Hefei possesses a commercial network consisting of more than 100 thousand wholesale markets and retail shops. The central commercial area with Changjiang Street and Jinzhai Street as its main parts has already taken shape. Such wholesale markets as Chenghuangmiao Small Commodity Wholesale Market, Zhongcaishi Comprehensive Market, Bashangjie Farm and Sideline Products Wholesale Market and the newly emerged Anhui Big Market, Changjiang Wholesale Market, Oriental Commercial Town, Yaohai Furniture World have strong influence on both inside and outside of the provincial commodity circulation. Hefei Department Store, Gulou, Shangzhidu, Lopson and some other big modern comprehensive department stores have become the backbone of Hefei commercial network.

Hefei is not bad in its shopping variety, and most of the specialties from around Anhui and beyond make their way to the markets, stalls, shops and department stores around town.
The most noteworthy of specialties include feather fans (Yumao shan), pottery (Taoqi), Gujing wine (Gujing gongjiu), Huangshan tea (Huangshan cha), bamboo carving (Zhuhuang diaoke), traditional medicines (Zhongyao) and the four treasures of Chinese calligraphy (Wenfang sibao) - specialist writing paper (Xuan zhi), writing brushes (Xuan maobi), inkstones (She yantai) and ink (Hu mo).

The city is also notable for the variety of its fruits, which still arrive on the markets seasonally. Species include pears, pomegranates, grapes and kiwi, among others.