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Manchester

Provided by: Marketing Manchester

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Overview

Shopping The guide was updated: 2025-12-02

Manchester has become northern England's shopping capital, offering variety, quality, and bargains. From large shopping centres like Manchester Arndale and the Trafford Centre to the pedestrian boutique districts and markets dotting the city, to the unique items found at the Manchester Craft and Design Centre, shoppers will be spoilt for choice with everything from designer fashion to local handicrafts on offer.

Manchester Arndale

Manchester Arndale

Manchester Arndale is the city centre’s main shopping hub, bringing together a wide mix of high-street fashion, beauty stores, food outlets, and everyday essentials under one roof, and it’s hard to miss if you spend time downtown.

Northern Quarter

Northern Quarter

The Northern Quarter is Manchester’s focal point for independent shops, street fashion, and creative finds. Oldham Street is the main artery, with shops like Arc Gallery Store showcasing work by young designers and artists. There are also small record shops, interior design stores, and vintage outlets. Artisans work at the Manchester Craft and Design Centre on Oak Street, while Afflecks on Church Street is home to some of the city’s leading independent names across four floors of eclectic fashion, gifts and unique finds.

Trafford Centre

Trafford Centre

The Trafford Centre is a large shopping and leisure complex to the west of Manchester, world-renowned as one of the UK’s largest destinations of its kind. It brings together more than 200 shops alongside restaurants, cafés, a cinema and entertainment venues.

Manchester Craft and Design Centre

Manchester Craft and Design Centre

Manchester Craft and Design Centre is a former Victorian fish market in the Northern Quarter, now home to working studios and shops run by independent designers and makers. Spread across two levels beneath a large glass roof, it showcases jewellery, ceramics, textiles, furniture, and clothing, all made and sold on site. Many of the makers are usually around, so it’s easy to see work in progress or talk through a piece before buying.

Designer Outlet Cheshire Oaks

Designer Outlet Cheshire Oaks

Cheshire Oaks, just outside Chester in Cheshire, is the UK’s largest designer outlet, with over 145 shops, restaurants and cafés spread across a pedestrianised, village-style site. It offers a mix of high-street and designer labels, from Nike and Marks & Spencer to Burberry, Polo, Michael Kors, and Hugo Boss.

Spinningfields

Spinningfields

One of the city's most vibrant neighbourhoods, Spinningfields is a thriving hub for work, rest, and play. Home to some of Manchester's most popular bars, restaurants, and shops, Spinningfields is also the biggest commercial district in the city, housing some of the largest corporations in the North West. Located on the River Irwell, Leftbank encompasses some of the best casual dining Manchester has to offer, including The Kitchens street food collective. Leftbank is a celebration of all things innovative and independent, and the go-to alfresco location for food and drink. Spinningfields is also home to The Avenue, which has an impressive array of luxury stores and beauty salons, plus some of the most exciting eateries in the city.

Harvey Nichols

Harvey Nichols

Harvey Nichols boasts the crème de la crème of what’s hot in fashion, food, and beauty. With leading luxury fashion brands including Dolce and Gabbana, Christian Louboutin and Givenchy, there’s no other place in the city to shop for your new season wardrobe. Beauty addicts will love the offerings spread across two floors of this luxurious store. Take a break from shopping and indulge at the Second Floor Restaurant, Bar and Brasserie for cocktails, a light lunch, afternoon tea or a gourmet meal. In addition, the Foodmarket offers a selection of the finest food produce from around the world, along with an extensively stocked Wineshop.

Royal Exchange Manchester

Royal Exchange Manchester

Once the hub of the world’s cotton trade, The Royal Exchange Manchester is now an eclectic collection of luxury retailers, premium high street brands and best-in-class independent boutique shops playing a key role in Manchester’s thriving shopping and lifestyle culture. Situated in the heart of the city, looking out onto St Ann’s Square, The Royal Exchange Manchester is in close proximity to Manchester Arndale as well as luxury stores such as Selfridges, Harvey Nichols and House of Fraser, with many of Manchester’s hotels, restaurants, and cafés nearby.

Stockport Market

Stockport Market

Located just south of Manchester in Greater Manchester, Stockport Market has been trading in some form for over 700 years, with the current glass-and-iron market hall dating back to 1861. Today, it’s home to more than 50 independent traders selling everything from fresh produce and street food to beer, vintage finds, and everyday essentials. It’s a good spot to browse at your own pace, pick up something unexpected, and see a more local side of the area away from central Manchester.

Great Northern

Great Northern

The Grade II-listed Great Northern building on Deansgate was once a railway goods warehouse and is now a mixed-use development with shops, bars, restaurants, a cinema, a casino, a bowling alley, and a health club. Outside, a small landscaped square gives a breather from the surrounding city streets and leads into the shops, bars, and restaurants.

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