Exploring Monkey

Shopping, in the US is the single most important and obsessive activity for people (I guess apart from sex!). It is almost a religion in itself! And place of worship of this “religion’ would be the malls and department stores.
For an outsider it is very easy to get submerged in the deluge of stores, products, deals, coupons, sale et al. But a little groundwork could make you ease your way through this jungle. And let me tell you – it is a wonderful jungle indeed!

The best place to start would be the Mall of the area you are visiting. This would give you a bird’s eye view of the latest trends, fads and sale going on - all under one roof. It would also afford the opportunity to compare prices, check out the best and expensive as well as the cheaper items. Its like you have everything under one roof. You might find an item in store A is more expensive than the similar/same item in store B. This does happen, especially when there is a sale going on in one and not in the other. So go around, almost like a reconnaissance. Once you are clear about the goods available and how the price and utility fits you, you can go ahead and buy it. Reduces the after purchase remorse! Especially, when you have come as a tourist and have limited time. But otherwise, the return policies in most outlets are good – ranges from 15 days to 3 months and in some cases 6 months, depending on the product.

Sale & Clearance in New York City

The best deals available, amongst other days, are during Thanksgiving (last Thursday of November), the days before Christmas (December), before Valentine (which falls on 14th February), before Columbus day (2nd Monday of october), before Independence day (14th July). Apart from these, each store / outlet has sale/clearance days often. The clearance after New Year is one of the best. You get very good deals on winter clothes, disc threads et al.

Malls in New York

In New York City there are numerous malls. Some of them are given below –

1) Manhattan Mall - 6th Ave and 33rd Street
2) South Street Seaport - 12 Fulton Street
3) Trump Tower – Columbus Circle?
4) Queens Center - 90-15 Queens Blvd.
5) Kings Plaza Shopping Center & Marina - 5100 Kings Plaza, Brooklyn
6) Staten Island Mall - 2655 Richmond Avenue
7) Newport Mall – Jersey City
8) Jersey Gardens – outlet mall

Some of the shopping areas in Manhattan include –

1) Garment District
2) Midtown
3) SoHo
4) Chelsea
5) East Village
6) Greenwich Village
7) Financial District
8) Gramercy Park
9) Meat Packing District
10) South Street Seaport
11) Union Square
12) Tribeca
13) Upper West Side
14) Upper East Side

Some of the stores found in the malls are –

Aldo, Arden B. New York & Company, Sunglass hut,
Ann Taylor, Avenue , Banana Republic, Bandolino,
Barnes & Noble, Bloomingdale’s, Boscov’s, Brooks Brothers,
Calvin Klein, Charlotte Russe, Circuit City, Claire’s Boutique,
Coach, Coach, D & G, David’s Bridal, Dick’s Sporting Goods,
Forever 21, Fortunoff, Frederick’s of Hollywood, Gap,
Golf Galaxy, H&M, J. Crew, JC Penny, Kohls, Lane Bryant,
Le Chateau, Lids, Lola, Macy’s, Motherhood Maternity,
Neiman Marcus, Nordstorm Rack, Lord & Taylor,
Off 5th - Saks 5th Ave, Pay half, Polo Ralph Lauren,
Sears, Steve & Barry’s, Strawberry, Swarovski Crystal,
Tommy Hilfiger, Victoria’s Secret, Wet Seal,
Yankee Candle.

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Shopping in NYC - 34th street, 6th to 7th Avenue ;   Shopping in Manhattan, NYC- 34th Street, 7th Ave. to 8th Ave. ;
Manhattan Mall Shopping, NYC