Daiso

Daiso Daiso how I want to love you. I always get a headache shopping in Daiso as it is quite a big place filled with anything and everything you can imagine. Maybe it is me, I tend to switch off mentally when faced with a humongous mass (people and items) and just want to do a grab and go. Sensory overload.
I find it quite hard to browse in Daiso with so many people jostling for the little space between the aisles and every section of prime real estate is crammed with the various types of goods on offer.
But…if you manage to find something you want or think will need, better grab it and pay for it. It will be gone the next time you head back for it. That happened to me. From a full display of hair clips 2 weeks ago, to just 3 on my next visit. So I grab 2 of that, in case 1 broke and I will have the spare. I do not know how often they replenish their goods or if those were it. I also noticed they do move the items around, making it a bit hard to find them again.
You will be better off asking the shop staff on the floor rather than the cashiers on where the goods will be. The cashiers will give the usual «everything is there» response.
If somehow you are a master in whizzing through the aisles and sorting through the goods, then you can probably spend a couple of enjoyable hours inside Daiso, marveling at what they have. Some items are really quite cool. Arm sleeves and gloves for driving, anyone? (to prevent your arms and hands from being tanned when driving and stuck in traffic).
At $ 2 each, everything seems very affordable. The equivalent of a dollar store in Canada/​USA.
Tip:
As recommended by the cashier: Avoid lunch hour and after work hours, that is the peak and most crowded time. The sweet spot will be either before 11.45am or after 2.30pm to 4pm or so. It also means only 1 cashier counter will be opened then, unless there is a long line.

Thanks to my Japanese students, I was introduced to this enchanted place where everything is $ 2! So I only find it fitting that I spread the word and share it with my favorite Unilocalers (yes, I’m talking about you!)
For those who don’t know, Daiso is a Japanese dollar store chain, located at (one) of the ends of ION. This isn’t the only outlet; there are a few around the island so there’s a possibility you can find one near you.
They offer a wide variety of items like housewares, food, beauty products etc. You guessed it, my favorite section is the make up section! They have some great tools, like mascara guards and tweezers that help you attach fake eye lashes.
Is the merchandise good quality? At $ 2 per item, you be the judge. But it’s always a fun time browsing through the store, as you’ll see items that you never thought would exist! I love how the Japanese think of EVERYTHING.
No matter what time of day it is, there are always long queues at the registers. They go by quickly, though. Enjoy your $ 2 finds!

The question isn’t what do you want for $ 2, it’s what *don’t* you want for $ 2?! And as it turns out, there’s not much anyone won’t drop $ 2 for. From red Q-​tips to car accessories, there was a line snaking around the aisle of mini-​bows and through the baby wipe section, filled with excited, money-​saving patrons.
Daiso seems like the perfect stop for quick disposable items like permanent markers, cleaning supplies, organizers and anything/​everything obento. That said, before you rush down the bicycle accessories, steak knives or cosmetic aisles, I’d recommend calmly repeating the age old adage «you get what you pay for».

Daiso, the S$ 2 dollar store.
It’s japanese, so that means attention to detail has been paid to all products. This leads them to sell perfectionalised products for daily usage and products you never knew existed but realize you can’t live without.
Go here for daily goods, containers, cutlery, thrashcan’s, home décor etc. If you can’t find it anywhere, Daiso sells it. If you find it anywhere else, it’s cheaper at Daiso.
The Ion orchard store is located at B4, right below the other japanese superstar store Uniqlo. It can be pretty crowded. Then it’s no longer worth the wait if you just want to buy a plastic container to safe a dollar.