Cheap shoes. Cheap dresses. Cheap appliances. Maybe it's…read morebecause we don't have K Mart back home, but I get excited to go here when I'm back in NZ. This is my go to spot when I need some quick supplies visiting my in laws. Forgot my jandals? No problem. $7 at KMart. Need some new swimmies? Cheap ones here that aren't ridiculous. Need new summery dresses for cheap? Yep. Golden. And then grab a cheap kapiti on the way out the door and your life is made.

I absolutely love Kmart for extremely obvious reasons. Not only do they have great bargains here,…read morebut they have almost anything you could want (although let's not get technical) and they are open until midnight- just three reasons there, but isn't that enough? The Botany Downs Kmart is my favourite. It's massive and I love exploring this place (although I do come here at least once a fortnight). The staff are great here, I'm always greeted when I arrive and when I leave and they're always nearby if i need to ask of something. Kmart is great for buying clothes to lounge around the house in at a cheap price and the occasional baking utensil (I just can't resist sometimes). My last visit had me going home with some new lounge trackies for $15 and 6 pairs of socks for $6- a really good bargain if you ask me. This Kmart also has the self-checkout service with handy hanger bins, and I definitely prefer to buy my items this way when I've only got a couple of items. Working in retail, I've seen Kmart sell similar styles they have in malls for a fraction of the cost and usually Kmart has better quality. Just goes to show that it's not always about brands and quality doesn't always have to mean a high price.

This is a massive Shanton. I can generally only browse about half the shop before I get tired and…read morehave to give up. So come here post-coffee, and not before! It's probably a shame that I conk out before I get down the back of the shop, because that's where they keep all their discounted stuff. I once got a really cute beach bag here with a Japanese style blue and white design on it, and I've picked up a couple of plain skirts and tops for work too. It's worth having a look just because the prices are so low, but if you're looking for beautiful fabrics and timeless tailoring, you'd better look elsewhere in the mall.

I first started shopping at Blue Illusion in Melbourne, and the Melbourne shops being one of my…read moresaddest goodbyes when I left, you can imagine how happy I was when I found that Blue Illusion was here in Auckland too. There's a very specific look and feel to Blue Illusion clothes (and accessories and shoes and incidental little homewares items) that you can only really get the feel of by browsing. I've always found the quality outstanding - especially the fabrics which are beautiful to wear. The service at this branch is usually excellent - the sales assistant who's been there since the store opened (I think she might be the owner/manager) is really excellent, friendly and totally helpful. There's also an older woman who works there who lets the shop down a bit in my opinion - no matter what you look at she's ready with a "That's beautiful isn't it?". Umm, yes, but we don't really need to have a conversation about it, do we?

I just happened to notice a pair of shoes in this store as I rushed past it in my lunch break today…read moreand couldn't resist going in. Not only did I leave with the pair of shoes, little saude reds that are said to be exlusive as each of the 4 stores Auckland wide recieve only one pair in each size of all their shoe range, but I left wanting to go back and explore the shop when I had the time to do a thorough job. Though I do feel my wallet was a bit relieved! This store is French themed and stocks not only shoes but all fashion, mainly clothes, but also with shoes and accessories. I spied several lovely looking handbags along the shelves. I had lovely customer service from the lady working there who encouraged me to sign up for a loyalty card ( it is not often a store suceeds in doing this for me- the emails bother me), telling me I get vouchers from spending money and on my birthday!

I've always experienced friendly and helpful staff at this Macpac branch (in Botany Town Centre),…read morewhether I'm just having a look around, need a repair done, or getting an opinion on merino vs. synthetics. I had a good chat with a staff member about how much better merino was than polyester for tramping, and I could tell it came from first hand experience and not just store training. Although, on other occasions I have dealt with staff who know about their products but you can tell that they might not partake in outdoor activities much themselves. I also brought my Macpac backpack here to send in for repair, and this came back within the timeframe they had said, which was particularly good for me seeing as I needed it the following weekend.

Shopped at Manukau store Gurneet was the most kindest…read more,respectful beautiful shop assistant I could of ever had . Helpt put my chosen shoes on and off and did it with a smile . Bless her . Gurneet also help with sole grips ...putting them on for me . Didn't even know they existed until she asked if I'd like some . Gurneet you made my day beautiful.Thankyou . Bless you

Well, for cheap-as-chips shoes, this place really isn't bad. If you don't mind changing shoes every…read moreseason (and most girls love that), Number 1 is the place to go as they generally wear out super fast. Still, the prices are great if you need something in a jiffy and they tend to have my size. Although they do run out fast if they have a sale going! This particular branch is smaller and has a less interesting variety than others. The staff are not very attentive either, as they tend to focus on stacking shoes rather than customer service. For these reasons, I would generally recommend Manukau Westfield or Onehunga Shoe Warehouses instead.

This is such a hip skate and snowboard store located in the Botany Mall, which funnily enough sells…read moreskateboard and snowboard equipment and clothing; and not a bad selection either. But like any store that sells new season and top of the range gear, this store is sort of on the expensive side. Even so, it is probably one of my favourite snowboarding stores to visit. The guy who works in here is a really friendly person who was only too happy to offer help and advice. We spent ages having a yarn about the different snowboards that they stock as well as the advantages of some of the different boards that he has ridden. Good advice from firsthand experience.

If I'm going to visit Country Road, this branch is by far my favourite, and I almost always pop in…read moreif I'm shopping at Botany (which is a great mall, with lots of outdoor spaces). Country Road Botany is a lovely, spacious store that's large without being overwhelming, and with a layout that's easy to navigate. It also has entrances from inside and outside the mall, making it all the more tempting to visit, and is located nearby other women's fashion stores, so you can easily try another one if you don't find what you're looking for in here. The nicest part of this Country Road is the service though - it's a light-touch approach to sales, which is such a relief after you've been harangued with endless "So how's your day going/Having a day shopping are you/What are your plans for the weekend?" in other shops.

For 12 years I was happy to buy American food and things like toothpaste with peroxide and baking…read moresoda not otherwise available in NZ from Martha's. During those 12 years one of the owners frequently went to America to buy the stock. And for many years they got special orders for me. But ever since the pandemic they have lost the plot. They refused to accept special orders and their shelves rarely offer me what I want. I have repeatedly asked them to figure out a new method of getting their supplies which they refuse to do. How they stay in business is a mystery without desirable stuff to buy. They're old and no longer seem to give a damn. I find it remarkable that they stay in business. Not worth the trip.

Ever have the feeling of giddiness as an adult, that makes you say 'get ahold of yourself now?' But…read moreyou can't and your smile is ear to ear. Well that's what Martha's Backyard did to me. I was instantly hit with Americana as the doors spread open for me. No need to trouble yourself with pushing a door American, here let me automatically open for you. Star! Since the owner was clearly using her consumer... ahem marketing skills, the first sight upon entering was a stock pile of Stars & Stripes regalia. All that was needed was the Star Spangled Banner playing in the background. Independence Day is only a few days away, so stock up. Martha's Backyard which of course is a play on words, (think Martha's Vineyard) has many American culinary favorites from candies, seasonings, sauces, cereals, beverages and snacks. I walked out with Cholula, Louisiana Hot Sauce, Lawry's Seasoned Salt, a pack of Lawry's Taco seasoning, mini Butterfingers and 2 boxes of Cap'N Crunch cereal for under $40.00. Not a bad price for imported happiness.