Suburban Shopping

JUNCTION 8

9 Bishan Place

Tel: (65) 6354 9282

Nearest MRT station: Bishan (NS17)

At Bishan, the hive of activity centres around the Junction 8 Shopping Centre, a shopping and entertainment mall located in close proximity to the MRT station. Here, among the numerous fashion and gifts outlets, you’ll find the award-winning Giordano store with its excellent service and a Golden Village Cineplex.

JURONG POINT

1 Jurong West Central 2

Tel: (65) 6792 5662

Nearest MRT station: Boon Lay (EW27)

This huge 6-level shopping centre offers a good variety of stores, ranging from fashion, electronics, home furnishing, sporting equipment to bargain stores. You will also find food outlets which boast a gastronomic spread for all. Besides being a good place to enjoy great shopping in a suburban setting, it is also where the latest movies are not to be missed, at the large cineplex occupying the top level.

LOT 1 SHOPPERS’ MALL

21 Choa Chu Kang Ave 4

Tel: (65) 6762 3590

Nearest MRT station: Choa Chu Kang (NS4)

Japanese department store, Seiyu, is the anchor tenant and it shares this 5-storey complex with fashion boutiques, jewellery shops, food outlets, gift shops and a cineplex on the top level.

NORTHPOINT

930 Yishun Avenue 2

Tel: (65) 6754 2300

Nearest MRT station: Yishun (NS13)

A convenient hop across from the Yishun MRT station, the shopping centre boasts a 10-cinema cineplex as well as a wide variety of apparel, jewellry, shoes and food outlets.

NOVENA SQUARE

238 Thomson Road

Tel: (65) 6358 0700

Nearest MRT station: Novena (NS20)

Taking centrestage in a new commercial hub, Novena Square is located directly above Novena MRT Station. It spans over three levels with more than 80 shops featuring a range of products including fashion, jewellery, sportswear, cosmetics and home furnishings. Savour local delicacies at Singapore’s first Zen ambience food court or take your pick at the numerous food and beverage outlets located here, including a fully-stocked supermarket.

TAMPINES MALL

4 Tampines Central 5

Tel: (65) 6788 8370

Nearest MRT station: Tampines (EW2)

With the Japanese department store Isetan as the anchor tenant and a host of stores selling children’s apparel, ladies fashion, electrical goods, books and sports equipment, Tampines Mall has something for everyone in the family. It is also not short of food outlets to pamper your tastebuds!

TIONG BAHRU PLAZA

302 Tiong Bahru Road

Tel: (65) 6276 4686

Nearest MRT station: Tiong Bahru (NW17)

This 6-level complex above Tiong Bahru MRT station contains a cineplex, food court, Cold Storage as well as a number of Western food outlets and dozens of small specialty shops.

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!

CAUSEWAY POINT

1 Woodlands Square

Tel: (65) 6894 2237

Nearest MRT station: Woodlands (NS9)

Causeway Point Shopping Centre is located in the heart of Woodlands Regional Centre, next to the Woodlands MRT station. This large mall has about 250 shops and food outlets, including anchor tenants like Cathay Cineplex, Cold Storage, Horizon Food Mall, Metro and Courts.

CENTURY SQUARE

2 Tampines Central 5

Tel: (65) 6789 6261

Nearest MRT station: Tampines (EW2)

Closer to Changi Airport in Tampines are Century Square and Tampines Mall, firm favourites with residents nearby. With close proximity to the MRT station, Century Square is easily accessible from downtown and it is a great place to observe local activity. Local department store Metro, electrical appliances giant Best Denki, a cineplex and a large food court are located here, amongst other popular fashion stores.

CHANGI VILLAGE

Nearest MRT station: Tanah Merah (EW4) and take SBS bus No. 2.

You’d hardly think such a place existed in bustling Singapore – but it does. For a slightly different type of suburban shopping experience, Changi Village is the place to go for laid-back quiet surroundings. It offers a quaint charm of its own, away from the crowds and traffic for a more relaxed ambience for shopping.

Expect to find plenty of bargains for T-shirts, fishing equipment, electronics, Indian cotton clothing, batik dresses and all types of table linen.

Round off the day like everyone else who visits the village with a trip to Charlie’s for a swig of beer and some food in a rustic outdoor setting.

HOLLAND VILLAGE

Nearest MRT station: Buona Vista (EW21) and take SBS 200.

Alternatively, take SBS buses 7 or 106 from Orchard Road

Although it still has the feel of a village about it, Holland Village is one of the favourite haunts of the expatriate community and Singapore’s young and trendy.

This charming little enclave away from town has developed into a fascinating microcosm of Singaporean life. This is reflected in its curious mix of old coffee shops and ritzy wine bars; its colourful blend of foreign shops and local mixed trade as well as its many ethnic restaurants and fast-food outlets. Here you’ll find an eclectic collection of goods from straw brooms to valuable antiques and movie memorabilia. Not to be missed are its discount shops of clothes for men, women and children.

The only shopping complex, Holland Road Shopping Centre, is alive with shops selling Asian arts and crafts to electronic goods and mid-range fashionable clothes.

Previous posts in the series:

• A Shopper’s Guide to Singapore. PART 3
• A Shopper’s Guide to Singapore. PART 2
• A Shopper’s Guide to Singapore. PART 1

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.

CLARKE QUAY

3 River Valley Road

Tel: (65) 6337 3292

Nearest MRT station: Clarke Quay (NE5) or Raffles Place (EW14/NS26) or alternatively, take SBS bus 32 or 195 from City Hall MRT Station (EW13/NS25).

Clarke Quay is the place to shop, eat and sight-see, all at one go. More than 150 air-conditioned shops in restored godowns and shophouses along the Singapore River sell clothes, souvenirs., silk-wear, home furnishing and accessories. Pushcarts selling unique pottery, jewellery and woodcraft knick-knacks add to the friendly, festive atmosphere. Flea markets on Sunday are worth checking out. Numerous factory outlets make shopping here worthwhile.

GREAT WORLD CITY

1 Kim Seng Promenade

Tel: (65) 6737 3855

SBS bus 16 from Orchard Road will get you there.

This sprawling complex which used to be a favourite entertainment centre in the sixties is the latest shopping “city” in Singapore. Anchor tenants include OG, Cold Storage supermarket and GV Grand Cineplex. A stone’s throw from Orchard Road, the shopping centre also provides a free shuttle trolley service on The Singapore Trolley from the Marriott Hotel, Lucky Plaza and The Paragon in Orchard Road.

Read more…

Central Shopping Belt – final part

THE PARAGON

290 Orchard Road

Tel: (65) 6738 5535

Nearest MRT station: Orchard (NS22)

Men’s quality fashion is particularly well-represented here, with labels like Alfred Dunhill, Gucci and Ermenegildo Zegna. Home-grown Metro department store is also located here along with Mont Blanc and Marks & Spencer. Golfers are in for a real treat with the Pan-West retail store. For steak lovers, do not miss Lawry’s Prime Ribs.

SCOTTS SHOPPING CENTRE

6 Scotts Road

Tel: (65) 6734 7560

Nearest MRT station: Orchard (NS22)

Yet another shopping complex popular for its shops selling a mix of clothes to suit all tastes and ages. You’ll find designer boutiques like Pois Pois, lingerie boutique – Blush, and boutiques by local designers such as Esther Tay. Coffee Bean & Tea Leaf, just one of the trendy cafes making their mark in Singapore, is on the ground floor. Scotts Picnic, the basement food court, will satisfy your taste buds with a range of Asian and local delights.

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( Central Shopping Belt continued)

MIDPOINT ORCHARD

220 Orchard Road

Nearest MRT station: Somerset (NS23)

Houses numerous outlets, including a hobby shop which sells sporting goods, gold jewelry, bridal gowns, fur coats and jackets.

NGEE ANN CITY

391 Orchard Road

Tel: (65) 6739 9323

Nearest MRT station: Orchard (NS22)

This massive centre which will take you more than a day to browse through, houses Japanese giant chain store, Takashimaya, and over 100 specialty stores retailing sports items, stationery, jewelry to designer clothes. Popular US Guess?, Hugo Boss Woman, Spain’s Zara and Mango fashion labels and Australia’s Country Road are just some of the many boutiques you would want to drop into. And when the shopping gets a little exhausting, revitalize yourself at one of the many restaurants and eating outlets, including the little Harrod’s tea room. Do drop by Kinokuniya, the largest bookstore in Southeast Asia. There’s also a full-facility sports centre, an art gallery and a culture centre you can visit.

Read more…