Shopping

Opening hours

Most shops open from 9:00am to 5:00pm Mondays to Saturdays, except on Thursdays, when shops are usually open from 9:00am to 9:00pm.

Shops in the Central Business District and major suburban shopping centres also open from 10:00am to 4:00pm on Sundays.

Credit Cards and Debit Cards

Almost all shops accept major credit cards and debit (EFTPOS) cards.

Pricing

In Australia, most shops sell items at a fixed, marked price.

However, you might be able to get a lower price on some items (for example, furniture or electrical goods), if:

• Another store is offering the same item for a lower price
• Items are second-hand
• You are shopping at markets
• You are paying cash

Supermarkets

Supermarkets sell fresh fruit and vegetables, meat, frozen foods, canned goods, bread, paper products, stationery, personal needs and some non-prescription medicines.

Many supermarkets are open late at night 7 days a week.

Department stores

Department stores sell clothing, shoes, furniture, computers, electrical goods, kitchenware, and gifts. Compare price and quality, and look out for discount sales.

Large shopping centres

Large shopping centres are located in Sydney's Central Business District, in Sydney suburbs and in larger regional cities and towns.

Large shopping centres usually contain:

• Major department stores (David Jones, Myer, Target, K-Mart, Big-W)
• Supermarkets (Coles, Woolworths, Franklins)
• Specialist stores selling books, clothing, computers and software, telephones, sportswear and music
• Banks
• Cafes and fast-food outlets
• Movie theatres

Local Markets

Markets sell new and second-hand goods. There are a number of weekend markets. You can bargain at some stalls.

Some well-known food and clothing markets in Sydney are:

• Paddy's Markets in Haymarket and Flemington
• The Rocks Markets
• Glebe Markets
• Bondi Markets
• Balmain Markets
• Sydney Fish Markets

Online Markets

Second-hand goods, from household items to motor vehicles, are advertised on sites such as Trading Post and eBay.

Garage Sales

People hold 'garage sales' at their homes to sell personal second-hand items. They usually advertise the date and time in local newspapers. They also place signs around the streets near their home.

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