When The Going Gets Tough, The Tough Go Shopping…read more So it's been one of those limbo days, that started on a massive high, but has actually ended up going nowhere fast. When things get challenging or just plain weird, the tough do what only the true hard nuts can do and that is....go shopping. My favourite cut price haven is Primark or Primarche as I like to call it. I'll admit I am addicted to the rails upon rails of cut price clothes and accessories, and don't get me started on their lingerie and swimwear, where I regularly unearth hidden treasures. Yes Primarche rocks, but you will need to know what the rules of engagement are for a relatively pain free visit, especially if you go to the Croydon store! 1) Pick your visiting time wisely - Too early and you'll miss new stock. Too late and you will get caught up in the mother of all queues. 2) The clothing sizes vary by alarming proportions - Alternating between coming up too small or too big, so make sure you try everything on. If they don't have your size, you can more than likely to be able to get away with the next size up. 3) Customer service - If you are a customer service freak, check your expectations at the door, Primark is like taking a walk on the wild side - do so at your own risk ! The general sales assistant tone varies between complete indifference to my personal favourite not knowing the stock e.g. harem pants have never and are unlikely to be "Sorta like leggings",as suggested by my hapless assistant. 4) Queuing is a way of life - I have never, ever walked into Primarche and not had to queue. Their customer base is about as diverse as it gets, due to their low prices.This popularity means the store is nearly always busy. If you are a serial sigher, or a whinger, take something along to distract you like an ipod, a friend, a magazine or a packet of Haribo ! 5) In light of points 1-4 why would you want to set foot in Primarche ? Simple fast, disposable fashion trends turned around in record time, for you to buy. Their clothes quality can be variable, but their bags and accessories are not to be sniffed at. That's why I keep going back !

Limited budget but love clothes, then Primark is the place to shop. Shopping here on the weekends…read morecan chaotic and down right frustrating. The best times I've found is mid week during the day. You won't find the best quality some things are made better than others. Primark is known for their disposal wears but I feel like they may have gotten a bad rap. But then again when a pair of jeans is only £6 you can't expect them to last ten years. For me, my entire wardrobe would not be comprised of Primark garments but it's great for things you just do not want to pay more for or if you're re-entering the work force. Today I scored today and best of all it wasn't I really busy. I got 5 pairs of jeans different styles and colors, 2 pairs of jeggings , a pair of leggings, two bottles of nail polish, 8 pairs of cushioned socks, 3 pairs of 100% cotton underwear a cardigan and a blouse all for £67 or $108 CDN. That's approximately $4.69 per item!! I love a deal! Primark also sells make up, make up brushes and tools, purses, shoes, children clothes and lots of accessories. They cover it all. No be warned that various locations may have less a selection depending on the size of the store.

This shop is amazing, It's a Aladdin cave of treasure…read more.... If you haven't master the skills of this shop yet!! soooooo...! i am going to tell you a few of my skills.. just a few!! 1.) when you go in get a basket or trolley (it always best to put everything you find in there) 2.) Get there early!! (You are more likely to get a few treasure.) You find every thing you want here top designer range of scented candles, details cushions, luggage, tops and dresses, retro furniture and more.. Don't be to scary and confused it's not so bad.... Baby step. happy shopping ;-)

Although it's very big, this TK Maxx is very hit-and-miss…read more I always like to pop in if I'm going to the adjacent HobbyCraft as often TK Maxx has some of the same or similar scrapbooking items that I might be looking for.

A somewhat depressing agglomeration of outlet/seconds/remainder vendors, housed in what used to be…read morean Allders department store. All feels somewhat temporary, but that said, that are gems to be found - you just need to look past the grim surroundings and ferret about; for example, for those more sylph-like than me, there was one "bit" that specialised in Nicole Farhi samples. The downside was, as many of them were "one-offs" or pre-production items, none of them had size labels on them. There are also a range of furniture, household, and toy sections, as well as clothing. Thinking of it as a quirkier ( and much better stocked - at least for the moment) TK Maxx. Happy hunting !

This used to the great Allders department store now it's a large empty shell with a few concessions…read morein it.The store is spread over 5 floors and never gets busy.But don't give up on it you may still find a bargain still worth a visit.

This 99p store is situated in the heart of baking market…read more Its the size of teo shops and you can pretty much grab anything from there. They sell various things like household, cleaning,beauty,toys,food and tools. This is a fantastic shop for those on a budget or for those just looking for a great bargain. Theres many 99p shops about and the only shop that compares with it is the pound shop. In the news recently it has had a story about people not going in the pound shop and using the 99p shop instead as everyone says every little penny helps. You sometimes get a fabulous bargain in here like for instance they were selling the gel bras they retail at around £15-£20 and they were 99p what a shocker. This shop is alway busy but the queues go down very quickly. The staff are just there to do a job they want to serve and get on with the next customer they are not friendly at all. I would reccommend everyone to go and a have a look. You dont know what your missing if you havent already.

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I was in the neighbourhood when I came across this store, and I hadn't been expecting to see a…read morecomic book store. They looked like they'd moved across the road recently or were about to as there was signage for the shop on both sides of the street. Inside is very much a no frills operation, but one done right. There's three things I've come to expect at comic shops, and that is the wall of new comics, longboxes of older comics and those rarer comics hung up higher. This had all three, was neat and tidy, wasn't too hot and had a series of discounted comics. That's enough to get four stars for this sort of establishment from me! Excelsior!

Now I have experienced many other comic book stores and they do present themselves better than A…read morePlace In Space. That said A Place In Space is primarily an online operation and the walk in traffic is probably a bound to them so they don't go overboard no the way the shop looks. They have a large variety of comic books form Marvel & DC. They have the current stuff you may like A vs X, current X-men and Spiderman books to name a few. They have an extensive stock of older comic books and the larger graphic novels which have become popular. Every time I go in they seems to have a discount on the price of both the comic books and graphic novels, which I am not going to complain about!! Where other shops of this nature also have a variety of models of comic book heroes this one does not have that many, but as I said the main focus of the shop is the comic book. They have a multitude of comics of which the staff know where they all are. The staff are knowledgable and will let you know they are always getting deliveries and it is possible that the comic you are after may come in soon you just have to check back to see. The big plus for me is that I don't have to go into town if I wish to look for a comic book which is a huge bonus to me. So if you are in the area and just want to peruse some comics this is as good a sang without the fancy displays, just comic books.

buyers beware. By far the worst Company ever to receive a response from. Ordered furniture in…read moreApril 27th. to date, no delivery, no response. check out their Website on Facebook and just read all complaints.

Good old Debenhams, long standing department store in Croydon…read more Good variety of home and clothing with a multitude of concessions as well as their own line. Mens, womens and children clothing and shoes with frequent sales, time it right and you can get some great deals. Also has own restaurant and, in this branch, they have a fancy dress area which is useful for the random fancy dress parties you might get invited to!

Nice supermarket, good staff and excellent produce. Can't complain at all. Prices are even better,…read moreespecially for London living

Buckle up boys and girls because this little market is going to take you for a ridiculous journey…read moredown the craft beer rabbit hole. Freshfields Market is a small easily overlooked corner shop that looks like it's only used during those times in desperation (i.e., when all the other shops are closed and you NEED an obscure herb.) WRONG. Freshfields Market has an ASTONISHING array of local and international craft beers. Seriously, there is a whole freaking WALL devoted to the fine art of artisanal brews. From the well known craft breweries like Thornbridge to the distinctly local like Cronx, Freshfields has a dizzying selection of beers that would make even the most casual of drinkers tingle with excitement. Every time my husband and I visit we stand in front of the shelves like the proverbial kids in a candy shop unable to make a decision on which of the beers to try. It is no secret that I enjoy my beer. I brew it, I'm looking for a career in it... and this, man... this shop makes me feel like a child. It makes me excited to be a part of a growing demographic of young professionals who are looking to push the boundaries of brewing. Moreover, makes me excited as a consumer to see what was once a dwindling selection of ales suddenly explode into an interest in the "traditional" beer of England. If you find yourself overwhelmed by the selection Freshfields have got your back. They've hired a seasoned-drinker and well-educated staff member to help you pick out the perfect beer for your palate. BUT THAT'S NOT ALL. They not only carry bottled beer but also they have the option of purchasing four pint carry outs that are tapped from two barrels so you get your beer straight from the barrel and not bottle conditioned. As far as the prices go, they're about the price you would expect to pay for craft beer - which is to say not that cheap. However, the last two times I have gone they have done a deal on craft beers - something like 6 craft beers for £12, I can't remember. Either way, this little corner shop may seem to be like any other but don't let the outside fool you, inside it is Croydon's very own craft beer Valhalla and if it suits you, I would go on a pilgrimage as soon as possible.

OK, so it may not be fashionably acceptable to admit that I've furnished nearly my entire house…read morewith items from the 99 pence store, but hey, who cares? I'm coming clean. I love this place. Why spend £2 on a pack of sponges when you can spend 2p? And why spend a tenner on a dish strainer when you can get a perfectly decent one for £1 max? In these hard-up, borderline financial depression times it pays to be frugal. So I go here for nearly everything. It may be cheap, but it does the job and I'm not complaining; although my broom did break into three pieces after its third use, but hey, whatever, that kind of stuff is expected when you only paid 40p for it. I am, unabashedly, The Big Discount Store's number one fan.

I would describe this mall as a bigger better version of Kingsgate Mall. The have everything you'd…read moreneed but not anything like a high street. All the major shops are located here. They have New Look clothing store, Boots, M&S, so you could make this a one stop shopping deal. The mall is well laid out and very clean. Seems like the central place to meet in Croydon.

Now by now everyone has heard that Whitgift would soon be transformed into the new Westfield…read moreshopping mall! It is currently very hard to believe given that half the shops in this place now sit vacant and those that remain have a certain tacky vibe about it with a handful of bargain stores (don't get me wrong! You can find some real gems in these places) and because of how the lack of shops have driven many visitors away and the Westfield plans have been delayed in like forever, I hope that the new Westfield would bring back customers and visitors in droves. It's such a shame that the Westfield plans have been delayed as many businesses have moved out too soon in anticipation for it. Still, nothing beats walking down north end reminiscing about the good olden days because when Westfield finally arrives, gone would be the brown and beige floor tiles and the 90s feel that makes this Croydon shopping centre so unique. #LiveLifeLikeLDN

Choo choo welcome to sausage town!…read more If meat is your crack, get to the Cronx and get a taste of cracking Krakow and other regional Polish produce! At the sausage bar they'll kindly let you try before you buy and they go to great 'lengths' to help you understand what's what. The gateaux and cake selections are also quite marvellous. I took an old school dark chocolate cherry gateaux to an Easter picnic and needless to say there were slim pickings when it came to having seconds. On another occasion a dense biscuity brick of a cheesecake was quite satisfactory among friends too! I promise you, you'll go wild in the aisles here and it's a great incentive to learn some Polish to find out what other potentially delicious treats are hiding behind the mysterious pretty packagings. I wouldn't want to offend anyone's Babcia but more of them ready made deli fresh pierogis to go are coming home with me next time!

Best supermarket in the whole of London. Quality food at affordable prices. You can on almost…read moreclassify everything as organic, and the best deli counter in the country. You do not have to speak Polish to shop here, everyone is welcome. The moment you walk in, there is a feeling of a cordial continental Europe. Get a Mleczko card and shop here daily, I do.