Best Shopping Destinations in Birmingham – Malls & Boutiques
As a digital nomad, I’m always hopping from city to city, experiencing different cultures, working remotely, and of course, indulging in a bit of retail therapy along the way. Birmingham, UK, was one of those cities that completely blew me away with its incredible shopping options.
As someone that loves different varieties of fashion, for you it could be your love high end fashion, trendy boutiques, or bargain hunting, Birmingham has something for everyone.
And let me tell you, exploring these places with a Portable WiFi device in hand made my experience even smoother. Here are some of the best places I visited.
Top Shopping Malls in Birmingham
1. Bullring & Grand Central
If there’s one place you absolutely must visit in Birmingham for shopping, it’s Bullring & Grand Central. It’s massive, housing over 160 stores, including Selfridges – an iconic department store that’s a paradise for fashion lovers.
I spent an entire afternoon here browsing brands like Zara, Apple, and H&M. The food court is top tier, too, with a mix of international and British cuisine. Though they’re other best restaurants that you can have a good meal that i would recommend. Having my WiFi device helped me compare prices online and check out reviews before making a purchase.
Bullring & Grand Central is located at Moor St, Birmingham B5 4BU
2. The Mailbox
If you’re into luxury shopping, The Mailbox is the place to be. It’s home to high end brands like Harvey Nichols, Paul Smith, and Emporio Armani. Walking through this place, I felt like I had stepped into a shopping district straight out of London. The vibe is sophisticated, and it’s a great place to pick up high quality, designer items.
One of my favorite things about The Mailbox was the canal side restaurants. After some intense shopping, I sat down at a chic little spot overlooking the water and got some work done, thanks to my WiFi device.
The The Mailbox Birmingham is located at Royal Mail St, Birmingham B1 1RS
3. Grand Central
Grand Central is directly above Birmingham’s New Street Station, making it a super convenient shopping hub. This place has an impressive John Lewis store, where I found some great travel accessories. The variety of stores here is impressive, ranging from fashion to home decor.
As someone who relies on strong internet connections to stay productive, I was happy to find free public WiFi here, but just in case, my personal WiFi device ensured I had better and smother access to my work.
Grand Central is located at 68A Ellis Mews, Birmingham B2 4BF
4. Resorts World Birmingham
Now, this was a cool find, Resorts World Birmingham is not just a shopping mall, it’s an entertainment hub. Think of it as a mix of outlet shopping, a casino, a cinema, and fine dining, all rolled into one.
I found some fantastic deals on designer brands here, and the best part? It’s close to the airport, making it a great last minute shopping destination before catching a flight.
Resorts World Birmingham is located at Pendigo Way, Marston Green, Birmingham B40 1PU
5. The Fort Shopping Park
For those who love an outdoor shopping experience, The Fort Shopping Park is a must visit. With a great mix of high street brands like Next, JD Sports, and River Island, it’s an excellent spot for fashion and lifestyle shopping.
I enjoyed the spacious and relaxed atmosphere here, and it was a great break from the hustle and screen time of my work, aside from my preferred budget friendly hotels in Birmingham to chill. The Fort Shopping Park also has a free parking which makes it a convenient choice if you’re driving.
The Fort Shopping Park i location at 20 Fort Pkwy, Birmingham B24 9FP.
Notable Boutiques And Independent Stores
1. Great Western Arcade
For something more unique, I wandered into the Great Western Arcade, a stunning Victoria era shopping area filled with boutique stores. I loved the old school charm here, and the independent shops had some truly special finds.
I picked up some artisan chocolates and a handcrafted leather wallet. These kinds of experiences remind me why I love traveling so much.
The Great Western Arcade is located at Colmore Row, Birmingham B2 5HU
2. Custard Factory
This was hands down one of the coolest places I visited in Birmingham. Located in Digbeth, the Custard Factory is a creative hub full of vintage stores, quirky boutiques, and even some art galleries.
It felt more like an experience than just a shopping trip. I found an indie bookstore here and a few fashion pieces that you wouldn’t see anywhere else. Plus, I got to connect with some local artists who showcased their work in pop up spaces.
The Custard Factory is location at Gibb Street, Digbeth, Birmingham, B9 4AA, England.
3. Liquor Store
A boutique for menswear lovers, Liquor Store specializes in contemporary fashion and lifestyle goods. It had a really curated feel, with brands that aren’t as widely available. I grabbed a well fitted jacket that’s been a staple in my wardrobe ever since.
The Liquor Store doesn’t exclude it’s name which is where you can find spirit uplifting liquors, here’s another of my best places to have a good drink in Birmingham. The Liquor Store is Location at 27 Colmore Row, Birmingham B3 2BS
4. Autograph
A high end boutique that offers a selection of designer clothing, Autograph is perfect for those looking for unique and stylish pieces. The staff were incredibly helpful, making the shopping experience even better. Autograph is located at 15-17 Ethel Street, Birmingham, B2 4BG, United Kingdom.
5. Vincent Van Doodle
This shop is a paradise for art lovers. Vincent Van Doodle specializes in quirky home décor and custom artwork, it was the perfect spot to find one of a kind gifts and prints for my home office setup. Vincent Van Doodle is located at Unit 10 Linkstreet Birmingham B5 4BU.
6. Loki Wine
For those who appreciate a good glass of wine, Loki Wine offers a fantastic selection of fine wines and craft beers. The place is filled with knowledgeable staff that helped me pick out some great bottles to enjoy during my stay. Loki Wine is located at 36 Great Western Arcade Birmingham B2 5HU.
How A WiFi Device Improved My Shopping Journey In Birmingham
As a digital nomad, my WiFi device is one of my most essential tools, and it proved to be a game changer while shopping in Birmingham. Here’s how it made my experience smoother and more efficient:
- Price Comparison On The Go: With my WiFi device, I could instantly check for better deals online while browsing in store. Before making a big purchase at The Mailbox, I quickly compared prices on different retailers’ websites. This helped me find the best deal and even take advantage of some online discounts that weren’t available in-store.
- Navigating the City with Ease: Shopping in a new city can be overwhelming, but having constant internet access meant I could easily use Google Maps to find the best routes between malls and boutiques. I saved so much time by avoiding unnecessary detours and traffic heavy routes.
- Accessing Store Reviews & Recommendations: I love discovering unique places, but I also want to make sure they’re worth my time. My WiFi device allowed me to check Google reviews and social media recommendations for boutiques like Liquor Store and Vincent Van Doodle before heading there. This ensured I wasn’t wasting time on underwhelming spots.
- Seamless Mobile Payments: Many boutiques and stores in Birmingham offer contactless payment, and with a stable WiFi connection, I had no issues making secure online transactions or using my mobile banking app. This was especially helpful when I needed to top up my travel card or split payments between accounts.
- Staying Connected With Friends On Social Media: Shopping alone is fun, but sometimes I like to share the experience. With my WiFi device, I could quickly video call a friend to get their opinion on an outfit I was considering or share my finds on Instagram. Plus, I could document my shopping adventure and post about the coolest places I discovered.
- Working Remotely While Shopping: One of the best perks of being a digital nomad is the flexibility to work from anywhere. Between shopping sprees, I took breaks at cafés inside Bullring & Grand Central, connected my laptop to my WiFi device, and caught up on important notification. Having uninterrupted internet access meant I could balance both work and leisure effortlessly.
- Booking Last Minute Deals: Birmingham has a dynamic shopping scene, and sometimes, I came across pop up sales and limited time discounts. Thanks to my WiFi device, I was able to quickly check if I needed to book an online reservation or sign up for a store membership to unlock extra savings.
Final Thoughts
Birmingham is hands down one of the best shopping cities I’ve visited. The mix of massive shopping malls, unique boutiques, and an overall vibrant retail atmosphere makes it a must visit for any shopaholic traveler.
And trust me, if you’re a fellow digital nomad or just someone who loves being connected while exploring, having a portable WiFi device is a must. It enhanced my experience, making my shopping trips efficient, informed, and way more enjoyable.