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When you think $2 shop, Daiso is probably the first name that springs to mind. After all, the Japanese franchise has staked its claim from the East to the West of Singapore, giving bargain hunters on the island a happy place to seek out whenever they’re on money-saving mode.
But besides frequenting the ubiquitous brand – if you prefer a dash of variety every once in a while – you can actually get your affordable shopping fix at a few other shops across the island. Most of their items – from homeware and stationery to knick knacks and snacks – sport price tags from $2, with some going as low as $1.
So if you’re in the mood for cheap thrills or if you’d like your bank account to stop leaking money for once, hit up these five shops for retail therapy sessions that won’t burn a hole in your pocket.
2wo
With a banner proclaiming ‘EVERYTHING $2’, you know this shop is well worth a visit. Whether you’re on the lookout for non-exorbitantly priced household goods for your brand new BTO (that you just splurged 90 percent of your life savings on) or when you’re indulging your cheapskate side and getting a birthday present for a friend (you could even buy five and still be under budget), 2WO displays a decent range of homeware, accessories and craft items.
Three outlets, including #B1-15 The Star Vista.
OneDollarOnly
An online dollar store seems like the best idea ever – not only do you get to buy more for the low, low price of $1 (or the occasional $2), but you also get to do it all from the air-conditioned comfort of your couch. But since it’s all so cheap, don’t expect too much in terms of variety – most of the products available are stationery or not-exactly-useful trinkets like key chains, luggage tags and stickers. If you’d like a stroll down nostalgia lane, click on the ‘Traditional Games’ category for old school gems like Pick Up Sticks, Five Stones and Chapteh.
Mijyi
Bringing in $2 (and under) items from Japan, Korea, Taiwan and Thailand, this place is a budget shopper’s heaven. You can basically wander around the massive space and throw into your shopping basket all the snacks, drinks, electronics, household goods and craft items you need without giving too much thought to how much you’re spending (’cause it won’t add up to much).
Three outlets, including #B2-51/52 City Square Mall.
MixCart
The bargain store, which is also apparently listed on Qoo10, hawks everything from home organization items and gardening tools to kitchen ware and hair accessories. For $2, you can buy yourself a random assortment of things like huge foldable luggage bags, tiny indoor plants, portable mini fans, nail care tools, and even waterproof liquid shoe polish.
547 Geylang Rd.
Tokutokuya
Tokutokuya formerly had two more outlets in Ang Mo Kio and Kallang, but those seem to have been taken over by Mijyi. Oh well. Anyway, the store recently added a Suntec City branch to what was its sole remaining Changi City Point outlet. Here, you’ll find all sorts of cutesy stuff like Hello Kitty tissue packets and Anpanman cups, as well as shelves stocked to the brim with Japanese snacks. Prices start from $2 and can go up a few notches for the more premium items.
Two outlets, including #B1-150, North Wing, Suntec City.
