The official places for purchasing target items include the Central Cottage Industries Emporium at Colaba, U.P. Export Corporation’s Gangotri at Cuffe Parade, Haryana Government's Emporia, Black Partridge at Nariman Point, Gujarat’s Gurjari on Jamshedji Tata Road, Himachal’s Handicrafts Emporium in Cuffe Parade, Jammu and Kashmir’s Emporium at World Trade Centre, the Keralite Kairali in Nariman Point, Khadi and Village Industries Emporium and Rajasthali of Rajasthan again on Dr. D.N. Road. The departmental stores include Akbarallys in Fort, Santacruz (West) and Chembur, Amarsons Collection at Breach Candy, Asiatic Departmental Stores at Churchgate, Shopper’s Stop at Andheri (West) and Foodland on Juhu Tara Road.
Owing to the distance between various places of shopping it is better to have first hand information about area-wise shopping centers. The following list will surely help for those who are interested but would like to save their energy and avoid getting bored. Dhobi Talao area is known for Sports goods, while for book-lovers swanky book shops as well as roadside sundry book sellers (original and second hand) will surely engage them for hours together in Fort on D.N. Road and at Prarthana Samaj in Girgaum. The most frequented places by women for shopping of sarees and other clothes are Queen’s Road and Kelkar Road in Dadar (West), Dadar T.T. and Swadeshi Market in Dadar (East), Mangaldas Market, M.J. Market, Princess Street and Dadar (East) near Hindmata Cinema.
One should know that Brihan Mumbai (Greater Mumbai) and suburbs are spread in North-South direction and both the Central and Western railway divide number of places and suburbs into East and West sides. Hence it becomes necessary for one to know the exact side (East or West) of the place in order to find the shopping place and also to come out of a local railway station from the correct side.
For artificial goods the places preferred are Chor Bazar, Colaba and Apolio Bunder, for leather goods one has to visit Dharavi (Sion), Crawford Market and Bhendi Bazar. The historical Crawford Market is also known for variety of fruits which pour into Mumbai daily from far flung places in the state through hundreds of trucks. Mumbai is also a leading destination for export of fruits and flowers owing to the facilities of cold storage and international air services.
While travelling in suburban trains one can see the fisher folk, mainly the women carrying bamboo baskets full of fresh fish from the sea in the luggage compartment. The smell of the fish can be unbearable to others but for the Koli women it is the tradition. These baskets find their place in Shivaji Market and again in the Crawford Market.
For electrical goods, Lohar Chawl is recommended while for electronic items including computer parts Lamington Road, Grant Road, D.N. Road and Hira Panna Shopping Centre are the favourite places. Mumbai has carved a decisive place for itself in the business of gold jewelry and diamonds. The place familiar for shopping of these items include the Zaveri Bazar, Opera House, Hughes Road, Bandra Linking Road, Ranade Road in Dadar. The name Dadar is derived from the word ‘dadar’ meaning a ladder. If one is coming towards Mumbai by road or train one cannot avoid Dadar before entering into the heart of Mumbai. Dadar has occupied a pride place in the heart of Maharashtrians. Dadar is junction for both the central and western railway’s suburban network and also for long distance trains.
The name is Chor (thief) Bazaar. But nothing is suspicious here as everything is dealt with openly. This bazaar is situated in the five lanes connecting Ibrahim Rahimatullah Marg and Sardar V.P. Road. It extends up to J.J. Hospital, Bhendi bazaar, Don Taki (Two tanks), and Gol Mandir. In 1974 it was mainly a fish and mutton market. Later on locals started using this place for selling new and discarded articles. Eighty percent area of this Chor Bazaar is occupied by spare parts of motorcars whose principles are ‘old is gold’ and ‘the cheaper the better’. Rest of the market houses wooden furniture like beds, chairs, sofa-sets, statues of every hue and cry, bronze and brass articles, glass chandeliers of various types, old wall-clocks, big radio sets, tape recorders, electrical goods, old clothes etc. The bazaar (permanent shops) remains closed on Friday and hawkers spread their goods in front of the shops at throwaway prices, as they have to sell off everything by the evening. The permanent shop owners also purchase items from them. The fact that the turnover of this bazaar is more than 50 crore per month is enough to prove its importance. Hence the economy of purchasing is unique. The rates do not depend on the demand-supply ratio. Instead the seller changes your need and you know about the articles and they tell you the price. Thus you should be expert in bargaining. Also there is another trick.
Spot the article you wish to buy, without showing any enthusiasm about it, casually ask its price and create an aura as if you are making a favour to the shopkeeper by purchasing the articles and start the negotiations.