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.
The Straits Times hailed it as
“the first Asiatic undertaking of its kind”
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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.
1940s : Wartime Integrity
Throughout the 1940s, Gian Singh & Co. strengthened its reputation as a trusted and enduring Singapore enterprise.
During the uncertainty of WWII, the firm continued to operate with integrity and responsibility, earning the confidence of its customers, partners and community.
These values of trust and resilience became an enduring part of Gian Singh & Co.’s identity.
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 a prominent Singapore enterprise, with business interests extending across Malaya and the wider region.
The firm was closely connected to Singapore’s commercial development, including leadership within the Singapore Indian Chamber of Commerce and support for educational and civic institutions.
These roots established a tradition of commerce, community and regional engagement that continues today.
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
From Merchant Roots to
Regional Access
Over generations, we have evolved from a historic Singapore enterprise into a regional distribution business with deep-rooted relationships across Southeast Asia.
Today, we leverage our regional network, market knowledge and commercial experience to build and grow international brands across the region.
