Smart Shopping

Shopping in India can be an enjoyable experience. Shopping districts in every city are well known and you should have no difficulty locating them. If you’re looking for ethnic outfits, there are plenty of shops selling them everywhere. 

But buying clothes from shops on the street is much cheaper if you can bargain. A workaround is to ask other shoppers to bargain on your behalf. They understand your predicament and would gladly help. Textiles have come a long way and you almost never have to worry about quality anymore.

Remember that except at places like hotels, pubs and commercial services rendered like laundry, porters etc people don’t expect anything from you. They will gladly help you if you approach them but like I've already said – don’t approach the wrong people.

If you happen to visit Mumbai (Bombay) don’t miss the – chor bazaar – literally translated as the thieves’ bazaar. Especially if you’re an interior designer or an antiques collector this place is a treasure trove. Located right in the middle of the city just off one of Mumbai’s busiest roads (Mohammad ali road) it’s probably as old as Mumbai itself.

Spread over a vast area, you’ll find everything from the proverbial pin to elephant here. The place is very shabby and you have to look very hard to find something that interests you. Of course you have to take it back and restore it to its original condition.

This place is a favorite haunt for designers and architects and unless you share their passion, you can give it a miss. And yes, if you think you’re good at bargaining, Mumbai’s chor bazaar can put you to the ultimate test.

Also recommended are the state emporiums. You’ll find them in many cities you visit. They are very spacious and offer a quiet, peaceful ambience in sharp contrast to the world outside. If you plan to buy expensive carved teak or rosewood furniture, tribal works of art, tribal paintings and handicrafts etc, you can buy them here.

It’s a little more expensive but authenticity and quality is guaranteed. You get a bill, and more expensive carved furniture and other exclusive items come with a certificate of authenticity. They also arrange to ship large items to your location.

If you want to buy small sandalwood items and other genuine decorative items for your home, emporiums are a nice place to shop. They also stock quality textiles and readymade garments. Emporiums in south India are a nice place to shop for silk ties.

Even if you don’t want to buy, do visit state emporiums in every city, just for a glimpse of local handicraft and artefacts from that state. Staffs in emporiums leave you alone to go around the place at leisure, and seldom approach you, unless you have a query.

If you just want to buy cheap trinkets and souvenirs, you may buy them outside where they’re cheaper. Try buying them while you’re shopping. Vendors at tourist places like palaces, monuments and parks can be expensive.

Shopping Tip - Never shop in haste. Keep aside a full day for shopping at leisure. Shopkeepers can sense when you’re in a hurry and will certainly take advantage of the situation. If you think they don’t understand your accent, think again. Many shopkeepers and even beggars in tourist areas speak more languages than you do.

Don’t buy brass items like vases, ashtrays, flower pots etc as these require regular cleaning and polishing, else they tend to fade and discolor.

There are major supermarket chains in India that have a presence in many cities. Notable among them are Reliance Fresh, Big Bazaar, Spencers, More, D Mart and Foodworld. They stock a wide range of products and many even stock select imported foodstuff you may be accustomed to, so do stock up on non -perishables when you are in a big city. You may not find those items in smaller towns.

Supermarkets in India are generally a little cheaper than local groceries, and regular discounts are available. And as all of them are owned and operated by reputed business houses, quality of goods is assured. Small groceries are located round every corner in every city across the country.