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Shopping is a serious business in Singapore. Designer fashions, handcrafted jewelry, Khmer objets d‘art, cutting-edge electronics, Indian spices—the variety of goods sold in Singapore is likely to impress even the most seasoned shopper.
Here you’ll find an island well suited to full-day retail expeditions, from the mile-long strip of shoulder-to-shoulder mega-malls along dizzying Orchard Road to clusters of boutiques housed in the renovated shophouses in ethnic enclaves such as Chinatown and Kampong Glam. A growing number of independent shops are popping up within hip neighborhoods like Tiong Bahru and Little India, adding some welcome variety. Dempsey Hill, best known for its wining and dining, is also home to warehouse-like galleries filled with Southeast Asian antiques, artwork, furnishings, and housewares.
Bargain hunters should mark their calendars for the Great Singapore Sale, an annual eight-week extravaganza held from late May through July. At this time all of Singapore’s shopping centers and many independent stores slash prices by up to 80%. It pays to come early, though, as the biggest bargains are quickly snapped up by hawkeyed locals and zealous shoppers from around the region who flock to the island specially for the event.
The team here are experts in Burmese teak furniture, offering a treasure trove of pieces nestled in the leafy greenery of Dempsey Hill. While the larger signature pieces, which are handcrafted by in-house "wood doctor" Kelvin, may be too large to fit in a suitcase, there’s a huge selection of art, sculptures, and decorative pieces to marvel at throughout the shop.
This aging, imposing blue building on the outskirts of Tiong Bahru hides a treasure trove of furniture and housewares stores. Don’t be fooled by the building’s exterior; some of Singapore’s most stylish and sought-after furniture brands have stores somewhere in the vast block. While the majority of the stores focus on larger pieces, you’ll find many small pieces, artworks, and keepsakes as you browse. Highlights include vintage treasures at Journey East, Asian gifts and home products at Singapore Trading Post, and Chinese antiques at Emperor’s Attic. Handy tip: if you can’t find the store you are looking for, ask the friendly parking assistants.
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