Carnegie Mellon University
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Shopping

At some point during your time in Pittsburgh, you will likely need to shop for basic goods. While there are many options in the Pittsburgh area, we've assembled some helpful resources for you to consider. Pittsburgh offers a variety of neighborhood shopping districts within a short walk or bus ride from campus. You can also check out local shopping malls for a larger selection of stores.

Always remember to check business hours online before going to the store!

Sales Tax

The State of Pennsylvania charges a 6% sales tax, with a 1% additional in Allegheny County, on all purchases except unprepared food, clothing, and medicine. Other states and cities also charge sales tax on purchases, but there is no uniform nationwide sales tax.

NOTE: Tax is not listed on an item's price tag; instead, it is added upon purchase of the items.  

Grocery Stores

The largest grocery stores in Pittsburgh are Giant Eagle, ALDI, Trader Joe’s and Whole Foods. You can find all of your basic necessities at any of these stores, as well as many specialty items and foods. You may want to consider bringing a reusable shopping bag with you.

Pharmacies

Need to stop by a pharmacy (also called a drug store)? Your local options are CVS, Rite Aid, Walgreens and Giant Eagle. Each store has pharmacists of staff that can help you find what you need. You might also want to check University Health Services website for local healthcare resources for additional information.

Retail Stores

There are plenty of options for retail shopping in and around Pittsburgh, whether you're looking for more one-of-a-kind shops or larger box stores like Target or Walmart. Check out this list of retail options from VisitPittsburgh for more information about local retailers.

Buying Used Items

Buying used items is both a way to save money and make more sustainable choices. Items such as clothing, furniture and other household goods are often available secondhand. Certain stores sell used items, and people often have sales in their garages or yard where they sell things they no longer need or want. Goodwill is a store where you can purchase used items at an extremely discounted rate. You can check the want-ads (classified advertisements) in the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette, the Tribune Review, the PennySaver (a free newspaper delivered to homes in local neighborhoods each week), Craigslist or Facebook Marketplace.

NOTE: Never make any purchases site-unseen!