Rainy Glasgow Central Station - photo by Tony Webster under CC BY-SA 2.0
Rainy Glasgow Central Station - photo by Tony Webster under CC BY-SA 2.0

BEST SHOPPING IN GLASGOW: 20 PLACES TO EXPLORE

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.

Monsoon

For women’s and children’s clothing, head to the Monsoon shop on Buchanan Street and have your fill of clothing and accessories.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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).

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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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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

Sauchiehall Street

This relatively laid-back shopping street has several specialty stores lining it, including Three, Gift Wrap, Mountain Warehouse and Waterstones.