The Great Singapore Sale (often abbreviated as GSS or Malay: Jualan Raksasa Singapura, Chinese: 新加坡热卖会, Tamil: மாபெரும் சிங்கப்பூர் விற்பனை) is an annual shopping event in Singapore.[1] Although it is called a sale, the Great Singapore Sale is in fact an event that is co-organised by the Singapore Tourism Board and many other retail companies,[2] stores and malls to promote the tourism industry in Singapore.
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From 27 May to 24 July 2011, many major stores and malls in the country will extend their shopping hours till late night. In this period, there will be special privileges specially created for tourists[3] to enjoy the range of exclusive lifestyle promotions, including gourmet dining, wellness experience, and nightlife & entertainment options.
Since the year 2005, this event - organised by The Association of Shopping Centres (Singapore) has been a highlight of the annual GSS.
As of 8 July 2008
Rising costs have not dampened the shopping spirit during this Great Singapore Sale.
Figures from MasterCard: Local cardholders spent 33 per cent more in the first month of the sale, period of (May 23 to June 21), compared to the same period last year. Total Spending of: US$238 million so far
MasterCard WorldWide Index of Consumer Confidence: Singapore consumers are most optimistic towards the second half of the year compared to their other Asia-Pacific counterparts
Total MasterCard spending for the GSS so far (includes that from tourists): A 27 per cent rise from last year to US$364.6 million
Consumer Spending (Popular Categories): (1) Dining: Sales were up 38 per cent compared to last year to US$27.8 million (2) Jewellery, watches and silverware: With receipts growing 30 per cent to US$15.1 million (3) Department store transactions: US$14.4 million, up 16 per cent.
The Great Singapore Sale started on May 29, 2009 and continued up to July 26, 2009. Organized by the Singapore Retailers Association, under support from Singapore Tourism Board and Spring Singapore. The official tourism publisher for the event is TTG Publishing.
The media partner for this major shopping event is SPH, while the industry partners are The Association of Shopping Centers (Singapore), Orchard Road and Baywatch Association.
Master Card, the official card for the event, has announced a large number of special offers to tourists who pay with Master Cards.
Some of the dealers participating in the event include Toy Universe (at the Takashimaya Department Store), Club 21 Bazaar (a popular international retail chain that specializes in selling gemstones and jewelry), Charles Tyrwhitt (clothing merchants), John Little, Paragon (renowned dealer in designer clothing), Pumpkin Patch (renowned manufacturer of clothing for children).
The Great Singapore Shopping Challenge:
The Great Singapore Shopping Challenge 2009 is a part of the yearly GSS event, in which participants are given S$1000 each and a list of the types of items that they have to shop for. The group that makes the most savings on their purchases win the contest. The participants get to keep whatever they purchase, and the winners receive additional prizes.
The record for savings is currently held by the United Kingdom. Amanda Zuydervelt, the founder of Stylebible.com and former Apprentice winner Michelle Dewberry broke the record in 2009 saving S$25,581.37 whilst spending just S$617.53. The United Kingdom retained the title in 2010 when Amanda Zuydervelt took part again, this time partnering with Victoria Lam, the United Kingdom just missed breaking the record set the previous year but remained the champions.
The Great Singapore Sale 2011 is scheduled to be held from 27 May to 24 July 2011 but the competition is not being held this year.