Megamalls with Imported and Mostly Western Items
The well-known focal point of shopping in Singapore is Orchard Road, a glitzy street that is said to be the shopping boulevard of Asia. It is an undisputed buzzword among tourists from all over the world. Malls are packed alongside one another, carrying mostly imported goods. A consumerist heaven, Orchard Road is full of imported designer labels and chic couture, as well as electronic goods, home furnishings, and a whole lot more. Relatively cheaper buys are also available, especially for apparel and accessories. Prices are comparable to those in the West.
You can get there via the Orchard and Somerset MRT stations. Walking is probably the best and most enjoyable way to explore Orchard Road, soaking in the atmosphere and hunting for the all the best deals along the way. Along with Orchard Road, Marina Bay and HarbourFront are the leading shopping clusters in Singapore.
Local Shopping Malls
Suburban malls have also caught the interest of foreign tourists. These have mushroomed all throughout the island, especially in housing estates such as Tiong Bahru, Bishan, Woodlands, and Boon Lay. All are likewise accessible via the MRT that runs both underground and above ground. These malls basically serve the needs of the residents. You can find relatively lower priced labels in these places, where jeans can start from S$20 and polo shirts from S$10. Practically all carry supermarkets, pharmacies, cosmetics stores, and health equipment shops.
Ethnic Districts
Tourists have found all sorts of interesting items on these streets. Bargaining for prices can be at fever-pitch in these areas, since prices in practically all the department stores and boutiques are fixed. Gift and souvenir items abound in these places. In such ethnic districts as Little India, Chinatown, and Arab Street, you can find interesting handicrafts, textiles, and jewelry.
Singapore Airport Duty-Free Shopping
Changi Airport Shopping City is one of the world’s best duty-free shopping areas. The first Mercedes-Benz boutique in Asia Pacific offers a wide selection of exclusive gifts items such as model cars, toys, golf, and lifestyle accessories. Other Singapore airport duty-free stores include Biotherm, M.A.C., Bobbi Brown’s first flagship airport store in Asia Pacific, Origins, Bijoux Terner, Mont Blanc, Swizzle Delicatessen, electronics and IT stores, and liquor and cigarette stores, among others.
Sale Season and Trade Shows
For dyed-in-the-wool shopaholics, Singapore offers the mid-year Great Singapore Sale. June is the time when the whole island goes at discount of up to 70%. Lasting for about a month, this is the period when all major shopping centers and boutiques mark down their prices. Those who have experienced some of these mid-year sales attest that the beginning of the Great Singapore Sale is the perfect time for the greatest buys.
During the much-anticipated yearly island-wide sale, an extensive array of items ranging from fashion to jewelry and electronics are put on bargain discounts. Private events hosted by Sotheby’s and Glerums & Bonhams are mounted for exclusive works of art and jewelry. There is even the Great Singapore Shopping Challenge where the ultimate bargain-hunters are crowned.
COMEX, SITEX, The PC Show, and The IT Show are some trade shows and exhibits where the latest in electronic gadgets and IT products are displayed and offered at best deals. There is usually a show of this kind every quarter of the year.
Goods and Services Tax
The Goods and Services Tax (GST) in Singapore has been raised to 7% since start of July 2007. This tax on consumption is levied on import of goods, and nearly all supplies of goods and services. Sales and leases of residential properties and most financial services are the only exemptions to the GST. On the other hand, export of goods and international services are zero-rated.
Shopping travelers, however, can have their GST refunded if they spend at least S$100 at any single shop that displays the Premier Tax Free Logo. You can ask these shops to provide you with a shopping cheque that you can encash at the Global Refund Counters at Changi Airport on your departure from the country. These cheques may also be sent by mail or refunded to your credit card.
Via ASIAWEB
