Shopping in Manchester: the Ultimate Edit

High-street favourites, iconic designers, indie boutiques, vintage markets… Manchester really does have it all. Treat yourself to your favourite high-street label. Browse the rails in a charming indie shop. Find the perfect, unique gift at a makers’ market. It’s all right here in Manchester, as long as you know where to look. 

The Best Shopping in Manchester

Hit the high street

Market Street and The Arndale Centre

Pedestrianised Market Street is Manchester’s busiest shopping area, with more buzz than a bee convention. Here, you’ll find the Arndale Centre, a sprawling mall with everything you’re looking for, as well as some pleasant surprises. 

Next, UNIQLO, Boots, TK Maxx… all the major brands are here. And if you’re feeling spendy, head for the fancier high-street labels, including All Saints, Paul Smith, Kurt Geiger and Space NK. 

The Arndale Centre is one of the UK’s biggest city malls. So as you’d expect, it has a large food court on the upper floor. But there’s also an excellent, award-winning market, where Manchester’s best street-food vendors compete for your attention. Just follow your nose from stall to stall.  

Within the Arndale Centre, there are accessible toilets on all three floors, plus wheelchair hire if you need it. And just next door, you’ll find a car park complete with bays for Blue Badge holders.

Independent shops and vintage boutiques

The Northern Quarter

This is where Manchester’s cool kids come to see and be seen. 

Centred around Oldham Street, the Northern Quarter is known for its independent shops, quirky galleries, live music scene and eclectic street art. All against a background of Victorian industrial architecture.

Here, you’ll find everything from retro clothing to second-hand vinyl to rare collectibles. Perfect for that one-of-a-kind find. 

At the heart of the Northern Quarter lies the Manchester Craft & Design Centre. This is home to some of the city’s most talented independent makers and designers. Browse the 20 studios for homeware, textiles, jewellery and other eye-catching things you just won’t find elsewhere.

Afflecks

Established in 1982, Afflecks has become something of a Manchester institution. Embodying the city’s famous indie spirit, this indoor market is the go-to place for an alternative shopping spree. 

Spread out over three floors, you’ll find more than 60 independent traders, including jewellery designers, vintage boutiques, tattoo studios, and skate shops. We could go on… 

…We will go on: cool bars, pop-up events, micro-galleries, and everything in between. This emporium of eclecticism is well worth a visit. 

Didsbury

Hop on a tram from St Peter’s Square and you’ll find yourself in Didsbury. With its lovely cafes, traditional fishmonger and artisanal bakeries, it really does have that authentic village vibe.  

Didsbury offers an impressive selection of upmarket indie shops. Our favourite? The Cheese Hamlet on Wilmslow Road. Everything on the shelves is hand-picked by people who really are passionate about the finest cheeses.While you’re in the village, make sure you check out the superb charity shops. Thanks to donations from the area’s well-heeled residents, these feel more like stylish boutiques than thrift stores. Perfect for snagging a designer bargain.

Luxury shopping

King Street

This is where Manchester’s shopping game gets serious. Set against a backdrop of Georgian and Victorian architecture, you’ll find the very latest in high-end and high spend. 

King Street is worth a trip if only to see the window displays, which are practically works of art. Known as the Bond Street of the north, this is the home of luxe brands. Think Vivienne Westwood, Loake, Charles Tyrwhitt, Jo Malone…

Whether you’re after next-gen designer wear, stunning bed linen, or ridiculously pretty jewellery, this is where it’s at. 

Spinningfields

The place to go when you want to combine high-end shopping with outstanding dining. 

First, head to Flannels, where you’ll find fashion by emerging designers and luxury icons alike. There’s everything from stunning runway collections by Prada to the latest streetwear by Stone Island. 

Shop til it’s time to drop by a restaurant. Then choose from a melon-twisting mix of some of the best spots in Manchester. Middle Eastern, Brazilian, New Yorkian… take your pick. 

Anyone for a nightcap? Head to 20 Stories bar, take the lift to the rooftop terrace, order a mini martini, and soak up the amazing view of the city. 

Plush department stores

Head to Selfridges… No, Harvey Nichols… No, Selfridges… It’s so hard to choose! 

Ok, deep breath.

Take a stroll to fashionable New Cathedral Street. Then drift into the fragrant beauty and accessories hall at Harvey Nichols. Welcome to our favourite fancy department store in Manchester.

Here, iconic designer brands sit alongside cool cult labels. Our top picks? Chloe for dresses, Valentino for knitwear, and Loewe for that statement bag. Bring on the oohs and ahhs. 

For yet more choice, Manchester has not one but two Selfridges stores. Visit the Trafford branch for the likes of Burberry, Diptyque and The White Company. Or head to the Exchange Square branch and treat yourself to an appointment with a personal shopper. 

The city of shopping fantasies

Manchester has everything you could want: expansive malls, expensive labels, world-famous markets, secret boutiques. Better still, the whole city is walkable – so you’ll pack in a ton of window shopping too.   

So many places to choose from, so many beautiful things to buy, so little time to do it all… Our advice? Visit soon – and bring your biggest tote bag.

Thinking of moving to Manchester?

UNCLE has stylishly furnished apartments to rent right in the city centre. 

Get your heart pumping in the residents’ gym. Salute the sun in the yoga lounge. Start a masterpiece in the art room. Pen your first novel in the co-working space… We’re sure to have the right place for your lifestyle. 

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