Shop till you drop
Singapore is a paradise for must-have international fashion, trendy bazaars and a whole lot more. Indulge in heritage brands and uncover the local design scene, led by homegrown and internationally-recognised designers and trendsetters. Visit international flagship stores along Orchard Road for luxury brands. Head to our ethnic enclaves for a memorabilia of different cultural origins and influences. Browse eclectic collections from independent brands Supermama and Naiise. If you have a passion for what’s in vogue and one of a kind, here’s where the collectors―stylemeisters, sneakerheads, designers, trend setters―meet.
Where to shop
Design Orchard
Located along the bustling streets of Orchard Road—Singapore’s premier shopping belt—Design Orchard is more than just a retail space.
Conceptualised by award-winning architecture firm WOHA Architects, this vibrant new enclave brings the pulse of creativity and inspiration to the heart of the city.
The space fulfils a trinity of roles—creative incubator, vibrant events space and a dazzling showcase of some of Singapore’s most beloved brands, lauded designers and talented newcomers.
Take a step inside, and discover world-class designs proudly made in Singapore.
Singapore—A shopper’s heaven
Stroll down Orchard Road, lauded as one of the best places to shop in Singapore. Spanning almost 2.2km, this bustling belt is home to a delectable range of retail, dining and entertainment choices. Department stores and shopping malls in this busting district include ION Orchard, TANGS and Design Orchard. The latter stocks a range of fashion and lifestyle items proudly made in Singapore, which makes it a good place to visit if you’re planning to shop local.
Whether you’re looking for international luxury brands, stylish homegrown labels or trendy high-street fashion collections, this vibrant destination is a must-visit.
Go green: Eco-friendly malls leading the way
Singapore takes its carbon footprint seriously. Sustainability and eco-friendliness are two watchwords that maintain our reputation as a ‘City in a Garden’—and the shopping centres here are doing their part to save the planet while providing shoppers a stellar retail experience. From energy-efficient fittings to architectures that reduce the amount of air-conditioning needed, there are many malls that are leading the way in environmentally friendly design.
Your guide to Singapore’s heartland malls
Not up for navigating your way through the throngs of people on Orchard Road? Beat the crowd and get your retail therapy fix elsewhere at the many heartland shopping destinations island wide.
- Jurong East
For maximum choice at minimum cost, head over to the Western side of Singapore and shop at IMM, well-known as the island’s largest outlet mall. Here, keep a watch on that credit card as tantalising discounts tempt year-round at over 80 outlet stores. From Adidas to Timberland, you’ll find many covetable big brands going at jaw-droppingly low prices.
- Tampines
Explore the golden trio of retail therapy in the East: Century Square, Tampines 1 and Tampines Mall. These malls—all located within walking distance of one another—offer an astoundingly diverse shopping experience, with the total number of shops and boutiques exceeding a mindboggling over 400 in all.
- Katong
While you’re in the east, swing by mall I12 Katong for a taste of the hip local fashion scene. Check out The Emporium, a multi-label store that houses indie fashion and accessory brands. Coo over meltingly soft leather in the form of handbags from Desti Saint or rock some bold statement jewelry from Lil Jewelry or Stones That Rock. Online retail sensation Naiise also takes root in the cosy mall, offering so-cool-it-hurts finds from Singapore and the region, amongst them eco-conscious products, kooky decorative items (such as kueh [bite-sized snacks or dessert foods] cushions) and a whole range of curated apparel.
- Toa Payoh
For a glimpse of day-to-day Singaporean life, take the MRT (Mass Rapid Transit) train straight into Toa Payoh Hub, the buzzing centre of one of Singapore’s oldest satellite towns. Here, you’ll get a down-to-earth, suburban shopping experience that’s far removed from the hubbub of the big city.
Explore the grounds and get a uniquely Singaporean experience when you shop and eat like a local. Follow their lead as they pull out the best bargains at the old shophouse stores of Toa Payoh Mall, and get almost anything under the sun, too, at this colossal 186,000 square feet of retail space. Choose from home essentials such as rugs and bedsheets, nifty mobile phone accessories or a colourful plethora of shoes and clothes—all at affordable prices.
- Farrer Park
Farrer Park sits a stone’s throw away from heritage district Little India and is home to City Square Mall, Singapore’s first eco-mall. The eco-conscious will delight in the energy-saving LED lighting and roof which lets natural light in, while the shopaholics can rejoice instead over the mall’s wide variety of deals.
First, put your reusable shopping bag to good use at the eco-friendly NTUC supermarket when you fill it up with goodies and snacks to take home.
Then, troop over to massive sports store Decathlon. Although not as large as the flagship store in Bedok, this outlet more than makes up for it in terms of accessibility and offers up to 90% of the products anyway. Fitness fanatics will be happy to know that this outlet carries gear for over 50 sports: think yoga leggings, in-line skates and even kayaking equipment.
Best kept shopping secrets by precinct
Joo Chiat
The Joo Chiat/Katong neighbourhood is a beloved gem in the East, and it’s easy to see why. The heady mix of old and new draws you in as you spot traditional shophouses alongside chic yoga studios and traditional coffee shops beside hip cafés that crank out cold-brewed coffees.
Orchard
Although there are fleets of international designer labels and high-street brands such as Chanel, Abercrombie & Fitch and Zara on this iconic stretch, there are also many local brands that call this premier shopping belt home.
Take, for instance, Design Orchard, a hub for home-grown brands that houses a trove of wares, created by local artisans and designers. There’s also Beyond The Vines at Mandarin Gallery, a contemporary women’s wear label that boasts a range of chic, timeless dresses
Little India
The vibrant sights and sounds of Little India are gifts in themselves: the rich fragrance of curries, the colours of hanging garlands, the sounds of prayer chants filling the air.
But what if you want to bring home a memento that’s more tangible? Other than the gorgeous textiles and addictive snacks—murukku(savoury crackers) comes to mind—make a stop at Mustafa Centre, a secret among local night owls and bargain hunters. This mega-mall is open round-the-clock, and sells over 300,000 items that include beauty products, jewelry, groceries and electronics.
Source: Catch up on all the areas of Singapore that offer unique and enjoyable shopping experiences by going to www.visitsingapore.com for more information
