Shopping in Leuven, Belgium, is a very underrated adventure to have when in this European city. Many excellent boutiques and name-brand retailers have outposts here. Though you won't find much in the way of deals, you will find unique items and gifts that you won't see anywhere in the United States. There are many nice clothing retailers in Leuven. The store Etam has finely crafted lingerie and underwear that is so detailed, you'll be tempted to buy everything in the store. The embroidery and edging is fabulous, and it is not priced too expensively, so you can bring some home with you without breaking the bank.
H&M, the discount designer-knockoff outlet, has a store in downtown Leuven. You can find anything here that you've seen walking down the runway in previous seasons. Stella McCartney and Karl Lagerfeld have both designed low-priced lines for this chain.
Zara is an excellent European clothing chain with mid-priced clothes that also has a store in downtown Leuven. I bought an excellent purple velvet blazer here on my last visit, and I didn't see anything like it stateside for the next 3 years!
Belgium would not be Belgium without the beer and chocolate, and many retailers and shops have these items as their main products. Godiva has a store here that has the best chocolate I've ever tasted (for some reason, Belgium Godiva chocolate tastes different from other Godiva locations). I bought many cute Stella Artois-themed gifts you can't find anywhere else at the beer's gift store outpost. These souvenirs made excellent gifts for both beer and chocolate lovers back home.
Downtown Leuven is also home to one of my favorite variety stores, Blokker. Here you can find many interesting things to decorate your home or as unusual gifts for friends back home. I purchased some very well-designed candlestick holders here that I have not seen anywhere else. Blokker has tons of knickknacks that are great for giving your home a bit of European flare.
The stores in Leuven only stay open till 6pm on weekdays and Saturdays. Do not plan your trip for a Sunday, when everything is closed; otherwise, you'll miss out on the fun.