Ahh… it’s the holiday season and most of all, Christmas is just around the corner. It’s also the month of giving and receiving gifts and of course counting your blessings too. December is the month where you’d be spending your money on shopping for gifts. Where do you usually go Christmas shopping for your loved ones? Do you shop online? Or the traditional way of going to a department store and get everything there?
Speaking of department stores, it’s the best place to do all your shopping because it’s a one-stop emporium where you get to shop for people of all ages. The best thing about a department store is that it is so organized that it makes shopping so easy and smooth.
Every mall would definitely have at least one department store anchoring at the corner. You probably can name a number of department stores by heart but here’s a list of some you may not have heard of.
1. Harvey Nichols
Originated in Knightsbridge, London back in 1831 this store has expanded to Southeast Asia. Its first and probably the only store in the southeast Asia country is in Hong Kong. You can find designer items such as bags, men and women’s fashion, beauty products and many more.
2. Nordstrom
You may or may not have heard this name before. Nordstrom is an American chain of luxury department store that sells a wide array of designer items. Its brick and mortar store is only available in the U.S but their online store ships worldwide. You can shop at the online store in your local currency and even have them ship to your doorstep. Nordstrom also owns Nordstrom Rack, which is much discounted branded goods at retail. You can find designer goods that are sold at a much cheaper price and more than you can bargain for.
3. Lane Crawford
Not to be confused with Singapore’s Crawford Lane, Lane Crawford department store has been around since 1850 in Hong Kong and China. The name Lane Crawford is inspired by the two founders namely Thomas Ash Lane and Ninian Crawford. Lane Crawford is not your typical luxury high-end department store. The brands sold in the store are specially curated and not just any commercial designer brands. It is more suited for shoppers who have exquisite fashion style. It has shifted from a department store to a specialty store selling women and men fashion, jewelry, cosmetics and even home and lifestyle goods.
4. Mitsukoshi
You’ve definitely heard of Isetan but you may not have heard of Mitsukoshi, Japan’s oldest department store. Why do we link these two together? Fun fact: 8 years ago, both Isetan and Mitsukoshi have merged together to form Isetan Mitsukoshi Holdings. However, these two chains are still on its own entity, with Mitsukoshi being the more upscale and pricier one compared to Isetan.
5. Lotte Department Store
If you’ve been to Korea, you probably are familiar with this name. Lotte Department Store is the biggest department store in Korea. Founded in 1979, it has become the leader in Korean shopping culture since. Smacked in the middle of the city, it is conveniently accessible via public transportation and is family friendly to people of all ages. Unlike other department stores that are open 7 days a week, Lotte Department Store closes one day a month. It is a whole experience shopping there because there are so many brands for you to choose from and there are also plenty of restaurants for you to eat in. This department store goes up to 14 floors, which makes them indeed the biggest department store in Korea.
Have you heard of these names before? What do you think of these department stores? Department stores have become an essential part of your shopping experience especially when you are visiting a different country. Every department store offers a different experience altogether. Do you do your shopping at these stores? Share with us what other department stores that are not available in your country.