It is amazing how familiar stores in the US are so different here. Kmart is probably the best example. I only go into Kmart if I am looking for something specific. The Kmart of 6th Ave is run down and even the employees don't seem to care about the state of it. Here Kmart is one of the major stores. Every shopping center and most malls all have a Kmart, as an anchor store no less. Also good though is that they still have Kmart prices which is nice when I have seen beach towels go for 60.00 it is nice to pick one up for five. Prices here are sort of crazy. I have not seen diet coke for less than 3.50 for twenty oz. It is 3.20 for a large drink at McDonalds with no refills available. The sandwiches ranged in price from around 6.00 to 11.00. However McDonalds does have a cafe inside to order the coffee of your choice. McDonald's is also the place to go for ice cream. A vanilla cone is 0.30. So you shop at Kmart for all non food related items, the major grocery store is Coles, and when it gets warm you get ice cream from McDonalds. It is very helpful to know the best places to shop. :). And if possible cook in your hostels kitchen with groceries from Coles.