewellery, handicrafts and cheap Indian CDs. The Mustafa Centre, a three-storey emporium open 24 hours, sells mainly electrical goods at fixed prices and offers excellent deals, although it is worth checking the warranty.

Singaporeans love Sim Lim Square (Bugis) for discount electronic goods; four levels stacked with cameras, computer equipment, pirate CDs, hi-fi and video equipment. Again, visitors should check for a valid warranty. Funan Centre (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 Centre (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.

Most stores are open daily about 1000-2100/2200, although boutiques close earlier. All prices include a 5% Goods and Services Tax (GST), which is refundable at Changi Airport’s Global Refund Centre (website: www.globalrefund.com) or the Global Refund counter at level 2, Scotts Shopping Centre (1100-2000 daily), on individual purchases over S$300, 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 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.