The political transformations of 1989 were very quickly reflected in the hundreds of new shops that sprang up all over Warsaw. Since then, shops have come and gone with startling regularity, but there are some that have withstood the test of time. There are also licensed and illegal street vendors that offer goods ranging from cloth napkins, wooden sculptures, cooking pots and freshly picked mushrooms.
The main shopping streets are the restored ulica Chmielna, ulica Marszalkowska, stylish Nowy Swiat and aleje Jerozolimskie. Shopping arcades, in and outside of the city centre, have become very popular, including Galeria Centrum, ulica Marszalkowska 104/122, and the most recent and biggest shopping oasis in Warsaw, Arkadia, aleja Jana Pawla II 82. These malls have national and internationally known brands including H&M, Levi’s and Zara, and often house cinemas and restaurants.
Probably the best spot in Warsaw for souvenir hunting is the Old Town, amongst the colourful façades and artists’ stalls. The Cepelia stores are also worth visiting for Polish handicrafts such as lace, dolls, amber and silver jewellery and leather goods. To pick up some magnificent Boleslawiec pottery, visit the outlet on ulica Prosta 2/14 (tel: (022) 624 8408).
Europe’s biggest flea market (in the Praga district next to the Poniatowskiego Bridge) runs the entire circumference of Dziesieciolecia Stadium (the former national stadium). The range of goods on offer is massive, ranging from air guns and fur coats to (illegal) CDs, leather goods and trinkets from the former Soviet Union. It is worth visiting for the experience as much as it is for the goods on sale. There are also mouth-watering refreshments on sale in little covered booths. Petty crime is rampant at the market, so care should be taken with all possessions and ostentatious displays of wealth should be avoided. The market opens at around 0600 daily (for the best buys, it is advisable for bargain hunters to arrive early) and begins to wind down at noon.
Shops are generally open Monday to Friday 1000/1100-1800/2000hrs and Saturday 1000-1300/1600hrs. In the past 5 years, 30 shopping centres and hypermarkets of all the major European chains have opened in Warsaw. Often open 7 days a week, these are the best places to stock up on Polish staples – such as pickled herring, preserved meats and, last but not least, vodka.
VAT is applied at the rates of 3%, 7% and 22%, depending on the goods or services bought. Tax-free shopping is available to non-residents of the EU if a minimum of ZL200 is spent in one transaction at participating outlets that will issue Global Refund Cheques. Cash refunds are given out at airports on presentation of the tax-free documents. |
