Reputation of John Little

mits · Post by **mits** » Sun, 25 Mar 2007 8:49 pm

Hi! How do you think - is John Little department store meant for families with low income and all what they are selling is cheap and junk or it's just one of Singapore's department store as well as Takashimaya, Robinsons,Metro etc. ? What is the reputation of this shop?

Thanks a lot!

Post by **sundaymorningstaple** » Sun, 25 Mar 2007 9:02 pm

John Little is just another anchor tenant in another shopping centre. It's was acquired by Robinson's & Co. (Robinsons) in the mid 1950's and is stilled owned by them today. M & S is also operated by the same Robinson's Group as well

http://www.robinsons.com.sg/Corporate/About/index.htm

mits · Post by **mits** » Mon, 26 Mar 2007 11:10 am

I know that John Little is part of the Robinsons,but I would like to know what is the reputation of this shop in Singapore- how people will react when I will say - may products are available in JL department store. What are the asociations about this company?

Post by **sundaymorningstaple** » Mon, 26 Mar 2007 12:38 pm

Well, they sell virtually the same things as Robinsons. They also sell lower cost generic brands as well. It's not a Dollar General though. Neither is it Nieman-Marcus or Mark & Spencer. It's a good department store that caters to a wide swath of the Singapore general public. If you are worried about face, don't. Singaporeans will drive their BMW's & Merc's to used book sales for the underprivileged and suck up everything in site. If they can have doctor's and lawyers fighting over Hello Kitty soft toys in McDonald's I don't think it will be a problem. I think your concerns are misplaced. A Goldlion shirt costs the same in there as it does in Robinsons or CKTangs.

mits · Post by **mits** » Mon, 26 Mar 2007 1:05 pm

Thanks! Yea,I also have heard about que in the morning for Hello Kitty toys at McDonalds couple years ago!

Does that means Singaporeans always will go for lower price even if the quality is not so good? Ok,BMW etc.is very famous brands and they want to get them as they are symbol of prosperity. But how about less famous or new in this region - does it important to Singaporeans,expats as well to get some product at lower price but with lower quality or pay a bit more but get higher quality? Is it important to Singaporeans to be proud of place where they are shopping?

Post by **sundaymorningstaple** » Mon, 26 Mar 2007 7:38 pm

Yes they are brand conscious but they don't have a clue as to what is a good brand or bad brand. If you can write in Italian, just think up some weird Italian Name, slap it on the packaging or label. Sew the label on the outside of your clothes and they will buy in in droves. Doesn't matter if they've never heard of it. Some who knows someone, who knows the Sister of the Daughter told them it was a good brand. You get what I mean. I don't think it makes a tinkers dam what store it came from unless you are shopping in New York or London or Paris and want "Bragging Rights" when you get back home. They will carry the shopping bag for eons trying to eck out the most for the least.

That said, I don't know why you are getting so hung up with this, if it's on Orchard Road, there will be traffic. Or are you trying to find bragging rights were you manage to place your goods?

mits · Post by **mits** » Tue, 27 Mar 2007 4:42 pm

Ha-ha, that's so funny, should try to do this!

Thanks! Any other opinions?

SINGAPORE EXPATS FORUM
Singapore Expat Forum and Message Board for Expats in Singapore & Expatriates Relocating to Singapore