Outlet shopping in madrid
When the recession hit in late 2009, Spain was one of the hardest hit countries in Europe. Many small businesses closed, retailers were holding year-long ofertas, and prices were dropping everywhere just to encourage people to spend more.
With the peso slightly stronger and the euro slightly dropping, now is the time to take advantage.
We Filipino shoppers have always been experts at finding bargains, especially when abroad—and I’m no different. During a recent trip to Spain, I realized that outlet shopping is a relatively new “sport” there.
Here’s a list of a few places in Madrid where I got to “practice.”
Las Rozas Village
Patterned after open-air outlets located outside major cities in California, this “village” is also designed as an open-air plaza with a variety of shops that appeal to every member of the family—clothing and accessories for men, women, and children; home décor and accessories; sporting goods; toys; and even books. You’ll find international designer labels like Burberry, Bally, Diane von Furstenberg, and Carolina Herrera (who’s huge in Spain); Spanish designers like Pedro del Hierro, Jesus del Pozo, and Purificacion Garcia; popular mall brands such as Diesel, Lacoste, and Geox; and local brands like Castañer, Bimba & Lola, and Hoss.
http://www.lasrozasvillage.com
The Original Factory
Designed more like a traditional mall that’s open every day, all year long, even on holidays, here you’ll find outlet shops for Spanish faves like Zara, Mango, Massimo Dutti, and Trucco, as well as labels not yet available in the Philippines like Cortefiel, Pull & Bear, and Caramelo.
Aside from carrying sportswear brands Asics and Onitsuka Tiger, there’s also a huge Nike outlet store, selling shoes, apparel, and accessories.
Lefties
Yes, there is a comma at the end of the brand. Lefties started out as an outlet store for Zara’s past-season merchandise, and lots of items sold were damaged or worn out, partly because they were dumped in a pile where customers would dig and leave the rejects on the floor. Today, stock is displayed in a more orderly manner and the store has opened more branches throughout the city. Lefties, has become so popular, it now has its own labeled line of apparel for men, women, and children.
Salvador Bachiller
One of the trusted, traditional brands of Spain, it started out producing luggage, then later branched out into basic bags and shoes.
In recent years, the company got an image overhaul and launched more trendy collections to keep up with designer brands.
Today, they are known for colorful leather items.
There’s an outlet in Calle Gravina and another one in the basement of the Calle Alberto Aguilera branch.
http://www.salvadorbachiller.com
Mango
If Mango is all you’re after, there’s no need to leave the city; there’s an outlet right off the Gran Via, in Calle de Fuencarral.
The current season’s collection is on the ground floor. Just look for the doorway marked “Outlet,” which leads to the second floor where you’ll find apparel, bags and shoes on sale, as well as the menswear line called HE by Mango.
Be sure to check out the neighborhood: it’s located in Chueca, a.k.a. the gay district, with lots of hip and funky boutiques, cafés, and clubs.
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Liza Ilarde blogs at http://thefashpack.blogspot.com.
