When do sales start in Italy? Winter and summer sales in Italy

Discounts and sales in Milan take place twice a year, and many people know about it, but! In fact, there is a huge amount of misconception and deception surrounding the Milan sales. Today you will find an article that will become your guide to the world of Milanese shopping and will help you make your own purchases and have a lot of fun, while saving a lot.

When are the sales in Milan?

In Milan, as throughout Italy, there are winter and summer sales. Accordingly, the items on the winter sale are predominantly winter, although, of course, there is no clear limitation.

Sales in Milan in winter

Winter sales begin on the first Saturday in January (the date varies from year to year). Official sales last for 60 days, but those who have popular clothing and shoe sizes risk being left without purchases if they come to conquer Milan during the latest wave of sales. Most popular sizes sell out by the end of February! But not all)

Sales in Milan in summer

the summer sale starts on the first Saturday in July and also lasts 60 days.

Saldi - fair sale in Milan

Fashion and shopping attraction for Italy is not only prestige, but also a significant part of the country’s income. Therefore, sales here are approved at the level of the Legislative Branch. There are practically no unscrupulous sellers who refuse to organize sales within the allotted period, but there are those who begin to sell out goods ahead of schedule.

Beware - marketing ploy: There are sellers who take advantage of the illiteracy of tourists when it comes to holding sales in Italy. When the discounts are legally 30% (in the first wave of sales), they paste the store windows with messages like “Sale 70%.” This is done to get you into the store, most of them are in no hurry to reduce prices ahead of schedule, and the inscription explains that prices have been reduced by 70% on a very limited range.

When are the biggest discounts?

The biggest discounts are in the last weeks of sales. But the larger the discount, the greater the risk that you will not find the item in the right color and size. If you are not whimsical and just want to buy original branded items cheaply, then you will definitely find something for yourself. If you like a large assortment, then you shouldn’t take such risks and it’s better to come 3-4 weeks after the start of sales, before everything is sorted out.

For our calculation example, let's average the cost of things up to 200 euros

200 euros is +/- the amount for which most things are sold not in luxury boutiques, but made in Italy from natural ingredients and the latest collections

In the first wave of sales you can buy things for 140 euros, in the second - for 100 euros, and if you are lucky and the item waits for you until the third wave, then for 60 euros.

Payment for purchases in Milan and purchase taxes (VAT)

In addition to cash (euro), most stores also accept bank cards from most payment systems. Information about cashless payments is posted at the entrance (door to the store or window at the entrance) and near the cash register. If you are offered or asked about payment in another currency (not euros), then keep in mind that in this case no one will offer you the exchange rate or even the rate of a nearby bank, the conversion rate in this case will be strongly in favor of the seller!

VAT (value added tax) is included in the price of the product. It can range from 10 to 35% depending on what you purchase.

Minimum purchase price for the possibility of a tax refund - receiving Tax Free ( Tax Free)— 154.95 euros.

We won’t talk about Tax Free in this article, it’s not short anyway))

Milan has the famous fashionable Golden Square of Milan. These are essentially several intersecting streets on which the main “shopping points” are located.

Via Monte Napoleone - top-notch shopping

Via Monte Napoleone stretches from Piazza San Babila to another shopping street in Milan - Via Manzoni. It is included in the Golden Square along with Spiga, Manzoni, and Corso Venezia.

There are the most famous brands and only new collections: Armani, Louis Vuitton, Hermes, Bottega Veneta, Valentino, Salvatore Ferragamo, Cartier and others...

The length of the path is about 700 meters

Monte Napoleone on the map

Via della Spiga - the second side of the Golden Quadrilateral

This is a pedestrian street, some of the most famous stores on which are Tiffany, Dolce&Gabbana, Lanvin, Chloe, Prada.

The most expensive and fashionable area is considered to be the area with the streets via Spiga, via Montenapoleone and via Manzoni. Almost all the shops on these streets sell expensive, fashionable and prestigious brands. Such as Dior, Armani, Brioni and others like that.

Length about 600 meters

Via Della Spiga on the map

Via Manzoni - long, popular and expensive

Brands such as Coccinelle, Armani and many other famous brand stores are represented here.

You may see a lot of offers, but when you start to find out, it turns out that you are paying for air, since flights, accommodation and meals are not included in the tour price... be careful. They can offer you exclusively their knowledge and experience in this matter, that is, shopping accompaniment and an entertainment program (trips to family Italian restaurants, joint trips to outlets, etc.

Benefits of shopping in Milan

In Russia, of course, it is possible to buy Italian things, although it is difficult to be sure that this is not a good Chinese counterfeit! In addition, online boutiques and online outlets can sell you an item “from the new collection,” although its relevance has long passed and for the same price you could afford to buy an original from a real new collection in Milan during the sales period.

That is, in Italy, things from Italian manufacturers are cheaper, despite the exchange rate and contrary to myths, the main thing is to know where and when to buy!

This is very important for the development of the site and the motivation of the author, that is, me)))

Italy serves as Europe's top shopping destination all year round. But only during sales periods you can shop here at the best prices. Traveling to Italy in winter is an excellent opportunity to combine cultural leisure with shopping. Where to go during winter sales and what to buy with discounts in Italian cities?

Winter sales dates in Italy

Sales (here referred to as Sconti) begin in Italy in January. Unlike many countries, there is a law regulating start and end dates. The entire sales period lasts 60 days. Great deals appear in Italian stores on January 5 and 6, and sales end on different dates - you need to follow the schedule every year. So, in Rome they end on February 20, in Milan - by March 5, and in Trieste sales are held until March 31. The amount of discounts varies from 10% to 50%, and for clothes of non-standard sizes - up to 70%.

What and where to buy in winter in Italy

One of the best shopping destinations during the winter sales is Rimini. There is a huge number of stores with goods from mass market brands. It is worth coming to Rimini for fur products (discounts on fur coats reach 40%), shoes from Italian manufacturers, and leather jackets. All this is of high quality, and in January-March - also at affordable prices. At the end of the sales season, discounts reach up to 80%, although the size range becomes more modest. When visiting Rimini for shopping, you need to explore not only the central shopping streets. Tourists buy most of the inexpensive branded items in outlet stores. The leaders in popularity are La Befane and Gros Rimini.

Rome also does not escape the attention of shopping lovers. People come here to buy clothes of different price categories, high-quality bags, evening dresses, and business suits. On ordinary days, the capital of Italy can hardly be called a budget city. But the winter sales period is the best time for shopping. The main places for shopping are Corso, Nazionale and the Plaza de España area. Here you can buy items from the brands Max Mara, Guess, D&G, Armani at a discount. The choice of boutiques varies from affordable to exclusive. The former offer discounts of up to 70%, luxury ones are limited to a maximum discount of 15% or do not reduce prices at all. It is also worth visiting the Valmontone outlet and the Castel Romano shopping center with more than 100 stores of international and Italian brands.

Milan is one of the main European destinations for shopping, especially during sales. People come here not only for clothes and shoes, but also for wedding dresses, jewelry, furniture, dishes and high-quality bed linen. Clothing from famous couturiers in Milan is sold almost without discounts - the demand for it does not fall in any season. But some fashion houses reduce prices by 20%. You will be especially pleased with the discounts on middle-segment and mass-market clothing. By the end of sales they reach 70%. The largest concentration of boutiques is in the Quadrilatero district, formed by several streets. D&G, Hermes, Prada are represented here. You should look for budget stores with quality clothes on Corso Buenos Aires. This street stretches for 2 km and brings together almost 400 shops.

When choosing a city for shopping in Italy during the sales period, it makes sense to take a closer look at a less popular destination. Florence also attracts art connoisseurs more - at the height of the discount season, you can find great deals here and any size of clothing you need. Turin is also rich in shopping streets, and it has some of the largest malls in Italy. High-quality fur products at discounts (hats, fur coats, accessories) are traditionally purchased in Bologna, and in the cities of the Marche region - shoes and leather goods from factories.

Hello, friends! Last time we started talking about shopping and... But, according to knowledgeable people, not in every European city that hosts seasonal sales, you can find something that suits you in terms of quality and price. Therefore, today we will begin to look at the countries and cities where the most tourists go for shopping.

We'll start with shopping in Italy. And this is not at all accidental. This is not only because there are a lot of outlets in Italy. Italy is still the leader in global shopping tourism. The number of shopaholic tourists (including Russian tourists) wishing to purchase haute couture goods or branded clothing in this country has grown significantly in the past year.

In the cities of Italy that are popular among shopping tourists: Milan, Rome, Florence, Venice, Verona, you can not only admire the architecture and beauty of these places, but also return with tightly packed suitcases and sparkling eyes (by the way, an excellent remedy for depression). There are many shops, a large selection of goods. And all this is of excellent quality and affordable.

The winter sales season in Italy opens approximately after the New Year holidays and Christmas (from January 4-5) and lasts until the beginning of March. There are no exact dates for the entire country, and each city has its own sales periods, the beginning of which can be found in the press, television or on the Internet.

During the winter sales period, shopping lovers from all over the world come to Rome and Milan (the main centers of sales in Italy). This creates certain difficulties with housing. Therefore, it is advisable to take care of it in advance.

Successful shopping will also depend on when you get to Italy. The sooner, the more chances you have to buy what you want. After all, the best assortment of goods awaits you in the first weeks of sales.

Rome has plenty of places for shopping lovers to roam: there are an incredible number of shops, boutiques, and outlets. As elsewhere, the most expensive, prestigious and fashionable shops and boutiques are located in the city center. And here you are unlikely to be able to find a good discount on a designer item.

And if you really want to save money, concentrate your searches in stores away from the center and move to the suburbs and outskirts of the city. The rule “the further from the center, the greater the discount” in this case applies unconditionally.

In order not to get lost and confused while shopping, it would not hurt to outline what you would like to buy first and decide on the location of the stores before the trip. In other words, it is advisable to have a shopping route at hand.

Experienced tourists advise not to start shopping from large shopping centers, but to start by browsing through small shops and boutiques, of which there are a lot on the streets of Rome, in particular on the main shopping streets of Rome: Via del Corso, Via Nazionale ), Via Cola di Rienzo, Via Condotti.

The range of goods presented there is varied: a huge selection of women's, children's, men's, youth clothing, shoes, bags and jewelry, both well-known brands and quite affordable brands.

On Via del Corso, which stretches for many kilometers, there is a huge number of shopping centers, small and large shops, designed to suit different wallets.

The peculiarity of these stores is that the prices for goods in them are very different: from high to quite affordable. You can find almost everything here. And among the variety of things there are a large number of inexpensive brands: Le Group, Sandro Ferrone, Sisley, Zara, Guess, Marella, Diesel, Max Mara, Miss Sixty and Benetton.

Large shopping centers in Rome

In Rome it is Gallery Alberto Sordi and department store La Rinascente , which houses boutiques of famous world brands, Italian companies and many shops. Their prices are quite high and are aimed primarily at wealthy buyers.

More reasonable prices in the stores of the UPIM retail chain and in Oviesse. These shopping centers are loved by both locals and tourists for the opportunity to update their wardrobe with quality items for every age and taste and at very affordable prices.

Roman outlets

Popular and famous among tourists Castel Romano Designer Outlet And Fashion District Outlet Valmontone .

Castel Romano

The largest shopping center in Italy, where 113 boutiques present models of famous fashion designers from around the world and Italy (Patrizia Pepe, Adidas, Diesel, Calvin Klein, Dolce & Gabbana, Ermenegildo Zegna, Etro, Guess, Fratelli Rossetti, Levi's, Dockers, La Perla , Nike, O'Neill, Puma, Pal Zileri, Burberry, Reebok, Roberto Cavalli, Valentino, Salvatore Ferragamo).

What is sold in these outlet centers is in no way inferior in quality to similar goods in expensive boutiques, but taking into account significant year-round discounts (from 30 to 70%) and VAT refunds, the prices for things are quite acceptable, and therefore profitable.

The outlet is located 25 km from the center of Rome (special shopping tours are organized here). If shopping is organized independently, you can get there by car or bus, which runs between Via Marsala (near Termini station) and Castel Romano.

A round trip will cost you 12€.

Valmontone Outlet

Another large outlet center, located 40 kilometers from Rome, which houses more than 200 stores with a standard range of goods and also with big discounts.

You can get there for €7 round trip by bus from Termini Station.

In Rome you can also visit the fashion stores of Fendi and Dolce & Gabbana, located on Via Borgognona, Tiffany and Versace on Via Frattina, vintage boutiques on Via del Boschetto and boutiques with very high prices in Piazza di Spagna. But it’s hardly worth counting on discounts or inexpensive items in these stores.

Shopping in Milan

In Milan, considered by many to be the center of fashion, sales also begin in the first week after the New Year and last for more than a month.

The city has many large shopping centers and brand boutiques, but tourists who come for shopping are primarily interested in outlets.

Moreover, it is in Milan (more precisely, about 100 kilometers from Milan) that the best multi-brand outlet in Italy is located - Serravalle Designer Outlet (Serravalle) .

Serravalle Designer Outlet

This center consists of more than 150 stores, which feature products not only of famous brands, but also of their lesser-known counterparts: Guess, DKNY, Versace, Trussardi, Burberry, D&G, Hugo Boss, Nike, Calzedonia, Cacharel, Benetton, Roberto Cavalli, Mandarina Duck, Rifle, Diesel and many others.

Big discounts attract shopping lovers here not only during sales seasons; here you can buy items from designer collections at a good price throughout the year (at least a 30% discount). And during seasonal sales, the chances of purchasing a quality item at very low prices increase significantly.

You can get here by bus or car.

Franciacorta Outlet Village

After Serravalle, Designer Outlet is the second most attractive for tourists (good discounts on items from famous brands) and the largest outlet center in Milan.

You can save even more by purchasing a Village Card, which provides an additional 5-10% discount on merchandise at local stores.

You can get there in about an hour and a half by car, special bus or train. Open daily.

Expensive luxury shopping

The most expensive stores in Milan are located in the high fashion shopping area, where famous fashion houses are located - Louis Vuitton, Chanel, Prada, Trussardi, Hermes, Dolce & Gabbana, Gucci, Versace, Missoni. This place is known as the Golden Quadrilateral (formed by four streets - Via Della Spiga, Via Monzani, Via Montenapoleone and Via Sant’Andrea).

New items from the most prestigious collections of famous designers from all over the world, the most expensive and chic boutiques in Italy await buyers in this area.

An equally expensive pleasure is shopping in Galleria Vittorio Emanuele . This is a unique attraction in Milan in itself, but its main purpose is shopping, albeit in extremely expensive boutiques.

If the purpose of your trip is to spend an insane amount of money, this is the place for you. Those who are limited in their desires and possibilities by a more modest budget can simply wander through the streets of this chic area, as if in a museum, and admire the shop windows that delight lovers of beauty, and the luxurious mansions where millionaires and celebrities live.

Shopping is easier

For those who are looking for new unconventional ideas in the fashion world, original items from emerging designers and good discounts, the area will be of interest Station Ingrosso with many discount and wholesale clothing stores. It is no coincidence that experts in the fashion world call this area in Milan the “Milan Fashion Center”.

Designer discounts

In such stores (on Corso di Porta Ticinese, Corso Buenos Aires, Via Vitruvio) you can find excellent men's and women's clothing, fashionable shoes from famous designers for very little money.

According to tourists, one of the best places for shopping in Milan is Department storeLa Rinascente .

This eleven-story shopping complex, which sells literally everything, is open every day and closes very late on weekdays (by Italian store standards) (at 10 pm).

For those who arrived for a short time and do not have time to visit other stores, La Rinascente can be a real lifesaver.

The majority of shops in Italy are closed on public and national holidays, on Sundays and Monday mornings. Opening hours for large stores may vary.

The peculiarity of shops in Milan: large shopping centers are open every day, until late in the evening and without a break for siesta.

This means that you are in a store where prices for goods have been reduced to the limit (60-80%).

Another sign of such a total sale can be taped up or completely draped store windows and a large number of customers.

Don’t be fooled by signs “ vendite promozionali"("promotional prices") and " sconti"("discounts"). Sometimes such advertisements can be a simple marketing ploy used to attract buyers.

Much more attractive than the sign “ Saldi”, which means that the store is having sales.

The price tag must indicate: the cost of the product before the start of sales, its new value and the exact amount of the discount (this is required by Italian laws). Sometimes prices for goods are indicated without tax, then you will see its real cost when paying for the goods at the checkout.

In some small shops, sellers refuse to accept payment for goods by card. This is illegal: you can pay with cash, credit or debit cards.

Purchase receipts must be kept for 2 months (according to Italian law, defective goods can be exchanged during this period). Also keep your tax-free receipts for refunds.

Happy shopping in Italy. And next time awaits us.

Vacation shopping is a useful and interesting activity. And if you go on vacation to Italy, then in addition to a wonderful time on its sunny beaches and walks through historical places, you are guaranteed an exciting and productive trip to the local shops. Italy is a country of incredible beauty and excellent cuisine. At the same time, being aware of where it is better to make the necessary purchases, you will not regret the time spent visiting local retail outlets. In the central areas of the country's large cities you can buy fashionable items, shoes, etc., produced by the most prestigious brands. In the Italian capital of Rome, fashionable boutiques with high prices are located in the Piazza di Spagna - the Italians call it Piazza di Spagna, as well as on the streets nearby.

If you find yourself in Milan, we advise you to visit its most fashionable streets, such as Via Borgospesso, Andrea, Montenapoleone, Della Spiga and Via Gesu. This small area houses boutiques with exclusive collections belonging to all the leading couturiers in Italy. Milan's Via Montenapoleone has the same worldwide reputation for fashion shopping as London's Oxford Street, Paris's Champs Elysees and New York's Fifth Avenue.

What are Italian retail outlets famous for? During periods of sales and price reductions, you can buy here collectibles, accessories, shoes, and underwear of excellent quality at a cost that is orders of magnitude lower than in Russia. Italian antiques, jewelry, crystal, furniture and home goods are very popular. A separate theme is presented by products of Italian cuisine - just look at olive oil, wine, grappa, Parmesan cheese, Parma ham. The main thing is that any Italian-made product is guaranteed to be of high quality and justifies its cost. In Russia, the same products from Italy cost several times more.

As a rule, all Italian shops start their working day at 08:00 or 09:00, opening until 13:00, after which they continue work from 15:00 and close at 19:00 or 19:30. Regardless of whether it is a grocery store or a fashion boutique, their day off is always Sunday and Monday morning. During this period, especially on the eve of holidays, only large shopping malls can operate. Small commercial stores may close as early as midday on Saturday. In addition, Italians have different opening hours in the summer and winter seasons. From mid-August, a two-week holiday begins in Italy. At this time, all establishments and businesses are closed, including manufacturers’ sales centers, and even more so small shops and stores.

Important information! Take part in the joint Tourist campaign. Ru and Booking.com. You will get 4% back of your hotel booking price on Booking.com. More details at.

In addition to holidays, Italian retail outlets are closed during state and national celebrations, namely:

• January 1 - New Year's celebration
• January 6 - Epiphany
• April 25 - Liberation Day
• May 1 - International Day of Peace and Labor
• June 2 - Republic Day
• August 15 – Ascension of the Blessed Virgin Mary
• November 1 - Feast of All Saints
• December 8 – Immaculate Conception
• December 24, 25 — Christmas
• 1st and 2nd days of Easter

Boutiques in Italy accept any type of payment - cash, credit cards, or debit cards.

Sales in Italy 2019

Italian stores attract foreign guests with regular sales - the so-called Sconti / Saldi. Seasonal discounts start on January 5 and last until March 5, 2019 in winter, and from July 1 to August 30 in summer. The level of discounts changes during this time, starting from 15 percent and reaching 70 percent discounts. As a rule, discounts increase depending on where the boutique is located and how in demand its products are. The fashionable boutiques of the most sought-after fashion designers, which can be found in central urban areas, offer significant price reductions infrequently. Discounted items in these boutiques will be bought more quickly by local regulars, and such stores usually do not advertise their sales. You have a much better chance of purchasing things at a reduced cost at points of sale of less well-known brands. They are located a little further from the main fashion shopping routes. Here the sale will last until the warehouse is empty. Judging by the established sale period, it is valid for two months, but in fact, all the best things will already be sold in the first weeks. You can immediately assess the magnitude of discounts in a particular store by glancing at its window - completely closed or sealed windows mean that the store has a full sale or liquidation of all goods, which means that the discounts will be maximum - about 60 or even 80 -ty percent. The negative point will be the corresponding influx of visitors, naturally huge queues and police security at the entrance.

In Italy, you can bargain with the seller only if he is the owner of a small counter - he will be inspired by your request for a discount (fare sconto). If you visit a shopping complex or a large retail outlet with set prices, you can get a slight reduction in the cost of the goods only if the product you have chosen has a minor defect, for example, a snagged thread or traces of cosmetics. As for the boutiques of popular couturiers, asking for discounts here is, of course, inappropriate.

Periods of seasonal discounts on fashion items in Italian cities are scheduled in advance. Alerts about sales appear in the media. The exact dates change annually.

Types of stores

The good thing about Italy is that here everyone can find a store that they like - be it a small retail counter, or a huge, luxurious shopping center where you can travel for days.

BOUTIQUES IN ITALY

Boutiques - in Italian this word is translated as boutique e negozi - are shopping pavilions where items of clothing, shoes and accessories from fashion collections are sold. These are either branded stores of one prestigious brand, or a multi-brand store where you can find super fashionable items from different famous brands. When talking about Italian shopping, we primarily mean visiting these stores.

OUTLETS IN ITALY

The number of outlets in Italy is truly impressive. Outlet is a shopping complex that sells products of popular brands at discounted prices throughout the year. This word, often used in the modern lexicon, can usually mean a stock, spatch, or an outlet center.

DRAINS IN ITALY

Stock, in particular, is a discount store. In them you can purchase items that were in fashion in previous seasons, but remained unsold. Stocks are characterized by low prices - discounts range from 30 to 80 percent of the original price. Different stocks offer different selections of goods. In one you will find exclusively items from the most popular brands, and in the other there will be only low-cost goods from companies that produce consumer goods. Powerful retail chains often have their own stock stores, where they sell products that were not purchased from them for various reasons, as well as model samples from shop windows and fashion shows. In large stocks you can be given a tax-free check.

SPACCI IN ITALY

Spacci - in Italian it sounds like spacci di fabbrica, is an Italian type of outlet that sells products directly from production. The cost of goods in spatch is slightly more expensive than in stock. The choice that you will be offered in spachas usually consists of:

- collectible items released this year at cost, which differs from the price in a boutique by about 10-30 percent;

- so-called prototype items, that is, clothing that was created in single copies and represents a test sample that has not yet entered factory production. These types of items are sold at half price discounts. The disadvantage of these clothing samples is their miniature sizes - no more than 42 for women and 50 for men, since they were sewn for models;

- items with minor flaws, the price of which is reduced by 30-50 percent;

— unsold goods from previous seasons. Discounted by 30-70 percent;

— on some spaghetti you can also find cuts of material from which fashionable clothing is made.

The usual location of spach is near clothing production or directly in sewing factories. If the factory is small, its employees also serve spaccia visitors, and then the sign “call” (suonare) hangs on the opening hours sign.

Spacci of popular brands offer their customers tax-free checks.

OUTLET CENTERS IN ITALY

The first outlet centers appeared in the USA, offering the population products of famous brands at a reduced price, and quickly gained popularity all over the world. The first Italian outlet opened at the end of 2000. Currently, over 20 such centers operate in the country, and their number increases every year.

Italians value outlets both for the numerous retail outlets that operate within their boundaries, and for the wide range of all kinds of entertainment places where both children and their parents can enjoy spending time. Here you can find cafes or a restaurant, all kinds of attractions for children and even a swimming pool. Thus, it is not surprising that outlets are becoming a place where Italians go not only for shopping, but also for a good family leisure time on a day off. These trading points are located outside the cities; we can say that these are entire small settlements, the streets of which are formed by all kinds of sales points. Since people come here mainly by car, each outlet has a spacious parking lot, for which you do not have to pay.

Russian visitors value Italian shopping no less than the indigenous population, spending substantial amounts of money on Italian purchases every day. This explains the current demand in local outlets for employees who know Russian.

DEPARTMENT STORES AND SHOPPING CENTERS

Grandi magazzini - wide chains of department stores can be found in almost any major Italian town. The most common mega department stores are La Standa, Upim, La Rinascente, Coin. The last two offer the most expensive product. La Standa, on the contrary, is characterized by the most budget prices. Shopping centers are usually also located on the outskirts of the city or near the busiest highways. In the shopping center you can find both grocery products and make purchases for every taste. At your service there are snack bars, fast food restaurants, spas, travel agencies, and much more.

WHOLESALE WAREHOUSES

An additional option to make a purchase while in Italy is to visit its wholesale warehouses. Such warehouses are called grossisti. Purchases from warehouses must be agreed upon in advance by calling or emailing. Wholesale warehouses rarely have specific opening hours. They have their own sales periods that differ from store ones. Summer sales from warehouses start in January and end in July, winter sales last from the last days of July until the New Year holidays.

CRAFTS STORE

Artigiani—craft shops—are very popular in Italy. Small retail outlets are opened directly at the workshops. Here you can buy products made by local craftsmen.

Tax-free

In Italy, the price of goods includes 20% VAT (IVA). Vacationers who come to Italy from countries that are not members of the European Union can return the amount of this tax upon leaving Italy. The refund includes VAT without administrative tax, so 14.5 percent of the price of the purchased product is refunded.

The tax amount is returned when the tourist leaves the European Union. In this case, at the border you need to provide a receipt for your purchase, a Tax-free receipt, which is issued in the store using the buyer’s passport, if the payment for the goods exceeds 154.94 €, and the goods themselves in branded packaging. The customs officer puts an exit stamp on Tax-free, and the visitor presents it at the Tax-free Shopping office. Finding such a bureau is not at all difficult - there are a lot of them in Italy, both at large airports and at train stations and highways. VAT is refunded in an amount not exceeding €3,000.

A store with this name was opened in Florence in the early 30s of the last century, and all these years was considered the most prestigious boutique in Italy. Among his clients were the most famous personalities of the 20th century. Today, anyone with Internet access can visit the Luisaviaroma boutique. This store is among the first in Italy to begin selling new season collections. The boutique guarantees its clients not only impeccable product quality, but also fast delivery all over the world.
You can pay for your purchase using Visa, Mastercard, American Express credit cards, or PayPal bank transfer.

The store first opened in Florence in 1992 and has now grown into a world-class online boutique serving fashion enthusiasts from Italy, the USA, Canada, England, France, Germany, Spain, Russia, China, Japan and Australia.

Other popular online stores in Italy

You can buy discounted products from Prada, Gucci, Armani, Versace, Cavalli, Dior, Balenciaga, Valentino, Fendi, Emilio Pucci, Jimmy Choo, Zanotti, Versace, Richmond, Dolce & Gabbana, Miu, Tod’s, Tom Ford.

You can buy everything: from clothes from prestigious stylists to collections of young designers, from vintage to avant-garde, from exclusive models to end-of-season stock.

Fashionable youth denim clothing from Guess.

Jewelry with Swarovski crystals.

Tourists to Italy are attracted not only by numerous attractions, natural beauty, festivals, etc., but also by the excellent opportunity to replenish their wardrobe with new interesting things. Blogoitaliano has already talked about the features of shopping in Italy in an article, now let’s talk in more detail about sales. During sales seasons in Italy, you can make many very profitable purchases: clothes, shoes and accessories from famous Italian trendsetters are put up for sale at significant discounts.

When are the sales in Italy?

The biggest sales in Italy happen twice a year - in winter and summer. Actually, winter sales are typical for all European countries, but only in Italy can you find such stylish items and such attractive discounts. Winter sales in Italy Traditionally, they begin on the first Saturday of January. In 2013, for example, this day falls on January 5th. Stores cannot start sales before the appointed day - this is fraught with serious fines. Summer sales in Italy start at the beginning of July.

The biggest sales in Italy happen in winter and summer

Sales here last, as a rule, 60 days, but actually end a little earlier - when the goods intended for these purposes run out.

What to buy at sales in Italy

First of all, of course, stylish items from famous Italian designers, as well as their equally high-quality, but cheaper analogues produced by Italian factories. The assortment in stores is huge, so the question is: what to buy at sales in Italy, easy to resolve.

During winter sales you can find excellent demi-season coats, jackets, luxurious hats and scarves. Pay attention to leather goods - shoes, wallets, bags, as well as jewelry and costume jewelry. But you shouldn’t buy fur coats during sales - furs are quite expensive, so they are sold either without discounts or with a very slight difference in price. At summer sales in Italy, people buy summer clothes.

You can find great jackets and coats at winter sales

Many people mistakenly believe that sales are interesting only in the first days: that’s when, supposedly, all the most interesting models and popular sizes are snapped up. This is far from true: stores often divide the range of goods into parts so that they can update it every week.

In the first week of sales, crowds of people gather in stores, queues form, in the crowd and rush it is not always possible to carefully examine and try on clothes, so there is a danger of spending money on an item that will later disappoint. Discounts at the beginning of sales are small - about 30%, and only towards the end of the season they reach a maximum of 70, and sometimes even 80%.

Knowledgeable people prefer to shop at sales about two weeks after the start - there are few tourists at this time, the assortment is still extensive, and the discounts are quite sensitive.

Sales in Milan are considered the most profitable

You should know that the cheapest things can be bought at - a discount is added to the already reduced price, and as a result the price turns out to be more than attractive. But in stores located on popular tourist routes, discounts are minimal.

Where are the best sales in Italy

Usually tourists try to combine shopping with an excursion program and, when going to sales in Rome, you will definitely be able to combine business with pleasure. famous primarily for branded clothing and shoes. The best luxury boutiques are located on Via del Corso, Via Nazionale, Via Condotti and Via Cola di Rienzo, where a free bus runs during sales periods. In addition, in Rome there are enough shops with average prices and outlets, where items from both famous designers and little-known brands are presented.

Having gone to sales in Rimini, you can have a wonderful relaxation at sea and make some very profitable purchases. People usually go to Rimini to buy bags and shoes, since there are many factories producing these products in the city and its surroundings. Also here you will find a huge assortment of goods in the middle price segment: business suits, wedding and evening dresses, swimsuits, clothes of non-standard sizes.

Popular shopping area in Milan - Fashion Square

But the most popular and profitable are considered sales in Milan, which we briefly mentioned in . Milan has everything: clothes from luxury brands and little-known young designers, expensive boutiques and mid-price shops. The cult place of all advanced fashionistas is Galleria Vittorio Emanuele II - there are shops of the most famous brands, famous restaurants, exhibitions and concerts. Another popular area in Milan is the so-called Fashion Square, located between Via Sant’Andrea, Via Montenapoleone, Via Della Spiga and Via Manzoni. More affordable brands can be found on Corso Vittorio Emanuele and Corso Buenos Aires.