There are many different types of shops in Spain which cater to all tastes and budgets. It doesn’t matter what you are looking for, from designer goods to DIY, you will find it in Spain.
CLOTHING
If you are shopping for clothes, there are many places to go. You can venture into the city for a huge range of clothing, including some brands you will find in Britain e.g. H&M and Mango, as well as top designer brands. Madrid and Barcelona are the best places to go for the designer labels. Madrid even has a part of the city which has all the most famous designer shops in one place. Burberry is right across the road from Jimmy Choo and Chanel. It’s a great place to window shop if you don’t want to buy.
El Corte Ingles
You could also find everything you need in one store. El Corte Ingles is the largest chain of department stores in Spain and is found in most of the cities. You will find two types of El Corte Ingles department stores:
- Clothing and Beauty
- Home and Electricals
The first of these will have a fantastic range of clothing for all the family. If it is designer labels you are after, you can find brands such as D&G, Burberry, Lacoste, Chanel and many more. Prices are relatively inexpensive compared to British prices and there are always bargains to be found during the sales. If you aren’t interested in the Designer price tag then you will find a vast range of clothing, including a great sports range, to suit your budget. You will also find cosmetics and perfumes as well as good quality handbags and jewellery here. It can take some time to get round all the different levels, but there is usually a coffee shop or restaurant available.
The second store offers a huge range of electrical and home ware products. You can find everything from garden equipment to fridges, sports equipment, books and stationary. The various levels are clearly marked so that you can easily find what you are looking for.
All El Corte Ingles stores are open from 10am until 10pm and do not close in the afternoon for the ‘siesta’.
Other Shops
If you don’t want to go into the city for your shopping, there are many shopping centres to be found on the outskirts of the city. They usually have a wide selection of different stores including supermarkets, DIY stores, clothing stores as well as factory outlets selling top brands at bargain prices. There are usually some good places to eat in the shopping centres as well as a cinema or ten-pin bowling if you need a break.
FOOD
Hypermarket chain stores such as the French company Carrefour or Al Campo can be found all across Spain. You can also find branches of Lidl and Aldi in many towns across Spain but you will find the product range isn’t as good as you will find in larger stores such as Carrefour. Spanish companies such as Mercadona and Masymas are growing in number and have a good range of food at competitive prices.
HYPERMARKETS
If you choose to shop in one of the many hypermarkets, such as Carrefour or Al Campo, you will be amazed at the range of goods on sale. They sell everything you could possibly want under one roof. Clothing, footwear, sports goods, electrical goods, furniture, DIY, kitchenware, TV’s and computer equipment are all sold here, as well as a huge food hall with fantastic delicatessen counters, fresh fish and seafood counters, fresh fruit and vegetables and much more. These stores can be so big that some of the staff get around on roller skates. You can also find some British products such as Heinz tomato sauce and baked beans in many of the stores, although the prices are a lot higher than you will find in Britain.
You can also find many smaller shops, banks, bars and restaurants around the hypermarkets. The best time to shop is in the afternoon when the Spanish have their ‘siesta’. It is much quieter around this time. Try to avoid shopping in the early evening as this is the busiest time of the day.
MERCADO CENTRAL
In most of the towns in Spain, you will find an indoor market run by the local council. You can find all your locally grown fruit, vegetables, fish and meat as well as wonderful pastries and cakes here. It is in the local indoor market that you will find everything at its freshest.
There are so you many shops to explore in Spain and you should find your experience fun and exciting. The Spanish staff are usually very polite and willing to help. It is a good chance to practice your Spanish and become involved in the local community. Although you won’t find branches of Marks and Spencer or Boots, you will discover that many of the local Spanish stores offer a great selection. If you enjoy shopping, it’s a good excuse to get out and about and discover different aspects of Spain.
OPEN AIR MARKETS
You will find that in most towns they have an open air market once a week. These markets are very popular and people will travel a fair distance to get to one. You will find many stands selling fresh fruit and vegetables, ceramic goods, leather goods and clothing. If you want to try and haggle the price down, this is the place to do it. Be aware that these markets can be extremely busy and offer a good opportunity for pick pockets.
