Is Loewe Cheaper In Spain? All You Need To Know To Secure The Best Deal
Loewe and their stunning bags are quickly becoming must-have items in any summer wardrobe, but how can you get the best price? Well, we’re here to answer the question, is Loewe cheaper in Spain?
The Spanish luxury brand, Loewe, is one of the oldest fashion houses, founded in 1846, and has been a favorite of celebrities, royalty, actresses, and novelists for over 100 years. Recently, under the leadership of creative director Jonathan Anderson, Loewe has become a top luxury brand and a highlight of Paris Fashion Week, with playful, quirky, and sophisticated ready-to-wear collections and beautiful designer bags with unique silhouettes.
If you are looking to add a Loewe item to your wardrobe, you may be wondering where to get the best deals, so we’re here to provide some clarity about whether Loewe is cheaper in Spain, or other European countries for that matter.
We will take a look at how to get the best price of Loewe luxury goods in Spain and some of the top handbags that we think you should add to your collection if you are heading to Spain any time soon.
Is Loewe Cheaper in Spain?
The good news is that yes, Loewe is cheaper in Spain and the eurozone in general! This means if you are off to Spain, Italy, France, or another EU country that uses the euro anytime soon, you really need to pick up clothing or leather goods from Loewe while you are away.
If you are visiting from in America, the UK, China, or Japan, then the difference will be significant – around 20-25% for some of the brand’s best-selling items.
We are going to delve into the reasons why Loewe is cheaper in Spain and all the information you need to know in order to get the best deal on a new Loewe piece so you are fully informed before you hop on that flight.
1. Loewe is a Spanish Brand
Firstly, Loewe is cheaper in Spain because most of its pieces are manufactured in Spain at least to some extent, which means that the eurozone is the home market for the brand. Many European luxury brands tend to have slightly lower prices in their home currency, whether that’s to do with the fact that the brands pay fewer taxes (i.e. no import taxes, transportation costs, etc.) in their home economy or for other reasons.
If you are buying a Loewe bag in any other currency in the United States, United Kingdom, or any country in Asia, the transportation costs and any import taxes will be added to the price, creating a higher base price for the brand. This is the same for many European brands, such as Saint Laurent, Chanel, and Bottega Veneta, where their luxury goods are made in Europe and then have to be shipped all over the world, causing the retail price to be more expensive in other countries.
While many luxury brands try to retain a uniform pricing structure across the globe, often, the prices will still be a few hundred dollars less in Europe. For example, the base price of the popular small Puzzle bag is $3,150 + tax, while in Spain, it’s €2,500, or $2,740. This is already a $410 difference!
2. VAT refunD
The second and biggest reason why Loewe is cheaper is due to the VAT refund scheme that runs through most European countries, which means you can be refunded a percentage of the retail price. VAT is an acronym for value-added tax, and is a form of sales tax that is already included in the final price of a product in the EU.
According to Upon.io, the VAT refund in Spain ranges from 10.4%-15.7% and is one of the highest in the world, making Spain an excellent place to buy Loewe or any other European luxury brand. Plus, unlike most other EU countries, there is no minimum spend in Spain, meaning you can buy anything and still receive a refund – just perfect!
If you are curious about the exact rates for the VAT refund, here is a detailed breakdown of the rates:
- For items less than €1,000, you will get a 10.4% – 12.9% VAT refund.
- For €1,000-€1,500, you will get a 13.7% VAT refund.
- For €1,500-€2,000, you will get a 14.05% VAT refund.
- For €2,000- €3,000, you will get a 14.5% VAT refund.
- For €3,000-€4,000, you will get a 14.9% VAT refund.
- For €4,000-€5,000, you will get a 15.3% VAT refund.
- For more than €5,000, you will get a 15.7% VAT refund.
However, there are certain rules you need to be aware of and a couple of things you need to do in order to receive this VAT tax refund.
How To Receive The VAT Refund
To receive this refund, you need to be over the age of 16, be in the EU for less than 6 months, and a non-EU resident – this means that now British citizens are applicable for the VAT refund since the UK is no longer part of the EU. This refund is perfect if you are off to Spain on holiday and looking to treat yourself to a new Loewe product at a lower price.
There are also a couple of things you need to do when you are buying your new Loewe luxury bag so you can receive the tax refund.
- Firstly, you need to make sure you have your passport with you when you are shopping; this is to prove you are not a resident of any EU country.
- You can’t open or use your new luxury item until you’ve left the EU. The VAT refund policy is only applicable to products that are used abroad, so your new items need to be unused when you are at the customs office at the airport. Then once you are home, you can open and enjoy your new luxury purchase!
When you reach the airport to head home, you need to remember to head to the DIVA kiosk at departures with your passport, receipts, the tax refund form, and the purchase itself so the item can be inspected and the barcode on the form scanned to ensure you receive the refund. Alternatively, you can also visit a downtown refund point in Madrid.
These city refund points are actually the quickest way to receive your refund, and there is the option of cash or electronic transfer – but you really need your credit card information and the stamped tax form on hand to make sure you receive the refund.
You can choose from three different ways to receive your VAT refund; a cash refund at the airport, an electronic refund by credit card or bank account at the airport, or the fast refund at one of the city’s downtown refund points.
How much money Can you save?
Let’s take a closer look at how much cheaper a Loewe bag in Spain would be compared to the United States or the UK. If you bought a Small Puzzle Bag in soft grained leather in the United States, it would cost you $3,150 + tax and if you bought this same bag in the United Kingdom, it would cost you £2,300.
If you bought a Small Puzzle Bag in soft grained leather in Spain it would cost you €2,500, you would then receive a 14.5% VAT refund, which means you get a refund of €362.50, meaning the bag would cost you €2,137.50.
If we then convert €2,137.50 to US dollars, this would equal $2,314, and if we convert it to British pounds, it would equal £1,879. This means you would be saving $836 + tax, or £421 – which is a very significant saving, making it well worth doing a little shopping at Loewe while you’re in Spain.
There are several Loewe stores all over Spain so wherever you are, there is bound to be a Loewe shop near you. The best stores are Casa Loewe Barcelona and Casa Loewe Madrid, which is actually the flagship store, but there are also shops in Valencia, Seville, Marbella, and Las Palmas de Gran Canaria.
Top Loewe Bags
If you are heading to Spain soon and are not sure which bag to go for, we have brought together some of the best-selling Loewe bags that you really need to pick up while you’re away!
1. Puzzle Bag
The Loewe Puzzle Medium Leather Shoulder Bag has an iconic design that makes it totally irresistible! This top Loewe bag features geometric tessellating pieces of grained leather to create a striking puzzle design, accentuated by the contrasting black edges that pop against the sand-toned leather.
To add versatility, the Loewe Puzzle bag comes with a top handle and a removable and adjustable shoulder strap, while the interior and exterior pockets add practicality to this stunning handbag.
Retailing for $3,500, this gorgeous bag is also available in black, tan, and caramel.
2. Raffia Basket Tote Bag
The Spanish brand is an expert at summer clothing and accessories, especially luxury bags like this Loewe Raffia Basket Tote Bag. This beautiful tote is made from intricately woven raffia and finished with supple tan calf leather top handles for a flawless summery look.
The Loewe anagram embossed leather patch on the front of the bag adds a stunning high-fashion look to the eye-catching tote.
The roomy interior is just perfect for all your beach day essentials, including your favorite book, a water bottle, sun cream, your phone, and sunglasses – making this tote a must-have for any future trips to the beach or the pool.
3. Gate Mini Crossbody bag
We love this super cute Loewe Gate Dual Mini Crossbody Bag, with a chic silhouette and versatile design so you can style this handbag with lots of different outfits.
The calf leather bag has a semi-circular silhouette with a knotted strap to hold the front flap in place. The compact interior features a slip pocket and is just the right size for your phone, keys, and card case.
The adjustable jacquard strap is decorated with the Loewe brand name and can be worn on the shoulder or across the body. This sophisticated bag is available in several stunning pastel shades so you can find the right color to suit your personal style.
4. Flamenco Drawstring Clutch Bag
Loewe is well known for its fun and unusual silhouettes, as shown by this eye-catching Loewe Flamenco Drawstring Knot Clutch Bag!
The clutch has been inspired by the brand’s rich Spanish heritage and the top line of the bag is meant to reflect the dress of Spain’s Flamenco dancers. This striking clutch features a drawstring closure to ensure easy access to the roomy interior and a detachable shoulder strap for hands-free styling.
There are yellow, green, orange, and red shades available if you fancy a pop of color, or beige, grey, and black if you are looking for something a little more neutral.
We hope you found this article answering the question, is Loewe cheaper in Spain, helpful! For more luxury fashion content, check out the links below.
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Very helpful info!