Before I started for London to attend the spring festival this year, my friends guided me and also warned me about shopping in London. Some told me about the classic stuff that I could buy from there which would last for years and is difficult to find in India and some told me that I should refrain from shopping there as everything was too expensive , not to forget that we spend in pounds there. I thank all my friends for their valuable guidance which I followed up to a great extent. Being a 'woman' it is difficult to refrain from shopping but I followed the path of 'smart shopping' and bought gifts for others as well as myself. Just want to share the experience of smart shopping in London with my readers and friends. These basic ideas can be applied while shopping in other countries as well.
1. Take guidance from local people, residents of that place, do not hesitate to tell them your approximate budget or you can get wrong guidance.
2. Ask for the hypermarkets there like Asda walmart, Tesco and Primemark being quite popular in London,( eg carrefour in Dubai) . There markets are very good for buying gift items, souvenirs at times your basic clothing items also as the quality is good and you get different stuff. If you want to buy some fad items or things which are in fashion there you can pick from these places as they are not expensive and you can try new looks.
3.Keep a calculator with you so that if and when needed you can convert the currency and check the amount according to your currency without troubling the sales person again and again.
4. Always see the price tags to avoid embarrassing situations at the payment counters ( eg a 250 pound article will cost approximately 22,500 rupees)
5. Buy winter wear from countries which often have a cold climate ( the temperature in London in this month was 6- 7 degrees celcius which for Indians is quite cold but for them it is summers ) so I got a chance to buy winter basics like thermals , leg warmers, warm socks, jackets etc at a 50% discounted rate.
6. Oxford street is very famous for shopping in London. If you want to buy any basic garment pieces which would last for many many years you can buy from here. Selfridges , Harrods being the most famous places there. Such basic items are expensive but they last really long so you can invest in them.
7. Dont get carried away by the displays and dont hesitate to ask for discounts schemes. If you want you can invest in something which you will cherish forever.
8. Many countries have this provision of 'Vat return'. If you are a tourist whatever vat you have payed while shopping will be returned to you at the airport before you leave the country. So from whichever shop you make purchases ask for the vat slip. This is also applicable at some of the restaurants and fine dining places abroad.
9. You can also visit vintage shops and charity shops ( charity shops are run by charity organizations where they sell donated items and what ever money they earn goes for charity purpose). Also you can visit the local street markets for fun shopping.
So be a smart shopper and dont deprive your friends and yourself of gifts and dont forget those yummy chocholates which you can buy from duty free at the airports.
1. Take guidance from local people, residents of that place, do not hesitate to tell them your approximate budget or you can get wrong guidance.
2. Ask for the hypermarkets there like Asda walmart, Tesco and Primemark being quite popular in London,( eg carrefour in Dubai) . There markets are very good for buying gift items, souvenirs at times your basic clothing items also as the quality is good and you get different stuff. If you want to buy some fad items or things which are in fashion there you can pick from these places as they are not expensive and you can try new looks.
3.Keep a calculator with you so that if and when needed you can convert the currency and check the amount according to your currency without troubling the sales person again and again.
4. Always see the price tags to avoid embarrassing situations at the payment counters ( eg a 250 pound article will cost approximately 22,500 rupees)
5. Buy winter wear from countries which often have a cold climate ( the temperature in London in this month was 6- 7 degrees celcius which for Indians is quite cold but for them it is summers ) so I got a chance to buy winter basics like thermals , leg warmers, warm socks, jackets etc at a 50% discounted rate.
6. Oxford street is very famous for shopping in London. If you want to buy any basic garment pieces which would last for many many years you can buy from here. Selfridges , Harrods being the most famous places there. Such basic items are expensive but they last really long so you can invest in them.
7. Dont get carried away by the displays and dont hesitate to ask for discounts schemes. If you want you can invest in something which you will cherish forever.
8. Many countries have this provision of 'Vat return'. If you are a tourist whatever vat you have payed while shopping will be returned to you at the airport before you leave the country. So from whichever shop you make purchases ask for the vat slip. This is also applicable at some of the restaurants and fine dining places abroad.
Picture of a charity shop in London
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So be a smart shopper and dont deprive your friends and yourself of gifts and dont forget those yummy chocholates which you can buy from duty free at the airports.
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