Henderson's is a lovely shop which sells beautiful jewellery and gifts. The staff are older women…read moreand are very helpful and seem to know everything about every item in the shop! Prices are reasonable, and they do a lovely range of rennie mackintosh jewellery and gifts.

I love the big displays they often have in here, usually LEGO related, and their supermarket-style…read more"3 for 2" offers are great as well. Nice big shop with plenty of variety in store, and room to play on the toys... I mean "make sure they're suitable for the kids". It can be a little scruffy at times, but I guess that's the price you pay for running a business that attracts young children!

Toys R Us really is a toy emporium! I don't think there is another store quite like it in the UK…read moreand the store on Helen Street is exceptionally huge! If you are looking for a toy and Toys R Us doesn't sell it, it probably doesn't exist! The store is divided into toys for girls, boys, babies and preschool children. There is also the games wall where you'll find all manner of board games and jigsaws. I am a big fan of the construction wall which consists of a plethora of lego and meccano type toys which would keep kids and adults amused for hours! There are also multimedia toys such as Wii and PS3 games and Hannah Montana TV sets. I love the Universe of Imagination section in Toys R Us also which contains learning toys such as leapfrog computers and arts and crafts. Toys R Us also has a good selection of kids and adults bikes which they can build for you in the shop. Although most of the Babies R Us stand alone stores have closed down the Toys R Us store on Helen Street contains a Babies R Us department within it. This sells cots, buggies, breast pumps, all sorts! Be warned, if you take your kids into this store they may never let you leave!

There's something about this instructive like name - Stop and Shop - that I find genuinely…read moreendearing as well as a little bit annoying. This is potentially the reason for me not entirely loving this little place. Yes, it has milk, papers and bog roll - the necessities no? But, it's nothing special. The stock is filled with all the basic run of the mill newsagent products. The prices and just as you'd expect to pay for these products in these products in a newsagent. Meanwhile, the staff offer mediocre greetings and services. So, it's alright if you want to pop in for one or two basics and this is the handiest place for it. Otherwise, I'd prefer to go elsewhere with a little bit more character and/or a wider range of stock including some more unusual items.

A huge WH Smith right when you walk into Hamiltons shopping centre? Yes please…read more Easily the biggest selection of magazines you are likely to find, with a generally well stocked stationary section and loads of snacks that are a bit pricy. They also have a wealth of books including cookery books, gardening books and self help titles. The music and DVD section is a bit baldy and overpriced. Good old reliable WH Smith. Please don't do a Woolies on us..

Located within the Regent Shopping Centre this is great for books, dvds, cards, stationary, games…read moreand magazines. The range of dvds is fairly impressive with good discounts on many of them. The store is laid out fairly well though at times can seem a bit cluttered. Staff and friendly and helpful though at times there aren't enough on the tills. Overall the store is well lit and has some nice displays.

Part of the new Antonine Centre in Cumbernauld. This is a medium sized shop with a ladies, mens and…read morechildrens departments. The staff are helpfull and pleasant and the shop is usualy quite well stocked although it does not carry the same variety of stock as the bigger store understandably. It is clean and well ordered but trying to get round the ladies department with a pram can be tricky.

please, please, please do not go into this shop. i have had…read morea problem with an item for 5 months. the hapless manager claims to be new and isn't allowed to deal with my complaint! i have tried to contact senior management or the owners but they do not appear to care, they have my money!!! the shop looks beautiful but it is always empty, there is a reason for that. go to a shop where the staff are imformed and actually care.

An enormous selection of Diamond jewellery. Bought an eternity ring great price, AMAZING quality…read moreand personal, friendly service from knowledgable staff and free diamond cleaning - nice touch!

Another shop that I love, but rarely use. The window is stocked with old fashioned toys, and is…read morepart of a row of Levingston stores- they used to be a stationers, by the look of the window at the end of the row, now sadly used, and it offers a service that seems rare these days. The staff are lovely, very interested in their customers and with an in depth knowledge of their stock... it is odd how such an idiosyncratic shop can survive, tucked away as it is in the corner of an area that lacks more obvious shopping facilities. But when that young nephew has a birthday, I love to see what I can find for him here.

A 5 star newsagents? It does exist, and it's here in Glasgow…read more Thanks to Kelly R's tip the other day, I found out they sell Frankie magazine here (thanks again Kelly!). Frankie is an Australian magazine which I was totally addicted to, back in the day. I didn't know it was even sold in the UK so when I saw the tip I screamed (I'm not kidding), and visited Barrett as soon as I could. As I scanned the shelves, and scanned them some more, I came to the crushing realisation that they didn't seem to have it. The girl behind the counter was super helpful, looking it up on the system for me and chatting to me about the magazine. Sadly, it had sold out already but she offered to take my name so that for all future copies, they'll have one for me. How's that for customer service?! She was super helpful and friendly, and I really appreciate that she offered to go that extra mile for me. Even though I don't live close to Barrett, I'll be heading here for all my magazine needs in the future.

I love these places…read more Glasgow Convenience Stores You can tell when you enter one of these that you are back in Scotland. Askit powders by the register and Irn Bru in the fridge. This one is great and I used to drop by on my walk to work. It carries a variety papers, bottled waters, loads of gingers, and all of the miscellany that I would require during my day. Sometimes, it is not the big things that remind you of a place. You can take an immense amount of pleasure in the small things.