Massive department store on Reading's high street, John Lewis has everything. No cheap knock-offs…read morehere, it's all name brands and it's all expensive. Similar in theme to Macy's or Dillard's or Bloomingdale's in the States, the John Lewis department store is carved up into various sections for menswear, ladieswear, boys, girls, housewares, electronics, jewelry, perfumes and more. Very good service, which is what you are paying for. The electronics department includes televisions, radios and computers, priced at what I think are above PC World and Argos prices. All that said, it's a lovely store and a pleasant shopping experience. If I ever win the lottery, this is where I will blow most of my winnings.

I like John Lewis and the Reading store is one of my favourite destinations…read more Until last Saturday when the shop staff made me feel like a criminal. I was looking at their Xmas decorations along with other shoppers. First I noticed one shop assistant shadowing my every step then i went to look at the table settings and another assistant tailing me again. I looked around several times at the other shoppers and none of them appeared to be receiving the same dogged attention. This continued even after I purchased some items and moved to the cooking utensils. As the only black female on the shop floor, I left the store feeling harassed and victimised. I am still upset reliving the horrible experience. I will not be visiting again for the foreseeable future.

This shop reminds me very clearly of the American "Bloomingdales" with higher end fashion, beauty…read moreproducts, kitchenware, electronics and the like. I was looking for a particular kitchen implement - I never did find it - but I was amazed at the long list of name brand labels that I saw throughout the shop, including Biba, Elle, DKNY, Miss Selfridge, Tommy Hilfiger and more. And that was just the ladies departments! The prices are, well, shocking. But as the saying goes, if you have to ask, then you can't afford it. They have their own Caffe Nero and a Yo! Sushi inside the store. It is a part of the Oracle Shopping Centre and therefore there is ample parking.

There's a very wide variety of designer (and/or expensive) shops all under one roof. While there…read moreare some bargains to be had, it's cumbersome to have to check each of the separate designer areas to check them out. For example, if you are looking for a blouse, there is no section of blouses; one has to go through all the different little shops to get an overview.

quality is no longer priority all clothes Chinese or Bangladeshi, sizes are awful and so is cut of…read moregarments .They also wash up poorly. many years ago they proudly displayed signs stating 90% of items sold British made. M And S will surely disappear from the high street you can't sell this rubbish for long

Marks and Sparks. I've heard so much about M&S from Mrs. K. (my wife is a Brit who moved to the…read moreStates), I had to make sure to stop by here at least once. Marks is the quintessential British department store. With departments selling everything from clothing to kitchen appliances to bed and bath soft furnishings, plus a major supermarket of food, it's possible that you could shop M&S and never need to go anywhere else. They literally sell everything but cars! Very good quality stuff. Not just the clothing (which tends to run more towards the expensive side than the moderate end), the food options are plentiful. Lots of ready-to-heat items and things that need little preparation. I managed to find exactly what I needed - a decent pair of sneakers and a warm sweater. I also stocked up on a few eats too. Yay, Marks and Sparks! I'll be back.

love coming to this beautiful shop service 1st class and the shop is displayed very well and very…read moregood value and quality morning out with my sister and Facey is always our first stop

Another old-school shop in conservative Henley. This department store - actually the size of a…read morenormal town shop - sells everything from sewing gear and furnishings to clothes, handbags and hosiery. The staff are incredibly helpful and friendly and the prices are actually very reasonable for the quality of goods that they sell. It's been in Henley for years and, Gordon Brown willing, will hopefully be here for years to come.

The 'other' shopping plaza in Reading, Broad Street doesn't have the glitz and glamor of the Oracle…read moreShopping Plaza a short walk away. Which isn't to say it's a poor experience, because it's good! Anchor shops like TJ Maxx and Argos, plus name brands Supercuts, GNC, Ethel Austin, Poundland and Foot Locker. There isn't a food court, but there is a nice atrium with a coffee shop and a bakery (on site baking!) making for a pleasant experience in good weather or bad. There is a staffed kiosk for the Reading bus system for questions and for buying your bus fare debit card.

Although very much the poor relation to the Oracle, there is certainly nothing wrong with The…read moreButts. It has a wide range of shops to explore and always seems very busy. Broad St Mall also has a multistorey carpark attached to it so you don't have to rely on parking at the oracle which can get gridlocked at weekends. If you need a break from shopping there are plenty of places you can get a drink or something to eat to catch your breath before you return to the bargain hunting.

This place never seems to get too many visitors hence the quick turnover of shops It's very close…read moreto the station in Reading (just next to the Vodka bar)... It does have some little gems of shops in there though. There's a high quality tobacconist specialising in cigars, an sweet shop where you can buy by weight, there are fab circus skills shop selling juggling stuff, frisbees etc, a second hand record shop (usually quite busy) and there is at least 1 antique shop. Worth a browse at least.

Harris Arcade really is the place to visit, you can't walk…read morepass without a little browse, go and support our local traders, it really is a special place to be Fabulous shops, gifts, Arts, antiques and lots more.

Reading's Main Mall - a community center for the area This…read moreis a unique place for a lot of different reasons. It is in the heart of Reading and serves as a main community center for the area. The south side of it opens onto an area with at least 2-foot bridges over the River Kennet. On the north side you are in the heart of Broad Street, the brick-lined walking space that seems a Hallmark of the city. Inside, the mall boasts a wide selection of high-street brands, boutiques, and specialty stores, making it a shopaholic's paradise. As of September 2021, they hosted over 80 stores and restaurants. I visited recently one of their big anchor stores that was closing. It offers a plethora of dining options, from international cuisine to local delicacies. The Riverside dining area is particularly popular, providing a scenic backdrop for a meal. Their website seems to suggest that they host various events and activities throughout the year, keeping the atmosphere lively and engaging. I tried the McDonalds. It was extremely busy but it was also right off the riverside dining area and accessed from outside the main structure. Whether you're looking for a day of retail therapy, a delicious meal with a view, or a fun outing with friends and family, The Oracle shopping center in Reading offers it all. It's a vibrant hub that epitomizes modern urban living and leisure. If you can't find what you are looking for in the mall, you have the option of looking right outside along Broad Street. Enjoy!

Sometimes, you need to shop. You need to hit a mall. You need to wander from one chain store to the…read morenext, filling up your bags and emptying your wallet. If you're in Reading, the place to do that is right here at the Oracle shopping center, which sits on both sides of the River Kennet just off the Reading high street. Lots of top name shops here, including a Disney Store (they're everywhere!), Debenham's, House of Fraser and John Lewis, plus of course Boots. Plenty of restaurants and boots to pick up everything from this years selections of calendars to pictures for your phone. And on the subject of phones, they also have representation of the major mobile companies Vodaphone, Orange and more. I did find the PC World to be a little lacking of some of the lower tier items for computers, but they have high end stuff like big screen TV's and desktops. Decent hours: Mon-Fri 9.30 to 20, Sat 9 to 19 and Sun 11 to 17.

I had no idea this store was here, I stumbled upon it when I was wandering the Broad Street Mall…read more Selling the same items as the location about quarter mile away on Friar Street, Poundland is the UK equivalent of the American "dollar store" where everything is a pound (which currently converts to about $1.60) though there are a handful of items that are two for a pound. Personal care, car care, plants, biscuits, some clothing, kitchenware, coffee and tea, even lightbulbs. Most of the items are excellent bargains, though you do have to be aware that some stuff is still more expensive here than at the Tesco or Asda. I did manage to find a couple of absolute steals, including a USB port splitter and some computer cables that were £7 elsewhere!