In the Middle Ages, Bremen was a member of the Hanseatic trading league and remains a centre of commerce to this day. Its easy accessibility, its variety and its choice are key attractions for the city's 550,000-plus residents and for people living in the surrounding areas. A total of around one million people regularly go shopping in Bremen. Additional demand is being driven by tourism, which is evident from the steadily rising number of overnight stays. The city centre in particular is a magnet for visitors from Germany and abroad – it is steeped in charm and boasts attractions such as the Bremen Town Musicians from the Brothers Grimm Fairytale, and the town hall and Roland statue on the market square, which together form a UNESCO World Heritage site.
As you would expect for a city of Bremen's size, the shops are not just found in the centre. Other parts of the city, such as the Viertel, or 'quarter', offer numerous opportunities for strolling around and shopping. There are also shopping centres and retail parks of all sizes, meaning Bremen has everything you could want of a shopping destination.