Before charting our route to the world’s shopping cities, let’s look at some statistics. The World Economic Forum, in a 2021 report, identified fashion and its supply chain as the third largest polluter on Earth. According to the United Nations Partnership on Sustainable Fashion and the SDG’s, “nearly 20percent of global wastewater is produced by the fashion industry, which also emits about ten percent of global carbon emissions – more than the emissions of all international flights and maritime shipping combined”. Aware of these statistics, many of the world’s leading brands have introduced campaigns and manufacturing protocols designed to address these issues. Just keep these details in the back of your mind when you’re shopping: making sustainable choices is for the benefit of everyone in the long run. Happy shopping!
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What is “Black Friday in the U.S.A and Canada?”
What is “Black Friday” in the USA and Canada?
Allegedly, Black Friday is the day when manufacturers and stores gain profits that bring them into “the black” for the year. Over time, Black Friday events have been adopted worldwide, offering shopping opportunities at more advantageous prices. It is a win-win situation for both consumers and sellers.
Go Back in Time: 1863
In the United States, Thanksgiving takes place on the fourth Thursday in November. (Thanksgiving in Canada takes place on the second Monday in October). The U.S. Thanksgiving is based on an autumn harvest feast that took place in the American colonies in 1621. In 1863, U.S. President Abraham Lincoln declared Thanksgiving an official national holiday.The U.S. Black Friday has a checkered history but, nowadays, it is known as a day of massive sales and discounts. Somehow, this celebration of consumption spread globally, and Black Friday is observed internationally. There is one significant difference: In Türkiye and in other countries where Islam is the most common religion, Friday is considered a sacred day. As such, ‘Black Friday’ has alternative names in these geographies, such as ‘Legendary Friday’ or ‘Super Friday’.
Shopping in New York
New York City is a city of infinite possibility and shopping in New York feels equally infinite. Check out fares to New York before you read this!
After a pandemic-related hiatus, we’re back to in-person shopping and forecasts suggest that Friday Flyday will bring the majority of passengers to the United States: The latest trend, concept stores, are popular in New York, covering a range of areas. For technology, standouts are Sonos on Green Street and the flagship Apple Store on 5th Avenue – one of the world’s iconic shopping avenues. Also in Soho: Lafayette 148 offers sophisticated yet accessible designs, while the Y-3 concept store features high-end sportswear and collaborations between fashion designers and the Adidas brand. South of Soho, in Lower Manhattan, the Westfield Shopping Center offers visitors high-end brands in a futuristic setting.
Shopping in Tokyo
Vibrant Tokyo offers a multitude of shopping, from the latest electronics to handmade crafts, from luxury design to fast fashion and from colorful anime art to priceless artisanal objects. For traditional products and local cuisine, the first area to check out is Nihonbashi. This lively commercial and financial district was home to Japan’s first department store. This store, Mitsukoshi, is still here, as is the venerable Takashimaya. The Shibuya ward features Tokyo’s two busiest railway stations, Shinjuku and Shibuya. The area around Shinjuku Station is known for its shopping and entertainment activities; the area around Shibuya is considered a nightlife and fashion hub. Harajuku is a district renowned for both street and high fashion, featuring both independent boutiques and international brands. Meanwhile, mall aficionados can visit the Tokyo Midtown, Nakano Broadway and Diver City Tokyo Plaza shopping complexes. Is your shopping appetite whetted? Check out our fares to Tokyo.
Shopping in Milan
Closer to home is Milan, considered one of the world’s four major fashion centers. Milan is home to one of the oldest enclosed shopping malls in history, Galleria Vittorio Emanuele II. The building, built between 1865 and 1877, should be visited simply for its striking architecture and old-world ambiance. Via Monte Napoleon is lined with boutiques featuring Milanese brands and iconic designers, including Gucci, Prada and Valentino. In addition to high-end fashion, Milan is renowned for its flea markets. While ‘Friday Flyday’ sales may not be on these shops’ agendas, both Corso Como and Mercatino Filatelico e Numismatico are worth a visit. The first step is a ticket to Milan!
Shopping in London
Author’s note: London is justifiably known for pioneering fashion. From timeless brands such as Barbour and Burberry to high-fashion veterans like Vivienne Westwood and Stella McCartney, London is somehow at the forefront of trending fashion in any era. When it comes to shopping in London, the first addresses that come to mind are Oxford Street and Covent Garden. And, of course, Harrods, the glittering shopping center in upscale Knightsbridge. The only address for London plane tickets, on the other hand, is here.
Shopping in Dubai
As we turn back to the east, Dubai welcomes us. Home to some of the world’s most grandiose structures, the Dubai Mall is, appropriately, among the largest shopping centers on the planet. Adjacent to the Dubai Mall is Burj Khalifa, at present the world’s tallest building. Both complexes are in the area known as Downtown Dubai. The Dubai Mall has hundreds of stores and eateries, as well as an aquarium and entertainment facilities. There are more than 200 luxury brand stores on the Mall’s Fashion Avenue. Dubai is also renowned for jewelry, gold and copper shops, along with electronics, coffee, Persian rugs and pashminas.
Shopping in Seoul
Seoul is said to be a paradise on earth for avid shoppers and the city’s most popular street for shopping is Myeong-dong. Considered one of the most important shopping areas not only in Seoul but also in South Korea, Myeong-dong has dozens of stores, shopping centers and boutiques. Another address is Dongdaemun Market, a commercial wholesale and retail district that is home to 26 shopping malls and nearly 30,000 stores. Dongdaemun also has an area specific to food and culinary accessories. The funky, artsy Hongdae neighborhood features trendsetting boutiques and shops, along with cafes and galleries. Ready to jet to Seoul? Just click here!
Shopping in Paris
As one of the four major fashion capitals, Paris evokes visions of cool confidence and a population that seems effortlessly fashionable. The first address that comes to mind for Paris shopping is undoubtedly the stately Avenue des Champs-Élysées. Anchored by the Place de la Concorde and the Arc de Triomphe at either end, this two-kilometer stretch is lined with stylish shops and flagships of every category, including Apple, Cartier, Louis Vuitton, Nike – and even a Galeries Lafayette branch, though the flagship of the iconic department store is on Boulevard Haussmann. Avenue Montaigne is another destination for high fashion boutiques, while Le Bon Marche department store, which resembles a shopping mall in Türkiye, offers a wide array of products from cosmetics to food, and from designer clothing to perfumes.
Shopping in Istanbul
And now we return back to home base, Istanbul, which is also a rich city in terms of shopping. Our bustling metropolis is home to numerous upscale shopping centers such as Zorlu Center, İstinye Park, and Akasya AVM, as well as shopping streets such as Bağdat Caddesi and Istiklal. Nişantaşı and Beyoğlu are two neighborhoods known for shopping, featuring independent, local and international brands that cater to a wide range of budgets and demographics. Let us remind you that no visit to Istanbul is complete withot stopping by the Grand Bazaar in Istanbul, one of the largest and oldest covered markets in the world, and the atmospheric Spice Bazaar. In addition, every shopping area in Istanbul will have cafes and restaurants! If you’re in Istanbul, it’s time to go on a tour – if you’re not, maybe it’s time check on fares for flights to Istanbul…
