When you hear the word handicrafts, which place strikes your mind? Do the vibrant states of the West like Rajasthan and Gujarat strike you? Or do you start imagining yourself in the northeast region, shopping in Assam for a handwoven masterpiece? Well, today, we will explore a city in the North region, known for its unmatched handicrafts, No it isn’t one of the places like Lucknow or Srinagar, it is Kanpur. Let’s take you shopping in Kanpur beside the ghats of river Ganga and go crazy exploring undiscovered shopping destinations in Kanpur.
Kanpur is famed for its huge retail and trade market and for being home to major pioneers in various sectors. From cheap shopping in Kanpur to the premium places to go shopping in Kanpur, we will cover it all, so keep scrolling.
You will be surprised to know that Kanpur is among the best offbeat destinations for summer vacations.
Also known as Khazana Mart, Naveen Market stands as one of the premier markets for shopping in Kanpur. For tourists seeking high-end shopping in Kanpur Naveen Market is the right place.
Located in the northern part of the city’s central area, this upscale market is renowned for its selection of clothing, leather products, jewelry, and fragrances and, is one of the most visited places to go shopping in Kanpur.
In addition to clothing, leather products, and jewelry, Naveen Market is celebrated for its collection of handicrafts and cotton items and is the best place for shopping in Kanpur.
Sprawled across buildings that bear a resemblance, it is believed that all these shops were once colonial structures. The well-known landmarks “The Landmark Hotel” one of the oldest resorts and hotels in Kanpur and Som Dutt Plaza are situated close to this best shopping market in Kanpur.
On the other hand, it is located just a short walk from the famous PPN Market another one of the popular places to go shopping in Kanpur.
Leather goods, footwear, and artisanal items are the most popular categories, with several renowned stores attracting tourists who wish to go shopping in Kanpur.
To start, you can find the best shopping places in Kanpur for men’s and women’s fashion wear in this market.
From everyday essentials like t-shirts, jeans, blouses, and dresses to elegant attire like suits, kurtas, salwar kameez, and sarees, this is among the best go-to for all shopping destinations in Kanpur.
A variety of fabrics, from Banarasi to silk, are available for making sarees. Both retail and wholesale markets are prevalent, offering a wide selection of clothes suitable for various events. Visitors will also discover a plethora of textile and manufacturing outlets.
For tourists or locals looking for household items like bedding, curtains, and mattresses to kitchen appliances, Naveen Market is one of the best shopping places in Kanpur.
Handicraft stores are a must-visit here. Art pieces, including handmade paper items and accessories like gift boxes, folders, and file covers are readily available.
- Location: Naveen Market
- Must-Buy: Premium Apparel, Silks, Fabrics
- Timings: 10:00 AM to 10:00 PM
Sisamau Bazaar stands as a testament to the city’s history and is one of the oldest markets for shopping in Kanpur. It is located along the bustling streets of Nehru Nagar and offers a wide array of goods, from kitchenware to apparel, making it stand out among the popular shopping destinations in Kanpur.
Known for its affordable prices, Sismau Bazar is famous for cheap shopping in Kanpur. The bazaar is a popular spot for haggling. It’s a great place to go shopping in Kanpur for household items at reasonable rates; one of the best things to do in Kanpur.
Essentially, this establishment is a treasure trove for daily essentials. Strolling down the streets of the Sismau Bazar can give a taste of the lively atmosphere of Kanpur to newcomers exploring budget-friendly places to go shopping in Kanpur
The Sisamau Bazaar stands out for its wide selection of home goods such as kitchenware, plastic containers, and dishes. It also boasts an extensive apparel collection, from casual wear to traditional sarees.
Sismau Bazar is among the best shopping destinations in Kanpur for tourists seeking to buy authentic Banarsi Silks or other traditional sarees at affordable prices.
Handmade Leather shoes or Mojaris, particularly, are a popular choice among visitors. Apart from handmade leather slippers and shoes, all kinds of footwear are available at throw-away prices, making Sismau Bazar ideal for cheap shopping in Kanpur.
The evening hours are usually packed, therefore it is advisable to walk through the market for an enjoyable shopping in Kanpur experience as finding a parking spot could be challenging.
Kanpur city is recognized as the ‘Leather City’ or ‘Manchester of the East’ due to its expanding textile industry. It provides numerous shopping options, with the Sisamau Bazaar being a notable attraction.
- Location: Nehru Nagar
- Must-Buy: Kitchenware, Daily Essentials
- Timings: 11:00 AM to 10:30 PM
Kanpur’s Jajmau, a bustling industrial neighborhood, is renowned for its role in leather manufacturing and the best market for shopping in Kanpur. It’s also called Jajmow and is considered one of the city’s oldest areas to be inhabited by people, it is one of the oldest places to visit in Uttar Pradesh and among the well-known places to go shopping in Kanpur.
Situated alongside the Ganga River, Jajmau one of the major shopping destinations in Kanpur, attracts many archaeologists.
Here, the Siddhnath and Sri Devi temples stand, giving the area its old name, Siddhapuri.
This area is home to a modest town with roughly 30 distinct locales and some of the best shopping places in Kanpur. This town also features in Hindu mythological tales.
Jajmau is home to several prominent leather industries in India. Generating over 15,000 crores of annual revenue, this little leather town plays a prominent role and holds a share of about 30 percent of the Indian leather export.
This unbeatable leather industry rapidly grew during the colonial era. Presently, it houses numerous leather tanneries.
Currently, close to a hundred manufacturers sell all categories of leather products from shoes to bags and furniture in Jajmau.
Jajmau stands as the largest market for leather shopping in Kanpur, offering a wide array of items you might be in search of. Whether it’s wallets, belts, jackets, or footwear, Jajmau Market is among the best shopping places in Kanpur for leather goods.
Apart from leather tanneries, there are many other places to go shopping in Kanpur’s Jajmau area.
However, be cautious of the scammers who prey on those less knowledgeable about genuine leather. Make the best use of your negotiation skills here as Jajmau Market is known for cheap shopping in Kanpur, if only, you can strike a good deal.
- Location: Jajmau
- Must-Buy: Leather goods, Footwear, Bags, Belts
- Timings: 10:00 AM to 5:00 PM (Friday Closed)
An iconic and prominent market for jewelry shopping in Kanpur, Birhana Road is a must-visit on a day trip to Kanpur. Whenever you plan to visit Kanpur, one of the most historical places in India, do spare a few hours to explore the intricately designed, high-quality diamond and gold jewelry in one of the best shopping places in Kanpur; Birhana Road.
From stores selling royal antique-style jewelry to the latest jewelry brand outlet shopping in Kanpur, you can do it all here. Tanishq, BlueStone Jewels, Kalyan Jewelers Malabar Gold, you can find all these brand outlets here, making it stand out as the greatest of shopping destinations in Kanpur.
- Location: Birhana Road
- Must-Buy: Local and Branded Jewelry
- Timings: 10:00 AM to 7:30 PM
The Parade Market in Kanpur is a premier hub for wholesale shopping in Kanpur. Commonly known as “Parade,” this expansive space is home to numerous stalls ranging from apparel to footwear to some of the city’s renowned street food offerings.The starting cost for any commodity here is just INR 100/-, making it an excellent place for cheap shopping in Kanpur. The highlight of this market is the array of food stalls offering a variety of street food options, including chaat, biryani, sweets, and beverages.
Additionally, there are wholesale bookstores for book shopping in Kanpur for casual reading, competitive exams, academic studies, and office supplies at unbeatable prices.
Although the area is open every day, each shop and stall has a separate schedule for opening and closing.
- Location: Shiwala Road
- Must-Buy: Wholesale Products, Books
- Timings: 9:00 AM to 10:00 PM
Inaugurated in 2010, this five-story shopping center is home to several international and local brands. It is like the best market for shopping in Kanpur for everything from apparel to accessories and food to groceries. It offers a variety of multi-cuisine options and brand outlets, including KFC, McDonald’s, Domino’s, Pizza Hut, Dunkin Donuts, and BBQ Nation.
Additionally, several local eateries serve Indian, Chinese, Continental, Mughlai, and Italian cuisine, alongside other quick meals. Beyond the food scene, the mall also features a ‘Fun City’ area with baby strollers, rides, and attractions for children.
High-end fashion labels such as PUMA, Lee, Calvin Klein, Adidas, Wildcraft, and Nike have their own spaces within the mall.
Even for grocery shopping in Kanpur, stores like BigBazaar, Reliance, Store99, and LifeStyle are available at the mall.
With every facility present under one roof, Z Square Mall tops the list of the best malls in Kanpur for shopping, eating, and having a fun-filled experience.
- Location: Mall Road
- Attractions: Multi-brand Outlets, INOX, Food Courts
- Timings: 11:00 AM to 10:00 PM
Rave 3 Mall another one of the happening places for shopping in Kanpur is situated close to Bhairav Mandir Road in Tilak Nagar. This mall is renowned for its exceptional movie-watching experiences.In addition to the cinema, the Terreza9 Lounge stands out as a highlight of the mall. Despite the limited selection of brands, this mall offers great dining options, a dance and recreation area, an outdoor dining space, and good parking facilities.
A peaceful spot, this location is perfect for those who prefer a break from the buzzing crowded malls. Before the Z-Square, Rave 3 Mall was the go-to destination for shopping in Kanpur.
- Location: Tilak Nagar
- Attractions: Multi-brand Outlets, Dance Area, Lounges
- Timings: 9:00 AM to 9:00 PM
Located on the highway linking Kanpur and Lucknow City, this mall is preferred by locals and tourists for shopping in Kanpur as well as Lucknow. It’s a modest yet respectable mall featuring stores such as Allen Solly, and Pantaloons, among others. To fully explore what the mall has to offer, one should plan on spending at least four hours there. Although the food court is relatively small, it offers a diverse range of eating options. You can also explore local eateries in the nearby best shopping market in Kanpur.
In addition to food, it also features stores for footwear and apparel. Notable brands like Calvin Klein, Reebok, Titan, and Lee are available here. Moreover, the mall boasts a PVR, which meets its high standards.
The area surrounding the mall is clean and peaceful. Given its location near the airport, it’s a convenient spot to shop for gifts, souvenirs, and clothing before departing from the city, in case you couldn’t do shopping in Kanpur.
- Location: Near Kanpur Airport, LDA
- Attractions: Multi-brand Outlets, PVR
- Timings: 9:00 AM to 9:00 PM
For thrifty fabric shopping in Kanpur, without compromising the quality there is no better place than A-Z Shopping Mall. This establishment which resembles a department store, is often called a mall. Featuring a wide selection of clothing and fashion boutiques, A to Z Shopping Mall is among the best shopping destinations in Kanpur on a budget. Although it might not offer high-end labels and luxury brands, you can get all kinds of dresses at reasonable prices, here.
Additionally, the Chikankari Kurtas are a standout feature of this mall, along with Kurtas, don’t forget to get a Chikankari Kurta or dress for yourself and your loved ones. Here, you can find attires suitable for any occasion, from weddings to religious ceremonies and more. The selection is extensive and the prices are just right.
- Location: Jawahar Nagar
- Attractions: Thrifty Apparel, Handcrafted Clothes and Fabrics
- Timings: 9:00 AM to 9:30 PM
7. Handicraft Emporiums and Shops in Kanpur
Handicraft is defined as work that is deeply rooted and often involves creating crafts, which demands the expertise of skilled workers to achieve stunning results. Every state in the nation boasts its distinct artistic talents, and Uttar Pradesh is among them. Kanpur, a significant city within the state, is a hub for numerous artists and skilled artisans in the handicraft sector.
Due to a thriving market within the city for these products, the trade has expanded significantly, and the goods are now being sold domestically and internationally.
Handicraft showrooms are present throughout Kanpur, ranging from the 80-foot road to the Navin Market area, serving as central locations for the sale of locally made handicrafts.
What kind of handicrafts are available in Kanpur?
Leather Accessories: Bags, Belts, Suitcases, Furniture, Footwear, Handcrafted Mojaris, Folders and other products.
Wooden Handicrafts: Wooden boxes, Carved Statues, Showpieces, Lamps, and Accessories like Wooden Bangles, Earrings, Hairclips, and Neckpieces.
Real and Imitation Jewellery: Antique Gold Neckpieces, Diamond Jewellery, Costume Jewellery.
Handmade Fabrics and Dress Materials: Banarsi Silks, Chikankari, Zarodozi, and Cotton.
Some of the best shopping destinations in Kanpur for Handicrafts are:
- Ansh Handicraft Emporium- Shivala Road
- Rajasthan Handicrafts- Naveen Market
- Jain Craft Store- Gandhi Nagar
- Karman Handicrafts and Home Decor- Ratan Lal Nagar
- Shingarika- Panki
So, the next time you visit this historical city in Uttar Pradesh, don’t forget to go shopping in Kanpur. It is much more than just an ancient city and an industrial hub. Lastly, do stop by and try these amazing Kanpuriya street foods, when you get tired while shopping in Kanpur- Gadbad Chaat, Makhan Malai, Kachori, and Sabzi, Colorful Samosas, Swal Papdi, and Kadak Chai!