The Shopper: Urban Outfitters offers an alternative lifestyle

With so many American brands opening branches here, it was only a matter of time before Urban Outfitters arrived. Founded in Philadelphia in 1970, the multibrand store is a magnet for shoppers looking to embrace the retailer's "alternative" lifestyle, which covers everything from fashion to quirky gift items.

Each Urban Outfitters location is different. The 2,000 sq ft space inside Lab Concept (at the former site of beauty store Facess) in Queensway Plaza looks fresh, thanks to cool industrial details and raw and exposed structures.

The retailer also invited a series of international artists to customise the walls, including Ricardo Cavolo from Spain, who created an eye-catching underwater scene inspired by the harbour, complete with jellyfish, seahorses and a mermaid.

The store stocks almost everything including contemporary fashion, homeware, accessories, gifts, books and music (including some very funky vinyl). Most of the merchandise can be categorised as cool and stylish, with a mishmash of items you won't find elsewhere.

But it is best known for apparel, and the store features some hip in-house labels, in addition to several independent brands that are in keeping with its alternative spirit.