Due to the current escalating pandemic of COVID-19, it can be extremely difficult to get your everyday groceries at typical supermarkets like NTUC Fairprice, Giant Supermarket and Sheng Siong Supermarket.
The rising count of imported cases has definitely sparked panic-buying, and even caused our neighbour country, Malaysia to be on lockdown. I’m sure you’d have heard about the hordes of people crowding in supermarkets to buy up toilet paper, instant noodles and more.
In light of that, here are eight places to get your essentials without the hour-long queues and jostling crowds.
1. Redmart
Redmart is hosted on the famous online shopping platform, Lazada—that means you can do your grocery shopping from the comfort of your own home. With categories from Poultry & Seafood to Bedding & Bath you can shop from, there’s no doubt you’ll find what you need.
Psst, there’s also free delivery above S$40 with LIVEUP!
Redmart is also aware of the whole panic-buying situation, so rest assured that they’re keeping a limit on the quantity of items you purchase to ensure there is enough for everyone.
Take note that they are also experiencing a high volume of orders right now, which means your delivery may take a few days to reach you.
However, you’ll definitely be getting your products at your own convenience, so it’s best to keep an open mind and be grateful for what you can get at the moment.
Redmart: Website | Delivery Hours: 7am – 11pm
2. Pandamart and Pandanow
An extension of food delivery service Foodpanda, Pandamart obtains their goods from smaller-scale partner retailers like Cheers, HAO mart and Shell SELECT and promises delivery within 25 minutes or less. With contact-free delivery becoming readily available across various food-delivery platforms like McDelivery, Deliveroo and Foodpanda, you can order your groceries to be delivered to your doorstep.
Another alternative to Pandamart on the same platform is Pandanow. Unlike Pandamart which delivers from their partner retailers, Pandanow stockpiles goods at their warehouse, which means it is operated and supplied through Foodpanda’s own inventory. A 24-hour platform for on-demand delivery and groceries, Pandanow guarantees delivery in under 15 minutes, so you can sneak yourself a midnight snack if you’re feeling peckish.
Pandamart & Pandanow: Website | Delivery Hours: 24/7
3. Scoop Wholefoods
Scoop Wholefoods is an Australian mart founded by Jeremy and Bettina Kirk in 2013 to promote healthy living. With products ranging from spices to pasta, Scoop Wholefoods urges shoppers to be their own chef with their supply of organic ingredients.
Scoop Wholefoods also supplies a cleaning line for household items and a personal hygiene and beauty range apart from just food. If you’re looking for a replacement mart to obtain your necessities, keep in mind that Scoop Wholefoods ensures 100% quality in all their goods, so they might come at a steeper price.
Scoop Whole Foods: 163 Tanglin Road, Tanglin Mall, #02-17/ 18, Singapore 247933 | Opening Hours: 10am – 7.30pm (Daily) | 1 Kim Seng Promenade, Great World, #01-148, Singapore 237994 | Opening Hours: 10am – 9.30pm (Daily) | Website
4. Don Don Donki
It would almost be a crime if we didn’t include Don Don Donki. This massive Japanese hypermarket chain we all know and love stocks all the Japanese food you can think of—from ready-to-eat bentos to packaged desserts, Don Don Donki’s got it all.
Don Don Donki also carries fresh and reasonably-priced produce in stores, so if you’re looking to cook your own meals at home, this is the perfect grocer for you. Granted, stores may be crowded but when are they not? Lucky for you, the shelves at Don Don Donki aren’t wiped out as quickly as NTUC Fairprice, so head down to shop to your heart’s content.
Don Don Donki: Outlets
5. EAMart
EAMart is one of the most value-for-money online platforms where you can get your groceries and household necessities. With fantastic offers and sales available daily, it’s another convenient shopping site you can try during this panic-buying season.
I’d let you take a guess at the deals available at the moment—but we all already know they’re on uncooked rice and toilet paper. It seems that the excessive stockpiling has hit EAMart too, from the looks of the technical difficulties they’re facing on the site, and as the situation worsens, a limit on quantity of goods purchased might be enforced soon.
EAMart offers a two-hour delivery window and an option for you to specify your delivery date. If you’re not already sold on using this platform, EAMart doesn’t even charge a delivery fee and operates from 7am to 10pm daily.
EAMart: Website | Delivery Hours: 7am – 10pm (Daily)
6. The Source Bulk Foods
Australian mart The Source Bulk Foods prides themselves on being Australia’s largest specialised bulk food retailer. With three stores around Singapore, this Australian mart maintains sustainability by bulk-buying to reduce waste on packaging.
The Source Bulk Foods carries a range of items to meet your needs, including organic produce, confectionery, soap and detergent. If price-point is one of your decision-making factors, you might want to skip this mart. However, if you do shop here, rest assured because they only provide items of the highest quality.
The Source Bulk Foods: Outlets
7. Little Farms
Another health-conscious neighbourhood market is Little Farms. Offering a plethora of fresh, all-natural produce, meats, seafood, dairy and grocery, Little Farms promises the highest quality, ethically-sourced food. With in-store kitchens whipping up healthy and delicious meals and beverages for consumers to enjoy, you’re more than welcome to stop by for a nutritious meal amidst your grocery shopping.
Little Farms is also committed to provide consumers with the best groceries from trusted farmers and artisans around the world at a reasonable price point. If you’re looking to shop for groceries without the bustling crowd, head down to one of the four Little Farms outlets around Singapore. Free same-day delivery is also available if you make your order by 11am.
Little Farms: Outlets
8. Shine Korea Supermarket
If you’re more of a koreaboo and prefer Korean food to the basic local Maggi mee, you’re welcome to shop at Shine Korea Supermarket. This Korean supermarket stocks an array of Korean products, including instant noodles and rice, snacks and condiments. If you’re feeling fancy, there’s even Bamboo Salt Toothpaste available!
I’m sure you’ve seen at least one of these marts around Singapore, considering there are 11 of them. Shine Korea Supermarket guarantees authenticity and reasonable prices for all the items you’re able to find there, so head down to purchase your Korean necessities whenever you need them. Delivery is also available through Shine Korea Supermarket’s website, so you’re able to shop for groceries in the comfort of your own home as well.
Shine Korea Supermarket: Outlets | Website | Delivery Hours: 9am – 6pm (Daily)
BONUS: Mom & Pop Stores (a.k.a. Mamak Shops)
If you truly wish to support local, where better than the mamak shops beneath your HDB blocks? These sundry stores stock a variety of provisions—what’s more, they’re very conveniently located. This is truly a chance to #supportlocal and still get the groceries you need, all just a short distance away from your home.
During this rising epidemic, it’s important to stay considerate and refrain from stockpiling to ensure that we can get past these hard times together as a nation. Let’s all do our part to help stay safe and intact as a country—better times are sure to come.
