Shopping in Singapore

While generally not as cheap as other cities in Asia, shopping is a main attraction in Singapore. Popular brands and local boutiques vie for consumer dollars while back alley markets and shops are where the real deals can be found. Singapore has enough to keep even the most avid shopper busy for days.

Orchard Road is one of the biggest shopping areas in Singapore. Robinson’s Department store is both a shopping center and a piece of history. The store opened in the 1850s and is Singapore’s oldest. A remnant of Britain’s long colonial rule, both shoppers and history buffs will enjoy having a look. Boutiques up an down Orchard Road offer worldwide brands like Guess?, Chanel, and Gucci, as well as areas serving up electronics and CDs. Tanglin Shopping Center offers antiques and artifacts. It is interesting to take a stroll here even if you don’t plan to buy anything.

Chinatown’s Yue Hwa has everything one could want from a Chinese department store. Everything from clothing to collectables to jewelry is housed inside this multilevel emporium. Prices are reasonable compared to Orchard Road. There are numerous shops down every street in Chinatown. It’s worth taking a day (or even two) to window shop and find something to your liking.

Arab Street is synonymous with textiles. If you fancy a sarong or just a nice pair of pants, this is the street for you. Again prices are cheaper than brand names, but the quality of these products is superior (Sorry Gucci).

Little India has pretty much anything that can be legally imported from India for sale. The streets of this section of the city are bustling, and crowded most of the time. Suits and jewelry are reasonably priced here, and it is probably the best place in Singapore to shop for culinary items. Mustapha’s Supermarket on Serangood Road has some great finds when it comes to spices and curries. There are also some small but delicious restaurants scattered about the neighborhood.

Singapore being the modern metropolis that it is, there are shopping opportunities around every corner. While one might have to look a little bit to find the best deals and the highest quality, the patient shopper will eventually be rewarded.

ATMs are everywhere in the city. Credit cards are widely accepted, especially in Downtown areas. Some retailers charge an additional fee if purchases are paid for with a credit card. Currency changing centers are also around the city. Singapore dollars are similar to US dollars and Euros in denomination. Coinage represents smaller amounts and bills representing denominations from S$2 to S$10,000.

While shopping on the cheap is not always possible in Singapore, it is truly a shopper’s paradise.