Shopping is the favourite past-time of Singaporeans (or so the various tourist handbooks would like us to believe). In this week’s iOS review, e27 has put together an assortment of apps that would enhance your shopping experience, or at least make shopping more of a joy than chore! Of course with V-day just around the corner, you might just find that perfect gift with the help of these 5 apps.

AllDealsAsia

This deal aggregator is your best pal when shopping, saving you precious time checking each deal site separately. During this V-day period, many of the vendors are offering V-day specials so it is a great place to find inspiration for that perfect gift! Deals are updated daily, most of them being attractive, and offered at a fraction of their price in stores. The only downside to this is the lack of “favourites” tab that would bookmark potential deals as you browse, to save you the hassle of remembering individual deals. When shopping with this app, do remember to note the amount of time left to purchase each deal to save yourself the disappointment of missing it.

ION Orchard

If you are shopping at ION Orchard, this app would be perfect for you. Specials are clearly shown on the front page and listed according to shopping or dining categories. A searchable directory is also available in this app, with a twist! As ION Orchard is such a big shopping mall with an unusual floor plan, this app included a store locator which allows you to plan your route to the next shop in mind, complete with choice of “fastest route”, “by elevator” or “by escalator”! Impressive!

Fleas & Fairs Singapore

Go off the beaten road and find that quirky gift at fleas and fairs held all around Singapore. A common misconception of fleas and fairs is that they sell only pre-loved things. In fact, many of them also sell handicrafts and new items that they have sourced from other places. Search for events happening by month, location or categories. If you are new to the scene, the Editor’s Pick seems to be a good place to start from. Also, pictures are included for each event and together with the description provided, give a pretty good idea of what you can expect to find. Do not worry about not being able to find your way. A map is included in the map which gives you the exact location of the event. Public transportation routes are also clearly described.

CarLocate

Buying into stereotypes, even a blonde can figure out what this app is used for. In the populous concrete jungle that we call home, car parks are huge and almost as complex as a labyrinth with the numerous identical floors and hundreds of lots. Park your car, noting down its location with a mere touch of a button and rest assured that you would be led back to it, complete with a map as a guide.

Gmarket SG

Embrace mobile shopping! Shop on the go for Korean merchandises ranging from dresses to iPhone cases and even computer spare parts! Be a discerning shopper and you might get products at a fraction of their price here in brick and mortar shops. As some products are sold by multiple sellers, you can compare prices and save even more. Do take note of the prices for shipping and be sure to find out how long the article would take to reach you. Payment can be made easily through PayPal or credit cards. G-market also gives out discounts if you review the product that you have bought so as a result, reviews are aplenty and can help you determine if a product is worth buying!

Do you have any other shopping apps that you would want to share? Remember that these apps are not just good for Valentine’s day, they are good for any time!