Amsterdam
has a great deal to offer the avid shopper. On the one hand, there
are international fashion labels, books, antiques and arts, while
on the other, there are local specialities to buy, such as tulip
bulbs, chocolates, cumin cheese, stoneware bottles of jenever (Dutch
gin), diamonds and blue Delft china.
The main shopping areas are Leidsestraat, between
the Leidseplein and Spui, Kalverstraat and Nieuwendijk,
leading from the Munt Tower via the Dam to near Centraal Station.
Pedestrianised Leidsestraat, which, with its fashion
boutiques, large fashion store (Metz & Co), souvenir shops and
newsagents, is Amsterdam’s answer to Oxford Street and the
perfect place for tourists to combine shopping with canal views
and café stops. At the northern end of Leidsestraat is Singel,
the floating flower market. Kalverstraat offers a combination of
classy department stores, fashion boutiques and the luxurious shopping
centre of Kalvertoren, while Nieuwendijk,
one of Amsterdam’s oldest shopping streets, is home to moderately
priced fashion, shoe and CD stores.
Amsterdam has recently gained a reputation for cool clubbing clobber,
with Clubwear House, Spuistraat 242, and ZX
Fashion, Kerkstraat 113, two of the funkiest outlets, with
the latter also boasting a hair salon that specialises in outlandish
styles. Both shops also provide insider information on the city’s
coolest parties, which few tourists ever get to hear about.
DKNY is located on PC Hoofstraat 60, while
Armani is at number 39–41, in the same upmarket
shopping street. Maison de Bonneterie, Rokin 140–2,
is the Harrods of Amsterdam, here one can find top quality men’s
and women’s clothing and fine household goods. The
Dam offers a couple of options, including Bijenkorf,
Dam 1, the premier department store in Amsterdam, which sells a
good range of clothing, accessories, cosmetics and household items.
Magna Plaza, Nieuwezijds Voorburgwal 182, is located
in a fairy-tale, neo-Gothic pile that was once the General Post
Office. Inside are 40 shops ranging from Virgin Megastore
to Shu Uemura Cosmetics. Emerging shopping areas
include KNSM island, with its designer outlets,
and Haarlemmerdijk and Tussen de Bogen,
with their speciality and niche shops. Wini, Haarlemstraat
29, is a favourite of the local clubbing set with hip clothes and
retro fashion.
Amsterdam has 25 markets for those seeking bargains, they are open
during normal shopping hours, weather permitting. There is an interesting
flea market around the City Hall and Opera.
The busy, cosmopolitan, food and clothes market is in Albert
Cuypstraat.
The colourful Bloemenmarkt (flower market) on the
Singel is not to be missed, while the organic food
Boerenmarkt (farmers’ market) is in Noordermarkt,
which is open Saturday 0900 hrs–1600 hrs (in winter until
1500 hrs). The Vogelmarkt (Bird Market), also at
Noordermarkt, is open Saturday 0800 hrs–1300
hrs.
Traditional shopping hours are Tuesday to
Friday 0900 hrs or 1000 hrs–1800 hrs and Saturday 0900 hrs–1700
hrs.
However, some shops now stay open later, particularly on Thursday.
Generally, the shops are closed all day on Sunday and on Monday
morning.
There is a 20 per cent sales tax on luxury goods and 5 per cent
on other items. Visitors from outside the EU can obtain a tax refund
at shops displaying the tax-free shopping sign. Shoppers must fill
in the appropriate forms and present this to customs at the airport,
before check-in. The signed form is then handed to ABN AMRO banks
in the departure terminals. Global Refund (telephone number: (023)
524 1909, fax number: (023) 524 6164; e-mail: taxfree@nl.globalrefund.com,
website: www.globalrefund.com)
can provide further information. |
