"The Clone Wars"

Hello my darlings,

Shopping is becoming a bore in Singapore.

Although there are malls every where: In every housing estate, on Sentosa and not to mention downtown where we literally have a whole stretch of malls right next to each other. Kilometers of them. It's something that's so unique to our tiny island. However, it doesn't take one long to realize that it's the same old brands in every mall, over and over. Mango, New Look, Topshop, Dorothy Perkins, Esprit, Charles & Keith (local brand), BYSI (local), Topman, Forever 21, Zara, Guess, Cotton On - Those are just the more popular high street fashions brands available. As for the luxury brands: Louis Vuitton, Gucci, Armani (A/X, Emporio), Tod's, Chanel, Ralph Lauren, Tommy Hilfigher. As for departmental stores: Tangs, Robinsons, Metro (all local).

It's "THE CLONE WARS"! Clones of each of these brands every where. Invading our retail space. These are the "giants" that have swallowed the quaint shops. They are all warring brands, rivals in the industry. It's "The Clone Wars" happening in the Singapore retail market and we're caught in the midst of it.

Unfortunately, it's not a very exciting war.

I was so disappointed to see how this new phenomenon called "New Look" (a UK high street fashion brand) has invaded our shores. I was recently at Suntec City, hoping to check out Mango there, low and behold, New Look was in its place. It was a mega store that took over both Mango and Novo (shoe brand owned by Royal Sporting House).

I am going to be honest, and tell you that New Look does not cut it. They do not have the collection that can support the sudden expansion. It's the same old trashy stuff over and over. I would appreciate it more if they had a different theme for each outlet. It'll give a person a reason to go to a particular outlet. Moreover, there's really no need for a mega store. Why create a hyper mart of clothing? It works for food and factory outlets, but such a concept for a single brand? I'm not so sure.

Anyway, I thought I'd give you an update on the latest scores of the "The Clone Wars":

Forever 21 - New 4 level outlet at 313 @ Somerset. 2 other big outlets existing.

Zara - New 3 level outlet at 313 @ Somerset. Several other outlets existing (more than 4)

New Look - New mega outlet at 313 @ Somerset and another at Suntec City.

Cotton On - Mega outlets at 313 @ Somerset and Suntec City. (numerous other existing outlets)

Till my next post my darlings, enjoy the numerous year round sales and discounts resulting from the consequence of "THE CLONE WARS".

The TANGS recruitment ad

Hello my Love,

This morning I saw a recruitment ad in the papers, looking for sales associates for TANGS. Have you been to TANGS lately? If you have, you will realize that there ISN'T a shortage of sales associates. As a matter of fact, that place is overflowing/teeming with sales associates.They're just standing around, chatting with each other or looking bored. Or worse, following you around as you browse, chiming the usual, "This one got 3 cah-lers (colors)" or "This one new arriver (arrival)".

Even if TANGS decided to open a new store, they would have enough sales associates to go around without having to recruit any new ones, given the current situation. And if they stopped hiring, it could make my shopping experience less irritable and much more pleasant.

No hard feelings TANGS, I love your stores and I even have your loyalty card.


(Pic credit: http://www.tangs.com.my/images/cm_flifestylecard.png)

Money can't buy taste; the Subway nuts

Have you ever come across people who spend a lot of money buying expensive clothes and accessories and they're dressed like crap?
Well, I was at the recent TANGS sale, queuing up to pay for a bunch of lingerie and in front of me, was a middle aged couple. The guy was dressed in an over-sized t-shirt, that was faded pale blue and it had the words "Boss Hugo Boss" printed across his chest. He paired it with a pair of brown and black plaid bermudas and ugly man-sandals. His wife was dressed in a woven, cotton, sleeveless top with a soft collar, it was a faded navy blue, clearly looked old, and it was paired with a pair of once-were-white bermudas. Both their hair was disheveled and they both wore glasses. This couple actually bought $640 worth of clothes!
Hello?! If you can spend 640 bucks on shopping, why the hell are you dressed like that? Just where do you wear your nice clothes? As people say, money can't buy taste.
And check this out, I had dinner at Subway, and now they have this new meal, the healthy alternative to the cookies and soft drink combo: A bottle of water and yogurt or a packet of nuts. On the packet of nuts, there was a warning sticker saying "This product contains nuts". Thanks, I really didn't know that. Thanks for warning me, cause I have a deadly allergic reaction to nuts and I was just about to have this potent packet of nuts, but I had no idea there were nuts inside. Thanks for warning me.