Tel Aviv shopping is
appealing due to the extremely wide spectrum of
goods on offer, ranging from old-fashioned traditional craft goods
to the height of designer fashion. Popular purchases include artworks
and paintings, leather goods, fashions, souvenirs, fine silverware
and jewellery, Judaica and antiques, especially on Allenby, Ben
Yehuda, Dizengoff and Hayarkon Streets.
As there is no characteristic between tourist and residential areas,
shopping venues are generally
aimed at locals and are therefore reasonably priced. These range
from outdoor markets selling food and clothes to chic European and
Israeli designer boutiques.
There is a slight struggle going on at present in Tel Aviv between
shopping streets and purpose built malls. An effort is being made
to revitalise Dizengoff Street, once the epitome
of Israeli style but now sadly derelict in parts. The Dizengoff
Centre at Dizengoff Square and the Azrieli Center on the Shalom
junction are both designed on the traditional American mall, providing
indoor shopping, dining and a cinema complex.
The layout of the Dizengoff Centre,
which crosses the street in overhead walkways, is puzzling. Designer
names, such as Gucci, Prada and Versace, are concentrated on the
huge circle of Hamedina Square, whilst Sheinkin Street (between
Allenby and Rothschild) is the ‘trendiest’ street, where
many fashionable Tel Avivians buy their clothes and just hang out.
For further upmarket shopping, the Diamond Exchange, 1 Jabotinsky,
Ramat Gan, is 1 of the largest Israeli exporters of diamonds, precious
stones and jewellery worldwide.
Visitors seeking a more extraordinary shopping
experience should venture to 1 of Tel Aviv’s daily markets.
Carmel Market (see Further Distractions) is situated a few minutes’
walk from the southern part of the beach. It is an ideal place to
soak up the smells and sounds of the city’s cultural diversity.
Alongside it is the colourful craft market of Nahalat Binyamin.
Shuk Hapishpeshim, Jaffa’s flea market, sells a brilliant
assortment of 2nd hand items, odd shoes, electrical equipment, furniture
and jewellery. Among this arbitrary collection, visitors may be
lucky enough to spot some genuine antiques. Local gifts include
ceramics, hand blown glass, wood carvings and watercolour paintings.
Most shops are open Sunday to Thursday from 9.00
am to 7.00 pm, although some close for a midday break between 1.00
pm and 4.00 pm. Markets are open Sunday to Thursday 8.00 am to 7.00
pm. Both shops and markets close early on Friday afternoons (2.00
pm) for the Shabbat (the Sabbath), opening again on Sunday.
Value Added Tax (VAT), at a current rate of
17 %, is given in the price of all goods and services. Tourists
buying goods at shops listed by the Ministry of Tourism may be entitled
to claim the tax back, provided the purchase cost US $50 or more
and payment was made in a foreign currency. Shoppers must collect
a special invoice at the time of purchase. The form must be filled
out and submitted at the airport and the refund is usually issued
by post. |
