Shopping
in Amsterdam:
Department
Stores
Amsterdam has been for centuries
a centre of commerce and trade, with lots of squares attracting merchants to sell
their goods. Nowadays, thanks to the lack of cars in the main areas, it is an
ideal city for shopping, and it even enables clients to compare prices within
a short distance before deciding the final purchase. Most of the department stores
and malls are located around Dam Square, a relevant point in Holland`s capital.
De
Bijenkorf
The offer provided at De Bijenkorf, a traditional store
with lots of locations throughout the Netherlands, is ample. With a spirit similar
to that found at Harrods in London or Bloomingdale in New York, this megastore
presents a really wide range of clothing for men, women and kids, along with wedding
lists, a diamond point and streetwear at the fifth floor. All sorts of gastronomy
options can be found, either at the department`s restaurant, La Ruche, or at Café
B. Jewellery, cosmetics, shoes, accessories and house ware are also available,
while three wineries add sophistication to the general atmosphere.
De Bijenkorf
is also quite famous due its history. Established originally in 1870, when Philip
Goudsmit opened his first shop of buttons and sewing supplies at Nieuwendjik street,
it was moved to Dam Square around 1912, and years later, in 1957, it was turned
into a modern building by designer Marcel Breuer. The department store was granted
the title Koninklijke - Royal, because its past is considered inseparably linked
with the history of the country: not only did its staff resist the German occupation
during the Second World War, but the structure survived two fires and remained
open during the wars.
Dam 1
Phone: +31 (0)900 0919
Tram 4, 9, 16, 24,
25. Open from 11am to 7pm on Monday; between 9.30am and 7pm on Tuesday and Wednesday;
from 9.30am to 9pm on Friday and Thursday; on Saturday, between 9.30am and 6pm;
and on Sunday, from noon to 6pm.
Credit Cards: AmEx, DC, MC, V.
Hema
This
chain that guarantees good quality at low prices is owned by De Bijenkorf: it
means Hollandsche Eenheidsprijzen Maatschappij Amsterdam, and it was created in
1926. Nowadays this retail organization has shops in Holland, Belgium and Germany,
and Amsterdam holds ten of them. The variety of products on sale goes from clothes
to household items, stationery and other accessories; there is a photo service
and a special gift shop. As regards gastronomy, at Hema you will also find pastries,
bread, gourmet dishes and exquisite wines.
Kalvertoren, Kalverstraat 212
Phone:
+31 (0)20 422 8988
Tram 1, 2, 4, 5, 9, 20. Open 11am to 6.30pm on Monday;
9.30am to 6.30pm on Tuesday, Wednesday, Friday and Saturday; on Thursday, from
9.30am to 9pm; and on Sunday, between noon and 6.30pm.
Other locations in
Amsterdam are:
Ferdinand Bolstraat 93A
Phone: +31 (0)20 676 3222
Buikslotermeerplein
197
Phone: +31 (0)20 637 2323
Slotermeer, Winkelcentrum 40-45
Phone:
+31 (0)20 613 6060
Nieuwendijk 174-6
Phone:
+31 (0)20 623 4176
Maison
de Bonneterie
The most sophisticated designer stores are located
within this traditional, luxurious building that was built in 1913 to host the
Bonneterie, as it is usually called. Founded originally by Joseph Cohen and Rosa
Wittgenstein in 1889, it worked at first as a hosiery, but soon it began selling
all sort of clothing for men and women. Nowadays it comprises different boutiques,
and some of the labels present are Burberry, Polo Ralph Lauren, Max Mara, Strenesse,
Dolce & Gabanna, Hugo Boss and Replay. Even if you don`t feel like shopping,
the building is an attraction in itself, due to its interior, decorates in Louis
XVI style: some of its maginificent features are the staircase, the glass cupola
and the immense lamps.
Rokin 140-142
Phone: +31 (0)20 531 3400
Tram
1, 2, 4, 5, 9, 14, 20, 24, 25. Open from 11 am to 5.30pm on Monday; from 10am
to 5.30pm on Tuesday and Wednesday; from 10am to 9pm on Thursday; between 10am
and 6.30pm on Friday and Saturday; and from noon to 5pm on Sunday.
Credit
Cards: AmEx, DC, MC, V.
Metz
& Co.
This luxurious store is the oldest in Amsterdam: in 1740,
Mozes Samuels, a young merchant, moved to Amsterdam and began a textiles business,
which would develop into today`s department store. Design objects, perfumes, gifts,
clothing, accessories, kitchenware and furniture are some of the items on sale
at this shop responsible for introducing modern design in the country. Leather
goods, shoes and wedding lists are also available. As regards restaurants, the
top-floor one, M|Café, is pretty famous in the city among business people,
but is also capable of captivating tourists because of the marvellous view of
the city from there.
Leidsestraat 34-36
Phone: +31 (0)20 520 7020
Tram
1, 2, 5, 20. Open from 11am to 6pm on Mon; between 9.30am and 6pm from Tuesday
to Saturday; and from noon to 5pm on Sunday. (Notice that it is one of the few
shops in Amsterdam closing early on Thursdays)
Credit Cards: AmEx, DC, MC,
V.
Vroom
& Dreesmann
V&D is the largest chain in Amsterdam, offering
all sorts of goods at a reasonable price. With middle class buyers as a target,
the many stores of this label throughout the country have toiletries, cosmetics,
leather goods watches and clothing on sale, as well as home electric appliances,
kitchen utensils, furniture, china, stationary, suitcases and camping equipment,
books, videotapes and CD´s. One of the shops favourite among tourists is
Le Marché, a bakery located on the ground floor: here the fresh bread is
quite famous, baked on the spot, and there are also ready-made quiches and sandwiches
ideal for a brief stop between tours.
In Amsterdam you will find two locations:
Buikslotermeerplein
123 (Amsterdam Noord)
Phone: 0900-2358363
Open on Monday from 11am to 6pm;
between 9.30am to 6pm on Tuesday, Wednesday, Friday; from 9.30am to 9pm on Thursday;
and from 9am to 6pm on Saturday.
Kalverstraat 203
Phone: 0900-2358363
Tram
4, 9, 14, 16, 20, 24, 25. Open from 11am to 6.30pm on Monday; between 10am and
6.30pm on Tuesday, Wednesday, Friday and Saturday; from 10am to 9pm on Thursday;
and from noon to 6pm on Sunday.
Credit Cards: AmEx, MC, V.
Supermarkets
Supermarkets
in Amsterdam are some of the most crowded places in the city on Saturday afternoons,
so you`d better buy everything you need during the morning or choose some other
day. With a big chain such as Albert Heijn with more that 40 locations in the
city, you will always find somewhere to get groceries or other basics near your
lodging. However, there are certain rules you should bear in mind before visiting
a supermarket: in the first place, they do not accept credit cards, so be sure
to have your cash at hand once you get to the register; fruit and vegetables are
weighed by the customer, so once you have placed the bag on the scale, press the
picture of the item you are taking, then the 'BON' button and you will get the
receipt; finally, if you happen to own a shopping bag, bring it along as it is
considered nature-friendly and otherwise they will charge you for the plastic
bags.
Albert
Heijn
Albert Heijn is a popular name in Amsterdam, as it represents
the largest supermarket chain in the country, with over 40 shops in the city.
Usually known as the 'Food Plaza', one of the branches is located behind Dam Square:
this store is one of the favourite among tourists, as it presents extended hours
in comparison to other shops in Amsterdam. Here you will find every item you need
as regards household goods, though you should bear in mind that the prices may
be a bit more expensive than in other shops in the city.
Nieuwezijds Voorburgwal
226
Phone: +31 (0)20 421 8344
Tram 1, 2, 4, 5, 9, 13, 14, 16, 17, 20, 24,
25. In general they are open daily from 8am to 10pm, though not all the stores
open on Sundays.
No Credit Cards are accepted.
Some of the locations in
Amsterdam are:
Van Baerlestraat 33A
Phone: +31 (0)20 662 0416
Haarlemmerdijk
1
Phone: +31 (0)20 625 6931
Kinkerstraat 89 (closed on Sunday; the rest
of the days, it opens from 8am to 9pm)
Phone: +31 (0)20 618 0088
Koningsplein
4-6,
Phone: +31 (0)20 624 5721
Nieuwmarkt 18 (on Sunday it opens from
10am to 9pm; the rest of the days, it opens from 8am to 9pm)
Phone: +31 (0)20
623 2461
Overtoom 454 (closed on Sunday; the rest of the days, it opens from
8am to 9pm)
Phone: +31 (0)20 618 3065
Vijzelstraat 113
Phone: +31 (0)20
625 9405
Jodenbreestraat 21
Phone: +31 (0)20 624 1249
Westerstraat
79-87 (closed on Sundays)
Phone: +31 (0)20 623 6852
Dirk
van den Broek
The stores owned by the Dirk chain, as it is usually
called, are known as the most affordable in Amsterdam: even though you may not
find the variety and luxury as in Albert Heijn, this could be the best choice
for a lower budget.
Marie Heinekenplein 25
Phone: +31 (0)20 673 9393
Tram
16, 24, 25. Open from 8am to 9pm between Monday and Friday; and from 8am to 8pm
on Saturday; closed on Sunday.
No Credit Cards are accepted.
Some branches
in Amsterdam are:
Bilderdijkstraat 126
Phone: +31 (0)20 612 2658
2e
Nassaustraat 23
Phone: +31 (0)20 686 0132
Belgiëplein 106
Phone.
+31 (0)20 6154776
Hema
This department store also owns a supermarket, though you may not find
weekly basics. However, picnic ingredients or cheap snacks are available after
you have go through the fashion offers displayed along the store.
Kalvertoren,
Kalverstraat 212
Phone: +31 (0)20 422 8988
Tram 1, 2, 4, 5, 9, 20. Open
11am to 6.30pm on Monday; 9.30am to 6.30pm on Tuesday, Wednesday, Friday and Saturday;
on Thursday, from 9.30am to 9pm; and on Sunday, between noon and 6.30pm.
No
Credit Cards are accepted.
Shoes
Once
you have acquired the traditional wooden clogs that are typical of the Nederland's`
culture, Amsterdam provides a variety of shops selling shoes, for different tastes
and budgets. The most sophisticated styles are available at stores on Leidsestraat
or Kalverstraat, while bargains can be found at Waterlooplein, or Noordermarkt
on Mondays, where you can buy second-hand shoes.
Big
Shoe
This is a special store as regards shoes, for it only offers
large sizes. At this canal side shop, fashionable items are available either for
women or men who find it difficult to get a size that pleases them.
Leliegracht
12
Phone: +31 (0)20 6226645
Tram 13, 14, 17, 20. Open from 10am to 6pm
on Wednesday and Friday; from 10am to 9pm on Thursday; and from 10am to 5pm on
Saturday.
Credit Cards: AmEx, DC, MC, V.
Free
Lance Shoes
If you want to get shoes that practically nobody else will
sport, visit the original Free Lance store, where the decorations and imaginative
façade will already show you that creativity is the main theme. This store
is owned by two French designers who combine classic and modern styles to create
unique pieces.
Rokin 86
Phone: +31 (0)20 420 3205
Tram 4, 9, 14, 16,
20, 24, 25. Open from 1 to 6pm on Monday; from 10am to 6pm on Tuesday, Wednesday,
and Friday; from 10am to 9pm on Thursday; and from noon to 5pm on Saturday and
Sunday.
Credit Cards: AmEx, DC, MC, V.
Kenneth
Cole
The worldwide known Kenneth Cole shops offer sophisticated shoes
for both men and women in a conservative style; however, you may also find bags
and gifts such as wallets and agendas. Boots for winter time and trekking ware
from Timberland and Doc Martens are also available. Prices may be a bit high,
but there are bargains to be made the most of during season sales.
Leidsestraat
20
Phone: +31 (0)20 627 6012
Tram 1, 2, 5. Open from noon to 6pm on Monday;
from 10am to 6pm on Tuesday, Wednesday, Friday and Saturday; between 10am and
9pm on Thursday; and from 1pm to 5pm on Sunday.
Credit Cards: AmEx, MC, V.
Seventy
Five
If you are looking for trainers to tour around Amsterdam but
still want to be fashionable, one of the best places is Seventy five, with labels
like Nike, Puma, Converse, Acupuncture, and Diesel, among others. They also display
new brands and original creations.
Nieuwe Hoogstraat 24
Phone: +31 (0)20
626 4611
Tram 4, 9, 14/Metro Nieuwmarkt. Open from noon to 6pm on Monday;
and from 10am to 6pm between Tuesday and Saturday.
Credit Cards: MC, V.
Other
branches in the city are:
Haarlemmerdijk 55 C
Phone: +31 (0)20 330 6328
Van
Woustraat 14
Phone:+31 (0)20 379 5335
Shoe
Baloo
It began as a funky shop selling cowboy boots, as far back as 1976,
but nowadays its four stores in Amsterdam display the best of chic shoe industry:
Gucci, Dolce & Gabbana, Marc Jacobs, Botticelli, Alexander McQueen, Jimmy
Choo and Prada are some of the exclusive labels.
Koningsplein 7
Phone:
+31 (0)20 626 7993
Tram 1, 2, 5. Open from noon to 6pm on Monday; between
10am and 6pm on Tuesday, Wednesday, Friday and Saturday; from 10am to 9pm on Thursday;
and from noon to 5pm on Sunday.
Credit Cards: AmEx, DC, MC, V.
There is
also another nice store on PC Hooftstraat 80
Phone: +31 (0)20 671 2210
Health
& Beauty
Body
Shop
Every products related
to wellbeing can be obtained at this internationally known store, where the usual
assortment of shampoos, make up, lotions and soaps can be found. Fragrances and
items for baby or skin care are also on sale, as well as gift-wrapping and refill
services.
Kalverstraat 157-9
Phone: +31 (0)20 623 9789
Website
Tram
4, 9, 14, 16, 20, 24, 25. Open from 11am to 6pm on Monday; from 9.30am to 6pm
on Tuesday, Wednesday, and Friday; between 9.30am and 9pm on Thursday; from 10am
to 6pm on Saturday; and from noon to 5pm on Sunday.
Credit Cards: AmEx, DC,
MC, V.
Branches:
Kinkerstraat 251
Phone: +31 (0)20 412 2358
Nieuwenzijds
Voorburgwal 182
Phone: +31 (0)20 489 0837
The
Natural Health Company
This store offers every item necessary for
relaxing in your hotel or taking back home: homeopathy and sports items are on
display, featuring an ample variety of oils and treatment products from labels
such as Neal's Yard, Kiehl's and Weleda. Rare herbs are also available: among
the offer, Celestial Seasonings teas, Solgar Vitamins and bee pollen in capsule
form can be obtained
Vijzelstraat 1
Phone: +31 (0)20 624 4533
Tram
4, 9, 14, 16, 20, 24, 25. Open from 9.30am to 6pm between Monday and Wednesday,
Friday and Saturday; between 9.30am and 9pm on Thursday; and from 1 to 6pm on
Sunday.
Credit Cards: AmEx, DC, MC, V.
