Practical information : Treat yourself (& others) Singapore City
Timetable
Shops open daily from 10am to 9pm, and shopping malls generally close at 10pm. A must for any self-respecting Singaporean is the gigantic Mustafa Center, in the heart of Little India, which is open 7 days a week, 24 hours a day!
Most 7 Eleven convenience stores are also open 24 hours a day. Pharmacies are open from 8 a.m. to 7 p.m., except in shopping malls, but they don't dispense medicines - the doctor does.
Singaporeans love shopping malls, and Orchard Road alone has around 25 of them, which can quickly become overcrowded at Christmas or during sales periods. Avoid this if it's not your hobby, especially as you'll find many of the same brands as in the rest of the world.
Budget & Tips
The cost of living is high in Singapore. The big luxury brands have higher prices than in France, but you can still get some bargains from small local designers.
If you want to bring back basic souvenirs such as magnets, t-shirts or mugs, you will find your happiness in Chinatown or Bugis Village. Other products are more expensive, but more original with a local touch, such as tea towels, tote bags or melamine plates, to be found at Made by Independent in Tanglin Mall or at cat Socrates in Joo Chiat and Thiong Barhu. The national museum stores also offer nice items from local designers.
You can get an 8% VAT refund on purchases of $100 or more. Remember to keep your passport with you, some stores with the Tax Free Shopping logo will refund you directly. Otherwise, keep your proof of purchase and you can apply at the eTRS kiosks at Changi airport.
Sales
Attention shopaholics, the sales period runs from the end of May to the end of July. Shopping is a real passion for Singaporeans, so be ready to pull out your credit card and treat yourself. Even if the initial prices are quite high, you'll have the opportunity to pick up some bargains. In winter, you can take advantage of the many discounts on Black Friday in November, which is very popular with locals and lasts longer than one day... Boxing Day, December 26, also attracts crowds to spend their Christmas goodies!
What's very local
There are some great classics to bring back from a stay in Singapore, such as a box of tea from TWG, a jar of Kaya jam or orchid shoots from the Botanic Gardens. Many small local designers offer original souvenirs with a Singaporean touch, such as plates, bags and trays decorated with Peranakan houses... Take a look in the Raffles Hotel boutique, where you'll find an old-fashioned atmosphere and beautiful retro posters at a reasonable price (around S$20). The Mustafa Center remains a must for shoppers, a far cry from the airy, well-organized luxury shopping malls. A veritable institution in the heart of Little India, open 24 hours a day, it sells clothes, toys, beauty products, records, electronics and an impressive food section - the ideal place to find a fine assortment of local spices! The Mustafa Center is very popular with Singaporeans, and you'll be pleased to know that they refund VAT directly on the spot (on purchases of $100 or more); all you need to do is present your passport.
Tourist traps
The great classics in the effigy of the destination are always popular with visitors, it's up to you to consider whether it's a tourist attraction or not, prices can sometimes be a little high. For snow globes, magnets or t-shirts, choose Chinatown or Bugis Village over the souvenir shops of local hotels or attractions. The products are the same but much cheaper.