Shopping in Montreal

Montreal Shopping

Montrealers magasinent (shop) with a vengeance, whether they're scurrying down busy Ste-Catherine downtown checking out department store bargains, or strolling up St-Laurent browsing in boutiques that stock wares from local designers, or buying gourmet food or native crafts at one of the city's markets.

And if you're in the market for a new fur, you've come to the right city. Montréal has a long history of being one of the fur capitals of the world. If you think you might be buying fur, check with your country's customs officials to find out which animals are considered endangered and can't be imported.

If shopping for native Inuit art, the same caveat applies to ivory carvings, which can't be imported into the United States or some other countries. If you do buy Inuit art, make sure to look for the government of Canada's igloo symbol, which attests to the piece's authenticity.

Montréal Shopping Planner

Hours

Most shops open by 10 am Monday through Saturday and close at 6 pm Monday through Wednesday. Stores stay open until 9 pm on Thursday and Friday, but on Saturday they usually close at 5 pm. On Sunday, most downtown shops open noon to 5 pm. There are, however, exceptions. Large chain stores downtown often stay open weeknights until 9, and boutiques in areas that draw a drinks-and-dinner crowd, such as in the Plateau and in Old Montréal, can stay open even later in summer.

Sales Tax

When the Canadian dollar drops in value against the greenback, U.S. visitors to Canada are in bargain heaven, despite hefty tax rates. You must pay 5% in federal tax, called the GST (or TPS in Québec), and an additional 9.5% in Québec tax on most goods and services. Still, even when the Canuck buck trades at par, there are deals on certain homegrown items: furs, fast fashion from local chains, and crafty goods that reflect Montréal's funky side. Unfortunately, Québec did away with the tax-back-for-non-Canadians program in 2007.

Tours

If you want to take a less traditional tour of the city—and you love to shop—then Montreal Shopping Tours (www.montrealshoppingtours.com) is right up your alley. Half- and full-day excursions will take you on a sartorial tour of the best boutiques and give you a taste of what Québec designers have to offer (plus exclusive discounts). Run by Janna Zittrer, a Montréal native and fashion writer, excursions are tailored to suit your personal style needs.