Shopping in or around Yu Yuan Area, Shanghai

In the past I used to go to two buildings (in YuYuan area) that have a lot of small shops selling clothes, stationary, gloves, umbrellas, locks, general household stuff etc. My friend went last week and said the the shops in the buildings have bigger shop space now but the buying activity is much reduced. Does any one know if the small businesses have shifted elsewhere ? Or can you direct me to new places selling such general stuff and that the locals go to ?