Shopping in Italy. A Guide to the Best Italian Shops
Italy is widely regarded as the birthplace of the modern fashion industry. People from all over the world flock to the area for the purpose of indulging in the longest shopping spree ever. Unfortunately, very few know where to hunt for the best bargains and deals. Most people head straight to the central part of the city they are currently in and waste all their money on goods that cost more than they can possibly afford. Even if they accidentally stumble across shops that offer goods at moderate prices, they usually leave them without making a single purchase, since the range of products in such places is rather limited. If you don’t want to fall victim to the greediness of the local sellers, here are some tips that will help you to avoid unnecessary loss of time and money.
Budget Clothing Brands
No one knows the local market better than the locals. According to the citizens of Milan, a city that abounds with shops and boutiques, the best bargains and discounts are offered by budget retail chains such as Zara and H&M. Their outlets can be found in the streets of Via Torino, Corso Buenos Aires and Corso Vittorio Emanuele. A wide range of products and moderate prices make them a perfect place for a long shopping spree.
D&G, Gucci, Prada
Those who adore famous brands such as D&G, Gucci and Prada, will definitely appreciate boutiques located within the Fashion Square (Quadrilatero della Moda/Quadrilatero d’Oro) formed by the streets of Via Montenapoleone, Via della Spiga, Via Manzoni and Corso Venezia. One had better check his or her bank account before indulging in a shopping spree there, since prices are high, and not every person can afford buying clothes and accessories offered in these shops.
Shopping Malls
Some travelers prefer shopping malls to boutiques and budget retail outlets. The most popular Milan shopping malls are located on the outskirts of the city. The locals prefer to shop for clothes and accessories in “Milanofiore” in Assago, “Fiordaliso” in Rozzano and “Galleria Borromea” in Peschiera Borromeo.
Outlets
Veteran shopaholics usually head straight to the outlets, abound in Milan and surrounding regions. What does a typical outlet area look like? It’s a vast territory occupied with outlet stores of both luxury and budget retail chains. Here you may indulge in a several-days shopping spree with no discomfort whatsoever. There are hotels and inns to spend nights in and hundreds of eateries to satisfy your hunger and thirst. The most popular outlet areas are Fidenza Village, Serravalle, Cremona Factory, Franciacorta Outlet Village and Fifty Factory Store. The discounts there sometimes reach 70-80%.
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