London is one of the world's great shopping cities, with over 30,000 retail outlets dotted across the capital and perhaps the world's most famous department store, Harrods.

Typically for London, particular areas of the city have their own shopping characters.

Standard shopping hours are Monday to Saturday 09:30-18:00, although some shops stay open as late as 20:00. Shops rarely close for lunch and many are now also open 12:00-18:00 on Sunday.

Late-night opening (usually until 20:00) is on Thursday in the West End and Wednesday in the Knightsbridge area.

VAT (Value Added Tax) is currently 17.5% and is included in all prices, unless expressly stated. Most major stores and shops in the West End are part of the Tax-Free Shopping Scheme run by Global Refund, which offers VAT refunds to visitors from outside the EU.

To encourage European visitors, the Euro is now increasingly accepted in major shops, with more than 45 Oxford Street retailers accepting the currency alongside the Pound Sterling.