Parksville shopping features a wide variety of retail stores, galleries, boutiques, restaurants, grocery stores, and professional centres. The Qualicum Beach shopping experience shuns franchise operations and big box stores in favour of one-of-a-kind boutiques. Wander the pedestrian-friendly streets in the lovely downtown core exploring unique shops, bookstores, antique shops, restaurants, outdoor cafés, galleries and Quality Foods' flagship store with a spectacular cheese and deli selection. This quaint garden lovers village also has its share of professional centres to take care of most business needs.

The rest of the Parksville Qualicum Beach area is also home to eclectic, original and downright fascinating emporiums. A clutch of them are located side-by-side in Coombs. Heaps of locally farmed produce sit row-upon-row in colourful seasonal splendour. Tibetan antiques and southeast Asian crafts add an air of the exotic.