The delights of shopping
in Cardiff can be found in the specialist shops and boutiques within
the seven Victorian and Edwardian arcades located around the city
centre. Major department stores, such as Howells, are located
in Working Street and Queen Street, the main pedestrian
thoroughfares and in the malls - Capitol Centre, Queen's
Arcade and St David's Centre. Mermaid Quay is
a newer development at the head of the inner harbour, designed as
a 'Covent Garden-on-sea', with a number of speciality shops, restaurants
and cafe’s.
Cardiff Central Market, in an attractive Victorian ironwork
building with entrances on St Mary Street and Working Street, has
fresh produce, including fish, meat and Welsh cheeses and is open
Monday to Saturday 09:00-17:00.
About 50 antique sellers can be found at the market at Jacob's Antique
Centre, West Canal Wharf (telephone: (029) 2039 0939), open 10:00-17:00
Thursday to Saturday. The
Welsh Tartan Centre, 30 Castle Arcade (telephone: (029) 2022
8272; fax: (029) 2034 4133; email sales@welsh-tartan.com),
sells Welsh tartan gifts. There is a specialist Chinese supermarket
in Tudor Street, across the river from the Millennium Stadium.
Normal shopping hours are 09:00-18:00 hours, although many shops
stay open later on Thursday and Friday, while some larger stores
open on Sundays. At shops displaying 'Tax Free Shopping' signs,
non-EU visitors can avail themselves of the international Global
Refund service, which offers VAT refunds on certain products upon
leaving the EU. Shoppers need to ask for a 'tax-free cheque' when
making their purchases, which is stamped by customs upon leaving
the EU. VAT on most items is at 17.5% and refunds are available
at Global Refund offices, located at major exit points. Money can
be credited to a bank account or a cheque sent to a home address.
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