VivoCity - The largest shopping mall in Singapore

Singapore is a country of shopping malls. Every corner of the city-state is occupied by a large shopping mall and in a country which is a shopping addicted Asian tourist magnet and where shopping is almost a national sport, more and more shopping malls are opened. I must admit, in my six years in Singapore, I have also became a shopping mall dweller. Especially after my daughter is born. It is hot and humid outside and not very baby-friendly so you are pushed into these malls anyway.

The largest shopping mall in Singapore is VivoCity and surprisingly this beautiful mall is not in Orchard Road area. It is a waterfront facility in Harbour Front right next to Harbour Front Center. It is also the best shopping mall in Singapore not only for its facilities but also for its surrounding. VivoCity is my favorite among all especially after the opening of Sentosa Boar Walk which allows a nice and sweet walk to Sentosa Island from VivoCity right into Resort Worlds Sentosa.

And of course there are many stores in VivoCity.

For bags and shoes you have ALDO, Bata, Camomilla Milano, Charles & Keith, ck Calvin Klein Accessories, Coach, Crocs, Crumples, DC Shoes, ECCO, Feb 29, Footin, Galleria Italiana, Geox, Gripz, Guess Accessories and Shoes, In:Famous, J West, Kipling, Mitju, Mondo, Pedro, Skechers and STACCATO;

For fashion and fashion accessories Aimer,  A|X Armani Exchange, bebe, Ben Sherman, Benjamin Barker, Bershka, Brooks Brothers, Calvin Klein Underwear (opening soon), Cotton On, Crocodile, DC Comics Super Heroes, dENiZEN™, Desigual, Domanchi, ESPRIT, Forever 21, Forever New, G2000, GAP, Giordano, H&M, Hang Ten, Hush Puppies, iROO, Joop, Kiss Jane, kitschen, Lacoste, La Senza, Lee Cooper, Levi's, Levi's Lady's, Lowrys Farm, m)phosis, Mango, Man Studio, Mark & Spencer, MDS, Michael Kors (Opening Soon), Miss Selfridge, Morgan de Toi, Mugigae, Natural Project, nichii, Onitsuka Tiger, Pull & Bear, Rare Attitude, Red2, Springfield, Spring Maternity, Tally Weijl, TANGS, Ted Baker, Timberland, T.M.Lewin, Tommy Hilfiger, Topshop/Topman, UNIQLO, Warehouse and Zara;

Jewellery and watches:  C Square of City Chain, Casio G-Factory, CITIGEMS, City Chain, Dejewel Galleria, Emporio Armani Watches & Jewelry, Goldheart, Invicta, Love & Co., SEIKO, Sincere Fine Watches, SK Jewellery, Solvil et Titus, Soo Kee Jewel Pavilion, The Diamond Atelier, Watches of Switzerland and ZAPWatches.

There are many food outlets, restaurants and fast food chain stores as well as food courts in VivoCity. Some restaurants I like here are Brotzeit® German Bier Bar & Restaurant (German and European food and superb imported German beer), La Viva Spanish Tapas & Bar (have a lovely view of Sentosa Bay), PUTIEN (winner of the Best Chinese Restaurant and listed in Singapore's best 50 restaurants) and Poulet (French cuisine).

Other restaurants in VivoCity includes Akashi Japanese Restaurant (popular Reserve California Roll (vinegared rice envelopes the seaweed skin) and the King Prawn Grilled with Miso are must try), BeiShanChuan Spicy Steamboat Restaurant, Korea's leading chain of authentic BBQ restaurants BORNGA, Bosses, Central, Crystal Jade Dining IN, Crystal Jade Jiang Nan, Dian Xiao Er, etc.

Entertainment in VivoCity
Golden Village VivoCity (GV Vivocity) is has 15 screens under one roof and 4 cinema types across 2 floors. GV VivoCity sets a new benchmark for multiplexes in Singapore by introducing a sophisticated club ambience, with a 5-star food and beverage menu available (including a top wine list) and a private dining room. VivoCity also has a karaoke club Party World KTV and for gaming Timezone.

How to get to VivoCity?
VivoCity has direct underground connection to Purple Line's (NorthEast Line's) HarbourFront Station. If you are coming from Green Line you need to transfer at Outram Park. Do not take Harbour Front direction on Circle Line if you are in the city center. That is a big loop around the central and western Singapore to Harbour Front. Take Purple Line.

There are also many bus services going to VivoCity:  10, 30, 30e, 57, 61, 65, 80, 97, 97e, 100, 131, 143, 145, 166 and 855.

Hotels Near VivoCity
There are several hotels near VivoCity. Bay Hotel Singapore is the nearest hotel to VivoCity and is also a very good alternative for those who want to stay near Sentosa Island but do not want to pay for the expensive hotels on the island. Hotels of Resort World Sentosa such as Hard Rock Hotel, Hotel Michael and Festive Hotel are also quite near with a monorail ride away. If you are staying on Sentosa Island, VivoCity is the best shopping mall for you.

H&M is expanding in Singapore and Asia

It has been almost 2 years since Swedish high street fashion label Hennes & Mauritz (H&M) opened its first flagship store in Singapore. Since than the company has already opened five stores in Singapore. The newest three H&M stores have opened their doors in JEM, VivoCity and Suntec City last month. The flagship F&M store is in Orchard Building and the second shop was opened in November 2011 in Ion Orchard.

H&M sales increased in Singapore in the second half of 2012 for 38% compared to the second half of 2011 mostly thanks to the opening of their second store in Ion Orchard.

Other than opening new shops H&M has also decided to add a 4th level to its Orchard Building store which will be dedicated to kid's department. The kid's department, currently sharing a floor with Manswear department, saw a very strong sale which brings 20% of Singapore's total sales for H&M. The kidswear prices in H&M in Singapore range from $7.9 for a jersey top to $49.9 for a jacket. H&M Kid's concept store will sell merchandise ranging from new born to pre-teens aged 8 years to 14 years. The 2,800-square-meter store currently spans three levels with a complete range of fashion and accessories for women, men, teenagers and kids.

By the end of 2013, H&M is planning to add 60 stores to its existing 148 stores across China, Hong Kong, Malaysia and Singapore. H&M offers a reputation as an international brand as well as a value-for-money proposition. Since shopping for fashion is a very populat activity for many Singaporeans the international brands like H&M finds it quite easy to sell in Singapore. When the first shop was opened in Singapore in September 2011, there were long queues in front of the Orchard Building shop where many has waited for long hours to be the first few to enter the flagship store.

H&M Orchard Road store in Singapore
Photo Credit: His Style Diary

H&M Shop Locations in Singapore
1 Grange Road
239693 Singapore
+65-62351459

ION Orchard #B2-28
2 Orchard Turn 238801
+65-65098702

Jem
 #01-01, #02-01/02/03 and #03-01/02
608549 50 Jurong Gateway Road
+65-67347601

Suntec City Mall
#01-1002, #01-1006, #10-1007 and #02-1002C
038983 3 Temasek Boulevard
+65-62380908

Vivo City
Unit #1-19/20 098585 1 Harbour Front
+65-63769109


[1] - Sweden Dreams for Asian Markets, Urban The Straits Times - 05 July 2013