As
Scotland’s largest city it could be assumed that Glasgow would offer the best
shopping experience and you would probably be correct, really it all comes down
to perspective. In recent years Glasgow has been dubbed the fashion capital of Scotland stealing the crown from our capital city,
Edinburgh. Personally I would say it all comes down to where you are from, yes,
Glasgow is the larger of the two cities therefore it offers more space for
stores and can give shoppers more choice, but as someone born and raised here
the stores seem too familiar and bordering on boring, while Edinburgh is new
and exciting.
Obviously
neither city can compare to London or New York, but they are beginning to climb
the ranks. New stores are opening and the cities are branching out, giving us
more choice and making more brands available. It was only last year that the
first Hollister store opened and it has been a huge hit with many Scots. This
year we have been introduced to the popular American brand Forever 21 with
their flagship store opening in the new Buchanan Quarter.
The
opening of Buchanan Quarter had Glaswegians buzzing, with the introduction of 7
new stores, Gap, Paperchase, Sketchers, Fat Face, Office and Vans, with Forever
21 as the main attraction. Shoppers were lined up from dawn for the grand
opening with the first in line getting a £100 gift voucher and the following
ninety-nine a £5 voucher.
The
new stores have been very well received. Forever 21's incredibly large store has been
mobbed on the three occasions that I've dared to venture in. For someone used
to smaller stores, unlike the ones of London (I am terrified of the Oxford
street Topshop), this store came as a shock with it’s three floors of mainly
women’s clothing. I did however spend a long time browsing the Forever 21
website to help gain an insight into their style (and pricing) and was
pleasantly surprised. Their stock is stylish and on trend, though maybe not to
my own personal taste, but the prices are good and I’ve already made a list of
pieces I wish to add to my collection.
