Shopping in Seattle can feel overwhelming at first, but there are many convenient options near UW and online. This guide introduces common online shopping platforms, nearby grocery stores, shopping centers, Asian markets, outdoor stores, and furniture retailers that may be useful for international students.
Online Shopping | Groceries | Shopping Centers | Asian Markets | Outdoor Stores | Retailers | Transportation
Online Shopping
Online shopping is convenient for buying school supplies, electronics, dorm essentials, groceries, furniture, and daily necessities. Before making online purchases, always make sure you are using a secure internet connection and a trusted website.
Safety Note: Avoid entering credit card or bank information when using public or unsecured Wi-Fi. If possible, use a secure network when making purchases.
Student Discounts
UW students may be eligible for discounts on technology, software, services, and local offers. Discount availability may change, so always check the official discount page or company website for current details.
Common Online Shopping Options
- Apple Education Store: Student pricing for Apple products and accessories.
- Amazon: Useful for dorm items, furniture, school supplies, electronics, and daily necessities.
- New university students may be eligible for a free 6-month trial of Amazon Prime Student.
- IKEA: Good for furniture, bedding, storage, kitchen items, and home goods.
- Weee!: Online Asian grocery delivery.
- Yami: Online Asian marketplace for snacks, groceries, beauty products, and daily goods.
Supermarkets and Groceries Near Campus
There are several grocery stores near UW where students can buy food, snacks, household items, and daily necessities. Use the map below to find locations near campus.
- H Mart: Asian grocery store with Korean and other Asian food options.
- Safeway: General grocery store with food, household items, and daily necessities.
- QFC: General grocery store with produce, packaged food, home goods, and pharmacy items.
- Trader Joe’s: Grocery store known for affordable snacks, frozen meals, produce, and specialty items.
Shopping centers are useful for clothing, home goods, restaurants, electronics, and daily-life items. Some are close to campus, while others may require public transportation or rideshare.
- University Village: Open-air shopping center near UW with restaurants, clothing stores, home goods, and daily necessities.
- Westlake Center: Shopping center in downtown Seattle with access to stores, restaurants, and public transportation.
- Pacific Place: Downtown shopping center with retail stores and restaurants.
- Bellevue Square: Large shopping mall in Bellevue with many clothing, lifestyle, and dining options.
Seattle and nearby cities have several Asian grocery stores where students can find fresh ingredients, snacks, sauces, frozen food, and household goods from different Asian cuisines.
- H Mart: Convenient Asian grocery option near UW with Korean and other Asian food options.
- Asian Family Market: Larger Asian grocery store with a wide selection of ingredients, snacks, sauces, frozen food, and household goods.
- T&T Supermarket: Large Asian supermarket with groceries, prepared food, bakery items, and household goods.
- 99 Ranch Market: Asian supermarket chain with a wide selection of Chinese and other Asian groceries, fresh produce, seafood, frozen food, snacks, and household items.
- Uwajimaya Seattle: Japanese and Asian grocery store in Seattle’s Chinatown-International District. Good for Japanese groceries, fresh food, snacks, kitchen items, and prepared meals.
- Kinokuniya Bookstore: Japanese bookstore located inside Uwajimaya Seattle. Good for books, manga, stationery, gifts, art supplies, and Japanese lifestyle products.
- Weee!: Online Asian grocery delivery option.
- Yami: Online Asian marketplace for snacks, groceries, beauty products, and daily goods.
Seattle has many outdoor activities, so students may want to buy rain jackets, hiking shoes, backpacks, travel gear, or winter clothing after arriving. (add UW gear for rentals)
- REI: Outdoor store for hiking gear, rain jackets, backpacks, travel equipment, and winter clothing.
- UWild’s Gear Garage: UW students can also rent outdoor gear through UWild’s Gear Garage, which offers equipment for day trips, camping, and other outdoor adventures at student-friendly prices.
Many furniture and home-goods stores are farther from UW, so it may be easier to use a vehicle, rideshare, public transportation, or delivery service. If you are buying larger furniture, check delivery options before placing your order.
- Target: Good for bedding, towels, storage bins, small furniture, cleaning supplies, kitchen items, and daily necessities.
- Walmart: Good for affordable furniture, dorm essentials, electronics, kitchen supplies, and household items.
- Costco: Good for bulk household items, snacks, cleaning supplies, small appliances, and some furniture. A membership is usually required.
- IKEA: Good for larger furniture, desks, chairs, shelves, bedding, kitchenware, and apartment setup.
Tip: Before buying large furniture, check your room or apartment size, delivery options, building rules, and whether furniture is already included.
- Husky Health Center
- UW hospital
- QFC Pharmacy
- CVS Pharmacy
- Amazon Pharmacy
Getting to Shopping Locations
Some stores are close to campus, while others may require a bus, Link light rail, or rideshare. Before going, check travel time, store hours, and how much you can comfortably carry back.