Most shops are open 10am to 6pm, Monday to Saturday (often later on Thursday). Department stores and shops in malls and retail districts may stay open to 9pm, Monday to Saturday, and open Sunday from 11am or noon to 5pm. Many shops close January 1, July 1, Labour Day, Thanksgiving and December 25.

MasterCard, American Express, and Visa credit cards are widely accepted, Diner’s Club and Discovery less so. Debit cards compatible with Plus, Interac, or Cirrus systems are also widely accepted. You will need your PIN.

Excellent savings are to be had on Boxing Day (December 26). Sale items and sometimes those at full price may not be refundable, or exchangeable only. Be sure to ask about the return policy.

Vancouver’s department store, The Bay in the Pacific Centre, carries practically everything. Holt Renfrew sells highend clothing and accessories. The Bay also anchors Victoria’s Bay Centre, which is the premier shopping destination in downtown Victoria.

The largest downtown mall is Pacific Centre. Other malls include Sinclair Centre, and Metrotown. Victoria’s Bay Centre has over 80 shops. Market Square’s shops are in heritage buildings.

HMV has the city’s largest range of CDs and DVDs. Classical and jazzlovers should head to the Magic Flute. For vinyl, try Neptoon Records. Lyle’s Place in Victoria sells new and used CDs, from jazz to punk rock.

Chapters has a good selection and several locations. Used-book seller MacLeod’s specializes in Canadiana and history. Visit Duthie Books for contemporary literature, and Kidsbooks for children’s titles. Munro’s of Victoria sells a range of titles.

Alcohol sales are restricted to BC government Liquor Stores (wine, spirits, and beer), private wine sellers, Vintners Quality Assurance (VQA) outlets (specializing in BC wines), and Cold Beer Stores.

Small shops selling cigarettes, toiletries, cold drinks, snacks, and lottery tickets are ubiquitous in Vancouver and Victoria. Some also sell public transit tickets.

Pick up a few local souvenirs to remind you of your time in Vancouver or Victoria. How about some salmon candy (salmon cured in maple syrup) for a last-minute buy at Vancouver Airport, a blown glass bauble or bottle of craft sake from Granville Island public market, or a First Nations bentwood box from Coastal Peoples Fine Art Gallery in Vancouver.