Denim in Singapore

[test]

^yes! bullseye, if you've been to any large mall, you've been to almost every mall. everything is so repetitive. thank god for places like ann siang hill and haji lane. shops in haji lane usually opens around late noon, any earlier they'd be closed.

[poof]

we can never be satisfied .

[hateschool]

The shop ACTUALLY is not overprice in spore what... one nice example. Alot of good brands are found in there but not mark up incredibly high.. of course dont expect the full collection in of course but for sure it is very up to season. STYLE NORDIC and EPIDOME not bad also what.. .. KNOW IT ALL is also has very reasonable pricing.. . WOONDERLAND is just selling the good brands really cheap la !! They should mark it up more !

Seriously talking about incorporating travel expenses as a reason for high mark up ..... er.. please most ppl who can afford to shop for all the specialise brands travel as well, mark up so high for what ? and trust me its worth to pay for the travelling expenses because u nto only get to see the real flagship stores you get the full range of the brands as well !!

Hong Kong is nice but London is still the best !! heeee... . Loveeee Europe

[beast]

I may have to agree with beast. Just because you have to factor in your travelling cost doesn't make it reasonable for retailers here to mark up their prices like no tomorrow. And please don't tell me about exchange rates, because it doesn't work that way. Prices are about the same between Singapore and Hong Kong, from lower-end stuff to high end shit. The differences? SG is always (or mostly) behind time. Take Espirit, for example, the sale in HKG is 'New Arrival' in SG. You're still paying S$89 for a fucking casual shirt (depending on where you are, HKG or SG, at a given time), which, if we're fortunate, is almost 2 months late! A season, in weather terms, is 3 months, baby! Then I saw the Nike A/W 2007 Zoom collection in HKG about 1 month before it hit our shores ....

Anyone tried Joyce, I.T. & Lane Crawford in HKG? Probably, just the labels these 3 carry are more than the whole of SG put together! And for a lot of the labels, they come in full collection in HKG. Even J.M. Weston almost sent me to orgasm. Then I saw John Lobb ......

I remember vividly about 6 Sisley shirts I saw in Paris in 2004. I only saw 3 of them at the then Paragon boutique. Checked with the guys there and confirmed that Sisley here only carried 3 of the 6 designs. Shame. I shall not go into the price.

What I'm trying to say is that, here in SG, things are frequently over-priced. Variety limited, and stocks arrive slower. Yet, consumers are not paying anywhere cheaper. Finding quality stuff at reasonable prices in SG, is, to me, quite a challenge as well. You've tried Uniqlo, so I'm sure you know.

Anyone buys from Gap here? Or Banana Republic? Where's H&M? Do you know that F.I.L. in HKG is really pretty cool? CDG White House, MMM, Take5 & even The North Face, to name a few more ......

Want to know some of the places my kid sister brought me to, where she normally shops (girls' stuff)? I almost fainted, and I believe it's only the tip of the iceberg ......

SG, Shopping Paradise? You're on the wrong island, boy .......

1. I think when you talk about branded stuff like your Dior Hommes and Armanis and Pradas, what you get in a particular season is the same in HK and Spore.

2. Agree HK have a wider selection. The DH store and selection really boggles the mind compared to what Club 21 has. Its the same for other brands.

3. I think the problem in Singapore is the market is too small. No boutique is going to bring the full range for DH or Dries Van Noten in Singapore and in multiple items for the common sizes because for sure they would be stuck with tons of stuff they have to sell at 50% off at the sales.

In fact, one store manager told me they bring in 1 item in each size for a design of say shirt to make sure its 'exclusive'. Of course its bull shit to me. The real reason must be what I cited above.

4. Singapore a shopping paradise? Hardly. Even Kuala Lumpur is pushing themselves as a shopping paradise but seeing how they levied high taxes on imports, I think it will be worse than Singapore.

[beast]

Ive never had a problem with variety in Singapore. I think we stock quite a good range of clothing labels. But the consumer market for these is so much smaller than say, hong kong, of course you're going to have to pay higher prices. I find the Club 21 sales to be quite good when theres 50% off. And if youre looking for rarer stuff, Shipping to Singapore from Japan is cheaper than to America. If you keep comparing yourself to Hong kong or Japan, youre never going to be satisfied. But we're alot better off than many other places.

Not true not true. For the reasons I stated in my earlier post.

All you need to do is pop down to HK and you can see the wide range they carry for your favourite designer. Its like you have been surfing internet in Myanmar and North Korea compared to USA.

I think buying during sales is an art. You cant expect to get that beloved DH jeans in the beautiful wax finish in your size you lusty for. It aint possible. You just have to grab whatever you see to a certain extent.

[beast]

If the consumer market is small, it's because people are not buying, because stuff are expensive. By expensive, I mean if you consider the money you pay for the quality of an item. Food included. I don't believe that having lesser people means a smaller market.

We know business must make profits, but haven't you notice, over the years, the increasing number of them capable of giving you 50, or 70% discount? It simply means they have been over-charging, my dear. If they can still profit from a 50% discount, what does it tell you?

Yes, I must agree, that our postal service is pretty good and reliable, though the price is also rising. Buy more from overseas and observe. Yes, it's still cheaper, but that doesn't mean just because the US and Japan are more expensive, Singapore has to follow.

If you are going to become better, to compete, to be (one of) THE shopping paradise 'in the region' ('in the world' can wait), you cannot improve by comparing yourself to the worse. You got to look at the better, and try to beat them. Cost, Price & QUALITY, product, services, knowledge, etc. Don't be contented, even as a consumer. To ask for a better product, at a better price and enjoy a better service is also your consumer rights.

But I must say that I've had the recent privilege, blessing and lobang these couple of years, to have the chance of cheaper (and good) travel to HKG, Japan, and even Taiwan and the US (I haven't tried the US, though).

Favourite at the moment is HKG. About 5 times this past year. Only problem is I've got not enough money !!!!

I really would like to know the profit margin for these branded goods. It really isnt that difficult to find out since its not a trade secret. I bet even at 70% sale, they still make a profit.

[hungryalien]

well i dont know about other branded stuff in sg. but i was happy with my skull and sugarcane purchase from queen's. the prices are are reasonable and the staff were very friendly. leslie, the owner, was very helpful too.

although it doesnt have the killer selections of take5 in hk.. but still better than some countries where you cant find a pair of those japanese jeans.

i think some of the sneaker prices are ok too. not that far from US prices.

when i was in KL few month ago, i find the prices very expensive. good thing there was a sale going on that time, otherwise, i wouldnt even consider buying the LVCs.

[katrien]

If we all took a moment to step back and look at the big picture, you'd realise that it's really quite dumb to compare Singapore's retail/shopping scene with that of Tokyo, HK, London, New York, etc.

Fact is, if you really insist on comparing our little island with recognised fashion/shopping capitals of the world, it's no wonder that we have a long way to go.

But no one can deny that we've been improving, especially in the past 2 years or so.

[katrien]

well i dont know about other branded stuff in sg. but i was happy with my skull and sugarcane purchase from queen's. the prices are are reasonable and the staff were very friendly. leslie, the owner, was very helpful too.

although it doesnt have the killer selections of take5 in hk.. but still better than some countries where you cant find a pair of those japanese jeans.

i think some of the sneaker prices are ok too. not that far from US prices.

when i was in KL few month ago, i find the prices very expensive. good thing there was a sale going on that time, otherwise, i wouldnt even consider buying the LVCs.

Word.

I've never really expected much out of Singapore. And frankly, the fact that we can get hooked up with denim the likes of Skull, Sugarcane, Imperial, APC, Nudies, Julian Red, April 77s, Acme, DH, etc, etc... speaks alot on how far we've come. Then we've got stores like Surrender/Ambush, Leftfoot, Limited Edt, etc. really representing the scene. And what about Ann Siang, Club St, Haji Lane, etc? Plus the indies like Actually and Lawn keeping it real...

Think 5 to 10 years back and you'd be hard-pressed to come up with anything beyond Flash & Splash and Club21.

We're typically a bunch of much too hard to please people, really. If we want things to continue growing, we all gotta stop bitching and start supporting.

[justiz2]

well i dont know about other branded stuff in sg. but i was happy with my skull and sugarcane purchase from queen's. the prices are are reasonable and the staff were very friendly. leslie, the owner, was very helpful too.

although it doesnt have the killer selections of take5 in hk.. but still better than some countries where you cant find a pair of those japanese jeans.

i think some of the sneaker prices are ok too. not that far from US prices.

when i was in KL few month ago, i find the prices very expensive. good thing there was a sale going on that time, otherwise, i wouldnt even consider buying the LVCs.

As a Malaysian, I totally agree. You Singaporeans have it so much better

[Mepp]

katrien,

mad props to you.

I couldn't have wrote that any better.

[test]

If we all took a moment to step back and look at the big picture, you'd realise that it's really quite dumb to compare Singapore's retail/shopping scene with that of Tokyo, HK, London, New York, etc.

Fact is, if you really insist on comparing our little island with recognised fashion/shopping capitals of the world, it's no wonder that we have a long way to go.

if we really do consider our island a shopping paradise. we should definitely compare Singapore with the countries you mention. Yes, the brands are slowly seeping in, that's evident. If we're so easily pleased, do you think we'd have all these brands?

[Renny]

^^true...I'm sure our 'leaders' have always been comparing singapore to tokyo, NYC...yadada....shopping paradise...blah blah....then again its prty much all empty rhetoric

[beast]

If we all took a moment to step back and look at the big picture, you'd realise that it's really quite dumb to compare Singapore's retail/shopping scene with that of Tokyo, HK, London, New York, etc.

Fact is, if you really insist on comparing our little island with recognised fashion/shopping capitals of the world, it's no wonder that we have a long way to go.

But no one can deny that we've been improving, especially in the past 2 years or so.

I can understand Tokyo, London, NY as fashion capitals and even shopping destinations not paradise because haute couture are really freaking expensive there but HK?

Since when is HK a fashion capital? Shopping paradise regionally because its cheaper there, a bit compared to Japan, Korea but not to China and even South East Asia. The range for branded stuff is bigger though.

[katrien]

I can understand Tokyo, London, NY as fashion capitals and even shopping destinations not paradise because haute couture are really freaking expensive there but HK?

Since when is HK a fashion capital? Shopping paradise regionally because its cheaper there, a bit compared to Japan, Korea but not to China and even South East Asia. The range for branded stuff is bigger though.

Yes, HK isn't a fashion capital of course. I would consider it a shopping capital though, at least regionally.

[beast]

^^true...I'm sure our 'leaders' have always been comparing singapore to tokyo, NYC...yadada....shopping paradise...blah blah....then again its prty much all empty rhetoric

No way Singapore can be compared to Tokyo for fashion shopping. I heard Tokyo have their own not so famous designers in their own land who are every bit as good as Miyake, Watanabe, Yamamoto. Also, many stars go Tokyo for shopping for clothes, I dont hear them doing that in Singapore.

Singapore is good for the region like Malaysia, Indonesia, even Thailand and Australia but I bet they do their shopping here due to transit reasons.

[surri]

If you think stores still make a profit selling at 50% off then you obviously don't know how retail businesses are run. That would mean that stores would generally be charging a mark up of about 3 times. That's insane and I sure as hell know that store owners don't do such stupid shit unless they have a mountain to climb in rent expenses.

Remember that when you do sell shit at 50% off based on industry margins, you'll probably only cover the cost of the good and that's not even including the Freight and GST and that is rare. After people charge on credit card and what not, that's an additional 3.3%.

50% clearance discounts are not good for any retailer. There's rarely ever a profit.

[damienos]

is it also because when you worry too much about your monthly rentals and utility bills, you can't concentrate on your business? There are other factors to consider, I'm sure, but I just can't help seeing these 2 as a major eyesore to any business here ..... Funny thing is that rentals in Hong Kong, Taipei & Japan are high too. My S$4.00 fish porridge here has more porridge whereas my HK$20.00 fish porridge has more fish! WTF? :confused:

Hmmm its not so much being too concerned about the rental and utilities. I think its about having a sophisticated enough clientele here who are willing to pay for marginally more expensive or sometimes even cheaper prices for our stuff and actually doing shopping here even when they have options to travel to get margianlly less expensive stuff that can be found here.

If the stuff ain't good or if you can't find it here. fair enough. keep your money for that spree in HK, Tokyo, NYC watever.

But...

GENERALLY, i feel that the 'sophisticated' clientele just seem to not want to support local stores, labels etc simply because its not fashionable to do so.

Hey i'm not a 'partyman' (read PAP) but i think we should all do our best to support the economy. hahaha.

Note. the Fashion/Retail capitals see greater local support of their homegrown stores/products.

Thats what i have also observed when i was in Tokyo.

There are many independant stores there cos they have many LOCAL supporters who build relationship with the stores and thus they are influential in the stores development as it should be.

afterall the store IS about the customers.

[katrien]

Hmmm its not so much being too concerned about the rental and utilities. I think its about having a sophisticated enough clientele here who are willing to pay for marginally more expensive or sometimes even cheaper prices for our stuff and actually doing shopping here even when they have options to travel to get margianlly less expensive stuff that can be found here.

If the stuff ain't good or if you can't find it here. fair enough. keep your money for that spree in HK, Tokyo, NYC watever.

But...

GENERALLY, i feel that the 'sophisticated' clientele just seem to not want to support local stores, labels etc simply because its not fashionable to do so.

Hey i'm not a 'partyman' (read PAP) but i think we should all do our best to support the economy. hahaha.

Note. the Fashion/Retail capitals see greater local support of their homegrown stores/products.

Thats what i have also observed when i was in Tokyo.

There are many independant stores there cos they have many LOCAL supporters who build relationship with the stores and thus they are influential in the stores development as it should be.

afterall the store IS about the customers.

That's what I'm talking about. My sentiments exactly, damienos.

[magic]

Hey guys, wheres agnesb shop located here?

Looking for a messager bag recently, any idea? Thanks

[tweeds]

lido isetan, level 3

wisma isetan, B1

[magic]

lido isetan, level 3

wisma isetan, B1

Thanks man. Will drop down to have a look.

Just saw this http://www.tannergoods.com and i think they really make some cool leather stuff.

Where to get nice leather belt that looks cool? Like skull or ALD. I heard ppl mention about custom belt at B1 heeren. Anyone went before?

[plongin]

this might end up being a damn old school question,

but is the red wings store still located at suntec? (last time i checked was prob 3-4 yrs ago...)

if not, is red wing anywhere else now, or did they close?

[voxpop]

this might end up being a damn old school question,

but is the red wings store still located at suntec? (last time i checked was prob 3-4 yrs ago...)

if not, is red wing anywhere else now, or did they close?

The red wing store is still located there, but not much variety though.

[voxpop]

Thanks man. Will drop down to have a look.

Just saw this http://www.tannergoods.com and i think they really make some cool leather stuff.

Where to get nice leather belt that looks cool? Like skull or ALD. I heard ppl mention about custom belt at B1 heeren. Anyone went before?

Got this belt from Muji a while back: http://www.muji.net/store/cmdty/detail/4548076992493

Nice and simple. I

haven't seen the belts at the Heeren store but I've bought a phone pouch and strap there before. The stuff there is pretty cool. Definitely worth a visit.

[feather]

this might end up being a damn old school question,

but is the red wings store still located at suntec? (last time i checked was prob 3-4 yrs ago...)

if not, is red wing anywhere else now, or did they close?

Don't some shops in Queensway carry Red Wing?

[Zipster1]

small collection though

[tweeds]

this might end up being a damn old school question,

but is the red wings store still located at suntec? (last time i checked was prob 3-4 yrs ago...)

if not, is red wing anywhere else now, or did they close?

another small selection of red wing at this outdoor store near the marina square golden village.

why not contact su8m3rg3d and ask where he got his?

[whizkit]

i think su8m3rg3d got his at peninsular plaza. One of those shops that sells every imaginable brand of sports shoes and sneakers.

[proteus]

Must be the one with the rather eccentric looking boss, i think if u can do check out the suntec store though. Last time I went they had some of the gentleman traveller boots that seem to be getting pretty popular on sufu too. Bigger range and service is pretty good when the older guys are in the shop. Btw they don't do inhouse resoles anymore, gotta go FEP to do them.

Yeah also about belts and stuff, the shop in Hereen B1 is pretty awesome. Got a nice thick untanned leather belt for about 60 or so. They'll cut the length and punch the holes to ur liking - you can even have the options of having exchangeable buckles. AFAIK, they also do custom wallets, seen a few red moon style wallets there too. Didn't quite like the hardware on the leather wallet chains though.