An Experience You Can't Buy
Singapore's shopping rivals that of London, New York, Dubai and Tokyo. There is variety to suit all personalities and budgets and the experience is a gift to yourself.
If you would like to browse modern stores all under one roof Singapore has over 70 shopping malls dotted throughout the country. The following are very popular and come highly recommended by frequent shoppers: Burgis Junction, ION Orchard, JCUBE, Marina Bay Sands, Raffles City, The Star Vista and West Mall.
If you like designer boutiques and want to visit the high end of luxury retail, these are a must: Orchard Road, Knightsbridge, Takashimaya.
If you like exotic food and would like to shop for delicacies or visit Hawkers' Markets start here: Little India Arcade, Maxwell road, Newton Circus, Smith Street, Chomp Chomp or Old Airport Road Food Centre.
Tax Returns: If you spend over S$100 you are entitled to a 7% Tax rebate if you leave Singapore by air. There are multiple ways to claim back, the easiest being the eTRS self-service kiosks at the airport. It's a good idea to ask each retailer for an eTRS token with each purchase so that you can collect them as you go along and present them to an attendant at the airport before departure.
A few things to bear in mind: Europe and America are pretty flexible on returns and most places offer buyer's remorse, however in Singapore most transactions are considered to be final and very strict policies are in place. Before you purchase anything make sure you are happy with the price and the product itself. Ensure everything is working and all the expected parts are in the box. Retailers are happy for you to check thoroughly at the time of purchase because more than likely there will not be an opportunity for an exchange later on. Be sure to educate yourself on what their particular policy is and ask questions regarding warranty coverage, refunds and exchange policies.