Carousell Luxury Launches Pre-Loved Designer Boutique on Orchard Road

Home-grown online marketplace Carousell Group is stepping further into the world of luxury with the opening of Carousell Luxury, its first branded retail store for pre-loved or second-hand designer handbags, located in the heart of Orchard Road.

The 1,400-square-foot boutique at The Centrepoint officially opened last September 23, 2025. Inside, shoppers will find an elegant collection of pre-loved handbags, wallets, pouches, and scarves from coveted labels such as Louis Vuitton, Chanel, Hermes, and Yves Saint Laurent.

Carousell Group already operates LuxLexicon, a high-end resale platform it acquired in 2024 that focuses on designer bags and luxury watches, with a physical outlet at Palais Renaissance, also along Orchard Road. I recently shopped on LuxLexicon’s website and purchased a Gucci GG Marmont Mini Blue Crossbody Bag in excellent condition (i.e., free of visible flaws), for S$650 plus a S$15 local delivery fee. The price point felt more than fair, given the piece’s pristine condition and the enduring heritage of the Gucci brand.

According to Tresor Anne Tan, Carousell Group’s director of client relations, the new store reflects a shift in consumer behavior toward mindful luxury spending. Buyers are paying less for items that would otherwise cost double or triple in the brands’ boutiques. “Many are pleasantly surprised by how pristine these pre-owned bags are, often in near-new condition,” she said.

Image Credits:
facebook.com/carousellluxury

Each item goes through a meticulous authentication process by a five-member team of professional appraisers who verify every detail, from materials and stitching to embossing and hardware.

For sellers, Carousell Luxury uses a net-earnings consignment model, meaning consignors know exactly how much they will take home once their item sells. Prices are aligned with current market rates, while Carousell takes a 25% to 30% commission to cover in-store operations, marketing, and professional product photography.

Prices for handbags start at around S$800, with highly sought-after pieces such as the Chanel Wenge Wood Vanity, Louis Vuitton x Yayoi Kusama OnTheGo, and limited-edition Dior Saddle Bag featured in the lineup. Personally,

Have a luxury bag gathering dust at home? Carousell Luxury’s trade-in, consignment, and buy-out programs offer a quick way to turn those treasures into cash, with valuation done in as little as ten minutes.

Image Credits:
facebook.com/carousellluxury

Carousell Luxury is located on the first floor of The Centrepoint and is open daily from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. Stay updated with every drop on Instagram: @carousellluxury.

Sources: 1 & 2

FairPrice has ‘buy 1 get 1 free’ offers, up to 50% off mandarin oranges & more till 22 October 2025

Similar to last week’s promo, we don’t have lots of 1+1s this week, but we have up to 50% off other products such as mandarin oranges, body lotion, and more.

Promo ends in a week, on Wednesday, 22 October 2025 (unless otherwise stated), so make your purchases quickly.

Buy 1 Get 1 Free

Lay’s Potato Chips – Crispy Drumsticks / Swiss Cheese

Any 2 for $3.10

Why settle for one flavor when you can have two? These Lay’s potato chips from Taiwan come in two varieties that will make your snack time twice as nice. Choose from Crispy Drumsticks flavor or Swiss Cheese. Each 85g bag packs all the classic Lay’s crunch you know and love, just with a delicious Taiwanese twist. With the current 1+1 deal, you can stock up on both flavors without having to pick favorites.

Up to 50% Off

Pasar Australia Mandarin

$3.95 (was $7.90) (Save $3.95)

Time to load up on vitamin C with these Australian mandarin oranges at 50% off! 🍊

Aveeno Daily Moisturizing Soothing Relief Lotion

$14.85 (was $29.70) (Save $14.85)

Eversoft Premium Skin Botanica Shower – Lavender

$5.50 (was $11.00) (Save $5.50)

A shower cream that wraps you in a lather infused with lavender oil while three moisture-boosting ingredients work their magic. Hyaluronic acid forms a protective layer to lock in hydration, while organic sweet almond oil and glycerin team up to keep your skin feeling supple and soft.

Available in other varieties too:

Walch 9X Laundry Capsules Refill – Antibacterial / Antibacterial Sport

Any 3 for $29.90

Tsubaki Premium Ex Shampoo – Hair Fall Care & Repair

$10.95 (was $21.90) (Save $10.95)

Tsubaki Premium Ex brings you its Bond Restore Technology, blending seaweed extracts that smooth down those cuticles and slash hair friction by a whopping 33%. The secret weapon is a smart damage-sensor system that zeroes in on troubled spots. Japanese Citrus Unshiu Peel extract teams up with a scalp care complex to tackle hair loss concerns, while keeping your scalp so comfortable that 92% of users wave goodbye to itchiness. It also contains Tsubaki’s signature Camellia Oil Force, delivering moisture that transforms brittle strands into silky locks. Pair it with the Tsubaki Premium Ex Conditioner – Hair Fall Care & Repair if you’d like.

Also comes in other pair varieties such as:

Regro 5% Hair Lotion – Extra Strength

$36.66 (was $73.32) (Save $36.66)

5 awesome accommodations in Medan, Indonesia, to book a stay in Q4 of 2025

Need a quick travel destination out of our sunny island before the year ends?

How about Medan?

Medan is the capital of Indonesia’s North Sumatra province, and it’s only about 1.5 hours from Singapore by plane.

Consider these awesome accommodations we’ve picked for you in this post.

Adimulia Hotel Medan

Agoda Rating: 9.1 (7K+ reviews)

Adimulia Hotel Medan is an Agoda Travelers’ Choice 2023 winner that puts you an hour’s drive from Kualanamu International Airport and a 1.2 km distance to Center Point Mall.

Stretch out in deluxe rooms spanning 40 square meters, or level up to business and family suites for extra space to chill.

When it’s time to play, dive into the outdoor pool, soak in the indoor sauna, or maintain your workout routine at the on-site gym.

Bringing the little ones?

Children under 5 stay free when using existing bedding.

Grand Cityhall Hotel Medan

Agoda Rating: 9.1 (3.9K+ reviews)

Here’s a 5-star hotel, the Grand Cityhall Hotel, steps from Center Point Mall and Tjong A Fie’s Mansion.

Fresh off its 2023 Agoda travelers’ choice award, this accommodation offers rooms from deluxe quarters to junior suites, apartments, and presidential suites.

On-site, you can take a swim in the outdoor swimming pool or work out at the gym.

The indoor sauna also stands ready to melt your tension away.

d’primahotel Kualanamu Medan

Agoda Rating: 9.1 (3.4K+ reviews)

Skip the long airport transfer hassle at d’primahotel Kualanamu Medan, just 6 km from Kualanamu International Airport.

The standard rooms measure from 24 square meters, while the Deluxe Twin Room spreads out to 35 square meters with two double beds—perfect for group/family stays.

Speaking of family, kids under 4 stay free when using existing bedding.

Take a dip in the outdoor pool, squeeze in a workout at the indoor gym, or challenge fellow travelers to a game of pool right here.

Sishezu Citytel Managed By 3 Smart Hotel

Agoda Rating: 9.1 (1.9K+ reviews)

Sishezu Citytel Managed By 3 Smart Hotel has Agoda’s coveted Top Choice award for 2024.

This property puts you within 2.5 km of Gunung Timur Temple and Rahmat International Wildlife Museum & Gallery.

Whether you’re settling into a standard room or in an executive option, you will find spaces that cater to modern-day travelers.

Children 2 and under stay free when using existing bedding.

Grand Central Premier

Agoda Rating: 9.0 (3K+ reviews)

This 4-star hotel sits just 450 m from Center Point Mall, making it perfect for shopping.

The Grand Central Premier’s contemporary interiors set the stage for a camera-ready stay, while various deluxe room types cater to every traveler’s needs.

For those who appreciate extra space, the Executive Suite spans a roomy 64 square meters.

It’s no wonder this property was named a top choice by Agoda travelers in 2023.

Commutes Adjust as Public Transport Costs Rise 5% From Dec 27

Starting December 27, public transport fares will rise by 5%, marking the third straight year of adjustments. Adult commuters will pay 9 or 10 cents more per trip depending on distance, while concessionary passengers such as seniors, students, and low-wage workers will see smaller increases of 3 or 4 cents.

The Public Transport Council (PTC) announced the revision on October 14, describing it as a careful response to rising energy and manpower costs while keeping fares affordable. Although this follows higher hikes of 6% in 2024 and 7% in 2023, the latest increase is viewed as a more measured step to balance cost pressures with public interest.

Image Credits: unsplash.com

To soften the impact on frequent riders, the PTC will lower monthly travel pass prices. From December 27, adults will pay S$122 instead of S$128, seniors and persons with disabilities S$55 instead of S$58, and low-wage workers S$92 instead of S$96. About 155,000 commuters are expected to benefit from these reductions, helping offset the fare increase for regular users.

Additional relief will come through S$60 public transport vouchers provided by the government to households earning up to S$1,800 per person monthly. Eligible households can redeem these vouchers via the SimplyGo app or at designated kiosks and service centers beginning December 29.

Image Credits: unsplash.com

Beyond fare changes, the PTC is also updating how future adjustments are calculated. Instead of relying on data from the previous calendar year, future reviews will assess energy prices, wages, and other cost factors from the 12 months leading up to June of the review year. This shift aims to make fare adjustments more responsive to real-time economic conditions and reduce delays between cost changes and fare updates.

Transport operators SBS Transit Rail and SMRT Trains had sought a 14.4% increase to cover rising maintenance and labor expenses. The PTC approved only a 5% adjustment but required both operators to contribute 20% of their additional fare revenue (i.e., about S$10.6 million combined) to the Public Transport Fund, which helps cushion fare hikes for lower-income households.

Image Credits: unsplash.com

Meanwhile, express bus fares will rise slightly to reflect higher operating costs, while short-distance concessionary trips of up to 3.2 kilometers will remain unchanged. This move benefits passengers who rely on short daily commutes to schools, workplaces, and community amenities.

The fare review highlights a recurring challenge of keeping the transport system financially sustainable while easing the burden on daily commuters. Though the increase may seem modest, it reflects a broader effort to sustain efficiency and affordability in one of the region’s most advanced public transport networks.

Sources: 1 & 2

Ariana Grande & Cynthia Erivo Lead Wicked: For Good’s Singapore Premiere on Nov 13

Wicked fans, mark your calendars. On November 13, 2025, Singapore will turn emerald green as the Lion City hosts the Asia-Pacific premiere of Wicked: For Good, the much-anticipated sequel to the global hit musical film Wicked. The exclusive event will take place at Universal Studios Singapore (USS) in Resorts World Sentosa (RWS), marking a milestone moment for the region’s entertainment landscape.

Singapore stands out as the only Asian stop on the film’s international promotional tour, joining an elite lineup of cities including São Paulo, Paris, London, and New York.

Image Credits: facebook.com/wickedmovie

Leading the star-studded cast are Ariana Grande and Cynthia Erivo, who reprise their iconic roles as Glinda and Elphaba. They will be joined by Academy Award winner Michelle Yeoh, Hollywood legend Jeff Goldblum, and director Jon M. Chu, celebrated for his work on Crazy Rich Asians and In the Heights.

The celebration will begin with a special handprint ceremony, followed by the Asia-Pacific premiere screening at the Pantages Hollywood Theatre in USS. Guests can look forward to an exclusive gathering at Weave, the newly launched lifestyle and community hub of Resorts World Sentosa, which provides a fitting setting for this fusion of Hollywood glamour and Singaporean sophistication.

Image Credits: facebook.com/wickedmovie

Beyond the red carpet, the premiere represents a significant achievement for Singapore’s entertainment and tourism industries. As regional travel continues to recover, hosting one of Hollywood’s most beloved musical franchises reinforces Singapore’s reputation as a premier destination for experiential and world-class events. For Resorts World Sentosa, it also highlights a growing emphasis on immersive storytelling and entertainment-driven tourism.

Special tickets for the USS Premiere Day on November 13 are priced from S$93 for adults and S$72 for children, offering fans a rare opportunity to walk the yellow carpet alongside the cast. For Universal Studios Singapore, the premiere serves as both a marketing triumph and a renewed invitation for guests to rediscover Sentosa’s signature mix of leisure and spectacle.

Following the event, Wicked: For Good will open in local cinemas on November 20, 2025. Industry observers expect the film to set new box office records across Asia. With its timeless themes of friendship, ambition, and redemption, along with a soundtrack already evoking nostalgia, the film is set to enchant a new generation while reviving the cultural and economic magic of the Wicked legacy.

Image Credits: facebook.com/wickedmovie

As Glinda once said, “Happy is what happens when all your dreams come true.” That dream takes center stage on November 13, when Wicked arrives and the city shines in shades of green.

Sources: 1 & 2

Buy 1 Get 1 Free

Up to 50% Off

Search the site