Stores, Malls or Markets in Singapore

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One of Singapore's older malls, Tanglin has changed over the years and now has more antique shops than any other. They range from very expensive to inexpensive, large furniture to small ornaments, maps and documents.

It's a fascinating mall to walk around even if you're only window shopping because the shops have such interesting items on display.

There are also several good restaurants and cafes and of course the usual more general shops, including tailors.

I hope you don't need it, but there is also a concentration of specialist medical clinics up on the fifth and sixth floors.

What to pay: It depends entirely on what you buy - but always remember to bargain hard over the price.

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There are many department stores in Singapore, especially along Orchard Road, but Takashimaya is in my opinion the best. They seem to offer a wider range of products than the others and I've invariably ended up here to buy things after checking out the others.

What to buy: It really depends what you're looking for - over several large floors they have mens' and womens' clothing & accessories, luggage, perfumes & toiletries, homeware, jewellery, watches, a huge variety of food...

Open 10am to 9.30pm daily.

What to pay: Prices are fixed and are competitive with other department stores.

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The question of eye tests and new glasses has been asked several times on the Forum. Eye Zone is the shop I've been using for a few years, they have several shops but the one I use is in Toa Payoh, which is easy to reach by MRT. It's a small shop but with full eye-testing equipment and qualified staff plus a big range of frames, lenses, sunglasses and accessories.

If you have standard lenses they have your glasses ready in less than one hour, so you can go off and have a coffee or a meal, or do other shopping, and come back to pick up your new glasses when you're ready.

What to buy: The price includes eye testing, lenses and frames. You can choose from unbranded or much more expensive designer frames, glass or plastic lenses, non-reflective or tinted.

What to pay: Price, all-inclusive, is from Sing$28 up to several hundred dollars for designer frames.

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"Sticky" is a shop located on the basement of Central. It is a small shop that have hand made candy. You can buy candy based on your favorite favors and shape. I was there during Singapore Teacher Day, a lot of school children buying these candy as gifts to their teachers.

What to buy: Traditional Hand-Made Candy

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Many international visitors like to buy IT and Electronics products in Singapore because of its prices and reliability. Sim Lim Square is the largest retail IT and Electronics Mall in Singapore. You can get the latest IT and electronic products here.

Please check out its website for shops and products.

What to buy: Laptops, Computers, Apples Products, Cell phones, Cameras, CD Players, IT accessories, etc.

What to pay: It should be cheaper than other countries due to lower import tax. Don't forget to bargain!!

Bugis Junction is located at Victoria Street, Middle Road and North Bridge Road in Bugis.

Bugis Junction consists of four sections. They are Bugis Junction Tower, Parco Bugis Junction, Seiyu Bugis Junction and InterContinental Singapore. There is a youth-themed zone in the mall and numerous restaurants in the building. Kiosks are found along the shopping streets and shops are by the side, with shophouse themed buildings.

There are plenty of tailor shops in the malls along Orchard Road and all have beautifully tailored samples displayed.

The reality is that they don't all produce clothes as good as the samples!

Solito has an excellent tailor who does actually give you a suit or jacket, or a shirt or blouse, just as good as the samples.

They have a huge range of materials and styles, will give you a fitting in as little as eight hours and can have a suit finished in twelve hours. Give them longer though and the result will be even better.

What to buy: For ladies or men, suits and jackets. Geina had three business suits made in three different styles and three different colours of raw silk.

She chose two styles from photographs and the third was copied from a suit she already had. Each fits perfectly.

What to pay: The suits in raw silk were S$280 each.

Most of the locals (i.e. 13 yr olds - 30 yr olds) frequent this shop to get the latest tops, bottoms , dresses or even leggings at a fraction of a cost than the clothing stores in Orchard Road. So, if you are on a tight budget but you certainly feel the urge to go on a clothing shopping spree this is the shop to go to. This Fashion store outlets are sporadically located in several shopping centres and some even in the neighbourhood malls. However, they ONLY carry rather small sizes from UK SIZE 6 to 12. If you care enough to rummage through their racks, you might be lucky to find a sized 14 or 16 top! Have fun shopping, Ladies!

What to buy: Dresses, casual or formal
Pretty tube tops
Colourful tunics
Colourful tops
Pants, casual or formal
Shirts, ruffled or normal
T-shirts with prints
Shorts, an assortment of colours
Leggings
Tank tops with laces
Camisoles
Skirts, mini, calf-length or long (casual or formal)

What to pay: Price starts as low as $4 for a tube top to $50 for a pair of pants. Below is a link to the number of outlets it has around Singapore.