Shoppers hit the jackpot in retail-rich Las Vegas

The Forum Shops at Caesars pairs first-rate shopping with flashy entertainment

From CNN Travel Now

LAS VEGAS, Nevada (CNN) -- Behind the stunning facades of its gigantic resorts, gambling still reigns supreme in Las Vegas.

But because you've got to have something on which to spend those winnings, shopping has become an important part of the resorts' efforts to lure visitors.

Inside The Venetian, a replica of St. Mark's Square -- complete with gondolas -- emphasizes shopping. Specialty shops sell authentic goods you might buy on a trip to the Italian city.

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At Ripa de Monti, visitors will see something else for which Venice is famous -- Venetian glass, masks and collectibles.

"The reaction we had from the people has been fantastic. Many reminisce about their trips to Venice in their honeymoon 20 years ago," said Stefano Ripamonti.

Las Vegas has also seen a surge in upscale shopping, an effort to attract sophisticated travelers.

The Venetian resort's replica of St. Mark's Square houses shops that specialize in goods from Italy

At the glamorous Bellagio resort, dozens of chic boutiques welcome guests, including Armani, Hermes, Prada and prestigious jeweler Fred Leighton.

One woman who won $1 million from a slot machine went to the jeweler and bought a 15-carat yellow diamond, said Carissa Badami of Fred Leighton.

"It can happen and it does happen," she said.

No commercial complex has hit the big time like The Forum Shops at Caesars. Opened in 1992, The Forum Shops revolutionized Las Vegas shopping with top stores and eye-catching entertainment.

The Bellagio features a variety of chic boutiques, including jeweler Fred Leighton's shop

Today it's one of the most successful shopping centers in the United States, with sales that are four times the national average.

You'll find many well-known stores, including Gucci, Versace, Guess and Abercrombie & Fitch, plus a few local ones, such as El Portal Luggage.

"We do things very flamboyant," said Jim Borsack of El Portal. "In Las Vegas, you can get away with a little bit flashier materials.

"People come here and they would spend $400 on a piece of luggage or a handbag from us. That's maybe a little bit an issue back, you know, in Iowa. But in Las Vegas it never seems to be a problem."

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The Venetian Resort
Caesars Palace
Bellagio Las Vegas
El Portal Luggage

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