Fashion & Luxury: Chapel Street (South Yarra) offers high-end boutiques and department stores (Myers, David Jones). Bourke Street Mall in the CBD has mainstream chains and flagship stores.
Vintage & Retro: Collingwood's Smith Street has vintage clothing shops, record stores, and quirky boutiques. Brunswick Street offers bohemian fashion and local designer brands.
Markets: Queen Victoria Market (produce, souvenirs, street food), South Melbourne Market (gourmet food), and weekend street markets in neighborhoods like Camberwell and Abbotsford.
Bookstores: Readings in Carlton has an excellent selection of Australian and international authors. Smaller independent bookstores throughout laneways.
Souvenirs: Boomerangs, Aboriginal art, Akubra hats, and Tim Tam biscuits. Queen Vic Market is best for tourist souvenirs at reasonable prices.
Shopping Centers: Chadstone Shopping Centre (southeast), Southland Centre (south), and DFO (outlet stores). MVG shopping apps help find shops and hours.
Negotiating: Not common in Australia. Prices are fixed except at markets where small discounts occasionally possible for bulk purchases.