Singapore, Singapore Hotels and City Guide

Singapore - Shopping

Shopping in Singapore

A myriad shopping malls, low taxes and tariffs on imports coupled with huge volume, means that prices are usually very competitive and Singapore is an Aladdin’s Cave for shoppers. Virtually everything sold in Singapore is imported but goods are generally of good quality and shopkeepers are fairly honest due to strong consumer protection laws. Most stores are open seven days a week from 10.00 until 22.00, although smaller shops close earlier at 19.00 and perhaps on Sundays as well. Mustafa in Little India is open 24 hours a day, 365 days a year. Many stores along the shopping belt of Orchard Road and Scotts Road offer late night shopping on the last Friday of every month with over 250 retailers staying open till midnight.

Keep an eye out for the Great Singapore Sale, usually held in June-July, when shopping centres pull out all stops to attract punters.

Arab Street, the Muslim centre of Singapore, is where you will find batiks from Indonesia, silks, sarongs, shirts, rosaries, flower essences, hajj caps, songkok hats, basketware and rattan goods. Haggling over prices is expected here.

The southern end of Serangoon Road in Little India has a delightful ambience and is a colourful area of wall-to-wall shops, pungent aromas and Hindi film music.

Unlike most Southeast Asian countries, fake goods are not openly on sale as importing them ensures heavy fines. However, they can be found in Little India, Bugis, or even in the underpasses of Orchard Road.

Singapore's Shopping Districts

One of the first stops for shoppers should be Orchard Road. This is an adventure in itself: you can find trendy boutiques, high-end department stores, salons, spas, and cafes. The air is always alive with festivals or fairs and the entertainment sidewalk performers. Indulge in Versace, Jimmy Choo, Prada, and Bollywood’s high fashion lines at Palais Renaissance or look through beautiful Asian antiques and lovely Persian, Pakistani, and Afghan carpets and wares at Tanglin Shopping Centre.

Visitors love shopping along the Singapore River in Riverside Point and Clarke Quay. Here you will find hundreds of shops selling attire, jewelry, pottery, home wares, and much more. Evenings are a special treat as you walk through the festive lights which reflect beautifully off the river. Visit Harbour Front’s malls or Holland Village for beautiful Asian crafts, as well as contemporary products. For those who love unearthing the perfect treasure, shopping in Chinatown, Little India, and Arab Street will provide endless fascination and fun.

Tax Refunds

GST of 5% is levied on most goods and services. Visitors are entitled to a refund of tax if you spend a minimum amount of $300. Receipts of $100 or more from different shops participating in the tax refund scheme can be pooled to meet the minimum requirement. Goods must be exported from Singapore Changi Airport within 60 days from date of purchase.

When shopping in Singapore, ask the Premier Tax Free affiliated retail outlets for your Premier Tax Free GST refund voucher. Select your refund method, sign the voucher and attach your supporting sales invoice.

At the point of departure from Singapore Changi Airport, present your Premier Tax Free refund voucher, goods and sales invoice documents to Singapore Customs for approval.

Take the approved refund voucher to Premier Tax Free to receive your refund.

Hotels in Singapore, Singapore