Shopping

Glasgow has consistently been named the best city centre to shop in outside of London; this year, 2011, is no different with the fashion industry’s Drapers magazine placing Glasgow’s shopping experience at the top with London, above Manchester and Birmingham out of the 700 shopping centres reviewed. Glasgow’s success is due to a wide range of shops being concentrated in to a small, accessible area with distinct retail zones, each with its own theme and atmosphere, incorporating every possible brand and label imaginable, from Versace to Primark. There are also out of town shopping malls and regular markets, Glasgow offers retail therapy at its best, whether you are looking for a cheap bargain or limited edition designer piece. Happy shopping!

Buchanan Galleries

Situated in the heart of the city with its own multi-storey car park, it is a stylish shopping centre containing 80 high street shops including the John Lewis department store and the familiar names from fashion, such as Mango, Next, Wallis, Gap, Envy and many more. Household names like Boots are also present alongside many gift and electrical outlets; also look out for the interesting independent market stalls within the mall and a food court on the top floor will keep your energies level up. Leaving Buchanan Galleries and walking south down the bustling pedestrianised Buchannan Street you will pass the large and airy Apple Store with regular demonstrations of their electrical gadgets and even surprise live music events. On the street the music continues from the many buskers and entertainers that gather here leading you down to the entrance to the grand Princes Arcade on the left hand side.

Prince's Square

A Beautiful and elegant shopping space, the Art Nouveau glass roof and stylish lighting means every surface sparkles from the glass elevator to the diamond rings. Shops are exclusive designer boutiques, so there is very little chance of picking a cheap bargain here; the emphasis is on luxury and the atmosphere of the bars and restaurants match the setting. Some examples of the shops here are Ted Baker, Vivienne Westwood, Crabtree & Evelyn, Dower & Hall, and Illuminati to name a few.

Argyll Arcade

The Argyll Arcade was built in 1827 making it one of Europe’s oldest covered shopping arcades. It is a covered street which has over 30 individual shops providing a huge selection of jewellery. John Baird takes the credit for its ornate iron-framed hammer beam roof which is as pleasing to the eye as the glittering contents of the shop window displays. The L-shaped arcade houses an array of local jewellery designers' and antique jewellers' shops. Definitely not cheap options, but prestige and luxury never are.

St. Enoch Centre

The Saint Enoch centre is capped with an impressive glass pyramid and is connected to its own multi-storey car park. The centre accommodates cheap shopping options such as Quiz, along with mid-range shops and increasingly designer outlets like Harvey Nichols; also the kids and adults will love the Hamleys toy store where you can take your shoes and socks off and make real sand castles! Stock up on calories at the food court with seating for 850 people you can select from a wide range of restaurants such as Nando’s or Di Maggios.