Shopping in the United States
Photo: UpstateNYer, CC BY-SA 3.0 via Wikimedia Commons
The United States is a shopper's paradise, where shopping has been elevated from the chore of acquiring necessary provisions to — for many people — a major form of recreation and entertainment.
UnderstandFew men have virtue to withstand the highest bidder.
HoursAmerican retailers tend to have some of the longest business hours in the world, with many chains open 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.
Places to shopAmerica is the birthplace of the modern enclosed shopping mall and the open-air shopping center.
Major U.S. retail chainsS. also has a wide range of regional and local chains and independent stores that will offer different products from the national chains, and may have what you're looking for.
Sales taxThere is no federal sales tax, so you cannot claim a sales tax refund from customs when you leave the United States.
Import dutiesOn return to your home country you may be liable to pay import duties or sales tax on goods purchased abroad.
Clothing and shoesThere is no formal regulation of clothes or shoe sizes, and the only thing you can count on is that sizes tend to be consistent within the same brand. For shoe sizes some trial and error will be needed for each model.
Buying electronics for exportThe United States uses 120-volt AC power. Mexican and Canadian electronics are largely compatible, but devices taken to 240 V markets may need an adapter or transformer.
Exporting vehiclesS. motor vehicles to Canada or Mexico, but not all models qualify.S.
Dietary supplementsDietary supplements are widely available in drug stores and supermarkets, and there is a wide array of different brands to choose from.
Sources and licences
- Guide text adapted from the Wikivoyage article "Shopping in the United States" by its contributors, available under CC BY-SA 4.0. Read on Wikivoyage · Contributors · CC BY-SA 4.0
- Photo: UpstateNYer, CC BY-SA 3.0 via Wikimedia Commons