Nanjing Lu has historically been one of Shanghai’s most important streets. It received global recognition as one of the World’s Seven Great Roads in the 1930s before surviving a bombing within the same decade. Split in half by People’s Park, a pedestrian arcade on the street’s eastern end solidifies stereotypes of an Asian affinity for neon lights while a luxury shopping street adorns the west. It is down this western front of status and wealth that TALK strolled this month, looking for the latest locales that were a bit lighter on our wallets than the halls of LV, Hermes and Dior.

Uniqlo

Uniqlo, the Japanese clothing store for the everyman, opened its biggest flagship store in the world on Nanjing Lu’s famed shopping street in May. Standing three storeys tall, the store offers 3,300 square metres of monochromatic basics and rainbow-hued casual wear. If affordable fashion isn’t reason enough to drop in, check out the flying mannequins who might be donning one of 88 brightly coloured polos designed for the store.

969 Nanjing Xi Lu, near Maoming Bei Lu

Trenchers

This sandwich joint has been delivering to office drones in Plaza 66, the Portman and beyond for almost a year, but now they’ve opened up a shop offering their cheap ready-made lunches for those who like to step out from behind their cubicle when lunch hour rolls around. While these sammies might be on the lower end of the price scale, Trencher’s doesn’t skimp on quality; their Coronation Chicken features Amelia’s famous mango chutney (which you can also pick up in the store the next time you drop by). Lunch sets rounded out by Kettle chips and Vitamin Water are also on hand for those who can’t resist a mid-afternoon deal.

90 Nanyang Lu, near Xikang Lu. Tel: 5213 3110/138 1890 0477.

Web: www.trenchers-sh.com

JW Lounge & Grill

Although not necessarily new, these recently re-launched venues take up the whole 40th floor of the JW Marriott at Tomorrow Square, where they serve up breathtaking views of the city alongside deals that are equally inspiring. JW Grill is an upscale steakhouse that hosts a daily express business lunch ranging from two to four courses, respectively (and reasonably) priced at RMB 128 and RMB 188. Not to be outdone by its beefy neighbour, JW Lounge gets splashy with a RMB 98 all-you-can-drink nightly Absolut cocktail deal from 6 to 8pm.

40F, 399 Nanjing Xi Lu, near Huangpi Bei Lu. Tel: 5359 4969 x 6455

FamiCafé

Family Mart has been a personal favourite for years (and not just for its instantly recognisable automatic door jingle and life-saving liquor selection), but now the chain has skyrocketed to the top of Shanghai’s convenience store list with its new gourmet tea and coffee offerings at its Nanjing Xi Lu branch. FamiCafé’s iced caramel latte beats a can of Mr Brown’s any day and rivals Starbucks at less than half the price. The best part? This store is e-payment equipped, so China Telecom users can swipe their mobile phones to pay for that deliciously economical cup o’ joe.

Family Mart. 3 Shimen Er Lu, near Nanjing Xi Lu