Like great food, shopping is a natural attraction when travelling. In recent years, I have flown home lighter, simply because there was no incentive to shop outside Malaysia. With an exception for last year’s Great Singapore Sale, I have not been shopping as much as I want to when travelling.
KL has proven to be an equal match, rivaling
Singapore and Hong Kong in many ways. KL is never on the radar and it understandable why it continues to play second fiddle to the established shopping havens.
There are of course some exceptions in KL. Forget about the duty-free outlets at KLIA and if you are looking for photographic accessories, hi-fi, premium headsets (for the iPod or iPhone) or baggage. Singapore and Hong Kong are likely to be a better bet for variety and prices.
From duty-free cameras, computers, to watches and pens, Malaysia has made greater inroads as a viable shopping hub. Since the beginning of 2011, import duty on about 300 sought-after products, including handbags, apparel, footwear and jewellery were abolished. According to Tourism Malaysia, prices would reduce by about 20 per cent for about 29 luxury brands.
If you are an electronics buff, look no further than KL. Outside the US, Malaysia is one of the cheapest places in the world to buy the iPad 2. The 16GB WiFi only tablet is priced at RM1,499 and comparable with Hong Kong’s HK3,888 (RM1,485) and about RM145 cheaper than Singapore ($668).
The same goes with cameras and notebook PCs where consumers are spoilt for choice with great deals in KL. The street price for Canon 600D with kit lens is about RM2,600 at Low Yat or Digital Mall, cheaper than Hong Kong (HK$7280 or RM2,794) and Singapore (S$1,120 or RM2,765).
What’s more, Malaysians can enjoy extended warranties for local online product registration. However, it’s much cheaper to buy a Lowepro bag in Hong Kong or Singapore.
So who says the jealously guarded shopping crown is a close fight between Singapore and Hong Kong? Indeed shopping is one of Malaysia’s best kept secrets.
