In Scotland there are many different types of shopping experiences for your clients. There are, of course, big chain stores in the main streets of the cities and larger towns. Glasgow and Edinburgh offer some high quality shopping malls. Then there are the smaller, individually owned shops in quieter streets, which can make interesting shopping as well as exploring. Many of Scotland’s visitor attractions and VisitScotland iCentres have good shops which make them an excellent place to buy gifts.
Some suggestions of the types of products, exclusive to Scotland, that your clients should look out for include; Harris or Border tweeds, designer and hand-made knitwear, cashmere, Shetland and Fair Isle woollens, tartan rugs, Edinburgh crystal, Caithness glass, hand-made jewellery and Celtic silverware.
Reclaim the VAT
The British sales tax (Value Added Tax or VAT) is currently 20%. This tax is almost always included in quoted prices in shops, hotels and restaurants. Your clients can reclaim the VAT on goods by using the Foreign Exchange Tax Free Shopping arrangement. This is only available in participating shop, hotels and restaurants, so advise your clients to ask before they purchase any items. To get a VAT refund, they must complete a Tax Free Shopping form at the shop where the goods are purchased (passports are needed at this point). Then your clients should present the form and the goods to HM Customs and Excise as they leave the UK.