Page 150 - (DK Eyewitness) Travel Guide - The Netherlands

148  A MSTERD A M

SHOPPING IN AMSTERDAM

Amsterdam has a huge range of shops and specialist shops selling everything
markets. Most of the large clothing and from ethnic fabrics and beads to
department stores are to be found in the unusual games and handmade dolls.
Nieuwe Zijde, especially along Kalverstraat, The best luxury fashion is to be found
but there are many other shopping areas on PC Hooftstraat and Van Baerlestraat.
to dis cover. The narrow streets crossing However, if you are looking for a bargain,
the Canal Ring, such as Herenstraat and take time to explore the street markets
Hartenstraat, contain a diverse array of and numerous second-hand shops.
Department Stores
and Malls
Amsterdam’s best-known
department store is De Bijenkorf.
It has a huge perfumery and
stocks a wide range of clothing.
Among the less expensive stores,
Hema is popular for household
goods, children’s clothes and
underwear, while Blokker sells
more basic household and
electrical items. Both have
branches dotted around the
city. The only shopping malls
in central Amsterdam are the
The northern end of the Waterlooplein, home to the famous flea market Kalvertoren (Kalverstraat, near
Singel) and Magna Plaza (see
Opening Hours entitled to a refund. Shops that p94), containing upmarket
Shops are usually open from stock the relevant customs forms boutiques and shops.
9am to 6pm Tuesday to post a “Tax free for tourists” sign.
Saturday, from 1pm to 6pm
Mondays. Many are open
Sundays. In the city centre most Sales
shops now close at 7pm (9pm Sales occur mainly in January
on Thursdays) and are open and July, but smaller shops and
on Sundays. boutiques may offer discounts
at any time. Uitverkoop describes
anything from a closing-down
How to Pay
sale to a clearance sale; korting Kitchen gadgets for sale at a shop
Cash is the most popular method merely indicates that discounts in Amsterdam
of payment. If you intend to use are offered. Towards the end of a Markets
a credit card, ask first if it is sale, further discounts are often
accepted. Cards are becoming calculated at the till. Beware Amsterdammers’ love of
more widely accepted, but of clothes rails marked, for street trading is best illustrated
department stores may require example, VA 40 or Vanaf 40, as on Koningsdag (see p36),
purchases to be paid for at a this sign means “from 40”, not when the city centre becomes
special till, and smaller shops exactly 40 euros. the world’s biggest flea
may accept them only for non-
sale items and goods costing
more than 45 euros. Some
tourist shops take foreign
currency but usually offer a
poor rate of exchange.

Vat Exemption
Most Dutch goods are subject
to value added tax (BTW) of
21 per cent for clothes and
other goods, and 6 per cent for
books. Non-EU residents may be Trendy clothing store in “De Negen Straatjes” (The Nine Streets) neighbourhood

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Eyewitness Travel LAYERS PRINTED:
Practical template “UK” LAYER
(Source v1.7)
Date 5th March 2013
Size 125mm x 217mm