The main argument in favor of shopping in Berlin is the huge range of prices and products - from the cheapest stores to high-end branded boutiques.
Wilmersdorfer Str. (Wilmersdorfer Strasse) - this is where the discount store Maxx Berlin Kant- is located Center, which sells quality goods from "nameless" brands at discount prices. On the same street, you can go to Peek@Cloppenburg (good quality German clothes for every day) or Lesier (huge shoe store).
Kurfurstendamm or Ku-damm (Kurfurstendamm boulevard) - here is the most famous of the major shopping centers in Berlin - the 7-storey "Trade House of the West", or KaDeWe. Here you can find both luxury brands (Louis Vuitton, Chanel and others), as well as more democratic Mango or Zara and others. But in Europa Center, in addition to boutiques, tourists also come for spectacular pictures of the Berlin panorama from observation platforms .
Friedrich Str. (Friedrichstrasse) - of particular interest are Quartier 206 (a huge selection of perfumes and cosmetics in Berlin, as well as luxury brand boutiques), Galeries Lafayette, BOSSShop, Escada and others.
Potsdamer Platz is a popular square in Berlin, and it is home to one of the most popular shopping centers, Arkaden. Arkaden offers 130 boutiques featuring affordable clothing brands, footwear, and children's toy stores. It is a bustling destination for shopping enthusiasts in Berlin.
An interesting observation: Judging by the reviews of shopping in Berlin, the cheapest shops are more often found in the east of the city.
Berlin's most famous shopping outlet is Designer Outlet Berlin, a favorite among young people and design lovers. Here all year round you can find branded items with 30-70% discounts. The outlet is open on weekdays from 10:00 to 19:00, but it is difficult to get here (first, about 40 minutes by train RE4 to Elstal station, then by bus number 622 - the outlet is located near Berlin).
Tourists' reviews about shopping in Berlin remind us of the possibility of saving from 10 to 19% of the cost through Tax Free. If there is a Tax Free sign on the store doors, ask the consultant for a special voucher. In some shopping centers, Tax Free documents are processed at the Service Center. Later, when leaving the country, show it together with the receipt at customs, and you will receive a percentage of the purchase back. VAT is refunded only for goods over 25 EUR. Don't forget about discounts and sales in Berlin during various holidays, such as Christmas.
When planning, keep in mind that it's impossible to go shopping in Berlin on Sundays since no stores are open on this day of the week. A rare exception is the stores located at train stations. On other days, the operating hours of the main stores are from 10:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. However, some establishments may open at 9 a.m., and during Christmas sales, they may close at 10 p.m.
There are two main sale seasons in Berlin - summer and winter. Each lasts approximately two weeks. For example, the official dates for the summer sale in 2017 were from July 25th to August 7th, and for the winter sale - from January 30th to February 13th. But, of course, there are discounts and sales outside of these periods as well, so pay attention to store windows with signs saying "Reduziert" and traditional "%" and "Sale."
The most interesting products in Berlin in terms of quality, variety, and price are clothing, shoes, cosmetics, and accessories. As for souvenirs, the traditional Berlin bear, porcelain products from the Royal Porcelain Factory, chocolate, and beer are popular choices. The selection is quite diverse, so be prepared that your expenses will exceed your expectations.
