I can't believe they still exist! They went out of business in the states, but here's One still up…read moreand running in New Zealand! This one was attached to a shopping mall, so ran like a department store, like a sears in the states . It was a smaller scale compared to the ones that used to be freestanding back home . It was pretty nice with a wonderful selection of household goods and clothing . It reminded me a lot of the ones we had back home in the early 2000s. The prices have definitely gone up though ! They had a similar selection of what they used to have at their old locations, but at a more modern price haha!

Kmart is the anchor store for this Westfield branded mall! Never in a million years would I assume…read moreKmart being an anchor store for a mall. As an American, Kmarts are almost all shuttered in the US. I've heard that Kmart in New Zealand and Australia are considered nice, in the way that Americans see Target as "nice." I'd say this target is maybe 1/2 or 1/3 of the size of a US Kmart. The main section seems to be for clothing, and then home decor items. I noticed there were quite a bit of items for social media, like ring lights and phone stands, and colourful strip lights. I noticed most of the items were house branded / generic items. I'm not familiar with the quality of these items but they were on pretty much everything. There isn't much of a snack section or toys or practical items for the home that I saw. Visited February 2023

Look Sharp is the kind of shop that makes me want to cry. It's stuffed with impulse-buys and…read moreplastic, plastic, plastic junk as far as the eye can see. I can understand why people get excited about it though- there's so much cheap stuff and it does all have a purpose...it's just that the purpose is usually one day of being a St Paddy's day costume or a party decoration, and then being chucked. I get even more moralistic when I think of the wages the people are paid who make this stuff that. But don't get me wrong, I'm not saying I never buy anything plastic or made in a developing country. I just don't want to see a whole shop full of the stuff. It brings me down.

One of the most useful and chaotic stores I've ever been in, Look Sharp Store does what other…read moredollar stores try (and fail) to do. It's clean, well laid out and easy to find whatever you're in the market for - from costumes to dress socks, candles to key rings, Look Sharp has it all... and it's cheap! Many times I've rushed to this store for that last minute item that will make a costume or decorated room really pop - I can't even count the number of times I've flipped on the hazard lights, parked in a place that really annoys the taxi drivers and run in to grab streamers, beer-drinking hats, striped armbands or paint. Seriously, anything silly and frivolous you could ever want is under this roof.

Right on Queen Street beautiful Christmas windows & The only ones we saw in Auckland. They were…read morebeautifully done, music played at the puppets moment. The store was closed. We went inside looking for luggage and passed beautiful clothing and housewares. Santa was keeping Children busy. Luggage was around $1,000 so we moved onward

This was a wonderful find! I was in desperate need of socks, ha ha! My brother was looking for a…read moresweater and they were very helpful in pointing out where they were. There were several reasonably priced ones. Everyone was so kind and helpful.

I may be bias because I am from the shore but this is hands down the coolest department store I…read morehave ever been to! Home to Stephen Marr, Lucy and the Powder Room, Karen Walker, Black Box, TopShop as well as a myriad of rotating NZ designers, this place is nothing short of brilliant. Expensive, but brilliant nonetheless. On my last visit I was delighted to see they now also have a wonderful range of quirky terraniums and indoor plants. Definitely well worth checking out if you are looking to add some greenery to your office or home!

Quite a special place, for a morning coffee, quick lunch and afternoon relax, with greens and…read moreflowers. You wouldn't notice that you are actually in paradise. Yes, Paradise has the meaning of 'Garden'. Top Quality coffee, good cheese scone, caramel chocolate slice. Menu is not too complicated, ease for mind when you just into the sunny mood and some inner peace. Or you can choose just grab a coffee and have a stroll in the department store, finely selected fashion there waiting for the right person. Choose a beautiful day, and amaze yourself here. There is nothing more beautiful with a nice coffee I the warm sun.

I love Collected. It is possibly one of my favourite shops in terms of homewares, gifts and knick…read moreknacks. Plus everything is super bright that you'll just want to buy the whole shop! They stock Lindi King bracelets (which are all bright colours and come with different charms), wall art, gift cards, candles, home aromatherapy perfumes (the skull ones are amazing), children's gifts and toys, cushions, lampshades, and so much more! I love coming here when I need to buy presents for friends and family, plus staff are always super friendly and helpful and they offer colourful gift wrapping too!

I only just discovered this shop today and it was by accident! They are in the Bloc Building on…read moreNormanby Road (just across the road from the Normanby hotel). On the ground level is the Citta Design shop and then if you go upstairs you'll find the Collected. What a find it is! I wanted so much in the shop. And the really good part is there was some really nice stuff for around $20 or less such as dinner plates, various knick knacks, candles and other stuff made of awesome. There was so much I wanted to purchase. So once I have a bit more cash in the bank, I will definitely be back (come on pay day)!

Quite a brief trip in to suss out the Coin Save in my neighborhood, and what a range of things to…read morebuy in one stop really. It is a cheap store to say the least and has a range of bits and pieces that you would find in any two dollar store anywhere in Auckland, something that I have never seen for sale in a Two dollar store though is the range of BB Guns available. I always thought BB Guns were little plastic devices that didn't cost much, however you can pay anything up to 395 dollars for a really good one. Lots of inexpensive unbranded clothes, and some funny t shirts stood out to me, and they have quite a selection of clothing for a Coin Save.

Affectionately named "the best store in the world" by my partner this store is literally a…read moreone-stop-shop for virtually anything! Whether you are scouting for an extension cord, fish slice, nail polish, sewing kit, BB gun or bikini you are sure to find what you are looking for. Okay so the quality of the products can be questionable but you get what you pay for and let's be honest you only walk into a $2 store if you're looking for a quick-fix. The store is reasonably well laid out but with the familiar clutter of a well-stocked bazaar. The friendly and helpful owners have even managed to squeeze a small curtained change room into the corner! Like I said, best store in the world.

This place is the first thing that comes to my mind when I think of Remuera shops, it has become…read moresomewhat of a landmark for Remas and it reminds me a lot of being young and visiting with my parents. It is quite an expensive store but it has some beautiful items and the ladies that work in here are always incredibly nice and easy to talk to. It's an excellent place to come for a gift especially for someone who is into homewares e.g. your Mum or Grandma. They stock brands such as Le Creuset, Scanpan, Donna Hay and Bodum. If you are into fine chocolates, Trumps is a stockist of Bennetts of Mangawhai (they make amazing chocolates right here in NZ). You can register your weddings gifts too so that your guests find it easy to choose something and they will have the comfort of knowing it is something that you want. They also take really good passport photos here!

U-Mart could be just another Asian "stuff" store but it's not. It's actually full of some really…read moreuseful items, as well as the usual cheapies. I think its location next to Three Kings Countdown and Medical Centre really helps - its become the place I go when running errands and need a random household item, new nail polish colour (this happens more than you would think), Halloween costume item etc. It's a BIG space and quite well laid out as far as these kinds of shops go. There is a huge clothing area at the back, shoes all the way along one wall, bags on the back wall and curtains on the front wall. In between you'll find everything mentioned above plus party supplies, craft stuff, stationery, toys, hardware, make-up, toiletries, perfumes, wallets.... and on and on. While not fabulous quality, it's not bad and I've been surprised how long things I've bought from here have lasted. Bring the kids here with their pocket money and you'll find something for everyone.