Shopping & Retail Therapy

Shopping tips for Florida in the USA, Fort Myers, Cape Coral, and Miami – Shopping while on vacation can be a real lifestyle experience, especially when you save cash and get access to products that (still) aren’t available back home.

Florida is known for its many malls with flagship stores from numerous designer brands. Highly recommended, for example, is a trip to Sawgrass Mall, which impresses as the largest mall with 350 stores, cafés, and top-notch live entertainment. In the many outlet shops, visitors are sure to find a designer outfit or two for themselves – with discounts of up to 70%.

Another popular shopping center, even among locals, is Aventura Mall with more than 250 stores and an attached movie theater and children’s playground – definitely worth a visit as well.

Hours

Unlike in Germany or Austria, the USA doesn’t really have fixed store hours, so businesses can open and close at any time. Still, you can assume core hours: Monday through Friday from 9:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m., although many stores are also open until 9:00 p.m. or even 24/7. Exceptions include the large shopping malls, which are open for customers even on Sundays, or for example Walmart, which is open 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.

Shopping Malls Florida

Shopping malls stand out for their long hours. What has only recently started to catch on back home has long been “state of the art” in America – turning shopping at the mall into an experience. With a good mix of entertainment, relaxation, and childcare options, the goal is to create a balanced shopping experience to keep customers motivated for as long as possible. “Shop till you drop” isn’t just an empty phrase there, but becomes a real way of life.

Shopping in Florida – Factory Outlets

If you’re looking for stylish bargains on designer goods, you have to make a stop at one of the many factory outlets. These are usually located in the suburbs of cities and offer brand-new outfits from last season at steep discounts. For example, a shirt with a retail price of $70 might be available at the outlet for $30. The trick is that outlet stores can pass this low price on to customers by cutting out the middleman.

There are the following 3 classifications on merchandise tags:

• Compare at: This merchandise is produced specifically for factory sales and may be lower in quality.
• Over run: Classic surplus merchandise offered at a rock-bottom price. You can find real bargains here.
• Past Season: Fashion from last season, still great and yet heavily discounted.

Shopping in Florida for Art and Antiques

Art and antiques lovers won’t be able to get around Miami. The epicenter of the art trade offers plenty of selection thanks to its many specialized shops – areas such as Coconut Grove, Coral Gables, the Miami Design District, South Beach, and the new Wynwood Art District are worth mentioning. From junk to celebrated artists – you’ll always find something.

Flea Market in Florida

Looking for something used as a nice souvenir from your vacation? No problem! Since Americans statistically move every few years more often than we do, they sell off some of their belongings, which are often offered at garage sales. Alternatively, a sign in town will point you to the nearest organized flea market in the community hall (Townhall).

Buying Groceries at the Supermarket in Florida

Groceries such as meat, fruit, vegetables, bread, drinks, and much more can be purchased in Florida, among other places, at the huge supermarkets at Publix, Super Target, and Walmart (open 24 hours). In supermarkets, you can often also find many other items such as medications, beauty products, and at Walmart even clothing, sporting goods, electronics, and many more items. At checkout, your items are packed directly into a bag – that’s standard in the USA.

Walmart

Walmart in the USA is the largest supermarket chain in the world. Here you’ll find everything from groceries, electronics, tools, sporting goods, clothing, and much more. A distinction is made between Walmart Supercenter and the “regular” Walmart, which is a bit smaller in selection.

Publix

A very widespread supermarket with 1,070 locations that specializes in groceries. There is also a counter with fresh items such as cold cuts, cheese, meat, and fish, as well as ready-to-eat products.

Pharmacies in Florida

Pharmacies in Florida include Walgreens and CVS, and Walmart usually has a pharmacy as well. Common over-the-counter medications are freely accessible; prescription medications are available at the counter, where you can also get advice. There are also so-called drive-through windows, where you can conveniently drive up to the pharmacy window and make your purchase.

Buying Alcohol in Florida

You can get alcohol such as beer and wine at the classic supermarkets; stronger spirits can be found in specialized “liquor stores.” Attention: Alcohol must be transported in the trunk of the car. Alcohol in the passenger compartment is prohibited.

Why Shopping in the USA Is Cheaper Than in Europe

The United States regulates the amount of its sales taxes through the states, which generally do not exceed 10% (Florida currently 6% minimum sales tax plus possible regional surcharges). In addition, the low dollar exchange rate is a blessing for euro holders, since you gain additional purchasing power when exchanging. Also not to be forgotten is the fact that the country of origin for many brands is the USA itself, so no “foreign surcharge” is added here.

Coupons – Shopping Florida

Using coupons (discount coupons) and vouchers (value vouchers) is very popular in the USA. In Florida, you can save real money with coupons – for hotels, fast-food chains, restaurants, stores, museums, attractions, and much more. You can find coupons on flyers as well as in booklets at the hotel information desk, at the tourist information office, and also at information desks in shopping malls – it’s worth asking. There are also racks with various flyers and booklets that you often find near the exit of a supermarket.

Shopping Florida – Important to Know!

It’s important to note that in Florida, prices in stores are listed net. At checkout, sales tax (TAX) of at least 6% is then added. In addition, import and export regulations should always be observed – private purchases are currently duty- and VAT-free for import into Europe up to an allowance of €430.

Shopping Florida Tips

• Tip: Some shopping malls and their stores offer discounts and promotions as well as coupons on their Facebook pages.
• Tip: Ask at checkout about coupons or promotions.
• Tip: Ask for coupons at the information desks – for example, at Miromar Outlets there is a dedicated coupon booklet at the information desk with discounts for almost every store.

Shopping & Outlet Malls in Florida

Shopping in Florida – here is a list of the top shopping malls and outlets:

Shopping in Florida: Cape Coral, Naples, Fort Myers & Surrounding Area

• Edison Mall – 4125 Cleveland Ave, Fort Myers, FL 33901
• Bell Tower Shops – Daniels Parkway & US 41, Fort Myers, FL 33907
• The Forum – 9350 Dynasty Dr, Fort Myers, FL 33905
• Miromar Outlets – 10801 Corkscrew Rd, Estero, FL 33928
• Coconut Point Mall – 23106 Fashion Dr, Estero, FL 33928
• Waterside Shops – 5415 Tamiami Trail N, Naples, FL 34108
• Fleamasters Fleamarket – 4135 Dr Martin Luther King Jr Blvd, Fort Myers, FL 33916
• Coastland Center – 1900 Tamiami Trail N, Naples, FL 34102
• Gulf Coast Town Center – 9903 Gulf Coast Main St, Fort Myers, FL 33913