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Turns out, people aren’t just at Changi Airport to jet off. Here are the most visited stores across public & transit areas.
Our spending habit says a lot about us.
Most would think the only reason to go to Changi Airport is to catch a flight.
Turns out, for both Singaporeans and tourists, the destination might just be FairPrice or Bacha Coffee.
Mothership gained insights into Changi Airport’s popular stores and brands based on where their Changi Rewards loyalty programme members love to shop and dine across all four terminals, Jewel, and iShopChangi, and it looks like our favourite pastime is holding up.
Live to eat, eat to live
Ever heard of Singaporeans saying, “Will travel to eat?” Yeah, this might become our mantra soon enough.
From duty-free outlets to confectionery stores, 10 F&B brands were among the 15 popular stores across the airport.
This just goes to show that we take our food as seriously as shopping.
Here are the stores that made the list:
15 popular Changi Airport stores
(Listed based on alphabetical order)
- Transit main terminals
- Bacha Coffee
- Lotte
- Shilla
- Starbucks
- The Cocoa Trees
- TWG
- Public main terminals
- Bee Cheng Hiang
- Bengawan Solo
- Guardian
- Paris Baguette
- Swensens
- Jewel
- FairPrice
- Rich & Good
- Sushiro
- Uniqlo
It’s no wonder that Bengawan Solo also made it to the list given that five of its outlets at Changi Airport are the ones contributing to 50 per cent of the brand’s total sales.
Pandan chiffon cake, everyone wants a piece of you.
Yet, one thing that came as a surprise to me was FairPrice, coming in as one of the popular stores at Jewel in the list.
I mean, there are so many FairPrice outlets, but perhaps there’s just more allure in grocery shopping at Jewel.
Or could it be the Changi Rewards points that you can earn when shopping that makes the grocery run here all the more attractive?
Earning points by shopping in Changi Airport and Jewel
At Changi, more than 85 per cent of stores across Jewel, public and transit areas, allow Changi Rewards members to earn points.
For Changi Rewards members, shopping at Jewel allows you to earn double rewards, both CapitaStar STAR$ and Changi Rewards points, which amounts up to 4.5 per cent rebates.
All you have to do is to simply link your CapitaStar account in the Changi App, scan your Changi Rewards card, or use the Changi Pay feature within the Changi App when you’re making payment.
Win-win!
On top of earning points, members can also enjoy GST-absorbed shopping at the public areas of Terminals 1 to 4, whether they are flying or not.
Minus the 9 per cent GST even when I’m still in Singapore? Count me in for that.
From the comforts of home
Speaking of GST-absorbed purchases, Changi Airport Group knows the way to reach even those who are reluctant to leave their homes, or simply live too far from the airport.
Afterall, Singaporeans are a savvy bunch who will not miss out on the GST-absorbed items on iShopChangi.
The top brands on iShopChangi sell technology, alcohol and beauty products.
15 popular iShopChangi brands
(Listed based on alphabetical order)
- Apple
- DJI
- Estée Lauder
- Garmin
- Hennessy
- Johnnie Walker
- Lancôme
- La Mer
- Martell
- Moutai
- Oppo
- Samsung
- SK-II
- Sony
Beyond a GST-absorbed shopping experience, Changi Rewards members also get to offset their iShopChangi purchases directly with their points.
The best part? Almost all the brands on iShopChangi allow members to earn Changi Rewards points.
Being a Changi Rewards member also means you get to enjoy monthly member-exclusive promotional codes of up to 15 per cent off.
New stores to check out?
If you’re someone who also likes to check out the latest happenings, you can be rest assured that you will find something new during your next trip to Changi Airport.
On, a premium athletic footwear brand hailing from Switzerland, recently opened a duplex store at Jewel, their first physical store locally.
For the uninitiated, On shoes are created to make you feel like you’re “running on clouds”, and they even have a collection with Roger Federer.
There are many other new stores that have popped up at Changi that you can check out: Lindt and Mr Bucket in the transit areas, Queic by Olivia in Jewel, and Chagee, Teo Heng, and Griddy Grid in the public areas to name a few.
So if you have already been clocking your steps at Changi Airport, it’s time to make your trip to the East worth your penny.
More on Changi Rewards
Still wondering what the Changi Rewards is about? It lets you rack up points when you spend at the airport terminals (both public and transit), Jewel and even iShopChangi.
Here’s a quick glimpse of what you can expect:
- Up to 4 per cent rebate
- Year-round GST-absorbed shopping at most retail shops at Changi Airport’s public areas
- Invitations to members-only events
- Birthday perks:
- 15 per cent off online shopping at iShopChangi
- Free entry to Canopy Park at Jewel Changi Airport
- Earn double Changi Rewards points for Member Tier, or get S$20, S$40 and S$60 worth of Changi e-vouchers for Gold, Platinum and Monarch tier members respectively
- Parking benefits:
- Free 2-hour parking with a minimum accumulated same-day spend of S$60 at Terminals 1 to 4
- Free 2-hour parking with a minimum accumulated same-day spend of S$80 at Jewel
- Free parking with no minimum spend for Gold tier members and above
On top of these, Changi has also launched a by-invite only VVIP tier where members can experience ultra-personalised concierge services, exclusive discounts for luxury brands and many more.
Writing this branded article by Changi Airport Group made this writer scroll iShopChangi while she was at work, all in the good name of “doing research for work”.
Top photos from Google Maps and Canva.
