London shopping can be a challenge

LONDON You don't have to be Tammy Faye Bakker or Imelda Marcos toenjoy shopping in London. But, like other tourist activitiesaffected by the falling dollar, shopping in Britain does require morebargain hunting. As Robert Milam, of Burberry's Limited in Chicago,says, "Now people don't go shopping to London. They go to London andmaybe go shopping."

Since we speak more or less the same language, shopping iseasier in England than on the continent. Many top London shops are apiece of history in themselves, so you can justify the expedition toany history-buff traveling companions. Rain or shine, shopping isone activity to fit into your London trip, even if you are only abrowser.

There's a staggering abundance of shops in London, in five majorareas. If you're limited to just one day, as I was, you can hit thehigh points in three areas, with a few diversions along the way.

Outfitted with a good pair of walking shoes and umbrella, wewere able to make the grand shopping tour with time out for lunch andeven a short visit to the National Gallery.

Plot your trek on a city map before you set out. Or invest ina shopping guidebook like Born to Shop, London. Here are some mainstores to hit: Selfridges: When you're homesick for Marshall Field's or CarsonPirie Scott, a trip to Selfridges on Oxford Street will lift yourspirits.

If you think it has the look and feel of an American departmentstore, you're right. That's because it was founded by Harry GordonSelfridge, who worked for Marshall Field's in Chicago before foundinghis own store in London in 1909. Covering an entire city block, thiscomplete department store is for one-stop shoppers andLondon-shopping initiates. Debenhams: Visit Debenhams if you start getting depressed by highprices. A real-people store, it has women's and children's clothing,home furnishings and cosmetics, jewelry and ever-necessary umbrellas.

The store's lively spirit also brightens the trip for anyfoot-draggers you might have with you. The in-store disc jockey notonly plays music but also promotes sale items and the store's creditcards. Marks & Spencer: Marks & Spencer blends a quasi-department storewith the atmosphere of Woolworth's. The racks and racks of sweaters,blouses, dresses and jackets go on and on. There's clothing foreveryone in your family and the prospect of bargains if you have theenergy to wade into the racks. Liberty: One of my favorites, this a major expansion of the smallLiberty shop in Chicago's Water Tower Place. With its mock-Tudorbuilding and galleried floors, it seduces shoppers who love silks,leather, exotic presents and the lovely Liberty prints. Those whosew shouldn't miss Liberty's fabric department, which takes up anentire floor. Fortnum & Mason: Fortnum & Mason has come a long way from its startin 1707 as a grocery store. Yet the famous food halls still set itapart from anything American stores have developed, including thefancy deli arrangements in Neiman Marcus.

Here you'll find the finest in caviar, foie gras, teas,chocolates, jellies, coffee and wines - all in elegant surroundings.Schedule your lunch or tea break at the famous Fountain Restaurant. Harrods: Another former grocery store, Harrods has arguably the bestof everything. Although some snobs might not be impressed, don'tavoid a visit here. We stopped by late in the afternoon; otherwise,I might have stayed the entire day.

Are there any bargains in London? Yes - if you hunt for them,take advantage of sales and shop for items made in the British Isles.

And unless you plan to do a lot of shopping, don't expect to geta break on the VAT - Value-Added Tax. This 15 percent retail tax canbe refunded or partially refunded if the goods are taken out of thecountry.

Here are some London-Chicago comparisons at the current exchangerate of about $1.60 to a British pound:

Swatch watch: 24 pounds ($38.40) at Selfridges; $35 at MarshallField's in Chicago.

Bennetton women's cotton sweatshirt: 17.90 pounds ($28.65) atDebenhams; $29 at Bennetton's in Chicago.

Laura Ashley cotton sleeveless dress, made in Ireland: 34.95pounds ($55.90) in London; $100 in Chicago.

Liberty print makeup bag: 9.95 pounds ($15.90) in London; $18in Chicago.

Burberry men's trenchcoat: 325 pounds ($520) in London; $460 inChicago.

Wedgwood's Peter Rabbit children's dining set: 12.95 pounds($20.65) in London; $28 in Chicago.

Fortnum & Mason tea (25 bags): 1.80 pounds ($2.90) in London;$3.75 at Marshall Field's.