Shopping in Lombok Island - authentic goods, best outlets, malls and boutiques

Lombok is not the most popular place among the tourists. If you want to buy stuff from the world leading brands, choose more popular resorts. There are shopping malls on the island, for example, Epicentrum Mall in Mataram. It was built in 2016 and has a similar facility as those in Europe, which is quite rare for Lombok. There are familiar places like Starbucks, Burger King, Body Shop, Matahari and other well-known world brands. You can buy here food, clothes, means for personal care, and much more. The prices are a little bit higher than European, but not much. But in return, you get an opportunity to buy everything you need for a comfortable life. There is also a quite good cinema in Epicentrum Mall. If you get there by scooter, park it in a special zone for a small fee. Otherwise, you can get a ticket for a parking violation.

There is also Mataram Mall in Mataram, but it is more like an indoor market, then a shopping mall. There are just two European brands here – KFC and McDonald’s – for those, who misses the fast food. They sell fruit and vegetables at a reasonable price, and you can also buy souvenirs here. Most of the shops that sell clothes, electronics, and other goods, sell the products of the local manufacturers and not all the sellers speak English. There are small souvenir shops, located around the shopping center.

On the whole, if you want to buy something in the local shops in Lombok, especially, where there is no cash register, get ready to bargain. Of course, they won’t force you, but the sellers rarely name the real price from the beginning. It doesn’t mean they want to trick you, it’s just the mentality. It is common in Asia to bargain, and the sellers are expecting it from the tourists. Many Indonesians, who works in tourism, treat the travelers as a source of income. Nothing personal, it’s just business. Copyright www.orangesmile.com

If you want to make a good deal in Lombok, follow a few simple rules. First of all, don’t show any interest in a purchase. Second, always check the quality of the product. It will secure you from obtaining poor quality goods and will help to find the flaws, which allow lowering the price. Third, walk away if a seller doesn’t want to give up. Most often he will try to stop you and low the price. If that won’t happen, ask other customers for the price. Maybe, it really does cost more, than it seems. Don’t hesitate to ask the locals, how much they paid for something, it’s quite all right here. Just remember, not many of them speak English.

Take a closer look at the pearl jewelry. In Lombok they don’t cost much and are of a good quality. You can usually buy pearls right at the beach or in any jewelry store. If you are interested in how they cultivate pearls, go to a show-room at the Autore Pearl Farm. You can also visit the art market in Serenity. They do not only have various jewelry, but also the traditional Indonesian carvings, wooden masks, and different pieces of decor. A practical and weighty in all meanings will be rattan furniture purchase. A high quality and a low price – what can be a better combination? Only the transportation back home will not be easy.

The items from the local producers are placed aside. The Sasaki people produce pottery and fabrics according to their ancestors’ technologies. You can buy some unique household items and souvenirs from them, which you won’t find anywhere else in the world, as this ethnic group only lives in Lombok. That’s why, when you go for the excursion to a local village, take some money with you. Lombok is a great place for those, who want to bring back home some special local pieces with an island color for a life-long memory.