🛍️ Singapore Shopping Guide 2025: Save Big, Shop Smart

You’ve landed. Now what? This isn’t just a list of stores. This is your real SG shopping survival guide — the kind of stuff you only learn after years here.

From Bugis Street bargains to Shein delivery hacks, duty-free at Changi, and how to claim 7% GST refund — I’ll show you how to shop like a pro.

No blur-blur. Just real tips from someone who’s lived here 4 years, overpaid, and learned the hard way.

🛒 Offline Shopping

Yes, Singapore has shiny malls. But the real deals? They’re in 24/7 warehouses, $2 stores, and street markets.

🏪 Supermarkets & Grocers

  • NTUC FairPrice: Largest supermarket chain. Great for daily essentials. Check “Everyday Low Prices” section.
  • Cold Storage: Premium supermarket. Great for imported goods, cheese, wine, and ready-to-eat meals.
  • Giant: Large format stores. Good for weekly family shopping. Frequent discounts.
  • Sheng Siong: Budget-friendly. Prices often lower than FairPrice.

🛍️ Mustafa Centre (Little India)

The legendary 24/7 store with everything — groceries, clothes, electronics, travel gear.

  • Why it’s famous: Open 24/7, tax-free, and packed with surprises.
  • Reality check: Not always cheaper. Compare prices with Cold Storage or Sheng Siong.
  • Pro Tip: Go late at night — less crowd, easier to navigate.

🛍️ Street Markets & Malls

  • Bugis Street Market: Haggle hard — start at 50% below asking price. Best for T-shirts, accessories, souvenirs.
  • Lucky Plaza (Orchard): Filipino hub. Great for SIM cards, souvenirs, affordable fashion.
  • Pasar Bella (Tiong Bahru): Local market with vintage finds and handmade goods.
  • Sim Lim Square: Electronics heaven. Negotiate hard. Check for warranty.
  • VivoCity: Largest mall. Close to Sentosa. Good mix of mid-range brands.

🛍️ $2 Stores (Popular with Locals)

  • Daiso: Japanese variety store. Great for souvenirs, kitchenware, stationery.
  • Miniso: Trendy, minimalist design. Good for phone accessories and small gifts.
  • Mr DIY: Local $2 chain. Socks, towels, phone stands — all $2.

✈️ Duty-Free at Changi Airport

Don’t leave without checking — prices are often better than online.

  • What’s good: Perfume, alcohol, chocolate, electronics.
  • Tip: Shop at Terminal 3 — widest selection.

🌐 Online Shopping

Most locals shop online — fast, cheap, and with real deals. Here’s where to go and what to expect.

🛒 Major Marketplaces

  • Shopee.sg: The most popular e-commerce platform in SG. Great for fashion, electronics, home goods. Frequent flash sales and free shipping.
  • Lazada: Fast delivery, reliable sellers. Good for branded items.
  • Carousell: SG’s #1 secondhand platform. Haggle, meet at MRT stations, or use verified courier.

👗 Fashion & Lifestyle

  • Uniqlo SG: Free delivery over $50. 3–5 day delivery. Frequent sales.
  • Zalora: Local fashion hub with brands like Charles & Keith, Pedro. Regular sales.
  • Shein: 7–14 days to SG. Free shipping over $10. Easy returns.
  • AliExpress: 10–21 days. Use “ePacket” for faster shipping.
  • Amazon SG: Fast delivery (1–3 days). Good for books, electronics, Prime members.

🛍️ Local Online Stores

  • Mr. DIY Online: Now available online! Buy household essentials at fixed low prices.
  • Watsons: Beauty, health, skincare. Frequent promotions and member discounts.
  • Guardian: Similar to Watsons. Good for travel-sized items.

📦 Delivery & Returns

  • Delivery: Shopee/Lazada — 1–3 days. Same-day in some areas.
  • Returns: Most sites allow 7–30 day returns. Check policy before buying.
  • Sales: 9.9, 11.11, 12.12 — up to 70% off.
  • Pro Tip: Use Shopee Coins or Lazada Vouchers for extra discounts.

💰 How to Claim Your GST Refund (Tourist Refund Scheme)

Spent over $100? You can get 7–9% of your money back — yes, it’s free money. The exact rate depends on the store and service fee. Here’s the full step-by-step guide:

✅ Step 1: Check Eligibility

  • You are a tourist (not a resident)
  • You spend at least SGD $100 (including GST) at a single store in one day
  • You leave Singapore within 2 days of purchase

🛍️ Step 2: Shop at Participating Stores

Look for the “Tax Free” or “TRS” sticker at the store or checkout counter.

Stores that qualify: Mustafa Centre, Takashimaya, department stores (e.g., Robinsons, Metro), and most mall retailers.

🎫 Step 3: Get Your Tax-Free Form (IGST Form)

At checkout, ask for the IGST refund form. The cashier will print it and attach it to your receipt.

You must get this form at the time of purchase. No form = no refund.

Keep your receipt and form safe — don’t lose them.

🛃 Step 4: Present at Tax Refund Counter

Go to the Tax Refund counters at:

  • Changi Airport: Terminals 1, 2, 3 & 4 (after immigration, before security)
  • ICA Building: Before immigration clearance (if departing via land/sea)

Bring:

  • Passport
  • Boarding pass (printed or digital)
  • All receipts and IGST forms
  • Purchased items (for random inspection — keep in carry-on)

💵 Step 5: Get Your Refund

You’ll get your refund via:

  • Cash: Fastest option. In SGD.
  • Credit Card: Takes 3–10 days to reflect.
  • PayNow: Instant to Singapore bank accounts (less common for tourists).

Cash is recommended — no waiting, no bank fees.

💡 Pro Tips for a Smooth Refund

  • Go early: Lines get long before peak flights. Arrive at least 2–3 hours before departure.
  • Keep items in original packaging: Inspectors may check if the item matches the receipt.
  • Some stores offer eTRS: Digital refunds via app (e.g., at Takashimaya). Ask at checkout.
  • Not all stores participate: Hawker centres, small shops, and food outlets don’t qualify.

💡 Shop Smart, Claim Big

Maximize your refund with big purchases at tax-free stores like Mustafa Centre or Takashimaya.

Buy electronics, perfume, or fashion in one go — hit that $100 minimum and claim back 7–9%.

💡 Bro, Here’s My Real Talk Shopping Hacks

  • Mustafa is not always cheaper: Compare prices with supermarkets.
  • Haggle on Bugis Street: Start at 50% below asking price.
  • Shop during sales: June & December — up to 70% off.
  • Use Shopee coins: They stack up — use them for discounts.
  • Check duty-free at Changi: Sometimes cheaper than online.
  • Claim GST refund: It’s free money — scan your receipts before flying out.
  • Shein delivery: Takes 7–14 days — plan ahead.

Remember: You don’t need to spend big to shop smart. Just be aware, not afraid.

🎯 What’s Next?

You’ve mastered shopping. Now it’s time to explore the real Singapore — from hidden hawker stalls to local-only cafes.

👉 Click here to discover the best food & hidden gems