Our Heritage
A Journey of Trust, Taste, and Trade Since 1934.
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4 Battery Road, 1941 - Gian Singh & Co. at Singapore's commercial heart
Origin & Evolutions
Since 1934, Gian Singh & Co. has thrived at the crossroads of heritage, trust, and reinvention
1934: Bold Foundation
Gian Singh & Co. opened at 4 Battery Road in Singapore’s Raffles Place, breaking new ground as one of the first Asian-owned department stores and trading houses
at the island’s commercial epicentre.
The Straits Times hailed it as
“the first Asiatic undertaking of its kind” —
marking the beginning of a legacy
built on vision, ambition, and enterprise.
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1930s: Luxury Gateway
The firm emerged as Singapore’s bridge to global luxury, introducing iconic houses like Burberry, Chanel,
Leica, and Zenith to the region.
As trusted tastemakers, we helped define the city’s growing sophistication — bringing international style into Singapore’s cultural identity.
1940s : Wartime Integrity
During WWII, Gian Singh & Co. stood as a trusted presence in Singapore, reflecting values of duty an integrity even in crisis.
During the Japanese Occupation in Singapore, founder Hardial Singh Bajaj quietly extended aid to British POWs in Changi — a reflection of his personal sense of humanity and responsibility.
The firm also acted as a trusted custodian, safeguarding gold entrusted by Subhas Chandra Bose’s movement during the Occupation, later returning it after India’s independence directly to Prime Minister Jawaharlal Nehru.
1947 : New Home
at Raffles Place
Gian Singh & Co. moved into its own landmark building at 30 Raffles Place — a property acquired
before the war in 1941.
The opening reflected both tenacity and renewal, meeting Singapore’s post-war market with a larger, more prominent store at the heart of the city’s commercial square.
1950s : Global Expansion
In a post-war world of shortages, Gian Singh & Co. drew headlines by air-freighting luxury goods from the United States to Singapore — a bold move that set us apart in a recovering market.
This marked the start of our international footprint, with branches in Japan, Shanghai, Thailand, and Indonesia, and a trading office in New York.
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Mid-1950s : Returns
Beyond Commerce
By the 1950s, the firm had grown into an
institution engaged with Singapore’s wider society.
Founder Hardial Singh believed commerce
carried a duty to community.
His contributions included:
Education: National University of Singapore,
Nanyang University, Pulavar Tamil School , Community: Singapore Indian Association building in Balestier, Sri Guru Nanak Sat-Sang Sabha Sikh temple,
Civic life: Singapore Olympic & Sports Council
In 1949, he was elected President of the
Singapore Indian Chamber of Commerce,
reflecting the trust placed in him at the
intersection of trade and national progress.
1960s : Gatekeeper
for Industrial Giants
Gian Singh & Co. introduced giants
Canon, Nikon, and Siemens as exclusive agents to Singapore, pioneering their regional expansion.
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1970s - 1980s :
Diversification into
New Industries
As retail evolved, Gian Singh & Co. diversified into real estate, film distribution, and wholesale trading — laying the groundwork for the next generation.
1990s - 2020s:
Evolving Enterprise Across Sectors
From retail roots, the house expanded into film and media, cross-border trading, and real estate investments forming the platform we operate today.
Present day
A Century of Heritage,
A Modern Compass
We work alongside a select group of families and founders to strengthen, transition, and expand their enduring enterprises across Southeast Asia.
We dedicate our hands-on strategic judgment, our deeply-rooted local relationships, and our capital to building generational value, together.
Selective by design, discreet in execution.
