8 Best Budget Shopping Places in Singapore to Shop till You Drop

Bugis Street is one of the best shopping places attracting a large number of shopping lovers in Singapore. It offers the latest and trendiest fashions at affordable prices and shoppers may experience interesting street shopping experiences here.

Highlights:

GUIDE TO SHOPPING AT BUGIS STREET:

• Fashionable apparels and accessories are available all over the 3-storey building of Bugis Street: Fashion shops at Bugis Street are located in no order, so you can find tops, bottoms, dresses, office wear, menswear, swimwear, sportswear, bags, shoes, watches, wallets, lingerie, and accessories on all 3 levels.
• Bargaining is accepted at some stores: While many stores follow a fixed price policy, there are some shops offering products at negotiable prices, so you can make a bargain.
• K.Street (Korean-themed Street) on level 2: If you are a fan of KPOP or Korean products, you should visit K.Street on the second floor. Korean style clothing, Korean cosmetics, and even Korean tidbits are selling on this “street.”
• Additional services are also provided at affordable prices: Besides shopping, various services like nails, tattoo, hair and beauty services are offered at reasonable and competitive prices at Bugis Street.

Image: David Yap

TIP: Don’t get overwhelmed and buy stuff at the first shop because you may find the same items at lower prices in other shops.

LOCATION: Bugis Street Shops are located in the heart of Bugis, which are just opposite Bugis Junction and close to Bugis+ Shopping Centre, Fu Lu Shou Complex, and Kwan Im Temple.

TRANSPORTATION:

• Buses: Bus 7, 12, 63, 80, 175, 197, 851, 960, 980, and NR7 (Walk 1 min from bus stop B01112)
• Nearest MRT station: Bugis MRT (EW12) (Walk 2 mins from Exit C)

Being well known as one of the biggest and most reasonable shopping destinations in Singapore, Mustafa Centre is a favorite place for many tourists and local residents. This shopping centre opens 24 hours per day and offers all kinds of products.

Highlights:

Image: Fabio Achilli

GUIDE TO SHOPPING AT MUSTAFA CENTRE: With the combined shopping space of 400,000 square feet within the 6-storey building, it is not easy to find stuff without knowing their locations. Below is a quick guide for you to find common products.

• Level 1: You can shop for gold, silver, jewellery, watches, mobile phones, cameras, gadgets, handheld accessories, CDs, VCDs, DVDs, medical equipment, medicinal items, perfumes, cosmetics, toiletries, sunglasses, electrical stuff, and many more in the level 1 stores.
• Level 2: This level displays food items like dried foods, grains, spices, herbs, and especially Indian spices and herbs. You can also purchase sweets and chocolate as well as Singapore’s souvenirs, silk, household stuff, kid clothes, baby items, and many more there.
• Level 3: This level offers interior equipment such as kitchenware, cutlery, bed sheets, blankets, curtains and decorating stuff
• Level 4: This is home to furniture, hardware, DIY items, books and stationery.
• Basement 1 & 2: All sorts of fashion from menswear, women’s wear, office wear, and sportswear to shoes, bags and accessories are sold here. Luggage, sports equipment and home appliances are also on offer at these two levels.

NOTES:

• Mustafa Centre applies a fixed price policy so bargain is no use there.
• It is very crowded, especially at weekend so be careful with your belongings.
• If you bring your children there, watch them carefully as they may get lost easily.

TIP: Visit Mustafa Centre in the early morning to avoid crowds

LOCATION: Located at 145 Syed Alwi Road – the heart of Little India, near Serangoon Plaza and City Square Mall

HOW TO GET THERE:

• Buses: 21, 125 and 130 (Walk 4 mins from bus stop B07231)
• Nearest MRT station: Farrer Park MRT (NE8) (Walk 3 mins from Exit G)

Lucky Plaza is an iconic shopping centre in Singapore which is located at Orchard Road, a famous shopping district in Singapore. This shopping mall has long been recognized as one of the most popular places for shoppers with a budget with a wide range of products at affordable prices on sale.

Highlights:

Image: Sheep”R”Us

GUIDE TO SHOPPING AT LUCKY PLAZA:

• Retail shops: There are about 500 stores located from the Basement to Level 6, providing apparel, accessories, perfumes, beauty products, souvenirs, confectioneries, jewelry, stationery, sports equipment, consumer electronics, books, medicinal products, and decorating stuff.
• Buying electronics products is not recommended: Lucky Plaza is a good place for buying casual clothing, simple accessories, sunglasses, low-end watches, sweet and chocolate, souvenirs, used books, and medicated oil products but it is not recommended to buy stuff like mobile phones, digital cameras, gaming consoles and MP3 players there. You can visit these 7 places to buy consumer electronics.
• Always ask the total price before making a purchase: Some shopkeepers do not tell customers the final price – the price that may include GST or other fees at the first time asked; hence, checking the price and any hidden fees carefully should be done.
• Bargaining: Bargaining is accepted at many stores so you can always try to make it the best deal for any purchases.
• Avoid visiting the mall on weekends if you don’t like the crowd: Lucky Plaza is a familiar place for domestic workers to gather and hang around, especially on Sunday.

TRANSPORTATION:

• Buses: Bus 1N, 2N, 3N, 4N, 5N, 6N, 7, 14, 14E, 16, 65, 106, 111, 123, 175, and 5 (Walk 2 mins from bus stop B09048)
• Nearest MRT station: Orchard MRT (NS22) (Walk 2 mins from Exit D)

Far East Plaza is a good friend of students and young adults. This shopping place makes those young people more beautiful without spending much money.

Highlights:

Image: Far East Plaza

GUIDE TO SHOPPING AT FAR EAST PLAZA:

• Retail shops: There are about 600 stores, spreading from level 1 to level 5 with clothing, footwear, handbags, accessories, watches, cosmetics, beauty products, mobile phones, digital cameras, gaming consoles, books, art, medicinal products, gifts, and souvenirs.
• Bargaining is widely accepted: Bargaining is accepted at many stores for you to get your best deals.
• Stores on higher floors offer items at cheaper prices: Due to lower rent on higher storeys, these shops sell stuff at lower prices, compared with stores at level 1 or 2.
• Tasty food stores are available on level 5: You can find good food and drink shops on Level 5. Wasabi Tei Japanese Cuisine at #05-68 serves delectable sashimi and other Japanese dishes while Hainanese Delicacy at #05-116 offers yummy chicken rice.

TRANSPORTATION:

• Buses: 5, 54, 105, 124, 128, 132, 143, 162, 162M, 167, 171, 190, 518 (Walk 1 min from bus stop B09219)
• Nearest MRT station: Orchard MRT (NS22) (Walk 4 mins from Exit A2)

Located in the heart of Orchard Road, SCAPE Underground is indeed among the best budget shopping places in Singapore.

It is a facility part of SCAPE, a youth empowerment center with the vision to support youth, talent, and leadership development. Therefore, everything in SCAPE Underground is student-friendly, and we all know with students, budget is of the essence. However, the incentives given to retailers lead to cheap and very high-quality products.

Highlights:

MORE ABOUT SCAPE:

• SCAPE Underground is a spacious indoor retail space with small-scale rental shops selling a wide variety of products. The shops are randomly situated in the shopping space, such that you find the products you want as you move. This is motivated by the fact that the spaces are rented cheaply and on a first come first serve basis, hence the random positioning within the shopping space.

• SCAPE Underground is part of SCAPE Company, which offers and provides services for all needs of its shoppers, from entertainment joints, and restaurants to playing areas, all at subsidized prices as they are all meant for youth empowerment.

TRANSPORTATION:

• Buses: 106, 123, 143, 502, and more.
• Nearest MRT station: Somerset (NS23) (4 min walk)

IMM mall, located in Jurong East, stands as Singapore’s largest outlet mall today. Talk of all the worldwide and local top brands, you will find them all at the IMM mall, making it a significant shopping arena in Singapore.

Highlights:

GUIDE TO SHOPPING AT IMM OUTLET MALL:

• Shopping for Menswear: The IMAGINEX Group Outlet is the first stop for shoppers searching for a menswear collection. The racks here are packed with lots of smart and casual clothes at discounted prices.
• Shopping For Shoes and Bags: The Charles and Keith outlet store has an impressive collection of trendy shoes and bags. This retail shop offers as much as 60% discount on some items. The shop is well-stocked with various sizes, so it’s hard not to find the perfect fit for you. Pedro is also another go-to shop for great shoes, offering up to 70% discounts.
• Shopping for Toiletries: The Body Shop Outlet is the place to visit if you’re looking to stock up on toiletries.
• Shopping for Furniture: IMM, which was formerly a furniture retail shop, still houses a great number of furniture stores. Shops like Commune, Grohe, Star Living, and Simmons Gallery offer a wide selection of home décor items and furniture.

Image: IMM Mall

FOOD OUTLETS AT IMM OUTLET MALL:
The IMM mall has many family-friendly food outlets. You can choose from the famous HaiDiLao Hot Pot, Swensen’s, Macdonald’s, Bali Thai, Burger King, and other independent food stores.

Image: IMM Mall

NOTES:

• Parking is no longer free at the IMM mall. They recently changed their parking rates so the first one-hour complimentary parking is only valid on weekdays (excluding public holidays).
• The IMM mall offers free shuttle bus services to and from the International Business Park.
• If you’re shopping with kids, IMM mall has a dedicated space at the Garden Plaza on level 3, known as the IMM Water Play. This area is filled with lots of fun activities that would make your kids excited.
• The mall offers its customers a complimentary loan of Baby Strollers and Wheelchairs.

City Plaza is an 18-storey high-rise building that was completed in 1972. Its heydays were the 80s and 90s. Many people have, now, ignored this mall because it looks a little run-down outside. However, it is a haven inside with so much to offer.

Highlights:

GUIDE TO SHOPPING AT CITY PLAZA: With five stories packed with dozens of shops and stalls selling everything from electronics, fashion, accessories, toys, and mobile phones to books, coach tickets, and beauty services, it’s not easy for shoppers to find what they’re looking for if they don’t know where to go. Here is a quick guide to help you navigate your way around the mall and score the best deals that City Plaza has to offer:

• Level 1: The ground floor has a plethora of banks, currency exchange booths, and ATMs to ensure that the shoppers’ wallets are well-stocked cash for a day of splurging and retail therapy. Here you can also find decent boutiques and beauty salons along with a wide variety of electronics and mobile phone shops.
• Level 2: The second floor has a huge variety of wholesale fashion and accessory stores that offer discounts and bulk buying for attractive prices. Here, shoppers can also find the famous Arnold’s Fried Chicken eatery for a delicious lunch.
• Level 3 & 4: The shopping fun continues at level three where you can browse dozens of mid to low-range fashion stores that offer great deals on all sorts of clothing items, bags, shoes, and accessories. Some famous stores such as Refash offering fashion deals starting from $10 can be found on the third floor along with a bulk of similar wholesale shops. Shoppers can also make a pit stop at one of the beauty salons for a relaxing massage or a manicure for as little as $5.
• Level 5: After a long day of shopping and bargaining with store owners, it’s time to recharge your batteries with a great meal. From stalls selling generous portions of tasty handmade noodles (mee hoon kway) for less than $5 to authentic Thai and Malaysian food, City Plaza has an entire floor dedicated to its famous food court where you can find local as well as international cuisines, all under one roof.

NOTES: City Plaza has basement parking, which is open 24/7. The parking cost per hour can vary depending on time and day. For more information, check out City Plaza’s official website https://www.cityplaza.sg/getting-there/

TIPS:

• Despite the price tags on most items, shoppers can still bargain for a discount, and more often than not, shop owners are willing to sell items for a sum lower than the asking price.
• City Plaza is famous for its wholesale prices, which is why it’s best to shop here with a group of friends to avail of sizable discounts.

TRANSPORTATION:

• Buses: 2, 7, 13, 17, 21
• Nearest MRT station: Paya Lebar

Anchorpoint Shopping Centre is a great place to buy essential goods and fashion stuff at inexpensive prices. This two-storey mall is a favorite shopping place for working professionals whose offices are nearby.

Highlights:

GUIDE TO SHOPPING AT ANCHORPOINT:

• Retail shops: You can find shops selling clothing, bags, shoes, watches, home decorating stuff, wine, confectioneries, IT and electronics items, books, stationery, flowers, and gifts in this building.
• Weekly sales: Numerous sales are offered by factory outlet stores every week. Customers can buy beautiful branded clothing at very cheap prices – S$10 for a lovely Cotton On top.
• Bargaining is not allowed: All shops sell stuff at fixed prices.

LOCATION:
The mall is located on the corner of Alexandra Road and Queensway Road, opposite IKEA on one side and opposite Queensway Shopping Centre on the other side.

GETTING THERE:

• Free Shuttle Bus Service: Anchorpoint provides free shuttle bus service from 11:30 to 14:15 (Anchorpoint -> Depot Road), Monday to Friday (excluding Public holidays). More information can be found on their Instagram, @anchorpoint_sg.
• Public Buses: 33, 64, 120, and 195 (Walk 1 min from bus stop B11521)
• Nearest MRT station: Queenstown MRT (EW19) (Walk 9 mins from Exit A)