"Why pay more?" is the mantra of a major British supermarket chain, and they've got a good point; with the festive period approaching, thoughts turn to shopping and the average Brit spends in the region of £350 on gifts for their friends and family, so any opportunities to save a bit of money are always welcome.

Traditionally, bargain hunters have enjoyed duty free shopping in airports, but in 1999, changes in EU law meant that duty free sales were abolished in EU member states. However, there are still certain places where tax free goods can be purchased and many countries in Europe have benefited from their tax haven status.

For example, Andorra, a small principality in the Pyrenees is a tax haven, and thus a favourite place for tourists to buy cheap alcohol, cigarettes and electronic equipment. Livigno, a ski resort town in Italy that was traditionally cut off from the rest of the country during the harsh winters, also enjoys a special tax free status, and this is one of the reasons it's so popular with visitors.

Though the abolition of the duty free shopping in EU states meant that there were fewer bargains to be had at airports, it also meant that there was no longer a limit on the amount of alcohol (or other previously restricted goods) that could be brought back home, meaning that countries where alcohol was cheap attracted British bargain hunters. This has lead to the rise of the "booze cruise", whereby shoppers take their car on a day trip to France, (normally Calais), head straight to a hypermarket, and fill their trolleys with as much beer, wine and spirits that can fit into the boot of their vehicle.

However, though there are great bargains to be found in all these places, their limitation, is that they all require people to visit the shops in person. However, there are now an increasing number of websites that are offering shoppers the chance to buy goods for tax free equivalent prices.

Though in fact there normally is tax being paid on these items, the goods are priced lower to begin with, meaning you pay the equivalent of a tax free price. Such outlets offer bargain hunters a great place to shop for items such as alcohol, womens perfume, tobacco, electricals and jewellery from the convenience of their PC - so there's no need to even leave the home, let alone the country!

With greater choices then ever before, things are certainly looking good for the consumer at the moment, so whether you're a booze cruiser, or you prefer to shop at tax free prices online, the season is on for shopping bargains.

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