Zanzibar was a shopping haven, before the multiparty elections on the islands in 1995, which caused a decline in foreign imports ( merchants feared rioting and looting during the election period ), in reflection to what happened in neighbouring countries that adopted the multiparty democracy.

Although not a shopping haven any more, you can get almost everything on this island at a cost. Most goods are imported from Thailand, Singapore, Malaysia and Dubai.

For electronic equipment, textiles, hardware and Jewellery and cosmetics, the shopping areas to visit are along Kiponda Street (mainly textiles and jewellery), Market Street (hardware, textiles and Jewellery), Malindi Street (textiles, cosmetics) Darajani street(almost everything) and Mchangani Street (mainly hardware).

If you are shopping for antiques and souvenirs (wooden carvings, pottery, paintings etc.), you will come across many shops while you stroll along the winding roads of the stone town.

There are two shops just after the main entrance of St. Joseph's Cathedral, and two more a short distance away, along Sokomuhogo Street.

There are also some shops opposite the old Post Office and along Gizenga Street.

If you are looking to buy spices from Zanzibar, look no further than the House of Spices at Kiponda. Alternatively, most souvenir shops stock a limited supply of spices.

Tourists are advised not to buy any products related to protected species on the islands, such as the Green turtle.