Guide to the best shopping malls in Singapore
Shopping malls have become an integral part of Singapore’s urban landscape, with their ubiquitous presence contributing significantly to the city’s social, economic, and cultural fabric. These vast complexes have become more than mere retail destinations, but rather serve as multifaceted hubs of activity where Singaporeans can meet, shop, dine, and socialize. In this post we will delve into the critical role that shopping malls play, the popular malls in town and overall shopping strategy in Singapore.
Why are shopping malls everywhere in Singapore
Every MRT stop has a shopping mall. Almost every. Why is that the case?
One of the reasons why many MRT stations in Singapore have shopping malls is because of the government’s urban planning strategy. The government has been actively promoting the concept of “integrated developments” where residential, commercial, and transportation facilities are located in close proximity to each other. This strategy aims to promote convenience and accessibility for residents and visitors to Singapore.
In the case of MRT stations, the idea is to create a seamless and convenient shopping experience for commuters. By having shopping malls located directly adjacent to MRT stations, commuters can easily access these malls without having to walk long distances or take additional transportation. This also provides an opportunity for businesses to benefit from the high traffic flow of commuters passing through the MRT stations.
Additionally, the government also aims to encourage the development of commercial spaces within the city to increase employment opportunities and boost the economy. Having shopping malls connected to MRT stations can attract more visitors, further increasing the commercial value of these spaces. This is not rocket science given a similar model exists in JP and HK.
The role of shopping malls in Singapore
Shopping malls have emerged as essential spaces for social interaction, providing a comfortable and safe environment for people to connect with friends and family. Malls offer a myriad of entertainment options, including cinemas, game arcades, and food courts, making them an ideal location for people to spend their leisure time. The presence of social amenities such as restrooms, nursing rooms, and free Wi-Fi makes shopping malls an attractive location for people from all walks of life to come together and interact.
In fact, shopping malls are crucial drivers of Singapore’s economy, offering a wide range of job opportunities in the retail and non-retail sectors. Singapore’s malls attract a significant number of tourists who come to experience the city’s vibrant shopping scene, contributing to Singapore’s economy through their expenditure on retail, food, and accommodation. Shopping malls also play an essential role in creating a thriving retail industry that generates jobs and income for Singaporeans.
Shopping malls play a critical role in Singapore’s urban planning and development, forming part of larger integrated developments that include residential, office, and hotel components. These developments create a vibrant and diverse environment that provides a holistic experience for residents, workers, and visitors alike. They also contribute to the value of the surrounding properties, leading to a multiplier effect on the overall growth of the local economy. And free aircon is great.
Best shopping malls in Singapore
Criteria of assessment:
- Volume of shops
- Major brands available
- Food options
- Proximity to city center
In order of best shopping experience (1 = best)
- Ion Orchard - Located on Orchard Road, this high-end mall features luxury brands and high street fashion. Some call it Orchard Ion
- Marina Bay Sands - This iconic mall boasts luxury brands, high-end restaurants, and stunning views of the Marina Bay
- Ngee Ann City / Takashimaya - Another popular shopping destination on Orchard Road, Takashimaya offers a range of products, from luxury brands to electronics and beauty products
- 313@Somerset - This mall offers a range of international and local brands, as well as a wide range of dining options
- VivoCity - One of the largest shopping malls in Singapore, VivoCity features a wide range of shops, restaurants, and entertainment options
- Suntec City - Located in the heart of the city, Suntec City offers a range of retail and entertainment options, as well as convention and exhibition facilities
- Jewel Changi Airport - This world-class mall features a stunning indoor waterfall, a vast array of shopping and dining options, and entertainment attraction
- IMM - popular destination for outlet shopping and home furnishing, located in the west of Singapore
Other malls near the Heartlands include City Square mall, Queensway Shopping Center (great for sports items) and Raffles City Shopping Center.
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| Far East Plaza in Orchard |
Loyalty programs
An explosion of shopping mall loyalty programs have cropped up in the past few years. Along with loyalty points, malls have credit card partnerships that open up to further discounts. Here are a couple of examples -
- CapitaStar - offered by CapitaLand Malls, including malls such as Plaza Singapura, Bugis Junction, and Raffles City. American Express Platinum Credit Card offers 10X Membership Rewards points at participating malls under CapitaLand Malls
- Frasers Rewards - offered by Frasers Property Malls, including malls such as The Centrepoint, Causeway Point, and Northpoint City. Citi Rewards Card offers 4 miles per S$1 spent
- Changi Rewards - offered by Jewel Changi Airport and participating retailers in Changi Airport.
- Ion+ Rewards - offered by Ion Orchard, providing members with exclusive access to events, promotions, and rewards at the mall. Earn ION⁺ Points for every block of $100 same-day spend. 25 ION points convert to $10 ecapitavoucher. That means you get $10 back for $2500 of spend - pretty rough.
- MBS Rewards - offered by Marina Bay Sands, providing members with exclusive discounts and privileges at the mall’s shops, restaurants, and attractions. Each $1.2 Reward Dollar earned can be redeemed for $1 worth of goods and services at participating partners
My two cents of shopping in Singapore versus in HK
We’re referring to shopping for goods vs groceries here.
- Singapore is more expensive due to sales tax. Take Uniqlo in SG vs HK. Hong Kong is cheaper. Same with the US
- All the essential brands are there. For luxury, you’ll be able to get most of the latest items although they do run out quick
- There’s a lot less foot traffic versus Hong Kong. This makes shopping more comfortable and relaxing. This might change when tourists flood back in both countries
- Consistent quality of mid-tier shopping malls. Few large scale luxury malls exist, but for all the mid-tier ones, they are of consistent quality across the nation. Food options are similar and store options are similar
- Limited number of boutiques and thrifts
My recommendation - only buy essentials or things that really catch your eye in Singapore. Buy luxury abroad for tax refund and buy staples and boutiques abroad for a wider selection at a lower price. If you really have to buy, I’d recommend going to MBS as the loyalty program is more friendly. All that being said, Singapore’s shopping malls are some of the best in the world. With plenty of aircon to shelter from heat and a plethora of dining and shops options, shopping malls have become a haven and pastime for locals. I love my malls and so should you.
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