Shopping in Europe can be a delightful experience, especially if you choose the right time of year. During the off-season, it’s much easier to access the shops, while the high summer season often brings long lines and crowds, so having a few tips can make your trip more enjoyable.
Paris is a classic shopping destination, renowned for its luxury brands and fashion houses. However, the lines can be lengthy, and the crowds overwhelming. Despite these challenges, I enjoy shopping there and have built relationships with several sales associates (SAs) who help me reserve or source the items I need. If I’m in Europe, they can even arrange to ship items to me. When shopping in Europe, it’s wise to stay in touch with any SAs you meet, as they can assist you with booking appointments and bypassing the lines.
While Paris is fantastic, other European cities offer equally great shopping experiences. Milan is my personal favorite, as it features both French and Italian brands, with many flagship stores located there. The city offers a mix of high-end and mainstream shopping options; for example, my kids love visiting H&M and Zara, while the Adidas store is impressively large and well-stocked. I’ve shopped at Milan’s fashion houses for years and established relationships with several SAs who elevate the shopping experience. If you don’t have an SA, try requesting an appointment online to avoid waiting in line. Additionally, download WhatsApp, as many SAs will communicate with you via the app before your appointment, and may even reserve items from your wish list. One of my favorite places is the Gucci store in Milan. It is massive and my SA there always gets us a private room to relax, shop, and try on items.
Booking appointments is crucial for saving time. I like to schedule shopping sessions to visit multiple boutiques in a short period, allocating about an hour per shop—more if there are several items to check out. I typically schedule five to six appointments in one day with a lunch break in between. Some designer boutiques, like Dior and Dolce & Gabbana, even have on-site cafés where you can dine. On a recent trip, I visited the Dolce & Gabbana café, and the food, service, and ambiance were exceptional. There’s also a lovely Illy café and restaurant located conveniently amid the shopping district. Also, if you are shopping for any jewelry, the stores will often offer you a non-branded bag to hide that you are walking around with a piece of jewelry. Below is a picture of the beautiful Dolce & Gabbana Martini Café.
When shopping, carry a light cross-body bag and wear clothing that’s easy to take on and off. Most importantly, remember to bring your passport, as you’ll need it to obtain tax refund forms. When making a purchase, request a tax refund form at checkout so they can generate it for you. If you’ll be visiting multiple shops, keep all tax refund forms together until your last stop in Europe. You’ll need to present the forms and the purchased goods at a customs office, located at airports or train stations, to get them stamped. To make this easier, pack all the items in one piece of luggage. After getting the stamps, you’ll take the forms to the corresponding tax refund processor, such as Global Blue, to receive your refund. You can choose to get the refund as a credit card deposit, which I find easier to track.
Here’s a useful tip: I recommend doing most of your shopping in the final city you’ll visit, for two reasons. First, you won’t have to carry your purchases throughout your trip. Second, the refund process is quicker. In Milan, for instance, Global Blue and other tax processors have offices within the shopping district, allowing you to pre-authorize the refund before departure, significantly speeding up the process.
Tax refunds in Europe range from 10-13%, and prices already include tax, unlike in the U.S. Additionally, the cost of items is generally 20-30% lower than in the U.S.when you factor in the tax refund, making European shopping a great value. You can also check if your tax refund processor offers online services; Global Blue, for example, allows you to track your purchases and refunds through their website.
By following these tips, you can make your European shopping experience smoother and more enjoyable while maximizing your savings.