Students in Manchester often search for shopping spots because who doesn’t like shopping right? Whether it’s clothes, electronics, or things of your interest, we all love shopping even window shopping sounds like a fun activity to do. But students in Manchester who just got there are not aware of the best shopping spots and searching “shopping centers near me” on Google helps but not completely.
Today, we are presenting you with this blog just so we can help you in finding shopping spots in Manchester, so that you don’t have to visit 10 sites on Google just to find one simple answer. Uninist always make sure to help as many students as they can in UK, that is why we cover topics like best shopping spots in Manchester to finding suitable student accommodation, we take care of everything. We believe it’s time to dive straight into the topic.
Table of Contents
Which Are the Best Shopping Spots for Students in Manchester?
The vibrant and student rich city has many shopping spots which are suitable for students. From affordable clothing pieces to luxury brands you can find shopping spots in Manchester that fulfills all types of needs. Here is the list of shopping spots:
- Manchester Arndale
- The Trafford Centre
- Afflecks
- Northern Quarter
- Market Street
- Manchester Craft and Design Centre
- King Street and Exchange Square
- Withington Village
- East Didsbury
- Fred Aldous
These are some of the best shopping spots for students in Manchester, but we never leave our readers high and dry. So, let’s discuss these spots in a little more detail.
Manchester Arndale
- Location: This shopping spot is located in City Centre, Manchester M4 3AQ.
- Item you can Buy: You can find high-street fashion, footwear, accessories, tech, and lifestyle items here. Brands like H&M, Zara, etc can be found here.
- Average Price: The average price of items here is between £5-£30 depending on the item.
The Trafford Centre
- Location: Trafford Centre is located at Trafford Park, Stretford, Manchester.
- Item you can Buy: Popular brands, sportswear like Nike, Adidas, gadgets, and food court options can be seen at this shopping spot. So, this place is a full package which makes it ideal for weekend shopping.
- Average Price: casual wear is around £25-£30 and trainers are around £45-£70. You can even find student discounts on most of the stores.
Afflecks
- Location: The Afflecks shopping spot is located at 52 Church Street, Northern Quarter, Manchester.
- Item you can Buy: At this shopping spot you can find Vintage clothing, alternative fashion, handmade jewellery, posters, and quirky decors. This place is packed with all kinds of fashion pieces, so you can find a wide variety of items and fashion pieces.
- Average Price: items like vintage shirts can be found under £20, handmade items cost around £20-£40, and accessories are £5-£15.
Northern Quarter
- Location: For students in Manchester, you can find this shopping spot around Oldham street and Church street in Manchester City Centre.
- Item you can Buy: You can find Indie boutiques, Vinyl records, thrift stores, handmade crafts, and retro decor here. So, in short this place is packed with various types of stores and a wide variety of items are available here.
- Average Price: Clothing items are sold here between £15-£30, records are priced between £8-£15, and home decor is between £10-£25.
Market Street
- Location: Market Street is located in a pedestrian shopping area in Manchester city centre.
- Item you can Buy: You can find high-street stores like Primark, Urban Outfitters, H&M, etc. This shopping spot for students in Manchester is perfect for essential and fast fashion.
- Average Price: The average price of items like t-shirts, jeans, and accessories is between £3-£25.
Manchester Craft and Design Centre
- Location: This shopping spot is located at 17 Oak Street, Northern Quarter, Manchester.
- Item you can Buy: It is pretty obvious what kind of items you can find here. Items like handmade crafts, jewellery, ceramics, and small art pieces made by local artists can be found here. A great spot for finding items that you can give to people.
- Average Price: Small decor items can be found here between £12-£20 and jewellery is between £25-£60.
King Street and Exchange Square
- Location: This shopping spot is near Deansgate, Manchester City centre.
- Item you can Buy: This place is luxury so you can find premium fashion stores, designer wear, and luxury stores like Armani, Hugo Boss, etc.
- Average Price: The mid-range fashion is around £40-£80 and designer accessories can cost £100 plus.
Withington Village
- Location: Withington village is in South Manchester, near Fallowfield which is a student area in Manchester.
- Item you can Buy: You will find thrift stores, charity stores, second-hand books, and affordable home items at this place which is perfect for students who are on a budget.
- Average Price: thrift clothing stores can cost around £3-£10 and books/home goods cost around £5-£15.
East Didsbury
- Location: The shopping spot is located in Didsbury, South Manchester. The place is very accessible via tram or a bus.
- Item you can Buy: Shops like charity shops, local stores, and small furniture/home essentials are found at this place.
- Average Price: The average price of furniture is between £20-£50 and decor items cost around £5-£15.
Fred Aldous
- Location: The location is 37 Lever Street, Northern Quarter, Manchester.
- Item you can Buy: Items related to art and craft are found here. You can find stationary, creative tools, and photography items at this shopping spot.
- Average Price: Items like art supplies cost around £5-£30, sketchbooks cost between £8-£15, and DIY kits are between £15-£25.
Tips for Students from Uninist’s Side
Here are some tips from our side you should know before going to these shopping spots:
- Make sure to always carry your student ID with you because the stores offer 10-20% discount through UNiDAYS or Student Beans.
- You should visit shopping spots like Withington and Afflecks for affordable and unique finds.
- Try going shopping during midweek because it is less crowded at that time and often cheaper during sales.
- Use apps like VoucherCodes or UNiDAYS before heading out for shopping.
Conclusion
All the spots mentioned in this blog are best for shopping for students in Manchester. The city is filled with areas where you can find premium brands, affordable clothing brands, and even thrift stores. And we know you are not just searching for clothing stores near me. At Uninist, we have also mentioned shopping spots where you can buy handicrafts, art and craft items, and even furniture for your student accommodation in Manchester. So, tie your laces and visit these shopping spots whenever you feel like that you need to go shopping.
FAQ
Where can I go furniture shopping in Manchester?
If you are looking for a place to buy furniture from then Withington is the perfect spot for you. There are charity/second-hand shops in Withington that carry furniture, home-furnishings and decor items.
Shopping from a thrift store is a good option?
Absolutely yes, shopping from thrift stores is a smart decision and it is safe to buy clothes from thrift stores. Just make sure you check the cloth properly before buying it.
Where can I buy art and craft supplies in Manchester?
You can buy art and craft supplies from Fred Aldous located at 37 Lever Street, Northern Quarter. Not just art and craft supplies, but you can even buy stationary and books from this shopping spot in Manchester.

