Aside from the shopping centres, there are some streets that are more or less open air shopping malls.  The section of Sari Street (K5-6, L5-6) between Madinah Road and Prince Sultan Street has two supermarkets - Al Raya at the junction of Madinah Road and Sawary Superstores at the other end.  As with most supermarkets in Jeddah these are both open 24 hours.  As well as a comprehensive range of lines,  Sawary has a photo-developing lab, CD and video outlets, Colman concession, florist, shoe repairers and donut shop on the ground floor as well as a good toy shop, coffee shop and clothes for adults and children on the second floor.  Other shops to be found on Sari Street include branches of the pharmacy Al Nahdi and the opticians, Al Magrabi, two Saudi Arabian Airlines Travel offices, a gourmet chocolate shop, Oasis Rugs, Saudi Fisheries, Wheels for bicycles of all sizes and, near the junction of Madinah Road, Roses Palace for very lifelike artificial flowers.  East of Madinah Road, Sari Street seems to consist mostly of shoe shops! 

Tahlia Street (L5-7, M5-7) between Prince Sultan and Madinah Road, has the most expensive retail space per square foot in Jeddah and as such, the prime shops are found here.  Travelling east up Tahlia from the junction with Prince Sultan Street is the Al Khayyat Centre which is home to Christian Dior, Gianni Versace, Dolce & Gabbana, Ferragamo, DKNY (complete with designer coffee shop), Louis Vuitton, Armani and other high fashion outlets.  Rubaiyat have a semi-permanent sale room on the first floor of the Tower at the west end of the Centre - it's not always open so you have to chance your luck.  Polcaris, a restaurant serving Italian/American cuisine opened in September 2000. 

Continuing east Compume caters for all the computer buffs.  La Promenade has a Benetton, Sisley and a shop for the horsey brigade, The Saddle.  McDonalds, KFC, Blimpies, Domino's Pizza and Hardees are grouped together, the first two having good children's play areas.  

The Galleria is a small centre with some useful shops in it.  There is a large branch of Faces, the cosmetics shop, a Swatch outlet and Motherhood specialises in stylish maternity clothes from America.  The Shangri-La Chinese Restaurant here is a good eaterie - see the Eating Out Guide for more information.

Marks and Spencer opened their branch on Tahlia Street in 2002.

The opposite carriageway is densely populated with very few patches of undeveloped land.  There are clothes shops - Alesayi, Pro Mod, Miss Selfridge, Zara, Oilily, Mango, Gerry Weber, Mexx.  The BHS Centre which includes Liz Claiborne, Evans and Mothercare as well as BHS' own ranges of clothes and home furnishings.  The Jewellery Centre houses a large collection of individual shops, including a branch of Tiffany and Cartier.  Jeddah's only branch of Polo Ralph Lauren is on the corner opposite the Bassateen Centre.  Foodie places include Barnies, the Cheesecake Factory, the largest Pizza Hut in Saudi Arabia (which has a very good children's play area), Popeyes, La Pacha  and Ponderosa.  Other independent specialist shops include GNC for vitamins and health foods, Royal Doulton the stylish delicatessen, Le Gourme and Bateel - for the best dates in Jeddah! 

At the junction of Tahlia Street and Prince Sultan is the garden and gift centre, Fayfa.  It sells fresh and artificial flowers, garden furniture and some extraordinary pieces for the home including huge sarcophagi and indoor fountains!  In the garden at the rear there is a pet shop with a menagerie of creatures ranging from cute kittens to not so cute tarantulas.  I suppose it depends on your point of view.  There is also a small collection of animals in enclosures that may entertain the children. 

 

And finally, here are a few of the many 'stand alone' shops that are worthy of a mention, again, in alphabetical order: 

American Homes (J5) on the northbound carriageway of Madinah Road at the junction with Quraysh Street, is an upmarket, fascinating treasure chest of home furnishings and accessories such as bedlinens, lamps, cushions, mirrors, vases and 'knick knacks'.  Professional advice is available and they also undertake interior design commissions. 

Fitaihi (P6) on Madinah Road south of Palestine Street is a petite version of Harrods.  All doors are manned by white-uniformed staff, as are the lifts, which also have carpets that remind you what day of the week it is.  There are five floors selling the usual and the unusual in clothes, accessories and household goods.  There is an extensive china, glass and silver department. If you need a grandfather clock or wish to spend SR15,000 on a suitcase this is the place to come.  

There are also some rather lovely upmarket jewellers such as Cartier in the vicinity, as well as in the Ali Reza Tower, just south of Fitaihi. 

Gazzaz sells international names in cosmetics and perfumes as well as exclusive gifts of silver and glassware, ties and leather goods.  There are numerous locations of varying sizes throughout Jeddah including their latest in the Maison Gazzaz on the Corniche. 

Giant (M4) the French hypermarket chain opened its Jeddah branch on Prince Abdullah Street in 1999 and the name really is appropriate - it is huge but somehow avoids the aircraft hangar effect by the interior being painted a cheerful yellow.  Along the same lines as Watani it is a cornucopia of goods but it would be handy to take your forklift truck with you to reach the top shelves.  In the light and airy foyer there are the usual concessions selling toys and ice cream and Al Musbah have a large branch.  There is a food court with outlets including Dominos and Al Tazaj Chicken 

Home Plaza (K4) is a slightly cheaper version of IKEA selling similar, (but not as wide a range of, home furnishings, housewares and practical and decorative accessories.   In an adjacent building but on the same site is Babyworld which offers, as you would imagine, every accessory required for babies and children - it also sells adult clothes, shoes, handbags, cosmetics and toys. 

Jarir (K6 and O4) is a stationers, book, toy, craft and computer hardware and supplies store that could keep you occupied for hours.  Two locations - Sari Street (K6) near Sawary Superstore and eastbound on Palestine Street (O4), just past the Marriott Hotel. 

Jeddah Agricultural Nursery (O6) is an open air plant centre in the southwest corner of the junction of Madinah Road and Palestine Street.  They sell a wide variety of plants to jazz up your patio, and a few indoor plants as well, at more reasonable prices than those in more elegant premises. 

Partyland (M6) westbound on Tahlia Street next to Pizza Hut is great for all the bits and pieces you need for parties - children's and grownups! 

Patisserie Français (06) on Shobokshi Street behind the Sofitel on Palestine Street complements Partyland by producing the most incredible cakes, to the design of your choice. 

Saco Hardware (P7 and M3) is very well stocked for all your home improvement needs as well as kitchenware, garden furniture and equipment and children's toys.  There are two branches, one on Al Andalus Street, near the Ship roundabout (P7) and the other at the junction of Tahlia Street and Prince Majd Street (M3). 

Watani (N2) is a hypermarket along the American 'cash and carry' line, offering a wide range of goods at competitive prices.  The ever-present McDonalds have a branch here.