Singapore - How to Shop
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How to Shop
Supermarkets stock a large range of grocery items from the U.K., Europe, USA and Australia. Nearly all fruit, vegetables, fish and meat are imported, coming from Malaysia, Australia, Europe and the USA. You may have to go to a specialty shop for some items although supermarkets sell a good selection of fresh herbs, spices, frozen foods, yoghurt, cheese, olives, bread, wine and beer. Fruit, vegetables, spices and condiments for cooking all types of Asian food are easy to find. You can also shop at local markets.
Like in any western country, Singapore has many large supermarkets which stock thousands of local and imported products. Most supermarkets have a large range of fruit, vegetables, fish, meat, cheese, dairy products, bread, wine and beer. There are also many specialty stores catering to different national groups and different types of cuisines. (See the section on specialty shops and delicatessens). Most supermarkets provide a home delivery service. All supermarkets open every day from 11am to 9pm. Some stores open earlier or stay open later.
Most of the steak, pork and chicken sold in supermarkets, comes from Australia. Fruit is imported from the USA, France, South Africa, New Zealand and Australia. Local tropical fruits come from Malaysia, Thailand and the Philippines. Vegetables come mainly from Malaysia or Australia.
Most supermarkets stock some western style breads. The DeliFrance chain of cafes which are in most shopping centres sell French style bread (well, they try anyway!). See the specialty food section for other bakeries.
Traditionally Singaporeans shopped in outdoor markets known locally as ‘wet markets’. You will still find ‘wet markets’ all over the island but the produce sold is not necessarily any cheaper or any fresher than what is sold in supermarkets. Almost no fruit and vegetables are grown locally and the wet markets lack refrigeration so supermarket produce may be better.
The wet markets in Chinatown (basement of Chinatown Complex) and Little India (Tekka Market, cnr Serangoon Rd and Buffalo Rd) are well worth visiting if you are looking for particular products used in Chinese or Indian cooking. Wet markets are usually open from early morning to 1pm.
Supermarkets
Market Place and Jason's group
Large supermarkets specializing in imported products from many different
countries. Have delicatessens stocking, cheese, olives, cold meats etc plus
fish and meat. They sell a wide range of wines and beers and fruit and
vegetables. Theses shops are popular with expatriates. Home delivery is free
if you spend over $150.
- Jasons
1 Claymore Drive
#01-01 Orchard Towers
Singapore
Tel: + 65 6235 4355 - Jasons Market Place
252 North Bridge Road
#B1-01 Raffles City Shopping Centre
Singapore
Tel: + 65 6336 2676 - Paragon Market Place
290 Orchard Road
#B1-12/16 Paragon
Singapore
Tel: + 65 6738 2798 - Tanglin Market Place
163 Tanglin Rd
#B1-02/03 Tanglin Mall
Singapore
Tel: + 65 6734 0105
Cold Storage Supermarkets
This is a chain of about 30 stores that are similar to Jasons
(above). Products differ slightly from store to store. They provide free
home delivery if you spend more than $100. They have an online shopping
service. Check the website for store locations and store opening times.
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Cold Storage Singapore
Cold Storage Takashimaya store
391A Orchard Rd
#B2-01 Ngee Ann City, Tower A
Singapore
Tel : + 65 6735 1266
Dial and Deliver Hotline: + 65 6344 1661
website: www.coldstorage.com.sg
Specializing in Japanese Foods
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Cold Storage Jelita
295 Holland Road
Singapore
Tel: + 65 6469 3877
This Cold Storage is very popular with expatriates. -
NTUC Fairprice Coronation Plaza Supermarket
587 Bukit Timah Rd
#01-01 Coronation Shopping Plaza
Singapore
269707
Tel: + 65 6469 6245
website: www.ntuc-fairprice.org.sg
NTUC Fairprice supermarkets can be found all over Singapore. This is a Trades Union sponsored company that has slightly lower prices. -
Carrefour Supermarket
3 Temasek Boulevard
#01-199 Suntec City
Singapore
Tel: + 65 6333 6868
Carrefour also sells furniture, home appliances, toys, sports equipment etc. -
Isetan Supermarket
Basement of Isetan Department Store
350 Orchard Road
Singapore
Tel: + 65 6733 1111
Fruit, vegetables, meat, fish, frozen goods and more are imported from Japan. They also stock normal supermarket lines. They have many different brands of Japanese beers and sake (rice wine). There is a very good fruit and vegetable section.
All the supermarkets listed sell wine from France, Italy, Chile, USA, Argentina, Australia and New Zealand. There are also some specialty wine stores and you can also order online at www.homewinedelivery.com
And if you don’t have time to shop you can use the services of ‘Kenny Grocery’. Supply a list and they will shop for you at a variety of supermarkets, deliver to your home and even pack the items away in the fridge and cupboards.
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Kenny Grocery
23 Eng Kong Terrace
Singapore
598995
Tel: + 65 6469 8689
Fax: + 65 6469 8923
website: www.kennygrocery.com.sg
Department stores
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Consumer Association of Singapore (CASE)
170 Ghim Moh Road
Ulu Pandan Community Building, #05-01
Singapore
279621
Tel: + 65 6463 1811
Fax: + 65 6467 9055
Email: [email protected]
website: www.case.org.sg
CASE is funded by membership subscription fees and gives advice on consumer problems. -
John Little Department Store
Specialist Centre
website: www.johnlittle.com
Orchard Road (near Somerset MRT)
Tangs has a Chinese heritage, Robinsons is the oldest and the most British and Takashimaya and Isetan are from Japan.
- Robinsons
Centrepoint Shopping Centre
176 Orchard Road
Singapore
238843
Tel: + 65 6733 0888 - Marks and Spencer
501 Orchard Road
B1-00 Wheelock Place
Singapore
Tel: + 65 6734 1800
British food and clothing chain - Isetan Orchard
435 Orchard Road
Wisma Atria
Singapore
238877
Tel: + 65 6733 7777
Fax: + 65 6734 9438 - Isetan Scotts
350 Orchard Road
Shaw House
Singapore
238868
Tel: + 65 6733 1111
Fax: + 65 6734 7083 - Tangs
310 Orchard Road
Singapore
238864
Tel: + 65 6737 5500 - Takashimaya
391 Orchard Road
Singapore
238873
Tel: + 65 6738 1111
