The Ca-De-We department store in Berlin is a shopping mall that evokes quivering feelings among wealthy shoppers. Kaufhaus des Westens (abbreviation KaDeWe) is Europe's largest consumer temple and ranks alongside high-end stores such as London's Harrods or Galeries Lafayette in Paris. Every day, about 50 thousand lovers of exclusive shopping flock to the neoclassical building in the western part of the German capital. Half of them are guests of the city.
KaDeWe – the best shopping in all of Germany
Despite a century of history, the Kaufhaus des Westens (Shopping House of the West) remains Germany's most famous department store today. Thanks to extensions and modernization, the original area (24,000 m2) has grown to 60,000 m2. The salesrooms dazzle with the splendor of luxury goods: noble fabrics, selective perfumes, status watches, elite electrical appliances, stylish home accessories, designer handbags and shoes.
The department store is famous for its large deli section on the sixth floor. The richest assortment, including 35,000 types of food from all over the world, was the reason for entering the deli in the Guinness Book of Records. In addition, the shopping paradise offers related services to visitors:
First-class customer service is provided by qualified sales assistants who have undergone additional training in rhetoric, business fundamentals and product presentation. About 2,000 employees work here, 70% of them are women. Now the famous store is preparing for large-scale changes. Phased construction works, estimated at 180 million euros, have already begun. The changes will affect not only retail space. In 2022, after the redevelopment is completed, the glass roof will crown the building.
Story
In 1943, a downed American plane crashed onto the structure, destroying the roof and top of the structure. The shopping area was moved to Nürnberger Straße in the Femina-Tanzpalast, the dance palace of West Berlin. In 1950, under the leadership of the architect Hans Zoll, the restoration of the dilapidated building began. In the summer of the same year, on July 3, the first floor of the revived Ca De We was solemnly opened. On this day, 180,000 people came to visit the legendary Mecca of trade. In 1956, all seven floors were completed, at the same time the deli department was created. By 1996, the total area was 60,000 m2.
What brands are represented
Today, a paradise for connoisseurs of high fashion provides an opportunity to get acquainted and purchase products from more than two hundred well-known brands. The most famous fashion houses such as Chanel, Burberry, Dior, Dolce & Gabbana, Hermes, Prada, Gucci, Louis Vuitton, Karl Lagerfeld exhibit their masterpieces here. Each store level has an individual specialization.
To the right of the main entrance is Luxusboulevard, a luxurious boulevard with a rich selection of watches, leather goods and jewelry from Chopard, Phillip Lim, Céline, Bulgari, Cartier, Miu Miu, Omega. In the lobby, fragrant with perfume aromas, there are corners of companies producing cosmetics, perfumes and luxury care products: La Mer, Guerlain, Acqua di Parma, Creed, Donna Karan, Givenchy, Kilian, La Prairie.
The first floor is allocated for the representatives of the stronger sex. Sports, elegant, business clothes and shoes are offered by Paul Smith, Boss, Alberto, Tommy Hilfiger, Barbour, Diesel, Dior Homme, Z Zegna. The second floor is the heart of Ca De We – the women's department. Boutiques Roberto Cavalli, Escada, Armani Collezioni, Jil Sander, Strenesse, Stella McCartney, Alexander McQueen are located on an area of 8,000 m2. Climbing even higher, you will find the department of shoes, accessories and lingerie.
The fourth floor is the realm of household goods: household appliances, bedding, luxury tableware, kitchen utensils and interior items from Fissler, Le Creuset, Frette, Christy, Etro, Missoni, Meissen, Rosenthal. The fifth floor specializes in the sale of electronic equipment, stationery, books, toys and luggage. The companies Chicco, Samsonite, Victorinox, Leica, Tivoli, Montblanc dominate here.
The gastronomy department is a paradise for gourmets
The sixth floor, where the most expensive supermarket in Berlin is located, is very popular with visitors. The KaDeWe gastronome was widely known at the beginning of the 20th century. Thanks to him, the townspeople learned about the existence of many exotic products from other countries. Today, the shelves of the food department display delicacies from all over the world: chanterelles from Morocco, beans from Senegal, one hundred varieties of fresh fish, oysters from Brittany and Russian caviar. Those with a sweet tooth will be attracted by the confectionery and bakery.
Cakes and pastries are made according to the recipes of the French culinary school Lenôtre. Rare wine lovers can choose from 3,400 varieties of a noble drink, and cheese connoisseurs will be delighted with the opportunity to taste 1,300 types of this dairy product. If you do not want to cook delicacies at home, the chefs and confectioners of Ca De We will gladly do it for you. In 30 small cafes and bars, visitors are offered hot French buns, tender salmon steaks, the finest Italian prosciutto ham and the freshest seafood.
Sales in Berlin – tips for tourists
Experienced shoppers recommend coming to the German capital during the sales season. Since stores are trying to display new collections as quickly as possible, freeing the shelves from old ones, discounts on designer products of the outgoing season reach 65%. The signs “Schlussverkauf”, “%” and “Reduziert” indicate the price reduction. The Schnäppchenjagd (bargain hunt) takes place twice a year and lasts two to three weeks. Things and shoes in running sizes disappear from the shelves in the first place.
Winter SALE, offering warm wardrobe items, starts on January 25-30, although after the New Year, stores begin to gradually reduce the cost of products. Initially, the discount is 10-20%, increasing towards the end of the month. In the summer, the low price chase begins July 20-25 and provides an opportunity to save on dresses, bikinis, shorts, blouses, lightweight pullovers, sandals and sandals.
Where to spend time, eat and relax
Those of you who, after many hours of shopping, feel a little hungry and pleasantly tired, can go up to the seventh floor and visit the winter garden, located under a glass dome. Panoramic windows overlook the lively Tauentzienstraße. There are several restaurants in the huge bright hall. They offer guests not only to enjoy delicious dishes, but also to watch them being prepared.
From the end of November to December 24, KaDeWe turns into a fairy tale. The chicest Christmas market in Berlin invites children and adults to go on an amazing winter journey. In the hall there is a traditional dressed spruce. Its fluffy branches sag under the weight of unusual designer decorations. On the fourth floor, visitors are greeted by funny gnomes, snowmen, heroes of German fairy tales and Santa Claus, ready to listen to the innermost desire of every child. Here you can also purchase exclusive Christmas decorations and holiday accessories. During this magical time, the department store is waiting for guests until 21:00.
Working hours
Like all shops in Berlin, the West trading house is open to customers from Monday to Saturday (with the exception of a few Sundays a year).
The Mecca of trade is closed during the state and religious holidays of Germany: 01.01, 01.05, 03.10, 25.12, 26.12, on the day of the Ascension of the Lord, Trinity, on Good Friday and the Monday following Catholic Easter. On Christmas Eve and December 31st, you can shop until 2pm.
Where is it located and how to get there
The shopping center is located in the west of the capital – in the Schöneberg district, not far from the Zoologischer Garten train station, the dilapidated Kaiser Wilhelm Church and the Kurfürstendamm boutique street. It is more convenient to get here by:
Address: Tauentzienstraße 21–24, 10789 Berlin.