10 New York shopping tips everyone must know

Carry British ID with you. Before you even think about hitting Bloomingdales or Macy’s, locate the visitor centres and show your drivers’ licence or any other ID with your UK address on it and you will receive a discount voucher to spend in the store.

It’s usually 11% and if you spend over a certain amount, make sure you bring the receipts back to the visitor centre inside the store as proof of purchase and you will receive a free gift. What’s not to love?!

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American labels such as Levi’s, Nike, Converse, J. Crew and Apple products are markedly cheaper in the UK. You can cheap them out on the American websites before you go and work out just how much money you will save compared to the UK websites and stores. 

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One thing you can’t avoid on the first day is jetlag. So when you’re up at 5am, why not head to the Apple store on Fifth Avenue which is open 24 hours and pick up some new gadgets or accessories. 

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If you haven’t heard of these top secret sanctuaries, they sell pre-owned, authenticated designer clothes, bags, wallets, jewellery and shoes. It’s like eBay for lazy, rich people. Areas like the Upper East Side of NY on Madison Avenue have some of the best consignment stores as it’s a wealthy neighbourhood.

One of the best is Michael’s Consignment Store where you can pick up fabulous, wool Prada trousers for £70, a Chanel bag for £350, Jimmy Choo knee high leather boots £130 and suede Christian Louboutin heels for £110. 

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FAO Schwarz is America’s oldest toy store. The legendary Fifth Avenue shop is also known for its starring role in the Tom Hanks classic film Big where the actor jumped around on a life-size piano keyboard.

As well as stocking every imaginable toy, the iconic store also houses the Muppet Whatnot Workshop where you can design and create your very own Muppet.

Get to the store a few minutes before opening time in order to be first in the queue for the workshop. It’s $100 (£63) to create your own. 

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Buy the local papers to find out which sample sales are on during your trip. Designers are permanently throwing sales where you can pick up goodies for at least half price.

It’s also worth squeezing in a trip to Century 21 discount department store all the way down in the financial district. Leave yourself plenty of time to rummage for designer bargains. 

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There are some fantastic flea markets in NY and Brooklyn. Some of the best where you can find  jewellery, antiques, vintage bric-a-brac, clothing and artisanal food are: The Market NYC (159 Bleecker Street), Artists and Fleas in Chelsea (88 10th Ave @ W. 15th Street), Brooklyn Flea (One Hanson Place, Brooklyn) and Hell’s Kitchen Flea Market West 39th Street between 9th & 10th Avenues. Check their websites for opening times. 

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With the money you’ve saved, why not upgrade yourself on your flight back to the UK? Virgin Atlantic have a fantastic offer where you can bid for an upgrade online on Your Bid, their online upgrade auction and decide the lowest and highest prices you would pay for an upgrade.

Or you could pay a bit extra for more legroom or a guaranteed bulkhead seat so you can stretch out and dream about the bargains you’ve bought.

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Don’t snub high street stores which we also have over in the UK. On a recent trip, we found Uniqlo’s prices – especially for their cashmere sweaters – were cheaper in NY than back home in England.

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For Soho and department store shopping, the best times of day are weekday mornings (on non-public holidays) or weekday evenings in order to have the run of the stores.

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The best Christmas markets in the UK
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