10-week Great Singapore Sale starts last Friday

The Great Singapore Sale (GSS), which starts on Friday (June 3), has been extended from eight to 10 weeks this year to cater to tourists from the region.

And for the first time, UnionPay International cardholders will get extra perks during the sale, under a new three-year partnership between the payment network and GSS’ organiser, the Singapore Retailers Association (SRA).

SRA said the sale, now in its 23rd year, has grown into an “all-encompassing” event with offers at both online and offline stores, ranging from fashion and dining to beauty and wellness, hotel stays, sightseeing tours and visits to attractions. The sale also stretches from Orchard Road to Marina Bay, Sentosa Harbourfront and the heartlands.

There are no “official” participants of the GSS, as merchants do not need to formally register or sign up with SRA to take part. All merchants who offer special deals during the sale period are considered participants of GSS, said SRA.

The extension of the sale period to 10 weeks – for the last 12 years, GSS stretched over eight weeks – is to better cater to tourists from Asia-Pacific countries whose summer holidays fall in the June to August period, said SRA’s executive director Anthony Gan.

UnionPay International also replaces MasterCard Singapore as the new official card of GSS. This means UnionPay cardholders can get exclusive privileges at over 100 retailers here during this year’s sale.

“With a base of over 5.4 billion UnionPay cards issued worldwide and an acceptance rate of over 80 per cent at various retail, lifestyle and food and beverage establishments in Singapore, we are confident that our partnership with UnionPay International will bring substantial benefits to the GSS, participating merchants and consumers,” said Mr Gan.

Consumers who shop at GSS stand to win a record of over $200,000, with SRA giving out $100 each – in the form of a UnionPay prepaid card loaded with the cash – to five shoppers daily, while those who pay with UnionPay cards stand to win an additional $500.