City Square Mall Johor Bahru

Went down to City Square Mall in Johor Bahru last Saturday; which was also the first day of fasting month for the Muslims in Malaysia. The mall was decorating its atrium area for the Hari Raya festive sale. The few camels that were on display were an attraction; many people took the opportunity to take photos with these camel figurines.

City Square Mall is currently undergoing major renovation. Certain areas are opened for business; and hopefully more stores will be opening soon for this Hari Raya festive sale. I will visit this mall again in early August to see whether I can buy some Malay cookies and food at their Hari Raya promotion sale.

Going to Johor Premium Outlets by Bus

Even since the Johor Premium Outlets ( JPO ) opened late last year, many of my friends had already visited this JPO. Some of them commented that it was quite far away from the main Johor Bahru town; while others told me that the prices of merchandise were not that cheap.

I visited the JPO recently and I went there by public bus. I was surprised that it was relatively easy to get there and the journey was pleasant too. Yes, the JPO was indeed situated far away from the JB main city but I think it is acceptable. Most of the people going there are looking for a value buy for branded products - and there are lots of well known designer brands to choose. The international designer brands that have outlets there include - Levis, Armani, Burberry, Lacoste, Canali, Pedro, Coach, Ermenegildo Zegna, Guess, Vincci, Michael Kors, Braun Buffel, Ralph Lauren and Salvatore Ferragamo.

To find out more about how I took a bus trip to JPO, just click the link below which will direct you my main blog: -

Bus Trip to Johor Premium Outlets

Christmas Shopping 2011 in Singapore

Christmas is just around the corner and many people are busy doing their shopping for this festive season. Even for people who are non christian, they are also in the mood of shopping for the coming New Year 2012. December is also the time where many employees are getting their year end bonuses. So with more cash on hand - it is a time to buy the things that we want and pamper ourselves.

Beautiful Christmas Decoration in Shopping Mall

I prefer to do my year end shopping in Singapore rather than in Johor Bahru. In Singapore,there are definitely more variety of merchandise available and with better price discounts. Besides, the spirit of Christmas is better felt in Singapore; especially in Orchard Road where the Christmas lights-up are really beautiful. I would buy clothes, electronic stuff and chocolates during this time.

Ferrero Rocher Christmas Tree

Let me share with you some photos that I have taken along Orchard Road while doing my shopping over there. Happy Shopping....

Figurine of Santa 

Elephant is the Christmas Theme for Christmas in Singapore 2011

Colorful Elephant on Display in Orchard Road Singapore

Another Colorful Elephant

Beautiful Light Up Paragon Shopping Mall in Orchard Road

Tall Blue Christmas Tree inside a Mall

Beautiful Lights Up in Orchard Road Mall

Tesco at KSL City Mall in Johor Bahru

I went to KSL City mall today and took the opportunity to see the new Tesco store over there. Frankly I am slightly disappointed with this Tesco store at KSL City Mall. The supermarket is relatively small in size and the range of merchandise were rather limited. The store simply looked liked many of the ordinary supermarkets that I have visited in Johor Bahru and Kuala Lumpur.

 

When the size of the store is limited, I felt that Tesco should try to be more specialized on its product mixed and focus on a niche market. I saw a small electrical section, a small clothing section, a small bread counter, etc. Why not simply focus its business in KSL City mall on food - be it fresh meat and seafood, fresh vegetables and fruits, dry food, canned food, a quality bakery counter, etc. Another section that should be expanded should be on non food items such as toiletries, detergents, tissue/toilet rolls, and other household essential items.

Anyway, I liked the vegetables that are sold there. There are many variety of local vegetables that seems to be very fresh; and certain types of vegetables are not even available at Cold Storage in Malaysia. I liked the Tesco house brand items, because the prices are very reasonable.

For more information on shopping at KSL City mall; and my reviews of hotels surrounding this mall, please visit my website by clicking the link below -

ImageSingapore.com

Kids Safety on Escalators

Recently it was reported in the news that a 2 year old boy lost 4 of his fingers when he felled off an escalator at a shopping mall in Tanjong Agas at Ledang, Johor Bahru. The boy was on the descending escalator and he lost his balance, felled on the steps and got his fingers caught between the steps of the escalators which crushed his fingers.

Parents of young kids should always hold the hands of their kids when taking an escalators. Most parents forget or are ignorant that escalators are machines, it is just liked a conveyor belts to get people moving. I have seen parents letting their kids play with escalators all the time in the malls. They let their kids run, sit, jump and race down an ascending escalators. I have also seen young parents holding their prams while taking an escalators. If you are holding a pram or a kid in your arms, it would be advisable to take the lift instead.
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Here are some safety tips to take note when riding on an escalator -

1) never ride barefoot. When wearing shoes, make sure that the shoe laces are firmly tied on your shoes and not loose.

2) don't ride with prams, walkers, shopping carts and wheel chairs.

3) always hold your kid's hand firmly. Kids at young age have not fully developed their motor and development skills. They can lose their balance easily and fall.

4) don't put your handbag, article and any objects on the handrail of the escalators. I have actually seen some parents putting their kids on the handrail for a couple of seconds - letting them sit on the handrails. These are idiotic parents.

5) don't allow your kids to loiter around the escalators. Move away from the escalator quickly after you have step off because there may be people behind you.

6) keep your feet away from the sides of the escalator steps. This is where your shoelaces, pants bottom or any object may be trapped and entangled.

7) If you are carrying shopping bags and handling a child at the same time, don't use the escalator, just take the lift.

8) if the escalator is faulty, don't use it - take the stairs or lift.

Parents must understand that it is their sole responsibility to ensure that their kids ride the escalator safely. It is useless to start blaming others when their kids are injured because of their carelessness or "could not be bothered" attitude.

Shopping for Window Curtains in Johor Bahru

My friend told me that she will be going to Johor Bahru to shop for window curtains for her new home. I told her that there are plenty of shops selling curtains in Singapore. Why bother to go to Johor Bahru especially when long traffic jams is a norm during weekends. Anyway she said that she will be going on a weekday and there are more fabrics and design to choose over there. Besides, the price of window curtains will be cheaper in Johor Bahru than in Singapore. So buying curtains for her whole house would means a considerable amount of savings.

I am not someone who is interested in window curtains. Occasionally I do browse at curtains when I happened to see a shop selling curtains in Johor Bahru. I think the reason why you can see more designs and fabrics of curtains in Johor Bahru, is that the shops over there are much bigger than in Singapore. Rental of shops in Johor Bahru is definitely cheaper than in Singapore. So a bigger retail floor space means that you can maximize the display of all your products.

Many of these window curtain shops will display the selling prices on the products itself. This is what I liked. I don't see the need of a sales staff following me around the shop just to quote the prices of curtains or any other products. In the photos which I took, there are so many designs of curtains to choose.  So now I know why people buy curtains from Johor Bahru.

Cheaper Shopping in Johor Bahru

Many of my friends think that prices of products is generally cheaper in Johor Bahru than in Singapore. Well, it is true to a certain extent but it depends on what products you are buying. For example, I wouldn't want to buy branded sports shoes in Johor Bahru; as you can also get it at the same price or even lower in Singapore. And the styles of shoes are more updated in Singapore. In fact during the Great Singapore Sale, many items such as clothes, digital products, shoes, watches, jewellery and even food items are a great buy in Singapore.

Some of my friends will go to Johor Bahru to buy daily necessities such as cooking oil, sugar, milk, detergent, toiletries, food products etc. I think these products are generally cheaper in Johor Bahru. I know that prices of medicine is cheaper in Johor Bahru; and you don't even need a doctor prescription for many medicines sold at the Pharmacies over there. That is why Singaporeans especially the old folks who need to take daily medicine to control their ailments such as cholesterol or blood pressure will buy medicine in Johor Bahru.

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Take for example the commonly used Eye drop from Eye Mo. The retail price for this product in Singapore is about S$5/- onwards. In Johor Bahru the retail price for this item is approx. RM7. If you convert it to Singapore dollars, this item is sold for $3/- only. There is a saving of $2 if you buy this item in Johor Bahru.

So be a smart shopper by listing down the brand, item, price and the packaging size of the products that you what to buy in Johor Bahru. Do a comparison while you are in Johor Bahru and determined the savings. If the savings is nominal, then just buy it in Singapore. Anyway, Johor Bahru is a great place to eat delicious food at much lower cost than in Singapore; so enjoy the food while you are there.

Photos of The Puteri Pacific Hotel in Johor Bahru

I have stayed in the Puteri Pacific Hotel in Johor Bahru recently. This hotel is just minutes walk from the City Square Shopping Mall if you know how to take a short cut route. The hotel itself is spacious and you can see quite a number of Singaporeans staying there during the holidays.

Though the room that I stayed was spacious, it needs to be refurbished as it had the worn out look especially the bathroom. The TV in the bedroom is still the old CRT type; whereas many smaller boutique hotels in Johor Bahru have already LCD TV in their rooms. The breakfast and the swimming pool was all right.

I have taken some photos of this hotel. If you are interested to read my review of this hotel, kindly visit my website at  -  ImageSingapore.com