Shopping at Heathrow Airport

Needless to say, Heathrow is a shopping haven for tourists and visitors from all over the world. Here, you will find popular designer brand shops in a large, comfortable environment where the eager shopper will be spoilt for choice.

If you are coming into London, you may want to shop for all kinds of items including your favourite perfume, scarf or liquor. You may not mind carrying these additional items, on top of your hand and checked in luggage simply because you know there is access to a cab service at Heathrow airport. In fact, once you know you are going to shop a lot, it is best to visit this Airport taxi company where you can book a taxi online, 24 hours before your arrival. By doing this, you can be sure of getting all your bags into a taxi, as soon as you arrive. Indeed, you will be spared of trying to get a cab while keeping an eye on the many bags around you.

But what if you see something you like but are on your way out of the United Kingdom? Well, if you are travelling within the European Union, there is a Shop and Collect Service at Heathrow airport that allows you to purchase your item and collect it upon your return to the United Kingdom. All you have to do is inform the retailer that you wish to pick your item up when you come back into the country. You will be given a receipt which you should produce at the Shopping Collection desk at Arrivals when you return.

Some retail stores at the airport even offer a home delivery service, whereby if you make a purchase at Heathrow airport prior to your departure, you can arrange for it to be sent to a United Kingdom address. This will be done through Parcelforce and you will need to pay �5 for this service, regardless of how many different items you purchase from various shops. However, your items should not weigh more than 30 kilograms and this service only applies to those travelling within the European Union.

Interestingly, Heathrow airport also has Personal Shopping Consultants in its departure lounges. These individuals are dressed in green uniforms and are at hand to help you with your shopping. Their service is complimentary and you can ask for it in advance.