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Showroom Fratelli Alinari
Head down the arcaded lane to get to the showroom of Florence's fathers of photography. The Alinari brothers got the world's first photographic store up and running in 1852. Today you can get a hold of grand coffee-table books featuring photos of 19th-century Florence and other locations around Italy. It also stocks wonderful prints. This same dynasty is behind the creation of the city's new Museo della Storia della Fotografia , and you may want to call by here after visiting the museum.
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Spazio Multiculturale
Set up in an attempt to clear central Florence of some of its many street vendors, and put a lid on the conflict that had arisen between them, the police and local residents, this ethnic market on the banks of the Arno is now the place to come for an orderly browse of all those African carvings, North African fabrics and similar objects you might find in your local souq .
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Stefano Alinari
Mr Alinari is a craftsman in the old mould. He creates his pieces with all the temperament of a great sculptor and the results are often extraordinary.
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Stefano Bemer
Want handmade shoes to fit you fit like a glove? This could be the place if you have around €1000 or so for the job. They will make a model of your feet (the forma ) and then choose the materials to create a shoe to your taste and specifications. It all takes quite a while - you mustn't rush a craftsman!
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Stockhouse Il Giglio
Cheap is a relative term in Florence, but you can pick up some interesting men's and women's fashion items here, and occasionally turn up some genuine bargains. Name labels can come in at a considerable discount. Florentines consider it one of the best stockhouses for picking up labelled items at off-the-back-of-a-lorry rates.
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Stockhouse Il Guardaroba
Across town, this is worth dropping by, although the range is not huge. The place is arranged more like a standard fashion boutique than a higgledy-piggledy threads lucky dip.
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Stockhouse One Price
Although more densely stocked (in a smaller space) than the others, the idea basically remains the same.
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The Mall
Gucci leads the way at this mixed-bag emporium, by far the most serious of the outlets and looking more like a regular fashion store. Gucci accessories, from belts and bags to shoes and sunglasses, are well worth sifting through. Also represented here are Agnona, Ermenegildo Zegna, Tod's, Yves Saint Laurent, Sergio Rossi, Armani, Ferragamo, Valentino, Loro Piana and Bottega Veneta. Clothes tend to be from the previous season but can be incredibly good value. Check out the Armani suits.
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Tod's
The quintessential Italian shoe merchants have been dressing the heels of Florentine families for decades. Their classic, comfy loafers, in all manner of shapes, sizes and colours, are best known for the practical rubber studs on their heels which help reduce driving scuffs.
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Vannucchi
Via della Condotta was long known as the paper-vendors' street in Florence, and at this historic shop they know a thing or two about the business. Apart from quality writing materials (pens and other accessories) you can splash out on high-quality gift-wrapping paper, stationery and carta fiorentina (Florentine paper, with floral motifs).
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Vettori
This is one of the big names weighing down the Ponte Vecchio with its treasure chests of gold. You can order pieces to be handcrafted here, but be aware that none of the Ponte Vecchio stores is a workshop any more - they buy and sell the stuff, while generally having the work done elsewhere.
