With the recent addition of more than 1 million square feet (90,000 square meters) of retail space, Orlando has come into the spotlight as a major player in the retail market. Central Florida now offers nearly 52 million square feet (4.6 million square metres) of shopping options - that’s more than 900 American football fields! The area is home to an eclectic mix of luxury department stores, upscale boutiques, outlet malls, antique shops and farmers markets as well as entertainment complexes combining shopping with dining and entertainment. Whether visitors to Orlando are looking for a weekend getaway dedicated to shopping or an add-on to an already fun-filled vacation, Orlando’s retail mix offers something for even the most discriminating shopper.

Propelling Orlando to the top of the retail market was the opening of the 1.2 million-square-foot (108,000-square-meter) The Mall at Millenia. Featuring the theme of man, time and universe, the two-level shopping complex is anchored by the world-famous stores Bloomingdale’s, Macy’s and Neiman Marcus. Of the 150 stores, 50 percent are new to the Orlando market including Apple Computer, Crate & Barrel, Pottery Barn Kids and Tommy Bahama, as well as luxury stores such as Tiffany & Co., Chanel, Gucci and Louis Vuitton. Guests to the mall are among the first in the world to see cutting-edge fashion footage shot at designer collection events in New York, London, Milan and Paris through a partnership with the Videofashion Network (VFN). The mall’s retail offerings are complemented by seven full-service restaurants including McCormick & Schmick's, Brio Tuscan Grille and the Cheesecake Factory, as well as 12 more eateries in the Orangerie Cafes.

Adding further distinction to Orlando’s upscale retail options, The Florida Mall added Lord & Taylor and Nordstrom to its already impressive list of 250 stores that includes Saks Fifth Avenue, J. Crew, Pottery Barn and Kenneth Cole Reaction. California Pizza Kitchen and Buca di Beppo also joined the mall’s offering of full-service restaurants.

Orlando is also home to six additional shopping malls - Altamonte Mall, Orlando Fashion Square Mall, Osceola Square Mall, Oveido Marketplace, Seminole Towne Center and the West Oaks Mall - with nearly 1,000 stores combined. The malls offer the convenience of having brand-name department and specialty stores under one roof. Retailers such as Burdines, Dillards, MAC and Williams-Sonoma provide an extensive variety of quality merchandise.

For bargain hunters looking for brand name products at great prices, Orlando’s outlet centres have it all. For the discriminating, value-minded shopper, the Orlando Premium Outlets features famous labels at substantial savings at more than 110 shops including Banana Republic Factory Store, Burberry, Giorgio Armani General Store and Versace. The Lake Buena Vista Factory Stores provides 42 stores full of great deals on brand name merchandise including Reebok, Old Navy Outlet, the Gap Outlet and Liz Claiborne. Belz Factory Outlet World and Belz Designer Outlet Centre comprise the largest of the Orlando outlet centers with 215 stores combined. Shops include the Ann Taylor Factory Store, Cole Haan, Van Heusen Factory Store and Tommy Hilfiger. The Kissimmee Value Outlet Shops offers even more savings at more than 25 factory stores including Beall’s Outlet and Nike.

Antiquing is a popular pastime for shoppers looking for great deals on old treasures. Orlando’s Antique Row on Orange Avenue in downtown Orlando offers a variety of exquisite collectables and the nearby Ivanhoe shops boast antiques and fine gifts.

Flea and farmers markets have always been popular shopping spots for Orlando’s thrift-conscious fans. Flea World in Sanford and Osceola Flea & Farmers Market in Kissimmee offer more than 2,600 wholesale dealers combined, each providing cut-rate merchandise and deals on fresh fruits and vegetables. Shoppers with a green thumb and a taste for fresh produce and baked goods also enjoy the selections at the Farmers Market Downtown Orlando held the second, third and fourth Saturday of every month and the Winter Park Farmers Market held every Saturday just north of Orlando in downtown Winter Park.

Visitors who prefer shopping and enjoying a relaxing stroll along scenic avenues are delighted with Park Avenue in downtown Winter Park. On this charming brick street beneath a canopy of old oak trees, visitors find specialty boutiques, art galleries, antique shops and outdoor cafes. Market Street in downtown Celebration is nestled around a stunning lakeside promenade. Shoppers buy Christmas decorations year-round at A Christmas Story and enjoy Sherlock’s of Celebration, a fine wine and English tearoom shop. In Thornton Park, along Central Boulevard and Washington Street in downtown Orlando, books, clothing and culinary delights await Orlando’s visitors. And, every second Saturday of the month from October through April, the Orlando’s Downtown Arts Market presents a juried show of fine arts created by Orlando artists.

For those interested in purchasing gifts with images of Mickey Mouse, Woody Woodpecker or Shamu, each of the theme parks features gift shops with a variety of specially made merchandise. In addition, guests experience a diverse mix of great shopping, restaurants and nighttime fun at Walt Disney World Resort’s Downtown Disney and at Universal CityWalk entertainment complexes. In Downtown Disney, visitors play in the world of music at the Virgin Megastore; explore the new interactive toy store, Once Upon a Toy; and shop in the largest Disney character store on the planet, the World of Disney. At CityWalk, visitors discover today’s trendiest merchandise from wristwatches and glasses at Fossil to beachwear and custom surfboards at Quiet Flight Surf Shop.

Pointe*Orlando, an entertainment complex located on International Drive, also provides excellent dining and shopping options. The Pointe offers open-air shopping in more than 60 exciting stores such as FAO Schwarz, Armani Exchange and Tommy Jeans - one of only three locations in the United States.

Located just down from Pointe*Orlando is The Mercado, which features a collection of unique shops, fine restaurants and an international food court. Lining the cobblestone walkways are shops such as American Cola Company and Del Sol. The new Hard Rock Vault, which features memorabilia from various Hard Rock Cafes from around the world, a music listening room and a merchandise shop, is also located at The Mercado.

In neighboring Kissimmee, Old Town Shopping, Dining and Entertainment Attraction offers more than 75 specialty stores where visitors shop and have fun. Guests learn how to pull taffy at Old Town Candy Store and watch a candle maker at Kandlestix.

For visitors in search of the perfect Orlando souvenir, Orlando’s Official Visitor Center features gifts with the destination’s official colorful logo. From T-shirts to baseball caps to a Taste the Magic Two cookbook filled with more than 600 recipes from famous Orlando restaurants and friends, shoppers find the perfect Orlando gift.

For the last-minute shopper, the Orlando International Airport offers a great selection of stores and duty-free shops, which are open to international passengers. By the end of 2003, the airport will complete a four-phase renovation that will include new retailers as well as food and beverage venues, all reflecting the Central Florida environment.