United Kingdom » Shopping in London

London is the shopping capital of the world. From the boutiques of Bond Street to the teeming Oxford Street fashion stores and vibrant street markets, there is something to suit even the most discerning of shoppers. Along with Paris and New York, London offers probably the best shopping experience of any city in the world. For major international and British Brands, London's main shopping areas tend to centre around Oxford Street and Regent Street, while Knightsbridge is home to stores stocking even more upmarket goods.

One of the most famous shopping stores in London is Harrods. It is a department store on Brompton Road in Knightsbridge, London. The store occupies a 4.5-acre site in Knightsbridge and has over one million square feet of selling space in over 330 departments, making it one of the largest department stores in the world.

 

Best Shopping Experience in London

London offers perhaps the best shopping experience of any city in the world. Certainly, visitors to the capital are often plagued by the pure variety of goods available. On the other hand, shoppers are spoilt for choice, there's also a feeling that London stores charge over the odds in comparison to their overseas counterparts.

In fact, while there's some strength to the argument that prices for certain goods are higher than elsewhere (particularly CDs, electrical goods and clothing), if you spend time looking around there are still bargains to be had. In addition, many stores hold sales at various times of the year, offering cut price goods to keen shoppers.

Creative City

With 83 major street markets, selling everything from antiques and exotic ingredients to retro fashions and crafts, market shoppers are spoilt for choice in London. From porcelain in Portobello Road to jellied eels in the East End, all sorts of London markets give your browsing ability a workout. Huge antique emporiums, funky street markets and cool designer-maker studios will have you in shopping heaven. London has a reputation for being a creative city. And, with the UK producing some internationally-renowned and innovative designers, the capital acts as a shop window onto British design.

Major International and British Brands

For major international and British Brands, London's main shopping areas tend to centre on Oxford Street and Regent Street, while Knightsbridge is home to stores stocking even more up market goods. Anyone looking for specialist items should head to Covent Garden, whilst those with serious money to spend gravitate towards New Bond Street (home to some of Britain's most exclusive shops). If you're after bargain electrical goods Tottenham Court Road is a must, while Hatton Garden is the place to go for watches and jewelers.

 

Below, you'll find a summary of what's on offer in London's principal shopping areas.

Department stores

Resolute mainly on Oxford Street, even though Knightsbridge has two of the most popular departmental stores Harrods and Harvey Nichols.

Brand stores or outlets

A large number of brand stores or outlets are situated in the area around Regent Street.

Designer shops

Designer shops are heavily populated on Old/New Bond Street and Sloane Street.

Fashion Shops and Boutique

Fashion shops and boutiques are located on the streets around Covent Garden, with an ever growing number also drawn back to London's famous Carnaby Street (which has enjoyed a real renaissance as a trendy fashion destination over the last couple of years).

Traditional British tailoring

Traditional British tailoring centred around Piccadilly, particularly on Jermyn Street and Savile Row.

Music shops

All of the capital's mega stores have a presence in central London, although if you're looking for rare cuts, 12" and vinyl then Soho is probably the best place to head (as here you'll find a number of independent shops covering all music genres).

Bookshops

While large bookstores such as Waterston’s and Borders are well represented all over London, other good bookshops (both large and small) are situated on both the Charing Cross Road and around Covent Garden.

Jewellery

You can head to New Bond Street for expensive items. However, for the widest possible choice its worth travelling further a field to Hatton Garden (near Farringdon), which has a high concentration of long established jewellers offering a staggering array of pieces.