the shop you can access when you are in your own territory. the button next to Equip I think it is (bottom left corner)
If I could just help you understand.
Right now when you press shop the items you see represent two things.
A. The lvl of tech you are at (ex, when you research horses you can buy horses from the shop for your champs)
B. The improvements you have in your cities (I don't know of an item that get's unlocked by that.. so sry
)