Is It Worth the Trip? Luxury Shopping at the Mall Firenze Designer Outlets.
If you’re a fashion enthusiast, you probably know that shopping for designer brands can be quite expensive. However, what if I told you that you can buy luxury items at a discount? That’s right, at the Mall Firenze in Italy, you can shop for high-end fashion, jewelry, and accessories at discounted prices.
Let’s take a closer look at the Mall Firenze designer outlets and discuss whether it’s worth your time and money to visit them.
Table of Contents
Location
The Mall Firenze is located in the Tuscan countryside, about 30 minutes outside of Florence.
Read our post on the easiest way to get to the outlets here.
Designer Brands
The outlet mall boasts over 30 stores, including some of the most coveted luxury brands such as Gucci, Prada, Armani, Bottega Veneta, Burberry, Fendi, and Valentino, just to name a few.
You can see the full list of stores here.
Discounts & Deals
One of the main reasons people flock to outlet malls is to find good deals on designer items, and the Mall Firenze does not disappoint in this regard. The discounts vary from store to store, but generally range from 30% to 70% off the original price. This means that you can get a Gucci handbag or a pair of Prada shoes for a much lower price than you would at a regular retail store.
Additionally, most stores have sales during the year-end holidays, which means that you can get even bigger discounts during this time.
PLUS, non-EU residents can receive a refund of the Value-Added Tax ( VAT) on purchases made on the same day over €155 per merchant.
There is a very convenient Tax Free Lounge at the Mall Firenze where you can obtain an instant refund of part of the VAT paid on items purchased in Italy (just make sure you bring your passport with you).
As an example, let’s take a look at some of the discounts at the Gucci store:
Gucci Discounts
Canvas Marmont handbag
Original price €1,650
Outlet price €1,150
Savings €500 (30%)
Sunglasses
Original price €390
Outlet price €135
Savings €255 (65%)
Ace Sneakers
Original price €980
Outlet price €490
Savings €490 (50%)
Disney sneakers
Original price €690
Outlet price €485
Savings €205 (30%)
In the back of the Gucci store you can find a “clearance” rack with deeply discounted items. For example, this trench was originally €2,200, but it was priced at €690. That is €1,510 or 69% savings.
Our Savings
We traveled to the Mall Firenze with two specific items in mind: I wanted to get a Gucci belt and Valentino rubber sandals.
Luckily, I was able to find both of the items. Here is the breakdown of the savings.
Gucci Belt
I paid €250 less €31.25 VAT refund = €218.75 which is about $238.
If I were to buy this belt in US, it would cost me $627 (including tax).
Savings = $389 (62%)
Valentino Rockstud Rubber Sandals
I paid €260 less €32.50 VAT refund = €227.50 which is about $247.
If I were to buy them in US, they would cost me $580 (including tax).
Savings = $333 (57%)
My total savings were $722!
Final Thoughts
Is it worth your time and money to visit the Mall Firenze?
The answer depends on your budget, shopping preferences, and travel plans. If you’re a fan of luxury brands and want to save money on high-end items, then the Mall Firenze is definitely worth a visit. However, keep in mind that the prices are still relatively high, even with the discounts, so it might not be the best option if you’re on a tight budget.
Additionally, if you’re only in Florence for a short period of time, you might want to prioritize other attractions in the city.
