I will be in SIN in November on business. I have one free day before I fly back to the USA. I have done almost all of the tourist attractions, so now I thought I would do some shopping. Shoppers seem to love Singapore. So, my questions are: Are there really bargains on items such as designer men's clothes, leather goods, electronics, watches, jewelry, etc? That is, how do the prices compare for quality items versus the same items in the USA? Thanks in advance for your help.

Could you be a little more specific in what you're looking for so that we can better offer you advise. Some things are cheaper here, some in the US. :)

After a zillion visits to S'pore, I often go to the Kinokuniya book store in Ngee Ann City and pick up a few cookery books. Some titles are hard to find or not easily available elsewhere. (Or I write down the ISBN numbers.)

If you don't get to any of their larger locations, Shanghai Tang has some unique items. Too bad the bigger store on Cuscaden road has apparently closed. It had a lot of home style items.

Jim Thompson has several outlets in S'pore, too.

Electronics are no longer that much more of a bargain ie cameras and the such as many places in USA can sometimes offer better. But if you really want the best dirt cheap prices - try going to MUSTAFA in Little India. It's a huge complex/supermarket in everything... and it's open 24 hours.

Watches are still good value in Singapore, and most places offer discounts off the listed price.

Clothing too. Name brand or not can still be had and great prices.

Try the market by the Sri Miriamman temple always a bit of fun but sometimes crowded. Then follow the main path through the market to the bridge whch crosses the road and go into the shopping centre.

No designer clothes ( maybe fakes ) but you can find some cheap gifts, I brought a load of silk bread baskets and wine bottle covers back with me last time. Just got to get around to listing them on ebay ;)

Some pictures here http://travel.yahoo.com/p-travelguide-2887954-action-imgsearch-sri_mariamman_temple_johor_bahru-i

Clothing too. Name brand or not can still be had and great prices.

Thanks for all of your comments. Regarding name brand clothing (business casual items), would you suggest the mega shopping complexes on Orchard Road, or are there other areas I should wander in? Thanks again.

Is there any particular brand that you are looking for, or that you like?

For high end items, you probably can't go wrong with Ngee Ann City and Paragon. These two are the two most high end shopping centres in Orchard Road.

I personally like to go to Tangs (in the same building as the Marriott), which is more mass market and have a good selection of both business and casual wear.

With Paragon Shopping Centre itself is a departmental store called Metro which is more mid-market, though i feel the selection is smaller.

Thanks for all of your comments. Regarding name brand clothing (business casual items), would you suggest the mega shopping complexes on Orchard Road, or are there other areas I should wander in? Thanks again.

This topic was discussed several times and the general concensus was Singapore is not a great place to pick up bargains. By and large, USA and/or on-line gets better deals.

If you want some 'local' brands or the occasional 'sales price' during holiday time for brand name, fine. But as general rule, no.

Some exceptions to this are luxury item -- for instance, high end watches are a bargain compared to US. A rolex, Patek P, AP etc. can be bought at good discount but stick with the major watch/jewelry stores like Cortina or Hour Glass.

If there is something specific you're interested in, pm. Good luck

Electronics are no longer that much more of a bargain ie cameras and the such as many places in USA can sometimes offer better. But if you really want the best dirt cheap prices - try going to MUSTAFA in Little India. It's a huge complex/supermarket in everything... and it's open 24 hours.

I just read about Mustafa Centre, not for electronics but for the extensive spice and ready to eat Indian foods. This article mentioned that "Mustafa's food range will be broadened further when it expands into a row of shophouses in Syed Alwi Road later this year" (article was from a Singapore newspaper dated March 5, 2006)

I'm looking forward to going to Mustafa when I'm in town for SIN DO 2007.

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