Photo by Johann Wall

I’m going to go out on a limb here and say something most women would find shocking: I hate shopping.

Yup.

Don’t get me wrong—I mean, I like stylish clothes and giving gifts, and I love a great deal, but if I could live out the rest of my existence without physically setting foot in a mall, I would be thrilled. The whole business of parking the car, finding the elusive items on my list, frantically searching for the right sizes, dealing with the ego-deflating mirrors and poor lighting in the change rooms, not to mention keeping my one-year-old plied with enough Cheerios to keep her (and me) sane…I’m getting a bit sweaty just thinking about it!

Needless to say, I was elated when my friend emailed me last week with a news story that Gap Canada would be rolling out online shopping later this summer. Online shopping certainly isn’t a new concept, but, it’s surprising how few retailers offer this service without tacking on enormous shipping and duty fees for Canadians. The better retailers cap shipping fees, or even waive them if you spend over a certain dollar amount. Extra points go to the ones that let you return or exchange the item at a bricks-and-mortar store if the item doesn’t work out.

Here’s a run-down of my virtual shopping mall:

Well.ca
This cyber drugstore carries an amazing selection health, beauty and food products and offers free shipping. From organic granola bars to paraben-free kids’ sunscreen, it’s all here.

Costco
You won’t find industrial-sized containers of peanut butter, but you’ll find lots of other stuff not available in-store. Everything from treadmills to strollers, delivered to your door at no additional cost.

Lululemon
You don’t have to do yoga to appreciate how great your butt looks in these pants. Free shipping with no minimum order.

Indigo
A beach read for you, a new board book for the babe—it’s not hard to reach the $39 minimum for free shipping.

Roots
Outfit the whole family. Orders over $100 are eligible for free shipping. (For orders less than $100, tack on an extra $4.50.)

Sears
Pop in for bath towels, check out with a new swing set for the kids. What doesn’t Sears carry? Starting at $4.95, shipping fees vary depending on the item.

Mastermind
Find something for each of the 600 birthday parties your child will attend this year. Shipping is free for purchases over $75.

—Christina, CF’s managing editor

P.S. Tell me what your favourite online shops are. Since I’m not duking it out for a parking spot, I’ve got time to spare!