Shopping

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Retail therapy in São Paulo is chic and sophisticated with luxury designer goods more in evidence than handicrafts. There’s a growing trend for shopping malls yet bric-a-brac outdoors markets appear during weekends.

Markets
Two fun weekend markets include the oriental-themed handicrafts of Praça da Liberdade on Saturdays and Sundays and Praça Benedicto Calixto’s Saturday flea market in the Bohemian district of Vila Madalena. The latter has live samba music. There’s also an inviting produce market on Thursdays in front of Pacaembu football stadium.

Shopping centres
Significant shopping malls include the long-established Iguatemi, Avenida Brig. Faria Lima 2232, and the more luxurious Cidade Jardim, Avenida Magalhães de Castro 12000, which includes diamond retailers Tiffany & Co. Both pale in significance compared to Daslu, Avenida Chedid Jafet 131: a haunt for nouveau riche and fashionistas’ enjoying designer Brazilian outlets such as Osklen.

Key areas
Don’t be surprised to see a Lamborghini cruising by São Paulo’s über-exclusive designer shopping streets running south off Avenida Paulista. Deluxe international brands confirm Oscar Freire as one of the 10 most expensive shopping streets in the world; the opulence continues into Haddock Lobo and Bela Cintra streets. For an earthier experience less intimidating on one’s wallet, Rua 25 de Marco in Centro is a lively outdoors shopping area trading jewelry, fabrics, and handicrafts.

Shopping hours
Typical hours for stores in São Paulo are Monday-Saturday 0900-1800 and closed Sunday. Shopping Malls usually open every day 1000-2200 but times vary on Sundays.