Introduction to Paris Paris is known as the City of Light thanks to being one of the first cities to widely use gas lights to illuminate its streets and monuments. The city is celebrated for its architecture, museums, shopping, cafés, exquisite cuisine, monuments and more. Paris is the birth place of luxury and is still home to many of the world’s most iconic fashion houses. Innovation in Paris is around fashion itself and not necessarily the in-store experience. Demographics Paris is home to about 2.2 million people, but the surrounding suburbs have over 10 million people. Paris is considered to be one of the most diverse cities in Europe: Around 14.6% of the population was born outside France. The city is also a huge tourist destination, attracting over 35 million visitors a year. Top Five Shopping Districts

1. Place Vendôme: The perfect place for luxurious jewelry, watches and accessories, featuring high-end stores such as Cartier, Bulgari, Louis Vuitton, Chanel, Rolex and Tiffany – just to name a few.
2. Le Marais: Find eclectic and high-fashion stores, vintages store, handcrafted jewelry, antiques, cosmetics and high-end shops. The district draws people looking for unique items. Streets to visit include Rue des Francs-Bourgeois (with stores such as diptyque and MAC), Place des Vosges (stores with antiques and fine art), Rue de Turenne and Rue des Rosiers (with chain stores such as COS).
3. Avenues Montaigne and Champs-Elysèee: The Avenue Montaigne and Avenue des Champs-Elysèes are the streets to hit for designer wares and fast fashion. On Avenue Montaigne, you’ll find designer names such as Chanel and Dior, while the Champs-Elysèes features trendy fast-fashion brands such as Zara, in addition to luxury outlets such as Louis Vuitton.
4. Les Halles and Rue de Rivoli: The streets in this area feature trendy boutiques and chain stores along Rue de Rivoli, Rue Pierre-Lescot, Rue de Etienne Marcel and Rue de Turbigo. Rue de Rivoli has seen more chain stores start to dominate, but closer to the Louvre you’ll find antique shops and art exhibitions. The adjoining area of Rue Montorgueil has trendy boutiques with products from young designers.
5. Louvre-Tuileries District: Known for chic home furniture stores, cosmetics and designer fashion, these are some of the more interesting streets in the district: Rue du Faubourg Saint-Honoré, Rue Saint-Honoré, Rue de la Paix and Place Vendôme. The Saint-Honoré district is filled with designers, concept stores and trendy boutiques. In the Louvre-Tuileries district is Carrousel du Louvre, an underground shopping mall housing over 40 stores.

Famous Retail Events Paris Fashion Week: Paris Fashion Week is held twice a year for spring/summer and autumn/winter, showcasing designer brands such as Christian Dior, Louis Vuitton, Comme des Garçons, Chanel and many more. 10 Innovative Paris Retailers Merci Merci started in 2009 when Bernard and Marie-France Cohen decided Paris was missing a store that combined fashion, design, home goods and a dining area. So, they decided to build one and Merci was born. Now, Merci collects items from young and upcoming designers to give them a platform to display their work. The store is inside a loft in the trendy street of Oberkampf. A designer boutique that creates a cozy vibe, with couches and a reading area, the shop is simultaneously avant-garde, with brands from local up and coming designers alongside established brands such as Saint Laurent. The shops carry vintage and new men’s and women’s fashion, plus home goods, jewelry and fragrances – a large majority of which are handmade. There’s a tearoom and library at the back of the store with tables and couches so customers can relax on the couches and snack on tartines while reading a book from the library’s vast selection. The basement has a canteen for health-conscious visitors, with a menu consisting of healthy foods made from fresh produce. Location: Merci, 111 Boulevard Beaumarchais, 75008 Paris. [caption id="attachment_85429" align="aligncenter" width="420"] Source: merci-merci.com[/caption]   Blou Blou was started by a pair of young designers with a passion for art, as is evident from the store. The pair look for beautiful and interesting products that are unique. The duo collects products from newer designers, and have curated an original range of menswear, furniture, lighting and accessories. Blou has three boutiques in the Batignolles neighborhood. When customers walk in, they are greeted by a design that resembles a trendy apartment but with a sense of comfort. Products are available in a variety of price points in the store have a large price range to appeal to all types of consumers. Location: Blou, 99 Rue Legendre, 75017 Paris. [caption id="attachment_85430" align="aligncenter" width="596"] Source: peonies-paris.com[/caption]   The Broken Arm The Broken Arm was founded by Guillaume Steinmetz, Anaïs Lafarge and Romain Joste. The three founders previously ran a fashion and lifestyle online website, and feature their favorites brands from the website in The Broken Arm. The three curate pieces and collections, as well as high-end office supplies, books and handmade cutting boards. The founders wanted to create a store experience customers will remember – and that means not necessarily the products in the store. In addition to two floors stocked with brands such as Y3, Vetements, Loewe and more, the store integrates a café with an all-day menu that changes daily. Location: The Broken Arm, 12 Rue Perrée, 75003 Paris. [caption id="attachment_85431" align="aligncenter" width="388"] Source: the-broken-arm.com[/caption]   Hermès The French Luxury goods house opened in 1837, home of the Birkin Bag, Hermès La Maison is a design wonder, with a beautiful interior. The store is in the Saint-Germain-des-Prés neighborhood – and was previously a swimming pool. The store carries fewer items than the other Hermès stores in Paris but has a much more intricate interior. Customers enter the store through a flower shop operated by florist Baptiste Pitou, followed by a cluster of wooden huts filled with furniture and home accessories. The store carries bags, wallets, towels, ties, scarves, luggage and accessories. There’s also a bookshop with coffee table books to browse and buy, as well as cafe Le Plongeoir, which services tea, coffee and pastries served on Hermès tableware. Location: Hermès, 17 Rue de Sèvres, 75006 Paris. [caption id="attachment_85432" align="aligncenter" width="536"] Source: Hermes.com[/caption]   Le Bon Marché The city’s oldest department store opened in 1848 on the left bank’s Rue de Sèvres in the Saint-Germain-des-Prés district. The store features an atrium filling it with sunlight. Le Bon Marché carries smaller European brands and more well-known names – plus La Grande Épicerie, a gourmet market that sells products from all around the world. The first floor of Le Bon Marché has been designed with a new approach: a beauty “grocery-store” concept, featuring 57 global brands which are all new to France. Nars has integrated a virtual makeup simulation, where consumers can try out different make-up looks. Location: Le Bon Marché, 24 Rue de Sèvres, 75007 Paris. [caption id="attachment_85433" align="aligncenter" width="588"] Source: 24sevres.com[/caption]   L’Éclaireur The store started in the 1980s as a concept store catering to men, but now has multiple locations around Paris and one in Tokyo. The store on Rue de Sevigne was designed by Belgian designer Arne Quinze. It was started by Martine and Armand Hadida. The couple believe selling merchandise does not mean it has to be obviously shown, so they display clothes in parts of the wall visible to customers – but not placed to be the first thing that catches the eye. The store features designers such as Comme des Garçons, Maison Margiela and Saint Laurent, all displayed in gallery-like setting. The store offers a futuristic atmosphere, part luxury boutique and part gallery. The store includes 147 video screens on the walls made of wood, cartons, polystyrene and aluminum, plus sculptures around the store. Location: L’Éclaireur, 40 Rue de Sévigné, 75003 Paris. [caption id="attachment_85434" align="aligncenter" width="564"] Source: leclaireur.com[/caption]   La Trésorerie La Trésorerie is a 3,200-square-foot space which combines a Scandinavian-style bazaar and a Nordic coffee-stop, one of the more unusual concept stores in Paris. Everything at La Trésorerie is meant to be utilitarian and affordable. The shop features housewares with a European touch and prides itself on the materials used to create the housewares, such as cast iron, glass, stainless steel and stoneware, all sourced from companies that produce high-quality materials. The café, dubbed Café Smörgås, offers a Swedish lunch – which attracts most consumers who visit the store. Location: La Trésorerie, 11 Rue de Château d’Eau, 75010 Paris. [caption id="attachment_85435" align="aligncenter" width="566"] Source: latresorerie.fr[/caption]   Aujourd’hui Demain Aujourd’hui Demain is the first vegan concept store in Paris. The store was opened by Raphaël Francisco and Cheyma Bourguiba and everything is 100% vegan. The store sells clothing from smaller designers, as well as faux leather footwear. Aujourd’hui Demain also sells natural cosmetics that were ethically made. The book department sells healthy lifestyle and cook books: Customers who like what they eat in the café can head over to the book section for a cook book with similar recipes. The café offers comfort food such as toasted club, bowls, cheesecake, chocolate peanut butter fudge and more. Location: Aujourd’hui Demain, 42 Rue du Chemin Vert, 75011 Paris. [caption id="attachment_85436" align="aligncenter" width="534"] Source: aujourdhui-demain.com [/caption]   Archive 18-20 In 2015, Séverine Lahyani launched the concept store Archive 18-20 which is in a former workshop, located in the heart of Marais. The store features trendy brands such as Raf Simons x Adidas, Comme des Garçons, Vans, Converse and more. There is a gallery integrated into the store with vintage pieces and limited edition works from Ellen Von Unwerth, Aurelie Hoegy and Thierry Le Gouès. The store covers 400 square meters and includes a quaint café. The shop also contains a book store with books and magazines. Location: Archive 18-20, 20 Rue des Archives, 75004 Paris. [caption id="attachment_85437" align="aligncenter" width="542"] Source: archive1820.com[/caption]   Nous Sebastien Chapelle, the head of the watch and tech department at Colette, opened Nous as a passion project. Nous focuses on lifestyle and carries a wide range of apparel – except traditional ready to wear and women’s beauty products. The products consist of tech products, men’s accessories and watches, sneakers, books, sunglasses, streetwear and skateboard decks. Magazines and beverages are also sold. Nous carries products from well-known brands such as Balenciaga and Nike, but also new brands such as Wires Glasses – a futuristic eyewear brand designed by Yair Neuman.                                                                                                                     Location: Nous, 48-49 Rue de Cambon, 75001 Paris. [caption id="attachment_85438" align="aligncenter" width="574"] Source: nous.paris[/caption]   Must-See Street: Rue de Charonne   Rue de Charonne is an up-and-coming street for shopping. The street features art, food and boutique stores. Some interesting restaurants include Paris Hanoi (for Vietnamese food) or Septime (an upscale option). Discover the latest fashion trends and unique boutiques along the street.

1. French Trotters: Began as a multibrand shop that carried ready to wear and different lifestyle labels but has since expanded into men’s and women’s wear with its own line – featuring simple pieces.
2. The Cabinet of Curiosities: This little jewelry store has a wide variety of accessories and jewelry.
3. BDnet Bastille: A quirky, unique comic book store with a large selection of comics, as well as books for kids.
4. Isabel Marant: The boutique of fashion designer Isabel Marant – known for shoes.
5. Le Slip Français: Le Slip Français sells apparel, swimwear and undergarments.