The bulk of Hamilton’s retail stores are found along the length of Reid Street, Front Street, and Queen and Burnaby Streets, as well as Court Street in North Hamilton. There are also several malls, which link these major thoroughfares and are packed with boutiques and shops of all kinds. These include the Walker Arcade (between Front and lower Reid), which also links to the Old Cellar (off Front Street); the Emporium (Front Street east of the Flagpole); the Bermudiana Arcade (off Queen Street); Windsor Place (off Queen Street), and the large Washington Mall (with two floors of shops between Reid and Church Streets).

Many Hamilton stores open at 10 a.m., though a few still open as early as 8:30 a.m. Most stay open until 5 or 5:30 p.m. Special Christmas season (Fri. night) and summerlong Harbour Nights (Wed. only) hours mean some Front Street, Queen Street, and Reid Street stores stay open later. Virtually all retail stores, save a few smaller, homespun outlets, accept major credit cards.