Manchester is one of the best shopping cities in northern England. The compact centre makes it easy to cover a lot of ground on foot, from the massive Arndale Centre and the high-street chains on Market Street to the designer labels in Selfridges and Harvey Nichols at Exchange Square.
For something more interesting, head to the Northern Quarter. Oldham Street and the surrounding lanes are packed with independent shops selling vintage clothing, rare vinyl, and second-hand books. Oi Polloi stocks cool menswear, Rags to Bitches is the go-to for women's vintage, and Oxfam Originals offers charity-shop treasure hunting with a curated edge.
The Triangle shopping centre near the cathedral carries a mix of high-end and independent brands, while King Street has the more upmarket chain stores. Primark on Market Street is one of the largest in the country if you want cheap, current fashion.