The best fashion and gift stores India

Timetable

There are no real rules. In crowded areas, shops live to the rhythm of the tourists. In more remote areas, it's the sun (from 6am to 6pm) that sets the pace. Finally, in major cities, stores are generally open between 10am and 9pm.

Budget & Tips

It's all about haggling. And you quickly get used to it, even if the prices are already very affordable, you don't deviate from the rule. You haggle in markets and small stores where prices are not displayed.

Keep small denominations and coins handy to pay for local transport and small everyday purchases, as shopkeepers are often short of change. What's more, if you're haggling, it's not a good idea to pay with a large bill...

Sales

Sales take place during the country's major holidays, in October/November. Online sales compete fiercely, with discounts of up to 90%!

What's very local

Stock up on spices and take a spice box to store them in, and buy fabrics that will look great as interior decoration. Tea, jewelry and local clothing make great gifts.

Haggling. All prices, with the exception of the official ones in government-run establishments and department stores, are likely to be haggled over in one way or another. Almost everywhere, haggling is a well-accepted practice, and often, depending on location and merchandise, you can expect a price to drop by around 30%. Sometimes, you should not hesitate to ask for a 50-70% reduction on the retailer's price right from the start. Whatever the case, it's always a good idea to shop around and compare prices. You can also ask other buyers how much they paid for a particular item. Another tip is that the first sale of the day is seen as an opportunity by shopkeepers, so it's early in the morning that the best bargains are likely to be found.

While haggling is an integral part of local customs, it is above all a matter of common sense: trying to get prices down is normal and even necessary for adapting to the country, but bargaining bitterly for a few rupees is indecent and inappropriate. Remember that haggling is not a battle, but a kind of social game played in good spirits. Last but not least, to negotiate well, show limited interest and be prepared to leave your item in the hands of the seller. Every other time, he'll catch up with you by accepting the price you last set.

Tourist traps

Indians are champions of counterfeiting. Beware of so-called "antiques" and very old objects. They are often sandblasted and left outside for a few months to give them a false patina. The same goes for textiles, where genuine silk sellers are 100% synthetic. Fake pashminas are the rule. If you plan to buy semi-precious stones in Jaipur, it's best to know your stuff. Fake diamonds are legion.

The sale of shahtoosh, a wool made from the fur of the chiru, a Tibetan antelope, is prohibited.