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From large, well-organized malls to closet-size boutiques, Helsinki has shopping for every taste. Most sales staff in the main shopping areas speak English and are helpful. Smaller stores are generally open weekdays 9–6 and Saturday 9–1. Small grocery stores are often open on Sunday year-round; other stores are often open on Sunday from June through August and December. The Forum and Kamppi complexes and Stockmann's department store are open weekdays 9–9, Saturday 9–6, and (in summer and Christmastime) Sunday noon–6. An ever-expanding network of pedestrian tunnels connects the Forum, Stockmann's, and the train-station tunnel.
The area south and west of Mannerheimintie has been branded Design District Helsinki. It includes roughly 170 venues, most of them smaller boutiques and designer-run shops selling handmade everything from jewelry to clothing to housewares. The majority are located on Fredrikinkatu and Annankatu; look for a black Design District Helsinki sticker in the window. You can pick up a map detailing the shops in the district at most participating stores. Kiosks remain open late and on weekends; they sell such basics as milk, juice, camera film, and tissues. Stores in Asematunneli, the train-station tunnel, are open weekdays 10–10 and weekends noon–10.
Iittala glass and kitchenware represents the best and most stylish of Finnish design and makes classy souvenirs and gifts. There are two Iittala stores in central Helsinki, one in the corner of the Amos Rex art museum and a flagship store on the north side of the Esplanade.
Arabia, Hackman, and Iittala tableware, glassware, cutlery, and cookware are sold here at outlet prices, along with Finlayson textiles and Fiskars garden tools and scissors. The shop is on the site of the old Arabia factory in the Arabiankeskus (Arabia center) and is some way out of central Helsinki in the Arabianranta district, but it's worth the diversion if you are looking for a one-stop shop for practical Finnish design items for your home or as gifts. It's a great spot to find Moomin character mugs!
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