Shopping in Finland can be not only an interesting adventure, but also a profitable activity if you competently approach its organization. Truly European quality goods are always waiting for any buyer in Finnish stores, and besides, they are regularly sold at substantial discounts. You can save during various sales. For many residents of Russia, shopping in a neighboring country has long been no longer exotic, but for someone this is the first acquaintance with foreign purchases.
What to buy
Many Russians who regularly travel to Finland from St. Petersburg and the region are convinced that even the detergent bought there is better than that sold in the Russian Federation, not to mention Finnish fish, coffee, shoes, children's goods and down jackets. It is worth saying right away that the border between Russia and Finland can be crossed both as part of tourist groups and by personal transport, but its pedestrian crossing is prohibited.
In Finland, sweaters, sweatshirts, t-shirts and jumpsuits for babies made of natural materials are inexpensively sold. Clothing similar in composition and quality for teenagers and adults is also relatively inexpensive, as are excellent leather shoes.
Purchases of household appliances are also very profitable in Finland, because after updating the lineup, prices for previously released models are quickly and noticeably reduced.
It should be noted that most people who choose shopping in Finland show the least interest in fashionable clothes, with the possible exception of Finnish down jackets and coats, since Finland is not a trendsetter in the world of fashion, and the local range of fashionistas is rated as “gray”, boring, uninteresting for young people and especially fashionable representatives of the middle class. But here you can always find high-quality industrial products of well-known European brands at prices 30-50% lower than in Russia.
All synthetic detergents, dishwashing detergents and tablets for dishwashers, toothpastes, shampoos and conditioners are very popular with Russian buyers. Food shopping is no less popular: fish and caviar, tea and coffee, olive oil, chocolate and Finnish sweets - all this is much cheaper here.
Many Russians bring home appliances, home furnishings and furniture from Finland. In addition to the undeniable quality of all the products listed above, buyers from Russian cities benefit on average 10-20% compared to home prices.
For Russian consumers, Finns even create a number of special conditions, for example, sellers in Lappeenranta fish store not only cut raw carcass of salmon or trout, but also remove all bones, and fillet is salted and spiced with spices, making fresh fish light-salted, suitable for traveling "to Russia - according to customs rules, the transport of raw fish and meat across the border is prohibited.
Benefits of Shopping in Finland
Those who have never traveled to Finland to shopping may doubt that it is interesting, profitable and pleasant, given the fact that the climate of this country is so similar to the Russian one, which means shopping can be less comfortable. as in the Eurozone countries with a warmer climate. However, all doubts can be dispelled by a full range of compelling arguments for shopping in Finland:
- short duration of the tour;
- Consistently high quality of all Finnish-made shop goods;
- affordability, frequent and impressive discounts and the benefits of shopping compared to home goods;
- constant updating of the assortment of goods, for example, the appearance of new models of household appliances;
- the opportunity to purchase branded items at very competitive prices.
The main advantage, of course, is the pricing policy of Finnish stores. Quite favorable for the Russians (in comparison with the peers in their city), prices also drop noticeably during sales. The price of individual quality products may fall by 70% of the initial cost. Such seasonal sales are winter and summer, which allows you to go shopping with the whole family during the summer holidays or winter holidays. But you can choose a weekend if your goal is a little shopping in Finland.
Reviews and general information cannot, however, fully reveal all the benefits of shopping in this country. It is best already at the planning stage of a shopping tour to know the favorite places of experienced shopaholics and to indicate the necessary points on the map. The names of the stores, in which those who have repeatedly practiced shopping in Finland most of all, will come in handy.
Where to go shopping? Helsinki
Most often, tourists arriving in this city by bus immediately get to the Kampii shopping center, as the store premises are combined with the bus station. In this mall you can buy products for home and household chemicals, children's clothing, sporting goods and more from the usual assortment of shopping.
If the choice was made in favor of air travel, you can immediately start shopping at Jumbo Shopping Center, located in the immediate vicinity of the Helsinki Airport. On the territory of the shopping center there are 100 stores selling food products, home textiles, clothes, shoes and other things that Finland produces.
Shopping in Helsinki involves visiting many other stores with a diverse assortment of goods, but the above outlets may be of interest to those in a hurry or poorly oriented in a foreign country and only want to buy a certain set of goods without fear of getting lost or being late for the return flight.
Lappeenranta
The city of Lappeenranta is the closest to the border of the Russian Federation, and there is a very large number of supermarkets, shopping centers and other stores of different sizes and specializations. Because the Russians usually visit him at the end of the trip.
Are you interested in shopping in Finland? Where to go is in one of the most important city stores - Armada shopping center, famous for the choice of clothing and pet products. Tourists also liked the truly huge Family Center, where you can walk for hours, if you wish, leaving the children under supervision in a specially equipped corner of the store, where they will have fun while their parents make purchases. An additional advantage among shopping lovers is the fact that many other smaller stores are located next to the trading giant.
Russian motorists have long liked RajaMarket - a shopping center where you can buy auto parts, and other manufactured goods, and food.
Turku
This city is most often chosen by those who come to Finland for food, since the famous Trade Square operates in this place, where almost all farmers sell crops, and artisans offer handicrafts and souvenirs. Nearby you can find a large number of shops, which is very convenient for guests of the city.
For example, Hansa is the largest shopping complex in Turku, selling textile products, quality footwear, fur products, jewelry.
Approximately 90 individual retail outlets offering a variety of goods at attractive prices can be found within the walls of Skanssi, a shopping center located in the eastern part of Turku.
Kotka
This is a settlement near the Finnish-Russian border. The Pasaati store operates here, it is no coincidence that it was chosen by Russian fashionistas - they sell quite interesting fashionable clothes here.
Shops are adjacent to hairdressing salons, where you can make a haircut or dye your hair between purchases.
For those who are interested in the most inexpensive goods, the direct road to Euromarket is one of the most famous budget stores, safely visited even by people with very modest financial opportunities. And for household products, it's best to look into Robinhood.
Tampere
The city is famous for one of the longest streets (exactly 1,100 meters), and throughout its length a large variety of outlets has concentrated - from simple department stores to luxury boutiques.
Being here, one cannot ignore the network of LIDL shopping centers, in which many product groups are sold: from foodstuffs to cosmetics and household appliances of the lower price segment.
The central square on Mondays is nothing more than a large market. On other days of the week, you can walk along several nearby shopping areas similar to a large market.
Lahti
Lahti is at the crossroads of trade and transport flows, so trade is booming here.
Students are always attracted to Jack & Jones - a store offering a huge assortment of good quality youth clothing. Those who like to sew clothes on their own should definitely visit Eurokangas to choose fabrics. Here you can also purchase ready-made curtains and home textiles.
Lahti's main store is Trio Shopping Center, where you can find clothes, shoes, cosmetics, children's toys and much more. It is easier to say what is not here than to list the entire range of goods offered; it is not by chance that this shopping center is included in the list of the best outlets.
Finland. Shopping Sales
Sales in Finland are ordinary and regular. Currently, in connection with the general economic crisis, they began to be announced earlier, and to finish later. Such actions mark the onset of the new season. For example, they sell bicycles in late autumn or ski before the start of summer. Such events are arranged even in connection with the relocation or repair of the store premises. But the most interesting discounts are in Finland during the traditional big sales: on June 21, immediately after Johannus (Ivan Kupala Day), by the beginning of the holiday season and a decrease in consumer demand. A very busy shopping in Finland in January, as sales always happen after Christmas (in Finland it is December 25), and large mass spending on gifts and celebrations.
Shopping centers regularly organize special events when promotions are announced simultaneously in all stores located on the territory of this center.
In addition, sales days are periodically held in all Finnish hypermarkets and department stores. The most famous among these actions are called "Crazy Days" in the famous "Stockmann" and "3 + 1" in Sokos.
Armed with this knowledge, you can safely make shopping in Finland almost at any time of the year - the trip will certainly become pleasant and profitable not only for lovers of shopping, but also for Russians of all ages who want to save their money without saving on quality.