Shopping is one of Dortmund’s principal attractions, attracting consumers from all over the country. Much of the shopping is done in the very heart of the city. As many as 12,000 shoppers an hour pass through Westenhellweg and its continuation, Ostenhellweg, attracted as much by the huge range of shops as the highly competitive prices. Department stores like Kaufhof, electronic retailers, chain stores, food stores, health and beauty stores: they’re all here.
If you are looking for designer fashion and accessories head to Hansastrasse, where you’ll find designer names such as Escada at no. 61, or head to more discrete Kleppingstrasse. Brückstrasse has a more youthful vibe and is the place to go for trend fashion, sports fashion and hair salons. Once scruffy and known for its fast-food joints, Brückstrasse today likes to think of itself as Dortmund’s Carnaby Street. On neighbouring Kampstrasse you’ll find the huge department store Karstadt, which is a good place for the casual shopper, while the Esprit store is a few stores up at no 28.
