Shopping
Groceries
Italians love to buy groceries at the markets, where you can find the best quality and many times you have the possibility to buy directly from the producer. This is a sustainable practice and an incentive to help the local producers. To respect the Italian cuisine heritage, locals know that the best way to buy good and fresh products is to buy groceries more times over the week (instead of going once a week and buying a lot of food all together).
Farmer’s markets and local markets:
Mercato Sant’Ambrogio from Monday to Saturday from 8:30 AM to 1:30 PM in Piazza Sant’Ambrogio.
Mercato di Santo Spirito on Thursdays on Thursdays from 8:30 AM to 1 PM in Piazza Santo Spirito.
Mercato di Campagna Amica on Saturdays from 8:00 AM to 1 PM at Cascine Park.
Mercato Centrale everyday from 10 AM to midnight (top floor) in Piazza del Mercato Centrale/Via dell’Ariento.
Clothing, School Supplies, Electronics and more!
There is no shortage of shopping in Florence! Check out MyMaps > Stores for a list of where to buy common items!
Sugar
For clothes in Arezzo!
Made Green in Italy
If you want to focus on supporting environmentally friendly products while in Italy, look for the Made Green in Italy certification in supermarkets and clothing stores. Products marked with the symbol have been proven to meet the standards of environmental sustainability as set by the Italian Ministry of Environment and Energy Security.
Secondhand & Vintage Stores
Florence has many stores where you can purchase secondhand clothes, books, and other items. Brick and mortar vintage stores tend to command premium prices. For a more economical option, the Sant'Ambrogio market has many stands with secondhand clothes at very reasonable prices. Additionally, the new Humana People store on via Faenza is a curated yet still inexpensive choice, and additionally donates to charity. Not all stores allow you to try on clothes before purchase, so ask the vendor before trying on clothing.
One great place is Humana Stores in Florence (pre-loved vintage fashion)! There are a few locations around Florence and can be found on social media: @humanavintageitalia