Best time to go shopping in Milan

Milan is considered not only the football capital of Italy and the opera capital of Europe, but also the city-trendsetter of world fashion. Many travelers do not go there to get acquainted with local attractions, but solely for the purpose of visiting popular Italian shops. Shopping in Milan has become so popular that many travel companies have started organizing special shopping tours to the city.

What they buy in Milan shops

The main direction of shopping in Milan remains the purchase of clothes, shoes, accessories, cosmetics and bijouterie. Here you can buy clothes from the latest collections of fashion houses Armani, Gucci, Ferre, Versace, Hugo Boss, Prada and others. In Italy, the range of branded products is many times wider than in the territory of the Russian Federation (RF).

In addition, when buying clothes and shoes from Italian designers in boutiques in Russia, you have to overpay at least 30% of their cost. And shopping in the fashion capital of the world is a good way to save money. It is also worth considering another important point: when shopping in boutiques in Milan, you can be sure that all things are original.

What you can bring from Milan: first of all, you need to pay attention to wedding dresses and suits, leather products (gloves, bags, belts), classic men's and women's shoes, scarves (chiffon, woolen, silk), natural and artificial fur coats.

By the way, Italian fur products from the Fendi fashion house are recognized as the best. Despite the fact that their production is concentrated in Rome, in the territory of Milan there are several branded stores of this designer. The minimum price for a natural branded fur coat is about 15 thousand euros. Faux fur products are relatively inexpensive - from 2 thousand euros.

Many people buy designer furniture in Milan. There are many shops in the city where you can buy unique models of armchairs, sofas, wardrobes, tables and other interior items.

Every year in early April, a large number of connoisseurs of exquisite designer furniture come here to visit a furniture exhibition. You can find out more about it on the Internet. To do this, go to the official website of the organizer - Salone Internazionale Del Mobile.

The Milan store of Apple branded technology is also popular. It is one of the largest branded retail outlets in all of Italy. Many Russians prefer to buy the products of the "Yabloko" corporation here, since in Russia they are much more expensive, and the assortment in Russian stores is not so wide.

All travelers, without exception, bring home food from Milan:

• wine (Franciacorta, Valtellina and others);
• cheeses (grana padano, gorgonzola, mozzarella, pecorino, parmesan);
• sausage (the local sausage with pistachios - "Mortadella", which is often called "Bologna", is especially popular);
• dried pork ham (prosciutto);
• dry-cured beef (bresaola);
• anchovies;
• capers (unblown flower buds used in cooking);
• olive oil and olives;
• pasta;
• honey;
• balsamic vinegar;
• pesto sauce;
• truffles;
• coffee;
• chocolate.

Every traveler who went to Italy for shopping is interested in what kind of souvenir to bring from Milan to each of his relatives and friends. As a gift, you can choose postcards, figurines, dishes, loose soap, high-quality reproductions of famous paintings and even antiques - it all depends on financial capabilities.

Where can you shop

Before you go shopping abroad, you need to draw up an approximate route, marking the outlets you need to visit on it. Therefore, further we will talk about where in Milan you can buy the required things.

In brand boutiques

A great place to start a shopping tour in Milan for admirers of expensive and exclusive things is the Golden Square. The sides of this trendy quadrangle are Via Della Spiga, Via Sant Andrea, Via Monzani, Via Montenapoleone. It is here that most of the famous boutiques are located: Gucci, Prada, Louis Vuitton, Chanel and so on. The prices are very high: for gloves alone, you will have to pay about 1 thousand euros.

• The focus of luxury boutiques is almost the entire Via Montenapoleone.
• Cheaper boutiques and shops are located on Via Torino. Admirers of sports style and casual can find things here (brands Gas, Diesel, Miss Sixty and others). It is noteworthy that along with the outlets selling products from young Italian and foreign designers, there are second-hand shops where those who do not want to spend a lot of money on outfits can dress up.
• There are about 300 shops and boutiques of inexpensive brands on the 1.5-kilometer Corso Buenos Aires avenue. In particular, here you can find things from brands such as Mandarina Duck, Benetton, Luisa Spagnoli, Timberland, Max & Co.
• The best shopping outlets are believed to be in the vicinity of the Lima metro station. This shopping area is one of the busiest and most crowded in all of continental Europe.
• Those who are not going to spend a lot of money, but are planning to buy fashionable things, should visit the shops and boutiques of the Brera area. It is located not far from the Duomo Cathedral. The rent for retail premises here is democratic, therefore the prices for goods are low. Most of the shops here are boutiques of beginners and so far little-known designers. There are many antique shops. The third Saturday of each month is the time of the antique fair, which is worth visiting for true connoisseurs of antiques.
• The segment of "affordable luxury" includes such brand stores as Furla (Piazza del Duomo), Maje (Via Alessandro Manzoni), Primark (Via Giuseppe Eugenio Luraghi), COS (Corso Venezia).

In shopping centers

According to local and foreign buyers, Milan shopping centers located within the city are popular:

1. La Rinascente. It is located near the Duomo in an 11-storey building. Serves customers around the clock. One of the largest shopping centers in the world. It is believed that the products of the most expensive brands are collected here.
2. 10 Corso Como. It is considered an outlet, but due to the high prices for the products presented in it, the institution is often referred to the category of Milan shopping centers. It is famous for its numerous galleries, restaurants, hanging gardens, and a hotel. Located within the city on Corso Como street. There are items from brands Prada, Levi's, Piero Gilardi, Lanwin, Fiorucci, Louboutin and others.
3. Upim. Located in Piazza San Babila. One of the most economical shopping centers. Works 24/7. Prices are not high here, sales are held very often. Products of expensive brands are rare in Upim, but a high-quality winter down jacket or an autumn leather jacket can be purchased for only 150-200 euros.
4. Galleria Vittorio Emanuele II. One of the oldest shopping centers in all of Italy. Located next to the Duomo Cathedral. It is a city in a city with famous boutiques, bars, restaurants, 7-star Town House Seven Stars Galleria hotel.

These are the largest shopping centers in Milan, which not a single visitor of the city will be able to pass by.

Outlets

The best option for those who are looking for where to buy clothes of famous brands inexpensively in Milan is to visit local outlets. It is there that the remains of past collections are collected. And the prices in them are two to three times lower than in boutiques.

All Milanese outlets fall into two categories: stock stores, which receive unsold items from boutiques, and spatchi, which cooperate directly with factories. Outlets are mainly located in the vicinity of Milan.

Some of the most famous establishments include:

1. Serravalle Design Outlet. Located 108 km from Milan.To get to it, you can use the bus transport, which departs 3-4 times a day from various central stops in the city. This is the largest local outlet, consisting of 180 stores, so it is worth taking a card at the entrance so as not to get lost during shopping.
2. Franciacorta Outlet Village. Located 80 km from the city. There are about 100 stores. The renowned Milan discount centers operating within it offer things 70% cheaper than in boutiques, even without taking into account seasonal discounts. You can get there by the Shopping Expres shuttle, which leaves daily at 11.30 for the outlet and at 18.00 - back.
3. Fidenza Outlet Village. Located 60 km from Milan. There are about 100 stores operating within it. The easiest way to get to this outlet is by train, which leaves from the city's central station. Here you can find inexpensive items of as yet little-known Italian brands (Fidenza, Blumarine and Braccialini, Coccinelle and others).
4. FoxTown Factory Store. It is located on the territory of Switzerland, but it takes only 60 km to get to it from Milan. The shops of the mall sell things of 250 elite brands at manufacturer's prices. Largo Cairoli shuttles run daily to FoxTown Factory Store.

One of the new outlets is Scalo Milano Outlet & More. Its "plus" is its location in close proximity to the city. But not all shops are open yet. The shopping complex is still developing.

Among city outlets, D-Magazine is popular with tourists. It is located on Via Manzoni, 44. Despite a small 2-storey building, a modest entrance and a single showcase, the store pleases its visitors with a large stock of branded clothing from past collections.

In the markets

Those who are interested in budget shopping in Milan are encouraged to visit the city markets. Among the most popular are:

1. Fiera degli Oh bei Oh bei. This market is pre-Christmas. Starts working in the last days of the first week of December. Its location is St. Ambrose Square. Sellers are willing to bargain here, since the market's time is limited, and the product needs to be sold. Here you can find antiques, clothes and shoes, handmade souvenirs and gifts, New Year's toys, flowers, food.
2. Mercato del Sabbato. Located in Piazza San Agostino. Open on Tuesdays and Saturdays. On Tuesday, only food is sold, and on Saturday a clothing market opens in Milan. Here you can buy copies of expensive brands (Armani, Prada, Louis Vuitton and others). Their prices are minimal.
3. Fiera Senigallia. Located at: Piazza 24 Maggio. Opens every Saturday. Always crowded with people. Here you can find a variety of things - from clothes and shoes to vintage collectible items.

Those who consider themselves to be book lovers should visit the book market located in the square of Armando Diaz. It works on the second Sunday of every month, except summer.

Opening hours of Milan stores

The owners of local outlets have the right to independently decide on what schedule they will work. Most of the shops in Milan are open from 09.00 to 19.00 or from 10.00 to 20.00. In the summer, many establishments close at 13.00 for a siesta, then open at 16.00 and continue to serve customers until 22.00-23.00.

The day off at most outlets is Sunday. Employees of some establishments have a rest on the first or second half of Monday. Without days off and siesta breaks, only boutiques of the "Golden Square" and large shopping centers operate.

In the two weeks before Christmas, all shops will be active. In order not to miss out on customers, they do not close at lunchtime and work seven days a week.

The staff of retail outlets have the opportunity to compensate for this time in August, when all of Italy freezes for two weeks and celebrates Ferragosto (Assumption of the Virgin). Most shops close for the entire 14 days, while some operate on shorter working hours.

Sale season

There are two types of sales in Milan - Liquidazioni and Saldi. The former are organized when the store closes and the existing goods need to be liquidated. At the same time, minimum prices are set for the entire range.

The latter are seasonal sales. They are held twice a year - in summer and winter. They mainly apply to branded clothing, footwear, and accessories.

When asked when the sales (Saldi) of summer collections begin in Milan, it should be pointed out that they last from early July to early September. Initial discounts on things range from 20 to 30%, and at the end of the season they reach 80%.

Stores divide the entire range of products into several parts and update the goods on display windows once a week. It is believed that the best period for shopping is in the middle of Saldi. At this time, there is still a good selection of things, but the price for them has already dropped by almost half, so you can buy them quite cheaply.

Winter sales in Milan run from Christmas and New Years (approximate start date - January 5-7) until early March. They are carried out according to the same scheme as the summer ones.

Those who wish to travel to Milan for shopping during the sales season should note that discounts do not apply to some of the goods (for example, jewelry and furs). Expensive branded boutiques do not participate in sales. They can announce discounts on individual items from the latest collection, but no more than 15-20% of their initial cost.

Some stores offer discounts exclusively for regular customers. After a new collection arrives at the boutique, the unsold remains of the previous one are handed over to the outlets.

Milan exhibitions

Guests of Milan have the opportunity to attend demonstrations of fresh collections, which are held throughout the year. The city exhibition center Fiera Milano is popular, where manufacturers present their products to the attention of the world community.

Here you can see men's and women's shoes and clothing, jewelry, furs, fabrics, art objects, children's products, toys and much more. Those who want to know the schedule of exhibitions are advised to visit the center's website.

How to organize your trip

Everyone who wants to go shopping in Milan has a choice between preparing the trip on their own and contacting a travel agency. Many companies offer shopping tours to their clients, taking the organizational moments upon themselves.

Tourists from Russia need to apply for a Schengen C visa to Italy before traveling. For this purpose, you need to prepare a package of documents, consisting of:

• completed application form;
• original foreign passport (which must be valid for at least 3 more months from the date of return from the Schengen area);
• copies of the main spread of the foreign passport with a photograph and personal data of the applicant;
• 2 photos 35 × 45 mm;
• old foreign passports with visas for the previous 2 years;
• passports of a citizen of the Russian Federation;
• transport tickets in both directions;
• hotel reservation;
• medical insurance;
• financial guarantees (bank statements).

Those travelers who are going to go to Milan for shopping on their own in their own car must provide originals and copies of a driver's license, vehicle technical passport and international insurance.

What is a tax-free and how to issue it

Tourists from countries outside the European Union can shop tax-free in Italy. This means that they will not be charged value added tax (VAT). In Italy, in most cases, it is equal to 22%, only for fur and jewelry - 35%.

If the purchase is made in a store with a Euro Tax Free sign, you can issue a return check:

1. You need to purchase a product for at least 154.94 euros.
2. At the checkout, present your passport and fill out an application in two copies: one is given to the buyer, and the second is sent to the Tax Free Trade Organization.
3. VAT will be deducted from the total cost of the product.

But this option applies only to some categories of goods: elite perfumery and clothing, fur and jewelry.

To make your trip more productive, you should try to visit the city during the summer or winter sales period. Do not worry that you will have to face a language barrier in Italy: those who speak English will have no problems communicating with the store staff.

Payment for purchases is carried out in euros. At the box office you can pay both in cash and by credit cards. Some stores even accept foreign currency, but at an inflated rate.

During sales, it is best to shop at retail outlets that are far from tourist routes. There, the assortment is wider, and the prices are much lower.

To compare prices for Russian goods in Russia and Italy, you can visit any Russian store in Milan. The following Russian retail outlets operate in this city: Kalinka (Via Boscovish street), La dacia (Via A. Moro street), Mix Markt (Via Giorgio Chavez street).

Outcome

Shopping in Milan's stores during the sales season is a great way to replenish your wardrobe with trendy new items at affordable prices. Sales take place twice a year: from early January to early March and from early July to early September. It is at this time that it is worth visiting the city for those wishing to buy branded items at a good discount.

Boutiques, shopping centers, outlets, spatch - all these are places where foreign buyers with different financial capabilities are concentrated. Most shops are open from 09.00-10.00 to 19.00-20.00, with only one day off - Sunday.

An important benefit of shopping in Milan for non-EU citizens is the ability to get VAT refunds. Its size in Italy today is 22%, and for fur and jewelry - 35% of the value of the goods.