Shopping in London

London is a rather profitable place for shopotourists, especially if you delve into the intricacies of its trade policy.

The subtleties of shopping in the capital of England

England is the refuge of fashionistas, like France and Italy, and trade still supports life in the city. In addition, the love between shopaholics and sellers here is mutual, albeit expensive: for your money they will provide the highest service! For example, there is no problem with the return of an unsuitable product: no one will ask about the reasons if checks and tags would be intact. You can exchange the goods or just return all the money.

Sales consultants in the UK are ideal: they do not impose their services, as it is for some reason rooted in the Russian service, but they will render them at the first call . In the fitting room, you can take any amount of clothing. The only exception is underwear - it is not accepted to measure it in England.

Interesting! An interesting service will be provided in some shoe stores: at the entrance a ticket with a number is handed. If it coincides with the number displayed on the scoreboard, the buyer receives service in a special category: they will carry him box by box until there is a suitable pair, and they will let him go to the checkout out of turn. Try to leave without a purchase!

Where is it better to buy in London?

The peculiarity of London is not individual boutiques, but grandiose department stores - luxury and budget. They have the entire line of necessary goods.

Important! You can find out how much in London ahead of time thanks to the pages of online stores. This will help you plan your budget!

Most of the outlets are in the west of the capital of England, but in order to save money, it is better to visit other areas: they also have department stores of famous chains (House of Fraser or John Lewis), but prices will be lower.

Markets or shopping centers?

Rather, both markets and shopping centers - experienced tourists have long learned this! The London market has nothing to do with the usual “bazaar” in Russia: cleanliness and attention to the buyer are guaranteed. The counters abound with both natural gifts and vintage rarities.

Interesting! A hike in the markets of London is a real journey into the past: medieval trading traditions are still alive!

Londoners also like to walk along the market rows. Where else can you find everything you need for culinary delights and healthy eating? On market stalls they sell different goodies .

Shopping areas

It's easy to go shopping if they are located on the beautiful streets of the city! And this is about London with its famous West End: here is the famous Piccadilly, where the heroine of Laima Vaikule walked, taking a quick step, and Oxford Street ... And the shopping places are also here.

Oxford Street leads in the number of places required to visit shop-tourists: the most expensive and middle-class department stores are located here with maximum density .

If it’s too cheap for you here, turn into Bond Street: you cannot find higher prices (and higher quality!). In addition to pan-European brands and English couturier products, there is also the famous Sotheby's auction house, and jewelry stores.

And here is the famous Carnaby Street, famous for cinema and music of the turbulent twentieth century - swinging London came off here. Time somewhat smoothed the enchantment of this place, but the free spirit of a beautiful life is still felt: boutiques and cafes, restaurants and salons. Modern and vintage items, sporting goods and stylish outfits - and at very affordable prices!

Regent Street is full of originality - both in window dressing and in assortment: in addition to clothes, it’s good to buy toys (in the Hamleys store) and fabrics. There is also something edible at more favorable prices than on neighboring streets.

There are almost no business people in the Knightsbridge area (offices are a rarity), but there are plenty of people who like to spend money on a grand scale - the prices are too high : take a walk to Harrod's and Harvey Nichols at least for a tour! Buying here is considered very prestigious.

Do not miss Covent Garden - its connections with trade are deeply historical: in the Middle Ages, monks traded here, and the market they founded was not a century old. Now here is just a cluster of outlets of a wide variety of goods.

The underground culture of the last century is alive on Kings Rod: the punk-fashion store V. Westwood is alive, thriving and waiting. You can return to the middle of the twentieth century by visiting Levi's and Johnsons King's - here are America's stunning vintage collections. However, elegant evening dresses also found a place on this street - in Ben de Lisi's.

And finally Piccadilly! It may not be as good for shopping as Oxford Street, but its history is much richer, and it is a recognized center of urban culture ! Tea and sweets for tea, sets and perfumes, books and decorations - all this can be found on the famous street.

Reference! The name of the street dates back to the XVII century: here R. Baker traded in “picadiles”. So called special collars with "toothy" edges.

How and where to look for sales and sell cheap?

After waiting for the traditional sale seasons ( mid-summer and Christmas time ), you can safely go to any shopping center: discounts will please you, reaching three quarters of the original price!

There are other possibilities - the company's birthday, liquidation of the collection, change of leadership . Such promotions can be searched on the Internet, without hoping for spontaneous luck.

All About Tax Refunds

Foreign tourists are not required to pay VAT ( exception - children's clothing, books, groceries )! It is easy to return up to 15% of the spent on purchases:

  • we select stores with a Tax Free sign for shopping;
  • fill out a special form at the checkout;
  • save the check (it is valid up to three months from the date of purchase);
  • we stamp the customs, presenting the check with the purchases in undamaged packaging;
  • Arriving in Russia, we go to the return point (the list is on the Global Refund and Tax-Free-Shopping sites).

Important! This system will work if two years before purchasing the goods you did not spend more than 365 calendar days in England and the EU left before the check expired.