If you visit Akola (Maharashtra) as a tourist and want to do discount / bargain / tax-free-style shopping, here are top ~10 shopping places and markets (malls, bazaars, wholesale markets) worth checking out.
1. TRENDS (Ravi Swaroop, Akola)
- A well-known retail clothing chain outlet in Akola — provides men’s, women’s, and kids’ clothing in ready-made garments, following current styles.
- Because it’s a branded store and not a high-end boutique, you might often find seasonal discounts / offers — a good place to get trendy clothes at moderate prices.
- Convenient if you prefer brand-store shopping over bargaining in bazaars. Opens ~11:00 AM to ~9:30 PM.
2. Kutchery Road Market
- Popular among locals — Kutchery Road is known for street-vendors selling clothes, footwear, toys, trinkets and other everyday items.
- A good place for budget-conscious shopping: casual wear, small useful items, daily-use goods.
- Because many shops are small and local, you can often get lower prices than malls, and perhaps negotiate if buying more than one item.
3. Sunday Chor Bazaar (Mohammad Ali Chowk, Mominpu)
- This is a weekly market — especially good if you enjoy treasure-hunting. You may find second-hand goods, electronics, used items, old books, antiques at very cheap rates.
- Ideal for bargain deals, unique finds, or vintage items (though used/second-hand).
- For a tourist / visitor, this can be fun — but check items thoroughly before buying (especially electronics / used goods).
4. City Mall / Akola City Mall
- For those used to modern shopping — Akola City Mall offers a more organised, clean and comfortable environment.
- Good for buying branded clothing, footwear, modern apparel, possibly electronics — and especially convenient if you don’t want to deal with bargaining or crowded bazaars.
- Often useful for window-shopping, comfortable shopping with amenities, perhaps stops for food and rest as well.
5. Ganesh Bazaar
- This is described as a bustling traditional marketplace — you’ll find everything from clothing, household goods, local produce, spices to small items.
- Because it is a “bazaar-style” market rather than a high-end mall, prices tend to be more reasonable and negotiable — good for bargain hunters and those looking for essentials or everyday items.
- Best for casual shopping, local wear, daily-use items, maybe souvenirs or small gifts.
6. Pantaloons (Toshniwal Layout, Akola)
- Another branded store for clothing — good for casual wear, western wear, ethnic clothes, footwear, etc.
- Useful for shoppers who prefer ready-made clothing and branded quality, possibly with seasonal offers or discounts.
- Especially good if you want a hassle-free shopping experience (no bargaining, fixed price, billing) — may also suit tourists buying clothes for home or gifts.
7. Wholesale & Retail Cloth Market (Textile Market), Akola
- This market caters specially to textile, sarees, dupattas, dress materials, and ready-made garments. It’s listed among the “top leading suppliers and wholesalers” for clothes — very useful for someone wanting affordable ethnic wear or bulk fabric purchases.
- Because many shops are wholesalers, prices often undercut retail stores — perfect for heavy buyers or budget-conscious shopping.
- Good when you want to mix quality + low cost, e.g. cotton sarees, dress materials, etc.
8. Street‑vendors & Small Shops on Kutchery / Bazaar‑roads
- All along streets like Kutchery Road, various local shops and street-vendors sell everyday items: clothes, footwear, small trinkets, accessories, etc. Prices tend to be lower than malls.
- Good for impulse buys, daily-use items, souvenirs, budget shopping — especially if you don’t require premium quality or branded goods.
- Offers a more local-flavour shopping experience — sometimes with bargaining possible.
9. Akola Handloom and Craft Shops
- As per official-tourism info, Akola has a tradition of handloom textiles, cotton fabrics, and local crafts (terracotta, wall-hangings, decorative items).
- Good for travellers who want to take home a local souvenir — beautiful, authentic, and often reasonably priced compared to imported gifts.
- Especially useful if you want something unique — fabric, ethnic clothes, crafts — that reflects local culture and heritage.
10. Suhani Sarees & dress shops (New Cloth Market area)
- If you’re specifically looking for ethnic clothing (sarees, dress materials, traditional wear), such specialized shops are often better than general stores. Suhani Sarees is one of those listed among the prominent wholesalers/retailers.
- Likely to offer good selection + reasonable prices especially for traditional wear.
- Ideal for visitors wanting souvenirs, traditional dresses, or gifts to take back.
Table : Which Place for What
| Your Need / Want | Best Places to Visit |
|---|---|
| Cheap clothes / bulk sarees / fabrics | New Cloth Market, Textile & Wholesale Cloth Market, Suhani Sarees |
| Everyday items, footwear, small gifts | Ganesh Bazaar, Kutchery Road street shops, street-vendors |
| Bargain / second-hand / vintage items | Sunday Chor Bazaar (Mohammad Ali Chowk), street markets |
| Branded / ready-made western / casual wear | Pantaloons, TRENDS (Ravi Swaroop), City Mall shops |
| Local handicrafts / handloom / souvenirs | Handloom & Craft Shops, local saree / textile markets |
| Comfortable, indoor shopping (AC, billing, restrooms) | Akola City Mall, branded stores |
Tips for “Smart / Discount / Budget / Bargain / Tax-friendly” Shopping in Akola
- Go early: Markets like New Cloth Market, bazaars, and street-shops are less crowded early morning — easier to browse and bargain.
- Prefer wholesale markets if buying clothes or fabrics in bulk (for family or events) — you’ll get better rates.
- Bargain carefully: Many small shops and street-vendors expect bargaining — but be polite and reasonable.
- Check quality for second-hand / bargain goods (especially electronics or used items) — if buying from bazaar or weekly market like Sunday Chor Bazaar.
- Focus on local craft & handloom shops for souvenirs — you get authentic items reflecting local culture at often better value than branded goods.
- Use branded stores/malls (like Pantaloons or TRENDS) if you want assurance of quality, fixed prices, good billing — useful if you’re buying for gifts or as a tourist.