Shopping in Singapore

When Singaporeans tell you that shopping is the national sport, they're only half joking. Shopping ranks right up there with eating as a favourite pastime. Many visitors to Singapore come with a view to seeing the sights rather than going on a bargain-hunting binge, yet somehow they always end up leaving with an extra bag or two.

Orchard Road features mall after mall of glitzy clothes, shoes, electronics goods, furniture, rugs, cosmetics, etc. There's always a big sale going on somewhere, the people all around you are laden with shopping bags - its impossible not to join in the fun.

When you're tired with going from shop to shop, there's always a cosy cafe somewhere where you can take a break and have a relaxing cuppa. Starbucks, Coffee Bean & Tea Leaf and Spinelli have all made their way here, or if you prefer a homegrown cafe there's always Delifrance, The Coffee Club or Prima Deli. There are even malls with shops that offer foot reflexology massages to soothe your poor aching feet - and prime them up for more street-pounding!

If you're a shopaholic, you may want to time your visit to Singapore to coincide with the mid-year Great Singapore Sale, when it seems that the whole island is going at a discount. All major shopping centres and boutiques mark down their prices during this period, which can last for up to a month.You may do well to fight the crowds and shop right at the beginning of the Great Sale - shoppers in the know say that's when the best buys are to be had.

In the street markets and small shops selling tourist wares such as Chinese seals or painted fans, we recommend that you bargain for all you're worth. In the department stores and boutiques, of course, prices are fixed. One exception is the electronics stores at shopping centres like Lucky Plaza or Far East Plaza - here a general rule of thumb is to start haggling for that digital camera or personal digital assistant at a price about 25% below that being offered. Needless to say, credit can charge cards are accepted virtually everywhere.

Many millions of tourists are heading to Singapore mainly for shopping. Singapore government spent huge fund for developing areas into great places to walk and spend money.

The undisputed hub of shopping in Singapore is Orchard Road where is probably the region’s most famous shopping area. The street is lined the shopping malls packed with local and international department stores, tiny boutiques, restaurants, cafes and snack bars. Strategically placed in-between are many international five star hotels like The Grand Hyatt, the Marriott, the Meritus Mandarin the Four Seasons, the Shangra-La, and Hilton Singapore, as well as quality local hotels – perfect places to retreat after a hard day pounding the shopping malls.

The varied architectural styles are a testament to the area’s growth over the past 20 years as the shopping phenomenon has taken off. Istana Negara Singapura or Presidential Palace, located next to the Meridien Hotel is the (non-shopping) place of interest, although it’s only open to the public on certain occasions.

Everyone goes to Orchard Road to do their shopping, especially for clothes. You can get a variety of brands here, ranging from designer labels like Louis Vuitton to fairly cheap wear like U2 and Giordano. If you’re here to shop, stay around Orchard road and save your energy for pounding the malls.

Centrepoint - is among the largest and most popular shopping centres in Singapore, meeting virtually every need of tourists and locals alike. Here you'll find the legendary Robinsons & Co - the winner of the Tourism Awards 2002, Best Shopping Experience - Retail Outlet.There are also stores specialising in classical music, casual clothing, optical equipment, electronics, furnishings, Oriental rugs, sporting goods, fine arts, Asian antiques and artefacts, books and much, much more. The self-contained complex also has an excellent selection of restaurants and fast-food outlets. A one-stop shopping mall on Orchard Road as everyday items are sold there. For the smart shoppers.

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Far East Plaza - You'll find yourself returning to this fun, mixed bag of sorts! Both locals and expatriates love to hang out at this bustling shopping centre which sells everything from the most fashionable and outrageous shoes and clothes, to precious gems, eyewear and CDs. Make sure you check out Level One, which boasts a wide array of street fashion, unique accessories and knick knacks.

The Heeren - Here's where you'll find HMV, the largest music superstore in Southeast Asia. The restaurants on Level 5 offer a mouth-watering selection of Asian cuisine, from Peranakan to Japanese and Thai, while Movenpick Marche at the basement offers casual Swiss dining. At levels 4 and 5, the Annex presents a new shopping concept similar to Harajuku in Tokyo or Island Beverly in Hong Kong, where shops sell street and vintage fashion wear, unique accessories, quirky toys and comics.

Tanglin Shopping Centre - Frequented for Asian antiques and curios, this centre also houses several shops specializing in exquisite Persian, Pakistani and Afghanistan carpets, and a variety of tailors and eating places. C.T. Hoo sells Mikimoto pearls from Japan while Antiques of the Orient offers antique maps and prints. Just next door at Orchard Parade Hotel is Manchester United's Theatre of Dreams' merchandise store.