Among many tourists, Singapore has earned the title of “Asia’s shopping paradise”, vying for such a title with Hong Kong, Shanghai, Tokyo and Bangkok. Many travelers, having gone on vacation, return not only with a tropical tan and good mood, but also with whole suitcases of purchases.

Shopping in Singapore is attractive to most tourists because here you can buy everything your heart desires, casual clothes, trendy designer clothes, perfumes from all over the world, cosmetics, jewelry from the best Asian craftsmen and expensive European and American “trinkets”.

Here you can not only get dressed, but also buy a lot of electronic gadgets that may not be available in Russia. Sometimes it seems that new smartphones appear here before they were invented.

national products

In all this cycle of shops and boutiques, one should not forget about national products, of which there are many, because residents of Chinese, Indian, Malay origin live in the small territory of Singapore. This interweaving of nations adds its own flavor to shopping in Singapore. Here you can buy Chinese silk and Indian spices, Buddhist jewelry and Chinese medicine herbs.

In Singapore, you can find brand items that are still little known in Russia, and in the rest of the world, but are popular in Asia. Boutiques of world brands are located here everywhere, on the streets, in shopping centers and outlets.

Shopping misconceptions

The common misconception that everything is cheap in Asia should not be applied to shopping in Singapore. The local prices are quite European and American levels, and there is no difference in prices with Russia for some goods either.

Singapore brands

The most famous Singaporean brand among tourists is RISIS, which produces fashionable jewelry and bijouterie, including the famous Golden Orchids. Purple Gold brand is also known among jewelry lovers. The Tessere brand, which makes handmade leather bags, is gaining great popularity. DMK, which manufactures fashionable women’s shoes and bags, is also gaining popularity not only in Asia, but also in Europe and the USA.
Eu Yan Sang brand is known in Asia as one of the largest manufacturers and sellers of medical and cosmetic products based on traditional Chinese recipes. medicine.

CYC men’s and women’s shirts and suits have largely become a symbol of success and respectability in Singapore. They are bought with pleasure not only by local residents, but also by wealthy tourists.

Shops in Singapore

Singapore has a huge variety of shops, malls, department stores, outlet stores, shopping malls, boutiques and shops. They sell shoes, clothes, electronics, souvenirs, designer items. In addition to things, many tourists also buy oriental spices and herbs that are hard to find in Russia.

In the markets of Singapore, you can buy traditional Indian, Chinese and Indonesian-style goods made by local craftsmen.

List of the most popular shops and markets

Orchard Road

Gayleng Serai

Bagis Village

Tiong Bahru Bazaar

Sales in Singapore

Sales in Singapore очень отличаются от привычных нам европейских. If in Europe there are sales twice a year, in January and July, then in Singapore there is only one, but what a deal! Most sales in the world last a maximum of a few weeks, but Singapore in this “surpassed”, perhaps, all countries. The Singapore Sale (Grand Sale) lasts for two whole months.

There are no exact dates for the Big Singapore Sale, but they usually start in mid-late May and last until early-mid July. And during this period, many stores offer 50% and even 70% discounts on all products. The rhythm of the sale at this time includes not only shopping centers and boutiques, but also small shops and shops.

However, many of the savvy tourists noticed that not all stores offer big discounts. And even the real 70% is sometimes obtained by simply overpricing before a sale. Therefore, before exciting shopping in Singapore during sales, it is always better to think about the real cost of the product and its need.

Taxi free in Singapore

All goods purchased in Singapore are subject to 7% GST – Goods and Services Tax. The tax is refunded when buying goods in the amount of 100 sing. dollars (2600 rubles) and the condition of departure from the country no later than 2 months after purchase.

In order to receive a tax free refund in Singapore, you must:

when buying in a store, present a passport and ask the seller to issue and sign a completed Tax Free receipt. The receipt must contain passport data buyer.
when leaving Singapore, present receipts, purchases, passport and tickets at the customs office. The customs officer will stamp the tax refund receipt.
Contact the nearest office of the tax refund service, showing the stamped receipt, passport. The money will be returned in cash or by bank transfer.
Tax free will not be refunded if:

Tourist spent more than 365 days in Singapore in the 24 months prior to purchase
Worked in Singapore for 6 months before purchase
Age less than 16
Is a pilot or flight attendant for an aircraft departing from Singapore
Tax Free Return Offices in Singapore

Changi airport

Budget terminal: near the RHB exchange office
In terminals 1 and 2, as well as in the departure hall, close to customs, immigration immediately
Central areas of Singapore

Funan DigitaLife Mall, in the Help Desk Office, 2nd floor.
Address: 109 North Bridge Road
Sim Lim Square Mall, in the Help Desk Office, 1st floor.
Address: 1 Rochor Canal Road
Shop opening hours

Most shops in Singapore are open from 10:00 to 21:00 on weekdays, and on weekends from 10:00 to 22:00. During the sales period, many stores are open longer, closing after 23:00.

There are no lunch breaks in most stores, but in small shops you may encounter the fact that the owner himself determines when he works and when he does not. Most of the owners of small shops close by 21:00, and sometimes even earlier.

“High” shopping in Singapore

It is probably not worth comparing Singapore with Paris or Milan, as there is not yet such a concentration of well-known boutiques here. However, you can safely call it “a paradise for shopaholics in Asia.” It sells items from such brands as: Banana Republic, Hugo Boss, Burberry, Bvlgari, Cartier, Chanel, Dior, Emporio Armani, Fendi, Ferrari Store, Furla, Gucci, Hermès, Louis Vuitton, Max Mara, Miu Miu, Yves Saint Laurent. And this is not a complete list of global brands sold in Singapore.

Many of the above are sold in boutiques located at the Marina Bay Sands Resort. When visiting this hotel, you should especially pay attention to the Louis Vuitton boutique on the water, located like an island.

In addition to Marina Bay Sands, in search of designer items, you should definitely look at Orchard Road, at where several shopping centers with boutiques of famous fashion houses are concentrated.

Souvenirs from Singapore

Spices set
Price: from 10 sing. dollars
Singapore is a treasure trove of all kinds of spices. Here they are sold by weight or in packages. As a souvenir to friends and relatives, it is better to buy spices in sealed bags or jars.

Silk umbrella
Price: from 20 sing. dollars
Silk umbrella – традиционно встречается по всей Азии, и Сингапур – не исключение. It is not only a beautiful accessory, but can also be used as protection from the strong sun.

silk fan
Price: from 10 sing. dollars
silk fan – прекрасный подарок из Сингапура для друзей и близких. Also, a fan with beautiful Asian patterns will be a great reminder of the trip.

Merlion figurine
Price: from 10 sing. dollars
Merlion figurine – отличный сувенир из Сингапура. The figurine exactly repeats the outlines of the main city fountain, called the Merlion.

golden orchids
Price: from 60 sing. dollars
golden orchids из Сингапура – не просто ювелирное украшения, это настоящее произведение искусства. In the experienced hands of a jeweler, fresh flowers are immersed in gold and become a wonderful decoration.

Paintings from stones
Price: from 1000 sing. dollars
Gemstone paintings are an expensive but very memorable souvenir from Singapore. Each of the paintings is made by hand by a master, and all the stones in it are cut.

Chinese medicinal herbs
Price: from 10 sing. dollars
Chinese medicinal herbs have long been popular around the world and are sold in shops throughout Asia. Such herbs can also be bought in Singapore, they will help against various diseases, but it is best to consult a doctor in advance.

Batik handmade
Price: from 15 sing. dollars
Batik handmade из Сингапура станет прекрасным подарком. You can buy it in skeins of fabric to sew clothes from it yourself or purchase finished products.

Chinese vases
Price: from 20 sing. dollars
Chinese vases можно купить во многих частях Азии, они пользуются большой популярностью и могут стать украшением любого интерьера. It is best to buy them in the workshops where they are made.