Department Stores

[Guest TaiTaiGoGaiGai]

Was going to order some sportswear online but just so I happen to pass by Takashimaya SC and found the actual product colour wasn't as nice as on the website so was a good thing I saw the product in the flesh before ordering online and be disappointed when it arrives!

[bluerunner]

20 hours ago, Guest TaiTaiGoGaiGai said:

Was going to order some sportswear online but just so I happen to pass by Takashimaya SC and found the actual product colour wasn't as nice as on the website so was a good thing I saw the product in the flesh before ordering online and be disappointed when it arrives!

That’s where physical store has its advantage. Whenever I could, I prefer buying from physical store. I like to look at the actual product, touch and feel it, test wear it if possible. 
Some clothings look good but it does not look good on you. 

[funky beaver]

On 2/21/2024 at 9:45 PM, singalion said:

 

You approach her to ask for advice on matching colours... 😂

Auntie will have a lot to gossip when back at home...

Imagine she is your real aunty, then the whole extended family will know you bought jockstrap. 🤣

[funky beaver]

47 minutes ago, bluerunner said:

That’s where physical store has its advantage. Whenever I could, I prefer buying from physical store. I like to look at the actual product, touch and feel it, test wear it if possible. 
Some clothings look good but it does not look good on you. 

Yeah, and after testing physically, don't buy it from physical store. Kind the same product online and leverage the discount on the online platform. That's me. 🤣

[bluerunner]

13 minutes ago, funky beaver said:

Yeah, and after testing physically, don't buy it from physical store. Kind the same product online and leverage the discount on the online platform. That's me. 🤣

Don’t forget buy online must pay freight. I usually look at both prices and other tangible cost like freight, exchange rate  and also waiting time. Then decide to buy from shop or to buy online. 

[doncoin]

I haven't stepped into a departmental store in ages and last weekend, as I needed to get a new fragrance, decided to go into a store. My old one was running low and I wanted something different. I had seen a bottle from a brand I had never bought anything from before but was attracted by its design. There's only 2 stores that carry the brand's fragrance, and so I decided to go into one of them. 

 

As some of you have pointed out, there are certain things that you have to experience in person that online shopping doesn't quite work. If I am buying the same fragrance as I had before, then I have no problems buying online, but since it is something new that I wanted, it has to be experienced. My good friend and I met by the store, and off we went to the fragrance department on the basement level. I had forgotten how much fun in-store shopping can be. The promoter for the brand whose bottle attracted me treated us like VIPs, we were led to a private area, and given champagne, before she started asking a few questions about our likes and dislikes etc. When done, she brought out several scents from the line, and let us smell them while explaining the notes and the ingredients. She also showed us how to combine the various scents to bring out new smells, so it was a fun process figuring out what we liked and don't.

 

We probably spent 45 minutes with her and had fun which made the shopping experience in the departmental store enjoyable. This has to be one of the areas where online shopping cannot beat, creating an experience for the customer. Nowadays, too many departmental stores are generic. When I was a teenager, I remember Tangs used to have special events where they had themed windows that were incredible, and the entire store would be covered with the theme, one of the themes I recall was this Viva Espana where they partnered with Spain's tourism board and offered unique merchandise that reflects the Spanish theme. Even its spin-off Studio Tangs while it was at Scotts, used to have a quarterly magazine which I loved and collected the issues. 

 

Perhaps it is changing consumer habits with online shopping making the need to create these experiences less important and focusing more directly on the transaction itself. Physical stores are competing with online stores on pricing to get the customer, negating the need to develop loyalty and other non-tangible benefits. 

 

[Steve5380]

If I lived in Singapore one of the things I would miss the most are not any department stores but the facility there is in the US to buy things online.  I buy so many things through Amazon, with free delivery usually within 48 hours or faster, and free return.  Other online stores are becoming equally convenient. I could get everything I need and want without ever living my home.  

[Guest Get Real]

6 hours ago, Steve5380 said:

If I lived in Singapore one of the things I would miss the most are not any department stores but the facility there is in the US to buy things online.  I buy so many things through Amazon, with free delivery usually within 48 hours or faster, and free return.  Other online stores are becoming equally convenient. I could get everything I need and want without ever living my home.  

Singapore is a small country.  We can choose to visit a department store or, in the event of inclement weather or laziness, shop online.  Here, we have a ton of options. We don't need Amazon, and our large groceries shops are a step away from our house.  It's a lot of fun to meander through the supermarket alleyways and discover a lot of surprises that you might not find online.

[Steve5380]

4 hours ago, Guest Get Real said:

Singapore is a small country.  We can choose to visit a department store or, in the event of inclement weather or laziness, shop online.  Here, we have a ton of options. We don't need Amazon, and our large groceries shops are a step away from our house.  It's a lot of fun to meander through the supermarket alleyways and discover a lot of surprises that you might not find online.

 

Well, we also have a lot of options. I have three big grocery stores at walking distance from home,  They have a huge variety of products, and I also like to meander through them, looking at over 90% of their products, which so yummy but I never buy because they are highly processed foods.  It is still fun to see the variety, and it makes one understand why Americans are... so overweight!

.

Edited February 24 by Steve5380

[radiusulnar]

On 2/24/2024 at 1:26 AM, doncoin said:

The promoter for the brand whose bottle attracted me treated us like VIPs, we were led to a private area, and given champagne, before she started asking a few questions about our likes and dislikes etc. When done, she brought out several scents from the line, and let us smell them while explaining the notes and the ingredients. She also showed us how to combine the various scents to bring out new smells, so it was a fun process figuring out what we liked and don't.

 

Wow. It must be quite an exclusive (and expensive) product for the promoter / brand to invest so much time and effort on a customer. No such love from off the shelf cologne for sure!

[doncoin]

15 hours ago, radiusulnar said:

 

Wow. It must be quite an exclusive (and expensive) product for the promoter / brand to invest so much time and effort on a customer. No such love from off the shelf cologne for sure!

 

 

I think partially also because there was no one else there at the moment when my friend and I were shopping, and the brand had launched their fragrance line about a year ago so there was an emphasis on creating a memorable customer experience. The promoter was very nice, gave us her business card, gave us extra samples after we made our purchases, etc. The departmental store has a history of creating unique store experiences, from their displays to exclusive items that no one else has, so kudos to them. Like I've said, I have not shopped in a dept store in ages, and so it was fun to be reminded of what amazing customer service can feel like.

[Guest Get Real]

On 2/24/2024 at 9:06 PM, Steve5380 said:

 

They have a huge variety of products, and I also like to meander through them, looking at over 90% of their products, which so yummy but I never buy because they are highly processed foods.  It is still fun to see the variety, and it makes one understand why Americans are... so overweight!

.

Being present in person at the grocery shop enables us to examine food labels and identify potentially harmful components.  You do not have such luxury with an online store.   Additionally, I can practice my catwalk by moving from one alley to the next thanks to the spacious alleyways.

[singalion]

Not sure whether grocery shopping was the topic here?

 

Department stores in certain countries might come with a grocery supermarket. But Robinsons and OG to me best memory didn't have a supermarket with groceries/food. 

 

 

[singalion]

When buying online, you must also consider the wasted money for items you ordered online but you won't return despite not liking them. Reasons could be Costs, troublesome queuing at post offices, repacking, not having a proper return address etc etc

 

Such rarely happens at Department Stores, unless you bought clothing as a gift that doesn't fit. But not for your own purchases. 

 

 

[Steve5380]

3 hours ago, Guest Get Real said:

Being present in person at the grocery shop enables us to examine food labels and identify potentially harmful components.  You do not have such luxury with an online store.   Additionally, I can practice my catwalk by moving from one alley to the next thanks to the spacious alleyways.

 

You can also see the same labels in foods you buy online.  MY online stores, like Amazon, Walmart, Whole Foods, etc.  give me much LUXURIES, ha ha.  But not only for purchases of food.  For some clothes you get information about how to choose your size,  which can replace well the task of trying them on in a department store.

 

Try not to practice your catwalk through your grocery stores too much,  you may get tempted too much and develop overweight.  Instead, get in the store with a list of healthy items, and limit yourself to these.   Grocery stores make their alleys spacious and attractive... so that people buy A LOT OF JUNK.

 

3 hours ago, singalion said:

Not sure whether grocery shopping was the topic here?

 

Department stores in certain countries might come with a grocery supermarket. But Robinsons and OG to me best memory didn't have a supermarket with groceries/food. 

 

 

 

Guest Get Real likes grocery shopping.  Maybe this is his main reason to go to department stores.  But is best to buy food at places that are exclusively grocery stores.

 

3 hours ago, singalion said:

When buying online, you must also consider the wasted money for items you ordered online but you won't return despite not liking them. Reasons could be Costs, troublesome queuing at post offices, repacking, not having a proper return address etc etc

 

Such rarely happens at Department Stores, unless you bought clothing as a gift that doesn't fit. But not for your own purchases. 

 

 

 

Here in the US stores try to make returns particularly easy.  For example at Amazon, one can return items after several weeks with no cost, even without the original box, as long as they are in "unused" condition.  I seldom take advantage of this,  but when I do it is very convenient.  

[singalion]

5 hours ago, Steve5380 said:

 

You can also see the same labels in foods you buy online.  MY online stores, like Amazon, Walmart, Whole Foods, etc.  give me much LUXURIES, ha ha.  But not only for purchases of food.  For some clothes you get information about how to choose your size,  which can replace well the task of trying them on in a department store.

 

Try not to practice your catwalk through your grocery stores too much,  you may get tempted too much and develop overweight.  Instead, get in the store with a list of healthy items, and limit yourself to these.   Grocery stores make their alleys spacious and attractive... so that people buy A LOT OF JUNK.

 

 

Guest Get Real likes grocery shopping.  Maybe this is his main reason to go to department stores.  But is best to buy food at places that are exclusively grocery stores.

 

 

Here in the US stores try to make returns particularly easy.  For example at Amazon, one can return items after several weeks with no cost, even without the original box, as long as they are in "unused" condition.  I seldom take advantage of this,  but when I do it is very convenient.  

 

Nice that you are talking about the US and giving us some insights Steve, but buying some soursop online in Asia or other local fruits is something different. In my experience the fruits were unripe, same goes for vegetable, quality wasn't the same as buying in the shop. We're not a fast food country and we don't buy just a package of packed lentils or unhealthy microwave food!

 

[singalion]

5 hours ago, Steve5380 said:

Try not to practice your catwalk through your grocery stores too much,  you may get tempted too much and develop overweight.  Instead, get in the store with a list of healthy items, and limit yourself to these.   Grocery stores make their alleys spacious and attractive... so that people buy A LOT OF JUNK.

 

At your "Steve in the old age" thread you promote seniors doing some sort of sport. You should be appreciative of makciks n pakciks doing some exercise while shopping groceries! 🤣

 

It's going through all channels such as the Gangnam dance soon...

 

 

[Steve5380]

3 hours ago, singalion said:

 

Nice that you are talking about the US and giving us some insights Steve, but buying some soursop online in Asia or other local fruits is something different. In my experience the fruits were unripe, same goes for vegetable, quality wasn't the same as buying in the shop. We're not a fast food country and we don't buy just a package of packed lentils or unhealthy microwave food!

 

 

I buy some non-perishable food online from Amazon,  but for fresh food I prefer to buy it in a grocery store.  "Steve in the old age" likes to go shopping for food, On Wednesdays these stores have their "specials" and I get satisfaction finding good deals  ( an unnecessary frugality I am addicted to, ha ha )

[Guest Again]

Another topic derailed by the resident bores @Steve5380 and @singalion

[doncoin]

On Sunday I was at Bugis when there was a sudden heavy downpour. Not having an umbrella with me, I decided to wander inside Bugis Junction. As I needed a larger suitcase to fit some of the souvenirs I had purchased and gifts from clients to my business associates, I went inside BHG to look for it. After making my payments, the older gentleman cashier handed me a voucher or something and said that they have this offer now where you can buy a second box of underwear for $1 over by the section where they have some speakers on sale. Curious, I walked over, and yes, there were the usual box sets. 

 

What was amusing to me was there was this dad, rummaging through the bikini briefs, and then placing them in front of himself, like a virtual fitting, and then he turns to his teenage son who was clearly embarrassed, and asked his son what colour he should get. The son mumbled something like black or blue, to which the dad started going through the boxes looking for the colour combination. Then as if to make things even more embarrassing for the son, the father asked his son, if he wants the bikini briefs or the boxer briefs. 

 

While I feel bad for the son, that moment also reminded me of my own experiences shopping for underwear with my dad as a teenager at CK Tangs. Back then in the 80s, men pretty much wore only bikini briefs and there wasn’t much variety to choose from. My dad had a very practical approach to shopping, and it wasn’t uncommon for him to loudly comment on the durability or elasticity of the waistband, oblivious to my embarrassment. I remember standing there, wishing the ground would swallow me up, as he held up different pairs for the sales assistant’s opinion.

 

Looking back now, those moments seem almost comical, a snapshot of an era where practicality often trumped subtlety. It was a time when shopping trips were less about individual style and more about function and value. Yet, those experiences were also small but significant bonding moments with my dad, even if they were wrapped in layers of teenage awkwardness.

 

As I stood there in BHG, watching the dad and his son, I couldn’t help but smile. It was like seeing a piece of my own past play out before me, albeit in a slightly more modern context. It made me wonder if, years down the line, the son might also look back at this memory with a mix of fondness and humor, realizing that such moments, as mortifying as they may feel at the time, are often where love and family connections quietly reside.

 

[QinWei]

On 2/26/2024 at 10:48 PM, singalion said:

Not sure whether grocery shopping was the topic here?

 

Department stores in certain countries might come with a grocery supermarket. But Robinsons and OG to me best memory didn't have a supermarket with groceries/food. 

 

 

Rob has food dept w fridges too

[aftereightme]

14 hours ago, doncoin said:

On Sunday I was at Bugis when there was a sudden heavy downpour. Not having an umbrella with me, I decided to wander inside Bugis Junction. As I needed a larger suitcase to fit some of the souvenirs I had purchased and gifts from clients to my business associates, I went inside BHG to look for it. After making my payments, the older gentleman cashier handed me a voucher or something and said that they have this offer now where you can buy a second box of underwear for $1 over by the section where they have some speakers on sale. Curious, I walked over, and yes, there were the usual box sets. 

 

What was amusing to me was there was this dad, rummaging through the bikini briefs, and then placing them in front of himself, like a virtual fitting, and then he turns to his teenage son who was clearly embarrassed, and asked his son what colour he should get. The son mumbled something like black or blue, to which the dad started going through the boxes looking for the colour combination. Then as if to make things even more embarrassing for the son, the father asked his son, if he wants the bikini briefs or the boxer briefs. 

 

While I feel bad for the son, that moment also reminded me of my own experiences shopping for underwear with my dad as a teenager at CK Tangs. Back then in the 80s, men pretty much wore only bikini briefs and there wasn’t much variety to choose from. My dad had a very practical approach to shopping, and it wasn’t uncommon for him to loudly comment on the durability or elasticity of the waistband, oblivious to my embarrassment. I remember standing there, wishing the ground would swallow me up, as he held up different pairs for the sales assistant’s opinion.

 

Looking back now, those moments seem almost comical, a snapshot of an era where practicality often trumped subtlety. It was a time when shopping trips were less about individual style and more about function and value. Yet, those experiences were also small but significant bonding moments with my dad, even if they were wrapped in layers of teenage awkwardness.

 

As I stood there in BHG, watching the dad and his son, I couldn’t help but smile. It was like seeing a piece of my own past play out before me, albeit in a slightly more modern context. It made me wonder if, years down the line, the son might also look back at this memory with a mix of fondness and humor, realizing that such moments, as mortifying as they may feel at the time, are often where love and family connections quietly reside.

 

luckily your dad never said: son, you prefer g string or thong ...