Shopping in Finland can be not only an interesting adventure, but also a profitable activity, if you properly organize it. Any buyer in Finnish stores is always waiting for goods of truly European quality, moreover, they are regularly sold at significant discounts. You can also save money during sales. For many residents of Russia, shopping in a neighboring country is no longer exotic, but for some it is the first acquaintance with foreign purchases.
What to buy
Many Russians who regularly go shopping to Finland from St. Petersburg and the region are sure that even the washing powder bought there is of better quality than what is sold in the Russian Federation, not to mention Finnish fish, coffee, shoes, children's goods and down jackets. It should be said right away that the border between Russia and Finland can be crossed both as part of tourist groups and by personal transport, but its crossing on foot is prohibited.
Sweaters, sweatshirts, t-shirts and overalls for babies made from natural materials are inexpensively sold in Finland. Similar infabric composition and quality, clothes for teenagers and adults are also relatively inexpensive, as are excellent leather shoes.
The purchase of household appliances is also very profitable in Finland, because after updating the line, the prices for previously released models are quickly and noticeably reduced by stores.
It should be noted that most people who choose to shop in Finland show the least interest in fashionable clothes, with the possible exception of Finnish down jackets and coats, since Finland is not a trendsetter in the world of fashion, and the local assortment is appreciated by fashionistas as "gray", boring, uninteresting for young people and especially fashionable representatives of the middle class. But here you can always find high-quality industrial goods of well-known European brands at prices 30-50% lower than in Russia.
All synthetic detergents, hand dishwashing detergents and dishwasher tablets, toothpastes, shampoos and conditioners are very popular with Russian buyers. Grocery shopping is no less popular: fish and caviar, tea and coffee, olive oil, chocolate and Finnish sweets - all this is much cheaper here.
Many Russians bring household appliances, interior items and furniture from Finland. In addition to the indisputable quality of all the goods listed above, buyers from Russian cities receive an average benefit of 10-20% compared to home prices.
For Russian consumers, the Finns even create a number of special conditions, for example, in the Lappeenranta fish store, sellers not only butcherraw salmon or trout carcass, but all bones are removed, and the fillets are s alted and sprinkled with spices, thus making fresh fish lightly s alted, suitable for "travel" to Russia - according to customs rules, the transport of raw fish and meat across the border is prohibited.
The benefits of shopping in Finland
Those who have never gone shopping in Finland may doubt that it is interesting, profitable and pleasant, given the fact that the climate of this country is so similar to Russia, which means that shopping trips can not be as comfortable as in the countries of the Eurozone with a warmer climate. However, all doubts can be dispelled by a full set of compelling arguments for shopping in Finland:
- short duration of the tour;
- consistently high quality of all Finnish-made store goods;
- affordability, frequent and impressive discounts and benefits from purchases compared to goods at home;
- constant updating of the assortment of goods, for example, the emergence of new models of household appliances;
- an opportunity to purchase branded items at very competitive prices.
The most important advantage, of course, is the pricing policy of Finnish stores. Quite favorable for Russians (in comparison with analogues in their city) prices are also noticeably reduced during sales. The price of individual quality items can drop by up to 70% of the original cost. Such seasonal sales are winter and summer, which allows you to go shopping with the whole family during the summer holidays or winter holidays. But you can also choose weekendsif your goal is a little shopping in Finland.
Reviews and general information cannot, however, fully reveal all the benefits of shopping in this country. It is best to know the favorite places of experienced shopaholics already at the planning stage of a shopping tour and mark the necessary points on the map. The names of the stores where those who have repeatedly practiced shopping in Finland will also come in handy.
Where to go shopping? Helsinki
Most often, tourists arriving in this city by bus immediately get to the Kampii shopping center, since the store is combined with the bus station. This shopping center sells household goods and household chemicals, children's clothing, sporting goods and much more from the usual shopping range.
If the choice was made in favor of air travel, then you can immediately start shopping at the Jumbo shopping center, located in close proximity to the Helsinki airport. The shopping center has 100 stores selling food, home textiles, clothes, shoes and other things that are produced in Finland.
Shopping in Helsinki involves visiting many other stores with a variety of goods, but the above outlets may be of interest to those who are in a hurry or are not well versed in a foreign country and only want to buy a certain set of goods without fear of getting lost or late for the return trip flight.
Lappeenranta
The city of Lappeenranta is the closest to the border of the Russian Federation, and there are a very large number of supermarkets, shopping centers and other shops of various sizes and specializations. Because Russians usually visit it at the end of the trip.
Are you interested in shopping in Finland? Where you should go is one of the most important city stores - the Armada shopping center, famous for its selection of clothes and goods for animals. Tourists have also chosen a truly huge Family Center, where you can walk for hours, if you wish, leaving children under supervision in a specially equipped corner of the store, where they will have fun while their parents are shopping. An additional plus for shoppers is the factor that there are many other smaller stores next to the shopping giant.
Russian motorists have long liked RajaMarket - a shopping center where you can buy auto parts, other manufactured goods, and food.
Turku
This city is most often chosen by those who come to Finland for food, because the famous Market Square functions in this place, where almost all farmers sell their crops, and artisans offer handicrafts and souvenirs. Nearby you can find a large number of shops, which is very convenient for visitors to the city.
For example, Hansa is the largest shopping complex in Turku, selling textile products, quality shoes, fur products, and jewelry.
Approximately 90 individual outlets offering a variety of goods at attractive prices can be found within the walls of Skanssi, a shopping center located in the eastern part of Turku.
Kotka
This is a settlement near the Finnish-Russian border. There is a Pasaati store here, which is no coincidence chosen by Russian fashionistas - they sell quite interesting fashionable clothes here.
Shops are adjacent to hairdressing salons, where you can get a haircut or dye your hair between purchases.
For those who are interested in the most inexpensive goods, the direct road to Euromarket is one of the most famous budget stores, boldly visited even by people with very modest financial resources. And for household chemicals, it's best to look at Robinhood.
Tampere
The city is famous for one of the longest streets (exactly 1100 meters), and a wide variety of outlets are concentrated along its entire length - from simple department stores to high-end boutiques.
Being here, you cannot ignore the LIDL chain of shopping centers, which sell many product groups: from food to cosmetics and household appliances of the lower price segment.
Central Square on Mondays is nothing more than a big market. On other days of the week, you can walk through several nearby shopping areas that look like a large market.
Lahti
Lahti is located at the crossroads of tradetraffic flows, so trade is flourishing here.
Students are always attracted by Jack&Jones - a store offering a huge range of good quality youth clothing. Those who like to sew their own clothes should definitely visit Eurokangas to select fabrics. Here you can also buy ready-made curtains and home textiles.
Lahti's main store is Trio shopping center, where you can find clothes, shoes, cosmetics, children's toys and much more. It is easier to say what is not here than to list the entire range of goods offered, it is no coincidence that this mall is included in the list of the best outlets.
Finland. Shopping. Sales
Sales in Finland are common and regular. Currently, due to the general economic crisis, they began to be announced earlier and finished later. Such actions mark the onset of the new season. For example, they sell bicycles at the end of autumn or skis before the start of summer. Such events are arranged even in connection with the relocation or renovation of the store premises. But the most interesting discounts are in Finland during the traditional big sales: June 21, immediately after Juhannus (Ivan Kupala Day), by the beginning of the holiday season and a decrease in consumer demand in connection with this. Very intense shopping in Finland in January, as there are always sales after Christmas (in Finland it is December 25), and large mass spending on gifts and celebrations.
Shopping malls regularly hold special events when promotionsare announced simultaneously in all stores located on the territory of this center.
In addition, all Finnish hypermarkets and department stores periodically have sales days. The most famous among such actions are called "Crazy Days" in the famous "Stockmann" and "3+1" in "Sokos".
Armed with this knowledge, you can safely shop in Finland at almost any time of the year - the trip will surely become pleasant and profitable not only for shopping lovers, but also for Russians of all ages who want to save their money, not saving on quality.
