Funan Mall To House Taobao Store in S’pore As Well As Nikon School For Professional Photographers

Are you the type of person who sticks to cai png (economic rice) for lunch at work every day?

Are you also the type to insist on leaving before “last train” when out with friends because you’re afraid of having to take a cab home?

If you are, chances are that you’re a poor thrifty Singaporean like me.

Once in a while when we’re in town, we walk into certain shops that catch our eye. Clothing, beauty, electronics, hobbies, etc.

We pick up something that we really like and start to fantasise about having it in our lives. However, eventually we have to look at the deal breaker.

The price tag. Once we peep a look at it, you know it’s time to return to reality, put down the item, and head out of the store.

However, we might also comfort ourselves with the famous line that all Singaporean poor thrifty shopaholics say.

“Go Taobao find if have.”

Yes, Taobao, the haven for all Asians whose hearts long for shopping but are bound by the strings of their bank accounts. Oh, the tragedy.

Taobao boasts an unbeatable assortment from China where there is an abundance of suppliers and cheap materials, offering almost anything in the world you will ever need at possibly a tenth of the price you saw in Singapore stores.

Of course, people may doubt the quality and trustworthiness of a random seller from another country.

You’d probably wish for a physical store of Taobao so you could better know what you’re buying.

Well, your wish was actually already granted a while back with a high-tech store in Plaza Sing.

Whether you knew or didn’t know about that, prepare yourself for better news.

New Taobao Physical Store In New Funan Mall

As the new Funan shopping mall prepares for its opening on 28 June, 95% of its retail space has already been occupied.

One of those occupants? The new Taobao physical outlet in Singapore.

The concept store will be operated by Virmall, offering an array of products ranging across a wide diversity, including fashion, furniture, household items, and more; all specially curated for the Singaporean taste.

Nikon and Other Flagship Stores

If you’re already planning a trip down to the new Funan mall, you might want to know what other enticing outlets could be waiting for you.

For those Instagram budding photographers, Nikon is opening its first standalone flagship outlet, featuring an “experience hub” and the Nikon school, providing a workshop space for professional tutorials.

If you’re into the niche hobby of tailoring and sewing, the Swiss sewing machine brand Bernina will also be launching its flagship store, exhibiting its advanced sewing machine models, as well as offering sewing workshops, machine rental services, and gift personalisation.

What If You Get Hungry From Shopping?

Well, Funan will be housing over 80 food & beverage stores, which will take up 25% of its retail space.

Ramen restaurants such as Afuri Ramen, Kara-men Ajisen, and Tsuta await you.

If you need your daily boba to fulfil your obligation as an Asian, stalls such as Gong Cha, LiHo, Milksha, and Nayuki Tea to help you curb your cravings.

I’m gonna save up my pay this month and plan a trip down to Funan pretty soon.

And oh, by the way, do you know that there are also VR pods there?