Tanjung Pinang is a trading town and it shows. The main streets are lined with tightly packed shops selling everything from electronics to textiles. Prices are generally lower than Singapore, especially for Indonesian goods.
The best souvenirs are wooden handicrafts and Indonesian textiles with traditional designs. Locally produced tea (look for Teh Prendjak) and coffee make good gifts. Kaya, a sweet spread made from egg and coconut, is a regional specialty worth trying and taking home.
There is a large electronics market where prices run about 10 percent below European levels, though you should check voltage compatibility before buying. For everyday goods, the market around Jl. Pelantar II is where locals shop -- a chaotic, tightly packed maze of stalls that rewards patience and bargaining.