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Year-end sales Wednesday, November 19, 2008 26 MARKETING PERSPECTIVE knows how to swoon shopaholics Kathy Petite Contributor/

f you have a true blue shopper friend who occa- I sionally likes to fly to Sin- gapore every year, you might be able to guess what months they choose to do that. May to July for example, is most like- ly one period they won’t miss, when the Great Singapore Sale strikes back. During these months, the city turns into a whirl of activity as the island-wide mega ultra sale spoils you with an ocean of head-turning offers. Cutting prices by up to 70 percent, who wouldn’t find it irresistible? The streets are packed with hands swaying filled shopping bags of various items. Fashion, accessories, watches, jewelry, electronics, you name it. From medium to premium brands, from kids to adult stuff. It can be an eight-week shopathon for some real bargain hunters. So, how can you blame those who want to be part of the whole paradise? It would be a sin to be somewhere else dur- ing these months, some may JP/Kathy Petite think. POPULAR SPOT: Browsing around is And what is another period never complete without swinging by Takashimaya, especially apart from the mid year that when a sale is on. alerts shoppers? I would say, JP/Kathy Petite the end of the year. It surely is Tempting offers come from times makeup too. But what I SHOPPING TIME: The hustle and bustle of shoppers fill Vivocity, one of Singapore’s huge malls and gateway to Sentosa another reason to make shopa- various top brands from dif- mostly love shopping for there Island. holics come back for the next ferent product categories. is jewelry.” bargain hunting adventure. Is So that’s the times some of Known as a charming lady it all. Indeed, the shopping Marina Bay? Or do you prefer Holland Village. Each of them it because they need to hunt the people I know usually “dis- who is a “mix and match” delights are something that to pick up unique goods in the is a cultural treat filled with Shopping hot spots: for some good bargains for appear” for their retail thera- expert among her friends, millions of visitors from ethnic enclaves? Or maybe you exotic sights and sounds, truly Orchard Rd: Tanglin Mall, themselves and other people as py. And I am not surprised to Irene also expresses her satis- around the world travel to want something more adven- a unique shopping experience , Pacific Plaza, presents? Or is it because this see their suitcases multiply faction with the great bargains Singapore for, where they turous, like peeping into sub- in itself. If what you are look- , Tangs, Wisma is the glittering time of the when they come back. Irene in Singapore, during which explore and treat themselves to urbs to see what the resident ing for is some indigenous and Atria, , Ngee Ann year where Orchard Road and Inonu, a 29-year-old account she gets a lot of stuff. one shopping spree after shops offer? Hey, you can authentic mementos to mark City, Paragon, Centrepoint Marina Bay are transformed service from one of Jakarta’s But despite any special sale another. And it’s not news choose which one suits you. your sojourn in Singapore, you Shopping Centre, Plaza Singa- pura, Park Mall. by festive street lighting that leading advertising agencies seasons, needless to say either to anyone, it seems, that For serious shoppers, the will find a treasure-trove in delights shoppers? Well it who frequently visits Singa- Singapore is an ultimate desti- this is the place to hunt for cool must-visit downtown shop- the colorful ethnic enclaves Marina Bay: Raffles City, could be both. pore during the year-end sale, nation for shopping. Earning gadgets at competitive prices. ping streets of Orchard Road belonging to the three main Citylink Mall, And who could blame them? admits her excitement about its global reputation as a true Some think that shopping and Marina Bay are what ethnic groups in Singapore: , Christmas shopping in Singa- Christmas shopping in Singa- shopper’s paradise, the country in Singapore is all about being come first on their shopping Chinese, Malay and Indian. Mall, Millenia Walk. pore is indeed so exciting. pore.“I go to Singapore at the is actually one giant mall in luxurious. Whoever thinks destination list. A smorgas- Not only is the place flooded Many malls and retailers offer end of the year just because I itself, fulfilling all shopping that way though must be bord of brands are waiting with irresistible offers, but the Bugis: Bugis Street, Bugis Vil- special shopping deals, late don’t want to miss the sale needs. From earrings to a someone who hasn’t explored here to spoil the insatiable great shopping experience lage, . night shopping as well as post- because it’s really worth it. home-theater set, from inter- the place. Are you someone needs of shoppers. As for the itself that makes shopaholics Suburbs and other areas: , Compass Christmas sales. Visitors to And some of the items that are national or local fashion who prefers to experience ethnic enclaves, there are come back to Singapore again, Point, Northpoint Shopping Singapore can look forward to not available here, I can get designer labels to made-to- shopping in swanky air-condi- places such as Chinatown, Lit- and again. So, ready for your Centre, Changi Airport, VivoCi- a compelling promotion them in Singapore. Some cer- measure clothes in any fabric tioned malls in downtown tle India, Kampong Glam and next shopping bonanza? The ty, Central, Square 2. extended exclusively to them. tain shoes, bags, and some- of your choice, the place offers areas of Orchard Road and the bustling areas of Bugis and year-end sale is calling you. Jakarta shopping extravaganza: Meeting the needs of shopaholics Reyhan Fabiano clothes, a modern air-condi- square meters, has eight floors Contributor/Jakarta tioned mall may be the best and stands on 250,000 square bet. People are spoiled for meters of land.The main build- o you are a shopaholic choice with Plaza , ing was originally Hotel and crazy about shop- , , Indonesia, which was built S ping? Well, that’s noth- Mal Pondok Indah, Mal Taman with war reparations from ing to be ashamed of. The lat- Anggrek, Mal Puri Indah, Mal Japan. In the 1990s, this histor- est research published by the Lippo Karawaci, Mal Kelapa ical hotel lost out to new hotels Journal of Consumer Research Gading, Pacific Place and in its vicinity. fX Lifestyle says that today many people other newly opened shopping combines shopping needs with fall into the trap of compulsive centers like Grand Indonesia entertainment needs. Interest- shopping, and the number of and fX Lifestyle X’nter in the ingly, while other malls close at people with this “affliction” is Central Business District. 10 p.m., fX is open until 3 a.m. perhaps greater than previ- “I love sitting in the coffee on weekends. ously estimated. shop in Gramedia bookstore at This mall, formerly called This is especially the case in Grand Indonesia. Not only is Sudirman Place, is indeed big cities like Jakarta, which is the location strategic but it unique and offers many inter- endowed with a variety of also has a great view overlook- esting things. It introduces shopping centers. Plazas and ing the Hotel Indonesia Traffic many new features in an malls have sprung up rapidly Circle,” said Michael Zhang, a attractive concept, particularly in the last few years.They offer musician/music instructor, in terms of its facility program. various facilities and advan- who, when met, was reading a fPod, for example, is a room tages to lure visitors. book and sipping a coffee. that is rented for various Retailers always seem to Grand Indonesia is a new events such as for gatherings of find a reason to offer goods at shopping and leisure destina- friends and relatives, karaoke low prices, such as gimmicks tion in Jakarta. Opened in sessions and business meetings like the Jakarta Great Sale or April this year, this mall is The Atmostfear, a slide the yearly Christmas and New made up of four main build- between the top and bottom Year sale. The themes vary, for ings: Grand Indonesia Shop- floors, must be an adrenaline example Warehouse Clearance ping Town, BCA Tower office rush for those wanting to put or Big Sale, such as the one compound, Hotel Indonesia their courage to the test. Metro department Store is Kempinski and premium Reportedly, some Rp 13 billion presently staging. apartment building Kempins- was spent on the construction Some malls frequently orga- ki Residences. of this 72-meter-long slide. nize raffles. Pacific Place is As the largest shopping cen- So, Jakarta has turned into a one example.This luxury fash- ter in Indonesia, Grand jungle of plazas and malls ion and lifestyle shopping cen- Indonesia consists of three where everything can be found. ter in the Sudirman Central parts: the East Mall, the West Offering their best concept, Business District, Jakarta, Mall and a Skybridge that con- these plazas and malls compete stages Shop and Win events nects the two. The main tenant with one another to attract vis- with alluring grand prizes in the is Seibu. The itors. Aside from modern malls, such as chances to win a trip other tenants are Blitz old shopping centers continue to watch the F1 in Singapore, a Megaplex, which is the largest to have their attraction for Toyota Yaris or even a VW cinema in Indonesia, Alun shoppers, especially if the Touareg worth Rp 1.1 billion Alun Indonesia, which offers goods they offer are unique. (US $ 100.000). unique Indonesian products Traditional wooden furniture, What can’t you find in and several international for example, can be found in Jakarta? Traditional goods and brands. In the East Mall, you Kemang and Ciputat, while international brands are all can find GAP and Guess, both antique items can be found on available here. According to having their flagship stores Jl. , . Another Provis property consultant, there, and a department store interesting place to visit is throughout 2008, various from England, Harvey Nichols, Jatinegara Market, where you international retailers opened which is the main tenant. can find a huge variety of pre- outlets in Jakarta. These “Grand Indonesia Shopping cious and semi-precious stones. include Marc Jacobs, Club Town proudly serves as a home Meanwhile, the Pasar Baru Monaco, Make Up Store,Velvet for famous fashion brands, pedestrian plaza is still an at and Habi- restaurants and cafes. Seibu interesting place for those tat furniture and home acces- Department Store, Guess and interested in textiles. sories at Seibu, Grand Indone- GAP, which have opened their If it is electronics you want, sia. A number of retailers have flagship stores here, and try Harco in Kota, or the more also solidified their positions Grand Duck King and Crystal modern Mangga Dua Elec- with new outlets. There is Top- Jade Golden Palace restau- tronics Center in shop Topmen and Oakley at rants are some of our tenants. or in South Jakar- Grand Indonesia, Aldo Collec- The presence of Blitz ta. Or visit Electronic City, tion, Sebastian’s, BSC and Megaplex and the latest outlet which has outlets in a number Domicile at Plaza Indonesia, of Alun Alun Indonesia com- of places. Tissot, Canali, Longines and plements our facilities,” said In short, modern malls and Ivy at Plaza Senayan, Nike at Frans H. Lazaro, managing traditional markets in Jakarta Mal Puri Indah and Gap at director of Grand Indonesia. offer a great variety of choices, Mal . Grand Indonesia, which has especially for those crazy If you want to buy designer a retail area measuring 135,000 about shopping.

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