5 of the world’s most famous luxury shopping streets

If you love nothing more than indulging in a little retail therapy, then you’re probably already aware of some of the world’s most famous shopping streets. Here, we look at 5 of the best known shopping streets around the world that are found in some of the most exciting and glamorous cities on the planet!

Oxford Street, London

Perhaps the UK‘s most well-known shopping destination, Oxford Street stretches for 1.5 miles from one end to the other and boasts around 550 shops and restaurants meaning there’s plenty of opportunity to splash the cash.

As a general rule, shops here are open from 10:00 to 19:00 Monday to Saturday, except on Thursdays where they close an hour later. Sunday trading times are 12:00 to 18:00, although opening hours may vary on a store-by-store basis.

Oxford Street is probably best known for its large department stores, which you’ll find in the section of the road running between Marble Arch and Oxford Circus, including branches of John Lewis, Selfridges and Debenhams.

You’ll also find dozens of more specialised retailers, so if you’re looking to pick up some jewellery, you might want to visit the street’s Ernest Jones and Fossil stores. For the latest in men’s and women’s fashion, Gap, French Connection and American Apparel are just some of the places you can visit.

Many of the outlets located here are regarded as their respective organisation’s flagship store and as such are often used to host launches and special promotions, with celebrities usually making appearances at these events, particularly for the switching on of the annual Christmas light display. However, you’ll also find A-listers hitting the high street by themselves, with P Diddy and Beyonce among those seen here.

If you need to take a break from scouring the shops for bargains, there’s a whole host of restaurants, bars and cafes on the street that serve refreshments, ranging from fast food establishments like KFC to upmarket Italian eatery Carluccio’s. There are also a number of London hotels in the area so you can base your stay on Oxford Street should you wish to do so.

Fifth Avenue, New York

As one of New York’s longest thoroughfares, Fifth Avenue in Manhattan is for many shopaholics a dream destination to indulge in some retail therapy.

As far as Fifth Avenue goes, it’s between 49th Street and 60th Street where you really go to town with making some purchases. It is here that you’ll find a selection of high-end boutiques and luxury department stores.

Among the many iconic shops you’ll come across is the flagship Saks Fifth Avenue branch. Open since 1924 and selling a wide range of men’s and women’s clothing made by leading European and American designers, this is a great place to upgrade your wardrobe, with DKNY, Burberry and Diane von Furstenberg just some of the brands sold.

If it’s designer jewellery and watches you are after, the branches of Cartier, Omega and Tiffany & Co are sure to delight. Numerous mainstream retailers also have stores here, including Abercrombie & Fitch and H&M.

Sports fans, meanwhile, may want to visit the NBA Store. Here, you’ll be able to pick up jerseys and memorabilia relating to the world’s leading basketball league.

Many outlets stay open as late as 22:00, although times vary between individual stores.

There is much more to Fifth Avenue than just great shopping, as the intersection with 59th Street forms the south-west tip of Central Park. Continue heading northwards and you’ll come to the stretch of the road known as Museum Mile which is home to several cultural institutions, including the Metropolitan Museum of Art.

Avenue Montaigne, Paris

For fantastic shopping in continental Europe, there is perhaps nowhere like Paris’ Avenue Montaigne.

Situated between the bank of the Seine and Champs Elysees Avenue, here you’ll find a selection of high-end stores from some of the leading names in French and international fashion.

The street is some 600 metres long and there are dozens of shops you’ll be able to visit, including branches of Prada, Dior and Chanel. You can also purchase men’s and women’s clothing at the Versace and Ralph Lauren stores, so it should come as little surprise that this is a great place to head to if you want to dress like an A-lister.

Who knows, you may even spot some celebrities browsing the aisles next to you! Katie Holmes and Victoria Beckham have both been spotted at the Giorgio Armani store here.

Via Monte Napoleone, Milan

Located in the heart of Milan’s fashion district, Via Monte Napoleone is known throughout Italy as being a fantastic place to buy watches, jewellery and clothing from the world’s leading high-end brands.

There’s the chance to browse more than 200 stores here, from Marc Jacobs and Rolex to Borsalino and Audemars Piguet.

Ladies looking for the perfect pair of shoes to complement a new outfit may well be in luck. Ugg, Jimmy Choo and Christian Louboutin are just some of the names to have stores here.

Via Monte Napoleone is also a great place to get some designer homewares, as it is home to branches of Royal Doulton, Wedgwood and Waterford Crystal, so there’s bound to be something for you.

Rodeo Drive, Beverly Hills

Visit the stores found along Rodeo Drive in Beverly Hills and you’ll be shopping in what is commonly regarded as one of the best places for luxury shopping in the world.

Stretching for three blocks along the Californian city, there are around 100 chic stores, boutiques and hotels for you to visit, with Juicy Couture, Dolce & Gabbana and Guess among the many high-end fashion outlets where you can splash some cash.

Breguet and Battaglia are just two places where you’ll be able to buy beautiful watches and jewellery, while the four-floor Rodeo Collection mall has interior design stores and spa and beauty centres. While enjoying a spot of retail therapy along Rodeo Drive, you could well bump into some of the world’s most famous actors and musicians.

Britney Spears, Leonardo DiCaprio and Danny DeVito are just a selection of the stars to have been seen browsing the shops and boutiques here, so well as walking away with some new clothes you might even be able to get a couple of autographs too!

Those who visit any of the above shopping streets will be able to not only shop but explore the wonderful sights throughout the cities in which they are found. The only problem is whether you’ll be able to tear yourself away from the shops long enough to see what else the cities have to offer!

Robin Sutherland is the Managing Director at TravelSupermarket.

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