Berlin doesn’t have a strong shopping mall culture, largely thanks to its colourful history. In the pre-Wall days, conspicuous consumption was not encouraged in East Berlin, while West Berlin’s status as a tiny capitalist enclave completely surrounded by the GDR scared away major German and international businesses. As a result unemployment was high and rents were low, which saw Berlin blossom as a haven for left-leaning intellectuals, artists, hippies and those who were generally disinterested in a life spent making and spending money. How things have changed. Berlin’s shopping scene has exploded, and the American-style shopping mall experience is beginning to establish itself across the city. Malls are not the place to go if you want unique one-offs or funky, edgy designs that fashionistas flock to Berlin for. But if you want some affordable basics from high street international brands, you’re in the right place.