Shopping is Cool in Iceland The Vikings who settled Iceland were primarily traders. International trade is still very important to Icelanders, and this helps to make Iceland an exciting place to shop. Nowhere in the world will you find a community of this size with such a wide selection of exciting merchandise at competitive prices. In Iceland you will find an extensive range of products from both sides of the Atlantic. Although located in Europe, Iceland has always had good contacts with the United States and Canada. Therefore, you will find the best of both worlds in Icelandic stores. You may even find several products that have not yet been introduced worldwide, since Iceland is popular among major suppliers for test marketing. Foreign travelers visiting Reykjav�k will notice that international chain stores are definitely not prominent. Many stores in the city are privately owned, and have a diverse range of merchandise that gives the store a personal appeal. Wholesalers and stores often import goods direct from around the world, so even though Reykjav�k is a "little" capital by international standards, the selection provided is like that abroad. In Iceland you will find stores offering labels at extremely competitive prices. World-known designer clothing, footwear, eyeglasses and giftware are widely available, and American, Scandinavian and European fashion labels are sold at affordable prices. And of course there are traditional Icelandic all-natural wool products and replicas of Viking artifacts. A major benefit of shopping in Reykjav�k is that it is possible to stroll between stores; in addition, all staff speak English. Shopping malls and town centers in Iceland are welcoming with exciting stores, trendy coffee shops and lots of friendly people-all to make your day-out shopping more memorable and great fun. In recent years, the trend has been to manufacture clothes, handicrafts and other goods. These products, which are of high quality, have greatly strengthened Iceland's unique appeal. It is well worthwhile visiting Reykjav�k in order to see for oneself these colorful stores, and at the same time enjoy the wonderful restaurants, diverse cultural life and lively nightlife. And, all purchases are Tax Free to visitors to Iceland! If you would like more information about shopping in Iceland, please contact: Federation of Icelandic Trade Tel: (+354) 588 8910 Email: [email protected] Fax: (+354) 568 8441