When The Going Gets Tough, The Tough Go Shopping…read more So it's been one of those limbo days, that started on a massive high, but has actually ended up going nowhere fast. When things get challenging or just plain weird, the tough do what only the true hard nuts can do and that is....go shopping. My favourite cut price haven is Primark or Primarche as I like to call it. I'll admit I am addicted to the rails upon rails of cut price clothes and accessories, and don't get me started on their lingerie and swimwear, where I regularly unearth hidden treasures. Yes Primarche rocks, but you will need to know what the rules of engagement are for a relatively pain free visit, especially if you go to the Croydon store! 1) Pick your visiting time wisely - Too early and you'll miss new stock. Too late and you will get caught up in the mother of all queues. 2) The clothing sizes vary by alarming proportions - Alternating between coming up too small or too big, so make sure you try everything on. If they don't have your size, you can more than likely to be able to get away with the next size up. 3) Customer service - If you are a customer service freak, check your expectations at the door, Primark is like taking a walk on the wild side - do so at your own risk ! The general sales assistant tone varies between complete indifference to my personal favourite not knowing the stock e.g. harem pants have never and are unlikely to be "Sorta like leggings",as suggested by my hapless assistant. 4) Queuing is a way of life - I have never, ever walked into Primarche and not had to queue. Their customer base is about as diverse as it gets, due to their low prices.This popularity means the store is nearly always busy. If you are a serial sigher, or a whinger, take something along to distract you like an ipod, a friend, a magazine or a packet of Haribo ! 5) In light of points 1-4 why would you want to set foot in Primarche ? Simple fast, disposable fashion trends turned around in record time, for you to buy. Their clothes quality can be variable, but their bags and accessories are not to be sniffed at. That's why I keep going back !

Limited budget but love clothes, then Primark is the place to shop. Shopping here on the weekends…read morecan chaotic and down right frustrating. The best times I've found is mid week during the day. You won't find the best quality some things are made better than others. Primark is known for their disposal wears but I feel like they may have gotten a bad rap. But then again when a pair of jeans is only £6 you can't expect them to last ten years. For me, my entire wardrobe would not be comprised of Primark garments but it's great for things you just do not want to pay more for or if you're re-entering the work force. Today I scored today and best of all it wasn't I really busy. I got 5 pairs of jeans different styles and colors, 2 pairs of jeggings , a pair of leggings, two bottles of nail polish, 8 pairs of cushioned socks, 3 pairs of 100% cotton underwear a cardigan and a blouse all for £67 or $108 CDN. That's approximately $4.69 per item!! I love a deal! Primark also sells make up, make up brushes and tools, purses, shoes, children clothes and lots of accessories. They cover it all. No be warned that various locations may have less a selection depending on the size of the store.

Every time I go shopping in Croydon I park in Central car park! It's not the cheapest car park but…read moreI feel safe leaving my car here for long hours and it's central to Croydon shops. So the two main shops I visit here is house of fraiser and debenhams, they are multi floor stores and I tend to buy my luxury items here like underwear makeup perfume and dresses. The other Beaty of these stores is that they have a personal shopper if you have limited time, though book in advance they can get busy!

Lots of shops which we all know along side some smaller "tat" selling ones. Don't get me wrong some…read moreof the tat selling ones actually have some useful stuff in. Since the demise of Alders there have been a few more empty shops within the area. With the development of the Croydon "Westfield" soon to begin I guess there will be lots of new shops coming to town. The variety of shops is still good and you can get almost everything you want. Prices vary but that is to be expected, the price of parking is something of an issue as you have to pay £2:50 for anything under two hours parking. So if you only want to go to one shop thing about where you will park to get best value.

This shop is amazing, It's a Aladdin cave of treasure…read more.... If you haven't master the skills of this shop yet!! soooooo...! i am going to tell you a few of my skills.. just a few!! 1.) when you go in get a basket or trolley (it always best to put everything you find in there) 2.) Get there early!! (You are more likely to get a few treasure.) You find every thing you want here top designer range of scented candles, details cushions, luggage, tops and dresses, retro furniture and more.. Don't be to scary and confused it's not so bad.... Baby step. happy shopping ;-)

Although it's very big, this TK Maxx is very hit-and-miss…read more I always like to pop in if I'm going to the adjacent HobbyCraft as often TK Maxx has some of the same or similar scrapbooking items that I might be looking for.

For the lover of beautiful Indian clothes, this is the shop to visit. With a lot of colourful and…read moreunique fabrics, be sure to ge that special bridal wear or casual especially for that brilliant occassion. There are superb accessories to match the clothes and a wide range to choose from. The prices are affordable and make an absolute value for high quality of service expectations. Be sure to stop by and have a look when next you are in the area!

I would describe this mall as a bigger better version of Kingsgate Mall. The have everything you'd…read moreneed but not anything like a high street. All the major shops are located here. They have New Look clothing store, Boots, M&S, so you could make this a one stop shopping deal. The mall is well laid out and very clean. Seems like the central place to meet in Croydon.

Now by now everyone has heard that Whitgift would soon be transformed into the new Westfield…read moreshopping mall! It is currently very hard to believe given that half the shops in this place now sit vacant and those that remain have a certain tacky vibe about it with a handful of bargain stores (don't get me wrong! You can find some real gems in these places) and because of how the lack of shops have driven many visitors away and the Westfield plans have been delayed in like forever, I hope that the new Westfield would bring back customers and visitors in droves. It's such a shame that the Westfield plans have been delayed as many businesses have moved out too soon in anticipation for it. Still, nothing beats walking down north end reminiscing about the good olden days because when Westfield finally arrives, gone would be the brown and beige floor tiles and the 90s feel that makes this Croydon shopping centre so unique. #LiveLifeLikeLDN

Nice big branch of Evans, fairly recently refurbished and carrying a decent range from their…read morecollections. Not as trendy as I would like, and the fit is a bit hit and miss, but it's useful for basics. Loads of steep stairs to the second floor (shoes, lingerie and workwear is upstairs, everything else is downstairs.) Also this branch seems to have a permanent sale rail which can yield the occasional gem.

As a member of the male species, I view shoe shoppping as a necessary evil when my old shoes wear…read moreout. Fortunately, Clarks meets my non-metrosexual male needs perfectly. I can find Hush Puppies, which keep my feet comfortable when pounding out the mileage at work. They also have frequent sales. These tend to be a slight free for all - the shoes are just put out by size and customers just dive into the melee! This branch of Clarks is quite big, spread out over 2 floors at the Whitgift Centre in Croydon. The staff were quick at getting shoes despite the slightly chaotic sales fever going on.

Disgraceful disgusting company. Ordered a dress online. Couldn't fit it over my head and return…read moreit ASAP! They sent it back to me and said it was not in good return condition? What!? I didn't even wear it. I called customer service to complain. They were suppose to call me back for a 2nd review. By this time they sent it back to me. I called 2 weeks after and they decided without even seeing the product new with tags, they declined a refund? WTF!!!! Called again to speak to a supervisor and again no call 2 weeks later nothing! They obviously do not care about their customers. Disgusted and disappointed!! I will never ever buy anything from this company again and post this experience everywhere I can.

One of the branches of the chain of Zara clothing…read more To be found on the edge of Centrale shopping centre in Croydon. Relatively big branch, 3 floors, kids and mens downstairs with women on ground and top level. Familiar problem with this branch is the queues, there are never enough people serving. Whilst there are tills on the top level, very rarely do they have anyone on them. Sometimes wise to check downstairs when the womens is a little long, worth a try anyway. Usually pretty helpful if you have returns or exchanges, they do not generally make a fuss.