Everyone is looking forward to summer – warm weather, vacation, seaside holidays, and some go not only to relax, but also to shop at summer sales, where discounts reach up to 80%. We’ll tell you about the best cities for summer shopping in Europe, where you can relax and save on already low prices.
Spain, from July 1 to August 31
In all major cities of Spain, discounts begin on July 1, except Madrid, where they start on June 21 and last until the end of August. Everyone has sales – boutiques, outlets, small shops of independent designers. Discounts start from 20-40%, and by the end of July they grow to 70%.
Madrid – in the capital, discounts start earlier than everyone else, and there are many inexpensive brands that become even more accessible during this period (Zara, Bershka, Mango, Desigual),
You will find them in El Corte Ingles department stores. Luxury boutiques are located in the Salamanca area, local designer stores are located on Malasana, Hortaleza and Fuencarral streets.
Barcelona – shopping here is simple and convenient. Most stores of all price categories – from malls to small shops – are located along the 5 kilometers of the Barcelona Shopping Line. Buses run along it from 7.30 to 21.30 at intervals of 10 minutes; a day ticket costs 10 euros. The main outlet, La Rochelle Village, is located half an hour from the city. In the areas of L’Eixample and El Born there are designer shops and original jewelry stores. We recommend going shopping in Barcelona in July because August is a holiday month and many shops are closed.
Germany – from the beginning of July to the end of August
In Germany, discounts start in the first half of July and last until mid-August – early September, there are no official dates. In addition, many stores begin selling items with a 20-40% discount at the end of June, a week before the sales start, and a maximum of 50-70% discounts are reached in August.
Berlin— the city has little luxury and high fashion, but there are many boutiques of independent designers from Northern Europe and Scandinavia. The most popular shopping area is Kurfurstendamm, where there are luxury boutiques and more affordable brands. You will find fashionable German designers on Schonhauser Allee. The large shopping centers Potsdamer Platz, Arkaden and Alexa are located on Alexanderplatz. Independent designers are represented on Friedrichstrasse.
Dusseldorf – the city is considered a fashionable shopping center. High fashion boutiques (Chanel, Prada, Kenzo) and famous brands are located on the streets of Schadowstrasse and Koningsalle, and the most prestigious shopping center Ko Galerie is located here. Mass market (H&M, Mango, Zara) is also concentrated on Schadowstrasse.
Italy, July 7 – end of August
There is no single sales schedule, discounts start on the first Monday or first Saturday in July and last about 60 days. Discounts often start at 50%, so the most interesting things are sold out in the first weeks.
Milanis the capital of high fashion and the best city for shopping branded items at affordable prices. You will find all the high fashion boutiques (Armani, Dolce & Gabbana, Guess, Gucci, Prada, Versace) in the “fashion square”, which is formed by the streets Via Montenapoleone, Corso Venezia, Via della Spiga and Via Manzoni. More affordable brands are sold in the huge Milanese outlets Fidenza, Vicolungo and Serravalle, as well as in the Max Mara outlet.
France, June 28 – August 8
In France, sales last exactly 6 weeks, they are regulated by the state. Discounts start at 30%, after two weeks there is a secondary markdown, after another two weeks prices are reduced for the third and last time – so discounts reach a maximum of 70-80%.
Paris— there is everything here, from luxury boutiques to tiny shops of young designers, as well as a huge selection of high-quality cosmetics and perfumes. High fashion boutiques (Chanel, Dior, Cartier, Lagerfeld) have long since left the Champs Elysees for Avenue Montaigne and Rue du Faubourg Saint-Honoré. The most popular places to shop for fashion brands are the Gallery Lafayette department stores and the Quatre Saisons shopping center, which brings together 600 boutiques and fashion brand stores. You will find a mass market at affordable prices on Rue de Rivoli. The two largest outlets, La Vallée Village and Quai des Marques, are located near Paris and are easily accessible on the RER metro line, which connects the suburbs with the center. To avoid getting confused by the abundance of shops, pick up the Paris Shopping guide booklet at the Office de tourisme information point.
Finland – from June 20-25 until early August
The state does not regulate the start of discounts; most often they begin in the second half of June and end in early August.
Helsinki – there are shops for every taste and budget, and also great products for the home. Stores of affordable brands are located in the Stockmann and Itakeskus shopping centers (this is the largest mall in Northern Europe). In addition to the well-known Zara, Mango, Esprit and H&M, there are interesting local brands: Seppala, Luhta, Reima, Marimekko. Fashion brands and branded boutiques await customers on Pohjoisesplanadi street.
