Shopping in New York is much more than flying in for a weekend trip to pick up some great bargains, although there is certainly a place for that and it is very popular. New York is, in reality, more than just one city, it is a collection of different areas that are grouped under the name of New York, each having its own distinct style.
Fifth Avenue
One of the best known shopping areas for visitors, drawn to the high quality brand names to be found here such as Cartier, Gucci, Prada and Versace. This is the high profile face of New York shopping, preserving the status of the city as a global retail power.
However there is much more to New York than the glitz and glamour of Fifth Avenue. For example:
Greenwich Village
So different to bustling Manhattan, "the Village" seems much more European in feel, with coffee shops and small stores offering an eclectic mix of goods. With its history as a hotbed for creative talent it is not surprising to find many music shops in the area, with some real rarities to be found as well as lots of new talent.
Chinatown
As the name suggests, and reflected in other New York areas, Chinatown is made up primarily of Chinese people who settled here over the years. So the shopping here is very much a Chinese influence, with stores dedicated to the locals needs making the experience as different as it is possible to be from "mainstream" New York City.
There are many other neighbourhoods like Chinatown. For example Little Italy and Spanish Harlem to name but two. Catering very much for the needs of the local people who wish to retain links to their home country they are certainly worth finding out to gain an understanding of the make up of New York.