10 brands that used to be everywhere in Singapore – until they weren’t

With National Day around the corner, we can’t help but wonder – what happened to the iconic brands Singaporeans once loved? For many of us, these now-vanished names still stir memories of weekend hangouts, after-school treats, or first paycheque splurges. Whether it was flipping through CDs at HMV, grabbing a Blizzard from Dairy Queen, or picking out outfits at This Fashion, these spots were once part of the everyday. Ring any bells?

1. 77th Street

Once a staple in Singapore’s streetwear scene, this iconic brand boasted 16 vibrant outlets across the island. It was a hotspot for teens and young adults looking for cutting-edge streetwear and everyday essentials. So what happened? According to the brand’s founder, Ms. Elim Chew, sky-high rental costs became an impossible hurdle to clear, squeezing margins and leading to the closure of its last store at And Mo Kio Hub in July 2016. It’s a tough reminder of how even the most beloved local labels can struggle to survive in Singapore’s fierce retail landscape.

2. This Fashion

Do you still remember This Fashion? Back in the 2000s, it seemed like you couldn’t walk into a mall in Singapore without spotting one of their stores. It was the go-to spot for trendy, budget-friendly clothes that helped us keep up with the latest styles without breaking the bank. But just like GAP, This Fashion couldn’t keep up with the rise of fast-fashion giants like H&M and Uniqlo. By 2011, the brand quietly disappeared from the scene, leaving behind a wave of nostalgia for those who grew up shopping there.

3. SaSa

Remember SaSa? The bubblegum-pink shops, the shelves packed with beauty finds from all over Asia, and the beauty advisors who never let you leave without at least one sheet mask? This Hong Kong cosmetics chain was once a go-to in Singapore’s beauty scene, especially in the 2000s and early 2010s. Whether you were stocking up on Japanese skincare or hunting down K-beauty before it went mainstream, SaSa was the place to be. But by December 2019, after six straight years of losses, SaSa shut down all 22 of its stores islandwide. With Sephora, Watsons, and Guardian stepping up their game, and online shopping taking over, SaSa just couldn’t keep up. Its quiet goodbye marked the end of an era of spontaneous beauty hauls of every weekend mall run.

Or so we thought. In a surprise twist, SaSa made a quiet return to Singapore in 2023, opening a flagship store at Jurong Point, followed by outlets at Jewel Changi, Northpoint City and West Gate. Turns out, SaSa’s not done with Singapore just yet.

4. Abercrombie and Fitch

Remember the buzz around Abercrombie & Fitch during the 2010s? It wasn’t just Singapore - this American brand was a global sensation. Its massive flagship store at Knightsbridge Mall was impossible to miss, with teens and young adults lining up for a taste of that iconic American preppy vibe. But by May 2021, A&F had closed its doors in Singapore for good. While the brand enjoyed early popularity, it faced controversies over its shirtless models and a marketing style that didn’t quite keep up with Singapore’s changing consumer behaviour. As the city embraced more inclusive, affordable fashion brands, Abercrombie quietly faded away.

5. Borders Bookstore

Remember losing yourself in the aisles of Borders, flipping through books and magazines for hours? The beloved bookstore landed in Singapore in 1997 and quickly became a reader’s paradise. But on September 26, 2011, Borders at Parkway Parade closed its doors for good. Loyal fans lingered outside, snapping pics and saying heartfelt goodbyes to a place that had been part of their lives for 14 years. Struggling with debt and the rise of e-books, Borders couldn’t keep up. For many locals, it wasn’t just a bookstore closing, but the end of an era.

6. HMV (His Master’s Voice)

Back in 1997, HMV, a much-loved British music store, opened its flagship store at The Heeren on Orchard Road. It was more than just a shop; it was a place where music fans could come together, discover new sounds, and lose themselves in their favourite albums. Being the biggest music store in Singapore at the time, HMV quickly became a staple in the local music scene. But as music went digital and physical albums grew less common, things started to change. On September 30, 2015, the last HMV store in Singapore at Marina Square quietly closed its doors, marking the end of an era.

7. Build-a-bear

We all have that one childhood stuffed toy we couldn’t let go of, and chances are, some of them were brought to life at Build-A-Bear Workshop. For many in Singapore, it was more than a store; it was a little pocket of magic tucked into malls like VivoCity and Marina Square. But in 2020, just as the pandemic hit, Build-A-Bear quietly closed its doors. What felt like a temporary pause turned into an unexpected farewell, leaving many who grew up with it feeling a little nostalgic.

8. GAP

Credit: Getty Images

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Once a global icon and a familiar face in Singapore’s fashion scene, GAP was a go-to for classic, comfortable style. For nearly two decades, it was part of many wardrobes and memories. But by February 2018, GAP quietly faded from the scene, outpaced by the rise of brands like Uniqlo. Though the stores are gone, the nostalgia for those easy, timeless pieces remains.

9. Forever 21

Forever 21 - the brand that dressed our teen years in bodycon dresses, crop tops, and high-waisted everything. Once a fast-fashion favourite, it hit a rough patch in 2019, filing for bankruptcy in the U.S. as debts piled up and profits went down. As part of worldwide restructuring, Forever 21 pulled out of most of Europe and Asia, including Singapore. Its iconic flagship store at 313@Somerset shut its doors for good in June 2021. While the brand is still very much alive in the U.S., in Singapore, it’s officially fashion history… for now. Gone - but never forgotten.

10. Topshop and Topman

After nearly two decades in Singapore, British fashion staples Topshop and Topman closed their final outlets in 2020, marking the end of an era for many who grew up browsing their racks for trend-forward looks and payday splurges. Their flagship store at Knightsbridge Mall - spanning multiple levels and impossible to miss - was once a fashion playground for style-savvy teens and young adults. And who could forget their Wisma Atria outlet, the very first Topshop store in Singapore, which became a go-to spot in the heart of Orchard Road? Since then, the brands have lived on through online retail under ASOS, which acquired them after the Arcadia Group’s collapse. But in a surprising twist, Topshop’s official Instagram recently hinted at a comeback to physical stores. Could a return to the high street - and maybe even Orchard Road - be on the cards? Fashion lovers, stay tuned.