The capital's retail sector is entering a new stage of development, with the number of malls to reach its peak by 2008, said Dennis Luk, director of the retail department under Beijing Colliers International.

It's good news for the city's stylish lads and lasses, with several new centers opened just in time to stock summer's hot new looks. Here's a rundown on some of the unique characteristics being seen as the retail big guns fight for your Mao.

SOHO Shangdu

This new complex is heaven for young girls in search of the latest fashions. Located in the northwest corner of Chaoyang District, SOHO gets an avant-garde facade, combining irregular and upside-down triangles designed by acclaimed Australian Federation Square architect, Peter Davidson. It boasts an astounding scale of one 5-storey, 37,000 square meter vertical shopping street, one 8-storey business building and one 24-storey office tower.

The biggest feature here is the variety of small shops, covering everything from jewelry and delicate handicrafts, to beauty salons and chic clothes imported from Japan and South Korea. Though most are not famous brands, all goods look quite trendy with comparatively low prices, aiming at the fashionable young under 30 years old.

There are more than 400 small shops and boutiques in the building, though at time of press just one-third of these were open for trading at the brand-new center. To celebrate the opening, shops have slashed prices by half.

Of those stores up and running, there are quite a few specializing in artworks that are worth visiting. As-wishes on the third floor features pottery in natural rough and simple styles. To keep the natural touch of the products, the pottery is fired by wood instead of gas or coal.

On the second floor there are two shops focusing on handmade accessories and artworks ?Tiantangyan features Nepalese and Tibetan jewelry, cushions, delicate handmade clothes and scarves with strong exotic flavor, while Shicaotang provides handmade leather products, from ordered shoes to toys.

The complex also houses two open-air atriums, ideal for holding fashion shows and small concerts. Another highlight, the five sunken gardens, turns the shopping trip into a light-hearted experience.

Food here is OK. You can taste snacks from all around China, such as the authentic Yunnan Rice Vermicelli and Shanxi Cut Noodle.

Location: 8 Dongdaqiao Lu, Chaoyang District

Wangjing Jiamao Shopping Center

This mall is more like an entertainment center, boasting a gym and beauty clubs, various restaurants, and small indoor amusement parks for children. Most brands there aim at middle and high-end customers, for instance, CK, Touch and Fox. The entire fourth floor provides complete ranges of products for kids and pregnant mothers, which has proved popular with families.

Food is given a big presence here, with more than 50 restaurants featuring different tastes. As Wangjing attracts many of Beijing's Koreans, there is a special Korean cuisine zone on the second floor.

Concern for the shopper touches every corner of the mall. There is a tea room on each floor providing free drinks for customers; in most toilets there are special places for mothers to change baby's diaper.

One disadvantage is that the mall only has parking for 500 cars, creating headaches on weekends.

Location: Guangshun Beidajie, Wangjing, Chaoyang District.

Landao Jinuu Department Store

It is the only large-scale shopping center on the North 5th Ring Road in Beijing. Focusing on high-end clothes, the 15,000-square-meter mall gathers more than 300 brands, such as Adidas, Nike and L'oreal.

Location: 1 Anningzhuang Donglu, Xisanqi, Haidian District