These are the must-visit boutiques on any visit to London

Britain’s capital city is a shopper’s paradise which was dominated in the past by iconic department stores like Harrods and Selfridges.

But visitors with more specialised tastes often avoid these retail giants and head off in search of innovative independent stores where customer experience is just as important as unique products.

So if you’re visiting London and want to return home with a gift you won’t find anywhere else, take a look at London’s four best boutique stores.

The Goodhood Store

You’ll find The Goodhood Store on Curtain Road in trendy Hoxton and it’s well worth a visit.

The spacious interior includes a log cabin and basement cafe and it stocks quirky clothing for the entire family, as well as homeware and camping kits.

Many of the products carry high-end price tags but the branded tees and mugs are affordable.

It’s easy to spend hours wandering around this multi-level lifestyle store. Your only problem might be deciding which fabulous print, plant pot or pullover not to buy.

69B Boutique

If you were looking for a shop to let in London a few years ago, Hackney might not have been your first choice.

But thanks to a combination of gentrification and fantastic community spirit, the area now tops the rankings of many a London property search.

And 69B Boutique in Broadway Market is a prime example of a Hackney retail hotspot that captures the essence of this brilliant borough.

It’s a favourite of fans of sustainable fashion because the superbly stylish products are sourced and manufactured ethically and transparently — a refreshingly different approach to some high street outlets.

If designer jeans, pretty floral tops and one-off handbags sound appealing, this shop is a must-see.

Aida

Aida is an operatic-sounding concept store that definitely displays a cultured capability for curating its product range.

The elegant split-level shop features weathered wooden floors and subtle display cabinets that allow its hip fashion and homeware collections plenty of space to speak for themselves.

This creates a calm and relaxed shopping experience where customers are encouraged to take as much time as possible to browse before they buy.

The Shoreditch store also features a cafe where you can chat to friends and fellow customers after a hard day’s retail therapy — adding to the air of comfort and homeliness.

Couverture & The Garbstore

Resurrected retro fashions with a cutting-edge twist are de rigueur at Couverture & The Garbstore on Kensington Park Road.

You’ll find beautiful men’s and womenswear ensembles that aren’t available anywhere else and Boho homeware like knitted blankets and sheepskin hot water bottles.

This is another excellent example of a concept store that knows how to create the kind of awesome understated ambience that’s highly persuasive when it comes to purchasing products.

If you want to buy a high-quality clothing piece that looks and feels outstanding then this boutique should be top of your shopping list.

Make a beeline for London’s four best boutique stores and you’ll soak up some special vibes slightly off the beaten path.

What’s your favourite London boutique? Share your stories in the comments section.