While on a trip to London we made a quick stop here to purchase a delightful umbrella for my wife…read moreto use during our travels. Fair price, helpful customer service reps, and a clean, well-lit store... I've got no complaints at all and we would gladly go back again if we ever visit Oxford again - hopefully we will.

I love this shop. It used to be a real rabbit warren of a place, a bit like an old fashioned…read moredepartment store. (Think 'Are you being served') It was gutted a few years back and although the building looks the same on the outside inside it's a totally different place. There are three floors (as per usual) which are jam packed full of things to peruse and buy! The womenswear floor is large with a wide range of items for women of any taste. They have a Coast branch inside and a big collection of fancy dresses to suit. The homeware floor is big as well with quite a decent range of kitchen utensils which is nice because a lot of stores skimp on things like this. All in all the store is nice and bright, it can get a bit congested on the escalators and in the lobby though so be careful.

Another big electronics superstore, like Currys and similar. I'm not an expert, but I think it's a…read morebit more specialised than somewhere like PC World; it often assumes some prior consumer knowledge. This is a good thing, though - it doesn't dumb down its products and the staff are very approachable. It's worth going when they have a sale on - check out their website for details. In fact, it's quite good to look on the website before going, so you have an idea what to look for and can read up on the products first.

This chain electronics store puts the customer first and has trained their staff well. It's a…read morecomfortable store to shop in with items for your car, office, mobile, school, and even some good lighting for the garden.

Situated just off the Oxford ring road, with plenty of free parking, on a small retail park with…read moreHomebase and Carpet Right. it stocks TVs, computers, phones, cameras, small kitchen appliances, and white goods. Usually a big display of cookers, fridges, and TVs. A lot of staff on hand, though they vary in their level of knowledge and helpfulness. I bought a camera from here in the summer when I needed one quickly, but none of the shop assistants I dealt with seemed particularly interested in helping me make a choice. One didn't even want to open the glass case to get the camera out for me to look at. Prices aren't that competitive, though sometimes things are good value when on specific sale offer. There are 'Managers Specials', too, though these are rarely tempting, 'ex-display tv with remote control missing, £5 off' kind of thing. worth checking out the store if you're after a specific item, but Curry's needs to do more to turn interest into actual sales, in my opinion.

Great place, wide range of stock and personal, knowledgeable service. You don't need to go to a…read morebig chain.

All sorts of bits and bobs in this alladin's cave of a hardware shop…read more Ask at the counter and the staff will scurry off into the back and return with the items your item (and maybe a couple of alternatives if you were a bit vague in your request). Well frequented by tradesmen who know exactly what they're after, it can be a little intimidating, but the service for the uninitiated is friendly and helpful. Probably best not to ask if they've got fork 'andles.

Objects of Use is one of the most interesting stores in Oxford. They specialize in unique,…read morehigh-quality goods for home, office, kitchen, garden, grooming, and children with designs that are minimal and clean. As examples, they sell balloon cars and different types of whistles; they sell Japanese gardening boots; they sell razors, chisels, and knives; and they sell carbon-steel and cast-iron cookware, among many other things. My partner is a marine biologist, and I bought her a Kujira Sperm Whale knife, which blacksmith Toru Yamashita made with no points so kids can safely sharpen pencils. The store itself is also minimal and clean; the staff, very helpful. I missed it a few times when I first started exploring Oxford because I went down Market Street to duck into The Covered Market. Objects of Use is just a bit past the Market Street entrances of The Covered Market if one approaches from Cornmarket Street. This is the only location, which surprised me, as a number of stores, restaurants, and cafes in Oxford are satellites of larger enterprises in London. This really is a type of store one would expect to find in London or New York, and yet the only one is right here in Oxford.

very easy to miss, tucked as it is way down market street, however very convenient having a bike…read moreshop in the city centre. Range includes all the essentials (don't want to get stung for a fixed penalty for no lights!) and also able to do whatever maintenance or servicing things you might need. Very helpful pleasant and knowledgable

A nice change from Ikea: this home store specialises in ranges of lighting and bits and bobs for…read morethe home. I don't own a house, but I still find the range of lamps, lightshades and quirky lampstands really intriguing. It's best to go in with an open mind and let yourself be drawn to something, rather than going in with a set idea of what you want. There are lots of things under the rather vague category of 'soft furnishings', which can range from bags to trays to ornaments. The general trend is colourful and contemporary, with the odd squirt of quirkiness. It's a bit different from the nearby antique shops, but it works. The items seem like good quality and the staff are helpful. Prices are reasonable and all in all it's worth a visit if you're into that sort of thing. Personally, I find it interesting, but can't quite get excited about lighting and soft furnishings. I guess you've got to do it at some point though, and you could do a lot worse than starting here.

Northlight is a fascinating shop just to browse around, and great if you're looking for an…read moreintriguing gift, especially for a style-conscious fella. I've received and given a few presents from there and they always go down a treat, especially when used to brighten up a gloomy student room. They have a selection of almost painfully elegant home furnishings, including cushions, throws, candles, decorative items They also sell crockery and other kitchenware as well as picnic bags and hand-made kids' toys. There are some quirky items of jewellery in a cabinet at the side, and lovely children's mobiles dangling from the ceiling. This is all crammed into a tiny shop (don't take a large bag with you!) with very friendly staff. I am so tempted by their lovely fruit bowls, sigh. It really isn't cheap, by the way, but if you are looking to treat someone (including yourself) then it is a great place to find an unusual present.

I found this was a great place for buying wire netting to make a rabbit run. It was far, far…read morecheaper than anywhere else and they had a good supply of other hardware items. I don't think they were of the highest quallity but to be hones, my rabbit isn't that fussy. Mushtiff's review says it all really (except for the cheapness of rabbit hutch supplies but then perhaps he/she hasn't got a rabbit)

Wilkinson is a fabulous shop that is great for getting bargains on everyday household items. They…read morestock a huge range of toiletries, kitchen cleaners, children's toys, gardening accessories, bathroom accessories, and much much more! They focus heavily on price, and frequently have special offers such as buy one get one free, or will have selected products at half price. They sell branded goods (Radox, Imperial Leather, Colgate, Mr Muscle etc) alongside their own branded products, offering great quality at really low prices. At Christmas time they have an extensive range of lovely Christmas decoartions, both for the tree and for the rest of the house, at unbelievably low prices. This is a great store for anyone having their first Christmas in a new house, as you can buy a flase tree and loads of decorations to go on it for under £20 easily. They also sell beautiful cards and wrapping paper, along with craft accessories and sweets. It's a really bargainous shop, and definitely owrth a visit.

Loads of furniture of the bright and modern variety. Not really my style, but my friend who's into…read moreall things kitch regularly lusts after various things in here. It's better quality than Ikea, but with a price to match, and they have some unique lampstands and funky chairs that wouldn't have looked out of place in the 70s (in a good way). Definitely worth considering if you're buying a present for someone, or if you're into that sort of thing. If not, at least wander past and look at the window displays.

Great place for window shopping and browsing and for finding things you won't find elsewhere in…read moreOxford. Very modern and stylish.