Salt Lake City has literally hundreds of retail stores selling everything from handicrafts to high fashion. Many are within walking distance of downtown hotels. Opposite Temple Square is Crossroads Plaza, with an arcade, theatres and restaurants, as well as shops and department stores. In the adjacent block is the ZCMI Center, which stands for Zion Cooperative Mercantile Institution - it was founded by Brigham Young, making it possibly the country's oldest department store.

The Gateway, an open-air, upmarket shopping arcade, situated west of Temple Square, is Salt Lake City's smartest venue (and Utah's largest open air shopping district) with the Olympic Legacy Plaza and a massive water fountain synchronised to music. One of the city's favourite shopping centres is Trolley Square, 600 South 700 East, a few blocks from Downtown. Speciality shops, art galleries, restaurants and theatres are housed in renovated trolley car barns. South Towne Center, 10600 South and State Street, is Utah's largest mall, with over 150 stores, while Fashion Place, 6191 South State Street, is Salt Lake City's more upmarket mall.

Mormon Handicraft, West South Temple, sells beautiful quilts and other speciality items unique to the state. Bentley Square, Crossroads Plaza, also sells quilts, dolls, home decoration items, jewellery and other gifts by Utah artisans. Located 40km (25 miles) south of Downtown, Gardner Historic Village consists of rustic shops and restaurants set around a restored 1877 flour mill, with items such as antique lace and blacksmith crafts for sale. The Downtown Farmers' Market (mornings, June-October), Historic Pioneer Park, 300 South 300 West, features fresh produce from over 70 Utah farmers.

Most stores are open daily and general shopping hours are Monday to Saturday 0900-2100 and Sunday 1100-1700. Sales tax is 6.6%, which foreign visitors are able to reclaim upon departure. Global Refund (tel: 1 800 566 9828; website: www.globalrefund.com) provides further information. Additional taxes may be charged in individual counties.