For denizens of Punggol Coast, there’s even more reason to linger at the supermarket with the opening of the new FairPrice Finest at Punggol Coast Mall.
Being the world’s first gen-AI powered supermarket (thanks to its smart cart technology, among other things) is super cool and all, but what makes it a place we love is how grocery shopping slides seamlessly into cocktail hour.
Here, smart carts recommend your next bottle of gin, aisles extend endlessly through QR codes, and flash discounts appear when you least expect. The real game-changer for us though, is how FairPrice has turned the alcohol section into a self-directed playground.
Start with the AI-powered wine sommelier, which takes the guesswork out of the bottle hunt. Tap your phone against the NFC-enabled shelf labels and get personalised picks tailored to your taste buds.
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Sauvignon or shiraz? Chardonnay or chenin? Let the algorithm decide (if you can’t). And because nothing beats trying before buying, the wine and cocktail sampling stations (it charges a small fee for about 20ml) are here to dole out cheeky sample pours that might just convince you to take home something new. It’s nice seeing aunties and uncles in their casual wear sipping on a pint-sized mojito, grocery cart in hand.
Then there’s the star attraction: The Grocer Bar. Tucked into the store like a little reward for shoppers, it serves up two cocktails inspired by Punggol’s heritage in partnership with William Grant & Sons, plus frosty pints from local heroes RedDot Brewhouse.
Prefer buying a bottle or can from the shelf and having it in-store? Crack it open on-site for a tiny service fee ($8 for wines, $2.50 for beers) and settle in. Seats aren’t many – weekday afternoons are chill, but nights and weekends get buzzy, really buzzy. Punggol Coast residents must be a thirsty bunch.
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And because no drink is complete without a bite, there’s The Grocer Cafe, serving pastries from local favourite Edith Patisserie. Think buttery croissants and indulgent brownies. But if you’re like us, the ready-to-eat section of sushi, bentos, roast meats, and assortment of other finger foods is where you should get your nibbles.
So yes, FairPrice Finest Punggol Coast Mall is technically a supermarket – a really high-tech one – but with pints of beer, alcohol samples, and aisles of booze readily available, it feels more like a drinker’s dream come true.
It’s a space where a quick grocery run might, and quite easily so, turn into a happy hour.
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