Retailers in Singapore's premier shopping belt, Orchard Road, certainly have much to cheer about this Christmas.
Many are reporting a 15 to 20 per cent increase in takings for December compared to last year, according to the Orchard Road Business Association (ORBA).
ORBA's Executive Director Steven Goh said this is the best performance in the last five years, based on earnings from the first 25 days of December.
And the tills are expected to keep ringing, with the start of the post-holiday sales on Sunday.
Thousands of shoppers thronged Orchard Road on Boxing Day.
ORBA estimates there has been a 15 per cent increase in the number of shoppers this year.
It said this is due to more tourists from the region, such as Indonesia and Malaysia, spending Christmas in Singapore - a likely spillover from the opening of the two integrated resorts.
A better economy and bigger bonuses have also seen locals more willing to spend on Christmas presents and shopping.
One shopper said: "I am looking out for clothes and accessories...like River Island, because they have a 50 per cent discount."
Another commented: "Every year, we have been coming here at Christmas time."
A third noted: "I am looking for anything that is cheap, anything that gives a discount, anything that is interesting."
An afternoon shower threatened to drive shoppers indoors, but most took the rapid change in weather in their stride.
Even the rain could not keep the crowd away from Singapore's premier shopping belt, with shoppers on the hunt for the perfect bargain. Shops in Orchard Road have trotted out huge discounts, with some places offering discounts of up to 80 per cent.
Continue to spend $$$ like there is no tomorrow, you will never know maybe by this time next year Gahment increase GST to 10%?
Many are reporting a 15 to 20 per cent increase in takings for December compared to last year, according to the Orchard Road Business Association (ORBA).
ORBA's Executive Director Steven Goh said this is the best performance in the last five years, based on earnings from the first 25 days of December.
And the tills are expected to keep ringing, with the start of the post-holiday sales on Sunday.
Thousands of shoppers thronged Orchard Road on Boxing Day.
ORBA estimates there has been a 15 per cent increase in the number of shoppers this year.
It said this is due to more tourists from the region, such as Indonesia and Malaysia, spending Christmas in Singapore - a likely spillover from the opening of the two integrated resorts.
A better economy and bigger bonuses have also seen locals more willing to spend on Christmas presents and shopping.
One shopper said: "I am looking out for clothes and accessories...like River Island, because they have a 50 per cent discount."
Another commented: "Every year, we have been coming here at Christmas time."
A third noted: "I am looking for anything that is cheap, anything that gives a discount, anything that is interesting."
An afternoon shower threatened to drive shoppers indoors, but most took the rapid change in weather in their stride.
Even the rain could not keep the crowd away from Singapore's premier shopping belt, with shoppers on the hunt for the perfect bargain. Shops in Orchard Road have trotted out huge discounts, with some places offering discounts of up to 80 per cent.
Continue to spend $$$ like there is no tomorrow, you will never know maybe by this time next year Gahment increase GST to 10%?
