In Singapore,
shopping is an experience in itself. Singapore offers you everything
under the sun-apparel, electronic items, computer software, antiques...the
list goes on.
You can start your shopping adventure along Orchard Road. A multitude
of shops and department stores await you, just a stone's throw from
each other. Choose to walk along the tree-lined boulevard or take
the Mass Rapid Transit to the three stations (Orchard, Somerset
and Dhoby Ghaut MRT stations) covering the entire length of Orchard
Road. Air-conditioned underpasses and covered walkways link most
of the shopping complexes and department stores, making your shopping
experience pleasant, convenient and hassle-free. Whatever you're
buying, look out for the Singapore Gold Circle seal at the stores.
It's an assurance of quality and reliability.
Ethnic areas - Little India, Chinatown and Arab Street - offer local
bric-a-brac items and a different shopping experience and may be
worth checking out as well. |
| Gift
Ideas |
You may like to
consider below list for buying a souvenir or gift from Singapore
to your friends or family.
- Coffee-table books on Singapore
- Paintings and prints by local/regional artists
- Local antiquities/memorabilia
- Chinese silk or Malay batik cloth
- Ethnic/locally designed jewellery
- Specially packed spices/curry powder
- Specially packed local tidbits like pineapple tarts
- Gold plated orchids
- Reproductions of museum artifacts
- Chinese linen table runners or embroidered table cloths
- Silk kites to fly or hang on the wall
- Raffles Hotel souvenir items
- Dried Chinese herbs
- Electronic items
- Computers, accessories and software
- Locally designed fashion apparel |
| Where
to shop |
|
|
Central Shopping
Belt
Singapore's Central Shopping Belt extending from Tanglin Road all
the way down Orchard Road and Bras Basah Road to Marina Bay has
been tagged Fifth Avenue, Regent Street, Champs-Elysees, Via Veneto
and Ginza for good reason.
This is where world-class shopping abounds. A day spent browsing
and buying turns into an unforgettable experience as theme designer
boutiques, local and international department stores, speciality
shops and bargain counters compete with outdoor cafes and gourmet
restaurants for your attention.
City & Fringe Shopping
Great shopping in Singapore isn't confined to just Orchard Road
and its surroundings. Quality goods at prices that won't burn a
hole in your pocket can be found in lots of places around the city
centre. The Riverside area by River Valley Road is home to both
some of the newest as well as the oldest shops in Singapore. Look
in the heart of the financial district around Raffles Place and
Shenton Way where the office crowd throngs the shops for a surprising
variety of goodies.
Suburban Shopping
If you're prepared to venture further afield, you can combine shopping
with a little off-the-beaten track sightseeing as well. In fact,
you'll discover some of the best bargains where most Singaporeans
live, eat and shop - out in the heartlands of Singapore.
These suburban shopping centres offer a surprisingly comprehensive
range of items from branded to electronic goods at prices to delight
the value-conscious and determined bargain hunter. Business hours
vary from shop to shop but as a general guide, most shops are open
from 11am to 9pm.
Town centres in the larger estates of Tampines and Bishan are easily
accessible by MRT. Shopping at these bustling town centres is a
fascinating experience, providing insight into the local lifestyle
and a chance to mingle with Singaporeans at their most comfortable.
You also reap another benefit - the opportunity to tuck in "local
style" at the numerous food centres and informal coffee shops.
Shopping Hours
You needn't keep a sharp eye on your watch when you're shopping
in Singapore. A good many stores and some smaller shops are open
daily from 10:00 am to about 9:00 pm, or even 10:00 pm. Our island
also enjoys the reputation of being one of the safest places to
be in, so provided basic precautions are taken, you can have peace
of mind to shop and walk around well into the night.
Shop Tax Free
A 3% Goods and Services Tax (GST) is levied in Singapore. The minimum
purchase amount to qualify for a refund ranges between SGD 300 and
SGD 500. Under the Global Refund GST refund scheme, when you spend
a minimum of SGD 100 at any single store displaying the "TAX
FREE SHOPPING" logo, you will receive a Global Refund Cheque.
A minimum of SGD 300 in total value of Global Refund Cheques is
needed to qualify for a GST refund. The cheques can be accumulated
from different shops, for e.g. three Global Refund Cheques of SGD
100 each issued by three different participating shops.
To apply for a tax refund under the Global Refund scheme, you must
follow the following four simple steps :
1. Spend a minimum of SGD 300 at a single participating shop or
SGD 100 at different participating shops to accumulate a total purchase
of SGD 300
2. Present your passport to the retailer to obtain a completed Global
Refund Cheque
3. Get the cheques validated by Customs at Changi Airport Terminal
1 or 2 as proof of export. The goods purchased along with the receipts
must be presented to the Customs for verification.
4. Claim the GST refunds in cash at the Global Refund counters at
the airport. Credit card or bank cheque refunds are also available.
A small handling fee will be deducted from the GST amount. More
details may be obtained from the Global Refund counters located
at both terminals of the Changi Airport
Brochures on the Global Refund services are available at the airport,
selected hotels and shopping centres.
Global Refund may be contacted at :
Robinson Road Post Office P.O. Box 639 Singapore 901239
Tel : (65) 225 6238
Fax : (65) 225 5773 |
| Prices
and Bargains |
|
|
The local newspapers
will give you a fair idea of prices to expect. The next best thing
to do would be a quick price comparison within the shopping mall.
You're bound to find the same item sold in several outlets within
the complex.
There's no need to worry about whether you're getting the best bargain
in department stores. All items come with price tags and fixed prices
are the rule. Many small retailers also practise price tagging but
are often flexible when approached for a discount on the goods.
Ask the retailer for his "best price" and then counter-offer
with realistic prices until both of you reach a mutual agreement. |
| Credit/Charge
Cards |
| Almost all stores
accept major international credit and charge cards. Should you come
across a shop insisting on adding a surcharge, do contact the local
office of the card company so that corrective action can be taken. |
| Money
Matters |
Banks throughout
Singapore generally open at 9:30 am and close at 3:30 pm Mondays
to Fridays, and 9:30 am to 11:30 am on Saturdays for transactions
of travellers' cheques and other financial matters. For convenience,
ATM machines are open round-the-clock.
Keep a look-out for these machines displaying Plus and Cirrus signs
at all banks and most shopping centres. |
| Money
Changers |
| Apart from the
convenience of exchanging money at all banks and hotels, money can
also be exchanged wherever the sign "Licensed Money Changer"
is displayed. You can't miss them as there are usually a few in
almost every shopping complex. |
| Receipts
and Return Policies |
All department
stores and smaller retail shops provide either cash slips or receipts
upon purchase. Feel free to ask should they omit giving you one
and be sure that details shown on the receipt are accurate.
Most larger shops and department stores will exchange goods if they
are returned undamaged, or returned in the same condition as when
sold. However, returns are accepted only within a specified number
of days (usually three) from the purchase date, and upon presentation
of a receipt. Smaller shops may not be so accommodating, so always
check goods carefully before purchasing. You may also want to check
out the shop's return policy before making a purchase.
If you're undecided about a purchase in a department store and would
like a bit of time to consider, just ask the sales assistant to
put it aside for you. The item can usually be reserved for a maximum
of three days. |
| Warranty |
|
|
Check that the
guarantee card for your purchase bears the correct brand name and
model number and is endorsed with the shop's stamp. International
guarantees can be obtained for many goods, usually for a 12-month
period. However, you may have to ask for them and the price may
be raised slightly. Some guarantees have limitations, and though
international, may not always be applicable world-wide.
Most shops will comply with your requests for guarantee statements,
but if one is not forthcoming, it may be best to simply shop elsewhere.
|
| Delivery |
Many larger stores
will oblige by shipping purchases to your home. To ensure that there
is no miscommunication, do ask individual retailers for details
and get written confirmation of your instructions. It would be to
your advantage for your purchase to be covered for damage in transit
and loss by buying an All Risk insurance which the shop can arrange
for you. Also, contact your national diplomatic representative to
check the latest customs regulations of your country.
If you are sending purchases home by post, check with the Singapore
Post for information on requirements and regulations for air and
sea delivery. Post offices are generally open from 8:30 am to 5:00
pm on weekdays, and 8:30 am to 1:00 pm on Saturdays while certain
branches have extended opening hours. Some hotels provide a parcel
wrapping service. |
| Permits |
| All weapons (even
swords and kris bought as souvenirs) must be accompanied by export
permits issued by the Singapore Arms and Explosives Branch at 391,
New Bridge Road, #02-701, Police Cantonment Complex, Singapore 088762,
Tel: (65) 557 5822. Singapore and many other countries place restrictions
on items from endangered species such as ivory and skins. If in
doubt, check with your national diplomatic representative whether
a permit is required before you bring an item into your home country. |
|
