When I heard that the Johor Premium Outlets had opened its second phase, I knew I had to make a trip to this factory outlet. With new brands such as Furla, Kate Spade and Tory Burch opening their doors at this outlet, I was full of excitement, just thinking about the number of bargains I could snap up.
1| Are prices cheaper?
Well some yes, some no, and some are even more expensive! Some of the Johor Premium Outlet shops worth checking out include Levis, Charles and Keith Reductions and La Senza. At Levis, an authentic pair of Levis jeans was selling for as low as $50 SGD. At Charles and Keith Reductions, I spotted some footwear that were going below $20 SGD. La Senza is another popular shop amongst shoppers. There is a section at the entrance where lingeries were going for a bargain; 6 for $35 RM (or approximately $14 SGD).
However, don't get your hopes too high on the other shops. I came out empty handed from most of them despite the store fronts boasting huge sales.
2| Is the concept similar to the outlets found in the States?
The layout of the stores were similar to the outlet stores I visited in California. Shops are spread out across a sprawling area. The carpark is extremely big so don't worry about finding a lot. Just like in the States, there is a huge array of international brands. But these brands range from the extremely high end stores to the lower tiers. As such, my friend commented that what one considers as a "Premium Outlet" was very subjective in this aspect. Apart from Levis, most of the other US brands were selling their products with miserable discounts. Hence if you come here expecting a mega huge discount like those found in the States, you may come out a tad bit disappointed.
On Friday (30th November), some of the phase 2 shops were still undergoing renovations. They include Kate Spade, Tory Burch and the Paris Hilton store.
3| Are there things to buy for my kids, boyfriend or husband?
Yes there is Cotton On Kids and Gap Kids for your little ones. Your older ones will enjoy the surf shops such as Roxy and Quiksilver. Your boyfriend or husband will be happy to see that there are a few sports stores such as Nike, Adidas and World of Outdoors.
4| Is the place family friendly?
Well yes, most of the shops in the Johor Premium Outlets are situated on the ground floor and there are lifts to get you to the 2nd floor. Hence, strollers are wheelchairs are extremely accessible in the area. There are cafes for Dads and the boys to sit in if they would like to laze over a cup of coffee and play with their iPads. There is an ice cream store to tempt your little ones when they get too restless.
5| What food outlets are there?
Baskin-Robbins, Starbucks and Coffee Bean for Dad and the kids. Proper lunch and dinner options include Dome, Absolute Thai and Taang Shifu. Of course, there is always the foodcourt option if you burst your wallet while shopping.
6| How do I get to the Johor Premium Outlet?
From Singapore, you can either drive yourself there, take a bus or a cab. For full transport details, click here. I got to the outlet by car and it took about 20 minutes to reach after crossing the Woodlands causeway.
7| So would you come back here again?
Yes if I need another pair of Levis or a few pairs of shoes to replace those worn out ones from work. And maybe if they were to open a third extension. The main reason I came back was to check out the shops which opened during the recent launch of their second phase.
8| Last but not least, what did you buy?
Good things ought to be shared, so here goes. I didn't walk out with a suitcase of things but did managed to snap up a pair of Levis jeans and a pair of Ferragamo shoes. And if you are wondering, its not the vera pumps as they didn't have my size for that. I'm size 38/39 and the vera pumps they had were for those who had way bigger feet. I settled for a pair of Cornelia flats which made me just as happy.
Johor Premium Outlet
Indahpura
81000 Kulaijaya
Johor Darul Takzim
Tel: +607 661 8888
GPS 1°36'11"N , 103°37'17"E
