Hello everyone! <BR> <BR>We are going to Germany in late August (Munich, Hamburg). Due to my unhealthy obsession (shopping) I would like to know what you think about department sores in Germany. Is there a big variety of stores ? What are the big chains? Are they good for shopping?...... <BR>Can't wait to hear your opinions! <BR>Elaine

I don't know what you are interested in buying, but Munich at least is not known for its department stores. Kaufhof, Herties, and Karstadt are all "okay", but nothing compared to American stores like Nordstrom, Marshall Fields, etc. You will find lots of quaint shops with various items though, and that is where the pleasure of shopping in Germany comes from. Have fun!

Was in Munich last summer and didn't shop for clothes as I was saving my fashion $$ for Paris. Bad mistake! The best looking womens' clothing of the whole trip was at Ludwig Beck, a department store on the Marinplatz. Don't miss it. <BR>Nope, I don't work for the store!

The same question but for Dusseldorf.

HI! <BR>I think that German department stores are very well sorted and offer a huge variety from cosmetics, clothes, technical things, food ..... <BR>The displays are also very attractive and they offer a lot of services as well ( pay with foreign currency, credit cards anyway, club cards, and so on ...) The best one I found was KADEWE in Berlin. There is also Galeria Kaufhof in every big town. Karstadt is very good as well. In Düsseldorf I think that Carsch- Haus is the best one. You will also find different chains... <BR>John <BR>

Kaufhof usually has a huge grocery/deli located on the "basement" level; be sure to take a look down there and have lunch if you can. I've never seen such tidy, enticing, and manicured food displays in a store of this size with the exception of KaDeWe in Berlin, mentioned above.

Munich is know as shopping paradise. And Ludwig Beck is famous. I really should go to Munich one day. <BR>Hamburg has a very nice pedestrian shopping area (a lot of covered galleries) with a lot of very nice (and expensive) boutiques. There is also the one and only branch of Galeries Lafayette outside France! <BR>Can't speak about Düsseldorf either. But from what I do hear, it is nice as well and very trendy stuff.

Hello everyone! <BR> <BR>I do second Ursulas opinion about Hamburg. There are plenty shops, boutiques and department stores. The most famous department stores are Karstadt (huge- amazing variety, you even get pets there!), Galeria Kaufhof- excellent variety- good food store/basement, L-STORE- trendy department store for young people, Alsterhaus- exclusive version of Karstadt at the Alsterlake. Ursula : Galeries Lafayette is in Berlin!

andy: Yes, you are correct about Galeries Lafayette. Thanks. But you see, I am so fond of Hamburg.. I wish there was a GL too.

Elaine, <BR>Be warned that while most German stores do take Credit Cards do not rely on them taking Visa - in parts of the country esp. the former east Germany American Express is more popular then Visa so have 2 types of card, I rarely used my Visa while living there and relied more on Mastercard, although in Bavaria Visa is accepted in many place so this is just a heads up, <BR> <BR>Cathy

I also liked Beck's, it was a neat store. But you know what I LOVED???? H+M. The only H+M store outside of Europe is in New York. The stuff there is cheap, fashionable, and...oh, did I already say cheap??? What with the strong dollar, you can expect to stuff your suitcase with all kinds of good clothes & accessories. <BR> <BR>I also liked a little housewares store in Munich called KARE.

HI! <BR>Ursula- I didn't want to be a "know it all", but Elaine might have been disappointed not to find GL in Hamburg. <BR>We seem to have something in common- our spirit for Hamburg. Feel free to email me to exchange experiences or if you want to have further information (I live near Hamburg). <BR>Andy

Hi- back again! <BR>JUst want to add something about credit cards. It is true that American Express is very popular here , but I can promise you that all(!!!) department stores mentioned above (Karstadt, Hertie, Horten, Kaufhof, KADEWE; L-STORE, GL, Alsterhaus, Wertheim, Ludwig Beck, H+M, etc. accept VISA cards in the towns you want to go to.... A big promise- but it is true. <BR>Andy

I was in Munich in June looking for cotton damask tablecloths. Herties had a good selection, and then a salesclerk showed me a the sale items. I saved a bundle! I only wish I had bought more! <BR>Moral: Ask about sales!

Ana, <BR>in Düsseldorf "Carsch Haus" on the Königsallee is a must. Definetely one of the best stores I have seen. A lot of Kaufofs are around as well. Check those with the "Galeria" -concept. Good stuff, good quality- good prices, very well sorted, a lot of services... <BR>Amy

WOOLWORTHS!!!!! <BR>Crap is everywhere!

WAL-MART GERMANY! Feel at home.

Amy, thank you for the information. <BR>When are the sales in Europe? <BR>Thanks in advance. <BR>

ana: Right NOW!

Hi! <BR> <BR>Interesting information to read! <BR> <BR>What about hypermarkets in Germany? <BR>Any experiences? (homepages...) <BR>Thanks, jojo