Budget guide to shopping in London
London is a shopper’s paradise, catering to all needs and budgets. Suffice to say, you could blow a load of money very, very easily in London’s shops.
This guide will help you navigate the huge choice and save a little bit of cash in the process – how much you save, of course, depends on your own restraint!
From our London Guide:
High Street Shopping
You don’t have to look far to find the major chain shops. If you are on a major shopping mission, Oxford Street (and Regent Street, which bisects it) has the flagship stores of all the major shops.
It gets busy, however, really busy, so consider Covent Garden or the King’s Road as good, slightly less stressful alternatives. Aim for Tottenham Court Road if you’re looking for housewares, while the two Westfield malls – one in Shepherd’s Bush and one in Stratford – also offer all the major brands under their roof.
When can you find sales?
There are always large discounts to be found in the January sales, which actually start just after (or sometimes slightly before) Christmas, and the mid-summer sales. In reality, discounting is becoming increasingly common throughout the year, so keep your eyes open for signs in the shops.
Which shops?
As well as the international names you’ll find in the US and throughout Europe, more wallet-friendly British brands include Primark, New Look, Topshop, Miss Selfridge, and Dorothy Perkins.
Department stores
London also has some world famous department stores, such as Harrods, Liberty’s, and Selfridges. While gorgeous for window-shopping, they are likely to be beyond the reach of many budget travelers (although the ground floor clothing section at Selfridges stocks some accessible brands).
House of Fraser, Debenhams, and John Lewis are more affordable department store options worth checking out.
Secondhand and Vintage Shopping
Some of the best shopping bargains can be found in the city’s markets. (Read our related article: A guide to shopping at London’s best flea markets )
There are secondhand and vintage shops to be found all over the city, although you’ll find clusters of them around Brick Lane and Camden.
- Secondhand/vintage clothes: The Beyond Retro chain (in Dalston, Shoreditch and Soho) offers an affordable rummaging ground.
- Used books: Charing Cross Road is the famous destination for secondhand books, while the most picturesque hunting ground is the books stalls that set up underneath Waterloo Bridge on the South Bank.
- Charity shops: Proper bargain hunters shouldn’t overlook the charity shops: Shelter, Cancer Research, Oxfam, and the Red Cross are some of the most well known. Seasoned charity shoppers head to the wealthier areas of the city, such as Chelsea or Marylebone to discover a better quality stock.
Independent shops
Generally speaking, you’ll find independent shops in many of the same neighborhoods where you’ll find vintage shops. Portobello Market has been the starting point for many new designers, as has Spitalfields.
The Sunday (Up)market, at the Truman Brewery, is also well worth a look and the surrounding streets are worth exploring for independent stores. While Carnaby Street is perhaps not the hotbed of cool it was in its 1960s heyday, it – and the streets that come off it – offers some more unusual shops pitched at the youth market.
Designer Discounts
You’ll find TJ Maxx in Britain too, although slightly confusingly, here it’s called “TK Maxx“. Charing Cross Road and Kensington High Street have two of its most central branches.
More dedicated designer hunters may want to make the trek to Chatham Place in Hackney to find factory stores of Burberry and Aquascutum. Also, keep an eye out in Time Out magazine (it’s given out for free each Tuesday) for listings of other designer sample sales.
The main designer discounts, however, can be found in the extremely popular Bicester Village – a designer outlet shopping center that’s a day trip from London. You can take the train from Marylebone station or a direct bus.
Don’t forget! Tax free shopping
As a visitor you may be entitled to claim back your tax on the goods that you purchase, but you’ll need to pick up a form from participating shops. Find out more on the Visit London website.
Your London shopping tips
Got any great London shopping tips? Leave a comment below!
About the author
