German free travel came to the second stop of Cologne. Today is a shopping day. Wendy arranged for us to walk on the Hohe Str. pedestrian street in Cologne and stroll all the way to the Galeria Kaufhof department store. It is convenient to buy all kinds of German goodies Back to Taiwan, but the department store has high-quality services, and there is also a Globe Blue tax refund office, which allows you to apply for tax refunds immediately after you buy them. This is also one of the key points of this article.
Transportation: How to get to the Kaufhof department store?
The main shopping area in the center of Cologne is located on the two avenues of Schildergasse and Hohe Str.. The two pedestrian streets are crossed horizontally and vertically, and the whole area is designed as a pedestrian street. .The vertical Hohe Str. Avenue is narrow and retains the Roman street style. There are exquisite fashion jewelry shops, as well as many cafes and snack bars. At the end, it leads to the Cologne Cathedral and the station. The horizontal Schildergasse pedestrian street has a wide pavement and a modern commercial atmosphere. , There are many large department stores and street vendors along the way, and at the end of the road are two squares, Neumarkt and Heumarkt.
The Kaufhof department store is located at the intersection of Hilde Street and Hoch Street. The shopping plaza in this area is planned as a pedestrian area. During holidays, local Germans and tourists will shop and dine here, which is very pleasant.
▲ Cologne city emblem, a double-headed eagle with one claw holding a sword and one claw holding a king staff. The eagle has two heads. It was the emperor of the Holy Roman Empire and the king of Germany.
Come to Germany, first do shopping and purchasing homework
After studying and working in the department store industry in the past, I generally know which German brands some famous fashion products are, but if you return to lifestyle products, you probably need to keep inquiring about information like you.Why focus on "German Brands"?The reason is the same as that we like to go shopping in Japan. Germans' rigorous personality is no less than that of Japanese in manufacturing products. Many craft brands with more than XNUMX years of craftsmanship have personally contacted these products when visiting the store, and they can see that the manufacturing process and the finished product strive for perfection. .
With the help of friends in the same industry, they have no choice but to do their homework too well (the must-buy list in Germany is long). For example, the famous German brands WMF, Duo Brand, Bailing Oil, DM various products, stewardess pots, etc., while buying, tell us which ones You can bring them back, unknowingly, and bring back these items. Let's check and organize the prodigal information for you first!
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▲ The appearance of Galeria Kaufhof department store.
Galeria Kaufhof shopping mall floor introduction
The Galeria Kaufhof department store is the largest department store chain in Germany. Friends in the same industry compare it to Taiwan's Shin Kong Mitsukoshi. This time-honored department store not only has many branches, but also introduces a wide range of products and brands. Basically there are quite a lot of "Germany" You can find "must-buy" or online recommended products here, but!There is something interesting in Germany. Various local commercial banks also sell luggage, German kitchen utensils, etc. It is a general distribution channel, but the price is more negotiated than that of department stores, and tax refunds are also available. If you want to buy high-priced goods, you can buy more. parity.
▲ There are electronic interface guides on the floors, as well as simplified Chinese instructions.
Floor B1
This floor is mainly dominated by fresh food supermarkets, wine and kitchenware. Not only can you buy and eat here, there are also two or three places where you can sit down and have a drink, watching the old German gentlemen meet three or five friends and chat while drinking. Really enjoy life.In addition, when shopping in a department store, foreign tourists can go to Globe Blue to apply for a tax refund on this floor. There are Chinese service staff, and they can also choose to refund tax in cash and continue to spend in Euros.
▲ Double brand kitchenware.
▲ The counter at the back is WMF, which was the brand that Quanlian launched before to change German kitchenware.
▲ I am tired and want to take a break. There are restaurants here and on the third floor where you can eat or drink.
▲ Then come and stroll around on the first floor.
Floor 0
Similar to a Taiwanese department store, this floor is dominated by cosmetic brands, boutique accessories and cultural and creative daily necessities. Usually girls will look at makeup and skin care products. It is the most cost-effective to buy at the airport duty-free store, but sometimes it is popular. On the contrary, it is difficult to buy at the airport, so you can find it faster in department stores in the city.There is also a luggage counter that everyone knows about Rimowa on this floor. If you want to buy some specific styles or limited colors, you need to run a few more. The department store counters are not like outside dealers. The cash payment is discounted or the approved price is lower. If you want to start here , Unless it is a style that cannot be found, it is recommended to buy it from a dealer.
▲ Pandora in department stores is not necessarily directly operated, and no seasonal styles are sold. It is recommended to find directly operated stores.
▲ We spent a lot of time looking for the Sport medium-sized sports four-wheel suitcase.
▲ Some German leather goods are durable, you can take a look at them and buy them for your partner.
▲ Starting with this candle light house is a small memorial for the trip to Germany.
▲ In the cultural and creative goods area, you can pick it up and check out at the counter.
1, 2nd floor
When I came to Germany at the end of September, the department store counters all launched the season's autumn and winter clothing. My friend said that he would come to Europe and the United States to buy more clothes. The size is more complete and larger. We did not prepare too heavy clothes this time. If you buy it again, you can save luggage space.On the other floor, there are children and home bedding. Wendy and I have some lack of interest. We don’t particularly want to buy it in Germany. Thai home furnishings are of good quality, good materials and relatively cheaper prices. I have bought two beds of Thai silk. The bed packs are still very sleepy so far, so I would recommend you to go to Thailand to start.
▲ Another reason for not getting started is that these clothes are not 100% cotton, so I can easily be charged by static electricity.
▲I didn't deliberately compare whether this brand is cheaper, but the products are full of styles.
▲ The quality of the bed bag is good, but I prefer Thai silk bed bag from Thailand. (Better and more comfortable than Tencel)
3, 4nd floor
Halloween is coming at the end of October. Many parents on the toy floor shop and buy more. Even the department store has specially set up a halloween magic dance, so that the children can dress up. 10 happened to be the seventh episode of Star Wars released. Just a variety of Lego-themed sets, large-scale Stormtrooper displays and small and medium-sized aircrafts made Wendy, a Star Wars fan, very happy! On the 2016th floor is the DVD and electrical goods sales office. I went around and gathered quickly. The products are not very attractive. For readers, I think you will prefer to go to Japan to purchase electrical appliances. That is the electrical paradise.
▲ A life-size Lego Stormtrooper.
▲ X-Men: Apocalypse has just launched a DVD, and it has also become a self-contained area for consumers to start.
▲ Ha~ This is really the only thing about electrical appliances. It's a bit boring. The Japanese friends Baxi and Bic Camera are really good for shopping.
Globe Blue Global Blue Tax Rebate Processing Teaching
When shopping at the Galeria Kaufhof department store, you can first go to the service counter to ask for the discount card for foreign tourists. It is a bit like Takashimaya or Isetan in Japan. Foreign tourists also enjoy a 95% discount on shopping in the museum. I bought Pandora at the Galeria Kaufhof department store in Frankfurt. At that time, the lady at the counter told me about the discount, but she didn't do it on the spot... She gave me the discount directly.
When the counter staff help you complete the payment by swiping the card, they will give the consumption receipt, the credit card and the tax refund form, and then go to the floor where Globe Blue is located to apply for the tax refund. Many Chinese tourists need to apply for the tax refund, so the window can also explain in Chinese. .You need to fill in the passport information and credit card information on the tax refund form. Some counters or stores will do it for you. If you don't write it, fill in it yourself, and then submit these documents, passport and credit card to the window for processing.
Globe Blue will charge a small amount of handling fee and give you the cash after the tax refund. Remember that when you arrive at the airport, you need to check the goods and documents for the customs officer. After the stamp is correct, put it in the mailbox of Globe Blue. Complete the tax refund! (They return the cash to you first, but you must send back the receipt in full, otherwise he will deduct the fine from the credit card)
▲ Globe Blue Tax Refund Office.
▲ Opening hours.
▲ The main points of tax rebate (please read carefully).
▲ Exactly!Everyone is arguing for the low exchange rate of the euro and tax rebates to defeat their suitcases.
▲ After completing the tax refund procedures, there is a mailing envelope on the left hand side for consumers to send back the receipts.
Conclusion
Generally speaking, the introduction of department stores and tax refund procedures is completed. Germany is considered to be a country with relatively simple tax refund procedures. It is not less than better to buy than Japan. There will be introductions of brand-owned stores in the follow-up for readers who are ready to travel to Germany. We have a better understanding of which commodities are worth buying.For those who are planning their itinerary, it is also recommended that you take a look at Wendy’s itinerary guide first. Any questions are welcome to ask below.
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◎ Galeria Kaufhof.Cologne Kaufhof
– Address: Galeria Kaufhof Köln Hohe Straße Hohe Straße 41-53 50667 Köln
– Phone: 0221/223-0
– Business hours: Monday to Thursday, Saturday 09:30-20:00 / Friday 09:30-21:00 / closed on Sunday
– Official website: https://www.galeria-kaufhof.de/
– Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/GaleriaKaufhof
– Map:
