Shopping in Vancouver

Vancouverites are environmentally aware, and there’s been a boom in independent stores stocking locally made and designed wares. You’ll find all the major brands and chains, but the real gems are the unique shops selling BC produce.

Key areas

Chic Robson Street offers fashion boutiques and speciality shops. Pick up stylish menswear at Vancouver-founded Boys’ Co (number 1044) or Japanese groceries at Konbiniya Japan Centre (number 1238).

Yaletown is the shopping ground of Vancouver's young and aspirational, with designer fashions, art galleries and trendy home décor shops. In Gastown, an eruption of new apartment blocks has brought seriously expensive furniture shops and high-end clothing spots. Concept store Secret Location, 1 Water Street, melds upmarket fashion with a see-and-be-seen restaurant. Be sure to try on a pair of boots at John Fluevog Shoes, 65 Water Street.

Beyond Downtown, South Main and Commercial Drive are indie store heaven. Smoking Lily, 3634 Main Street, sells exquisite dresses, sewn and silk-screened in BC. At Devil May Wear, 3957 Main Street, eco-friendly clothing is made locally using fabrics such as bamboo, soy and organic cotton. Mintage, 1714 Commercial Drive, carries carefully chosen vintage pieces.

Markets

Granville Island Public Market is chockfull of fresh produce. Chinatown Night Market on Keefer Street is crammed with craft stalls and mouthwatering Chinese food. Its rival, the vast Richmond Night Market, is located near Bridgeport SkyTrain Station.

Shopping centres

Indoor shopping Downtown includes the Pacific Centre and Royal Centre, while Metropolis at Metrotown is a large suburban mall (with 400 shops) connected to the SkyTrain station of the same name. Aberdeen Centre, 4151 Hazelbridge Way, is a massive Asian mall in Richmond.

Opening hours

Shops are generally open Monday to Saturday 0930/1000-1800 (until 2100 Thursday and Friday) and Sunday 1200-1700.

Souvenirs

Among the most original gifts are Pacific Northwest and Inuit arts and crafts. Or look out for a Vancouver brand, such as Herschel, which makes timeless canvas bags.

Tax information

The non-refundable Provincial Sales Tax (PST) of 7% and 5% Goods & Services Tax (GST) are added at the till.