Next time you find yourself looking for inspiration around this biz we are in, I have a recommendation for you. It's a city in the west of Europe a little off the beaten path, but not completely out of the question for a weekend trip. It is not, however, top of the list when you think of shopping destinations and in some ways that's the point–for what could be more delightful than the unexpected in this world of pre-packaged, Google-reviewed experiences that we find ourselves today?

Upon arrival, the town reveals itself as a quaint and delightful place known for world-class gourmet cooking expressed in everything from its countless backstreet eateries to the perfect stacks of macaroons that adorn every breakfast table. I knew when I found out I was going to this city I was going to eat; I did not expect that the most memorable part of the trip would be all about retail.

After a long day of meetings, an early evening foray into old town just
across the river from our hotel took us into a labyrinth of tiny stores
and boutiques–one jewel after another. The merchandising in these
stores was jaw-dropping, from an aroma-filled Salon de The, to an
exquisite toy store, to a vintage book store, to a hole in the wall
that seemed to sell nothing but vinegar and olive oil, but which
presented its wares in beautiful arrangements of light and color
arranged between the ingredients which infused them. On one corner a
butcher, on the next a baker, and I'm sure, if we'd looked long enough,
we'd have found a candlestick maker.

It was a procession of micro experiences so rich I almost couldn't believe it–in many ways challenging the mass approach we take to most of our stores in the United States, while at the same time affirming the very reasons I got into retail. The theater, the storytelling, the art and the craft, we only had a couple of hours and it literally was too much to take in.

Pretty much any city has a series of stores like these. We've all visited them. What most cities don't have is all of them in the same square couple of miles. So, next time you find yourself coming up dry, you should consider this place–after all, it's a mere night flight away. In the spirit of the title here, ignore the main shopping streets–pleasant enough, but nothing you haven't seen before. Instead, take the bridge into its historic core. Find the Cathedral, walk up the steps until your back is to the double doors and from thence walk back down the steps and head right.

I feel as if I'm missing something here…oh yes, the location of this panoply of shopping delights. That my friends (and as an Englishman it pains to me to admit it) is the fabulous, wonderful, delightful city of Lyon, France.

Wondering now if there aren't a hundred of these little gems out there that we never know about. Anyone care to share?

–Christian Davies, Guest Blogger