Tue, Dec 22, 2009

The New Paper

Shoppers walk past the newly revamped Mandarin Gallery.

I’ve been poked and prodded by bags, elbows and other possible weapons.

It’s maddening having to fight your way down the stretch.

And as if the festive season is not enough to bring on the crowd, the appearance of two new malls along Orchard Road confirms that you’ll need nerves of steel to hit town today.

Singaporeans seem to have an obsessive relationship with new malls.

But as much as I complain, when both Mandarin Gallery and 313@Somerset first opened their doors, I was one of the first ones there – fuelled by curiosity to see what was on offer within.

Verdict?

Even though the two new shopping centres are just sashaying distance from each other, and that their addresses are similiar (333 Orchard Road for Mandarin Gallery and 313 Orchard Road for 313@Somerset), they are like yin and yang.

Mandarin Gallery – next to Ngee Ann City and occupying the facade of the Meritus Mandarin Hotel – houses quirky boutiques and trendy mid to high-end labels.

Shoppers queueing outside Uniqlo's new megastore at 313@Somerset.

Expect to see younger tai-tais, the creative types and the fashion crowd there.

And at 313@Somerset – above the Somerset MRT station – you’ll get comfortably priced stores selling mass brands.

The number of young people there will scare the weak-hearted but that is part of the appeal.

It’s vibrant, noisy and before you know it, all the teenagers will probably be parked there.

These are exciting shopping times, especially since we’ve been swimming in good news about the global economy.

Check that your credit card is in your wallet, wear comfortable shoes and hit the stores.

Shop like it’s your national duty to keep our country’s economy buoyant.

Happy holidays.

This article was first published in The New Paper.

more: 313@somerset, christmas, orchard road, shopping