Now we are in 2019 but we are now looking back at the 6 departmental store that used to exist previously that our po po or gung gung used to go one! Bet most of us don’t remember these store anymore. Bet maybe even our mom and dad also couldn’t remember 😅
This is all thanks to Singapore Atrium Sale for reminding us of these departmental store. So here is the 7 nostalgic departmental store that used to be the big boys in Singapore:
1. Yaohan
This used to be big back in the 70s, 80s and 90s. Some background history …. in 1974, the Yaohan Department Store opened its maiden Singapore store at the newly built Plaza Singapura shopping centre. It opened its second Singapore store in 1977 at Katong and its third store in 1979 at Thomson Plaza. It ended operations in 1997.
2. John Little
Nobody don’t remember John Little as they have only officially closed down in 2017. In case you don’t know, John Little is basically the oldest department store in Singapore and has operated since 1842. The Plaza Singapura branch has existed since 1979 and John Little ended this last branch in 2017.
3. Sogo
Sogo really got history in Singapore. The open their first store at Raffles City in 1986, Sogo expanded to Tampines and Paragon before going into judicial management in Singapore in 2000. Sogo is basically the favourite Japanese department store that used to be a crowd champion in Singapore.
3. Daimaru
If you’re staying near the vicinity of Clarke Quay, then you should familiar with Daimaru or maybe you’re too young to know. Basically Daimaru was the anchor tenant in Liang Court for 20 years and closed its doors in 2003.
4. The Emporium
This is a Singapore pride where The Emporium was started by a Chinese entrepreneur, Lim Tow Yong. We should be familiar with Emporium in many heartland locations. The even have their presence in Penang Malaysia when they started! Would say it’s big.
5. Fitzpatrick’s Supermarket
Not exactly a department store but Fitzpatrick’s Supermarket operated at Orchard Road, between 1958 and 1963, an era where departmental stores have not really existed. Guess maybe even our daddy mummy also cannot remember it.
6. Cortina Department Store
If you see these day, where got such people go mall? People rather sit at home and shop online … Lazada, Shopee, Zalora and so many more.. they are so convenient nowaday…
So there you have it. These are the old school department store that used to rock Singapore. How many do you know? Tell us if we have missed any out!