ummjake - I think quite a few of the things you mentioned are available here, just not in the quantities you'd get back home. There are several craft shops and party shops that in my opinion adequately supply scrapbooking and birthday party supplies, and between the supermarkets and pet shops there's plenty of pet treats and toys. And there are so many shoe shops here that every taste is catered for - from plain jane to fancy dan!

The thing that annoys me more is when they do have something you like, and you buy it week in week out, then suddenly it disappears, never to return again!