“Asians love to shop.” This is an often used phrase to describe the continent’s seeming obsession with all things retail. Many think the current form of retail therapy is new but it actually isn’t. There is a long and storied history of markets and the merchant class all across Asia.
The research from the World Cities Forum on global cities with the most markets shows how important shopping has always been to Asia and Asian cultures. It’s no surprise that Istanbul, the city of the Grand Bazaar tops the list. However there are many cities in Asia where you can indulge in retail therapy.
Notable Asian hotspots for markets include Shanghai, Seoul and Singapore.
Cities With The Most Markets
| City | Figure |
| Istanbul | 601 |
| Paris | 550 |
| London | 280 |
| Los Angeles | 263 |
| Shanghai | 262 |
| Seoul | 198 |
| New York | 144 |
| Melbourne | 133 |
| Milan | 130 |
| Rome | 127 |
| Moscow | 125 |
| Shenzhen | 124 |
| Sydney | 118 |
| Singapore | 107 |
| Buenos Aires | 104 |
| Hong Kong | 101 |
| Amsterdam | 95 |
| Tokyo | 87 |
| Cape Town | 58 |