The main shopping area on the Island is Strand Street, located in the centre of the Island's capital Douglas. Here you will find High Street names such as Marks & Spencer, WHSmith, Boots and Woolworths as well as an abundance of local shops. The street is home to two modern shopping centres,
The Strand and Tower House, which is located a little further up the street on Castle Street.
A number of gift shops around the Island provide a wide range of Manx souvenirs and quality gifts, from paintings to a miniature Laxey Wheel. Items such as the world famous Manx kippers, printed TT shirts, loghtan sheep products and special Manx souvenirs can be purchased online.There are familiar High Street names, local speciality stores, the Woollen Mills at Laxey, heritage shops, excellent new facilities in Douglas and many other traditional shops across the Island.
‘The superb Tynwald Mill Craft Centre at St John's is one of several outlets selling Manx rural craft products made right here on the Isle of Man The Story of Mann ‘Heritage Shops’ have established an international reputation for their unique range of unusual and practical gifts and souvenirs - designed to suit all ages and pockets. ‘Manxness’ is the theme and the Island’s Celtic past is clearly evident in the styles of the Manx artists and crafts people whose popular work forms the backbone of attractive displays including jewellery, ceramics and woollen goods.
Heritage Shops’ can also boast a comprehensive literature section covering all aspects of Manx heritage. Story of Mann Site guidebooks, maps and Manx history books are among the many publications available to anyone wishing to explore the Island and things Manx in detail. A large part of the ‘Heritage Shops’ range of goods have been designed and produced exclusively for Manx National Heritage, and are not available to purchase elsewhere on the Island.
As a basic guide, Douglas is the main shopping centre and the location of UK retail chains; Peel is a good place to hunt for all things antiquarian; Ramsey and Port Erin have a little bit of everything; the Tynwald Mills complex at St Johns is a smart, 'leisurely' outdoor shopping centre; Castletown has many small speciality shops; and Laxey is home to traditional craftsmen working in metal, wood, leather, textiles and pipe-making.
For bargain hunters there are plenty of craft fairs and small weekend car boot sales and, during the summer, weekly outdoor markets in Peel, Ramsey and CastletownDouglas, the capital, supports a wide range of retailers from some of the biggest chains in the UK to locally owned businesses that offer excellent quality and service in their stores.
The town centres around the Island are generally compact and easy to shop in, predominantly filled with good Manx-owned retail businesses. The main shopping towns are Douglas in the east, Castletown and Port Erin in the south, Peel in the west and Ramsey in the north.
The Tynwald Mills complex, on the way to Peel, is an excellent example of a total quality approach to range, product and choice, backed up by high standards of customer service, a unique selection of mainly one off stores, creating a destination shopping and leisure experience built around the Mill Shop, which features a selection of the UK's top mid range fashion brands for men and women.
The major retail sector, food, includes the supermarkets and numerous locally run "convenience" stores, serving the day to day needs of the population. This sector is backed up by butchers, bakers, cafes, pubs, off-licences, newsagents and post offices
