(Some) Secrets of Shopping in Italy
Shopping in most Italian stores ... smaller shops, which comprise most of the stores in Italy ... requires knowing the secret of getting to see the products you want. You'll be thanking me, eternally, for sharing this secret with you.
We still haven't figured out why, but Italian shopkeepers tend to only put on display a small portion (maybe 10% to 25%) of the goods they have available in their store. We've seen this number proven in jewelry stores, shoe stores, home goods stores, clothing stores, and just about any other type of store.
It could be that it's simply a matter of using space wisely. We've seen items stored in the most innovative ways under counters, under display windows, in back rooms, and in other locations across the vialle or across town ... and the shopkeeper will literally run down the street to retrieve a few items while you wait. Because of the construction, especially in downtown or city center ("centro") areas, it's not a simple matter to just add on to a store. Thus, the need for more than one location.
The other thought is that shopping, like all things in Italy, must be a social interaction of the highest order. In clothing stores, you work with the clerk to start the process of analyzing and selecting what you'd like to purchase. Shopkeepers prefer you NOT TOUCH THIER MERCHANDISE until they help you and tell you (or indicate to you) that it's OK to touch. It's a dead giveaway that you're not Italian when you start rummaging through goods (like I do at Sam's Club to find that 34 x 30 pair of jeans) to find what you need.
So, ask or point to start the interaction. Keep saying you don't like what you see and the clerk will slowly but surely continue to find new items for you, from shelves, from under counters, from back rooms, from other locations, until you've found something you like, or they've exhausted the options. Only when they tell you they have nothing else remaining do you know there's nothing else remaining ... and then you can be absolutely certain you've seen it all.
We have a favorite jewelry store we patronize. First, we start in the display case, move to the windows, move to things below the counter, and finally to the safe ... yes, they open up the safe and bring out the good stuff. You've heard the saying, "The good stuff's in the back."? Well, in this case we've learned the good stuff's in the safe.
One other aspect that should be explored is how well sales clerks know sizes and can tell you what size you wear by sight. I would venture that over 95% of the time, if they tell you it fits, it fits. No need to try it on. Seriously. Trust them.
As well, it's our experience that they will guide you to what looks good on you, and not try to push merchandize to get it out of the store. They'll be honest and tell you it's "bella" or "elegante", or just shake their head no or suggest something else if what you've selected is not "la moda". I'm told this law breaks down in the big cities, and it likely does, I've just never experienced it.
Now that you know the secrets: Happy Shopping!
We still haven't figured out why, but Italian shopkeepers tend to only put on display a small portion (maybe 10% to 25%) of the goods they have available in their store. We've seen this number proven in jewelry stores, shoe stores, home goods stores, clothing stores, and just about any other type of store.
It could be that it's simply a matter of using space wisely. We've seen items stored in the most innovative ways under counters, under display windows, in back rooms, and in other locations across the vialle or across town ... and the shopkeeper will literally run down the street to retrieve a few items while you wait. Because of the construction, especially in downtown or city center ("centro") areas, it's not a simple matter to just add on to a store. Thus, the need for more than one location.
The other thought is that shopping, like all things in Italy, must be a social interaction of the highest order. In clothing stores, you work with the clerk to start the process of analyzing and selecting what you'd like to purchase. Shopkeepers prefer you NOT TOUCH THIER MERCHANDISE until they help you and tell you (or indicate to you) that it's OK to touch. It's a dead giveaway that you're not Italian when you start rummaging through goods (like I do at Sam's Club to find that 34 x 30 pair of jeans) to find what you need.
So, ask or point to start the interaction. Keep saying you don't like what you see and the clerk will slowly but surely continue to find new items for you, from shelves, from under counters, from back rooms, from other locations, until you've found something you like, or they've exhausted the options. Only when they tell you they have nothing else remaining do you know there's nothing else remaining ... and then you can be absolutely certain you've seen it all.
We have a favorite jewelry store we patronize. First, we start in the display case, move to the windows, move to things below the counter, and finally to the safe ... yes, they open up the safe and bring out the good stuff. You've heard the saying, "The good stuff's in the back."? Well, in this case we've learned the good stuff's in the safe.
One other aspect that should be explored is how well sales clerks know sizes and can tell you what size you wear by sight. I would venture that over 95% of the time, if they tell you it fits, it fits. No need to try it on. Seriously. Trust them.
As well, it's our experience that they will guide you to what looks good on you, and not try to push merchandize to get it out of the store. They'll be honest and tell you it's "bella" or "elegante", or just shake their head no or suggest something else if what you've selected is not "la moda". I'm told this law breaks down in the big cities, and it likely does, I've just never experienced it.
Now that you know the secrets: Happy Shopping!
posted by Mark Pukita | 9:22 AM
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