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Which Are the Best Cities for Shopping?
A recent analysis by StorageCafe identified Miami-Fort Lauderdale-West Palm Beach as the top metro destination for “retail therapy” in the U.S., followed in the top five by Atlanta, St. Louis, Denver, and Boston.
The remaining five shopping cities in the top 10 list were Minneapolis, Los Angeles, Dallas, New York, and Tampa.
Retail therapy is linked to the feeling of excitement and satisfaction we get when we indulge in a shopping spree. Studies have shown that treating yourself in a shopping splurge may activate neurotransmitters such as dopamine and endorphins that improve your mood.
Greater Miami is rated as “the ultimate shopper’s paradise” due to its diverse shopping options, ranging from Florida’s largest mall and designer boutiques to flea markets and thrift shops. The Miami region had the largest number of retail stores per 1,000 residents of all analyzed metros and rated high for the number of associates available per 1,000 residents, the region’s walkability, and its luxury offerings.
StorageCafe wrote in the study, “The best shopping experiences depend on a series of factors, from a broad range of store options to product diversity, purchasing power and competitive pricing, as well as the availability of store personnel to enhance the shopping journey.”
Social the Lifestyle Magazine’s top five shopping cities across North America were Chicago, Boston, Seattle, Vancouver, and San Francisco.
Many lists ranking top shopping cities span across the globe.
A top 10 global list of cities for shopaholics compiled by ShermansTravel was led by Bangkok, followed by Buenos Aires, Copenhagen, Hong Kong, London, Los Angeles, Marrakesh, New York, Paris, and St. Barts.
Tokyo ranked first in Savoo’s top five retail therapy cities, followed by Moscow, Buenos Aires, Rome, and London. Savoo’s analysis considered “the cost of refreshments including beer, cocktails and coffee, average temperatures and the Instagramability of each city,” as well as the overall number and range of shops.
London topped travel blogger Megan Singleton’s list of her top seven cities for shopaholics, followed by Malaysia’s Kuala Lumpur, Dubai, Hong Kong, Copenhagen, Buenos Aires, and Bangkok. Singleton wrote, “A city’s best shopping experience comes down to more than just affordable prices and a diverse range of options. Its unique culture and lively atmosphere can also play a significant role in creating an unforgettable experience.”
Discussion Questions
Which cities would make your list of the top shopping locations across the U.S. as well as internationally?
What obvious and less obvious factors play the biggest role in your city shopability score?
Poll
Loading …BrainTrust
Mark Ryski
Founder, CEO & Author, HeadCount Corporation
Paula Rosenblum
Co-founder, RSR Research
In my book London is the best shopping city in the world. It has a wonderful mix of stores – spanning all parts of the retail spectrum from luxury to mass market and value. It has iconic destinations like Harrods, Selfridges and Fortnum & Mason, as well as very niche players like James Smith & Sons, which is an umbrella shop. There are many shopping districts, each with a different feel. Some areas still retain historic specialties like Savile Row for tailoring, Jermyn Street for men’s shirts, and Tottenham Court Road for furniture. All of this is infused with a large dose of historic charm, lots of hidden retail gems, and a great culinary and entertainment scene. Sadly, the UK government is damaging all of this with its high property taxes (business rates) and its absurd tourist tax.
I’m not a big fan of “Top X” lists, since the lack of any consensus as to criteria makes them suspect, at best, but they’re an easy – and inexpensive! – way for publications to obtain proprietary information, so they’ve exploded in popularity in recent years (or it seems like it, anyway). A comparison of these varied lists, IMHO, makes my point, since there seems to be little overlap, tho between them, the Social list is more of what I would expect (save for the obvious omission of NYC). OTOH, the StorageCafe list is hard to take seriously: Denver and St. Louis – St Louis ?!?! – rated over the Big Apple, and Chicago and San Francisco omitted entirely….WTH kind of list is that ??
Most major cities around the world have something to offer shoppers. But if I had to narrow the list, based on my personal experience, I would vote for the Ginza in Tokyo, London and especially Harrods and Hudson Yards in New York. All these destinations offer a wide range of shops, including some of the most exclusive brands in the world. The best shopping locations are also the ones that include more than just shopping – restaurants, entertainment and services are all part of the alchemy of what makes these places special.
No wonder Jeff Bezos moved to Miami. My top shopping locations to date are New York, San Francisco, Seattle, Tampa and Honolulu, as well as Paris, London, Madrid, Vienna and Quebec City. I need a road trip to Chicago, Boston and Miami pronto.
Plentiful choices, a vibrant atmosphere, walkability and service excellence make these cities delightfully shoppable.
I completely agree with Honolulu – mostly because of Ala Moana and Kalakaua Avenue in Waikiki. Great selection of stores and a lot of luxury. The Louis Vuitton is in one of the nicest, understated buildings (the old Gump’s store). There’s also a heavy Asian influence which adds excitement and difference – plus a lot of good dining options!
I still dream of ABC Stores’ macadamia nuts.
That’s the other funny thing. Hard to call Miami a “walkable” city. That delicious 100 degree tarmac is so pleasant to walk on. And the cacophony of construction is also a treat. Who designs these surveys, anyway?
What makes a good shopping city? In reality it’s not the city, but it all comes down to specific areas within a city, and even streets within an area. Parts of it should of course be walkable, with intermingled cafes, restaurants, and open air settings. Shoppers need to feel safe, so lighting and security are a priority. Personally I like a mix of new and higher end stores, along with hidden surprises, and second-hand or thrift shops. Shopping local is a priority over just national banners. I’m fairly low maintenance – vintage record stores and used/antique book stores are my kryptonite.
I also believe that most major metro areas have nice shopping options. If I have to pick Tops — Then YES, the shopping in Miami is Terrific! Also for the US I would include Chicago and New York. In Europe, the shopping in London is Superb, maybe the best, and Paris is fantastic. I think Milan is pretty amazing also .
San Francisco and Hong Kong are the top 2 places to shop. These are followed by NYC, London, Paris, Chicago, Atlanta, Dallas and Tokyo. Large, Diverse and global, all of these cities offer an incredible consumer experience that stands out among other cities in one way or another.
The true top cities for shopping are unfortunately likely not in the U.S. Nee York has undergone a dramatic retail change post-Covid and has yet to really recover the magic of discovery. London and Hong Kong would be top imo.
I would go with London, with New York a close second and Tokyo third. The ease of walking in those cities and the number of interesting shops to discover are top of mind for me.
Storage Cafe produced a very curious list.
My votes go for NYC, Chicago, Paris, London, Hong Kong, and Shanghai.
St. Louis? No offense but not the first place I would think of as a shopping mecca compared to New York, Chicago,, Los Angeles or several other cities mentioned in the comments. It makes you wonder about the survey methodology.
You have to live in Miami to understand how absurd giving us the number 1 ranking for retail is. Sure, we’ve got a ton of malls, and expensive rent shops.
but they forgot the “service” factor. You haven’t lived if you haven’t been ignored by a salesperson in a store, or even better, when they just talk to you in a language you don’t understand.
square footage does not a great retail experience make. The survey is bogus
The top shopping destinations are such a subjective topic, and it’s challenging to identify the top “X” cities. However, since we are dealing with subjectivity, I will add my perspectives based on the cities I have enjoyed shopping in.
The top shopping destinations ideally offer a diverse mix of retail experiences, an immersion in the local community’s culture and history, entertainment, and outstanding dining options. Most importantly, cities should be experienced, and it is best done on foot rather than by car or public transportation.
My top locations and why:
Chicago.
#magnificantmile #statestreet
In my view, New York City and Los Angeles stand out as top shopping destinations in the U.S., renowned for their diverse options that cater to all tastes and budgets. Internationally, I’d include London and Tokyo for their vibrant shopping scenes.
While obvious factors like the variety of stores and pricing are crucial, less obvious factors such as local culture, ambiance, and accessibility also greatly influence a city’s shopability score.
Cities with a rich history of fashion or unique local artisans tend to rank higher due to their distinct offerings. So, overall, a combination of factors like accessibility, ambiance, and authenticity will generally contribute to a city’s appeal to shoppers.