Exclusive global and Spanish brands, famous designer stores, fashion trends, prestigious boutiques - all this you will see when you go shopping in Spain. However, before starting a shopping trip, you should study some of the features of shopping in this country. So you can avoid various surprises.
The first thing you should pay attention to when shopping in Spain is the opening and closing times.
shops. Most boutiques open from 8:30 a.m. to 10 a.m., as in many other European countries. But they close much later - at 20:00. And such hypermarkets as Eroski, Carrefour and Mercadona, and do work until 22:00. But all the Spanish boutiques have big breaks in work in the daytime, during a siesta.
Siesta in Spain is the time in the middle of the day when shops, offices, banks and most other businesses close to allow staff to dine and relax. It most often starts at 13 o’clock (depending on the area it can start already at noon, or, conversely, only at 14:00) and lasts until 16-17 hours. At this time, shopping in Spain is possible only in supermarkets and hypermarkets, which remain open throughout the day, since closing such large shopping malls every day for 3-4 hours is economically unprofitable.
Be prepared for the fact that on Sunday you also will not be able to enjoy a shopping trip. In Spain, this is a day of rest, so all trade establishments and even most supermarkets will be closed. The Spaniards are trying to buy the necessary goods on Saturday, otherwise they will have to do without them for one day. Only the largest hypermarkets listed above work on Sunday.
There is another point that stands out in Spain. Shopping here has a peculiar approach to customer service. We are used to the fact that when we go to the store, the sales assistant welcomes us and offers his help. In Spain, this rule does not apply, and you can be completely ignored. In addition, if the seller at the moment you decide to contact him is busy with some business (for example,
talking on the phone), you will have to wait patiently. But during the service the seller will be incredibly friendly. There is no reason to be annoyed by this approach to customers. The Spaniards do not want to seem rude, they just are so arranged.
Shopping in Spain is not only fashion boutiques, but also markets. Most
Spanish cities have open markets that operate once a week from 8:00 to 14:00. Everything can be found there: from fruits, vegetables and bread to clothes, shoes, jewelry and much more. Prices are often cheaper than in stores. So if you are planning a specific purchase, visit the weekly market. And don't forget to bargain. Sellers are willing to lower prices.
You should also take into account the fact that almost all goods in Spain are subject to value added tax. Depending on the types of stores, it can be 7-14% of the purchase price.
Shopping in Spain not only allows you to have fun and buy many wonderful things, but also helps you learn more about the culture of the country. Try to take all the features of Spanish shopping with a smile.