Penang has a superb range of shops. Penang is definitely a shopper's paradise, with hundreds of retail establishments located conveniently, in and around the city. The main shopping areas in Penang are concentrated in Jalan Penang, Lebuh Campbell, Lebuh Kapitan Keling, Lebuh Chulia and Lebuh Pantai. Few places can compare with Penang for its variety of goods and reasonably cheap prices.
One of the biggest and most famous shopping complexes in the city is none other than the Kompleks Tun Abdul Razak, or fondly known as KOMTAR. This 65- story complex, located in the heart of Georgetown, offer some of the best shopping on the island. KOMTAR houses a labyrinth of boutiques, fast food outlets, restaurant, amusement arcades and shops as well as two of the biggest department stores. On the 58th floor is the tower Tourist Centre, which allows visitors to have an excellent aerial view of the whole city as well as cultural shows, performed daily.
A duty free shop on the 57th floor offers good shopping, and the souvenir centre is yet another places to get memorabilia of Penang.
Batik, the highly versatile fabric is available as individually designed pieces or as clothing, tablecloths, napkins and furnishings. These may be purchased at factories in Teluk Bahang and in souvenir shops at Batu Feringhi, specialist shops in Penang Road and in most department stores and shopping complexes. Batik paintings can also be found in galleries in Jalan Penang, Lebuh Leith and Batu Feringhi.
If you are searching for fine jewellery, the Lebuh Campbell and Lebuh Kapitan Keling are the places to go. Other shopping complexes include Island Plaza and Midlands One Stop Shopping Centre.
Duty free shops within the city offer cameras, radios and tape-recorders, TV and Hi-Fi equipment, calculators, electrical appliances, pens, lighters, watches and cosmetics plus a host of other items at reasonable prices.
Penang is also a haven for antique lovers in search of rare bargains. The junk shops along Rope Walk (Jalan Pintal Tali) offer a range of antique items and bric-a-brac such as porcelain ware, chains, coins, old glass, old ceiling lamps and antique clocks.
