Everything You Need To Know About Shopping in London
The Queen, Big Ben, Tower Bridge, and Madam Tussauds are just a bonus when you go on a shopping trip to London. Known as the mecca for shopping, this city gives you a taste of everything starting from eclectic shops and luxury shopping to vintage shops, fine dining, and some unique antique jewelry.
If London's gloomy weather calls for some retail therapy, we've got everything you need to know about shopping in London. You can start your shopping spree now! No doubt, you will discover plenty of excellent finds. Drop your shopping parcels and heavy bags at one of our London bag storage spots and continue browsing the stores with a lighter load. And enjoy!
Popular Shopping Malls in London
Boxpark in Shoreditch
Shopping malls are reserved for London shopping on a rainy day. One of the most visited malls in London is Boxpark. Located in Shoreditch, East London, this shopping center is unlike any you have ever seen.
It's built from shipping containers, making it an eco-friendly mall. Like most malls in London, expect to find some good restaurants and bars, but also something you don't often see in other shopping centers, and that is unusual shops. You will find over 60 independent boutiques carrying their own brand and many trendy labels too.
Besides being a shopping mall, Boxpark is also a place where you can attend all sorts of events like concerts, festivals and art shows.
Westfield
There are two Westfield shopping centers in London: Westfield Stratford City located in East London, and Westfield London shopping center in West London. Both malls have over 250 stores and over 80 eateries, making them two of the largest malls in Europe. Expect to find luxury brands such as Prada, Jimmy Choo, and Louis Vuitton or the usual high street fashion at Topshop, GAP, Next, and Marks & Spencer.
If you are looking for make-up and cosmetics, you can choose from brands like L'Occitane, Body Shop, Kiko, and Bobbi Brown. The Westfield London and Westfield Stratford City shopping centers also have movie theatres for their customers, making them the best shopping destination for many.
Department Stores and Outlets in London
Selfridges
Founded in 1909, Selfridge's flagship store on Oxford Street should be on the top of your bucket list for shopping in central London. With 540, 000 square feet of selling space, it is the second largest department store in the United Kingdom, after Harrods, and home to over 300 stores.
Although high-end, Selfridges offers a little bit of something for everyone. Whether you are looking for affordable or premium brands, designer shops, home, and technology, or cosmetics and make-up, Selfridges has all that and more!
The famous department store also features programs and events like the Shakespeare reFashioned Theatre, a 122-sea auditorium showcasing Shakespeare's plays. Complete your shopping experience in one of the many restaurants and bars to satisfy your sophisticated palate when hunger strikes. Do you still have the energy to look around the city? Take a look at our guide on free things to do in London.
Harrods
London shopping is not complete if you don't stop by Harrods. With 1.1 million square feet of shopping space and seven floors of expensive shops, Harrods is the largest and the most luxurious department store in Europe.
They even offer a personalized shopping experience with a team of professionals to help you choose the best items for you. Located in the heart of Knightsbridge, Harrods is a wonderful place to walk around and do some window shopping even if you are traveling on a budget.
Primark
If you are looking for great prices on the latest fashion, pets necessities, furnishings, or beauty products, Primark is your store. Located on Oxford Street is the biggest Primark department store in the world. You will be surprised to find literally everything you need at such affordable prices on a street that is filled with luxury brands.
London Designer Outlet
Located on Wembley Boulevard, close to Wembley Stadium is the biggest outlet center in London, London Designer Outlet. If you are hunting for a bargain on your favorite brand, this is the right place. You will find brands like Levis, Timberland, Samsung, H&M, most of which have sales on last season's collections.
Burberry Outlet
Burberry is Britain's most iconic brand and if you like anything Burberry, you should check out Burberry Outlet. Located in East London, this is where you can find up to a 60% discount on Burberry items. Make time to browse through the aisles to find your favorite checked pattern bag or scarf on sale.
It will still cost an arm and a leg, but if you are a Burberry die-hard fan and have been saving for it, then this is no doubt the best store to buy it from.
Vintage Stores in London
Absolute Vintage
Absolute Vintage is one of the best shops in Shoreditch if you are looking for second-hand clothing or some really unique pieces from the past. Take your time while going through each rack, as you never know what you might find.
House of Vintage
Located on Brick Lane, Shoreditch, House of Vintage is a 2-story boutique where you can find anything from vintage dresses and jeans to retro jackets and shirts from the '20s all the way through the '70s. This vintage shop in London is where you can find some original Levi jeans from the 1960s or unique vintage jewelry from the 1920s.
One of a Kind
Portobello Road, Notting Hill is not just a place for designer brands and luxury stores. This vintage shop in London is where you can dig for some unique pieces, some dating as far back as the 19th century. If you like vintage and one-of-a-kind pieces, this is the one and only shop in London that has the largest vintage collection.
Walking through the store you will see a wall with photos of celebrities who have shopped here, like Kate Moss and Naomi Campbell.
Popular Shopping Streets in London
Oxford Street
With shopping streets on every corner, it's no surprise if one feels a little lost when it comes to shopping in London. But if you ask a Londoner, where is the best shopping in London, they will send you to Oxford Street. With over 300 shops and over 90 flagship stores like Selfridges and Adidas, shopping on the 1.5 miles long Oxford Street is what London shopping should look like.
Expect to find high street brands like Top Shop, River Island, Zara, H&M, and Primark but also luxury department stores like Selfridges and House of Fraser. There are over 500 restaurants giving you plenty of choices when the stomach starts growling. Have in mind that Oxford Street is crowded every day, especially from 5 pm to 6:30 pm and during weekends.
London's Oxford Street is where the true London shopping experience begins and ends.
Sloane Street
Head to the center of the Chelsea neighborhood and take a walk along Sloane Street, one of the most exclusive shopping destinations in the world. If you are shopping on a budget, then window shopping may help your retail therapy, as Sloane Street is lined up with high-end luxury flagship stores like Gucci, Louis Vuitton, Tom Ford, Chloe, Giorgio Armani, Valentino, and more!
This part of London is full of luxury hotels, gift shops, jewelry stores, deluxe buildings, and fine dining restaurants. If you don't feel like breaking the bank, it's worth checking out and admiring this "posh" side of London.
Regent Street
Located in the West End of London is Regent Street, a major shopping area where you can shop till you drop in some of the oldest stores in London, eat in award-winning restaurants but also go home with some great buys. Your shopping on Regent Street should cover stores like Anthropologie, Guess, Desigual, Clarks Shoes and more!
If you want to know what London shopping is all about check out some other famous shopping streets like Bond Street, Carnaby Street, Old Bond Street, Mount Street and King's Road.
Famous Markets in London
Brick Lane Market
If you like hunting for bargains, street food, street art, and flea markets, then Brick Lane Market is your destination. Expect to find cool cafes, shops, vintage clothing and jewelry, arts, and antiques at affordable prices. Open Saturdays and Sundays, this grand market is made of different markets such as Tea Market, Vintage Market, and Sunday UpMarket, to name a few.
As one of the largest street markets in London, Brick Lane Market offers a completely different London shopping experience.
Borough Market
Located in central London is the historic Borough Market, a food lovers paradise. Open from Monday to Saturday, you can find delicious food from all over the world, fresh organic produce, fish, and spices. The market is enclosed and it's known as one of the oldest markets in London dating back from the 12th century.
Chelsea Antiques Market
If you are on the hunt for unique and high-quality antiques, collectibles, and vintage clothing, look no further. Open Saturdays and Sundays, Chelsea indoor flea makes for amazing weekend shopping on a budget. There are several food vendors too that offer a great variety of food.
Camden Market
London markets make shopping fun! One of the best markets to visit in London is Camden Market. Located in Camden Town, you will find over 1000 open-air and indoor markets selling all sorts of arts and crafts, vintage goods, antiques, and international food. The market is open seven days a week, but for the ultimate London shopping experience head there during the weekend. It's also a fun neighborhood in which to stay when in London.
Popular Shopping Areas in London
Knightsbridge
Knightsbridge is by right one of the most "posh" shopping districts in London. Some of the most luxury stores can be found here such as Harrods and Harvey Nichols as well as high-end streets like Sloane Street, packed with luxury brands like Gucci, Prada, and Christian Louboutin. Knightsbridge is where you will find many fine dining restaurants like Restaurant at the Cadogan on Sloane Street and Caffe Concerto on King's Road.
Soho
Soho has been one of the best shopping districts since the 1960s. Located just a few miles from Regent Street and Oxford Street, this neighborhood is not short of anything. Packed with trendy boutiques, selling anything from high street fashion to street style, shoe stores, bars, and fashionable restaurants, Soho makes for a great shopping experience.
Carnaby Street in Soho is where you will find all the latest fashion trends in stores like Diesel, The North Face, Cheap Monday, Vans, beauty brand Benefit on Carnaby Street and so many more! A big part of the Soho shopping experience is the Kingly Court shopping mall, and some of the shops worth a visit are Oxygen Boutique, Machine-A, Toms, Dr. Martens, just to name a few!
Seven Dials
Located in the heart of London, but away from the busy city streets, you will find a shopping district like no other. This Covent Garden village has more than 90 stores and 50-plus dining spots ready for you to dive in. Seven Dials offers seven streets of vintage stores, independent boutiques, beauty salons, top-notch restaurants, and traditional English pubs.
From London's Concept Stores to Vintage Boutiques
London is the stylish city you hear about and see in the movies. From hundreds of designer stores and luxury shops to independent boutiques and some crazy bargain fashion, London knows how to keep up with the latest fashion trends.
London is also home to two of the most famous department stores in Europe, Selfridges and Harrods, and a host of the London Fashion Week. It offers without a doubt, the best shopping experience a city can offer to a tourist like you.