Where to shop in Christchurch

While the city is home to many familiar big-name outlets, there’s much more to Christchurch shopping, which is why some retail therapy could happily take up a lot of your holiday time. Explore the city’s CBD and you’ll discover local fashion boutiques, historical shopping malls, and traditional family-owned markets. There’s a huge variety of souvenirs just waiting to be found. Plus, window shopping is a great way to discover local fashion and cultural trends.

Christchurch markets

Whether you're hunting for a bargain, or fancy a lively morning stroll, the weekend Christchurch markets will present a treasure trove of items and produce for you to buy. Make sure you visit The Commons markets in the city centre, but arrive early to enjoy the best selection of items before the crowds arrive.

Container Mall

The Container Mall was originally installed by the Re:Start project – a retail regeneration movement that aimed to help shops reopen quickly after the 2011 earthquake by setting up in shipping containers. Although the Re:Start project has come to a close, many of the containers remain or have been expanded to become part container, part shop. Expect to find boutique fashion stores, New Zealand products, and food and drink outlets.

New Regent Street

The New Regent Street precinct is an open-air mall packed with places to shop, eat and be pampered. Expect to find gift and homeware stores, clothing and accessory shops, and salons and cafes. New Regent Street is a great place to spend an afternoon when nothing but retail therapy will do. It's open every day and public transport links run directly to the mall.

The tannery in Woolston

For upmarket fashion and designer shopping, the only place to go is The Tannery. The former industrial tanning buildings have been restored and now the mall is a beautiful shopping precinct that boasts an interesting historic edge. Filled with more designer outlets than any other centre in Christchurch, this will be a must-visit shopping destination for the fashion-forward.

The Colombo (Colombo Street)

Trendy and European inspired, The Colombo is a fusion of shopping and entertainment. Just five minutes from the CBD in Sydenham, take a retail trip here and you can expect to find fashion, beauty, gifts, homewares, and more. Need a retail break? Then park up in one of the cafes or pause for longer and head to the in-house cinema.