Sunny Europe is an ideal place for summer holidays. Between swimming in the sea and walking around the city, you’ll probably want to buy something cute or update your wardrobe. Today we are sharing lifehacks and tips on how to enjoy European shopping and save money at the same time.
Life hacks for better shopping
- Buy during sales seasons
In Europe, the sales seasons are July-August and December-January. At this time, prices even for premium brands are reduced by 30-50%. Sales are successfully combined with the summer and winter holidays. On vacation, it’s especially nice to pamper yourself and your loved ones with new clothes. Experienced shopaholics know how to buy fashion brands at a profit and with big discounts throughout the year – more on that below.
- Choose in advance
Make a shopping list with which you will go shopping. This will save you a lot of time. Figure out what things you definitely need and look for them on brand websites. In Russia, prices for premium brands are usually higher than in Europe. There is a high probability of finding the same products with deep discounts – it is best to go to boutique towns for them.
- Head to the boutique villages of The Bicester Village Shopping Collection
Boutique towns with outlet prices are perhaps the best option for shopping in Europe. Their main advantage is that all brands are located on the same territory and are sold with discounts of up to 60% of the recommended retail price all year round. You can spend the whole day in the town with your family, shopping, walking and relaxing. Both world-famous fashion brands and local small brands are represented here. Shopping towns are located in the most popular cities in Europe: Paris, Milan, Frankfurt, Barcelona, Madrid, Brussels, London, Dublin. It would be more correct to say that they are located near these cities, since more than 100-160 boutiques can be comfortably located just outside the city (within 30 minutes to an hour by car). A shuttle service runs to all towns from the city center to the boutique town and back, so we advise you to familiarize yourself with the schedule and routes in advance. To make shopping truly convenient and not take away your energy, the towns have restaurants, free parking, children’s playgrounds and recreation areas. There are regular shuttles to each complex that will take you to the town and pick you back up.
We’ll tell you about the best shopping towns below.
France
Paris has always been a special shopping destination. Paris’s Rue de Rivoli is the city’s largest shopping street, with hundreds of shops of all sizes. And rue Cambon, 31 has long become a legend that the whole world knows about – Coco Chanel herself opened a store here a hundred years ago and marked the beginning of a new age of fashion. The largest and most famous shopping town in France, La Vallee Village, is located in Paris, not far from Disneyland. From the center of Paris you can reach it in 30 minutes. It’s better to set aside a whole day for the trip – there are more than 120 boutiques in La Vallee Village, and you want to linger in each one. After shopping, you can refresh yourself in local cafes and restaurants with excellent cuisine and French wine. As in the other shopping towns in this article, in La Vallee Village children can play on the playgrounds, and adults can use the services of a personal stylist and enjoy the “shopping light” service – your purchases are brought by the concierge at the end of your shopping. At La Vallee Village, tax free for purchases can be refunded right on the spot.
Germany
Germany is not the most obvious shopping destination. But this is an ideal country for traveling by car. Rent a car and go on an adventure along the ideal German Autobahn. For example, from Cologne to Frankfurt and then to Nuremberg. On the way, be sure to stop by Wertheim Village – it is an hour’s drive from Frankfurt. So that you do not waste time shopping in different parts of the city, Wertheim Village has collected more than 110 boutiques of the most famous brands on its territory. Another travel option is to fly to Munich, rent a car and head north, visiting small towns along the way. One of them is Ingolstadt, where the boutique town Ingolstadt Village is located. You can visit the boutiques in 2-3 hours and update your wardrobe at very reasonable prices. Moreover, tax free in Germany is issued for purchases from 25 euros.
Spain
Madrid and Barcelona are two sunny and vibrant cities that are ideal for summer travel. You don’t have to worry about your vacation wardrobe. Not far from Madrid is Las Rozas Village, popular not only among tourists, but also among residents of Madrid itself. Here you can buy clothes, shoes and accessories with discounts for the summer and for the whole year ahead. And if you are vacationing in Barcelona, then on the way to the hot beaches of the Costa Brava, stop by La Roca Village. The complex is designed as a mini-copy of a classic Catalan town – 160 boutiques of traditional architecture, greenery, flowers and trees along the streets create a cozy atmosphere of the south. What you need for pleasant and long-awaited shopping. Here you can also return tax free directly at the outlet.
Italy
Someone comes to Italy specifically for shopping (and rightly so),
some combine shopping with sightseeing. Milan is one of the most famous shopping destinations in Italy, and rightly so: the city has boutiques from all the famous fashion houses. The title of the fashion capital of the world is confirmed by constant shows and the opening of new boutiques. To ensure that your wardrobe update doesn’t blow your budget, go shopping from the central streets of Milan to Fidenza Village. Famous brands, big discounts, beautiful boulevards between boutiques and delicious Italian cuisine – this is what an ideal shopping day in Italy looks like. In addition to luxury brands, there are many others, no less wonderful and fashionable.
Belgium
The capital of Belgium, Brussels, is a city of amazing beauty with beautiful architecture, gardens and parks. Europe is famous for its short distances. In a couple of hours from Brussels you can get to Antwerp, Bruges or neighboring Holland. The Maasmechelen Village outlet is located almost on the border with the Netherlands. You can also get here from Cologne or Düsseldorf. In addition to clothes and shoes, you can buy cosmetics, famous Belgian chocolate and household goods at discounts. A diamond boutique recently opened in Maasmechelen Village. Proven gemstones are sold here at significant discounts. The boutique town is located near the National Park. Take comfortable shoes with you so that after shopping you can take a walk in nature.
The benefits of shopping in Europe
- Tax free
Every foreigner in Europe has the right to return part of the cost of the goods, which constitutes EU tax. In the shopping towns of Barcelona and Paris, tax free can be returned on the spot. Tax free in other complexes can be arranged at the airport or in the city. By the way, in the German Ingolstadt Village and Wertheim Village tax free is provided for any purchases over 25 euros!
- Unique collections
Many collections of premium brands are not even sold in Russia. All possible limited editions should be looked for in Europe. Here they appear in boutiques literally the next day after fashion shows.
- Combination with travel
Complement your adventures with fun shopping. This way you will not only save money, but also bring home impressions of your trip along with every item. All of Europe’s shopping towns are located in the most popular locations, so you no longer have to choose between shopping and exploring a new area. Set aside one day for shopping in Paris, Milan, Bologna, Barcelona, Brussels or Madrid – this way you will save money and effort.
- Low prices
Outlets in Russia are not known for their low prices. In Europe everything is different. In outlet towns, prices for premium brands can be half lower than prices for the same items on the first lines in big cities.
- Excellent service
In any store in Europe, just above the standard mass market level, every customer receives maximum attention. Traditional European hospitality is combined with a sincere desire to help you choose the perfect outfit, shoes or accessory. Shopping with a smile is the most valuable thing!
