Attention shoppers! Singapore awaits your exploration of its unique shopping centers, offering a range of options from luxury goods to street food. With something for everyone, this guide has all the tips and tricks you need to start your shopping adventure. Let’s go!
Insider Tip: Visit Singapore during the Great Singapore Sale, held every year from June to August, for huge discounts on a wide range of items at malls, department stores, and retail outlets. Get amazing deals on everything from clothes to electronics!
Shopping Centers in Singapore
Affordable Options
Are you looking for affordable shopping in Singapore with prices starting from just 10 SGD? Here are our recommendations. What’s incredible is – BARGAINING! Bargaining is common in these street markets and small shops, so be prepared to negotiate for the optimal price. But be polite and respectful while bargaining to avoid offending the shopkeeper.
Insider Tip: Confirm with shopkeepers and stores whether the prices include GST, especially when bargaining. This ensures transparency and avoids confusion during the bargaining process.
1. Bugis Street
Known as Singapore’s largest street shopping destination, Bugis Street has numerous shops and stalls. Once a red-light district, it has transformed into a bustling hub for shopping, dining, and entertainment, making it a must-visit destination for tourists and locals alike.
Shop for: Clothes, souvenirs, beauty products, home decor, and street food
Distance from nearest landmark: Next to Bugis MRT Station
Click here to know more.
2. Mustafa Centre
Discover the vibrant and affordable Mustafa Centre which offers a wide range of products, from grocery items to diamond necklaces. Founded in 1971 as a small textile store, Mustafa Centre has become one of the city’s most popular shopping destinations, with stalls selling bright flowers, fabrics, and spices, and Bollywood music echoing from storefronts.
Shop for: Electronics, clothing, jewelry, and cosmetics
Distance from nearest landmark: Next to Farrer Park MRT Station
Click here to know more.
Insider Tip: Explore local markets like Little India and support local brands (Love, Bonito, and Charles & Keith) by shopping at smaller stores for unique items and personalized service.
3. Lucky Plaza
Lucky Plaza is one of the oldest shopping centers in Singapore, having opened its doors in 1981 on Orchard Road. While most shopping centers on this street sell high-end products, this is the only mall catering to budget-conscious shoppers. It’s known for its Filipino market, offering Filipino products, including remittance services and Filipino cuisine.
Shop for: Perfumes, Beauty products, Filipino goods
Distance from nearest landmark: Next to Orchard MRT Station
Click here to know more.
4. Chinatown Street Market
Singapore’s rich Chinese heritage includes the iconic Chinatown Night Market, one of the city’s oldest street markets in the heart of Chinatown. Discover a treasure of traditional Chinese crafts and modern souvenirs, including dragon candles, street opera masks, traditional clothing, and Chinese calligraphy. Experience the bustling atmosphere of the market and take a step back in time to Singapore’s past.
Shop for: Traditional Chinese goods, such as tea, silk clothing, and souvenirs
Distance from nearest landmark: Next to Chinatown MRT Station
Click here to know more.
5. City Plaza
The hidden gem of City Plaza, a lesser-known shopping center in Singapore, is popular among young people and fashion enthusiasts. It features five stories packed with dozens of shops and stalls offering various products at bargain prices. In addition, the mall has an entire floor for restaurants and fast-food chains.
Shop for: Fashion, accessories, electronics, vintage toys, and street food
Distance from nearest landmark: 5-minute walk from Paya Lebar MRT Station
Insider Tip: To indulge in a fulfilling shopping spree in Singapore:
- Bring your own reusable shopping bags to reduce waste and save some money as some stores in Singapore may charge for plastic bags.
- With Singapore’s hot and humid weather, it’s crucial to wear comfortable shoes and carry water while shopping to avoid dehydration and fatigue.
- Additionally, while most malls operate between 10 am to 10 pm, it’s always advisable to check ahead of time as some stores may have different opening and closing hours.
Click here to know more.
Luxury Options
6. Ion Orchard
Located on Orchard Road, ION Orchard is one of Asia’s largest megamalls and a popular tourist attraction. It features high-end brands such as Cartier, Chanel, and Prada. The mall also has a tax refund counter where tourists can claim a refund on their purchases.
Distance from nearest landmark: Next to Orchard MRT Station
To explore their stores, services, and experiences for tourists, check out their website.
Insider Tip:
- As a foreign visitor to Singapore, you can get a tax refund on GST for purchases of a minimum of SGD100 made at participating retailers. Keep receipts and look for the “Tax-Free Shopping” logo to enjoy.
- Don’t forget to check out Changi Airport for duty-free shopping options for last-minute shopping. It’s a great place to buy luxury goods, electronics, and souvenirs before departing Singapore.
- If you purchase products that are too big to carry with you on the plane, don’t worry, you can send them separately as unaccompanied baggage. Most airlines offer this service. Check with your airline for specific details and fees.
7. Paragon
Paragon Shopping Centre on Orchard Road features luxury fashion and jewelry brands. The six-story mall offers a range of services, including dining options and child services, and has been awarded the title of ‘Most Glamorous Mall’ by IS magazine.
Distance from nearest landmark: Next to Orchard MRT Station
To explore their stores, services, and experiences for tourists, check out their website.
8. VivoCity
VivoCity, located in the HarbourFront area, has seven floors of shopping, dining, and entertainment options, including a multiplex cinema and Sky Park. This megamall, consistently chosen as one of the top shopping destinations in Singapore for the past nine years, features a variety of fashion, electronics, and dining options, with four food courts to choose from.
Distance from nearest landmark: Next to Harbourfront MRT Station
Check out the latest events, activities, and new stores on their website, VivoCity.
Insider Tip: If you’re a fashion enthusiast visiting Singapore, make sure to check out the annual Singapore Fashion Festival held in October. You can witness the latest trends on the runway, participate in fashion-related events, and shop for unique pieces.
9. The Shoppes at Marina Bay Sands
The Shoppes at Marina Bay Sands is a high-end shopping center in Singapore that covers a large area. It houses a variety of shops and dining establishments and is situated in the city’s Central Business District. The mall’s unique design includes a canal, which allows visitors to take a gondola ride.
Distance from nearest landmark: Next to Bayfront MRT Station
Visit their website to explore their shops and brands.
10. Suntec City Mall
Suntec City, a vast shopping complex in Singapore, features a mall, exhibition, conference center, and office tower blocks. You can also check out the Fountain of Wealth, the world’s largest fountain according to the Guinness Book of Records in 1998, as well as a movie theater and video arcades.
Distance from nearest landmark: Next to Esplanade MRT Station
Visit their website to know more about their promotions, events, and attractions.
Insider Tip: You can find unique and affordable secondhand items in shops and flea markets like Thieves Market and Carousell Marketplace.
Top Products to Buy in Singapore:
1. Electronics
Singapore is home to the latest electronics in the world, like the smartest laptops, tablets, cameras, and more, often at lower prices. You can check out places like Funan Digitalife Mall for a vast selection of electronics.
2. Handicrafts and Local Souvenirs
Find unique and traditional handmade items, knick-knacks, and souvenirs in stores in Chinatown Street Market or Little India.
3. Fashion Items
Discover the latest fashion trends, from classic designer labels at Orchard Road to new streetwear brands at Bugis Street, and snag amazing deals on designer pieces.
Insider Tip: KrisFlyer is the frequent flyer programme of Singapore Airlines. Many shopping malls in Singapore offer exclusive discounts and deals for KrisFlyer members and bank card members. It’s always a good idea to check with the mall or store if they have any ongoing promotions or discounts.
Online Shopping Sites
Research online before shopping to find the amazing deals and products in Singapore. Shop online in Singapore with Lazada, the Amazon of Singapore, for furniture, toys, and more. Zalora offers luxury designer items.
Singapore offers unique shopping experiences, from popular malls like Bugis Junction to lesser-known boutiques like The Grandstand. With endless options, add some sparkle to your vacation memories with Singapore’s lively shopping scene. Happy shopping!
