First the day to day essentials ... Within a short walk or drive is a very good SweetBay supermarket / grocery store.  It has excellent fresh produce, sushi, fish, steaks etc, and an extensive selection of everyday and fine US and international wines.  It opens until late every day (typically 10.00 p.m.)

If you're arriving very late and tired to the house, there are two 24 hour convenience stores on gas stations on the junction of Summerlin & Gladiolus just round the corner.

Blockbuster, Walgreens (the equivalent of Boots in the UK), the UPS store (for stamps for your postcards, FAXes, etc) and more are just round the corner by the Publix supermarket / grocery store.  This is at the junction of Summerlin & Winkler.  Publix is cheaper than SweetBay for most things.

Now for the fun stuff ...  For fashion & home goods, the huge Miramar Outlet Mall has the biggest and best selection of upscale designer stores for miles.  The small Tanger Outlet Mall is on the way to Sanibel, and is also pretty good.  Bell Tower Mall is full price and has a multiscreen cinema, as well as a good selection of great shops, including a Fresh Market (if you're from the UK, think Waitrose).  Bell Tower also has Mimi's, a nice place for lunch, and a TGI Friday. 

Wal-Mart is within 10 minutes on US41 (Tamiami Trail), and has all the usual bargains.

If you want electricals, our preference is for Best Buy.  They are big stores, with a good range, knowledgeable and helpful staff, and are well priced.  The nearest one is at Coconut Pointe, on the Tamiami Trail (US41) heading down to Naples.  Coconut Pointe is a huge shopping area – it has everything from the mundane to the upscale, and something for everyone.  It also has some nice places to eat & snack.

Slightly further afield, there are 2 other places we like to visit.  St Armand's Circle on Lido Key, just by Sarasota is a great place to hang out & do a little window shopping in the upscale boutiques all around.  It’s near to both the Ringling Museum and the Mote aquarium, and makes a good place to spend a little time & eat. 

Also worth knowing for the 'Abercrombie & Fitch' brigade is the Coastlandcenter Mall at Naples.  And whist you’re there, you could try the upscale Waterside Shops at Venetian Bay – not cheap, but fun to browse around, and it's always fun checking out the automobile real estate in the car park!