Hi there,
I am an avid shopper, grocery shopper that’s it, and mainly from supermarket. 🙂
It always make me happy and relaxing checking out various products available instore, you can always find gems down the shopping aisles, and even brimming with joy when you know you got a very good deal from the supermarket.
Okay, I would love to say I can do the same to clothing or shoes, but the fact is that it is so much easier on the wallet if I channel this onto supermarket shopping, at least the things I buy is something which I can share with my family and I find the rate of return is much higher. 🙂
Now as to readers who find it mind boggling to shop around supermarkets or to any newbies that reach our Singapore shore, you can check out my few tips that will ease your supermarket trips just a tad easier 🙂
Cold Storage – Great for people who want to buy Western products, Japanese products, extensive range, pricing is slightly higher but they do have many gems, they carry good dips and bread varieties. Good grill items and delicatessan items. They are also one of the supermarkets which I find is keen to slash their price to clear stocks. I see this very often in Japan which I think is the “right way” of doing things, clearing stocks by reducing the price, that way customers can try on some of the products which they normally don’t try and supermarkets also get to clear their stock. Even better, customers love the products and return to get some more. They have their own house brand called No-frills.
Fairprice – neighbourhood supermarkets, where you can get daily bargains at very good prices. However they carry more Asian products so if you want to get any specific sauces or condiments, you might want to get it from other supermarkets, their house brand Pasar is good.
Fairprice Xtra – one of the leading hypermarket in Singapore, you can find everything you need there, from cooking utensils, to exercise gadgets, TV to milk powders, all under one roof. The thing I like about them is that they have these kids trolleys where a mini trolley attached to a kids automobile. Kids love it and parents get to have a peace of mind shopping there.
Fairprice Finest – this is the Fairprice you want to go for high end products, they pride themselves in serving fresh oysters, seafood and many products which you do not normally see in regular Fairprice, thus the name Finest. Love to go there to check out their new products and be amazed by their extensive range which you do not normally see.
Fairprice Express – this is another supermarkets as what its name state, express, you get things to meet your quick daily needs on the go. Prices is slightly higher than fairprice supermarkets, so its the convenience you are paying. You can find ammenities, great for tourist or when you need something on the go. They also have corners where they sell cooked food like Polar cakes, Delifrance pastries. Usually can be found in Petrol stations.
Sheng Siong – great place to source for products from South east asia and live seafood. I like to go there to check out China and Vietnamese products, great price, but shoppers might find it somewhat a different shopping experience, as things do not pack as nicely as those you will find in Fairprice & Cold storage. However, it is close to wet market as it can be.
Mustafa – another great place & gem, many people are actually apprehensive to go there, but honestly I love to shop there. As they carry very wide products range, it might take time to dig out the gems, its a hypermarket, which is the first to open 24 hours in Singapore, they sell jewellery, clothing, electronics and food. Huge range of spices, and you can get the same spice you can buy at other supermarket at fraction of a price. A must go if you want to look for authentic spices and naan to cook Indian food. But make sure to check out the expiry date carefully as they have a very wide range of products, so turnover rate might not be as fast as other supermarkets.
Shop n Save – neighbourhood supermarket, which is good to get all your grocery if you do not want to leave your home too far.
Giant – hypermarket that has extensive range of products from Malaysia. You can get practically most of the things you need for your daily usage, electronics, food, toys, etc. It actually reminded me of Sheng Siong, they level up the same range.
Carrefour – hypermarket which is different from Giant and Fairprice, they carry more French items at very good pricing. Love their house brands, consistent good quality at good pricing and usually things you don’t try very often like olives, mustard mayo and cereal. They have one of the best and widest range of bread and pastries there. Always going at a promotional rate and you can also sample the bread before you purchase. One thing that not many people know is that if you get a loaf of bread from them, you can actually ask the staff to slice it up for you, that way you do not need to trouble yourself to do it at home.
Meidiya japanese supermarket– a must go for all Japanese, to get their dose of Japanese products. From fresh produce to frozen products, to sushi and sashimi. Although it is a Japanese supermarket, you will find many locals starting to patronize them and try out Japanese products from there. Good meat range and vegetables. It is pricier to get there, but what I do is I will get sauces & condiments and for vegetables and meat I will get from local supermarket when I am on a budget. Their sushi & sashimi is also at reduced price after 7pm, heard that is quite popular.
Isetan japanese supermarket – another must go for Japanese, great sushi & sashimi range and meat range. A few kiosk that sell cooked food like Korean, Western like grilled items and sandwiches and lunch box. Always have food fairs there so it is never boring going there. I like to go there over the weekends, if I want to have a theme dinner, as they have a good mixture of cuisine, if I am lazy to cook, just pop by to grab bits of everything to enjoy the feast.
Daiso – I am still inbetween as to whether I should call this a supermarket, because of their products sold, although they do not have fresh produce, but they carry enough items to call it a supermarket. Everything is priced at $2 and what’s more to ask for?
All in all, I would say most supermarkets in singapore carries quite good range of products from Asia countries like Taiwan, Korea & Japan as people these days are more curious and like to try out some exotic products. And as people are getting busier these days, 24 hours outlets are beginning to sprout out at many places.
If you want to find out the supermarkets nearest to your locations, just check out my other posts which has the address and business hours.
Cheers,
Dawn
