An expert's guide to luxury stores in Oslo
Thanks to the tax reduction offered to tourists, shopping for fashion in Norway’s capital could be advantageous. Do as fashion lover and editor Ingeborg Heldal – pay a visit to Oslo’s luxury district for some shopping and inspiration.
There is something quite special about shopping European fashion brands in Europe, where they belong.
In Oslo, the luxury stores are located in close proximity to each other, right by the famous main street Karl Johans gate.
Here you will find exclusive clothing from all over Europe, as well as unique Scandinavian brands with their trademark minimalism.
Luxury brands in Oslo’s elegant Fashion District
If you’re looking for luxury brands in Norway, you will want to take note of the “Promenaden Fashion District”. This is one of Oslo’s most lucrative areas. Promenaden has managed to gather as many luxury stores as possible in one place.
In the Promenaden district, which includes Nedre Slottsgate, Øvre Slottsgate and Karl Johans gate, you will find top luxury designer brands such as Gucci, Hermès, Dior, Louis Vuitton, Max Mara and Chanel. Displayed in the shop windows are elegant dresses, quiet luxury and designer pieces with easily recognisable logos. Promenaden Fashion District also includes Europe’s largest watch shop, Urmaker Bjerke, which spans no less than 2700 square meters. It will carry luxury brands such as Patek Philippe, Cartier, IWC, Breitling and Panerai.
Promenaden: Individual stores
Ingeborg Heldal is the editor in chief of the women’s magazine KK (Kvinner & Klær, Women and Clothing in English), one of Norway’s largest women’s magazines. She is one of the many people who have a particular appreciation for Oslo’s luxurious shopping area and its innumerable designer shops.
Oslo has gone through a tremendous evolution in recent years. The city has become a destination for luxury shopping.
Exclusive clothing brands, all under one roof
However, the Oslo department store with the most history is Steen & Strøm - a department store which, according to Ingeborg Heldal, can be referred to as “the grand old lady” of shopping for luxury looks in Oslo.
Steen & Strøm represents the original shopping centre, the one with a true sense of historic importance about it. You can easily picture how Oslo's most wealthy shopped for high end designer fashion many years ago.
Ingeborg is particularly fond of the perfume department on the ground floor.
Go to Oslobukta for some Scandinavian inspiration
In addition to her appreciation for Promenaden Fashion District, Ingeborg Heldal also has a soft spot for the area around Oslobukta, not too far from Promenaden. On your way there, you’ll pass by the Oslo Opera House, which has become a landmark in Oslo.
This can be a nice walk to include in your shopping. You won't find as many shops in Oslobukta as you do in Promenaden Fashion District, especially international ones. What you will find, is Norwegian design brands such as Holzweiler Oslo, Envelope1976 and Norwegian Rain. This is the place to go to achieve the perfect Scandinavian style. This area also has great number of cool restaurants and cafés that can enhance your shopping experience.
Shop at a celebrity favourite
Further west in Oslo, at the end of the shopping street Bogstadveien, another gem has captured the heart of the fashion-loving magazine editor: Valkyrien Senter. Norwegian influencers and celebrities come here to buy the latest from the catwalk.
Moniker at Valkyrien Senter is a must when you are in Oslo. Moniker is a well-stocked store with interesting brands. This store is incredibly well thought out. You will find high end fashion jewellery and sunglasses, interior design pieces and garments. Moniker is reason enough to take a stroll along the lovely shopping street that is Bogstadveien.
Tax free shopping for tourists in Norway
Due to the ever-expanding catalogue of new luxury stores in Norway, it has become a worthwhile shopping destination in itself, whether you are looking for Italian designer brands or Chanel's Little Black Dress.
According to Heldal however, there are more reasons than just the existence of the shops themselves to do your luxury shopping in Norway:
The fact that Norway's currency is the Norwegian Krone and not Euro, can also have a positive impact on the purchase price. If the Krone is weaker than the Euro, the product becomes cheaper than in other parts of Europe. The Norwegian tax-free refund system, can also be very beneficial, as you can get up to 19% of the purchase price refunded when travelling back to your home country.
And even those of us with a tighter budget may find it worthwhile to stroll through the more fashionable shopping areas, according to the magazine editor.
Few of us can actually afford to purchase luxury brands on a regular basis, but personally, I just love to walk through these fashionable areas to window-shop. There is plenty of free inspiration to be found there.