Mumbai is a great place to shop, whether for last minute souvenirs or essentials for the long journeys ahead. Locally produced textiles and export surplus clothing are among the best buys, as are handicrafts from far flung corners of the country. Prices are also pocket friendly except of the swiss colonnades in the five stars hotels, prices compare surprisingly well with other Indian cities. Most of the shops ( larger ones) accept credit cards and fixed price, elsewhere, particularly dealing with street vendors, it pays to haggle.

Uptown central bazaars are better place for spectators than serious shopping. The Zaveri bazaar opposite Crawford market is the place to head for new gold and silver jewelery. The city features a number of swish modern shopping centers, including India’s largest, Crossroads. Tea lovers should check out the Tea Centre on VN Rd. Opening hours in the city center are Monday to Saturday from 10 am to 7 or 8 pm. The Muslim bazaars are quiet on Friday.

What Shops For....

Antiques
Mumbai antique trade is accumulated at the area between Chor Bazaar area and Mutton street. Another good one but expensive is Philip’s famous antique shop, on the corner of Madam Cama Rd, opposite the Regal cinema. This shop is established in 1860 and went through many changes but the quality of product is still remain unparalleled. In the Jehangir Art Gallery basement, a branch of the antiques chain Natesan’s Antiquarts offers tempting selections of antique, sculptures, furniture, paintings and bronzes.

Clothes And Textiles
Mumbai is renowned for it’s textile industry and produces bulk of India’s clothes. Indian fashion evokes from here and dissipated to different different Indian cities. MG road is the best place to buy trendy yet cheaper western clothes Opposite Mumbai Gymkhana, fashion street is specialize in export surplus goods rejected by big manufacturer, selling T-shirts, jeans, legging, summer dresses and trendy sweatshirts in a competitive price. Another famous place is Colaba Causeway where you can find better quality cotton clothes. If you are looking for traditional Indian attire, head for Khadi Village Industries Emporium. Items like brocaded silk saris, kurtas, salwar kamiz and khaki shorts are favorites.

Handicrafts
Regionally produced handicrafts are marked in assorted state run emporium at the World Trade Centre, down on Cuffe Parade. Central Cottage Industries Emporium near the Gateway Of India. The quality is consistently high as are the prices in both the shops. Perfume is essentially a Muslim preserve in Mumbai. Down at the south end of Colaba Causeway, around Arthur Bunder Rd, shops with mirrored walls and shelves are stacked with cut glass carafes full of syrupy, fragnant essential oils. Incense is hawked in sticks, cones and slabs of sticky dhoop on the sidewalk. To make a better deal, head to Khadi Village Industries Emporium wher you can pick anything from furniture, paintings and ornaments, glass bangles, block printed and calico bedspreads and wooden votive statues produced in Maharashtrian craft villages.

Books And Music
Mumbai’s excellent English language bookshops and book stalls are well stocked with everything to do with India, and a good selection of general classics, pulp fiction and travel writing. The street stalls between Flora Fountain and Churchgate station can also be good places to hunt for secondhand books.

     The most famous of Mumbai’s many music shops are near the Moti cinema along SV Patel Road in the central bazaar district. For cassettes and CDs the best outlet by far is Rhythm House, Subhash Chowk.