Shopping in Zamboanga - What to Buy and Where

Bargain hunting is one of the most exciting things that a shopping fanatic can do in Zamboanga. Jolo Pearls can be purchased for half of its price when they are sold in Greenhills Shopping Center. Pretty woven fabric can be obtained several hundred pesos cheaper as well.

Being a free port zone, Zamboanga City likewise is an excellent place for finding imported cosmetics, appliances, and food for a much cheaper price than their cost in shopping malls.

The stretch of Gov. Lim Avenue and its adjacent streets are a good venue for finding hair bands to jewelry. Twelve pieces of barrettes can be obtained for P17 while a hundred pieces of hair bands can be bought at no more than P10. In one shop, solid thick woven double-sized blankets are sold at P90 each.

In addition, there are lamp shades worth P70 per piece and mini blow dryers for less than a hundred pesos each. For stationery lovers, one pad can be purchased at less than P10 and beautiful silk scarves below P200. You can save even more by asking for a discount at the reception. A 10% discount is usually given to customers who ask for it. When touring these retail shops, one needs to be cautious with unscrupulous individuals and criminal elements.

The Canelar barter trade boasts of its malongs, pearls, souvenir shirts, imported candies, bags, sarongs, and other items. Shoppers might want to try out White Rabbit candy since it is the remaining place in the country that offers it. Visiting this place is recommended when all the other stores have been visited.

In addition, the public market in Zamboanga is also an optional place to go shopping. However, compared to Canelar, the price of the goods here are more expensive.

Shopping centers and malls

Aside from these places, there are shopping centers and malls that provide shopping pleasure to both local and foreign tourists alike. Being the heart of business in Western Mindanao, Zamboanga has five shopping centers and several department stores, supermarkets, and retail establishments.

Opening its doors to shoppers in Zamboanga in 1996, Mindpro Citimall is recognized as the citys second mall. Alta Mall, the pioneer shopping center, has already closed shop.

Located in the city proper, Mindpro, along with Southway Square, which opened in 2007, Shoppers Center, the citys newest mall, comprise the three principal malls of the city.

Situated in Putik, Zamboanga City, Yubenco Star Mall is a shopping complex. LimTown Center and Midtown Plaza Mall are Zamboangas other shopping arcades.

The Future in Zamboanga Shopping

Aside from these current malls and arcades, the future of shopping in Zamboanga is expected to change with future developments. Currently on its planning stage is the construction of Gaisano Malls branch in Zamboanga City.

Moreover, the residents of the city are looking forward to the building of a 10-story mall hotel. Once the construction has been completed, it would establish itself as the tallest commercial establishment in the Latin City of Asia.

The Shoppers Mall, which is operated by the Huylian Development Corporation, is now on its second year of construction. The completion of the shopping center is expected to be completed within three to four years.

Furthermore, other popular shopping malls that are expected to make shopping in Zamboanga exciting are Robinsons and SM Malls. These shopping centers are expected to raise in the eastern coast of Zamboanga, possibly near three barangays namely Boalan, Putik, or Divisoria.

Finally, there is Plaza Fair, a retail investor based in Manila, which has already opened the doors of its 2nd branch in Mindanaos Midtown Plaza Mall.

So when in Zamboanga, these shopping options can make your trip more enjoyable and worthwhile.