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Decathlon
Sports
Need a canoe? The London branch of this global superstore stocks big-name and own-brand equipment for more than 60 sports, in what it describes as ‘separate sporting universes’. ‘Destination Summer’ offers discounts across the full range of outdoor activities. You can also have your tennis racket restrung or take your bike in for a comprehensive service.
Best buy Artengo 720P beginner’s tennis racket £19.95.
Canada Water Retail Park, Surrey Quays Rd, SE16 (020 7394 2000/www.decathlon.co.uk) Canada Water tube.

Run and Become
Sports
Knowledge and impartial advice are the watchwords at Run and Become; the expert staff will ask you about your running programme and any injuries you’ve had, then, as part of the custom fitting service, give you various shoes to pad around in in the passageway outside. The comprehensive website is a generous resource for runners of all standards.
Best buy Brooks Radius 7 running shoe £70.
42 Palmer St, SW1 (020 7222 1314/www.runandbecome.com) St James’s Park tube.
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United Sports
Sports
Football, cricket and tennis are the standout sports, but pretty much every activity is covered with keen prices and plenty of special offers. Staff are friendly and knowledgeable; if you’re buying footwear, you’ll always receive a proper fitting and sound advice.
Best buy Gray Nicolls Nitro cricket bat £100.
639 Cranbrook Rd, Gants Hill, Ilford, Essex IG2 6SX (020 8550 4342) Gants Hill tube.

Bose-Samsung
Technology
Opened last summer, this attractive, spacious store is not only a stockist for Bose hi-fi products but also stuff by Samsung (camcorders, widescreen TVs, phones, etc), AKG, Sennheiser and QED. Most of the products are on display so there’s plenty of opportunity for hands-on appraisal.
Best buy Sennheiser’s superb-sounding CX300 ‘canal’ in-ear phones £39.95.
20 Tottenham Court Rd, W1 (0845 634 0320) Tottenham Court Rd tube.

Apple Store, Regent Street
Technology
This is the world’s biggest Apple store, and you can be sure you will find everything Mac-, iPod- and iPhone-related. You can reserve a spot at the Genius Bar, where you can pick the immaculately trained brains of the staff about any Mac or iPod problems you’re having.
Best buy iPod touch 16GB £269
235 Regent St, W1 (020 7153 9000/www.apple.com/uk) Oxford Circus tube.

Bookshops | Fashion boutiques | Department stores | Erotica and Lingerie Gifts | Health & beauty | High street | Interiors | Jewellery | Menswear | Shoes Specialist | Sports & Technology | Vintage fashion | Shopping Awards 2008