Whether you’re looking for high-street brands or vintage items or one-off designs, you are bound to find your treasure in Glasgow. This Scottish port city is not the United Kingdom’s second largest retail hub for nothing. Here are some of the destinations to experience the best shopping in Glasgow:
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Best Shopping in Glasgow: Boutiques
Forty Clothing
For trendy street wear for young and old alike, Forty Clothing is the place to be. You’ll find this designer clothing store along Royal Exchange Square.
The Royal Exchange Square, where Forty Clothing is located – photo by Richard Dear under CC-BY-SA-2.0
Monsoon
For women’s and children’s clothing, head to the Monsoon shop on Buchanan Street and have your fill of clothing and accessories.
The Monsoon shop on Buchanan Street in Glasgow – photo by Stephen McKay under CC BY-SA 2.0
PINK
Thomas Pink is a prominent shirt maker that specializes in high-end men’s tailored shirts. It also sells ties and knitwear, as well as some women’s apparel.
Thomas Pink in Glasgow – photo by Thomas Nugent under CC BY-SA 2.0
Slater Menswear
Also called Slaters, this menswear brand specializes in formal wear, suits, shoes and casual wear. Its shop on Howard Street also offers alteration services.
The building that houses Slaters on Howard Street, Glasgow, Scotland – photo by Michal Klajban under CC-BY-SA-4.0
Best Shopping in Glasgow: Department Stores
Debenhams
At Debenhams, you’ll find everything to do with fashion, from its own-brand collections to international selections. It also has beauty products and household items for you to choose from.
Debenhams on Argyle Street – photo by Richard Sutcliffe under CC BY-SA 2.0
House of Fraser
This department store has selections of gifts, fashion choices, beauty products, household goods, furniture and several other items. Step inside its Buchanan Street shop and be impressed with the designer brands that greet you.
Inside House of Fraser in Glasgow – photo by W. Bulach under CC-BY-SA-4.0
Marks & Spencer
The world-famous Marks & Spencer department store has several locations in Glasgow. There’s one on Sauchiehall Street, Argyle Street, Great George Lane, Crow Road (in the West End Retail Park), and Provan Walk (in Glasgow Fort).
Marks & Spencer on Sauchiehall Street in Glasgow – photo by EG Focus under CC BY 2.0
Best Shopping in Glasgow: Malls
Buchanan Galleries
This large shopping complex is a popular destination for its clothing and dining options.
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Buchanan Galleries in Glasgow, Scotland – photo by Ross Little from Glasgow, Scotland under CC-BY-SA-2.0
Princes Square
Princes Square Shopping Centre boasts more than 25 shops that are considered to be among the best in Glasgow. It is also well-known for the restaurants found within it.
Inside Princes Square Shopping Centre – photo by Stephen McKay under CC BY-SA 2.0
St. Enoch Centre
The three floors of St. Enoch Centre feature fashion boutiques, music shops and a department store. The mall also has a number of dining places.
The entrance to to St. Enoch Centre – photo by Postdlf under CC-BY-SA-3.0-migrated and GFDL
Best Shopping in Glasgow: Markets
Sloans Market
On a lane along Argyll Arcade between Argyle and Buchanan Streets is where you’ll find Sloans Market. It welcomes shoppers every weekend, from 11:00am to 5:00pm. During these times, the lane is lined with interesting arts and crafts, fashion, household items, comic books, food and beverage, toys and games, gifts and other finds.
Some of the stalls at Sloans Market – photo by Michel Curi under CC BY 2.0
The Barras Market
Whether it is fashion or white goods or doughnuts you are looking for, visit The Barras Market and you’ll be amazed with all items you’ll find.
Some of the stalls at The Barras Market – photo by Finlay McWalter under GFDL and CC-BY-SA-3.0-migrated
Best Shopping in Glasgow: Specialty Shops and Novelty Stores
Hector Russell
Established in 1881, Hector Russell is one of the most popular kilt makers in Scotland. Their shop on Buchanan Street in Glasgow allows you to bring home bespoke kilts, as well as tartan wear.
Tartan wear – photo by Kaiser Bob under PD-user
Tam Shepherds Trick Shop
This family-run business has been trading in the same spot for more than a century. Here, you’ll find anything to do with magic, jokes, masks and costumes.
Tam Shepherds Trick Shop – photo by Jordanhill School D&T Dept under CC BY 2.0
The Boy Wizard
Harry Potter fans would delight in knowing that there’s a shop on Union Street in Glasgow that stocks official Harry Potter merchandise, as well as themed goods.
The Boy Wizard store on Union Street in Glasgow – photo by Garry Cornes under CC BY-SA 2.0
Voltaire & Rousseau Bookshop
You can easily miss this bookstore along Otago Lane with its unassuming façade. Nonetheless, it holds several great finds. Voltaire & Rousseau is a bookworm’s paradise – you’ll find anything from academic books to fiction titles and even literary criticism, as well as rare editions.
Voltaire & Rousseau Bookshop – photo by The Integer Club under CC BY 2.0
Best Shopping in Glasgow: Streets
Argyle Street
Familiar retail shops line Argyle Street in Glasgow. It’s your destination if you’re on a hunt for bargain buys and fast fashion.
Argyle Street in Glasgow – photo by Rossographer under CC BY-SA 2.0
Buchanan Street
Buchanan Street teems with activity as shoppers and visitors browse the various shops that dominate this pedestrian boulevard. From malls to department stores to chain retail shops and quaint boutiques, you can shop for what you’re looking for in this main shopping street.
Buchanan Street – photo by © MSeses / Wikimedia Commons under CC BY-SA 4.0
Ingram Street
Glasgow’s Ingram Street is a famous shopping area for niche and luxury brands. Here you’ll find various shops that offer fashion and clothing, including Italian jeans and preppy casual wear.
Cruise clothing shop on Ingram Street – photo by Dr Bob Hall under CC BY-SA 2.0
Sauchiehall Street
This relatively laid-back shopping street has several specialty stores lining it, including Three, Gift Wrap, Mountain Warehouse and Waterstones.
Sauchiehall Street – photo by Jean Marie Desbois aka Malost under CC-BY-SA-3.0 and GFDL
