Best UK Online Shopping Sites for International Shoppers: Top UK Stores

The UK is a relatively laid-back country, often jokingly called "Fujian" (a pun on "decadent"). The British can indeed be quite quirky in their ways, but as the birthplace of the Industrial Revolution, the country is still abundant in material civilization. Today, I'll introduce some UK online shopping sites and see what great deals you can snag!

Department Stores

1. Selfridges

Website: http://www.selfridges.com/GB/en/

A famous upscale department store in the UK, with two branches in London and Birmingham. Its official website has everything: luxury bags, clothes, shoes, cosmetics, electronics—it's high-end. Delivery takes 4-7 working days. At checkout, UK tax is deducted and Chinese tax is added; no additional tax is charged upon arrival in China. Shipping is ￡25. While the shipping seems high and tax is added, it's still much cheaper than buying名牌 in China.

2. UK TLC Pharmacy

Website: http://www.tlcpharmacy.cn.com/

UK TLC Pharmacy Group, co-founded by pharmacists James Semple and Brendan Semple, is the largest pharmacy chain in Scotland. It operates several professional pharmacy chains under the UK's National Health Service (NHS) and is also the largest medical aesthetics product supplier in Scotland. In 2015, the official Chinese website of UK TLC Pharmacy was launched.

3. UK VTB

Website: http://cn.vitaminbay.com/

UK Vitamin Bay (VTB) is the largest maternal and child health e-commerce site in the UK and a leader in online retail. The Vitamin Bay website offers vitamins, baby products, health supplements, beauty products, health foods, and sports nutrition, providing over 15,000 products at the lowest prices. In 2016, the official Chinese website of UK VitaminBay (VTB) was launched.

4. House of Fraser

Website: http://www.houseoffraser.co.uk/

Another classic UK department store, but it was acquired this year by China's Nanjing Xinjiekou Department Store! It's our own Chinese store now—must support it! It has fewer luxury brands than Selfridges, taking a mid-to-high-end route, but the selection is still rich.

5. The Hut

Website: http://www.thehut.com/home.dept

The Hut is essentially an online department store that meets all your life needs. Compared to Selfridges, its brands are more affordable, with most being high-street brands, perfect for everyday shopping. Delivery to China takes 4-9 working days with tracking, shipping is ￡8.99, and free shipping for orders over ￡50! No tax is added!

Beauty & Cosmetics

6. Space.NK

Website: http://www.spacenk.com/uk/en_GB/home-uk

The UK's most high-end beauty and skincare online shopping platform. Besides common big-name cosmetics, it offers many niche luxury brands you can't find elsewhere, like US niche luxury brands Hourglass, Kevin Aucoin, Chantecaille, etc. Its packaging is exquisite and upscale, and product quality is absolutely trustworthy.

7. Feel Unique

Website: http://cn.feelunique.com/

Feel Unique takes a high-end approach among beauty websites. It has plenty of big brands like Dior, YSL, Lanc?me, and Shiseido. Discounts are generally rare, but its seasonal sales are quite generous. It's worth noting that its shipping packaging is very careful and refined—for a long journey to China, choosing a well-packaged site ensures product safety and peace of mind.

8. Beauty Expert

Website: http://www.beautyexpert.com/home.dept

Another comprehensive beauty website, with fewer big brands than Feel Unique but still many other brands and plenty of discounts. After a few purchases, they'll email you a 20% off code to take care of repeat customers. Free global shipping and Alipay accepted!

9. LookFantastic

Website: http://www.lookfantastic.com/home.dept

This is probably the most commonly used beauty website for Chinese students studying in the UK. Full range of brands, lots of discounts! Often has 3-for-2 and 20% off. Customer service is also good. Free global shipping and Alipay accepted.

10. Escentual

Website: http://www.escentual.com/

If you love French pharmacy products and perfumes, bookmark this site! Brands like Bioderma, Avène, La Roche-Posay, and various pharmacy items are often 1/3 off. Perfumes can also be shipped directly to China! Besides pharmacy products and perfumes, it also has other skincare, makeup, and hair care products—keep it for browsing. Delivery to China takes 10-20 days, with standard shipping at ￡4.95 and signed delivery at ￡7.95.

11. HQ hair

Website: http://www.hqhair.com/home.dept

Despite the name suggesting it's only a hair product site, it's actually a comprehensive beauty website with no shortage of brands. It even carries the popular makeup brand Nars, with amazing blushes and concealers! Plenty of discounts too—worth checking out! Free shipping to China for orders over ￡40 with tracking, and Alipay accepted.

12. Mankind

Website: http://www.mankind.co.uk/home.dept

This is a website primarily focused on men's skincare, but it's not limited to that! I love Australia's national treasure brand Aesop, which you can buy here. It also carries Clinique, L'Oréal, and other skincare and hair care brands. Free shipping to China for orders over ￡30 with tracking, delivery in 4-8 working days. Alipay accepted, no tax added!

Clothing & Accessories

13. Asos

Website: https://www.asos.com/

Asos is a comprehensive fashion website offering clothing, bags, accessories, and even skincare and makeup. It has a wide range of brands and frequent discounts. The variety is huge—search for "white dress" and you'll get over 900 results. Asos's own brand clothes are also good. If you can't find something for a special occasion, Asos is the place to go. Supports direct shipping.

14. Astrid & Miyu

Website: https://www.astridandmiyu.com/

Astrid & Miyu, a rising independent jewelry brand in the UK, has won people over with its exquisite and trendy designs, unique zodiac collections, and its commitment to staying ahead of fashion trends. The brand's founder, Connie Nam, is a Korean-American who grew up in the US. She came to London in 2009 to study for an MBA. The blend of Eastern and Western cultures has given Connie a very unique perspective on fashion. Since founding Astrid & Miyu, it has successfully captured the hearts of young women. Even Kate Middleton's sister, Pippa Middleton, wears its earrings to important social events. Designers from top fashion magazines like Vogue, Grazia, Instyle, and Marie Claire have praised its products.

15. My Bag

Website: http://www.mybag.com/home.dept

For those buying luxury brand bags, Selfridges is the go-to. But for affordable street brands, trendy European or American labels, or even hard-to-find vintage bags, look here! My Bag carries brands like Rebecca Minkoff, Ted Baker, and Cambridge Satchel, all with a strong European-American vibe. Oh, and they have vintage Chanel bags—feel free to browse.

16. Coggles

Website: http://www.coggles.com/home.dept

Another high-end site, featuring designer brands like Wildfox, Alexander Wang, and Marc By Marc Jacobs. Prices are naturally not cheap, but compared to China, they're very reasonable. For fans of designer brands, you're welcome! :) ￡8.99 for tracked shipping to China.

17. All Sole

Website: http://www.allsole.com/home.dept

We just had My Bag for bags, and now here's All Sole for shoes. It has many brands, including ASH (often seen in celebrity street snaps), Hunter (popular rain boots in recent years), Melissa's jelly shoes, and cool Dr. Martens boots. Regular discounts, free shipping for orders over ￡120, delivery to China in 4-8 working days. No tax added!

18. Topshop/ Topman

Website: http://www.topshop.com/

A friend once told me that after graduating and returning to China, what they missed most was Topshop—lots of styles, fast updates, and reasonable prices. Now Topshop and its men's version Topman can also ship to China.

19. The Cambridge Satchel Company

Website: http://www.cambridgesatchel.com/

Need I say more about the famous Cambridge Satchel? It's full of British style and a must-have for posing! Every time I go back to China, friends ask me to buy one. Now, no need to ask—just shop online. Free shipping to China for any Cambridge Satchel purchase, delivery in about 7-14 working days. For small accessories only, shipping is ￡20.

20. Boohoo

Website: http://www.boohoo.com/

Clothing, bags, and accessories with lots of styles and low prices—perfect for girls who want to stay on the cutting edge of fashion and constantly try new things. If you don't want to wear something after a season, you can give it away or donate it without too much regret. The prices are already low, and there are constant discounts.

21. Radley

Website: http://www.radley.co.uk/

This is the famous "little dog" brand in the UK! Anyone who has studied or lived there will be familiar with it. It's a local bag and accessories brand with a little dog logo, very popular among girls. The leather feels soft and comfortable.

22. IWOOT

Website: http://www.iwantoneofthose.com/

IWOOT stands for "I want one of those." It's a hub of creativity, specializing in various lifestyle items and small gifts. The items here are full of creativity and ingenuity. When you're stuck on what gift to give, be sure to check out IWOOT—you'll find many surprising and amazing treasures!