The island, where, according to legend, the ancient Greek goddess of love and beauty Aphrodite emerged from the sea is loved by Russian tourists. The beaches of Cyprus have the prestigious Blue Flag certificates, the cuisine here is Mediterranean with typical Greek elements, the prices are quite average in Europe, and the people are friendly and welcoming, which undoubtedly guarantees a comfortable and pleasant stay. But the question of whether there are opportunities for profitable shopping on the island cannot be answered unequivocally. In the usual sense, Cyprus cannot boast of outlets, but it is quite possible to buy a lot of pleasant and not too expensive things there. You just need to be at the right time in a certain place.
Valuable information
- If your check starts at € 50, you can get a refund of the tax paid. For VAT refunds, it is important to make sure that the outlet supports the Tax Free system, which is usually indicated to the buyer by a special sticker on the front door. The cashier will issue a special check form at your request, along with which you will have to present the packed purchases at the airport upon departure in the customs inspection area. The amount returned to the tourist can be more than 13% of the spent, even if you made purchases not in a Cyprus outlet, but in a regular store.
- Discounts in Cyprus shops reach very high values twice a year. This happens for the first time from the first Monday in February, and the second time from 15 July. Both sales last 45 days, and the customer benefit during these periods can range from 50% to 70%.
- Once you've picked the right item in the store, try negotiating a price cut, especially if the upcoming purchase isn't cheap. To do this, you can politely ask the seller to invite the owner or manager to negotiate. In 99% of cases, fur coats, expensive shoes or jewelry will be sold to you with no less discount than in an outlet - Cyprus appreciates its customers.
- Most of the shops on the island are open from 10 am to 8 pm, but on Wednesday and Saturday, some of them close at 3 pm. Sunday is a legal day off for merchants.
Mushroom places
Instead of outlets, Cyprus is ready to please fashionistas with the Ermes Group chain of stores, which are found in all major cities. The main member of this retail chain is DEBENHAMS department store, whose sign can be found in Nicosia, Larnaca, Limassol and Paphos.
The range of brands presented in popular Cypriot department stores is very wide. Here you can buy jeans from Diesel, bags from Furla, chic Triumph lingerie, Dior and YSL perfumes and Clinique cosmetics.
