Duty-free shopping became available for the first time in 1947 when the first duty-free shop was opened at Shannon Airport in Ireland. The concept may sound confusing to those people who are not into travelling much as duty-free shops can be found in international zones at airports, train stations, and seaports. These shops sell goods that are exempt from certain taxes and duties, which is why the prices of such goods can be much cheaper.
If you are about to go travelling by plane and you want to make the most of duty-free shopping at the airport, by choosing the right deals and saving some money, here are a few useful tips.
Spirits
When it comes to spirits, many brands tend to offer some special products for a limited period of time only in duty-free shops as a way of attracting new customers. If you are interested in spirits, you are aware that you cannot find the best gin or the best rum in every country, so companies take advantage of duty-free shops at airports to introduce their products to as many customers as they can. If you are interested in whiskey, you should look for Glenfiddich or Balvenie, and if you prefer gin, Hendrick’s is the right choice.
If you happen to come across a spirit that is not available in your country, you should think about buying it. Even if you do not want to consume it, you can sell it later and make a profit.
Do not buy candies
Although candies can be great gifts, you should avoid buying them at duty-free shops if you do not want to waste your money. Candies are a big part of duty-free shops for two reasons. First, they are intended for travelers who want some snacks or something sweet to nibble on. There are often many discounts that will make you think that these candies are cheaper, but that is rarely the case. The other reason for so many different kinds of candies at duty-free shops is the fact that a lot of people consider them as a good last-minute gift if they have forgotten to buy something else. Although many people would be happy to get candies as a souvenir, you should think about getting a different souvenir or buying candies at some other place.
Do not buy sunglasses
Quite similar to the tip regarding buying candies, you should avoid purchasing sunglasses at duty-free shops at airports. The choice of sunglasses will certainly impress you and make you think that sunglasses can be a great gift, but all those sunglasses can be found elsewhere at a cheaper price. If you want to spend your money reasonably at a duty-free shop, you should definitely stay away from sunglasses.
Do a little research
While making plans for your trip, you should take some time to do research on the available duty-free shops at the airport where you are planning to take your flight. Although you can certainly find a lot of products at a cheaper price at a duty-free shop, you should not buy just anything that seems to cost less than its average price. Being familiar with what you can expect at the duty-free shop will help you make better decisions.
Finally, if you want to do duty-free shopping wisely, you should look for big brands since their prices are always lower at duty-free shops. Even when you find such brands, you should not rush. You should check all the offers at the duty-free shop since there are often a lot of discounts that can help you save money.
