Australia's first shopping mall was developed by Don Dunstan. Located on Rundle Street, Rundle Mall is now one of the busiest shopping pedestrian arcades, and is the retail backbone of the CBD. The Mall has small arcades branching off it, and these form the city centre shopping district surrounded by department stores, food and cafe stores, along with clothing boutiques.

It is well-known by the locals as the "high street" in town. Rundle Mall was opened as Australia's first pedestrian street mall in September 1976, and features more than 600 retailers. It runs between and parallel to North Terrace (Adelaide's cultural and academic precinct) and Grenfell Street, from King William Street to Pultney Street. The street continues as Rundle Street, a major restaurant and strip down to East Terrace.

Rundle Street (including Rundle Mall), takes its name from John Rundle, a member of the House of Commons and original director of the South Australia Company. The street was named on 23 May, 1837 by the Street Naming Committee. 1895 saw the first electric street lighting installed at the intersection of Rundle Street (as it was then known), King William Street and Hindley Street. There was also a tramline running through when it was still part of Rundle Street. In November 1972, the then South Australian Premier, Don Dunstan, issued the closure of the western part of Rundle Street. This was due to the increasing number of pedestrians and also in order to create the Rundle Mall.

Mall's Balls
There are several items of modern sculpture in the Mall. The best-known is probably Spheres by Bert Flugelman - two large, stainless steel spheres balanced on one another - commonly referred to as the "Mall's balls" or "Rundle Mall Balls". These were installed in 1977, are made of stainless steel and measure 2.15 metres in diameter. Other sculpture includes a group of life-size bronze pigs, rooting around a rubbish bin. Of note is the historic Beehive Corner, built in 1895. It lies on the western end on the corner of Rundle Mall and North Terrace, and was originally owned by John Rundle. Beehive Corner is built in the neo-Gothic style, which is generally reserved for churches. The Mall also contains a fountain "The Fountain" - that is painted in Victorian colours, and was cast in the 1800s.

The area is one of the most expensive land areas in Adelaide, and is considered one of the most important retail centres in the city. The Mall showcases many large Australian retailers including David Jones, the Myer Centre and Woolworths. Retailers sell both fresh and prepared food, comparison goods and clothes. The Mall also features a number of arcades and plazas containing smaller boutiques and eateries.

Also in the city centre, the central market is an unforgettable experience. With dozens of fresh food and specialty stalls, Asian grocery stores and a host of excellent cafes and food halls, you're sure to find a wide variety of unique South Australian products.

King William Road at Hyde Park is great for fashion and design, while Glen Osmond Road at Eastwood is the centre for "seconds" and clearance shops. The Parade at Norwood is much loved by locals and visitors alike. Magil Road around Norwood and Maylands is known for the elegant European antiques through to funky 70s designs. North Adelaide has modish Melbourne Street for Australian designer fashion, together with some of the best coffee you'll ever taste!

West along North Terrace and just around the corner in Morphett Street, you'll find the Jam Factory Contemporary Craft and Design Centre - a world leader in the design, production, exhibition and sale of work by leading and emerging Australian designers. See designers hone their skills in four studios dedicated to ceramics, furniture, metal and glass.

Some of Adelaide shopping precinct's are listed below:

- Rundle Mall:  Department stores and boutiques, elegant arcades, cafes, flower stalls, entertaining buskers and more.
- Adelaide Central Market: Fresh food and speciality stalls, Asian grocery stores, Cafés and food halls and South Australian products.
- King William Road at Hyde Park for fashion and design.
- Glen Osmond Road at Eastwood for designer seconds and clearance shops.
- The Parade at Norwood: Cafés, Restaurants and Boutiques.
- Jetty Road at Glenelg: a good excuse to mix shopping with a stroll on the beach.
- Harbour Town at West Beach: more than 50 quality brand outlets.
- Suburban shopping centres at Tea Tree Plaza, West Lakes and Marion have enough shops to browse and things to do to take up a whole day.
- Mile End Homemaker Centre offers furniture, bedding, sporting goods and homewares and nearby Bunnings covers your hardware and gardening needs.