🛍️ Top 5 European countries for shopping in January

January is the best time to make purchases that you have been putting off for a long time. Surprised? Now we'll explain everything. It is in the first month of the year that many European countries hold total sales of last year's collections. Clothing, shoes, accessories, sportswear, home textiles, dishes and even household appliances – all this can be found at discounts of up to 90%.

Most stores announce the start of promotions immediately after Catholic Christmas, but each country has its own traditions. There is only one thing in common – this is an excellent opportunity to buy a new and long-desired item at a very attractive price.

In this article we will tell you where and when to go shopping to save money.

Finland

When: from December 27 to the end of January.

Where: Ruoholahti Shopping Center (Helsinki), Kämp Galleria (Helsinki), Forum (Helsinki).

It is worth going to Finland for tableware, glass, textiles and sports equipment – local brands working in these areas are known all over the world. In January, discounts on many products reach 70%. 

If we take into account the initially very high cost of such products, the amounts saved will greatly please anyone. Of course, the scope of discounts here is not as wide as in clothing stores, but the available offers are profitable enough to go shopping in Finland. 

We tell you what else is worth seeing in Helsinki here, and what 10 things will surprise you in Finland – here.

Czech

When: from December 27 to mid-February.

Where: Palladium (Prague), Fashion Arena (Prague), Kotva (Prague), Westfield Chodov (Prague).

Physical stores in the Czech Republic also begin sales on December 27, but there is a nuance. The same brands often set discounts in online stores a day earlier – already on December 26th. If you want to buy some rather rare item, then it is better to monitor and update the sites so as not to miss the moment. If you are waiting for discounts on household appliances, then keep in mind that most often there are very few units of this product in warehouses and there is no need to delay ordering. 

It is worth going to the Czech Republic for clothes, cosmetics, glass, crystal, and electronics. Here you can find not only products of local brands, but also famous European brands. 

What to see when visiting the city for the first time, read this article, and you can find a guide to the historical places of Prague here.

Germany

When: from early December to late January.

Where: KaDeWe (Berlin), Mall of Berlin (Berlin), Alexa (Berlin), Gropius Passagen (Berlin).

In December, crowds of tourists flock to Germany for the Christmas markets, but New Year's sales in this country are also great. Promotions start here earlier than in other countries – in early December. By the 25th they reach a maximum of 80%. Discounts are valid until the end of January, but this month the choice is already quite limited.

The most attention should be paid to local German brands and small shops. Handmade sweets, furniture and decorative items, clothes and shoes made from natural materials – these things made in Germany are traditionally of very high quality.

Italy

When: from the first week of January to the end of February.

Where: Shopping Mall Porta di Roma (Rome), The Mall (Florence), Serravalle Designer Outlet (Milan), La Reggia Designer outlet (Naples).

Italy is a real mecca for all shopaholics. Every year this country attracts millions of tourists who are hunting for fashionable things. New Year's sales here begin in the first week of January (on Monday or Saturday) and last exactly 60 days – as established by the government. 

Shares start at 20% and gradually reach 70%. This applies to both popular mass market outlets – Mach Maga, Stefanel, Marella, and luxury brands – Valentino, Prada, Gucci. The peculiarity of Italy is the huge number of interesting shops not only in the capital, but also in other cities of the country. You can go shopping in Milan, Rome, Naples, and Venice – and everywhere you will definitely be able to find something interesting at a good price.

What you need to know before traveling to Italy is discussed in this article.

Austria

When: from December 20 to the end of February                                                                                                          

Where: Peek&Cloppenburg (Vienna), Shopping City Nord (Vienna).

Another European country where the discount season begins quite early is Austria. Sales here start before Christmas – on December 20 and last until the end of February. This is a great opportunity to buy gifts at discounts!

It is worth going to this country purposefully in search of sports equipment and equipment. During the New Year's promotion period, skiers and snowboarders will be able to find many options at affordable prices in local stores. Take a close look not only at well-known brands, but also at local shops – sometimes very rare things can be found there.

There is also a place for luxury – accessories, clothes and shoes made from quality materials, taking into account good discounts, will cost several times less than usual. You can find premium shops in the historical part of Vienna, which is also called the Golden Quarter. 

Why you should celebrate the New Year in Austria, we tell you here, and which Austrian ski resort is definitely worth visiting – here.

Porto galia

When: from January 7 to the end of February.

Where: Centro Colombo (Lisbon), Centro Vasco de Gama (Lisbon), Algarve Shopping (Lisbon).

Portugal is not famous for its shopping, but here you can find many interesting points. Alcohol, cosmetics, furniture and decor, and even football paraphernalia – all this is worth purchasing here. In addition, Portugal has many brands of quality shoes and accessories that will last for many years.

Sales begin on January 7 and last almost 2 months – until the end of February. By the way, the country’s stores offer a fairly large assortment of famous Spanish brands; they are also worth paying attention to. 

We collected everything about hiking in Portugal in this article, and you can find a list of the best souvenirs from this country here.

France

When: from early January to early February.

Where: Printemps (Paris), Galeries Lafayette (Paris), Bon Marche (Paris).

Another trendsetter country on our list. Of course, first of all, you should come here for clothes, shoes and accessories. And you don’t need to limit yourself to heavy luxury. Pay attention to local brands – the quality is not inferior to well-known brands, and at a price, especially taking into account discounts, they are much more affordable. 

Sale dates are set annually by the government. They usually start in the first week of January. By the way, in some regions these numbers may differ. The discount season lasts quite a short time – only 4 weeks and ends in early February. 

Spain

When: from January 7 to the end of February.

Where: La Roca Village (Barcelona), L'Illa Diagonal (Barcelona), ABC Serrano (Madrid).

Spaniards wait longer than others in Europe for discounts to start. In this country, promotions start only a week after the New Year – January 7. But they also last quite a long time – until the end of February. There are exceptions, for example, in Madrid, stores reduce prices on January 1st.

The choice of goods in Spain is, of course, huge, but the greatest attention should be paid to clothing and footwear from local brands. Massimo Dutti, Manolo Blahnik, ZARA – these brands are known all over the world, but it is in Spain that brand stores offer the widest range of products that cannot be found anywhere else. 

Great Britain

When: from December 26 to the end of January.

Winter sales in the UK take place in two stages: first pre-Christmas, then Christmas. The first ones fall on the 10th and 11th of December – the best time to buy gifts for your loved ones. The second ones start on December 26 and last until the end of January. 

This tradition has an interesting history. December 26 is officially considered Boxing Day in the UK. There are several theories about the origin of this holiday, the most famous one refers us to the name itself. The English phrase is “Boxing day”, but it literally means “Day of Boxes”. In the past, on the second day of Christmas, many families would pack the leftovers from the holiday meal into gift boxes and give them to the poor.

By the way, before the sales start, some English newspapers and magazines publish guides for shopaholics. From them you can find out where and when the most profitable promotions will be.

A five-day route around London has been prepared in this article, and a list of interesting pubs in the city is here.

And finally, we will give some tips to make your shopping successful:

• Visit stores a couple of days before the start of sales to calmly look at the assortment, choose and try on the items you like.
• Come to the selected points during the first hours of their operation, when the maximum number of goods is on sale.
• Create a convenient route to several stores at once to compare items and save time on movement.