The joy of bulk buys: 7 things to bag at S'pore's members-only Warehouse Club

The latest buzz on the grocery scene is the arrival of Warehouse Club (WHC) by NTUC FairPrice.

Singapore's first members-only store, which encourages bulk purchases of household items and consumables, is modelled after the warehouse wholesale model of US chain CostCo.

What exactly can you buy there?

I was sent to No.1, Joo Koon Circle - WHC's address -  to find out what are some of the more interesting items you can lug home.

In case you're wondering about the distance, Joo Koon is really far from my office in Braddell.

 

1) Sack of potatoes

Photo: TNP

For $4.80, you can walk out of the store with 5kg worth of potatoes.

Fancy slinging the sack of potatoes on your back and walking out of the store looking like Ali Baba? That's entirely up to you.

If a sack of potatoes is not your thing, there are other produce in a sack.

Photo: TNP

From left to right: garlic cloves ($13.50), potatoes, red onions ($4.50), yellow onions ($4.50)

 

2) Songhe Thai Hom Mali rice, 25kg

Photo: TNP

 

This 25 kg sack of rice costs $56. It is cheaper per kilogram at WHC than if you were you to buy at a normal NTUC FairPrice, where it retails for $28.50. 

Here's the Maths:

Price per kg at WHC: $56/25= $2.24/kg of rice

Price per kg at an NTUC FairPrice: $28.50/10 = $2.85/kg of rice

The only drawback?

The sheer weight. I almost pulled my back when I was arranging the sack for the picture above.

 

3) Flava puff mini pretzels

Trusty pen to show the scale. Photo: TNP

 

Perfect if you are organising parties, or in my case, stress-eating while watching the latest Manchester United game.

If any party guests complain that they need a healthier snack, Flava Puff also make  "Veggie Sticks".

Yes I know, these are neither vegetables nor are they healthy. Photo: TNP

Both snacks costs $8.60

 

4) Kettle Chips Sea Salt flavour

Trusty notebook for scale. Photo: TNP

Staying on the theme of organising a party, WHC also sells a bag of Kettle Chips at $8.90.

To show you the sheer size of the pack (spans my bicep to wrist), here's my trusty notebook propped up as a point of reference.

 

5) Veora Everyday soft-and-gentle tissue roll

Photo: TNP

 

These rolls of toilet paper come in a pack of 18. The price: $8.80.

Buy in bulk to prevent sudden panic attacks of going without or the uncomfortable feeling of being stranded in the loo when the roll suddenly runs out.

The best part?

WHC provides an open roll or box of tissues - so you can test out the product for yourself before committing your hard-earned money.

"Mmmmm, soft". Photo: TNP

 

6) Ferrero Roche chocolates

Photo: TNP

Heaven for Ferrero Rocher fiends, as the treats are sold by the boxes.

There are 12 packets that contain five Rochers in one box alone, retailing for $27.60

Useful for real-life wedding emergencies like two months ago, when my friend and I had to scramble to the Giant Hypermart to empty their stocks of Ferrero Rochers.

He found out the day before tying the knot that he did not have enough wedding favours.

A trip to WHC will solve such last-minute headaches.

 

7) Kellogg's Frosted Flakes 

Photo: TNP

Buying 1.7kg worth of sugar-coated cornflakes might seem like overkill.

But at least you'll have a constant supply of grrrrrrrrreat-tasting breakfast.

However, we don't recommend eating them all at one go though: The sugar crash might not be so (brace yourselves, here it comes again) grrrrrrrrreat.

So there you have it.

This tongue-in-cheek list is not definitive.

Remember: You need to be a member to purchase items from WHC.

It costs $35 if you are a Union member and $50 to sign up if you are not.