Shopping Information
Shopping in Bangalore is nothing short of an art.
From the air-conditioned ambience of super stores like Shopper's Stop and Kemp Fort to the bustling by-lanes of Chickpet, Bangalore has something to offer every kind of shopper.
Bangalore is a good place to purchase silk, sandalwood and rosewood items, and Lambani tribal jewellery. The most pleasant shopping experience is to be found on Commercial St, north of MG Road. This street is home to a number of silk, handicraft and shops. Stunning, hand-embroidered saris are reasonably priced and fabric is cheaper here than in the silk emporiums lining MG Road.
Whether you are looking for Kancheepuram silk or Swarovski crystal, chances are you will find it in Bangalore. You just need to know where to look
Given below are some of Bangalore's more popular shopping areas:
Commercial Street
Commercial Street is one of Bangalore's busiest commercial areas. While garment, hosiery and textile stores are in a majority here, you can also find shops selling shoes, art supplies, stationery, novelties, jewellery, travel kits, sports and general goods.
Arihant Plaza
Overflowing with fake brands at dirt-cheap prices. You get a lot of stuff that's imported (and not legally, either), which you won't find in other places. You'll find virtually everything here—trendy clothes, accessories, shoes, perfumes, cosmetics, cutlery, chocolates and innumerable other items. Arihant Plaza is located opposite the beginning of Commercial Street. Symbolically enough, it's underground!
M G Road
Known as South Parade in the days of the British, Mahatma Gandhi Road still retains its old world charm, while at the same time exuding the energetic, modern spirit of India's Silicon Valley. Here you can get everything from electronic equipment to books, magazines, photography supplies, silk saris, antiques, textiles, garments and general goods. Shopping Centres to look out for on M. G. Road are Shrungar Shopping Complex, Barton Court, Public Utility Building, Spencer's Super Market, the Coir Board showroom, Natesan's Antiquarts, Kids Kemp, Saree Kemp, Cauvery Arts and Crafts emporium and others.
Brigade Road
Extremely popular with the youth, Brigade Road is a beehive of commercial activity. You'll get just about everything here. There is Rex (the best movie theatre in town). There is Cyber Café (coffee and the Internet). You will find a bowling alley, a discothèque, a video game parlor, eating places (including The Only Place, which serves great steaks and desserts) and Nilgiri's (which is a really good grocery store). There are showrooms for brands like Lee, Van Heusen, and Louis Phillippe. You can buy a lot of unbranded clothes, shoes and jewelry as well.
There are malls like Fifth Avenue and Mota Royal Arcade, which are worth exploring. You'll get a range of items and the stores range from low budget to exorbitant.
Residency Road
On Residency Road you can find steel furniture and handicrafts in metal, clay and wood. Quite a few government handicrafts emporia are located on this road.
Other Areas
Apart form those shopping areas described above, Bangalore has lots of other commercial areas famous in their own way for the products they have on offer. Richard Square in Russell Market, for instance, is known for cutlery, crockery and household items. Chickpet is famous for its silk sarees, silver and gold jewellery and textiles. If it's metal items like brass, silver and copperware that you are looking for, make a beeline for Arcot Srinivaschari Street. On B.V.K. Iyengar Road you'll find wood products, plywood, paper and electrical goods. Avenue Road is known for its stationery, stainless steel ware and silver jewellery.
