Finding Factory Outlet Shopping & Shops in Finland.Wanting to buy high quality Finnish name brand products? Try factory outlet shopping. Where can you find that in Finland? You look at the standard shop prices, and shake your head, and say to yourself "Too expensive." If you think the picture on the
right is plain, dull and boring, you are right.The gray picture contains text what is written on front of the door of this outlet shop in Riihimäki. In case you don't understand Finnish, this plain picture boasts that it sells cheap products, like Havi candles, Marimekko designer napkins, table cloths, etc. Also it sells 1st's and 2nd's. This is a low-key way of letting you know that, they are really good deals in this shop. Prices
in Finland.-The shocking truth!
Our friend Stephen, from the UK, is a shop owner in Tampere. Stephen comments: "This is what I have seen with small Finnish stores: First, the product is imported. Then a distributor send the goods on to the shops." Ok, that is quite standard. The story continues... ...Stephen adds: Many Finnish small stores sell to each other after getting their own products delivered to their doorstep. This in turn, bumps the price up. Sometimes, way up. Much of the traditional advertising media, like local television, even Finnish country based internet pages, will NOT necessarily lead you to the best deals you may be looking for. Tip: If the price feels high, it probably is. If you sense a high priced product, you are probably right. Most likely you can find it cheaper with more selection with factory outlet shopping. There is nothing wrong with paying for high quality produced goods, but for an honest shopper, there are Many Many stores in Finland, that for some reason, have included layers of added expenditure. -Another topic altogether. Saving money and shopping at the
right store.
There are outlets with name brands not near the factory. In this page, our focus is on Finnish made goods. Rule #1 - Ask a friend, a trustworthy local. Ask someone who knows you well enough to lead you to find the best deal while shopping. If the shop has a reputation for being a busy bustling shop with great deals, selling quality Finnish products, that is probably the shop you are looking for. In Finland, people are for the most part, honest. If you ask 'an anybody' on the street, where to do factory outlet shopping, you may just get a: "I don't know" kind of answer. That is why it's wise to ask a friend local to that region. Tip to getting the best deals in town. The Finnish culture is such that, people may tend not share their best advice with you. That is why You (as a non-national/resident, tourist visitor, Finn) may need to in a slight way, ask the local the right questions. Rule #2 -If the factory is a long distance from the shop, the prices are generally higher. Test the authenticity of the factory outlet shop. You will know if it is real, if the factory is close by. Or, if the product is made right where the shop is located. For instance, the Iiittala glass factory near Hämeenlinna is a classic example of where the factory and shop are located next to each other. Buy the seconds and the first's at the factory outlet shop in Iittala. The factory outlet shop in Iitalla does sell #1 quality, and you can also find other quality products that looks just as cool at the factory outlet shop in Iittala, with more variety, then let's say, if you buy it Jumbo. Iittala offers not only shopping for candies, and designer Finnish made Iittala products, also honey products. While you are there tour the Iittala factory to see how glass is made. This same principle applies while shopping for yummy Kultasuklaa(the company) chocolates like these in the next two pictures:  Buy chocolate Sauna greeting cards made in Finland. But look at the price. Ouch! Or perhaps
you would like some high tech chocolates like these.
 Left side: A Nokia mobile phone. Right: Finnish flag in a dish If you want to save money, and see more variety, instead of shopping for this candy in Tampere at Kauppahalli the local farmers market, buy it from the factory outlet store in Iittala. Here is the address: Iittala, tehdas factory ja myymälä shop Könnölänmäentie 2 D, 14500 Iittala Open daily between 10 am and 7 pm Phone 010 423 2600, fax 03 633 2300 or you can email them at: kultasuklaa@kultasuklaa.fi Which brings us to anther important rule. Rule #3. Plan out your factory outlet shopping trip. Plan what you want to buy and where to get it from. Combining a shopping spree with another event saves you money and time. Many people think that they will save, especially after reading about an add, either on TV, mail adds, or other printed adds. All of a sudden they have this urge to "buy buy buy." So they take a long trip to go and buy that "On Sale" item. -Resist the Urge!, and instead plan. In order to curb that buying fever, combine your shopping, let's say with a touristic sightseeing trip of that specific city, or while visiting a friend, etc. Shopping together is fun! Our Factory Outlet Shopping experience in Riihimäki. To start with, here are a few pictures from a true Finnish outlet store. We are here to buy birthday party supplies. And boy are they cheap.  The sign outside the shop reads...Tehtaanmyymälä which is in English: Factory outlet shop. Now we are inside the Havi factory outlet shop Havin tehdasmyymälä in Riihimäki.  If you have ever shopped in Finland before you will know what I am about to say. When items run out fast, they are in demand. Which means, that people buy these, use these in high quantities, and have reasonable quality. Sometimes that is a clue for the best deals. I look for an empty box to see if I can spot a deal. Obviously every one else thinks it's a good deal, otherwise the boxes would not be empty. Fact is, these folks at this shop have no need to make the shop visually attractive, with flashy "Buy This" and "Sale Here" banners, They basically stack the boxes, open them up, slap on a price tag, and voila. Finnish designer products we found at Havi's in Riihimäki.  Aarikka Finnish designer birthday party supplies.  Ahhh. Birch trees.  Aarikka Finnish flag napkins Here is what Rosa finds.  Marimekko party supplies for two euros...cheap! C'mon guys this is designer stuff. Women really know how to shop when it comes to parties.  Yes, come celebrate Halloween in Finland. What else can we find? Candles. Every party needs candles.  How much do the candles cost?  One euro per candle. That is a bargain. Yes, cheap. Romantic lighting for your yard  Buy big outdoor candles. Use these, by lighting them on heat proof bases, and setting them on top of metal stands, sandy walkways, or snow. The candles light up the entrances to houses, or sauna building so stairs and paths are more visible for evening visiting guests. Outlet shopping at the the local
artisans shop.
Here is and example of an online and traditional shop combined. Here is where you can see a local Finnish artist's products on display, and order online, plus have products delivered to your home. Ceramics Ari Markkola Saumantie 10, 61300 Kurikka Phone: 06 450 4344 Opening hours: Mon.-Fr.i 10- 6 pm, Sat. 10-14, Sun 12-15 See the example of an internet web shop factory outlet arimarkkola.fi New to shopping in Finland?
Let's illustrate what is Not factory outlet shopping. In other word, these next few exampes show pictures what are not factory outlet shops. This will help you to identify what you are looking for. Not factory outlet shopping...
the Helsinki-Vantaa airport  Here at the airport, this reindeer is all cute and cuddly, begging the passerby to come in, but the prices are... ...let's look inside the shop. Here are the prices in that cute Reindeer store at the Helsinki airport.  Iittala glass products on display at the airport in Helsinki. Not factory outlet shopping
Malls and shopping centers. ...unless of course, you want to splurge.  Malls and large shopping centers all have their own stores, but while looking for specific Finnish designed product, this is the place Not to shop. Except...we have found Minimani at Ideapark in Lempäälä to have quite good prices. Let's say even for Iittala products. Another
exception are the smaller handcraft shops in Ideapark.
Photo of one of the cutest handcraft shops I have seen in Finland.  Here, local tradesmen show off their handwork. Great for gift shopping. The local business shop owner regulates the prices. Just remember...the overhead is high for these small business owners, and that is made up in the final price of the goods. Not factory outlet shopping
Small gas/service station shopping center malls.  If, and when you stop to tank up at a large
fill-up/petrol service
station. Inside there may be a variety of brand name shops.Buying designer products from here is not the cheapest, you can however find name brands like NP womens pants. These pants are popular, since they are designed to fit All sizes and shapes. NP is a Finnish family based business and exports products to Norway, Germany, Sweden, Russia, UK, and the Ukraine. Aura found a pair of pants for less than 20 euros. That is cheap. Not factory outlet shopping
A countryside cafe  Albeit, old Finnish farmhouse structures are lovely to visit, to stop for a coffee and tea break. For one, not all accept VISA, so be prepared to pay cash. We visited this cafe on our way from Tampere to lake Päijänne. Besides the already famous Iittala glass factory & shops, listed are a few factory outlet shops in Finland that we have either been to or can recommend. Havin tehtaanmyymälä
- Marimekko, Havi, candles and party supplies.
Kyntilätie 6, Riihimäki Phone: 019 830 3246 Opening hours: Tue.-Fri. 10 am - 6 pm, Sat. 9 am - 2.30 pm. The Panda Factory Outlet shop - Sell famous Finnish liquorice at this Finnish candy store Asematie 2, 40800 Vaajakoski Phone: 014 446 9162 Opening hours: Mon.-Fri. 9 am - 5 pm , Sat. 9 am - 3 pm ; Sundays 12 noon - 4 pm only in June, July, and December. More examples: Shop's related to cook ware: Get a preview of the Tulikivi Shop which sells Finnish made tableware and cookware. A few shops selling sauna accessories and related products like these cute gnomes for your sauna Or for more traditional sauna accessories & products see: Parttia Hiidenkirnuntie 5, 48770 Kotka Phone: 05 227 5500 Opening hours Mon.-Fri. 8 am - 4 pm Visit their internet pages for examples in Finnish, before visiting their shop in Kotka parttia.fi Fresh Baked products from local producers. Pohjoinen Pikatie 955, 04940 Levanto Phone: 019 688 3733 Opening hours: Tue.-Thu. 10 am - 6 pm, Friday and Sundays 10 am 7 pm Saturdays 10 am - 4 pm. See a brief description at the kotipiiri website Roasted Coffee Some organic freshly brewed coffee delivered to your doorstep. They sell Coffee and Tea, flavored syrup Address: Lohjanharjuntie 1147, 08500 Lohja Phone: 050 566 0734 Opening hours Saturdays 10 am 4 pm. Visit them online and shop online at: Cafetoria Go
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