Barbados / Shopping

Barbados has good shops for the Caribbean, so there is plenty on offer if you are seeking some duty free retail therapy. Almost everything is imported so, with the exception of come locally made fashion or beach wear, jewellery, pottery and artwork, it is international.

Shopping hours do vary but the main business hours are generally between 8.30-9am to 4.30-5.30pm Monday to Friday and 9am to 1pm on Saturday. However you may find some stores open until 6pm or as late as 9pm on weekdays, and to 3.30pm Saturdays, with one or two open on Sundays. Duty free shopping is available in most of the main shopping centres and in some hotels, with items purchased (apart from tobacco and alcohol) allowed to be taken away on the spot. Note that you will need to present your immigration slip or passport and airline ticket when duty free shopping.

Duty Free Shopping

Bridgetown has some large duty-free stores located in modern malls, which also have restaurant facilities, but there are also malls in the main tourist areas which cater both to locals and visitors. The choice is endless, so if you are looking for antiques, pottery, art work, high fashion, or a new camera, you can probably find it in Barbados.

Duty free department stores and shops in Bridgetown include:

Cave Shepherd - A free shuttle service to Bridgetown is operated by Cave Shepherd (call Customer Services, t 227 2100), Monday to Saturday from both coasts, and all passengers receive a free book of coupons. Their main store, Barbados’ biggest department store, established in 1906, is on Broad Street and they have two more stores in Sunset Crest, Holetown and one at the Vista Complex in Worthing.

Colombian Emeralds, Broad Street - Flagship store, specialising in duty free Emeralds. Also has a watch boutique. There are a further eleven locations on island, including the Departure Lounge at the airport and at the Cruise Terminal.

DaCosta’s Mall, Broad Street - A variety of products and services including duty free at The Runway, a supermarket, island craft, souvenirs, beachwear, leather goods, designer glasses, jewellery, 1 hr photo lab, bookstore, health store, a food court and Tiffany & Co.

Diamonds International, Lower Broad Street - For a selection of duty free jewellery and loose diamonds with choices of mounts. Two locations on Broad Street and ten further outlets on the island including the airport and cruise ship terminal.

Harrison's, Broad Street  -Offering luxury duty free items, with stores also located at the Sheraton Mall and Cruise Terminal.

Little Switzerland, Broad Street - Two shops on Broad Street for duty free merchandise.

The Royal Shop, Broad Street - Family run, with duty free watches and jewellery.

Art & Craft

Best of Barbados, Welches Plantation - Set up in 1975 by artist Jill Walker and featuring locally crafted or designed gifts and souvenirs. The distinctive prints of local scenes and architecture are extremely popular, as are the colourful array of tea towels, floral table & drinks mats and traditional Bajan and international games. Shops located at The Chattel Village in Holetown, Quayside Centre in Rockley, Southern Palms Hotel in St Lawrence Gap, the Cruise Terminal in Bridgetown and the Departure Lounge at Grantley Adams International Airport.

Earthworks Pottery, St Thomas - Distinctive hand-made locally pottery. Also location of the Art House Café, On the Wall Gallery, Tulis Batik and Ins & Outs Gift Emporium.

Gallery of Caribbean Art, Speightstown - For the serious collector. Regular exhibitions.

Island Art Gallery, Speightstown - Regular exhibitions of local and regional artists.

Gallery NuEdge, Limegrove Lifestyle Centre - Canadian fine arts gallery from Montreal featuring local, regional and international works.   

Pelican Craft Centre, Pelican Village, Bridgetown - Over 25 art and craft shops, and artisan workshops. Local condiments, confectionary, baked goods on sale. Two restaurants serving local food.

The Shell Gallery, Gibbs - Sea shells, shell pictures, shell frames and mirrors.

Tides Art Gallery, Holetown - Featuring local and regional artists.

Clothes & Accessories

Beth & Tracie, The Chattel Village - Stylish beachwear, children's wear, bags, belts and custom-designed jewellery by Tracie Lamb.

Gatsby Boutiques - Exclusive designer wear. Located at the following hotels: Sandy Lane, Royal Pavilion, Colony Club, Tamarind Cove and Crystal Cove.

Gaye Boutique, Holetown - This popular boutique has been running for over 40 years and offers exclusive beach, resort and evening wear for women and children. Adjoining Leonard Menswear boutique with a range of golfing, casual and beach wear. Duty free shopping.

Heather Harrington Jones, Holetown - Fine jewellery and luxury gifts, both imported and handmade. In-house goldsmith, Janine Banfield works mostly in 15 carat gold and platinum.

Lazy Days & Island Waves, The Chattel Village - Swim wear, and surf shop, plus casual fashion and beach wear.

Other

Barbados Museum Gift Shop, St Ann’s Garrison - Located in the heart of the historic Garrison, the museum's shop stocks West Indian books, reproductions of antique maps, paintings and prints, local handicraft and jewellery, and Christmas cards. Opening hours are 9am to 5pm Monday-Saturday and 2pm to 6pm Sunday. 

Caribbean Cigar Company Inc, Pelican Craft Centre - Royal Barbados Cigars, handmade locally from Cuban tobacco.

Greenwich House Antiques, Greenwich Village - A good place to rummage on a rainy day.

Walkers World, St Lawrence Gap - Home accessories, furniture and decorative objects from around the world.

Shopping Malls and Villages 

Chattel House Village, St Lawrence Gap - A collection of colourful wooden chattel houses selling souvenirs, beachwear, handicrafts, etc.

The Chattel Village, Holetown - A collection of colourful wooden chattel houses selling souvenirs, beachwear, handicraft etc

Limegrove Lifestyle Centre, Holetown - Upscale shopping mall with designer shops, boutiques and duty free, including  Agent Provocateur,  Armani Exchange,  Bulgari, Cartier, Chopard,  Diamonds International, Louis Vuitto, Ralph Lauren and Villeroy & Boch. Restaurants, bars, a multiplex cinema, an art gallery and residences are part of the development .

Quayside Centre, Rockley - Boutiques, shops, food court, photo processing, and mini mart.

Sheraton Mall, Sargeants Village - Over 100 stores and restaurants, including supermarket, bank, dry cleaners, gym, pharmacy and a multiplex cinema.

Speightstown Mall - A small selection of shops.

West Coast Mall, Holetown - Offering a wide range of services from a supermarket, travel agency, duty-free shopping, bookstore, boutiques, health store, hair salon, DVD/video rentals and more.

For food shopping and supermarkets see separate Food and Cooking section.