Batam is one of the most modernised areas in Indonesia and is a shopping hotspot for all those that visit this island. Tourists from usually flock here for a retreat, and some fresh ocean air, and even more retail therapy. It can be a great place to explore, enjoy and shop. The island city of Batam may be a pocket crunch, provided you are a shopaholic, for the sheer stock of options it has to offer. From sprawling malls like Nagoya Hill Shopping Mall and the Mega Mall Shopping Centre to the Kampung Oleh-oleh, there is something for everyone to enjoy and take back home!
Below are a few lists of items and shopping malls intended to ease your time when shopping in Batam.
SourceThe Nagoya Hill Shopping Mall is a must-visit destination in Batam even if you don’t have any set shopping list in mind. It is one of the largest malls in Batam and has everything under one roof ranging from restaurants serving local food to multiple small boutiques selling bags and leather goods. One can spend an entire day exploring this gigantic mall. Unfortunately for many travellers, the means of communication here at this mall is Indonesian. Although it might be challenging to deal with this gap, many places have pictures and details in English. All in all, it is a customer-friendly and a beautiful place to shop or spend some time.
Location: Jll.Teuku Umar No.1, Lubuk Baja Kota, Lubuk Baja
Operating Hours: Monday to Sunday: 10:00 AM - 10:30 PM
2. Batam City Square (BCS) Mall
SourceA massive mall with different kinds of shops, the Batam City Square Mall is a must-visit for individuals who want to pamper themselves at the very affordable nail and hair salons. A classic gel manicure (no design) ranges from USD 5 - USD 10. It is often accompanied by a relaxing neck, shoulder and head massage. Apart from this, there are a lot of clothing stores. There are not many designer brands, but that is what makes this mall so interesting. Do keep an eye for the fake items sold here as sometimes tourists get swindled to buy them at much higher prices claiming its original.
This place for shopping in Batam also hosts a duty-free liquor shop where imported alcohol can be bought at very reasonable prices. A wide range of food is also available on level 3. The cineplex on level 4 is well equipped with the seats being comfortable, the sound system equipped with Dolby 7.1, and the toilets are well maintained.
Location: Jalan Bunga Raya, Batu Selicin, Lubuk Baja
Operating Hours: Monday to Sunday: 10:00 AM - 10:30 PM
3. Diamond City Mall
Source A relatively older place for shopping in Batam, the Diamond City Mall is famous for its cheap products that are good in quality like clothes, shoes, local snacks, electronic items and personal needs. The residents of Batam most visit the mall. It has a supermarket and some shops selling second-hand laptops, home appliances and other electronic items. The prices are reasonable since they can be 30-50% cheaper as compared to the other local shops. Several hours can be spent in this mall bargaining, shopping and just walking around.
The whole mall has lots to offer as clothing for men, women and children. One can bag great quality pyjamas, t-shirts, etc. for around $6 or $7. Be cautious regarding the fake items sold on the ground floor. Customers are often tricked into buying fake Longchamp having perfect designs and look immaculately real.
Location: Jalan Duyung Operating Hours: Monday to Sunday: 10:00 AM - 10:30 PM
4. Mega Mall Shopping Centre
Source The mall is the best-accessed one in Batam. It is connected to the Batam city ferry terminal by an overhead pedestrian bridge. You are sure to stumble upon this mall during your sightseeing in Batam. The mall is packed with a significant number of shops and restaurants ranging from fast-food to local food.
The mall has earned an excellent reputation for shopping in Batam for being pleasant and clean. Bargaining skills, however, are not of much use in this mall since the prices here are fixed. The mall hosts decorated brands like the A&W and Lamoist Kueh Lapis cakes. It also has a spa on the top floor, which happens to be a highly recommended spa chain.
Location: Jl. Engku Putri No.1, Tlk. Tering
Operating Hours: Monday to Sunday: 10:00 AM - 10:30 PM
5. Kampung Oleh-Oleh
Source Kampung Oleh-Oleh is one of the best souvenir cum handicrafts shops in Batam. Located in downtown Nagoya, the shop primarily deals in local handicrafts and souvenirs like key chains, wallets, mini bags, sarongs, assorted local Indonesian desserts and sweets and local handwoven items. Kampung Oleh-Oleh can prove to be a one-stop solution if you are in the dilemma of buying souvenirs or mementoes for your loved ones back home.
Location: Komp Penuin Centre, Jl. Pembangunan, Batu Selicin, Lubuk Baja
Operating Hours: 8:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Must Buy Things When Shopping in Batam
Source 1. Apparel (T-shirts, Pants, Shorts): Sold out at really great prices and excellent quality, Batam has earned a perfect name for dealing in cheap garments.
2. Goods of daily use: Make it a point to stuff your trolleys with as much of these as possible while you return from Batam. These may include sanitary napkins, toothpaste, toothbrush, chilli (Uleg brand), high-quality pepper(locally termed as Merica Bubuk), Kueh Lapis, Keropok, etc.
3. Bags: Being gifted with their skills in handicrafts, the Indonesians are experts in efficiently copying the designs of bags(even luxury bags) with acute precision. You would have a vast number of options to choose from. So choose wisely, bargain to the top of your calibre
4. Shoes: Being one of the leading producers of rubber, local shoes of ‘not-so-popular’ brands made from rubber are naturally of really high quality and extremely cheap. Slippers, stilettos, boots, sports shoes, men’s shoes are too good for their prices to be missed.
5. Kids’ Toys and stationery: Although the quality of the stationery is not top-notch, they are entirely pocket-friendly. Kids bags, pencil cases, girls hair ties and other stationaries are just too cheap.
6. Seafood: One cannot say they went shopping in Batam till they bought some of the freshest catches that the city is famous for. The seafood of Batam is to die for. It is cheap, delicious and sumptuous. The following are some colloquial words used for seafood that may prove to be helpful:
- Fish means Ikan - Shrimp means Udang - Squid means Sottong or Cumi-Cumi - Clams mean Kepah - Crab means Kepiting - Crayfish mean Udang Kipas - Small Conch mean Gong-Gong - Lele means Catfish - Tiram means Oyster
Source Have a great time shopping in Batam, dive into the ocean of products and make it a point to visit at least one of the places mentioned on your trip to this beautiful Indonesian city. Happy shopping!
