Features of shopping in the UK

Some are ready to go to the UK for the usual goods of mass brands, others are attracted by unusual designer clothes: there are many shops in London and other large cities where they sell unique and very original items at affordable prices from young and not yet very famous fashion designers that you will not buy anymore nowhere. At the same time, in expensive boutiques, you can find goods of all major well-known local, European and American brands.

Another advantage of shopping in the UK is that in this country they do not hesitate to sell clothes in normal sizes, designed not for dystrophic models, but for ordinary people.

The main mecca of shopaholics is London. Boutiques of hundreds of companies are concentrated in the capital, giant streets and multi-storey shopping centers offer millions of goods. Such large cities as Manchester, Liverpool, York, Newcastle, Southampton are also famous for their shops. In the provinces, the choice can be much more modest.

In addition to the usual shops in the UK, shops and markets selling vintage clothes, antiques and all kinds of second-hand are very popular.

Large supermarkets are mainly located on the outskirts of cities. Groceries can be purchased at Sainsbury’s, Tesco and Marks&Spencer, and if you love seafood, Iceland is a great choice.

In addition to supermarkets and small “walking distance” shops, groceries are worth buying at the famous street markets that suddenly appear and then quickly disappear in city squares. You can usually find out where and on what day of the week such a bazaar will appear on the official website of each city.

Prices in UK stores are mostly fixed, but in the markets it’s worth trying to bargain a little: English merchants are not always willing to do this, but if the seller has oriental roots, then you might be lucky.

When shopping in the UK for more than 30 pounds in one store, do not forget to issue a tax-free check, then after stamping at customs and crossing the border, you can return (minus all fees) approximately 12 percent.

Bank cards of the main payment systems in the UK are accepted almost everywhere.

Shop opening hours

Ordinary medium stores are open from Monday to Saturday from 09:00-09:30 to 17:30-18:30. On some days or before major holidays, an extended working day is sometimes set – usually until 20:00. Small retail outlets during the day (about one in the afternoon) may be closed for a break. At the same time, in large cities it is possible to find shops that work around the clock.

Large supermarkets are waiting for customers on weekdays and Saturdays from 09:00 to 22:00, they can also work on Sundays from about 10:00-11:00 to 16:00-17:00.

Discounts and sales in the UK

Traditionally, the biggest sales in the UK take place from mid-November to February (the peak occurs in late December-January) and from mid-June to the end of August (the peak is in July). Discounts reach 70 percent, but sometimes things are discounted by 2-3 times. Stores report the exact dates when new price tags appear on goods on their websites.

The most notorious shopaholics, in order to have time to buy the most popular, come to the doors of stores well in advance, taking a thermos and a sleeping bag with them. The rest should not hesitate either, because most of the goods are sold out in the first days, and by the end of the sales, only unnecessary things remain.

But there is no need to be upset if your voyage falls at a different time. In most stores, small sales, which exhibit items from past collections, do not stop all year round.

Outlets in the UK

Be sure to visit the Designer Warehouse Sale website before your trip to find out the dates of the next event. DWS is London’s biggest men’s and women’s clothing sale, running just a few days a month. On these “magic” days, representatives of a couple of hundred fashion brands bring their goods to a giant hangar on the outskirts of the capital. Usually there you can buy things that are relevant for the current season (and not the past, as usual in outlets): outfits from the catwalks, orders not received by customers, samples from showrooms – and all this with 50-80 percent discounts!

There are also “selling villages” in Great Britain. Among the most popular, it is worth remembering Bicester Village, located about an hour’s drive from London in Oxfordshire (belongs to the large Chic Outlet Shopping chain), where boutique “houses” of such companies as Diesel, Hugo Boss, Dior, Fendi, Dolce & Gabbana and others – just over 120 stores.

Throughout the country you can find large outlet centers of the McArthurGlen Designer Outlet network: in Ashford, York, Cheshire, Bringend, Swindon.

Another center of attraction for shoppers is the Dalton Park Outlet Shopping Center between Newcastle and Middlesborough, where mid-range stores like Adidas, Marks & Spencer, Gap, Levis, Nike, Radley and others meet – a total of about 60 outlets of 200 brands with goods sold at discounts of more than 50 percent.

There are also many mono-brand outlets in the British Isles, so before traveling, you should look at the website of your favorite brand and find out their addresses.

5 things to buy in the UK – tea set

I think everyone knows that the UK is a trendsetter in tea fashion. And the British tea party is already legendary. Just remember the fife o clock tea tradition. Rumor has it that at this time the country seems to freeze: government offices are closed, people drop everything and sit down for a traditional tea party. Of course this is a joke, but the British really idolize the drink and everything connected with it.

Therefore, one of the best gifts is a traditional tea set. Or a set, or at least one cup, but you need to buy this thing.

The classic tea service in modern Britain consists of thirty items. The service is porcelain and includes a teapot with a stand, twelve cups with small saucers, a jug for milk, a kettle for boiling water, a vase for sugar, a vase for jam, a plate for lemon, a plate for muffins, a tray for spoons and a tin for storing tea leaves.
Tip: Before buying, be sure to check if the service has the inscription “Made in China”.
Where to buy: Portobello Road London Flea Market.
Portobello Road is the longest pedestrian shopping street in Europe, the main attraction of which is the famous Saturday Antique Market. All other shops are open on other days.

5 things to buy in the UK – wool clothes

Be sure to purchase Scottish wool items in the UK.
Scotland has not changed the technology of wool production since the 18th century. And a set of things that can be purchased in wool clothing stores will actually amaze the seasoned traveler. And also at a moderate price. These are scarves, various blouses, sweaters, plaid, hats, socks, skirts or just a piece of wool fabric.

Where to buy: Edinburgh Woollen Mill in Edinburgh. The store is one of the oldest woolen shops in the city. It has been operating since 1947, without changing its location and assortment.

5 things to buy in the UK – umbrella

Everyone knows that when going outside in London, the main thing is not to forget the umbrella. The weather in this country is very unpredictable: sometimes the sun shines, sometimes it suddenly rains.

Londoners are strange people. They can get wet in the rain, and the umbrella does not open – it looks more fashionable folded.

English umbrellas are famous for their excellent quality. An English-made cane umbrella will be a practical and fashionable gift.

Where to buy: Well, of course, for all kinds of purchases, it is better to go to London on Oxford Street.

5 things to buy in the UK – Scottish kilt

The kilt is the subject of the Scottish national costume. Traditionally, the Scottish kilt is made from dense, high-quality woolen material, which is dyed in different colors. The fabric is called tartan (in the CIS countries it is also called “tartan”), on which a pattern is mainly applied.

But buying a kilt is not the whole story. Be sure to choose a sporran for him – a small bag that is worn in front over a kilt, it is fastened to the belt using a special chain. Therefore, when buying, be sure to check that the chain is in place.

Where to buy: Shops selling kilts in Scotland on every corner and for any wallet – from 10 to 500 pounds.

5 things to buy in the UK – various figurines

Well, of course, how could it be without souvenir figurines from the UK. Here your soul will rejoice. After all, the choice is simply huge.

Reduced copies of Buckingham Palace, the Tower, St. Paul’s Cathedral, Big Ben are sold at every turn. In Scotland, for example, figurines of the Scottish Collie dog and small clay Scottish bagpipes are extremely popular.

Where to buy: in any souvenir shop in the country.