Forget Paris or New York, Shanghai is where it’s for a shopping trip to remember. Karen Lawson gives us the lowdown on how to haggle your way to a suitcase full of shopping success.
Mention you are going on a ‘shopping holiday’ and your friends will start ‘oohing’ an ‘ahhing’ over the potential location. Expectant answers might be the fashion Mecca’s of New York, London or Paris…But when you tell them you’re going to Shanghai, be prepared for perplexed reactions.
Tell them to hang their oh-so-shiny hang-ups in the wardrobe (where they belong) and be proud you are an early adopter, Milan is so…yesterday!
Shanghai has all the youthful elements of a very cool, hip city. Its mini Manhattan skyline twinkles in the darkness and any rooftop bar in the Bund will have you wishing it was daybreak to hit the streets.
Waking up in a foreign city for the first time is a virgin-like affair; my excitement of the shopping unknown is thrilling. But before I hit the streets I repeat the commandments:
The eight commandments of Shanghai shopping
1. Be strong – Do not go when you are a) hung-over b) jetlagged c) don’t know your six times table (approx six Yuan to the $). Merchants smell weakness and poor mathematical ability at three hundred paces.
2. Download Google Translate, or even better Lonely Planet (it works offline). Don’t expect anyone to speak English.
3. Take the price they give you, then take 75% off – This is your starting price and (if you are good) your final offer.
4. Walk away – This is your power. Use it and apply generously (like a sun protection ad). If you really want something, be playful and engaging and walk away. If your opponent is a worthy adversary they will fold.
5. Say you live there – Merchants are less likely to rip you off as they know you will return if the goods are faulty and tell your ex-pat imaginary friends. The words ‘Shanghai wife’ are very powerful if you don’t mind the odd white lie whilst crossing your fingers!
6. Say you have many friends (and hope they don’t stalk you on LinkedIn or Facebook). Merchants want repeat business. If you are with a gaggle of friends shop en-masse, you will get much better prices.
7. Have a story – It might be ‘no time, need to grab a plane’, or that your ‘ATM cards don’t work’ (shock horror maxed them out) or simply you are ‘shopping on behalf of a friend’ and this is the budget you are allowed to spend
8. Have fun – It’s a game, be polite, smile and haggle!
I am armed and ready – on your marks…GO!
Your guide to where to shop ‘til you drop
Tianzi Fang district
Located in the French Quarter it’s a labyrinthine of narrow laneways dotted with artisan shops selling everything from silk scarves, clothing and jewellery from upcoming designers.
Head to Kommune Cafe for lattes the size of Coles shopping baskets and delicious omelettes. The Australian owners know their coffee grounds. Years ago you would have been eating your breakfast looking up and someone’s knickers swaying in the breeze above you. These days the controversial re-zoning has moved the residents out and the artists in. It’s a cute area to wander around mindlessly, but a bit too touristy for the best bargains.
Taking a break from shopping at Kommune cafe
Fabric Market
Buzzing from far too much caffeine we head to the Fabric Market which is dominated by a chain of ‘centres’. Inside is a maze of stalls vying for your attention (and Yuan).
Go early in your trip as you will need to return for fittings. From Chinese silk to cotton, linen and fine wools this is the place to satisfy your inner Imelda. I purchase a ready to wear cream cashmere wrap around winter coat for a mere $50AUD and a few brightly coloured leather skinny belts just $5 each. If I had a few more days in Shanghai I would have gone business suit and night-time diva crazy!
Nanjing Road
They call it the ‘Oxford Street of the East’ extending 5km from the bund to Jiang’an temple. It could equally be renamed ‘Orchard Road’ or ‘Saks Fifth Avenue’. Fashionistas will find it breathtaking; carry a ventilator, you may need it.
From designers to high street labels, knock yourself out with the likes of Marks & Spencer (I buy some fabulous underwear), Hermes, Tiffany and Mont Blanc. Zara has partnered with leading Chinese designers to create unique ranges just waiting for you in its spectacular multi-storey empire close to the Haungpu River.
AP Plaza
Situated right next door to the Science and Technology Museum, the pairing is the perfect solution to silence any anti-shoppers who may threaten your halo of consumerism. AP is an underground maze bursting with everything from clothes, shoes, bags and more.
Science and Technology Museum
Don’t miss the jewellery and pearl section. Scan the fashion mags before you go; jewellers can replicate most items. I exited with a Chanel style double row of black and white pearls, a flat silver cast pearl and matching earrings. Made to measure on the spot with each individual pearl picked out by moi! All for under $30.
I also ‘bag a handbag’ bargain (well three actually, for approximately $70), quicker than you can say codeword ‘Mulberry’. Top shelf designer beauties lay behind hidden doors. Recent raids on shops mean that you need to be a savvy shopper to uncover the best!
Pearl market AP Plaza
Where to stay: Kerry Hotel The best place for a shopper to stay is the trendy area of Pudong. The Kerry Hotel is the new ‘kool’ hipster brand of Shangri-la and the perfect place to rest your feet (or get a killer work out from Kerry Sports, the largest fitness centre in Shanghai) and look out over Century Park.
The sexy rooms are seamlessly connected to the luxury Kerry Parkside Mall. Croissant to Cashmere is but a tip toe away. With an acclaimed NZ run Brewery ‘The Brew’ onsite, beer to brands is the perfect combo for late night hunts which will keep the boys happy.
The verdict
A shopping trip to Shanghai might not be the fashion roadmap, but that’s because they are still designing it. It’s a fun, vibrant and youthful city. Save room in your suitcase, or even better buy another one whilst you are there!