The best bargains in Singapore are found in the suburban Housing estates while the orchard road can keep you busy for hours.

Shopping Hours

Most of the shops in Singapore including some smaller ones are open daily from 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. or even 10 p.m. Singapore also enjoys the reputation of being one of the safest places you can be in, provided some basic precautions are taken.

Groceries

Most of the supermarkets offer a wide variety of Asian, American, Continental and Middle Eastern groceries. Singapore's multiethnic culture is reflected in the abundant use of Chinese, Malay and Indian herbs and spices, which add taste to the locally inspired gourmet.

You can try the NTUC supermarkets for competitively priced groceries. Most of the housing estates have a wet market where fresh vegetables, fruits, meats and dried foodstuff can be bought. Fresh vegetables, fruits, meats sold in these wet markets are not packaged but they are very fresh or at least fresher than many other places.

Furniture

For those who are looking for high quality furniture, they need to go the downtown or the antique and furniture shops found all over the island. There are specialty magazines available at newsstands and, which particularly focus on interiors. For those who are budget conscious, there are neighborhood furniture shops located among the housing estates. They provide a wide range of furniture within your budget limit.

Clothing

Singapore offers all the major haute couture brands. It also offers the locally designed house brands priced reasonably. They are available in the city and at the suburban shopping malls Tampines and Yishun. The custom men and women's tailors cater to almost any and every cut.

Some departmental stores located at the orchard road belt can be checked. Some of them are:

• Robinson's
• Takashimaya
• Tangs

Others

Some of the good buys in Singapore include Chinese, Indian, Malay, Balinese & Filipino antiques; batiks; cameras; Chinese, Persian & Indian carpets; imported or tailored clothing; jewelry and specialized items made of reptile and snake skins, including shoes, briefcases, handbags and wallets. The other favorite buys include Silks, perfumes, silverware and wigs.

Orchard road is the main shopping street. Most of the outlets operate in the western style of fixed pricing but bargains can be made in some places. It will be always better to bargain only after good research. Electrical equipment of all types is available at the sungei road but you should be careful about imitations.

Goods & Services Tax (GST)

A Goods and Services Tax (GST) is levied on all the merchandise purchased from taxable retailers. The GST will be refunded if more than 300 Singapore dollars is spent. Receipts of Singapore dollars 100 or more can be pooled from shops displaying the Tax Free Shopping sticker.

To qualify for this, ask for your shopping check when you make purchases at that store. While leaving Singapore present all your tax free shopping cheques (both the blue and yellow copies) and your passport along with the goods purchased to the customs. These tax-free shopping cheques are then stamped by the customs .Now you can cash these tax-free shopping cheques at cash refund counters located at the Changi airport during your departure.