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shopping centres
 A shopping spree in the laid back Christchurch malls and retail arcades can really add the gloss to a perfect holiday.
The city’s downtown shops are open to 5.30 pm Monday to Thursday and to 9 pm on Fridays. Many city stores and the suburban malls open on Saturday and Sunday.
Visitors can enjoy great buying for all New Zealand’s famous top quality woollen garments along with leather, deerskin and outdoor adventure clothing. Dedicated followers of fashion will discover a broad range of designer wear. High Street is regarded as a mecca for innovative fashion wear and City Mall has an array of boutique shops displaying modern glossy and funky designs.
Untouched World in Roydvale Avenue is an interesting store in which to browse for merino mink, mountain silk and fine natural wool garments. Outdoor clothing specialists include Wild South Clothing in Colombo Street, Bivouac in Cashel Street and Mountain Designs in Colombo Street. Champions of the World in Worcester Street are official stockists of the All Blacks rugby apparel for those seeking a genuine souvenir of our national sporting code. A number of stores specialise in quality leather garments including Leather Direct in Tuam Street, Ice Maiden in City Mall and Leather Image in Fitzgerald Avenue.
 The Arts Centre provides a unique art and craft shopping experience. This collection of handcraft outlets is one of the best sources of quality crafts in New Zealand. The workshops are open to the public so you can observe master craftsmen in action - wood turners, glass blowers, jewellery makers and bone carvers. The Bead Shop and Rocking horse Shop are well worth a close look. Adjoining the Arts Centre is an open plaza that is home to weekend open markets - a colourful pot pourri, alive with buskers and animated stall holders.
 Shopping malls in the suburbs are very welcoming, and are under cover and air-conditioned. Some, like Westfield Shopping town in Riccarton offer discounts to travellers. Merivale Mall has some excellent boutique shops with high quality jewellery and gifts.
If you are looking for jewellery, Gems of the Pacific in Colombo Street has the country’s biggest range of Blue Empress Abalone pearl jewellery as well as Tahitian pearls, New Zealand jade and Australian opal. Retail art galleries are plentiful in the city. The Centre of Contemporary Art in Gloucester Street has several galleries offering a large selection of contemporary original art. Within the city centre you will find a number of excellent duty free shops.
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