If you're looking for a bargain and a great day of shopping then Dressmart is the place for you!…read more Dressmart is a mall that houses over 100 stores and offers up to 70% off the normal retail price, all year round. No need to wait for end of season sales to be able to spend up large! My last trip to Dressmart I was looking for work clothes and ended up buying three dresses, a blouse, and a singlet top for $60 - a feat that just wouldn't happen anywhere else. However, my real find of the trip was the chunky wedge sandals I found in Glassons. Down from $59.99, I ended up purchasing them for $10, and when I took them to the counter found out accessories were buy one get one free, so ended up walking away with a great black flower hairclip for free as well! Talk about a happy shopper! Though predominantly a clothing outlet, Dressmart also houses eateries, sports shops, shoe shops, health and beauty stores and book stores. The only thing that is missing is a jewellery store, but when you're saving so much money on everything else I guess paying full price for jewellery isn't so bad! Located near Auckland transport stations and with lots of customer parking and a free shuttle service operating Monday-Friday between the mall and Auckland CBD, despite being in Onehunga Dressmart is easily accessible.

You can get some real bargains here I've found. I love my Nike running shoes and shorts which I…read moregot from the Nike shop. The shorts were about $30 and the shoes, I think were not much over $100 and are so comfortable. Since I've had them, I've kept up regular running which is an achievement! My flatmate also got a really good new outfit for a wedding at Working Style and saved a lot of money on good quality clothes. The service here was also excellent. Also Dress smart Onehunga is home to the only outlet shop for Peter Alexander in New Zealand! Dress Mart really is the place to visit if you want to save money on branded items. It gets really busy on weekends though, so either be prepared, or come early. Sometimes I find myself getting a bit disoriented inside trying to find a particular shop, but that might just be me!

Easy peasy. Park right outside, don't have to deal with oodles of people and BOOM you're walking…read moreout with the perfect gift for yourself or the men in your life. I love boys tees, jumpers, jackets and hats so even though Arcade predominantly supplies men's clothing (with the exception of the beautiful Sunday Misfits range) I still manage to find something I love every time. I am a self professed Moreporks junkie so love that the beautiful NZ made brand is stocked here. The latest range of Arcade shirts are also made in NZ too as well as Sunday Misfits so there are options for the sustainable shoppers out there. They have also recently started selling second hand Polo gems that you wouldn't be able to find after hours of internet trawling. Other brands are quality labels from a variety of places sure to tempt your wallet. If you head to Mercs for the sushi make sure you take a stroll down Cross St to see what these gentlemen have on offer

Before setting foot in the door of Arcade you'll see traces of skaters. The ramp outside, the…read moreVans-stickered custom table, the groups of guys in baggy tees and caps loitering at its gates. Don't worry though - they look more threatening than they really are. Once you make it inside you'll see this is essentially, a clubhouse. A clubhouse that sells skateboards and street wear to be specific. The place doesn't so much cater to the fairer sex, but if you're anything like me and love men's clothes, you'll be fine. Arcade stocks (amongst others) the likes of ONLY NY, Vic and NZ's upwardly mobile Moreporks brand. Get amongst.

Newmarket's Nike Platinum store is home to the best and latest of what Nike has to offer. Not only…read morethat, but its a great looking store! I really like the set-up of the merchandise, it just makes shopping so much easier (in any store really). It's not usually very busy here and I'm one of those people that really hates being the only customer in a store (I'm an independent shopper). In saying that, the salespeople here are really knowledgeable and when you're spending quite a few dollars on clothes and equipment, its worth knowing all their features and benefits. I like a lot of Nike's Dri-Fit clothing and they have a great range here whether you're looking for tees or shorts, etc. Some people would find it quite pricey for a single pair of shorts or a polo but keeping in mind that is is a brand name, and the quality of the product, it's a great investment. Platinum gets drops of the the newest stuff in town so if you're coveting that brand new pair of sneakers, it's a pretty good store to start in. My only gripe would be that the men's designs in tees and sweats are sometimes much better than women's, which make me just a little envious! Platinum is right on Broadway, a minute's walk from the train station and super easy to find. With so many shopping destinations in Newmarket, I'd highly suggest making Platinum one of them. The athletes and exercise lovers will love this place (if they're not already regulars).

WARNING, don't buy vouchers from Nike. I was given 2 x $100 vouchers. I used $80 straight away. But…read morewhen I went to use the rest I discovered there is a 12 month validity period. And yes they absolutely refused to honor the remainder. Pricks is what I say, and won't buy Nike products every again.

Stirling Sports Queen Street has potential. Really, it does…read more Convenient, central location, sale prices that one can (mostly) afford and a decent stock of sportswear without having to travel outside the CBD. BUT....the customer service (!!!). When I asked some questions about a product in store, one of the employees literally just looked at me and shrugged. She *did* attempt to ask her colleague but apparently he didn't know either - and that was that. No, "let me look that up for you" ; "I don't know but I will ask XXXX from our other branch", or even "Can you leave your number and I'll get back to you?" Nope. Ziltch. Nothing. Nada. Yeah, not impressed.

Came in with mum to get her some yoga pants as mums do…read more I was very impressed with their service! Perhaps among the best customer service I've seen in Auckland retail. They write your name on the changing room door to make sure they address you by name which is great. Great range of products, although their guys department was a little lacking, but probably cause they don't have a large male market. The have free in store yoga, after the store closes on Wednesdays.

I love this store. What better way to motivate a girl's health and fitness habit - by looking very…read morecool - as I stride out along the North Shore beaches like a promenading maniac! I have to admit, Lulu L's price point is a little steep, but there's a lot of thought that goes into the design and fabrics. For example, all the cropped walking pants have special pockets just big enough to hold your phone and a credit card. They use FRENCH terry-cloth (four way stretch apparently!) and every item I've purchased is super comfortable. I highly recommend a visit to one of the LL stores. Friendly and knowledgeable staff and great gear to choose from!!

Northbeach is really expensive but they sell the most trendy stuff. They are always coming up to…read moreyou and asking "do you need any help" which is kinda nice but can be annoying sometimes. They are really helpful and smiley and I find there are no problems when I shop here. They really should lower the prices tho. It's really expensive there. And I do find sometimes that they don't have what I went there for. But in all a good shop to get your stuff at

I was pretty excited to hear about North Beach finally being a bit (A LOT) closer to home when it…read moreopened up opposite Sylvia Park. The store is big and spacious and there's a lot to look at. They could probably fit loads more stock on the floor but the flow of the store is great. They've got a wide range of denim here for women, and since I live in jeans, it was a great sight. North Beach is also home to all your favourite surf brands and you're bound to find what you're looking for from wallets and dresses to boardies and watches. My first visit here was pretty good and I made a very nice investment in a new bag. The staff here seem really chilled out to me and are really nice to talk to, not overbearing but always willing to lend a hand, which is how I prefer to be served when I'm out and about. They also stock my favourite New Zealand brand, RPM, and this branch is one of the only two surf stores I go to in Auckland to check them out, because their service is far better. Unless you're after something specific, you could easily spend a good half an hour or so in here just browsing, especially since you's have to walk across the road from the mall, or drive to get there- may as well make the most of your trip! I for one am looking forward to making a trip here in the winter for some Huffer knits and Wrangler jeans- its your perfect all-season store.