Notes

First:
Head down any of the streets along the Northern edge of Picadilly Gardens (the side opposite to the bus station) and you'll find the city's bohemian district. Nestled on Tib Street, behind Debenhams department store, is the weird and wonderful Afflecks Palace, which could be described as the Camden Market of the North. And each weekend there's a vintage fashion market on Tib Street where you can discover handmade and vintage threads from local designers and boutique owners.

Second to last (pricy):
Head all the way down Market Street to Cross Street, for designer boutiques. Head left along Cross Street and you'll come across the heavyweight designer shops of King Street. At the other end of Cross Street, you'll find Selfridges, Harvey Nichols and the Triangle shopping centre - home to loads of unique brands/specialist boutiques.

Last/if it is wet:
The Arndale Centre takes up one side of Market Street, Machester's main shopping throughfare which leads from Picadilly Gardens down to Cross Street and St Anne's Square.

If we are struggling:
The Trafford Centre is a gigantic out of town shopping centre on the outskirts of the city which has hundreds of high street shops as well as a Selfridges and John Lewis. Regular buses run to the Trafford Centre from the bus stop outside the Royal Northern College of Music on Oxford Road.