First of all – we love to shop in the USA 🙂 Whether in the big malls, in small shops or the great outlet centers – you simply see different clothes and things and that in relation to Europe at often unbeatable prices. For example, it’s not uncommon for you to be able to buy a branded jeans for a price of .15. With a good dollar rate and with additional use of discount coupons, real bargains come up.
What you should consider when saving and where there are the best shopping opportunities in and around New York, we have listed you from our experience in this article.
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Shopping in & around New York
What to do in Bad Weather in New York? Extensive shopping! In general, it can be said that New York is in itself a true shopping paradise. From small shops to huge department stores, from the luxury stores on Fifth Avenue to the huge department stores of Macys, Bloomingdale’s, Century 21 or Saks Fifth Avenue , there’s something to shop for, great storefronts and a lot of deals.
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Shopping in the USA: Outlet Centers, Shopping Malls & the best savings tips
Shopping in Manhattan is therefore very varied, but sometimes also relatively expensive because of the many tourists. Surely you can also find some bargains here and there, but if you want to save properly, then it is definitely worth going to the big outlet shopping centers, some of which can be by bus or can be reached within 30 minutes up to 2 hours by car. Here you will find outlets and factory stores from well-known brands such as Polo Ralph Lauren, Tommy Hilfiger, Nike, Adidas, Abercrombie & Fitch, Old Navy, Hollister, Express, Kenneth Cole, Calvin Klein and many more!
We have marked the big shopping malls and outlet centers in and around New York on the following Google Maps map. You can find more information about all these outlets and malls listed here in this article.
Save with Discount Coupons, Customer Cards & Taxes
But before you embark on a shopping adventure, we would like to give you a few tips on how to save even more when shopping.
Discount Coupons & VIP Shopper
The U.S. is probably the inventor of discount coupons – “couponing” is the magic word here. Coupons and voucher booklets can actually be found everywhere – on flyers, at the information booths of the hotels, in daily newspapers, in magazines, in advertising brochures or directly in the supermarkets at the entrance. And of course you can find many vouchers online.
When we go to an outlet mall, we always inform ourselves in advance on the website, which shops offer special offers or extra discounts. For all Simon Group malls (e.g. Woodbury Common Premium Outlet, Orlando International Premium Outlets, King of Prussia Mall and many more) there is the VIP Shopper Club, for which you can register for free. Here you get special offers of the individual shops as a coupon to print out. You can also print out a “Savings Passport Voucher” there. With this voucher you then go to the information center of the mall and get a free voucher booklet, which otherwise costs between .5 and .10.
As a tourist in New York, you can also get the free discount card from Macy’s (Macy’s Visitor Savings Pass) – either at the information in Macy’s itself or simply and conveniently directly on the Macy’s website for instant printing. With this card there is 10 discount on many items at Macy’s (e.g. clothes).
SALE Weeks
Next, shopping is especially worthwhile within one of the many SALE weeks. Whether Black Friday, Holiday Sale, Christmas Sale, Back to School Sale, Independence Day (4th of July), Presidents Day, Veterans Day, Secretarys Day, Fathers Day, Mothers Day, New Years Day, Memorial Day or Thanksgiving – there is always something special to celebrate in the USA 🙂 Here, too, the shops attract with sometimes extra reduced prices or determine special offers.
Customer
Another savings tip are customer cards. Many shops (especially the big supermarkets) have special prices for loyal customers or offers such as “buy-one-get-one-free”. You may have noticed this when you are standing in front of a shelf and the big mostly yellow prizes are awarded there. Some of these offers are valid for all, for others you need your own customer card, which you can usually get free of charge and uncomplicated at the checkout or at the information stand of the each makte. Most of the time we only had to enter our e-mail address and phone number in a form.
APPs / Newsletter Registration
How can I still save on shopping? Sometimes it is helpful, for example, to look at special online offers in the APPs or for a newsletter registration. At Old Navy, for example, we immediately received 20 discounts on all our purchases for the newsletter registration, even though we only registered for the newsletter in the store. The newsletters can then be unsubscribed relatively complicated and quickly.
Taxes (Tax)
If you are in the USA for the first time, it is important to note that the prices given for food, clothes, etc. are always net prices. When paying, the tax (tax)is added. What is important here is that every state in the United States also has its own tax rates. Sometimes it’s only 2, times 7.25. New York City is one of the highest-rate cities in the United States, with a sales tax of 8,875. But – clothes and shoes under 110 dollars are tax-free in New York City! This rule applies per item. So even if the total price is more than 110 dollars, but each individual piece costs less than 110 dollars, then no VAT is due at the checkout. The states of New Jersey and Pennsylvania also do not levy taxes on clothes, which often amounts to a mere saving of 7 compared to other states.
If you pay attention to all these points, you have a good chance of saving even more on your next shopping tour 🙂
Shopping in Manhattan
As mentioned above, there are really countless places to shop in Manhattan. The prices are sometimes quite high because of the many tourists. We would like to introduce you to 2 shops that you should not miss during a visit to New York.
Macy’s Herald Square
Official website: Macy’s Herald Square
Macy’s’ main home in Herald Square, New York, is one of the largest department stores in the world, with 10 floors, 3,000 employees and nearly 200,000 square feet. The “Kaufhaus des Westens” in Berlin has just 60,000 m2 by comparison. The choice of shops and brands at Macy’s is incredibly large (cosmetics, designer clothes, bags, shoes, jewellery, furniture) and the changing decorations (e.g. the festive Christmas lights) make the department store a unique shopping experience.
Century 21 Department Store
Official Website: Century 21 Department Store
Century 21 is one of the few real outlet centers in Manhattan. Here you can get designer brands (among others Hugo Boss, Marc Jacobs, Diane von Fürstenberg, Michael Kors, Kenneth Cole, Calvin Klein, Dolce & Gabbana) with up to 65 discounts on the retail price.
Empire Outlets New York City
Since 2019 there is also an outlet center directly in New York City – the Empire Outlets in the St. George Waterfront District on State Island. Here you can find more than 100 stores, including Nordstrom Rack, Nike Factory Store, Levis, Guess Factory Store, GAP Factory Store, Converse, Columbia Factory Store, Banana Republic Factory Store, Converse and many more.
Woodbury Common Premium Outlets
Official website: Woodbury Common Outlets
Woodbury Common Premium Outlets in the Central Valley can be reached by car from New York City in about an hour via the New York State Thruway. From the Port Authority Bus Terminal, buses also run several times a day to the Outlet Center, for example from Gray Line for 42 US dollars (round-each).
Woodbury Outlets is home to over 240 shops and boutiques and is open 7 days a week from 9am to 9pm. For example, you will find shops from well-known brands such as Adidas, 7 for all Mankind, aerie, Aéropostale, American Eagle Outfitters, Armani Exchange, Armani Outlet, Boss, Burton, Calvin Klein, Converse, Crocs, Desigual, Diesel, Disney Outlet, DKNY, Fossil, G-Star RAW, Gap Factory, Factory Guess, Jimmy Choo, Lacoste, Levi’s Outlet Store, Longchamp, Michael Kors, NIKE, Oakley, Philipp Plein, Polo , Timberland, Tommy HiIfiger, UGG Australia and many more. Often there are savings of 25 to 65 in the shops – so shopping is fun. For the little or big hunger there is also a newly renovated market hall, which offers everything from burgers to salads to sushi.
The Mills at Jersey Gardens
Official website: The Mills at Jersey Gardens
One of our favorite outlets near New York City is The Mills at Jersey Gardens, often referred to as the Jersey Gardens Outlet. This fully covered mall is located in elizabeth, New Jersey. Here you will find over 200 shops, a large food cort, various restaurants and even a large cinema. From Manhattan, you can easily drive (free parking) or bus (New Jersey Transit) from the Port Authority on 42nd Street with bus lines 111 and 115 directly to Jersey Gardens Outlet Mall. There is also a shuttle service from AirTrain Station P4 at Newark Liberty International Airport every half hour. The shops are open daily from 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. and on Sundays from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m.
The Jersey Gardens Mall is home to outlet stores of many well-known brands such as Abercrombie & Fitch, adidas, Aeropostale, American Eagle Outfitters, Armani Exchange, Boss, Burlington, Calvin Klein, Converse, Crocs, Disney Store, Foot Locker, Guess, H&M, Hollister, Levis, Nike, Polo Ralph Lauren, Puma, Quicksilver, Samsonite, Tommy Hilfiger, True Religion, UGG Australia or Victoria’s Secret. There are also outlet stores of major department store chains such as Saks Fifth Avenue Off 5th, Neiman Marcus Last Call, Century 21, Marshall’s and Bed Bath & Beyond.
And the best thing here is “tax-free shopping on clothes and shoes” – so you don’t pay taxes on shoes and clothes 🙂
The Outlets at Bergen Town Center
Official website: The Outlets at Bergen Town Center
Outlets at Bergen Town Center is located northwest of New York City and can be reached in just over 30 minutes by car from Manhattan. From Manhattan, however, you can also easily get to the outlets by bus #168 (Port Authority Bus Terminal) or bus #171 (from George Washington Bridge Bus Terminal). The mall is open Monday to Saturday from 10 a.m. to 9:30 p.m. – most shops are also based on mall opening hours. Parking is plentiful and free of charge.
The center includes stores such as Adidas, Banana Republic Factory, Bloomingdale’s The Outlet Store, Century 21 Department Store, Gap Factory, H&M, Neimann Marcus Last Call, Nike Factory Store, Nordstrom Rack, Old Navy Outlet, Saks Fifth Avenue OFF 5TH, Tommy Hilfiger, U.S. Polo Assn. Outlet and many more.
Tangier Outlets Deer Park
Official website: Tanger Outlets Deer Park
East of New York City on Long Island are The Tangier Outlets Deer Park. It takes less than an hour by car to get there. It takes a little longer by public transport. But it is possible to book a ticket package through the New York Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA). This includes (for example from Penn Station) the round trip to the Deer Park train stop as well as a shuttle bus from the stop to the outlet. With the ticket you can even get a free coupon booklet at the Tanger Outlet Shoppers Services Center, with which you can hit a few bargains.
Countless stores are waiting to be stormed, such as Abercrombie & Fitch, American Eagle Outfitters, ASICS, Calvin Klein, Coach, Columbia Factory Store, Gap Factory Store, GUESS Factory Store, Lucky Brand Jeans, Nike Factory Store, Oakley Vault, Old Navy Outlet, Polo Ralph Lauren Factory Store, Reebok, Saks Fifth Avenue OFF 5TH, Timberland Factory Store, Tommy Hilfiger, U.S. and Victoria’s Secret. The Outlet Center is usually open monday to Saturday from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m.; only on Sundays are the opening hours from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m.
Tangier Outlets Riverhead
Official website: Tanger Outlets Riverhead
Tanger Outlets Riverhead, like Tanger Outlets Deer Park, is also located on Long Island. It takes about 1.5 hours by car from Manhattan to the Tangier Outlets Riverhead, which are open Monday to Saturday from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. and Sundays from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. There are also daily bus tours via Hampton Jitney to Tanger Outlets Riverhead, which can be booked directly on their side and cost from Manhattan 23 US dollars per person one-way.
For example, you will find shops of the following brands: Abercrombie & Fitch, Aerie, Aéropostale, American Eagle Outfitters, Armani Exchange, Armani, ASICS, Banana Republic, Calvin Klein, Coach, Columbia, DKNY, Forever 21, Gap, GUESS, H&M, HUGO BOSS, Kate Spade New York, Lacoste, Levi’s, Lucky Brand Jeans, Nike, Oakley Vault, Old Navy, Polo Ralph Lauren, Puma, Saks Fifth Avenue OFF 5TH, The North Face, Timberland, Tommy Bahama, Tommy
Philadelphia Mills
Official website: Philadelphia Mills
West Philadelphia is the large Philadelphia Mills outlet mall (formerly Franklin Mills), which is open Monday to Saturday from 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. and Sundays from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. For the Philadelphia Mills, it is ideally planned to take 4 to 5 hours, more than 200 stores offer a huge selection of clothing, shoes or jewelry – including Aéropostale, American Eagle Outfitters, Banana Republic, Hugo Boss, Calvin Klein, Famous Footwear, Foot Locker, Gap Outlet, Guess Factory Store, H&M, Levi’s, NIKE Factory Store, Old Navy, Polo Ralph Lauren, Puma, Samsonite, Skechers, Tommyiger, Victoria’s Secret.
Philadelphia Premium Outlets
Official website: Philadelphia Premium Outlets
Located northwest of Philadelphia near Pottstown, The Philadelphia Premium Outlets offer a selection of 150 outlet stores that often offer hefty savings. From Monday to Saturday (10 a.m. to 9 p.m.) and on Sundays (11 a.m. to 7 p.m.), you will find coveted brands such as Adidas, aerie, Aéropostale, American Eagle Outfitters, Asics, Banana Republic, Brooks Brothers, Calvin Klein, Coach, Converse, Crocs, Diesel, Fila, Fossil, Gap Factory, Guess, Kate Spade, Levi’s, Lindt, Lucky Brand, Michael Kors, Nike, Oakley, Old Navy, Polo Ralph Lauren, Puma, Sunglass Hut , Swarovski, The North Face, Timberland, Tommy Hilfiger, ToysRus, True Religion, UGG or Vans.
King of Prussia Mall
Official website: King of Prussia Mall
The King of Prussia Mall is the second largest shopping center in the United States after the Mall of America in Minneapolis and is located in a suburb northwest of Philadelphia. The shopping center is nan outlet – but really huge! And here, too, you will often find reduced prices and many special offers and can easily plan 4 to 5 hours for strolling and shopping. The mall has 400 shops for every budget and three food courts. There are shops such as Abercrombie & Fitch, Adidas, Aldo, American Eagle Outfitters, Apple, Banana Republic, Bloomingdale’s, Hugo Boss, Burberry, Cartier, Coach, Cos, Diesel, Foot Locker, Fossil, G-Start, Gap, Gucci, Hollister, Jimmy Choo, Lego, MAC, Macy’s, Marc Cain, Michael Kors, Nordstrom, Old Navy, Primark, Ralph Lauren,
Gloucester Premium Outlets
Official website: Gloucester Premium Outlets
The Gloucester Premium Outlets are located southeast of Philadelphia on the way to Atlantic City and are easily accessible by car due to the immediate location of the Atlantic City Expressway (#42). 90 stores shop here on weekdays from 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. and Sundays from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m., including American Eagle Outfitters, Armani Exchange, Asics, Columbia, Converse, DKNY, Fila, Gap, Guess, Levi’s, Michael Kors, Nautica, Nike, Oakley, Old Navy, Puma, Reebok and Tommy Hilfiger.
Jersey Shore Premium Outlets
Official website: Jersey Shore Premium Outlets
The Jersey Shore Premium Outlets are located directly on the Garden State Parkway and make it an ideal stopover if you drive south anyway. About 120 shops are waiting for customers on weekdays from 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. and on Sundays from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. and with hefty discounts, including 7 for all Mankind, Aéropostale, American Eagle Outfitters, Banana Republic, Boss, Burberry, Calvin Klein, Champion, Coach, DKNY, Fossil, Geox, Guess, Kate Spade, Lacoste, Levi’s, Michael Kors, Nike, Polo , Samsonite, Swarovski, True Religion, Vans and Yankee Candle.
Jackson Premium Outlets
Official website: Jackson Premium Outlets
The Jackson Premium Outlets are just 25 minutes west from their sister outlet, the Jersey Shore Premium Outlets, and can be easily combined with a trip to six flags theme park, which is just 2 minutes away. On Fridays and Saturdays, the center is open from 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. and from Sunday to Thursday from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. In 70 shops there is everything from jewellery to clothing to shoes. Among them are brands such as Adidas, Aéropostale, Asics, Calvin Klein, Clarks, Converse, Ecco, Famous Footwear, Gap, Guess, Lucky Brand Jeans, Nike, Polo Ralph Lauren, Reebok, Rockport, Skechers, Timberland and Under Armour.
What are your experiences of shopping in New York?
Surely you’ve had some experience with “Shopping in New York,” right? Do you still have any good tips for great shops or department stores where you can still find some bargains? Have you ever been to one of the malls or outlet centers and can you describe your impressions? Do you have any other tips on how to save while shopping in the USA? Then we would be very happy if you would leave us a comment here in the post 🙂