The Arndale Centre was evacuated earlier after reports of smoke being discovered in a shop.
Firefighters were called to the city centre shopping mall at 4.46pm.
A spokesman for the fire service said the smoke had been created as a result of lighting systems losing power.
No injuries were reported.
A fire service spokesman said: "At 4.46pm this afternoon, one fire engine from Manchester Central responded to reports of smoke in a shop in the Arndale Centre, after some lighting systems lost power.
"The centre has been evacuated for the safety of the public, but no injures have been reported."
A shopper said they decided to leave the Arndale after hearing the centre's PA system delivering a message to staff.
The Arndale was also partially evacuated 10 days ago, after a member of staff discovered suspicious white powder in an envelope.
The powder was later found to be harmless.
