Emporium Universe

A. Nutt asked:


Shopping is shopping, right? Well, not necessarily. At one time, the only way to shop was to leave your home and visit a store. Nowadays, the Internet has revolutionized the way in which we spend money. But how does it add up compared to traditional shopping?

Well, we need to weigh them both to see how they compare to one another.

Traditional shopping

In traditional shopping, you simply take a ride in your car to your favorite shopping center or store and you buy what you want or need. You can pay with cash or credit card. In some instances you can pay with a check. You do get the opportunity to see the product before you purchase it and you can keep an eye on your credit card if you decide to pay with that method.

All of this seems rather great, doesn’t it? However, there are always cons to the pros when it comes to anything and everything.

The cons that you may run into when it comes to traditional shopping is that the store you are shopping at may not accept your payment method. There is also the fact that they may not have what you want. You may even find that the item they have is more expensive than what you want to pay. You may know that another store carries it, but they are out of it because they sell it at a cheaper price.

Yes, there are instances in which you must shop the traditional way. For example, you may need an item right now, which is true of grocery shopping. When you need milk or you need formula for the baby, you have to be able to go to the store and get those things immediately.

Online shopping

When it comes to online shopping, you don’t have to leave your home at all. You simply sit down at your computer, browse around the various online stores, and find what it is you need. However, there is usually only one way to pay. You can only pay via credit card. There are some websites that allow you to use your PayPal account or they will permit you to send them a check before they send you the item. The check method doesn’t work so well when you need the item right now.

As for the cons, you are not able to keep an eye on your credit card number like you can with an in-person transaction. You can, however, ensure that you are doing business with a secure site by looking in the address bar and seeing if there is an https:// present. You can also read website reviews to make sure a site is secure. You also do not get the opportunity to see the item right in front of you before you buy.

However, the advantages continue because, if you can’t find an item at one store, you can always find it at another. There really isn’t much that you can’t find on the Internet. You may not want to grocery shop online, but gifts, clothes, and many other items can be purchased and shipped right to your door. If you don’t like them when you get them, you can always ensure you’re doing business with a company with a good return policy.

So which seems better to you? Do you prefer the traditional way or the online way? It is a personal preference when it comes down to it. Really, all you need to do is shop the way you feel comfortable, but know that you are going to find some great deals online that you may not be able to offline.

Wireless Communications

Tom Tessin asked:


Through cash back shopping over the Internet, you not only earn discounts, special offers and promotional gifts, but also receive cash against making purchases. Members get the points they earn, through many options of payment such as Bankers’ Automated Clearing Services (BACS), PayPal or through check. The U.S. is slowly becoming accustomed to this new way of shopping and is a huge hit among the masses.

Method of operation

By shopping on the Internet, people in the U.S. can derive many benefits. The cash back websites make available for you clickable links that direct you to retailers’ site. For any item you wish to purchase, you have to click on any link related to your search. It then takes you to individual product-specific websites of retailers. Individuals may even shop for branded products at such cash back websites.

How It Works?

A merchant puts all products together on a particular website. When you as a browser click on the advertisement for buying the product on sale, the retailer pays a commission to the cash back website owner.

The websites, which are actively involved in cash back shopping, appear as user interfaces and abridge the gap between retailers and online shoppers. After you click on a link and wish to buy any product, you are entitled to a percentage of cash back from that concerned retailer.

After browsers sign up with any cash back website, they may possibly search for members, who have already made online purchases with that retailer and availed easy cash back over their purchases. Accordingly, after you log in, you may select any retailer, for placing your online order for products.

For the deal to be more profitable and good than offline shopping, you may buy products from the cash portals for obtaining cash back percentages as incentives. In this type of shopping, retailers make some commission over the sales they do.

Earning prospects

Since the deal appeals to the eye, most of the enthusiastic shoppers look forward to making purchases through cash back shopping websites. To ease the shopping task, the Internet has many shopping portals for shoppers. The cash back percentage differs on each website. While some may offer high percentage, others may stick to a low percentage. It all depends on the business policies of cash back websites.

There are websites that often pay through cash system. Most of the cash back websites have taken to comparison-shopping. They offer dual profits to customers such as cash back other than facilitating comparison-shopping.

Overview:

To achieve maximum benefits from cash back shopping, it is indeed better to search for a website, which is active in comparison-shopping besides offering cash back goods. You may certainly enjoy purchasing through websites of cash back. It eliminates the need to visit shopping center offline, and as a result, you get to save on time and money.

Hence, you may shop right away through these cash back websites and derive as many cash back points. This way your monthly shopping budget will be intact. More and more people have benefited from this shopping trend. It has simply surpassed the conventional offline shopping trend.

Sports Fan News

Roberto Luongo asked:


Following your decision to shop online, you need to consider some other important tips that may provide you an enjoyable shopping experience. Here are few points that may really help:

Know a privacy policy:

Before starting online transactions, you need to read posted privacy policies on concerned online shopping websites very carefully. Make sure what they do with your personal information like name, address and contact details. Due to increasing spam, majority of stores follow strict policies for protecting their customers’ data.

Website Address:

Always prefer buying from a genuine website that has its own domain names rather than shopping from companies that use free web space for clinching attentions of online buyers. Websites with genuine domain address would be considered more reliable than websites using free web spaces.

Web site Design:

Choose a website that looks professional. Purchasing goods from online shopping center that gives a professional feel is likely to be taken more seriously in web market.

Check secure site information:

After you choose a website to shop, you need to check its security. Generally, people don’t check site information and lose money. Shopping through a secure site ensures passing of customer data through a safe way only.

Check the company contact information:

Following your selection of a credible website, you must look for the company’s exact information. Do not trust simply by getting email addresses. Try to get additional address like phone numbers and physical address.

Satisfaction guarantee/return policy:

Online shopping has a drawback as it can be displayed online. Do not go for products about which you don’t have much idea. Always buy products that you have already seen in stores and used earlier. In case, you are not satisfied with the delivery product, return the purchased good as soon as possible.

Shopping through web can be a worthy experience only when you know how to shop economically.

Education Foundation

Matthew Paolini asked:


The Beverly Center is a shopping center in Los Angeles, CA. It is housed in a decorated eight-story building situated in the city of Beverly Hills, near West Hollywood. The Center draws customers from the entire Los Angeles area. The stores include Macy’s, Bloomingdale’s, and a multi-screen theater. Also present are retailers like Banana Republic, Victoria’s Secret, Dolce and Gabbana, Louis Vuitton, Gucci, Dior and Hugo Boss. The terrace atop the mall offers a panoramic view of downtown Los Angeles.

The mall attracts upscale customers and the existent stores and boutiques that are more expensive than those in the usual shopping center. The innovative escalators, which are now being renovated, previously resembled escalators at Paris’ elaborate Pompidou Center.

The Beverly Center opened for business in 1982, and housed the nation’s first Hard Rock Cafe, the second in existence after the London original. The Center was originally anchored by Bullock’s and The Broadway department stores, however both were absorbed into Macy’s in the late 1990’s.

Some interesting insights into the Center’s history include the fact that the site was once utilized for a small amusement park with a Ferris wheel and pony rides, called Kiddyland. In the mid-1980’s a number of scenes from the film Chopping Mall were shot at the Beverly Center. The 1985 work of fiction Less Than Zero by Bret Easton Ellis contained a chapter set in the shopping center.

The Center was the principal setting for the early ’90s movie Scenes from a Mall, which featured Bette Midler and Woody Allen. While being constructed, the mall was used as the backdrop for the film Lipstick in 1976.

The shopping center also played a part of the storyline near the finish of the 1997 disaster film Volcano, starring Tommy Lee Jones and Anne Heche. A triage area and childcare center for Cedars-Sinai Hospital was set up in the mall’s Hard Rock Cafe. In the movie, this area was deserted when lava erupted nearby, threatening the structure and occupants. Lastly, singer Crispin Hellion Glover references the Beverly Center in his song, Auto-Manipulator.

Back to School Central

Amit Kothiyal asked:


Whether you are shopping for food, wine, clothing, or anything else, British Columbia can provide many of things that can fit anyone’s tastes. Since BC is a large province, often referred to as the “sunshine coast”, it also happens to be one of the most culturally diverse places you’ll find in the world. It may be difficult to know where to actually start your shopping trip; but, with a few tips, your shopping experience will be a great one. Did you know that Vancouver, BC, has one of the largest shopping centers in all of BC? The Metropolis, at Metrotown, has well over 470 stores that consist of world class restaurants, courtyards, boutiques, and more.

Besides shopping at The Metropolis, there are plenty of other coastal and interior towns that offer shopping. Make your way up to the world class skiing village in Whistler, BC and you can find The Whistler Village. One of the more appealing aspects of Whistler shopping is that it offers pedestrian only shopping; which means there isn’t a car in sight. There really isn’t a need to use a car as all the different types of shops are easily accessible by foot including arts and crafts shops, chocolate shops, clothes, and more. There are over 200 shops in the Whistler area.

British Columbia Discount Shopping

If you are a shopper who likes to save money, then discount shopping is for you and without a doubt, BC has some of the best discount shopping for your money. There are many discount and consignment shops located throughout British Columbia. Some of the more popular cities for discount shopping stores in British Columbia include Victoria and Vancouver. The stores which you can find in these two major cities range from Salvation Army stores and consignments shops, to stores like Wal-Mart and Dollar Stores.

Discount shopping means looking for great deals, store coupons and sales; and there are many sites on the web, including sites like BC tourism, city and individual stores, which will help narrow down your search for coupons and sales. Shopping for discounts online is another way to find great deals before taking one of the best trips you’ll ever have.

If you love Asian shopping and the unique shops that can be found in the commercial rich area on Richmond’s No. 3 road between Capstan and Alderbridge is perfect if you are itching to feel and taste the sights and sounds of Hong Kong without actually going there. They have four new malls: Yaohan Centre, President Plaza, Aberdeen Centre and Parker Place and if you know anything about making deals, you can find deals at discounts up to 80%.

British Columbia Shopping Malls

The largest shopping mall in BC is the Metropolis shopping centre in Vancouver, which is the largest shopping centre as well. There are also many other centers and shopping malls throughout BC. For instance, there are numerous shopping malls throughout the Victoria area, including Victoria’s only downtown mall, The Bay Centre. There are also malls about ten minutes from Victoria which include Mayfair Shopping Centre and Hillside Shopping Centre. All one has to do is look for shopping flyers, online or off, to find one of the many great malls in British Columbia.

If you are looking for a mall catering entirely to the Asian community, then Richmond, BC is the first place to set your sights on. Richmond has, perhaps, the largest Asian community in western Canada. The Aberdeen Centre is a sprawling three-storey complex with well over 250 stores located inside with a beautiful atrium water fountain display. If you are looking for a little smaller shopping centre, look toward the Yaohan Centre that not only has 80 stores, but also an Asian supermarket and a food court featuring more than 15 different Asian cuisines to tempt your palate.

Mind Games World

Amit Kothiyal asked:


Shopping anywhere in British Columbia is an experience in itself and one of the more popular things to do, other than the many outdoor activities. In fact, shopping can be an outdoor activity in some towns, like Whistler Village, as it is mainly pedestrian only. This means that you can walk from shop to shop because cars are not allowed in these towns. Shopping is especially fun if you know where to shop. There are many shopping malls, retail shops, and plenty of opportunities to do some shopping at a discount. To find these great shopping centers and malls, all you have to do is go online or, if you are in British Columbia, look in some of the many towns for some store flyers.

British Columbia Retail Shops

If you love shopping, then look no further than the many BC retail shops. Some of the more popular cities that can be found in BC include Vancouver, Victoria, Kelowna, and Whistler. Kelowna is actually the major retail center in the interior of BC and Kelowna has just about every retail shop to suit everyone’s needs from great specialty shops all the way to national chains. Kelowna also has the largest shopping centre between Calgary and Vancouver called the Orchard Park Shopping Centre. This centre has over 150 stores and shops, many of which are represented locally. Kelowna is only one of the many towns you can find in BC that have just about every retail shop to fit your shopping desires.

Some of the retail shops that came be found in the coastal areas of British Columbia include Vancouver, Whistler, Richmond and Victoria that specifically cater to more of an eclectic mix of many Asian influenced shops; therefore, if you are in the mood to experience a world apart from yours, this is the place to shop at. If you are in the interior of BC and toward the Rocky Mountain ridgeline, visit some great local shopping centers with a “small town” attitude in cities such as Abbotsford and Kelowna.

BC Store Coupons

If you are one of those shoppers who loves all the savings that come with using coupons; well, you will find plenty of BC store coupons provided you know where to look. One place to find such coupons is through the internet where you can find almost any British Columbia store or shop that is offering coupon savings. This saves plenty of time if you are looking to save money at a specific store. Another way to find BC shop coupons is in the towns themselves. Many times local news papers and such will have store flyers and free coupons that are able to be cut out of the papers.

British Columbia Shopping Malls

Shopping Malls are a great thing, but, in British Columbia, some shopping malls are found in or are the same thing as shopping centers. There numerous shopping malls throughout BC, one of the largest being in Vancouver. There are a lot of Asian inspired shopping centers in Richmond, BC. Parker Place Shopping Centre is one of the largest Asian inspired malls in western Canada. You don’t necessarily need to visit the large shopping malls that provide a multiple level shopping experience, but, the smaller single floor shopping malls in smaller cities will satisfy your craving for great values at a fraction of the cost of what you find in larger shopping malls.

Triumph Over Language

Ted Kraus asked:


It’s Vegas time again (God, time goes fast when you’re making money) and 40,000 +++ of our closest friends will be congregating to wheel, deal and have a great time eating, drinking and being merry. What a fantastic business we’re in; being paid to eat, drink and gamble (whether it’s on your property or at the tables).

I “think” this is my 35th convention (I’m VERY old), and while the current shows aren’t as much fun or as wild as the conventions 30 years ago (but then again, I’m not as much fun or wild as I was 30 years ago) they’re more productive; we all know what we’re doing or at least think we do; 30 years ago we winged it. Most of you will arrive on the scene on either Sunday or Monday morning and leave sometime on Tuesday, a waste in my opinion, since staying until Wednesday can make the show more productive for all involved and increase the probability of making a deal. I write this every year and every year the show is desolate on Wednesday after 11, so some things never change.

Either way, 2006, so far, has been an excellent year for all those involved. In addition, the regional dealmaking shows have been growing even faster than in the past, with attendance increases of ten percent or more not uncommon (I’d guesstimate a 7% to 10% increase for Vegas, and considering there were 40,000 attendees last year that’s a big increase) and some shows have had a 25% increase. The only negative on the horizon is the apparent slowdown in leasing.

This is a make-or-break show for retailers and developers needing additional stores opened for Christmas 2006. If you can’t get on the fast track by the end of this month the odds are that no store will open until 2007. In reality, the vast majority of 2006 deals are already done, with few retailers having an open to buy for the remainder of the year. But there’s always a few stragglers who either NEED, or want, another deal for this year, so if you have vacancies (and there’s not a lot around) this is the time and place to hustle, otherwise the deals started here will be opening in 2007.

I have to give leasing agents credit for being aggressive when it comes to scheduling meetings for the show. For the last month, I’ve been bombarded with e-mails and phone calls trying to set up meetings. In the vast majority of cases, I declined, since the projects offered were of no interest to our clients. Everyone is trying hard to fill up their dance cards so they can impress the boss, but meeting for the sake of a meeting makes no sense to me. Of course, if they were really smart they’d leave a few hours every day to just walk the show, do basic networking and see what’s new instead of wasting unnecessary time on unproductive meetings. This year will be easier than next, when the convention floor will be doubled in size and most of the exhibitors or attendees will be lost or confused by the vast size of the exhibit hall. Yes, having a larger exhibit area will benefit all, but I personally prefer to shop Ace Hardware over Home Depot because the size is easier to maneuver. Of course I’m not getting as good of a selection, but sometimes I’m lazy.

Ranting on…I’m not going to go into the details of the Mills Company and their problems since we’ve all heard and read what’s happening with that REIT (and probably more will come out by the time this is published), but I will comment on Mill’s desire to mix entertainment with retailing, which doesn’t appear to be working or at least profitable (and in a capitalistic business, if it isn’t profitable it isn’t working). If you look at the history of entertainment in shopping centers, it’s a checkered past, mixed with lots of failures, whether it be Discovery Zone, Jeepers, indoor skate parks, roller coasters, or whatever, or the fact that movie theaters have been in and out of retail projects for over 20 years. One year, developers think theaters should be included in a center’s mix; the next year they’re buried in the back with no viability (the only way theaters could become profitable was by going bankrupt a few years ago).

Few entertainment complexes combined with conventional retailing work and I don’t believe that will change in the near future. The difference today from when I put roller rinks into centers 30 years ago is that the costs and risks are substantially higher. When I did a roller rink deal 30 years ago, the rent was usually under $4 GROSS and that was for a vanilla box. Today, the Mill’s project in North Jersey will cost billion$ to develop and no one knows if the entertainment aspect will be the attraction and profitable as projected. Today it’s not uncommon to develop entertainment beside mixed-use and baseball parks, where the costs will run into the hundreds of million$, and again I don’t think it will work. (Of course, if you can convince some foolish city to provide millions of taxpayers’ money to the project, it does improve the probability of success). Entertainment is NOT a high sales per sq.ft. generator and you don’t have to be Einstein to understand that if your development costs are high, your rents have to be in the same league. Overall, entertainment retailers can’t afford high rents and that’s where the problem lies. I also think the industry is getting itself into trouble with many of the high-end, mixed-use projects, especially ones promoting residential housing in a cooling housing market. (Somehow I can’t justify spending $500,000 for a condo located in a retail/office complex. I don’t want to live where I shop). One of the industry’s current problems is that money is so easy to raise today; developers who sign non-recourse mortgages are willing to try any idea THAT MIGHT work (it’s not their money, so who cares because they get leasing, development and management fees no matter what).

Changing topics…friends don’t let friends buy centers at a 5% or 6% CAP rate. Even with leasing activity slowing, the market for acquiring centers is still hot (why is another question) and while I predict a slowdown in sales (or an increase in CAP rates in the near future) a few select centers are being sold at 5% to 5.5% CAPs. And CAPs of 6% to 6.5% are not uncommon. Yes, millions have been made in the last five years by “flippers” who kept a center for six to 12 months and then flipped (with no increase in income) for millions more than they acquired the center for. But with a slowdown in leasing and rising interest rates, acquiring centers based on these numbers makes no sense. Remember the dot.com boom, it BUSTED really fast. I believe the same can be true for retail real estate. Pricing of property has gotten so bad that some sellers that normally would have elected to do a 1031 exchange now elect to pay the taxes instead of buying a Walgreens at a 5% CAP, and when you’re willing to pay taxes over acquiring real estate there’s a problem.

Of course, the other end of the spectrum isn’t that rosy either, since I hear a lot of developers complain that with costs so high they’re only getting a 10% to 11% return on NEW development. High risk for low reward. The only reason 10% looks good is because of the 6% CAP on existing property. Either way, the leasing mall will be pounded by thousands of buyers and brokers wanting to know if you have a center for sale.

Oh, as I mentioned in the last MyWay, the amount of available space is down substantially over prior years because of the robust economy. But the amount of new construction, especially lifestyle centers and urban redevelopment, is up (we’re even involved in an urban redevelopment in Chicago) substantially over last year (merchant developers keep the economy moving whether we need more centers or not) so I highly recommend you walk the leasing mall to see what the current trends are, where they’re happening and who the anchors are. It’s a good education and will provide ideas for your project.

On a different note, I had dinner with two friends the other day, both of whom are directors of real estate for their development companies. That’s where their similarities end. One complained that even though his company has over 12 million sq.ft. of retail, he gets no support from the company’s executives; they look at leasing as an expense, not the prime income generator for the company. Whenever he proposes mass mailings, advertising, e-mail blasts or going to local dealmaking shows, they turn him down because of the cost and their belief that “marketing” doesn’t work. The other company does their own mailings to ALL their existing tenants, plus the ones in their corporate database (they promote heavily to brokers) and uses outside mailing services to reach “ma&pas,” sends thousands of e-mail blasts to promote vacancies and goes to almost as many local dealmaking shows as I do. His company has over 20 million sq.ft. with a vacancy factor of 4%. The other company runs a 6% to 7% vacancy factor consistently. Which company would you rather be? Oh, the “smart” company looks at vacancies as a “cost,” and the longer the vacancy the higher the cost, so they’re willing to make sweetheart deals on property vacant for a long time while the “other” company says “this is our rent, pay it or don’t go into our center.”

Have a great and productive show.

P.S. Don’t forget to drop by the RD/TKO/KIN booth at 667 Sixth Avenue on Monday after 4 p.m. for our annual Beer Blast. Booze, fun and friends, what more can you want? Oh, I almost forgot, drop by and let me introduce you to my son Josh, who’s entering the industry.

High Quality Eye Care

James C asked:


Dallas is a city with lots to do for tourists. One of its biggest attractions remains the fantastic shopping that is available in the area. If you are new to the area or just visiting you might be interested in learning about all of the shopping venues in Dallas. Keep reading and learn about the shopping centers in Dallas.

One of the best shopping centers is the Allen Premium Outlets located in Allen, Texas off of Interstate 75. It has a number of discount outlets including Polo, Adidas, Gap, Guess, Nautica, Hilfiger and Reebok just to name a few. No shopper can consider their trip to Dallas complete without a trip to the outlet mall.

Another great shopping venue in the Metroplex is Stonebriar Mall in Frisco, TX. It is one of the newest and most popular malls in the area and always seems to be packed. It is worth braving the crowds though. With stores like Nordstrom’s, Macy’s, Coach and Pottery Barn it has it all. In addition to the shopping at this mall there are also many great restaurants and entertainment spots like The Cheesecake Factory, California Pizza Kitchen and Dave & Buster’s.

Are you looking for a high end shopping experience? If you are then The Shops At Willow Bend are for you. Here you will find such places as Toni & Guy, J Crew, Lacoste, Neiman Marcus, Coach, Montblanc and more. It is also a beautiful mall that is expertly and tastefully appointed. You are sure to love it.

Dallas is home to a number of other great and exciting shopping venues. To name them all however would take a book instead of an article. This article has given you three of the best however and I hope you have found it informative.

Mind Games World

Alistair White asked:


Shopping is one of the great experiences in the UK. However, on the whole prices aren’t cheap. Fortunately, discount sales are frequent, virtually a British institution. And if you’re from outside the EU, you can get a VAT refund more easily in the UK than any other EU country.

Shopping In London

London is full of stylish shops and grand department stores but for real shopping pleasure, you can’t beat the city’s many street and flea markets. They’re noisy, crowded and you have to bargain hard, but you can’t beat them for sheer shopping fun. Here are some of the most famous.

Covent Garden is the grand dame of them all. With a long and colourful past, this West End mainstay is now made up of several markets. Apple Market sells collectible nostalgia including ceramics, leather goods, toys, clothes, hats, and jewelry. Jubilee Market specialises in antiques market on Mondays; the rest of the week it offers budget garments and books.

Coming in close second in the fame stakes is Portobello Market in Notting Hill. Mainly a Saturday event, it comprises three main sections for antiques, fruit and vegetables, and a flea market where locals hawk bric-a-brac and secondhand goods.

Shopping In Manchester

Shopping capital of the North West of England, Manchester is second only to London in the UK shopping charts. And in one way, shopping in Manchester actually outdoes the capital - most of the larger shopping areas are pedestrian-only.

Manchester’s main shopping zone lies west of Piccadilly Gardens with traditional shopping outlets, including Harvey Nichols and Selfridges, clustered around Market Street and the Arndale Centre on Corporation Street. Trendy boutiques and designer outlets abound in posh King Street and St Ann’s Square.

Shopping In Leicester

Leicester’s shopping scene has acquired a new spirit in recent years. The famous Leicester Market with seven hundred years of trading history has been joined by walking streets and vibrant shopping centers.

You have a great choice for shopping in Leicester. Leicester’s two major indoor shopping centres - the Haymarket and Shires Centre - are home to the major brand name outlets. Pedestrianised Gallowtree Gate houses the major chain stores while the nearby The Lanes mainly features small independent retailers.

Leicester is also home to Europe’s largest covered market. Open from Monday to Saturday, Leicester Market features over 270 stalls. A market has been held on this site since the 14th Century.

For more ethnic wares, head to bustling Belgrave Road, where you’ll find Leicester’s Golden Mile. This area is thronged with shops, stalls and hawkers selling food, clothes and ornaments from the Subcontinent. Get your fill of spices, silks and saris here.

Your Toys and Games

Alistair White asked:


Shopping in Australia is a laid back experience as you’d expect from a country whose unofficial motto is ‘no worries’. Except for markets and some smaller shops, prices in Australia are fixed so there’s no need to bargain. You’ll find most items labeled with a price tag. A 10% Goods and Services Tax applies to any purchase made in Australia.

Shopping In Sydney

Sydney’s shopping outlets run the gamut from international icons such as Tiffany’s to street markets and homegrown, uniquely-Australian entities such as those showcasing Aboriginal arts and crafts.

Most downtown department stores, arcades, malls and boutiques lie on George Street and around Pitt Street Mall, Castlereagh Street and King Street. Especially noteworthy is the huge, historic Queen Victoria Building (QVB) which offers many floors of shopping delights.

The suburbs have their own shopping enclaves such as Warringah Mall. Meanwhile in Newtown and Glebe you’ll find intriguing shops selling an amazing range of knick knacks.

One pointer, if you’re buying Aussie knick knacks, check the label. You may well find that your stuffed koala is imported from China and your authentic didgeridoo was made in Taiwan.

Check out the internet for cheap hotels in Sydney

Shopping In Melbourne

Melbourne is now firmly ensconced as Australia’s capital of fashion. Boutiques on High Street and Toorak Road among others showcase the latest collections from up and coming Aussie designers. But for that unique experience, you should head for the markets.

Melbourne offers a host of markets, the most prestigious being the Queen Victoria Market on Victoria Street. Once reserved for sales of foodstuffs, nowadays you can get almost anything there.

Check out the internet for cheap hotels in Melbourne

Shopping In Perth

With its pedestrian-friendly center, traffic-free malls, and many quaint arcades, Perth is a real shopper’s delight.

Downtown Perth is home to the chain stores. They’re mainly in the malls located on the parallel Hay and Murray Streets and in the labyrinth of arcades that link them. For the latest offerings by young Aussie designers, visit the Colonnade shopping center on Hay Street. If you’re looking for the more main stream designer brands, head to nearby King Street.

For a more ’boutique’ experience, spend some time at Subiaco, affectionately known as Subi. Here you can spend a pleasant time browsing the chic boutiques, antiques shops, art galleries, cafes and markets.

Perth’s jewelers showcase creations crafted from opals, Argyle diamonds, and pearls farmed from Broome.

Perth is also a great place to pick up Aboriginal arts and crafts. King Street and Subiaco are home to some fine crafts shops such as Creative Native and Indegenart.

Check out the internet for cheap Gold-Coast hotels

Super Furniture Design