Everything You Need To Know About Shopping In Glasgow
Glasgow is the beating heart of Scotland and one of the most beautiful cities in the country. It is the United Kingdom's largest city with close to 600,000 citizens and the best place to experience Scottish culture in the whole country. There are lots of great reasons to take a trip to this town with its intriguing history and impressive art and musical entertainment scene.
If you have come to Glasgow to do some shopping then you are also in luck, since there are lots of great stores for travelers to explore both on and off of the main shopping street. If you are trying to find the best shopping places in the city then you have come to the right place. If you are out on a shopping spree and your hands are full of bags, leave them at a luggage storage facility in Glasgow, where they'll be safely stowed until you can pick them up later.
Popular Shopping Malls and Outlets in Glasgow
Intu Braehead
You can find this shopping complex on King Inch Road in Glasgow. There are more than 100 different places to explore here with popular brands and independent stores too. You can find almost anything, including household items, clothing, children's toys and more.
This is also a great place for adrenaline seekers since there is a laser tag spot, indoor skiing, a trampoline park, a rock-climbing attraction, and the tallest indoor slide in the United Kingdom and all under one roof.
De Courcy's Arcade
De Courcy's Arcade is found in Glasgow's west end and offers a unique shopping experience. This part of the city caters to everyone since almost every kind of store can be found here.
This area has antique stores, vintage record shops, creative craft stores and boutiques selling designer homeware. There are plenty of spots to sit and relax here too, like cafes and bistros that can serve you food and drinks when you get tired.
St. Enoch Centre
St. Enoch Centre is the biggest shopping mall you can find in all of Glasgow. It is located in St. Enoch Square and is home to over 100 different stores selling clothes and accessories. The centre is a good spot to shop for food, entertainment and fashion. The on-site food court is impressive, with over 850 seats and many dining options.
Men, women and children can find something to buy here. Some of the stores that are perfect for families include Hamleys and Mothercare, which is spread over two floors and has a huge stock of toys, clothing and childcare items. The mall is a nice place to visit even if you don't do any shopping since it has a gorgeous glass roof that lets in lots of natural light.
Glasgow Fort
Glasgow Fort is another great place to do some shopping in the city. It is an outdoor mall with more than 100 fashion stores and well-known brands, as well as places to get food. The mall is located outside of Glasgow City Centre which gives you a nice break from the busy streets of Glasgow.
The whole area is designed to look like a traditional high shopping street and is big enough that you can spend several hours strolling through the complex and browsing the shops.
Argyll Arcade
Argyll Arcade is one of Glasgow's first and oldest shopping centres, but don't be fooled it is still one of the best places to do some shopping. It is smaller than some of the others with only 32 shops found inside but is definitely still worth checking out.
The special thing about Argyll Arcade is that most of the shops inside are jewelry stores. You can buy anything from wedding bands and luxury watches to diamond rings and elegant bracelets here. You will find your usual local jewelry stores alongside some antique jewelers, so whatever your accessory needs are, this place has a store for you.
Princes Square
This elegant shopping centre is a top spot for tourists and locals do some some shopping. The building is stunning and features an impressive glass roof similar to that of the St. Enoch Centre which is always nice since it lets you see the sky and provides natural lighting.
Princes Square has lots of things for its visitors to see and do with stores selling high street brands, fancy designer shops, lots of places to grab a bite to eat, and a Scottish Craft Centre too. Some of the brands that you will find here include Kurt Geiger, Ted Baker, Sheila Fleet and Dower & Hall.
Savoy Shopping Centre
If you are shopping on a budget then Savoy Shopping Centre is the place to go. This mall sells lots of things like clothing, jewelry, and even furniture all at discounted prices. The products sold that you find in the Savoy Shopping Centre are of good quality and can be afforded by most people who come shopping here.
This place is known for its reasonable and affordable pricing and is where lots of people go to buy things since it is the cheapest shopping arcade in the city. It is found near the Sauchiehall Street Shopping Centre which is also worth stopping by.
Designer Stores in Glasgow
Randall's Antiques & Vintage Centre
If you are looking for unique old trinkets and antique furniture then this is the place to go. This hidden gem in Glasgow is small but a great place for curious shoppers to explore and see what they can find.
Some of the things you can find here include desks, chairs, tables, rugs and home accessories, and even if you don't buy anything it is somewhere worth checking out.
Hector Russell Kiltmakers
This store was first established in 1881 and still proudly stands as the oldest kiltmaker in all of Glasgow. If you are looking to buy your own outfit of traditional Scottish fashion and tartan wear then this is the place to go. Aside from kilts, you can find more modern and contemporary styles that are better suited to everyday wear.
This place can be expensive but rest assured that you will be buying products of the best quality. Outfits like kilts are usually only worn at formal events, but this store also sells outfits suitable for a night out or a special occasion. If you aren't sure that you're ready to commit to a purchase you can always rent a kilt for a day from Hector Russell Kiltmakers.
Love Music
This is the best place for music enthusiasts that find themselves in Glasgow. The inventory of Love Music is mostly focused on alternative, rock and punk music but you can find selections from most genres in the store.
It is an independent record shop that stocks both new and used music discs, DVDs and vinyl and even has work from unlisted and upcoming artists. Stop by often to see if there are any live performances going on.
Monsoon
Monsoon sells women's and children's clothing and accessories and is located on Buchanan Street. They are a great store to visit for casual clothing as well as more formal outfits suitable for weddings and special occasions.
They have a beautiful collection of women's apparel inspired by the Bohemian style and everything that they sell is comfortable and fashionable. We recommend visiting them in person but they also offer online shopping through their website in case you see something during your visit and want to buy it later.
Slater Menswear
This one is for the men; at Slater Menswear you can find a huge collection of formal and casual clothing and accessories. If you need a new suit and tie or a pair of shoes and jackets, this is the place to go.
You can also find casual clothing and accessories like bow ties, wallets, hats, gloves and scarves. They have several locations around the United Kingdom including a location in Glasgow, and also have an online store if there aren't any shops near you.
Caledonia Books
Caledonia Books is a small but established shop in Glasgow that sells antique and second-hand books. The used book store has a certain character and charm about it that attracts locals and tourists in Glasgow.
You never know what kind of books you might find here, whether you like fantasy, fiction, biographies or historical novels. They have a big non-fiction section if that is your kind of read.
Mr. Ben Retro Clothing
If you are looking for some vintage clothing to spice up your wardrobe, this should be one of your top destinations. It is the kind of store that you will walk in not knowing what to expect, since there are new products coming in and going out every day.
You can find some really unique pieces here and since everything is second-hand you can give clothes a new life and do something good for the environment at the same time. You will come across clothes from high street names or unknown brands as well as handbags and accessories.
Adventure1
As you might have guessed, this store is suited for adventurers and outdoor activity enthusiasts. It is an army surplus store that sells clothing and gear perfect for hiking and camping.
Once you enter the shop you will see walls and shelves stocked with tools, heavy duty boots, equipment, tents and backpacks that can help you on your next weekend camping trip. Find them on the side of Queen Street station.
Popular Shopping Areas in Glasgow
The Barras Market
A great place to do some shopping is at the Barras Market in the East of Glasgow. The market takes place every weekend and has many stalls set up in the area both indoors and outside. You can find lots of interesting things here including vintage items, handmade trinkets and decorations for your home.
With affordable prices and a lively atmosphere, this is definitely a place worth stopping by. If you get hungry you can find some tasty street food set up in some of the food stalls nearby.
Buchanan Street
Buchanan Street is a good place to find high-end shops selling clothes and accessories. The shoe shops and beauty salons found in the area make it the perfect spot to buy something new and spice up your wardrobe. The street is blocked off to cars to create a pedestrian boulevard where people can window shop freely and safely.
You will enjoy walking among the Victorian-styled buildings in the area and there is even stuff to do here at night, like grabbing a meal and drink from a local bar and restaurant. At the end of the street, you will find the Buchanan Galleries which has 4 floors full of shopping opportunities.
Merchant Square
This location in Glasgow is the best place for finding independent boutiques and unique stores that can't be found everywhere around the city. There are some art galleries found here too so make sure to explore the whole area and see what you can find.
The best time to go here is on weekends because that is when pop-up stalls make an appearance selling artisanal knick-knacks and souvenirs for tourists. Also, some stores stay open super late on Fridays and Saturdays, sometimes until 3 am, so you don't have to feel rushed while shopping. Aside from the many shops, there are restaurants and bistros lining the area.
The Best Glasgow Shopping
Landing at Glasgow Airport and exciting to see the boutiques and stores? From the east end to the west end, this city has some amazing places to shop. You can browse the Style Mile district or Buchanan Street, or explore the popular Argyle Street lined with the best high fashion.
There are places for people of all styles, budgets and interests to find something new whether you are looking for something specific, like supplies for crafts, or just shopping for fun. If you are looking for lots of things in one place we recommend checking out one of the department stores. Both kids and adults can have fun shopping in Glasgow, Scotland!
