Luxury Shopping: Fifth Avenue (Tiffany, Saks, Bergdorf Goodman), Madison Avenue (designer boutiques), SoHo (upscale fashion), Hudson Yards (modern luxury mall with Vessel sculpture).
Department Stores: Macy's Herald Square (world's largest), Bloomingdale's (59th & Lexington), Saks Fifth Avenue, Nordstrom (57th Street).
Unique & Local: Chelsea Market (artisanal foods, crafts), Artists & Fleas in Williamsburg (vintage, handmade items), Strand Bookstore (18 miles of books), Brooklyn Industries (local designs).
Bargain Shopping: Century 21 Department Stores (designer discounts), Woodbury Common Premium Outlets (90 minutes outside NYC, 220+ stores), Sample sales in Garment District, Chinatown (negotiable prices for electronics, fashion accessories).
Markets: Union Square Greenmarket (Mon, Wed, Fri, Sat - fresh local produce), Smorgasburg Williamsburg (Saturdays, food vendors), Hell's Kitchen Flea Market (weekends, antiques/vintage).
Shopping Tips: NYC sales tax is 8.875% (clothing under $110 is tax-free). Major sales: Black Friday (day after Thanksgiving), post-Christmas, mid-season clearances. Most stores open 10 AM-8 PM daily, extended hours in tourist areas. Bargaining acceptable in Chinatown, street vendors, and flea markets; not in retail stores.