By the WahLiao desk · Last verified 28 September 2026
If you have just moved to Singapore, start with the supermarket nearest your home, usually a FairPrice or Sheng Siong in the heartlands, or a Cold Storage or FairPrice Finest nearer the city centre, and do one big first shop with delivery. Bring your own bags, since large supermarkets charge at least 5 cents per bag. Pay by card, contactless or NETS. Tap water is safe to drink, so you do not need to buy bottled water. Within a month, most newcomers settle into a pattern: a weekly shop at one main supermarket, fresh food from a wet market or the fresh counter, and a nearby convenience store for emergencies.
The most useful thing to know early is that Singapore imports almost all its food. Prices follow the seasons and the shipping lanes, not the local weather. Once you know that, the rest of the shelf makes sense.
New residents: quick facts
| Main chains | FairPrice (including Finest and Xtra), Sheng Siong, Cold Storage, Giant, Prime, and specialists such as Don Don Donki |
| Payment | Cards, contactless and NETS are widely accepted; check for other methods at the till |
| Bags | At least 5 cents per disposable carrier bag at large supermarkets |
| Tap water | Safe to drink |
| Delivery | Major chains deliver; free-delivery thresholds and service fees vary |
| Late-night shopping | Selected outlets of several chains are open 24 hours |
The WahLiao Verdict
| Cost | A higher first-month bill while you stock the kitchen, then settling down. |
| What you get | A shopping routine that suits your neighbourhood and budget, set up in weeks rather than months. |
| The alternative | Eating out most meals, which many residents do; hawker food is often cheaper than cooking for one. |
| Worth it for | Every new household, whether you plan to cook every night or twice a week. |
| Skip it if | You already know Singapore well. The individual guides linked below go deeper. |
| Last verified | 28 September 2026, against the retailers’ published information and official sources linked throughout. |
Which supermarket should you use?
Use the one closest to home for your weekly shop, then add a second for what the first does not stock. Each chain has a different character: FairPrice is everywhere and runs from everyday stores to its Finest and Xtra formats; Sheng Siong is strong in the heartlands on everyday prices; Cold Storage and FairPrice Finest carry more imported and premium products. Our guide to every supermarket chain in Singapore explains who owns what and who each is for. For the foods of home, see our guides to Japanese and Korean supermarkets and premium supermarkets.
Your first-week grocery list
- Pantry: rice or pasta, cooking oil, salt, soy sauce, sugar, a few tins.
- Breakfast: bread, eggs, milk (fresh or UHT), coffee or tea.
- Fresh: a few days of vegetables and fruit, and some chicken or fish.
- Household: dishwashing liquid, laundry detergent, kitchen roll, toilet paper, bin bags.
- For the climate: airtight containers for rice, flour and snacks, because humidity and ants find open packets quickly.
Order the heavy items for delivery and carry the fresh ones home yourself. Our guide to online grocery delivery covers fees and thresholds.
How to pay, and what you may not be eligible for
Cards, contactless payments and NETS are widely accepted at supermarkets. Some savings schemes are for particular groups: CDC vouchers are for Singaporean households, and senior and CHAS discount days depend on age or eligibility. Loyalty programmes such as FairPrice’s Linkpoints and the yuu app are open more widely; see our guide to supermarket loyalty programmes.
Local habits worth learning in the first month
- Bring your own bags. The carrier bag charge applies at large supermarkets.
- Keep food cold and sealed. The heat spoils food faster; move chilled shopping home quickly and store dry goods airtight.
- Try the wet market for fish, pork, vegetables and fruit; see our guide to wet market versus supermarket.
- Learn the house brands. They are often the easiest saving on staples.
- Watch the fish counter rule. Most fish sold in supermarket fresh sections is not meant to be eaten raw; see fresh fish and seafood.
- Know the alcohol hours. Shops cannot sell takeaway alcohol between 10.30pm and 7am.
- Read the date format. Imported products may print dates year first; see date labels in Singapore.
How much will groceries cost?
The average household spent about $456 a month on food and drink for the home in 2023, and more than twice that eating out. Your bill depends on household size and how much you cook; keep a month of receipts and set your budget from those. Our guides to grocery budgets and why groceries cost what they do explain the numbers.
Frequently asked questions
Which supermarket is best for new residents in Singapore?
The one nearest your home, for convenience. Add a second chain for items your main supermarket does not carry.
Is tap water safe to drink in Singapore?
Yes. You do not need to buy bottled water for drinking at home.
Can foreigners use CDC vouchers?
CDC vouchers are for Singaporean households. Loyalty programmes and card rewards are open more widely.
Do Singapore supermarkets deliver?
Yes. Major chains deliver, with free-delivery thresholds and fees that vary by retailer.
Do I need to bring my own bags?
It helps. Large supermarkets charge at least 5 cents for each disposable carrier bag.
Read next
This page belongs to How Supermarket Works, our series on the grocery network behind the shelf. Continue with how to save money on groceries and 24-hour supermarkets. If you are visiting rather than living here, see Visiting Singapore.
Sources checked 28 September 2026: retailer information and official sources as cited in the linked guides, including NEA on the carrier bag charge, MHA on liquor control, the CDC Vouchers Scheme and the Household Expenditure Survey 2023. Last updated 28 September 2026.
