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Outlet shopping in the Florence area
Deep discounts on big-name designers.
With Italy-wide summer sales (“saldi”) now underway, we’ve got shopping on the brain.
This season of slashed prices is always an apt time to score deals on everything from wardrobe staples to household goods, but there are a few noteworthy shopping venues in the Florence area that keep the bargains coming year-round. And no—we don’t just mean leather stalls, artisan boutiques and other traditionally Florentine sellers: the greater area around the Tuscan capital is also home to some top-tier outlet shopping, retailers that are world-class destinations in their own right.
Shopping mecca of the Mugello region is the Barberino Designer Outlet, where you can snag covetable clothing and accessories from top Italian (Dolce & Gabbana, Furla) and international (Michael Kors, Hugo Boss) labels—without the prohibitive price tag that usually comes with such swoon-worthy stock. But the deals aren’t limited to ready-to-wear categories: you’ll find kitchenware and household goods (Bialetti, Home & Cook), cosmetics and perfumes (Bottega Verde, L’Oreal Paris), sporting goods (Nike) and much more. In total, the complex has 121 stores, nearly all of which are international household names and major players in their respective markets.
If it sounds like just another mall, know that the price points are what set it apart: savings here can add up to around 70 percent the usual sticker price in non-outlet stores. Factor in further reduced prices during the sales season, and we’re talking seriously wallet-friendly shopping.
Travelers and serious shoppers can turn it into a fun day out, too. Modestly priced shuttles run to Barberino Designer Outlet from Florence’s Santa Maria Novella station, making arriving a breeze.
Once you get there, you’ll find plenty to do beyond shopping, too: there are a number of casual dining restaurants, cafes and other eateries, and an events calendar packed with exhibitions, concerts and special visits shakes up the usual shopping experience.
Once you get there, you’ll find plenty to do beyond shopping, too: there are a number of casual dining restaurants, cafes and other eateries, and an events calendar packed with exhibitions, concerts and special visits shakes up the usual shopping experience.
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If Barberino is a high-end but relatively accessible shopping option, The Mall Florence is its slightly more gussied-up, glamorous counterpart. Here you’ll find lower prices on luxury—think the Who’s Who of the world fashion houses like Balenciaga, Burberry, Alberta Ferretti, Tom Ford, Tod’s, and Jimmy Choo—not to mention founded-in-Florence favorites such as Gucci, Emilio Pucci and Salvatore Ferragamo.
A visit to the Mall is a far cry from the frazzled shopping scenes you might find just ahead of the holidays in your hometown: nestled in the heart of the Tuscan countryside, it feels like a refined retail village, with sleek contemporary touches and an open-air setup. When hunger strikes, head to The Mall’s legendary Gucci Caffe’-Restaurant, an elegant eatery set above the fashion giant’s shop. Toast to your shopping pals and your group’s favorite scores on the terrace and enjoy the VIP vibes. The Mall is also easy to reach from Florence, with buses departing frequently from the SITA bus station (a stone’s throw from Santa Maria Novella.)
Fashionistas and savvy shoppers, take note and plan your trip!
Header photo: Barberino Designer Outlet
Photo credits: The Mall Luxury Outlets Firenze