Robson Street is the main downtown shopping street, especially for tourists. You will find all the major chains like Banana Republic, The Gap, Club Monaco, and Virgin Records here along with many shops selling souvenirs and gifts. Around Granville Street you will find Sears department store and the Pacific Centre mall. Towards the Denman Street end the tourist shops thin out a bit.

As well as shops there are a great many restaurants on Robson Street, especially in the central area. For this reason the street is still bustling with people in the evening and at night, and many of the shops stay open late.