 SHOPPING
IN ICELAND
Ultra Hip and Unexpected
Reykjavik may very well be the best-kept secret of the cosmopolitan
shopping enthusiast. Despite rumors that Reykjavik's an expensive
city, its prices are generally on a par with those in New
York. And when it comes to high fashion or designer wear,
Reykjavik prices are almost always more reasonable. What gives?
Well, in Reykjavik the markup is lower, thanks to reasonably
priced retail space and lower overhead. Add to this the 15%
tax-free refund for tourists - off a minimum purchase
of ISK 4,000 (near $50 US) - and you may wind up with some
excellent buys indeed. Incidentally, price tags in Iceland
always include sales tax.
Visitors often comment on the pleasure of shopping in Reykjavik
because of the extensive, high-quality selection available
within a relatively small geographical area. The city has
two main shopping centers: the Kringlan mall and the downtown
area, centered in and around the city's main artery, Laugavegur.
In addition, interesting shopping districts may be found in
neighboring towns, as well as in Akureyri in the north of
Iceland.
DOWNTOWN
Icelanders have a great deal of affection for their atmospheric
"old city center", which in addition to top-of-the-line stores
has a great number of excellent cafes, restaurants and bars.
Starting at the top of Laugavegur (Reykjavik's main shopping
street) and making your way westward, you will find a number
of exclusive boutiques and fashion stores. Just off Laugavegur,
on a street called Snorrabraut, the Kistan boutique carries
the romantic Laura Ashley line of home design products and
clothing. Gallery Sautjan fashion emporium, a little farther
down on Laugavegur, carries an extensive range of clothing
for men, women and teens, from such diverse manufacturers
as Calvin Klein, Paul Smith and Kookai. Farther along, on
the left, is one of the most trendy fashion boutiques in Iceland:
GK. Its Laugavegur shop carries men's clothing and its Kringlan
shop women's. The shoe boutique 39 �rep offers some of the
most stylish footwear in the downtown area, as does the aforementioned
Gallery Sautjan, while Kron stocks the trendy Camper line.
Where Laugavegur becomes a street called Bankastraeti there's
a cluster of fine stores, including Flex, the Saevar Karl
boutique (an interior-design delight with even an art gallery
on premises). On the parallel street Hverfisgata, the Italian-based
Max Mara sells its own well-known lines. But there's more
than just clothes to Laugavegur: accessories, children's clothes,
fine porcelain, leather goods, cosmetics, lingerie, books,
CDs and plenty more. And, by the way, don't forget to check
out stores located on the second floor. Though not so visible,
they are usually well worth a browse!
 GOT
ART?
Leading up from Laugavegur and ending at the Hallgrimskirkja
church is Skolavordustigur, one of the chicest shopping streets
in the city. It has boutiques, gourmet stores, a furrier,
jewelry design studios, art galleries, and a lot more. A browse
through the stores on Skolavordustigur is highly recommended,
and here's a tip: Locally made items of art are among the
best buys you will find in Iceland. They are beautiful, innovative,
unique, and exclusive - at prices hard to beat. You will find
these all along Skolavordustigur, in the small shopping plaza
Listhusid (on Sudurlandsbraut across from Hotel Esja), as
well as in Kirsuberjatred and Gallery Kogga on Vesturgata
- and Snegla on Klapparstigur. Downtown stores hours of operation
vary somewhat, though generally they are 10-6 weekdays, 10-2
(or 4) Saturdays, and until 6 on the first Saturday of the
month.
UNDER ONE ROOF
At Kringlan, Reykjav�k's world-class shopping mall, the selection
of goods is every bit as diverse as in the downtown area.
And designer labels, both American and European, abound. One
of the most spectacular sports and outdoor leisure stores
in the country is located in Kringlan: Nanuk. On two floors
Nanuk carries an extensive range of equipment and clothing
for different types of activities, including a great selection
of sporty fashions. It also has a miniature travel agency,
a library with a fireplace, stuffed sofas, a collection of
books on outdoorsy subjects, and even a real stuffed polar
bear - a big hit with the kids. Out in the mall in front of
the store there is a three-story-high column for rock-climbing
- another hit with the kiddies, who are, it should be noted,
kept in a safety harness while climbing. Like downtown, Kringlan
has excellent fashion boutiques including BOSS, Gallery Sautjan,
the aforementioned GK for women, Karen Millen, DKNY, In-Wear,
Steinar Waage and Valmiki for shoes.
Kringlan is located within walking distance of several of
the city's main hotels. It is easily accessible by bus from
the old city center and has ample - and free - parking.
 Opening
hours for Kringlan stores and shops are generally Mon.-Wed.
10-6:30, Thurs. 10-9, Fri. 10-7 and Sat. 10-6. Most stores
are also open from 1-5 on Sundays.
Of course Reykjavik also has stores specializing in traditional
souvenirs, stocking a diverse selection of merchandise including
books, crafts, ceramics, jewelry, playing cards, calendars,
sheepskin products - and Iceland's famous woolens.
Every now and again, fashion stores will have clearance sales,
sometimes collectively. In such cases, they usually rent a
space together, fill it with clothes, shoes, or whatever,
and throw open the doors to rummagers. Excellent buys are
available. Alas, there seems to be no rhyme or reason to the
timing of such sales, so the best thing is to ask tourist
information offices, your hotel, or anyone else who might
be in the know.
Bargain hunters should also check out Reykjavik's only indoor
market, Kolaportid. Essentially, it is a large garage sale,
though some stands are permanent. Great buys can be had there
on handmade Icelandic sweaters and other woolens, CDs (both
new and used), toys, and sometimes shoes. Kolaportid's food
section is a tourist attraction in its own right, with its
traditional Icelandic fare of pickled herring, cured shark,
dried fish, and various other delicacies. Kolaportid is open
weekends from 11-5.
BUY ICELANDIC PRODUCTS ONLINE!
Icelanders and Iceland lovers around the world, rejoice! -
because you can now purchase your favorite Iceland-products
via the Internet! Yes indeed, www.IcelandicStore.com
is a website that is ready to mail those little care packages
to wherever you happen to be. So you will never have to do
without your dried hardfiskur, those fabulous Icelandic woolens,
those early Bjork-recordings, or other Icelandic essentials
again. Cool! |
