Bergen has long been
a trading town and its shops vary in range from the small and specialised
to large department stores. Visitors should not expect too many
bargains, however, and many locals regularly travel by ferry to
shop in Newcastle-upon-Tyne, England, because it is much cheaper.
The pedestrianised streets of Gamle Strandgaten,
Marken and Torgalmenningen have
shops selling everything from trolls to antiques, handicrafts to
Norwegian sweaters and ceramics to silver jewellery. Husfliden,
in Vågsallmenningen, is one of the leading gift stores.
Shopping Hours
Normal
shopping hours are weekdays 0900-1630 hrs and Saturdays 0900-1500
hrs, although some shops stay open later (until
around 1900 hrs) on Thursdays.
During December, many shops also open on Sundays. Late-opening shopping
centres include Bergen Storsenter, Kløverhuset
and Galleriet, which are open weekdays until 2000 hrs and
Saturdays until 1800 hrs. At Galleriet, seventy shops and restaurants
offer a wide choice of goods and menus at all price levels, while
live music, entertainment and exhibitions are staged on the 5th
floor.
Torget, where fish, fruit, flowers,
vegetables, handicrafts and souvenirs are sold, is open Monday
to Friday 0700-1600 hrs and Saturday 0700-1500
hrs (Thursday until 1900 hrs in the summer).
Kjøttbasaren, Bergen’s restored meat
market, dating back to 1887, is the city’s epicurean centre,
with places to eat and 9 delicatessens.
There is also a shopping complex at Vestkanten,
next to the Vannkanten leisure centre, about twenty minutes by bus
9 or 10 to the west of Bergen city centre.
VAT,
known as Merverdiavgift (MVA) in Norway, is currently
charged at 24 per cent and is included in all retail prices (with
a reduced rate applies on food items).
Some shops in Bergen offer VAT refunds for overseas
visitors, of up to 50 per cent. To claim a refund,
visitors need to collect a form from the shop at the time of purchase
then submit this either at the tax refund office at the airport
or at the bureau de change on the ferry. |
