Big Box Singapore

Big Box has finally opened its doors in Singapore on the 27th December 2014 after a much anticipated long wait following the earlier delays. The building, which is literally a big box of 400,000 sq ft of retail and dining space that spans three out of the total 8 storeys, offers a common ground for shopping, dining and more.

A Big Box of Retail Stores

Big Box is aptly named for its ‘big box’ concept where it houses a wide range of consumable goods such as electronics, perishables, toiletries, furniture and furnishing, fashion, lifestyle products and even ready-to-eat delicatessen, complete with a foodcourt on the third level.

It positions itself as a ‘one-stop solution’ holistic shopping experience for nearby residents as well as for those living beyond.

Big Box Retail Themes

The Big Box retail offerings are essentially grouped into four categories, namely, consumer electronics (Information Technology, Audio Visual), Home and Lifestyle (Gardening, Bedding, Storagem Organization, etc), Hypermart (fresh produce, groceries, perishables) and Food & Beverage. Each of these pockets are named to tie in with the name of Big Box, for example, the home furnishings level is named “Living Box”, and the furniture shops cluster is called “Home Box”. The audio visual side is named “Electronics Box” and the Lifestyle shop “Hip Box” so on and forth.

Amongst these main groups there are also fringe offerings through snack bars and stalls selling ready snacks and quick meals fronting the entrance to the hypermart to provide convenience for shoppers or even passerbys a chance to grab some bites. There is also a bakery within the hypermarket offering a nice varierty of breads and pastries. On the second level an inhoused café sits in the Audio Visual centre as well as the “Hip Box” area, offering a place for coffee break for those who need a cuppa or cake.

There is a huge atrium at the ground floor being used as an event hall for specialty fairs and seasonal events from time to time the moment you step into the building.

Warehouse Retail Scheme

Big Box is operated by a single Singapore-listed company, TT International,  under the EDB’s (Economic Development Board) Warehouse Retail Scheme, an initiative and project to encourage economical bulk spendings for greater savings. This involves a wholesale marketing retail concept at the ‘warehouse mart’ (hypermart) area to entice shoppers to buy at lower volume prices versus buying at per unit prices. For example, a carton of 20 cans of Heineken beer retails at $57.00 and 2 such cartons cost $109.80, thus having a saving of 3%.

The hypermart is in essence an expansive area for a whole lot of household shopping experience. Besides the groceries, you will find yourself navigating through the beddings, garden, storage & organizers, kitchenware and other home improvement departments. There is even a Nippon paint booth for you to buy paint supplies off the shelves and sales people on standby to help you with paint colour consultation. You may be amazed by some of the storage containers and acrylic boxes selection you can find here; especially for travelling ones – there are some obvious dupes of Muji’s if you pry your eyes wide enough.

Big Box Stores List

The 8-storey building has a basement level offering a drive-through service for grocery pick-ups to cater for customers with bulk purchases. Apart from the hypermart with ancillary ready snack offerings and their household extension, level one also opens up to an atrium for seasonal fairs, and a section selling fashion and sports apparels and cosmetics at the opposite side to the hypermarket.

The second storey is dominated by home furniture and lifestyle stores. Furniture shops and electronics merchandise can be seen here. There is even a “Silver Box” selling healthcare and elderly assisted living products. This storey is also the level that offers linked accessibility to the neighbouring JEM shopping mall and Ng Teng Fong hospital.

The foodcourt is on the third floor, and more furniture shops can be found here.

Big Box Location and Address

Big Box is situated at the heart of buzzling Jurong East precinct. It’s address is at Jurong East Street 11, next to Jurong East MRT station and JEM Shopping Mall.

Like all the landmarks surrounding the MRT station linking to not just the station but also to each other, Big Box is conveniently linked via a sheltered pedestrian bridge to JEM mall and Ng Teng Fong hospital on the second level.