On sale to Italy

2024 Author: James Gerald | [email protected]. Last modified: 2023-12-17 14:00

Shopping in Italy is not a delightful dream, but a delightful reality that can conquer and warm the heart of any woman. Almost all tour operators have special offers for women of fashion who want to profitably update their wardrobe. The main thing is to think over the route and travel time in advance, so that later you will not rush around like a squirrel in a wheel, but enjoy shopping.

Time

As you know, the time of the largest and most profitable sales is the middle of winter and summer. In Italy, as in other European countries, seasonal sales occur in the second half of January and July. Discounts during this period increase like a snowball, while the range decreases proportionally. So, in the first "sale" days, discounts are only 30%, but almost the entire model and size range is available. A week later, the consumer excitement subsides somewhat, and discounts begin to gradually increase, after another week they reach 50%. It was during this period that experienced shopaholics are advised to visit Italian sales. At the end of the sales season, discounts reach 70%, and in outlets and all 90%. But you will have to choose from the rest of the collections.

Finally, don't forget about holidays: for example, on December 25, Catholic Christmas, and January 1 and 6, all shops will be closed. Find out in advance the opening hours of the outlet: in the middle of the week, more often on Monday, in outlets there is a day off or the beginning of work may be shifted to the afternoon. Often during sales, shops are open seven days a week, but state and Catholic holidays are sacred !!!

Brand shops

Most often, you can find mono-brand stores on the main street or square of any Italian city. In such stores, sales are more common than twice a year, and usually begin a few days earlier. So, the winter sale can start even at the end of December. But alas, this can only apply to special offers for regular customers. Often in such boutiques there is a Russian-speaking staff who will be willing to help, advise and select the right thing. It is important to note the excellent "flair" of the staff, their ability not only to choose the right thing, but also accessories to it: in the end you will get not just a new thing, but a complete image, which is undoubtedly a huge plus.

Outlets

Outlets are huge multi-brand malls. The largest and most famous of them are similar to small villages, where each brand has its own shop house.

These "villages" are located not far from major cities, you can get there by public transport or car. In addition to shops, such "villages" have restaurants, cafes, playgrounds.

Outlets sell discounted items all year round. During the sales season, there is also an additional discount for the presented goods, which can be 50-70% almost from the first days. The assortment depends on the location of the outlet, its size and the declared level of brands.

Large shopping centers in large cities are called "rinocento" and they also have many popular brands. However, because of their "city registration" prices in them are higher than in suburban outlets.

Mercato Markets

Do you want, as they say, cheap and cheerful? Then we are with you in the mercato area! “Mercato” is the word used in Italian for organized markets. They can be located in specially designated areas in the city or be mobile.

The working days of such markets are determined by the city administration. Anything is on sale there: the products of local peasant farms, manufactured goods, clothing, bed linen, in general, everything! The prices here may be just ridiculous, but you will have to come to terms with the fact that a fake will be hiding under a loud brand, and also refuse the opportunity to try on a vending little thing, since there are no fitting booths on the Merkato. It makes sense to buy only the simplest things here: T-shirts, T-shirts, shorts, home textiles. They will cost 5, maximum 10 euros, while the quality of such things is usually good.

Factory shoes

It is most profitable to buy shoes in factories stores. There are items from both new and last year's collections. At the same time, new collections can be purchased with a discount of up to 30%, and old ones - even up to 70%. In addition to footwear, you can buy other leather goods at factories - bags, wallets, belts and other leather goods. You can come to such a shop during production for shopping regardless of the time of sales. But keep in mind that these shops are open for siesta breaks: from noon to 3 pm, their doors will be closed. The most famous shoe factories are located near Rimini: Baldinini, Pollini, Sergio Rossi.

By the way, the lucky owners of the sizes that are used for samples can buy shoes at the factory with a huge discount of up to 80%. These sizes include the 37th for women and 41st for men.

Best for children

Separately, it should be said about the purchase of children's clothes in Italy. For this, there are special children's outlets here, of course, there are not many of them, but there are some! They are presented mainly brands of the middle price level. The cost of things of this class will be 20-40 euros.

In addition, there are many local brands of very good quality in Italy. You can buy them in small branded shops in the city center. Discounts on baby items are announced on standard "adult" sales dates. Luxury kidswear such as Dior or Gicci can be found in boutiques.

Tax Free

Many have probably heard about Tax Free, tax refund on goods exported from the country, but few had the time and patience to understand the intricacies of the procedure for receiving money through this system. In fact, everything is not so complicated and confusing as it might seem at first glance.

So, filling out the Tax Free form is the right to get back the amount of VAT included in the price of the goods. Depending on the total number of purchased goods, it is possible, with appropriate registration at the border, to return from 10% to 13% of their value.

For Italy, if you want to use this service, the minimum amount you need to purchase a product in one store is 150 euros. When making a purchase, you must ask the seller to issue a special Tax Free Form (TFC). It should contain the entire list of goods, the price for each of them and the amount of tax fees, and your cashier's receipt is attached to it. Returning from a trip, you need to find a counter with the inscription "Tax Free" at the airport, provide the employees of the service with an international passport, a travel document (air ticket or boarding pass), a TFC form and things with all the tags. After receiving the appropriate stamps, you can receive money in cash or by crediting to your bank card. Most importantly, remember: if you plan to check in items purchased with Tax Free registration as luggage, then this procedure must be done before check-in for the flight.

Rating of the most famous outlets in Italy

1. Serravalle

One of the most popular and largest outlets located between Milan and Turin. There are about 160 stores of the most famous brands, for example, luxury Trussardi and Roberto Cavalli and more democratic Sisley or Geox.

Train Milan - Genoa to Arquata Scrivia station

By car - Autobahn A7 Milan - Genoa, exit at Serravalle Scrivia.

2. Barberino

Located 35 km from Florence and 60 km from Bologna. More than 100 stores of famous brands. The outlet looks like a small Renaissance town.

There are two shuttle buses from Florence daily to the outlet from the Fortezza da Basso and S. Maria Novella Station stops.

By car - Autobahn A1 "Florence - Bologna" to the Barberino di Mugello exit.

3. The Mall

Located near Rome. Outlet of predominantly exclusive and designer brands, no mass-market brands. Here you can find brands such as Salvatore Ferragamo, Fendi, Loro Piana, Sergio Rossi and many others.

By car from Rome - Autobahn A1 towards Florence, turn onto Inciza-Reggello, then take the road on the right towards Pontassieva until Leccio.

A minibus taxi from Florence picks up those who wish directly from the hotel, a place for it can be booked by phone (+39) 055 8657775