Shopping is excellent in Calgary: if you want it, you’ll find it. There’s also no provincial sales tax, so your dollar goes further.

Given the higher than average salaries and disposable incomes of many Calgarians, it’s not surprising that this city offer the best – and most wide-ranging – shopping of any Canadian urban area between Toronto and Vancouver.

Everything’s here from national and international chain stores to luxury goods retailers. There are specialty stores that cater to uniquely Calgary needs (think western wear), and dozens of others focusing on ethnic foods and imports, a reflection of the city’s growing diversity of culture and taste.

Every form of enclosed shopping infrastructure is here too: there are major shopping malls – some with literally hundreds of stores and services – in every part of the city. Markets are also hugely popular, and several are open – at least on weekends – all year long.