Study reveals Singapore as leading Shopping Destination

Singapore has emerged as a leading retail destination in a study conducted by Euromonitor, which compared the retail prices of eight countries in Asia Pacific and the Middle East.

The results found Singapore to be the most affordable of the eight cities, in a survey which included Dubai, Bangkok, Hong Kong, Kuala Lumpur, Shanghai, Sydney and Tokyo. The results were published alongside figures which showed that 70,000 visitors travelled from the Middle East to Singapore in 2004, with retail options representing one of the prime motivations for travellers.

The announcement of the figures comes as Singapore continues to welcome record numbers of Middle East travellers for its prestigious annual shopping event, The Great Singapore Sale (GSS), which continues this week, offering discounts up to 70 percent at a range of retailers across the city.

Euromonitor’s research compared prices across five product groups and fifty household brand names, including Sony, Apple, Gucci and Chanel.

Commenting on the findings of the survey, Alan Tan, Singapore Tourism Board’s Area Director, Middle East & Africa, said, “Increasing numbers of Middle East travelers are visiting Singapore, and discovering the retail attractions of our country. The survey provides one of the most comprehensive comparisons of different shopping destinations yet developed, and so should provide interesting food-for-thought for travelers looking to book their summer holidays.”

Shopping remains one of Singapore’s key attractions, with the Singapore Tourism Board currently set to invest over S$40 million to enhance the landscape and infrastructure of Orchard Road, transforming it into one of the world’s greatest shopping streets.

“Our shops offer a brilliant all-round package, including a diverse range of products, high-quality assurance as well as excellent after-sales service, and all these features are supported by our comfortable transport system,” concluded Tan.

The retail attractions of Singapore are being enhanced by The Great Singapore Sale. Running for eight weeks until the curtain comes down on July 24, the event offers cash and prizes alongside its bumper discounts. In addition, the Singapore Showcase will herald the latest products inspired and created in Singapore, while the Great Singapore Shopping Challenge, another GSS highlight, will attempt to find the ultimate bargain hunters in a range of fresh and fun challenges.

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