Think of shopping destinations and what comes to mind first? Destinations like Milan, London, New York ramps, and Paris walkways with their fancy street names and statuesque boutiques; however today we will meander through the streets of budget shopping, the art of bargaining, and living the life of smart shopping…The ones that I will list today are also the ones where I have been fortunate enough to unleash my shopper self.
It stuns one to see the many avenues of shopping in Bangkok right from budget malls to street shopping to floating markets to Night market. Beginning from Central World to MBK Shopping Centre; there’s Pratunamand the Chatuchak weekend Market and then the famous Patpong Night Market to the Floating Market, Bangkok has it all, from Electronic gadgets to arts and crafts to antiques to extremely trendy clothing and makeup that I returned home with bagfuls!
Barcelona is not only a beautiful city with great tourist attractions but it also has great bargain shopping. My favorite brands Bershka, Mango, and Zara are of Spanish origins and therefore have many clearance outlets that give great European quality products at fabulous prices. La Maquinista, the open-air mall has 230 retailers spread across and retails everything under the sun. For discount shopping Portal de L’Angel is a famous pedestrian-only shopping street, El Born a charming medieval street, and La Roca Village with a picturesque setting that I truly enjoyed.
The Temple Street Night Market is one of the busiest markets in Hong Kong and is also known as Men’s Market for its cheap men’s fashion choices. With everything from clothing to electronic items, Stanley Market is a traditional open-air street marketplace. Others are Jade market & Fa Yuen Street market. Whenever I visit Hong Kong, I make sure to stock up on the really cute accessories that you find there.
Istanbul is a city straddling Asia and Europe and one of the most beautiful that I have ever been to. Right from Grand Bazaar to Spice Market to Istiklaal to Cuckurcuma, it’s all scenic, heady, exotic, and stunning. With an array of shops and boutiques varied catalog of products is available across clothes, carpets, jewelry, textiles, accessories, shoes, perfumes and mind you they love their first copies. Their bags and perfumes are such fabulous quality at prices that are drool-worthy.
I shopped for shoes at the Hanoi night market and the clothes that I shopped for lasted me 2 years. Vietnam has quickly emerged not only as a tourist destination for Indians but also as a great shopping destination due to currency differentiator. Ben Thanh Market was another favorite with multiple products and Saigon Square was my go-to for last-minute shopping.
Ms Divya Dixit, Business Strategy & Growth Advisor
