Best Kept Secret is an outlet store that has a good range of shoes, bags, clothes and jewellery for…read morewomen with more more mature tastes, however there are still a few things that younger people might like as well. The owner, Lorna, goes on buying trips overseas to hand-pick items for the shop, mostly in parts of Asia, so the stock is not the usual stuff that you would find in other places in New Zealand. It is organised really well, with a corporate section that has stylish comfortable work shoes, a slipper section with all sorts of leading slipper brands, such as Grosby, and also a large leather bag section to the right of the store. A nice place to go if you are after a unique pair of new comfortable shoes, or wanting a reasonably priced present for your mum or your sister.

Whenever I have a very specific underwear need I come here. The staff are extremely helpful and…read moreknow exactly what they're talking about. The selection of bras and underwear in store varies from practical wear to gorgeous lingerie and sexy little outfits. The women take every care to fit you properly and make sure the bras you are trying on fit you best. My most recent experience here was to look for a bra that would fit perfectly under my bridesmaid dress. I took the dress in and, inside the beautiful change rooms, tried it on with a number of different bra options underneath. The shop assistant was very helpful and not at all pushy. In the end she even suggested going away and having a think about the options to consider what would be best rather that persuading me to buy one of her bras. It was great.

I wish I could do no stars. I am incredibly appalled at the customer service. Read the fine print…read moreof their contracts carefully. This company does not deal in good faith whatsoever. They are incredibly arrogant. They don't care about their customers, only their money. Just find another store, literally any other company will give more of a shit about you. It's your special day you're planning, and no one deserves to feel the way they treated me. Find ANYWHERE ELSE to buy a dress from.

After hearing friends say; "I'd love some of that!" Audrey and her family decided to open the first…read moreRedcurrent store in Havelock North way back in 1999. Since then, they have opened 4 stores in Auckland and several more across both the North and South Island! Best of all, it is New Zealand owned and operated! Redcurrent do some wonderful in-store displays and stock a range of nice homeware pieces. I dare you to walk through their stores and come out without having said: "I'd love some of that! - at least once! I am currently in love with the Menton picnic basket and the rabbit fur throw! I also have my eye on their Kiwiana tea towel gift box range which are designed right here in New Zealand and made from 100% cotton. Checkout the Jaffa, Hokey Pokey and Chocolate Fish options..quirky, fun, practical and lightweight! - think they would make for a pretty cool souvenir!? Definitely one of the nicer shops in the Albany Mall!

From the owner: Redcurrent offers home and lifestyle accessories that make everyday life beautiful.read more

I have a day time BBQ party sort of thing this Saturday and am sick of my clothes, so today I…read morepopped up to Albany to see if I could find something cool but cheap. I only ever usually go into North Beach with my boyfriend. It is really good for guys stuff. Despite looking like a surf shop, there are heaps of cool guys labels, and quite a lot of awesome things from jumpers, to boardies, to shorts, to tshirts and shoes. Also, my boyfriend feels pretty out of place in the fancier stores that I try take him to, so he's a lot more comfortable there. The bottom level is for girls. I don't think its as good for us as it is for guys. This is all surfy stuff, which is fine, but not for me. There were a couple of really cool Huffer pieces, and its great for cheaper togs and jandals, but it's not the place to go if you're wanting to stop traffic. The service is really good in both areas and they aren't pushy. One thing though, and I feel a bit bad about saying this, but today I saw a mouse. Like, in the girls shoe area. Oh god, I silently freaked out and left. Should have probably said something. But yeh. For the last 3 hours I have felt like it's crawling on me. I suppose that's not their fault though.

I really wanted some new Havianas this summer. And not thick strapped, plain, boy-ish looking ones,…read morebut pretty coloured, thin strapped feminine jandals. The kind that wouldn't look out of place with a sunress at a stylish cafe. I was wracking my brain trying to think where to buy such jandals in Auckland when a friend of mine suggested North Beach in Albany. I took a short trip up the motorway and lo and behold found a massive wall of pretty girly havianas and a whole range of other beachy clothes as well. Just gutted I didn't get the zebra print with the flouro yellow straps before they sold out. They had a great range of mens and womens and childrens winter and summer stock. Definately my favourite shop for getting surf and snow gear, throughout the year.

A new addition to the shopping scene in Mairangi Bay, Gus & Fannie is the first storefront for a…read moreclothing label that began its journey at Matakana Markets. Along with the clothing range, there's also a mix of home decor, baby wear and jewellery. So nice to be able to shop local. I came in for a quick look and left with the perfect gift for a friend, job done!