[Sponsored] Mention retail therapy and the images of endless rows of shops conjure up. You strut your stuff along a quiet street, discovering vintage stores and marvelling at the unmatched prices. Time seemingly halts; troubles melt away.  

The reality, however, is anything but this. You travel across the island only to find your favorite store is on break for lunch — you lose a precious hour of shopping just waiting around.  You also have to curtail your shopping experience as the stores close by a certain time, even though you have barely touched your checklist. Fellow shoppers haggle for discounts, adding to the noise. What is supposed to relax you has become a very stressful experience.

You begin to wonder: Where in Singapore can one seek retail therapy?

Go East

The answer: Changi Airport. Yes, the sprawling airport has always been associated with wanderlust and global adventures, but it is a mecca for shopaholics as well. Open to the masses, the public area is home to over 150 retail shops as well as restaurants, themed cafes and bakeries. Also, the airport is where you can lead the high life. Become a Changi Rewards member and save on the 7% GST— yes, even at shops before the immigration checkpoint. Also, look out for the 2X GST savings flash promotion which happens off and on throughout the year.  

And in the second half of the year when Terminal 4 is unveiled, there will be even more surprises to discover and more savings to reap. With easy public transport and an abundance of parking spaces, the airport is a convenient address for you to shop till you drop!

Late-night Shopping

Does your meticulous shopping style draw the ire of sales assistants because you take a long time deciding between bracelets and bangles or aftershave and cologne? Opened in the early morning and operating beyond regular hours, the retail shops at Changi give you more than enough time to browse the vast product selections and unabashedly be yourself. You can now rise and shine and shop.   

A self-professed big spender? The airport is your playground then. While the rest of Singapore winds down and gets ready for sleep, your fun time is just getting started. Relish the quieter vibes as well as the undivided attention of the service staff as you shop for nourishing herbs for your parents at Eu Yan Sang; or surprise the little ones with Kidztime!’s collection of Marvel backpacks and Disney decorative cushions. It is only fitting that you should love the shopping experience, too.

Or maybe you simply forgot an anniversary gift? There is no need to rush after work just to do a last-minute errand. At Changi Airport, even the jewellers do not close until 11pm.

VIP Rewards

And as a bonus to you for burning the midnight oil, Changi Airport holds numerous late-night shopping promotions all year round. Mastercard® cardholders also get to enjoy privileges, such as complimentary desserts, discounts and freebies at participating outlets. Keep your eyes peeled for these initiatives bound to supercharge your shopping experience.

Round-the-Clock Indulgences

After a satisfying day (or night!) of shopping, enjoy a flat white or gourmet mocha java as well as meaningful conversations at the 24-hour O’Coffee Club. Any true-blue Singaporean is a food lover, and the airport is where you can tuck into timeless dishes — anytime of the day. Craving for mee rebus at 2am? Make a beeline for Wang Café, where beloved classics such as laksa and mee siam await you. Ya Kun Family Café’s classic local brekkie set of half-boiled eggs, kaya toast and rich black coffee is also available all day long here. Lose yourself in a world of adorableness at the themed Hello Kitty Orchid Garden, where the sandwiches and beds of rice come shaped just like the character.

Mesmerizing art installations such as the Kinetic Rain provide an exquisite backdrop for Instagram-worthy selfies. Indeed, the airport never sleeps, and here you can spend your boundless energy and truly enjoy retail therapy at its finest.

For more information on Changi’s Mastercard promotions, click here. 

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