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| Russian Market, Phnom Penh - Photo Source: Yourphnompenh |
Phnom Penh offers a wealth of shopping options for a retail therapy fix, with plentiful bargains to be had. The city's markets are good places to start, with Central Market, the Russian Market and the Night Market, open Friday to Sunday evenings, being the most popular. Kampot pepper, bamboo place settings, silk purses and silver boxes are popular choices but here you'll find pretty much everything your heart could desire. And no shopping spree would be complete without a krama or 10 - the traditional Cambodian check scarves.
A hunt around the markets will uncover branded clothes, often copies or factory seconds, at budget prices. Look out for Abercrombie & Fitch, H&M and Calvin Klein at prices as low as one-tenth of the recommended retail price back home.
For a calmer, cooler and much less chaotic retail experience, the city's malls are excellent places to browse. Sorya Shopping Center (St 63), Sovanna Shopping Center (St 271), Paragon Mall (St 214) and the City Mall at the Olympic Stadium offer a variety of shops and boutiques spread across several floors. Each level is themed with beauty and fashion, shoes and handbags, electronics and toys. From frilly party dresses and diamante tops to phones and sportswear, you're sure to find something you can't live without.
Aeon Mall opened in mid-2014 and has raised the bar as the country's first international standard mall. Located on Sothearos Boulevard to the north of Sofitel Phokeethra Hotel, it is home to myriad international fashion brands, cafes, restaurants, food halls, 4D cinema and a bowling alley.
You shop until you drop, then why not take a break and review your purchases in one of the many fast food outlets, ice cream parlors and coffee shops that can be found inside the malls. Branded sport shoes of dubious origin are available for $12-$20 in the mall markets, while ladies' heels can be snapped up for about $4. Cobblers can make footwear to measure that will be read in 5-10 days. Beautiful Shoes on St 143 has a good following.
Phnom Penh also boasts an array of independent boutiques with beautiful clothes in western sizes and made in Cambodia. Look for formal outfits in silk - perfect for wedding or parties - or classy cotton and linen separates for chic, everyday wear. Many places offer a fitting service to ensure your new look is perfect. Start on St 240 (the stretch immediately to the east of Norodom Blvd), which has several independent outlets clustered together.
Hummingbird (St 19, near St 172) has a fantastic range of quality boutique fashions including their own originals range, dresses for all occasions, casual day-wear perfect for tourists and travelers, and a beautiful range of jewelry and accessories, all showcased in a laid back urban boutique setting with a pretty cool playlist in the background.
Along Sihanouk Blvd you'll find Axara, Mango and Pedro, as well as WExport, which sells discounted branded goods made in Cambodia. Silver and gold jewelry, gemstones and impossibly cheap watches bearing famous brand names can be found in the markets and shopping centers. Be appropriately suspect about their origin, but if you're happy with the price they make lovely gifts. Jewelry shops offer original and stylishly designed accessories alongside gems and commissioned pieces.
If you're after quality vintage style or second hand clothes, but also accessories such as real leather handbags and silk scarves, the quirky Lost 'N' Found Vintage Store on Street 63 is the best place to be. Its popularity with expats is always a good sign.
Once you've adorned yourself, how about some interior decoration? St 178 is an excellent place to start with a row of art shops selling various paintings. Cross over Norodom and you'll find Starling Farm's shop where you can buy a range of the famous Kampot pepper.
Products such as recycled crafts, handmade pepper and greetings cards, bag and silk products are made by disabled or disadvantaged people. A great example is Phalycraft, offering a range of beautiful products made from the finest Cambodian silk.
KTOP in Sorya Mall is also a good place to do electronics shopping; with mobile phones, laptops and related accessories. And Made on Street 144 is another great place to bag a bargain. Here you will find a collection of clothing and accessories, made by survivors of human trafficking, are sold.
Source: PocketguideCambodia
