Practical information : Treat yourself (& others) Florida
Timetable
Most shops are open every day, from 10am to 10pm, depending on the city. They are rarely closed between midday and midnight, and are almost always open on Sundays. This is also the case for supermarkets.
Among U.S. holidays, some stores remain closed on New Year's Day (January1), President's Day (3rd Monday in February), Memorial Day (last Monday in May), Independence Day (July 4), Labor Day (1st Monday in September) and Veteran's Day (November 11).
Budget & Tips
The cost of living is generally high in Florida, particularly in Miami. When it comes to shopping, there are a number of outlets dedicated entirely to big-name brands at knock-down prices. Often open-air, these factory outlets feature the biggest fashion brands (Levi's, Converse, Adidas, Nike, Tommy Hilfiger...) selling products from previous collections at reduced prices. Reductions can be as much as 75%! It's not uncommon to find a pair of Levi's jeans for €30 after conversion. The main outlets are located around Orlando, Miami, Fort Lauderdale and Fort Myers. Here too, a 6% tax must be added.
Sales
As in France, there are sales periods in Florida. The Back-to-school Sale takes place at the end of July, just before the start of the school year in early August. In autumn, Black Friday kicks off the day after Thanksgiving (the fourth Thursday in November) for 3 days, from Friday to Sunday. On December 26, After Holiday Sales kick off, running until January1 . These are among the most important, but there are others throughout the year. Some sales take place on a particular day: Valentine's Day Sale (February 14), Mother's Day Sale (Mother's Day), Memorial Day Sale (end of May), Father's Day Sale (Father's Day), Labor Day Sales (early September)... As you can see, there's no shortage of bargains to be had!
What's very local
Classic souvenirs to bring back from Florida include gourmet Key lime products, natural sponges from Tarpon's Spring, handcrafted soaps made in Naples or Saint Augustine, or products featuring Mickey and his friends.
Bargaining is not a common practice in Florida.
Tourist traps
In major cities, you'll find countless souvenir stores, usuallyMade in China. This is even truer in the Orlando area, which is literally teeming with such shops, selling mainly Disney and Universal souvenirs. They're not always authentic and official, so it's best to look at the label twice.
Give preference to local products and artisans whenever possible.