Non grocery recommendations:

Electrical Items: There are many electrical shops across the city with various kitchen products, fans and small appliances. The department stores have a good range of equipment. You will find that electrical items are sold with different plugs depending on their country of origin, and you may need to buy an adapter.

Electronics and Computers: Com-Tech should be your first call for printers, routers and laptops. Also check out Netcom Brunei , Chong Hock or facebook groups such as Brunei Buy and Sell PC Group.

Computer Games: Chong Hock does some console games, but they are very expensive.  You can also check out ETA Games in the cinema lobby of the Gadong Mall which, while still quite expensive, is better value and has the best selection we’ve found.  The advice from gamers is to use a VPN and download to your console or to order through Amazon and claim back the VAT.  Second hand games are also available through one of the Facebook resale sites.

PC games can be accessed through Steam - this can be accessed with a free account and allows saved games to be accessed on different systems, or Steam Keys - again this requires a free account but offers a (poor) loyalty scheme and a wide range of games at pretty good prices. These are not VAT claimable.

The key for gaming is to ensure that the Broadband connection accounts for large updates on games.  LS Gamers recommend a package of around 600GB and above if the games being played are quite new (CoD MW regularly has 10+ GB updates as an example) and a single game can be up to 125GB in size for the initial download.

Furniture: The Grand Concept Store, in Jeradong and at Lambak sells Ikea branded goods, as does Furnsmart in Kuala Belait. Ashley Furniture Homestore sells good quality furniture and often has good deals on specific items. It’s also worth asking a current member of Loan Service to add your number to the multiple Whats App second hand selling groups there are in Brunei, as expats often sell the contents of their houses there when they move on.

White Goods: Many people choose Audiomarc as their go-to place for white goods, but rest assured there are plenty of options depending on which brand you’re after, and in which price range.

Sports Kit: Dynamic Sports has a wide range of good quality sports gear for the whole family. Hua Ho department store also has a good range. Golf Nation at Mabohai Shopping Complex offers a good selction of clothing and equipment. For jungle hiking shoes and gear, there are multiple shops around the Kiulap Complex that cater for cheaper throwaway items.

Sewing supplies: There are a fair number of places to buy material in Brunei, but by far the shop with the best variety for handicrafts is Hokko. They stock supplies for quilting, macrame, embroidery, knitting and other hobbies. They also offer tailoring services. Please note, the assistants will follow you around to help you.

Craft supplies: It’s very difficult to find a good range of crafting supplies and many resort to Amazon for certain things. You can get basic supplies at WW Mart, Hua Ho and Samima Books and Stationery.

Party and gift supplies: WW Mart has a good range of party balloons, cards, gift bags and other items for parties. You will also find party items in one of the multiple Japanese concept stores such as Abokado or Toku Tokuya.

Gardening: Rimba Garden Centre is a good option for outdoor and indoor plants and gardening supplies. They offer membership discount and often have member sales and promotions so it is worth signing up for a membership card. Across the road from the centre, you will also find a group of individual sellers at the Hadfa Garden Centre. This is often a cheaper option if you are not looking for shiny pots etc.

Books: The Best Eastern Bookshop has a few outlets in Brunei, including at Times Square, Mabohai and Gadong. They have a fair range of childrens and young adult books in English, as well as a limited range of fiction. They also offer manga, local reads and puzzles. For a much wider range of books Booker International offers both fiction and non-fiction as well as academic books.

DIY shops: For good quality tools and DIY supplies The Toolbox is the recommended place to go. You will also find that Trillion is well stocked with plenty of hardware and homeware supplies. For smaller items like nails and sandpaper, Mr DIY is a cheap and cheerful option.

Toys: There is a Toysrus at the Mabohai Shopping Complex. For little ones, Chicco Brunei is at Aman Hills Shopping Centre.

Brunei gifts and souvenirs: You may find it difficult to find something Brunei Made, as these items tend to be sold at pop up stalls and markets. Rest assured there are plenty of options. Crimson Square at the Empire has a great range of items, Your Brunei Memories can be found at the airport. You will find many artists on Instagram who can offer paintings or personalised illustrations of life in Brunei. Alley Framers at Kiulap can frame these for you, and they often have items by local artists in store for you to buy. Check out the markets and craft fairs for locally made bags and traditional baskets, as well as parangs and blankets.