Shopping
Practical advice from Wikivoyage on safety, health, money, transport, food and more.
Art and antiques shopping
There is no universal definition for which manufactured items are antiques. Some tax agencies define goods older than 100 years as antiques.
Bargaining
Bargaining, also called haggling, is common in many countries, such as most of Asia, Latin America and North Africa. In other places, it may generally be used only for large items with no fixed price, such as buying a house or a used car.
Bead shopping
Beading is a centuries-old pastime, recreation, profession, religion or obsession. Beads and beaded objects have served as amulets, as trophies, as money and as adornment.
Carpets
Woven carpets are traditionally crafted in North Africa and many parts of Asia, mainly along the Silk Road. They are sometimes called Oriental carpets, and are often associated with Islamic cultures, partly due to their tradition of producing prayer rugs.
Christmas markets
A Christmas market is a street market associated with the celebration of Christmas during the four weeks of Advent. These markets originated in Germany, but are now held in many other countries.
Diamond rings in Antwerp
So you've read all the stories about Antwerp being the diamond capital of the world and are wondering whether it really is cheaper to buy a diamond ring straight from the source rather than pay for all the intermediaries for it to get to your local jewellers at home. While your reasoning is correct, diamond shops in Antwerp are aware of this, and there are many tourist trap shops where you will probably end up paying more than you would have at home!
Duty free shopping
Duty free shopping is the opportunity to buy goods exempted from taxes and excises at certain locations. Travellers bound for countries with heavy taxation can sometimes save a considerable amount of money, especially on products such as alcoholic beverages and tobacco.
Expat taxation in Europe
Relocating to another European country may offer significant quality of life and financial benefits, but understanding the local tax system is one of the most consequential decisions you will face. The difference between tax jurisdictions can amount to tens of thousands of euros per year, particularly for entrepreneurs, remote workers, and investors.
Gemstones
It is quite common for travellers to buy gems or finished jewellery during a trip. Often price and selection are better in places where stones are mined, cut or set than elsewhere.
Legacy retailers
While shopping malls and online retail have been expanding, some old retailers have a reputation which make them a destination in their own right. This article includes department stores and shopping arcades with a legacy beyond the usual.
Mexican artesanias
Whether you are a connoisseur of art, a cultured traveller, or just someone who wants a really cool, meaningful souvenir of your trip to Mexico, this guide can help you understand what kinds of local folk art (known as artesanía) are commonly sold in Mexico. It will give you some background as to how they're made and will provide some tips as to what distinguishes the high-end gallery-quality pieces from the mass market schlock.
Numismatics
Numismatics is the hobby of collecting coins, banknotes, medals, tokens, and related items, and it is one of the world's most common hobbies. Currency from another country or region is a readily accessible souvenir that can be shared with others upon your return from travel, or a potentially interesting gift from your home country for those you visit abroad.
Purchasing a kimono
This kimono buying guide is aimed at the average traveller in Japan looking to purchase a kimono as a gift, a souvenir, or as something to wear occasionally. It is aimed mainly at budget travellers looking to purchase a kimono and accessories for the first time.
Shopping in Australia
Shopping has always been part of Australian culture for quite sometime. From the basic needs, to some people's hobbies, shopping in Australia provides one of the many opportunities to buy something back home.
Shopping in China
As China's emergent middle class finds itself with increasing amounts of disposable income, shopping has become a national pastime. A wide range of goods are available to suit any budget.
Shopping in Hong Kong
Fierce competition, no sales tax and many wealthy consumers all add up to make Hong Kong an excellent destination for shopping. Choices are plentiful at competitive prices.
Shopping in Japan
Japan is known for its upscale department stores (デパート depāto), the nicest of which feature beautiful interior architectural ornamentation and still employ uniformed women to operate the elevators while informing customers where to find items. There are two kinds of department stores in Japan; the high-end stores, such as Isetan and Takashimaya, originated from traditional kimono shops and have the best clientele, while the mid-range stores were started by railway companies after the World War II for commuters to the city center.
Shopping in Singapore
Shopping is second only to eating as a national pastime, which means that Singapore has an abundance of shopping malls, and low taxes and tariffs on imports coupled with huge volume mean that prices are usually very competitive. While you won't find any bazaars with dirt-cheap local handicrafts (in fact, virtually everything sold in Singapore is made elsewhere), goods are generally of reasonably good quality and shopkeepers are generally quite honest due to strong consumer protection laws.
Shopping in the Philippines
Shopping is part of a Filipino's life, even things they don't need but are on sale and discount they'll buy it. The reason why the country wasn't affected much by financial crisis of the early 21st century is because of the circulation of money.
Shopping in the United States
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.
Textiles
Textiles of natural or artificial fiber can be used for clothing, carpets and many other products. Textile manufacturing has a tradition of millennia in many parts of the world.