Jinan

For daily supplies, food, clothing, and stuff like that try one of the following. There is little in the way of western food eg cheese but you may be pleasantly surprised.

Wal-Mart Supercenter

Unimart

Caters for the culturally deprived expat who wants his cornflakes.

Markets

There are markets in several locations, but you're likely only to find plastic tubs, brooms, hair products, bed sheets, clothing, etc., that's pretty much the same as what you find in the shops or just on the street at about the same prices. Make sure to bring your bargaining skills, especially being a foreigner.

Technology Market

The stretch of road on Shanda South Rd between Jiefang Rd and Shanda Rd houses several big stores catering for all your technological needs. You will even find people sitting on the side of the road selling second hand motherboards and hard drives! For some products you might get a good deal compared to your home country, for others prices are pretty much the same. Make sure to compare several dealers and then haggle to get the best price.

Glasses

Many glasses outlets in the market. It caters for both wholesale and retail customers. Very good place to get a pair or two of prescription glasses, sunglasses and contact lenses. Much much cheaper than the big stores in the city.

clothes

For clothes make your way over to Shanshi East Road 山师东路 shānshī dōng lù. There you will find a handful of adjoining buildings each full with tiny stores, and tiny aisles between them. It might be hard to find something here to satisfy a western taste, but at least you pay Chinese prices.

For much more upmarket shopping experience head over to a newly developed area called Joiwalk 泉乐坊 quán lè fāng, sitting on Xian West Lane 县西巷 xiàn xī xiàng, just off Quancheng Road. Spread over three levels with streaming water and elevated walkways, this open air shopping complex provides a great afternoon strolling opportunity. Note that prices are what you would pay in Europe, so don't come here looking for a bargain. But window shoppers might be happy to know there is also some delicious food to be had, Italian ice cream, chocolate cake, a Chinese renowned tattooist Does not speak English and even a reasonably priced Japanese restaurant.