It seems like many of the successful stores in the Manaira Shopping Mall have been renovating…read morelately and this large bookstore is no exception. The renovation was a success--its façade has much more personality. They decorated with some sandstone tiles which give it a warm, welcoming look. Books in Brazil are relatively expensive, but Livraria Leitura (which means "Reading Bookstore"--not very original name, admittedly) has sales pretty frequently and they really slash prices. Service remains very good here. I visit here whenever I am in the Mall and I recommend it.

You can find these stores everywhere in Brazil--in every shopping mall in literally every state in…read morethe country. This company dates back to 1929 and today is also the largest online store in Brazil. I'd have to say it's equivalent to a K-Mart (or Woolworth for my older readers), selling low-cost items in a great variety, from housewares, to cosmetics, electronics, electrodomestics, clothing, toys, DVD's, kitchenware, food--you name it, they probably sell it. This particular store is usually well-stocked, if a bit messy, but not surprising, considering the amount of customers that pass through the doors every day. It can be a bit difficult finding someone to help you on the floor, but the store is pretty well laid out, so you can usually find what you're looking for (and if you can't, they probably don't have it). Good prices for Brazil. Stop in if you're in the neighborhood!

We crawled out of our hiding and decided to start living again. Part of that was buying a new…read morestove for our kitchen. Armazem Paraiba sells mostly housewares (refrigerators, air-conditioners, stoves, sofas, kitchen cabinets etc), but they also sell small kitchen appliances, fans, bedding, cell phones and more. Their prices are generally pretty low compared to the competition and they deliver. This is always one of the first places I shop when looking for these items, and you should too!

This very nice clothing store is located inside the Tambiá Shopping mall in the center of the city…read more They sell mostly men's clothing, but also carry some children's and ladies clothing as well. Their stuff is definitely on the casual side, but of good quality and reasonable prices. They sell t-shirts, shirts, shorts and other related items. They're located on the ground floor of the mall, so if you're in a hurry, you can get in and get out quickly. This was my first time visiting this store, but I liked their variety and quality enough that I'd definitely go back again.

Havan is a department store chain that was founded in Brazil in 1986. Most of their stores have a…read morereplica of the Statue of Liberty in front. They have stores in 18 states and the Federal District (the capital). This particular location recently opened in Paraiba, and I wanted to s the replica of my favorite statue, so we came here to shop. The store is large, but not like a department store in the US (think Macy's)--the whole store is on one floor and while they have a large selection of items for sale (from kitchenware, carpets, automotive items as well as clothes, they seem to lack a variety. In spite of that, their prices are very good (I bought a large wok-style pan here for about $10!) Overall, I'd say it's definitely worth checking out at least once.

This very large public market is located far from the tourist areas of the city, so don't expect to…read morefind anyone who speaks English here. In compensation, you can find just about anything here: from fresh fruit & vegetables, meats, seafood, homemade cheeses, clothing, fishing gear & other sports equipment, housewares, handmade clay pots & on and on. Prices are low, so you'll save money shopping here. Parking is very challenging in this area because it's very congested, but with a little patience, you'll be able to find a spot. If you're looking to buy seafood, you will need to come here in the morning, because the sellers don't stay open after noon. There are also lots of little stalls where you can have a beer or get something to eat, so this is a pretty good choice for your shopping.

Please see my previous review for more information about this store's history…read more I popped in to buy some basic needs (shampoo, toothpaste & some dish towels), mostly because it is one of the few places I could find all these items in one stop. Their prices are usually low compared to other stores. They also have a website, which I recommend you use for bigger ticket items, because the prices are always lower than in the store. Check-out was not as bad as usual (they never have enough registers open), but that's because there weren't many customers today.

OK, so I've been doing a lot of shopping lately. This was the first time I visited this store, but…read moreit won't be the last! Really good quality clothing, a nice selection and reasonable prices! This store, located in the Tambiá Shopping mall in the center of town is an excellent option for casual clothing/beachwear. I stopped in to 2 other shops first, and bought some items, but I decided to look in here and was sad! Sad that I hadn't come here first! Really good material, nice prints, a variety of sizes, colors and fits, the sales people are also very friendly and helpful (without being pushy). The store is also well-decorated and well-located on the ground floor of the mall. I only paid $30 for a really nice pair of Bermuda shorts (admittedly, I pay in US dollars, so if you're paying in Brazilian currency, you might say the prices are moderate, rather than inexpensive). Worth a look, at least.