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Retail Therapy Never Felt So Good In Ōtautahi Christchurch
Explore the many shopping districts, laneways and boutiques of Ōtautahi Christchurch to find one-of-a-kind fashion, locally designed items and unique gifts. No matter what kind of retail therapy you want to indulge in, there are so many options from luxe designer labels both local and international, to a department store institution, to second-hand finds and homeware goodness. It’s all here in Ōtautahi Christchurch and waiting to be explored.
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Enjoy Browsing The Laneways Of The Crossing
The Crossing is both historic and relatively new to the shopping scene in Christchurch. The laneways and buildings that make up this precinct have been significantly restored recently, and what has emerged is a retail hub in the heart of the city. There are the colourful hues of New Zealand fashion brand RUBY, the luxe and visually-pleasing homewares of A&C Homestore and the cosy yet elegant knitwear of Perriam that instantly transports you to the high country of Otago. Add to the mix Colony, a family-owned and operated business that specialises in all things honey, plus fashion favourites Workshop and Witchery, and you can easily find something for all occasions.
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The Arts Centre / Te Matatiki Toi Ora Treasures
A Christchurch shopping guide would not be complete without a mention of The Arts Centre – a place where local craft makers and independent boutiques are supported and celebrated. Explore the buildings and take your pick of stores from beautiful homewares and unique gifts at Frances Nation, or a new outfit with a difference from Indigo & Provisions.
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Five Lanes For Literature And Gifts
Five Lanes is one of the more recent additions to the city centre’s shopping scene. Get here if you’re in need of a gift. Make a beeline for Hapa; thoughtfully curated and with a focus on Te Reo and local makers. Pop in to Scorpio Books, one of the city’s most loved independent book stores. And if that isn’t enough, for any little people in your life there is Scorpio’s younger sibling of sorts – Telling Tales, a children’s bookstore.
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The Gems Of High Street
Looking for guaranteed success on your shopping trip? Then look no further than the finest High Street has to offer - bonus they all happen to be next door to one another. First visit Infinite Definite, a local favourite for New Zealand and international fashion labels. If you are interested in sustainable and second-hand fashion, Recycle Boutique is the spot for you. And then it’s onto a dreamy shoe shopping experience at Head Over Heels, where they stock classic designs alongside more fashion-forward options, something for every taste and preference.
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Local Institution
City Mall has long been the hub for retail therapy in Christchurch’s central city. Like Ōtautahi itself, it’s been through many lives and iterations, rebuilding post-quake and now being as busy as it has ever been. One of the most iconic shopping destinations in the entire city calls City Mall home – Ballantynes. This beloved department store was first established in 1854 and is known for its impeccable service and being the place to go for top brands and high-quality pieces.
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Riverside Market Shopping Surprises
Surrounding food mecca Riverside Market, you will find cute lanes that are home to some of the best shops in the city centre. If you love finding items that are locally sourced and unique, go to Shopology, where owners Sally and Sarah focus on stocking items that are made with love and care. Nearby is homeware heaven, Abode, where the Danish concept of Hygge (the feeling of being cosy), is present throughout the store
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Boutiques For One-Of-A-Kind Pieces
There are always going to be special boutiques and galleries you make a special journey for and are 100% worth it. One such store is Henry Trading over in Lyttelton, where local makers and creators are celebrated. Heading back towards the city centre, you’ll come across The National on Moorhouse Ave. This dealer gallery specialises in showcasing contemporary jewellery, as well as sculptural ceramics, glass and object-based works
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Salt District Sophistication
This vibrant city centre neighbourhood is eclectic and full of life, so it makes sense that the shopping on offer here is too! Walk through the front doors of PLUME’s boutique and you’ll instantly be taken by how effortlessly cool everything is. WORLD is much the same, a masterclass in how to curate a brick-and-mortar shopping experience and showcase the best in New Zealand design. Sidestepping fashion, the district is also home to the likes of Ride on Super Sound, celebrating the nostalgia of buying music in person, and flower guru, Bunch Floral.
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Step Back In Time At The Tannery
Whilst it may not technically be in the city centre, we couldn’t exclude The Tannery from a Christchurch shopping guide. For fashion from highly coveted brands such as Assembly Label and Caitlin Crisp head into Uncommon Shop. If you’re searching for some new denim in your wardrobe, then you have to visit EnCompass where they have an extensive selection and impeccable service. At Good Folk, the focus is on high-quality goods made with care and natural materials. There’s also the surf experts at Sadhana, homewares heaven at Hapa and second-hand goodness at Recycle Boutique.
