Is Singapore a cheap place for shopping?
Aside from being a top foodie destination, Singapore is also known to be a shopping haven for a lot of people. Orchard Road in particular is a known travel bucket list item among shopaholics.
But how about shoppers on a budget? Can they still afford to buy stuff in Singapore?
Is Singapore expensive for luxury shopping?
Singapore is still a pricey place to buy luxury items like designer brand clothing and jewellery. But if you can venture outside high-end stores in costly shopping malls, you’ll find a lot of things that can suit any budget.
In the following sections, we’ll be taking a closer look at some of the places where you can do cheap shopping in Singapore.
There are places for budget shopping in Singapore
As previously mentioned, you’ll need to step out of upmarket shopping centres and malls and step out of your comfort zone a bit. This is all in the name of shopping cheaply yet fulfillingly.
So if you’re on the lookout for such things as cheap gaming laptops or gadgets, you’ll be happy to know that there are several places in Singapore for them. Some even allow good old-fashioned bargaining or haggling!
We’ll also look at locations where you can do vintage and thrift shopping if those are your thing.
1. Bugis Street
for street prices
Location: New Bugis Street
Hours: 11 AM – 10 PM daily
What to buy: Affordable fashion, refurbished gadgets
Getting there: The nearest MRT station is Bugis MRT, but you can also take the 7, 12, 63, 80, 175, 197, 851, 960, 980, and NR7 Buses
Bugis Street is pretty popular among bargain-savvy and budget-conscious shoppers in Singapore. Those who aren’t particular about upmarket fashion and accessories have made Bugis Street their go-to for clothes.
Known for offering street prices (as opposed to marked-up mall ones), shoppers can also get their salon fix here. From cheap haircuts to kitschy-themed nail salons, you can get hear to toe pampering within a budget at Bugis.
It’s also a good place to get affordable gadgets such as refurbished iPhones and other mobile devices. So if you need a cheap smartphone in the meantime, consider visiting Bugis Street.
Shopaholic tip: Be on the lookout for stores that allow bargaining.
2. Far East Plaza
for vintage clothes
Location: 14 Scotts Road
Hours: 10 AM to 10 PM daily
What to buy: Non-designer clothes, vintage clothing and accessories, beauty salons
Getting there: The nearest MRT station is the Orchard MRT, but you can also take the 5, 54, 105, 124, 128, 132, 143, 162, 162M, 167, 171, 190, and 518 Buses
If you aren’t about the designer lifestyle but prefer sturdy yet trendy clothes, you might just get your fashion fix at Far East Plaza. There’s a good mix of tailor-made clothing boutiques and vintage apparel there.
You won’t need a guide to thrift shops if you’re looking for something particular by way of vintage or retro clothing and accessories. You can simply browse or ask shop assistants if they have what you need!
But it isn’t all about the thrift shop vibe here because footwear and other gear are also in the latest styles and trends at Far East Plaza.
And if you’re on a particularly tight budget, check out the topmost floors because the shops there typically offer lower prices (due to cheaper rent).
Shopaholic tip: Most salons and other grooming services don’t require an appointment, so walk-ins are welcome. Also, the higher the storey, the lower the price!
3. Mustafa Centre
for bulk shopping
Location: 145 Syed Alwi Road
Hours: Open 24 hours, 7 days a week
What to buy: Shoes and electronics in bulk
Getting there: The nearest MRT station is Farrer Park MRT, but you can also take the 21, 125 and 130 Buses
If you’re a shop owner in Singapore, you might already have heard about Mustafa Centre. It’s the place to go for bulk shopping at discounted rates.
The shopping centre sells everything from electronics to shoes and even affordable jewellery. There’s so much to explore and browse in its 200,000-square-foot premises that it might take a good part of the day.
Mustafa Centre is also open 24 hours a day, seven days a week. It’s a convenient way to shop for those who need to work all day and can only do emergency holiday or Christmas shopping after hours.
But to avoid the crowds that usually come flocking at night, try to get to Mustafa Centre as early as you can manage.
Shopaholic tip: Looking for kitchen and bedroom items? Check out Level 3 which sells kitchenware, cutlery, bedding, and more.
4. Scape Underground
for student-friendly prices
Location: 2 Orchard Link
Hours: 9 AM to 9 PM daily
What to buy: Trendy fashion accessories
Getting there: The nearest MRT station is Somerset MRT, but you can also take the 106, 123, 143, 502, and other buses
Most students don’t have their own income yet and often rely on allowances for stuff they want to buy. That’s why shops like Scape Underground are so popular among young people on a tight budget.
It offers trendy fashion accessories like socks and smartphone peripherals for an average price tag of $10. Some shops also sell laptops for students that fit most students’ finances.
The prices at Scape Underground are subsidised to help empower youth and encourage them to make sound financial and economic decisions.
But because the selling spaces are rented on a first-come, first-served basis, the seemingly random commercial layout might be confusing at first.
Shopaholic tip: Clothes average $10–$15 here, so they’re pretty student-friendly.
5. Lucky Plaza
for inexpensive beauty products
Location: 304 Orchard Road
Hours: 10 AM to 10 PM daily
What to buy: Cosmetics, perfume, and beauty products
Getting there: The nearest MRT station is the Orchard MRT, but you can also take the 1N, 2N, 3N, 4N, 5N, 6N, 7, 14, 14E, 16, 65, 106, 111, 123, 175, and 5 Buses
As its name suggests, you can get lucky with budget shopping at the Lucky Plaza shopping centre. Its budget shoppers usually come home laden with shopping bags full of affordable clothes, fashion accessories, and even watches.
Lucky Plaza retains that vintage shopping mall look and feel, as it’s nearly three decades old. But patient shoppers won’t mind the somewhat slapdash layout if it means getting the best bargains under one roof.
And if you’re fond of scents, you’ll be glad to know that you can find signature perfume brands here. Don’t have the budget for a full bottle? You can get a sample size first and see if it’s worth purchasing!
Shopaholic tip: Sample-sized branded perfume allows you to try different scents without committing to a bigger bottle.
6. Anchorpoint Shopping Centre
for affordable shopping sprees
Location: 370 Alexandra Road
Hours: 10 AM to 10 PM daily
What to buy: Factory outlet shops for branded clothes, electronics, and home stuff
Getting there: The nearest MRT station is Queenstown MRT, but you can also take the 33, 64, 120, and 195 Buses
Though it’s only two storeys high, Anchorpoint Shopping Centre has more than its fair share of fashionista shopaholics for several good reasons.
For starters, it offers plenty of branded clothes at factory outlet prices (anywhere between 30%–70% discount). For another, there are regular weekly sales where you can get a branded top for as low as S$5!
It’s also a relatively quiet shopping place compared to the others on this list.
So if you don’t mind buying off-season or discontinued clothing items from your favourite fashion brands, there’s no reason why you shouldn’t visit Anchorpoint soon.
Shopaholic tip: Watch out for weekly sales on branded clothing!
7. IMM Outlet Mall
for factory outlet clothing
Location: 2 Jurong East Street 21
Hours: 10 AM to 10 PM daily
What to buy: Factory outlet clothing and accessories
Getting there: Take the free shuttle bus services to and from the International Business Park
We’re featuring another outlet mall on this list if you want to wear branded on a budget. IMM is known as Singapore’s biggest outlet mall with around 37,800 square metres of retail space.
You can find famous fashion brands at IMM Outlet Mall, including menswear, running shoes, bags, and sports gear. And if you’re lucky enough to be there during a sale day, you can snag a coveted branded item for as much as 80% off!
A note of caution for those with cars, though: there’s no free parking at IMM. However, free shuttle bus services come and go to the International Business Park.
Shopaholic tip: There’s always a sale here all year round!
8. City Plaza
for preloved fashion items
Location: 810 Geylang Road
Hours: Monday to Saturday, 10:30 to 8 PM; Sunday, 9 AM to 9 PM
What to buy: Preloved and vintage clothing and other items
Getting there: The nearest MRT station is Paya Lebar MRT, but you can also take the 2, 7, 13, 17, and 21 Buses
Sustainability shopping has found a home at City Plaza. It’s a vintage high-rise building with a total of 18 storeys that has been converted into a preloved fashion haven.
Fashion and lifestyle blogs usually get their wholesale clothing and accessories needs here, either to resell or to use for their production design. And if you’re fond of vintage clothing and gently used fashion, you can get some great items with just a S$50 budget.
Toy collectors and vintage camera fanatics have made City Plaza their secret stomping grounds as well. And some of these items can still have a lower price tag if you know how to haggle like a pro.
Shopaholic tip: Some fashion items can be purchased at wholesale prices for resellers.
9. Tanjong Pagar Plaza
for stationery and textile
Location: Tanjong Pagar Plaza
Hours: Monday to Saturday, 8 AM to 8 PM (closed on Sundays)
What to buy: Textile, electronics, stationery items
Getting there: The nearest MRT station is the Tanjong Pagar MRT, but you can also take the 10, 145, 167, 30, and 80 Buses
Got an exciting sewing project coming up? You’re likely to find the fabric, textile, and other supplies you need at Tanjong Pagar Plaza.
Or if you want ready-made clothing you can buy at a steal, this shopping complex also has them. The commercial building holds around 130 shops offering everything from traditional Chinese products to electronics.
Tanjong Pagar Plaza is also known for housing a wide variety of cuisine, so people often choose to go there to eat. You can find Singaporean favourites like fish head curry and Hainanese chicken rice in its many eateries.
Shopaholic tip: There’s a big second-floor food court in case you need refuelling after all that shopping.
10. BooksActually
for book lovers
Location: 9 Yong Siak Street, Tiong Bahru Estate
Hours: Sunday to Monday, 9 AM to 6 PM; Tuesday to Saturday, 9 AM to 7 PM
What to buy: All kinds of books, knick-knacks, stationery
Getting there: The nearest MRT station is East-West Line, but you can also take the 121, 123, 175, and 197 Buses
Literature lovers, rejoice. A book shop makes its way to this helpful shopping list.
BooksActually is not just a bookstore but also an independent publisher of literary works from mostly local authors and poets. The shop itself stocks titles on history, current affairs, biographies, travel, food, math, science, and more.
BooksActually offers many discount-applicable promotions so book lovers can always have something within budget. Serious book collectors can also find rare, antique, and even out-of-print literary editions here.
Shopaholic tip: Be on the lookout for self-published up-and-coming local writers’ books.