Crossword Genius

It could represent what one's looking for in area to shop? (4,6)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

city centre

I'm a little stuck... Click here to teach me more about this clue!

'it could represent what one's looking for' is the definition.
I don't know anything about this answer so I can't tell whether this works.

'area to shop?' is the wordplay.
I cannot quite see how this works, but
'area' could be 'centre' (centre is a kind of area) and 'centre' is found within the answer.
The remaining letters 'city' is a valid word which might be clued in a way I don't understand.
This explanation may well be incorrect...

'in' is the link.

Can you help me to learn more?

(Other definitions for city centre that I've seen before include "metropolitan area" , "Focal point of urban area" , "Downtown" , "Bullring, say" .)

I've seen this clue in The Independent.
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