Round the shops in Heraklion, Zara, Mango, H&M, M&S et al!

The January sales are here and in the spirit of investigation ( what else?) we had a trip to Heraklion and spent some ( most) of the time looking at the well known high street stores which we now have here on Crete. We also compared the stores to their counterparts in Chania where appropriate.

Some of them were not easy to find - Mango was down a side street - in a fabulous building-  but you could not see the signs until you were pretty much opposite it!

We do not have a mango at our end of the island so interesting to take a look.

More than one Benetton in Heraklion

The Body Shop. Long and narrow - well laid out, pleased to see they are now allowed to sell hemp hand cream and they had a section for their Vegan skincare and make up. Slightly easier to find things in Chania, but that is purely due to the shape of the store.

Marks and Sparks - on 4 floors, but the stairwell in the centre takes up a lot of room and it was not easy to find anything. Small lingerie department and minuscule department for men. Verdict - much better and more stock in Chania.

Lots of jewellery shops including "names"

Gap and Baby Gap. None in Chania.

Zara looked promising but a disappointment inside - items crowded together, difficult to find what you wanted. Chania store wins again! 

I have to say though, the assistants were working their socks off and though there were queues, due to the sheer number of customers, they worked quickly and efficiently and served everyone as fast as possible.

Zara home, None in Chania. Small soft furnishings and items such as baskets etc only.

Now in Chania too, Stradivarius is Zara's cheaper sister store. Well worth a look. Layout of Chania and Heraklion much the same - equal contenders!

Laterna in the street (barrel organ)

H&M look promising - when we eventually found it as it is not near the other main stores.

Well laid out, similar to Chania - perhaps a little roomier

Accessorise, we do not have in Chania - was busy and had a lovely range of items

The winter fair in Eleutharios square was beginning to close as it was the last day

Must have been magical for the children over the holidays. The "Ice rink" and the climbing walls were still busy!

Over all, if you live nearer to Chania than Heraklion, I would say that the shopping is better in Chania and not worth going to Heraklion simply for a clothes shopping day in the main "High Street" stores. As a day out of course there is plenty to do and see and many boutique and up market shops. We left the car and went on the Ktel bus so no hassle driving and no parking worries - well worth it.