Shopping in Singapore

After eating, shopping is probably the second most popular leisure activity in Singapore, so shopping aficionados will have plenty of company at the cash register. As with many large, multicultural cities, there are certain areas where you can shop for ethnic goods, as well as a wealth of shops from the West. But whether you’re interested in a tea set from China or the latest couture design, you’ll find it in a shopping centre or mall. There are smaller stalls and individual shops here and there, but the vast majority of shopping in Singapore is done within the context of a destination centre.

Westerners will feel most at home in the luxe complexes along Orchard Road. Though it has a folksy, rural name, Orchard Road is actually the site of many upscale malls that house the same world-class brands that you’d find on London’s Oxford Street, for example. It’s also where you’ll find five-star hotels, gourmet restaurants, top-notch spas, and a variety of other ways to spend your time and money. If you’re looking for something a little more exotic, be sure to check out the city’s ethnic areas, including Chinatown and Little India, to stock up on items you can’t find elsewhere.

Hot Spots on Orchard Road
The Palais Renaissance lives up to its name by housing a variety of regal boutiques from around the world: Versace, Prada, and DKNY to name a few. It also contains the very high-brow Indian store, Mumbai Se, which offers goodies from top Indian designers. Paragon Shopping Centre is another must-visit complex for discerning shoppers. Indulge your taste for the good life at stores such as Jimmy Choo and Gucci, while high-end local stores and a selection of designer furniture and beauty/lifestyle stores round out the offerings.

You can easily spend the entire day at NgeeAnn City, which features more than 100 specialty clothing, jewelry, and electronics stores. Some of the well-known names include Guess, Marc Jacobs, Zara, and Mango. The Centrepoint is arguably the largest and most popular place to shop in Singapore. Among the small specialty shops dealing in everything from music to fashion to home décor is the familiar Marks and Spencer and Singapore’s famous department store, Robinsons & Co.

Those with sophisticated tastes who want to bring back a posh souvenir should head to Tanglin Shopping Centre, the second oldest complex in the city. Rather than clothing stores, this centre boasts store after store filled with Persian carpets, antique furnishings, old-world jewelry, 19th century photos, old books, Qing porcelain, and Japanese woodblocks.

Chinatown Favourites
Three-quarters of the city’s population is of Chinese descent, so it’s no wonder that Chinatown offers a staggering number of shopping options. Feel free to browse and soak in the sights of the street hawkers, but your first place you purchase something should be the renowned Yue Hwa Emporium, where you’ll find the same teas, silks, and other imports as you will on the street but at a much higher quality. Chinatown Point & Singapore Handicraft Center consists of 200 stores that, as its name suggests, will satisfy your desire for souvenirs like lacquer products and crafts, as well as clothing, cosmetics, and home goods.

“Ooh” and “aah” over the beautiful—and sometimes unusual—items at Siong Moh Paper Products. Here you’ll discover everything from ceremonial accessories like incense sticks to delicate joss paper to “hell” money, which Chinese people burn in temples to send to their ancestors in the afterlife.

Tea lovers should make time for Eu Yan Sang, which stocks high-priced but very high-quality teas and accessories. Pick up beautifully packaged teas at Kwong Chen Beverage Trading, and stop by Tea Chapter not only to splurge on teas but also to learn the fine art of the traditional Chinese tea ceremony.

Arab Street Finds
Shoppers hoping to track down an Indonesian or Malaysian treat will enjoy the stores on Arab Street. Find a traditional sarong at Hadjee Textiles or browse vintage wear at Dulcetfig. Add a touch of scent to your outfit with the high-quality fragrance oils at Aljunied Brothers.

Maruti Textiles is the place for batik household textiles including kitchen and bed linens, while Suraya Betawj is a great source for décor items. Stock up on carpets at Anil Brothers, lavish fabrics at Bobby’s Fabrics, and antiques at Gim Joo Trading.

A Visit to Little India
With shopping centered around Serangoon Road, Little India is the main enclave of Indian immigrants and a great place to pick up cultural items. The area’s big department store is Mustapha’s, which is chock full of imported saris, beautiful gold jewelry, home goods, and even a food market with ethnic foods.

Another one-stop-shopping-centre is the Little India Arcade, which includes personal items like jewelry and nearly everything for around the house—from wall décor to linens to cooking implements to decorative accents.

High-quality, traditional clothing can be found at Punjab Bazaar, which also showcases bags, shoes, and accessories. Also worth investigating are Roopalee Fashions and Zhujiao Centre.

Marina Bay Buys
This beautiful section of town is a hub of high-priced restaurants, hotels, and malls. Raffles City Shopping Centre leads the charge (cards) with its extensive collection of clothing, cosmetics, and accessory retailers. SunTec City Mall is a mammoth complex with 400 shops and 100 eateries. Absolutely everything you can think to purchase is here—from international fashion lines to bridal wear. Adjacent to SunTec is Marina Square, an up-market collection of 300 stores covering skincare and cosmetics, clothing, accessories, and even spa treatments.

For a unique shopping experience away from the ever-present sun, hit up CityLink, Singapore’s underground retail complex. The 50 air-conditioned stores include specialty retailers like l’Occitane.

Around Town
There are many interesting centres throughout Singapore that deserve shoppers’ attention, including Vivo City in the HarbourFront area. This section of the city, which faces Sentosa Island, is the latest cultural hot spot in town, and Vivo City is a huge draw for shopping lovers. It features 300 retailers, including U.S. and British giants like Liz Claiborne, Forever 21, and Topshop, as well as local stores, a huge movie complex, restaurants, and even pools for the kids.

Kin Lee & Co. on Arab Street is a unique addition to the shopping scene. This intriguing store is the place to pick up patterns and materials to make your own Peranakan beaded slippers.