Nanaimo is one of the best places to shop on Vancouver Island, as most locals find it too time-consuming and expensive to go to the mainland for smaller shopping trips, and Nanaimo is located in the middle of the island, allowing easy access to people from both ends.

There are several shopping districts in Nanaimo. The Country Club Centre at 2A 3200 Island Highway North has over 40 stores including La-Z-Boy, Sav-on Foods and Sports Mart, as well as dental, dry cleaning, photo and pharmacy services. Other large shopping centers in the city include Port Place Shopping Centre (650 South Terminal Avenue, within walking distance of the Nanaimo Boat Basin and the cruise ship pier) and Nanaimo North Town Centre(4750 Rutherford Road). The largest, however, remains Woodgrove Centre on Island Highway, which has nearly 150 stores offering everything from a Wal-Mart to small souvenir boutiques. If it is unique boutiques you are looking for, make sure you visit the downtown core of Nanaimo. There are three distinct districts within the heart of the city.  Visit Downtown Nanaimo Partnership for more information.

For fresh produce and handmade crafts, attend the Nanaimo Downtown Farmer’s Market . Though the market is young (founded in the late ‘90s), it is quickly growing and offers some excellent selections of goods. Over 50 vendors crowd onto Pioneer Waterfront Plaza every Friday morning to sell their fruits and vegetables. On Saturdays, you can go north to Errington or over to Gabriola Island for farmers markets, where you can find baked goods, locally grown coffee and other foodstuffs as well as some amazing arts and crafts.  On Wednesday nights in central Nanaimo, there is another farmers market held from 4-7pm at the corner of Labieux and Bowen Roads.  There is also a Sunday morning farmers market held on the grounds of the Crow & Gate Pub in Cedar- which is an area worth visiting at any time.