Berlin is considered the museum capital of the old womanEuropean architectural masterpieces of Brandenburger Tor, the Reichstag Building, the picturesque and fragrant Unter den Linden street, the ensemble at Alexanderplatz and Kunfürstendamm attract a large portion of tourists every day.
One of the traditional bourgeois monuments of the cityBerlin - KaDeWe, a department store that has lived for over a hundred years on Tauentzienstraße. This is a modern monument of bourgeois luxury, a modern atypical tourist attraction, large-scale center of entertainment and beautiful life. KaDeWe is able to surprise a person who has seen a lot and ruin even the most avid miser.
KaDeWe - the best shopping in all of Germany
One of the advertising slogans of the shopping center is: “If a commodity is missing, then most likely it does not exist”
KaDeWe department store in Berlin, or Kaufhaus desWestens (Western Trade House), is considered the largest department store in continental Europe. The area of trade giant Ka-De-Ve is 60 thousand square meters. Every day the department store receives more than 50 thousand visitors. The building has 67 escalators and 26 elevators. This luxury trading machine works every day except Sunday.
Given the scale and scope of this shoppingenterprises, it is absolutely natural that this particular store has become a favorite place for shopping for celebrities. At various times, Marlene Dietrich, Heidi Klum, Paris Hilton, almost all European princesses, Robin Williams and others were bought at the department store.
The history of the oldest boutique in Germany
Even considering all the department stores in the world, KaDeWe(Berlin) among them one of the most respectable and ancient. This trade centenarian was built back in 1907 by merchant Adolf Yandoff. The building was later sold to Hertie, and in the 30s confiscated and nationalized. After that, as is often the case with state-owned enterprises, the store was financially ruined, and soon destroyed, literally in 1943. The building was restored in the 50s, at which time the shopping center was a symbol of capitalist luxury and diversity. It only intensified the already distinct contrast between East Germany and West.
Today the department store is considered a symbol of Germanquality, service and lifestyle. The composition of the visitors is very heterogeneous. But most of all in the German department store of solid age, there are a lot of Asians, especially Chinese, Russian buyers and onlookers who do not buy anything, but want to look at all the magnificence.
The geography of the shopping center: how not to get lost in the country of shopping
The KaDeWe building in Berlin is truly enormous.In addition, this place is often crowded due to its excessive popularity. Those who want to make a visit to the shopping center as productively as possible should, for a start, at least approximately enlighten themselves about where the outlets are located. Otherwise, there is a risk to spend the whole day in search of the necessary department.
The store has 7 floors, each of which specializes in a certain group of goods.
1.The first floor is the patrimony of the luxury perfumery and cosmetics shops. There are also boutiques with bags, watches, decorations. The opportunity to meet a fake in the departments of such a status trading house is zero, the opportunity to meet an enthusiastic lady is 100%.
2The second floor was occupied by shops of goods for men. There is a large selection of true German quality shoes, clothing, accessories from reputable brands of the luxury segment and middle market: Lacoste, Hugo, Armani. Also an impressive range of products for sports and outdoor activities.
3. The third floor is another illustration of the novel about "ladies' happiness." It sells women's clothing, shoes, underwear, accessories.
4. The fourth floor should be visited by those who are looking for gifts, souvenirs, household goods, children's things, dishes, wedding gowns.
5. On the fifth floor there are shops where you can buy everything for entertainment: books, toys, goods for travelers, gadgets, equipment,
6. The sixth floor is completely dedicated to the gastronomy department. Here you can try and buy all sorts of products in the most unimaginable combinations.
7. On the seventh floor there is a restaurant with a picturesque panoramic view of Berlin and a gourmet selection of wines and snacks.
What brands are represented in the department store
On the ground floor there are many retail outlets.world cosmetic brands and jewelry boutiques: Dr. Hauschka, Kanebo Sensai, La Mer, Estée Lauder, Lancome, La Prairie, Omega, Tiffany & Co, Cartier, Louis Vuitton, Prada, Chanel, Bulgari.
On the second and third floors there are manymid-priced stores and reputable German and European brands: Carven, Mary Katrantzou, Issa London, Theory, Alice + Olivia, Lacoste, Hugo, Escada, Armani, Gucci, The Row, Dior, Elizabeth & James, True Religion, Fred Perry.
The gastronomy department is a gourmet haven on the sixth floor.
The famous paradise of snacks on the sixth floor isAnother business card KaDeWe in Berlin. This department is in the Guinness Book of Records. Its size and scope is amazing. The department sells more than 500 types of bread, 8 thousand types of cheese, more than two thousand varieties of wine. The department sells products of different, radically different price categories. This large-scale food hall sells the rarest and unique delicacies and an infinite number of options for ordinary products. Three quarters of all visitors to the department store always drop into this department. Moreover, if the entire department store is more a tourist destination for shopping, then in the food department there is the highest chance of meeting the Germans.
Tips for beginners and continuing shopaholics. Or how to keep sanity and wallet
Most travelers who have visited thiscult shopping center, they note that prices in it keep pace with its prestige. In many European shopping centers, especially in Munich, Milan, Barcelona, prices are lower even for similar delusional positions than in KaDeWe in Berlin. Shops of our country, however, can not boast of competitive prices, even in comparison with the iconic and expensive "KaDeVe". So, for those who do not have a wealth of European shopping experience, the prices in the hotels of KaDeVe will seem very pleasant, compared to Moscow or Kiev. Moreover, in the huge Berlin store there is a lot more range and higher quality of service.
For those who do not like to overpay, to diet your wallet only in the name of visiting the largest department store in Europe, you should remember a few rules.
Air travelers when buying a profitable pricegoods must take into account their weight and immediately virtually round off their cost, taking into account how much will have to pay at the airport for the advantage. Or fly to Berlin only with hand luggage, and on the return flight to book a fare with luggage.
It also does not hurt before visiting the mallfamiliarize yourself with the brands that are represented there, and sketch out an approximate shopping list. For those who are eager to have more detailed information about the shopping center, there is a site www.kadewe.de. You can find out the map of the center, the list of stores, their schedules, the schedule of sales and other useful information on this site.
The most pleasant time for a measured shopping inKaDeWe - the period before lunch on weekdays. Then the shopping center is not yet filled with local buyers, tourists have a chance to calmly make a choice, fitting and buying. Without long lines and a very distinctive sales hysteria, which can be briefly described as "With such discounts, you must take EVERYTHING, otherwise someone else will take them." Such a situation should be extremely avoided and prevented with all its might. Set yourself the maximum allowable amount of expenditure for a particular shopping, not to buy something that does not quite fit just due to the fact that the things that are really needed were not found. Perhaps, as an additional deterrent with a need to take a girlfriend, spouse or mother.
Alas, not every young lady has a "vaccine" fromshopaholism. Fortunately, many women have learned to mask this flaw under the "innocent weakness." Before plunging into the atmosphere of luxury and shopping happiness, which is often associated with the KaDeWe store in Berlin, you may want to visit several other interesting sights of the glorious German capital, watch the indigenous people. Thus, you will have at least some chance of becoming infected with German pragmatism and a passion for logic. Not all people can spend a few hours in the mall, not spending all their earnings over the past 200 years. And even those who think that shopping magic does not work on them simply do not fully realize how much the magic of a large luxury shopping center affects the minds of buyers. So, do not interfere with shopping with a grab a piece of the German mentality. And try a sober approach to shopping.
Sales in Berlin
The ideal time for shopping is the season of discounts.In KaDeWe, as, indeed, everywhere in Berlin, the main discount periods are December-January and August-September. Most shopping experts advise to pay attention to sales on the classic or iconic things, those that are always in trend. It can be bags, outerwear, suits, shoes.
For those who soberly and purposefully plansshopping in Berlin, the KaDeWe department store can be the starting point of a tranquil marathon. But, if you have a little time, you should not end your shopping tour at this department store. The fact is that there is a lot of outlet stores in Berlin, where prices are much more pleasant, and shopping is more profitable and reckless. Outlets mainly sell original and high-quality items, but from last year’s collections and with very nice discounts. The problem with outlets is that they are far from the central areas and boutique arteries of the city, so the list of planned purchases should be impressive to compensate for travel expenses and inconveniences. Main Outlets: Designer Outlet Berlin, Zalando Outlet, Leiser Fabrikverkauf.
Where to have a good time, eat and relax in a department store
In addition to shopping, there are many more in “KaDeVe”pastime options. On the ground floor there are many beauty salons, where women's souls are treated not only with a banal massage and manicure. Here you can try out the unique spa procedures that are available only in the most expensive hotels.
On the fifth floor not far from the book department there is a cozy, very stylish reading area (and also a free one).
There are many restaurants and cafes in the entire department store.well-known networks, but the most pretentious restaurant is located on the seventh floor. The restaurant is not cheap. A luxurious view of the city, probably included in the bill. Also on this floor there is a winter garden and a terrace.
Instead of an afterword
KaDeWe in Berlin is one of the main unofficialattractions. It is not strange that many international tourists aspire to visit this pretentious department store. And not always with the goal of buying something. This is the paradox of large shopping centers: not every visitor becomes a buyer. This fate cannot be avoided by the Dubai Mall, Harrods in London, and even the Russian Central Department Store. The whole point is that eminent shopping centers offer retail space with an excessive rent. In addition, in the boutiques of luxury brands prices are already terribly biting.
The only good advice for tourists withaverage solvency is not to be afraid to visit expensive shopping centers and to perceive such trips as visits to museums or exhibitions. Millions of tourists do this. Moreover, we can safely say that the management of department stores absolutely favorably refers to such visitors. Even those who do not generate income for specific trade pavilions still help to maintain the image of the entire department store. Tourists walk there, take pictures, post photos on social networks, tell friends about the store. This is also a kind of passive advertising. And what a thrill for buyers: take a walk, gaze at the beauty, taste something, try on luxurious shoes, test expensive perfumes, gaze at the elegant shop windows. And buy a loaf and tights. As a result, the minimum cost and maximum pleasant experiences.
This option is not suitable pastimeto individuals who do not always feel comfortable in expensive shops. To avoid an awkward situation, it should be understood that the culture of customer service in Germany, especially in KaDeVe, is high. So the situations when sellers demonstrate a sour face with a dumb question: “So we’ll buy something”, are extremely rare.
