What to buy in the US

[SchoolDilemma17]

I haven’t been to the US since 2019 and usually go for work (so don’t have time for shopping!). I am going for a family holiday at Christmas to visit relatives and we are staying close to big towns and cities. I am excited to do a bit of shopping… what brands are worth it? I like Bobbi Brown and also wanted to get Tom Ford perfume - are those brands cheaper?

I remember Ralph Lauren was also cheaper - any other recommendations? Mostly interested in clothes and beauty not so much food and candy etc

Thanks!

If you go to an Outlet Mall:

1. Tommy Hilfiger is now way cheaper than Polo/Ralph Lauren - you don't feel you're getting much of a saving with Polo any more.

1. North Face - coats etc probably half price compared to UK

Clothing really isn’t any cheaper now due to exchange rate unless you to an outlet
sign up in advance and you may well get extra money off vouchers
Food - go to trader joes and get their everything by the bagel seasoning and their other spice condiments. They have loads
bath and bodywork’s - candles, body washes and soaps - cheaper than the UK and worth it. Always have offers on as well
pharmacies - painkillers such as Advil and tylenol are worth buying

Thanks!

We are in an area with outlets. I also went to TJ Maxx 5 years ago and US brands like Donna Karan were tons cheaper. Guess it has changed now.

are branded beauty products cheaper - the brands I like are mostly American.

Not clothing....

I normally bring back
Large containers of ibuprofen and/or Tylenol
Tums or equivalent
Melatonin
Cheese it's

😂😂

Levi’s are cheap although we found better deals at the department stores than the Levi’s Outlet. I like ELF make up and they have a much larger range than we have in the UK. It’s pretty cheap in Target and Walmart.
I also like Sephora as they often have free gifts with purchases. Other brands which have bigger and/or cheaper range over there are Jones Road, OPI, Sol de Janeiro and Elizabeth Arden.

Crest whitening strips, they seem stronger over there than here.

johnnys seasons salt - lasts literally years and is the best thing ever for seasoning meat, especially BBQ meats.

Whitening strips are stronger there- legal limit on the chemicals used is higher.

Amazing thanks! Will add whitening strips!

I second a trip to CVS/wallgeens or similar. I also bring back crest teeth whitening stuff, including toothpaste. I buy melatonin (you can get in some European countries as well but not in the UK) and Unisom sleeping tabs as well, I travel a lot for work and struggle with sleep anyway so use these occasionally.

MAGA caps

@IsThePopeCatholic no thanks 🤣

You'll get great better deals at Target or Walmart if you want OTC meds than going to CVS/Walgreens

With the exchange rate and inflation it's not as good a bargain as it used to be; the things to buy are more things you can't get in the UK. Target or Walmart will have better prices than CVS. Agree with the spice mixes from TJs.

Am not really into cosmetics so can't help on that.