Now we have done some shopping in Riga. What we like about countries in the East is that it is often possible to find cheap clothes, while at the same time there may be a different selection than at home. In Riga you will of course find all the big usual chains, but if you look a little, you can also find a lot of other things. So go shopping in Riga! Did we come home with something then? Yep, we did!
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ShareMany shopping centres
There are several large shopping centres here in Riga. Some examples are Galerija Centrs, Galleria Riga, Origo and Spice. These are modern malls where you'll find lots of shops, ranging from big chains you recognise to smaller shops you don't recognise. The prices can sometimes be slightly lower than in Sweden, but when it comes to chains, the prices don't differ much.
We like best the cheap shopping centre which is right next to the food market. I can't find a website to link to, but I'll insert a picture instead. If you are in the food market, it is very easy to find here!
Our shopping in Riga
In the mall by the food market, there are no chains and most of the saleswomen speak Russian. This is the place to go if you want to find winter jackets with fur collars or fluffy winter boots for cheap.
If anything was allowed to go home? Yep! Two winter jackets (SEK 700 and 900 respectively), a handbag (SEK 400) and a dressing gown (SEK 300). What's your favourite way to shop? Exclusive or cheap? Famous chains or unknown small shops?
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Evy Knoph says:
I've been there too (March 14). found no bargains but was amazed by the range of pointed thigh-high boots :-). I also love wandering around among the local offerings..for example, I think the neighbourhoods between Grand Bazar and Spice bazaar in Istanbul are much more fun than the bazaars themselves. In Bangkok, the favourite area is Pratunam with hysterical market alleys where you are crowded with food carts and mops and sit on tin chairs at tin tables and eat lunch... I like malls with chains as well, but I'm not much for luxury shopping... I like to go by bus to the suburbs in New York or San Francisco for example.
07 December 2015 - 19:53
Ruth in Virginia says:
I hardly ever shop when travelling, but I like to go to supermarkets.
and see different types of meat and fish, for example, and compare prices.
Also like big market halls with fruit and cheese, etc. Usually
you can also eat there at a reasonable price (as opposed to Östermalmshallen!).
Have also bought discs (stone biscuits) and tapes with the country's music; something you can...
enjoy for years afterwards.
07 December 2015 - 22:43
Ruth in Virginia says:
Just thought of a question. How much wardrobe space is there on the boat?
Winter clothes take up a lot of space.
08 December 2015 - 0:06
admin says:
Evy Knoph, nice that you have also been there! Yes, of course they like high and pointed boots in the east, preferably with a little lacquer and buckles or fur 😉 The shopping in Istanbul and Bangkok sounds fun! 🙂
Ruth in Virginia, the food market in Riga is fantastic and I agree - it's fun to check out the local food offerings in market halls! We have bought CDs a few times, in Russia and Ukraine among other places 😉.
Steve, I can understand that it was like that not so long ago, given what I experienced in the restaurants 20 years ago. Now the range of shopping is huge!
Alexandra, not being too interested in shopping has its advantages 😉 I think it's fun to shop sometimes, even if it's not my main interest.
Ruth, saw your new question now! We actually have quite large wardrobes on the boat! We have plenty of space on the lower deck - if we're short of space anywhere, it's in the kitchen and bathroom. I'll take some photos in the boat sometime soon and show you around... 😉.
08 December 2015 - 0:10
Mr Steve says:
Not long ago there was nothing to buy in Riga.
I used to like to shop exclusively, but nowadays I don't shop in stores at all. D buys for me and of course there is online shopping.
07 December 2015 - 23:19
Alexandra says:
I shop almost exclusively online. Sometimes I get a jolt and buy a bunch of trousers and shirts at like Kappahl. 😉 I really have no interest in shopping, I just like to buy food ?
07 December 2015 - 23:24
Ditte says:
It's great that Riga's range has now been expanded, as has Tallinn's, and that they have caught up. It's nice to have local brands, because plagiarism is not fun.
I did so much shopping in Beijing, mostly local brands or directly from the factories that made branded goods for the West, so I won't need a jacket, bag or jeans before I drop out. No dresses either because I sewed them up. But there will be some anyway. I never shop via the internet, I want to try things out and in Stockholm I often shop at MQ, Zara, Åhléns, which has all the brands, or NK. Abroad, I shop if I find something I need, but not directly for the sake of shopping.
But it's fun to look at the range.
08 December 2015 - 0:59
BP says:
Spice - we just LOVED that mall. I went to the link and was surprised to see that it had completely changed its focus in just three years. When I was there, the centre had so many cool interior design shops and the world's coolest light/ lamp shop. Just sigh...
As for my "shopping habits", I can honestly say that I rarely buy clothes abroad (and furniture and lamps are not so easy to transport, so to speak;-) ).
I mostly shop here at home and in stores where I like the clothes and where the garments actually fit me and my (small) body = I don't shop at the big chains. My favourite is Desigual (ooooops, now I lied. Have bought as many Desigual garments as possible in Spain) and Esprit here at home. MQ which has most brands is also a favourite.
I have learnt over the years that you get what you pay for. That's almost true....
08 December 2015 - 0:29
Marina says:
I'm not a big time shopper. Perhaps I've ended up in the wrong place in the world if you think so 😉 If I'm going to wander around in shops, I probably prefer the small ones, which may have to do with the fact that I usually get lost in the big malls, who knows...
08 December 2015 - 4:24
admin says:
BP, you get what you pay for. At least to a large extent. I have bought some cheap things in Eastern Europe that have lasted a long time, but otherwise I probably agree. Desigual has nice things, although I've never shopped there myself (but have been on my way though ;)).
Ditte, I agree! I can buy cheap things from simple brands, but I don't want it to be a copy of an exclusive brand, it just feels silly. Being able to sew up clothes in Asia is fantastic, but it's important to know what you want is my experience, not always easy... 😉.
Marina, you live in a real shopping city, hehe! 🙂 I can like to shop from time to time, but maybe not too often ...
08 December 2015 - 10:33
Ama de casa says:
What is my favourite way to shop? My option was not included... Not at all 😀.
But I like shopping for gadgets and food. I see clothes, shoes, bags and such as a necessary evil when it comes to shopping...
(Except for suitcases. I'm a bit of a suitcase fetishist 😉 )
08 December 2015 - 10:39
Veiken says:
It is always fun to check what is available when you come to new places, although I have a black belt on coming out of stores completely empty-handed! Would like to have, but think it is boring to shop! 🙁
08 December 2015 - 13:20
Deciree says:
Have heard that it is cheap to shop in Riga. Maybe you should go there sometime:))) Fun to shop a little cheaper than at home:)
08 December 2015 - 22:46
admin says:
Ama de casa, haha, that was a new fetishism I hadn't heard of before! 😉
Veiken, I'm not really great at shopping either, but my husband is better! 😉
Deciree, I don't know if it's that cheap in the big modern malls, but prices are generally lower in Latvia in general. Can highly recommend a visit to Riga! Cosy and nice city with good food, lots to see and good prices! 🙂
09 December 2015 - 10:36