H&M outlet shopping in Rotterdam
When H&M announced that they would open a large outlet store in Rotterdam with discounts up to 80%, I could not wait to pay it a visit. I wanted to avoid the large crowd on the opening day and weekends, so I decided to go on a normal weekday. The H&M outlet store is located inside the V&D building in Rotterdam city center and it is the normal H&M store that has temporarily transformed in a large outlet store filled with discounted items. The outlet store will only be from 22 April - 21 June 2015. You can find fashion for women, men, children, and baby, and also, accessories, lingerie, and H&M home items.
Be aware that shopping at this H&M outlet store in Rotterdam has some strict rules that is different from their normal return policy:
- return within 7 days
- you can only return in this outlet store and not at other H&M stores
- you only get the amount spent back in the form of a gift card, so not in cash.
There are also no dressing rooms in the outlet store, so you cannot try things on before buying. It would be a good idea to wear a tight black shirt and leggings, that way you can try something on, right in the store. You can also buy something first and try it on in the dressing room of the normal H&M store in the Beursstraverse, which is a few steps away. By doing this, it can save you a lot of trouble when you live somewhere very far from Rotterdam and don't want to find out that the items don't fit you only when you get back home.
Let me now show you the two items that I bought.
H&M Black bouclé jacket, before €34.99, now €15
This H&M black bouclé jacket fits smaller to size, so you might need to buy it one or two sizes bigger. The jacket is a bit thin and it has no lining (except in the sleeves and pockets), but it keeps you relatively warm when you have it on. It is a great jacket to take along on vacation, when you need to attend a formal event or have a fancy dinner at night. It can make your summer dress go from casual to dressy.H&M light grey knitted sweater, before €19.99, now €7
I was surprised to see that this comfy, light grey, knitted sweater was only €7. I like the wider, round neckline and the wide sleeves that have a lowered arm pit part located near the waist, which has a Japanese kimono like effect. The knitted sweater is a bit shorter in the front and longer in the back, but not too obvious.What do I think?
The H&M outlet store isn't as amazing as it sounded at first. The prices are similar to normal sales at H&M stores, but the advantage is that everything in the store is discounted and you have a large selection. The majority of the clothing wasn't really my taste, so I really needed to dig for the hidden gems. The clothes were hung very tightly and there wasn't much space to walk. Overall, it wasn't a very comfortable shopping experience. I only looked around at the first floor and left after finding two things that I wanted, as it was very hot inside. There are also other floors upstairs, but I didn't go have a look. Luckily, there wasn't a long line at the cash registers. Only two people were standing in front of me and I only waited about 5-10 minutes.Be aware that shopping at this H&M outlet store in Rotterdam has some strict rules that is different from their normal return policy:
- return within 7 days
- you can only return in this outlet store and not at other H&M stores
- you only get the amount spent back in the form of a gift card, so not in cash.
There are also no dressing rooms in the outlet store, so you cannot try things on before buying. It would be a good idea to wear a tight black shirt and leggings, that way you can try something on, right in the store. You can also buy something first and try it on in the dressing room of the normal H&M store in the Beursstraverse, which is a few steps away. By doing this, it can save you a lot of trouble when you live somewhere very far from Rotterdam and don't want to find out that the items don't fit you only when you get back home.