Relax - Guide to the best buys at 6 airports

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Guide to the best buys at 6 airports

By Stephanie Gwee & Ian Lee, Urban, The Straits Times | Mon, Nov 23 2009

From Hong Kong to Dubai, here are the must-buys and tips on how to enhance your airport shopping experience.

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The Straits Times' URBAN looks at six airports around the world that are shopping havens.

With prices at airport shopping belts up to 50 per cent cheaper than those in town, frequent flyers are becoming frequent shoppers as well.

DUBAI INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT, DUBAI

Must-buy: Luxury goods

Dubai is not touted as a haven for luxury goods for nothing as the airport is filled with high-end labels such as Givenchy, Paul Smith, Hugo Boss and Salvatore Ferragamo. Prices here are about 15 per cent cheaper than in the town district.

For instance, a Hugo Boss leather jacket there costs US$680 (S$920), which is less than half the $2,100 you would have to pay for the same jacket at the Changi airport store.

T-shirts from brands like Paul Smith go for US$43 while the same tee sells for $140 at downtown boutiques in Singapore.

Savings on fragrances are also substantial – Dolce & Gabanna’s He/She perfume is going for US$56.70 (S$76.95) in Dubai airport compared to $102 here (or $77 at Changi). A bottle of Clinique Happy perfume costs US$43 (S$64) compared to $150 here (or $84.50 at Changi).

Check out: Dubai Duty Free, Concourse

This duty-free haven has received more than 150 industry awards for its sterling service and wide variety of stores.
The 17,716 sq ft shoppers’ paradise offers a wide range of luxury merchandise including jewellery, electronics, cosmetics and luxury goods at attractive prices.

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NARITA INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT, TOKYO

Must-buy: Japanese fashion labels

Most travellers stock up on Japanese snacks such as konnyaku jelly and seaweed crackers but shoppers should also check out the Japanese fashion labels.

Uniqlo (Level 4 Central Building, Terminal 1), for one, stocks a wide selection of basic pieces such as jackets, cardigans and its ever popular denim jeans.

The prices are generally about 5 per cent cheaper than the items sold in Singapore. A pair of skinny jeans for women, for instance, is going for 4,183 yen (S$65) at Narita while the same pair costs $70 here.

As with all Uniqlo stores, it also offers on-the-spot pants alteration services and you can collect your altered pieces in 20 minutes.

Bikini brand San-Ai Mizugirakuen (Level 4 Central Building, Terminal 1), which is popular with Japanese celebrities, is not available in Singapore. The label offers pretty swimwear designs in candy hues and floral motifs. Prices start from $30.

Check out: Samantha Thavasa, Level 3 Main Building, Terminal 2

This Japanese handbag label is now a household name in Japan after stars like Beyonce Knowles and Takuya Kimura starred in its advertising campaigns.

Paris Hilton and Victoria Beckham have also designed collections for the brand.

Its latest range of handbags and small leather goods sports the season’s hottest trends – studs and quilting.

A Disney collection rendered in metallic leather and decorated with Disney character charms is also available.

The label has expanded to 236 standalone boutiques, including its first overseas boutique in New York City which opened in late 2006, since its 1994 debut.

Prices at Narita range from 3,675 yen for a bag charm to 36,750 yen for a leather handbag.