by Global Urbanist

Created on: April 23, 2010

Guide to Toronto's best shopping   Toronto is built on European, Asian, and North American influences.  This diversity is reflected in the retail shopping.  Visitors take interest in retail chains they cannot find in their home regions while residents enjoy the specialized boutiques throughout the city.  

The Store Selection: 

Tourist will enjoy a unique shopping experience whether from North America, Europe, or Asia.  Americans will find flagship stores usually only found in large U.S. cities like New York or Chicago.  Luxury brands like Louis Vuitton, Cartier, and Hugo Boss have locations in Toronto.  European chains H&M, French Connection, and Zara are more prevalent in Toronto than in many American malls.  Other European brands like Bench and Mexx have stores in Toronto without expanding into the U.S. market yet.  Visitors from Europe will find chains common throughout North America like The Gap, American Eagle, and Pottery Barn.  For genuine Canadian brands they may be interested in Roots, Lululemon, and TNA stores.  Visitor from Asia that are use to the overwhelming crowds of Hong Kong and Tokyo shopping districts can take comfort in the more ambient atmosphere of Toronto's retail strips.  During adverse weather shoppers can appreciate the 27 km of underground retail space that interconnects Toronto's downtown buildings, subway stations, and hotels.   

Eaton Centre:

Located in the heart of downtown along Yonge street, Eaton Centre is one of the three primary shopping areas in Toronto (Yorkville and Yorkdale being the other two).  Eaton Centre is a multi-level mall convenient for tourist.  Several flagship stores locate in and around Eaton Centre.  The mall is connected to two subway stations and is part of the underground pedestrian pathway system (PATH) of downtown.  Dundas Square is located at its north end and a Hudson Bay department store to the south.  City Hall and Nathan Phillip's square is a quick walk to the west.  Eaton Centre is a designated tourist area which means it is open on most holidays.  

Yorkville:

A neighbourhood occupying the streets north and south of Bloor just west of Yonge, Yorkville is where you'll find high-end shopping.  Tiffany's, Gucci, and Prada are the types of stores common in Yorkville.   Celebrities are always rumored to be nearby, residing in the luxury hotels in town for hollywood movie

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