Shopping
Shopping in the UK can take many shapes or forms - exclusive boutiques, famous department stores, generic chain stores, family-run corner shops, organized markets, street vendors, and even a growing e-tailing sector on the Web. There is something for every taste and every budget, so have a look and get spending!
Where To Shop
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In London there are numerous shopping areas of note, but perhaps the most famous is the Oxford Street/Regent Street axis. Major stores on Oxford Street include Selfridges, Marks & Spencer, Niketown, Virgin, and John Lewis. On Regent Street you'll find Hamley's Toy Store, Liberty, Lillywhites, French Connection, and Tower Records.
The nearby Bond Street (New and Old), Jermyn Street, and Piccadilly host a number of specialty stores and boutiques, with a focus on designer clothes and accessories. Fortnum and Mason on Piccadilly is a well-known specialist food store.
Covent Garden is a mixture of small specialist stores and markets. The Dr. Marten's 'flagship' store borders the piazza, and the nearby areas around Neal Street and Long Acre contain a range of interesting stores.
Kensington High Street is a busy shopping thoroughfare (fashion stores feature), while some interesting antique stores can be found on the nearby Kensington Church Street as well.
King's Road in Chelsea has long been regarded as an avant garde shopping experience, although this is less so today than during the 'Swinging Sixties'. Antiques, interior and home shops, and fashion predominate. Running parallel, Fulham Road is a quieter alternative.
Bookshop devotees will appreciate Charing Cross Road, and in fact London is well served by booksellers, whether they be new, antiquarian, or second hand. Books Etc, Waterstones, and WH Smith are popular book retailers.
Music lovers have a wealth of stores to choose from, with Virgin and Tower being the major chain outlets. A Virgin Megastore can be found on Oxford Street, while the large Tower outlet is on Regent Street opposite Eros.
Expats looking for something from 'back home' can check out:
African Enterprises at the Arches, just a stroll up from Embankment Tube, offering South African goods for the homesick. Phone 0207 839 6415.
Australia Shop - has all the Aussie goodies you might want. Check them out at 26 Henrietta Street; phone 0207 836 2292.
thekiwistore.com - is a 'home away from home' online store for New Zealanders.
e-tailers who have carved a niche for themselves in the UK include Amazon.com (books and CD's), www.blackstar.co.uk (CD's and videos), and www.kitbag.com (sporting goods).
More Information
Check out our London Markets guide.
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