The 10 best places to go shopping in Liverpool

You couldn’t write about shopping in Liverpool without mentioning the UK’s largest open-air shopping centre. Liverpool ONE boasts 170 shops, bars and restaurants at the heart of the city centre, and far from anonymous rows of identikit commercial façades, each building was designed by a different architect – giving each store its own distinct look. Expect both your standard high street shops and quirkier independent boutiques, plus plenty of decent places to eat and drink.

Royal Albert Dock is the historic jewel of Liverpool’s Unesco World Heritage Site waterfront, and it also happens to be a great place to head for some retail therapy. Nestled among the country’s largest group of Grade I-listed buildings, you’ll find trendy design stores, independent fashion houses and an array of brilliant souvenir shops. Don’t miss the Tate Liverpool store, which offers a wide range of books, art-inspired gifts and homeware.

A Camden-style market offering a shopping experience unlike any other (in Liverpool, at least). Located in the up-and-coming Baltic Triangle area, Red Brick Market embodies the city’s maverick spirit, bringing together an eclectic gaggle of makers, bakers and other independent vendors – think one-of-a-kind antiques, handmade organic cosmetics, Insta-worthy artisan cakes. This is the kind of place you’ll want to return to again and again.

Since early 2019, Liverpool city centre has laid proud claim to the world’s biggest Lush store. Spread over three floors, this (frankly very smelly) mega-store features a spa, perfume lab, café, florist and hair salon. It’s also home to Lush’s first ‘culture corner’ – a calm spot where you can dip into a fascinating collection of perfumery books and learn about the stories and smells that inspired your favourite products.

If you’re hoping to go home with something truly unique, or just want to soak up some culture while you browse, Bluecoat Display Centre is the place for you. Stocking work by over 350 artists, this shop brims with handmade jewellery, homeware and artworks. While you’re here, check out the Bluecoat Art Gallery, home to an ever-changing programme of top-notch exhibitions.

This independent record shop has been the epicentre of the city’s music scene since it first opened in 1971. Many of Liverpool’s most iconic bands have put in appearances here over the years, and there was a time when Dead or Alive’s Pete Burns was a shop assistant. It’s still the best place to fulfil all your vinyl needs, stocking everything from punk to reggae, from rare first issues to new releases from local singer-songwriters.

The Metquarter is one of the more upmarket places to shop in the city. Comprising mainly designer boutique stores, the area is also home to brands including Hugo Boss, Jo Malone and Armani Exchange. Cricket, a well-established Liverpool luxury retailer, recently opened a brand-new two-floor store here. Basically, if you’re looking for the chicest looks and the biggest labels, the Metquarter should be top of your list.

This nonconformist bookshop describes itself as a ‘not-for-profit radical and community bookshop,’ and is run collectively by a women workers’ co-operative. Perhaps unsurprisingly, then, reading material on offer here spans everything from anti-racism to the environment, animal rights to sprirituality. But whether or not you’re searching for something deeply thought-provoking, the friendly, knowledgeable staff are always happy to give recommendations.

Happily for you lot, there’s something for pretty much every curious cultural traveller here. With more than 2,500 listed buildings, a world-class music and sports events calendar, and some of the UK’s biggest and best museums, this diverse port city basically overflows with brilliant things to do.