PHILADELPHIA LURES VISITORS WITH TAX-FREE FASHION

Same Stores, No Tax on Clothing

PHILADELPHIA, September 1999 – Whether it’s back-to-school or high fashion, shopping for clothes and shoes in Pennsylvania is all tax-free, all the time. Nationally recognized names can be found in Pennsylvania’s largest city – Philadelphia – both in retail and outlet shops in the five-county region that includes Bucks, Chester, Delaware, Montgomery and Philadelphia counties.

"When you consider that New York’s just a 1-1/2-hour Amtrak ride from Philadelphia and that Washington’s just three hours by car, it’s not surprising that visitors come here for the shops and the tax—free savings on clothing," says Meryl Levitz, president and CEO of Greater Philadelphia Tourism Marketing Corporation (GPTMC). "We particularly like it when they come to shop and stay to visit our attractions, arts events and to check out our burgeoning restaurant scene."

Sales tax in New York City, for instance, is a hefty 8.25 percent. In New York State, the tax is 4 percent – plus a local tax of between 2 percent and 4.5 percent. Connecticut levies a 6 percent tax on clothing (on articles over $50).

Some of the region’s premier shopping areas for shoes and clothing for kids and adults:

• Franklin Mills Mall, Philadelphia’s superb discount mall, with a mile-long corridor lined with over 200 great outlet and value stores, enjoys visits from 18,000 Brazilian visitors each year. Here you’ll find such clothing stores as Off 5^th Sak’s Fifth Avenue Outlet, Last Call Neiman Marcus, Kenneth Cole New York, Nordstrom Rack, Levi’s Outlet by Design, Carters for Kids, Osh Kosh B’Gosh and more. Take the Franklin Mills Shuttle from five Center City locations. (www.franklin-mills-mall.com)

• King of Prussia Mall, in suburban Philadelphia, the largest shopping center on the East Coast has 365 shops to choose from, including upscale chains for clothing: Abercrombie and Fitch, Bennetton, Bloomingdale’s, Gap Kids, Oilily, Limited Too, Lord & Taylor, Macy’s, Neiman Marcus and Nordstrom, and boutiques such as A/X Armani Exchange, Aussie Outfitters, J. Crew, Eddie Bauer, Old Navy and Timberland. For shoes: Joan & David, Kenneth Cole New York and Nine West. (www.shopking.com)

• Rittenhouse Row located in the heart of Philadelphia’s premier business, residential, shopping and cultural district covers 24 blocks. Haute couture boutiques offer the finest in American European designer clothing and accessories. The Row is home to several national brands, such as Ann Taylor, Jaeger, Jones New York, Nicole Miller, Burberry, as well as Philadelphia-grown boutiques like Joan Shepp, The Knit Wit, Born Yesterday and Children’s Boutique -- a complete children’s department store with brands like Polo for Boys, Ralph Lauren for Girls, IKKS, Cacherel and Petite Bateau (www.rittenhouserow.com). While in Center City, check out The Shops at Liberty Place: Bennetton, Barami, Victoria’s Secret, The Limited Express. (www.libertyplace.com).

• The Gallery at Market East, on Market Street, is one of the largest shopping centers in the nation, with 170 shops on four levels. The mall might look familiar; Kristy McNichol boarded a bus in front of it in the movie, Just the Way You. Here you can find running shoes, wedding gowns, pantyhose and more – all tax-free. Also nearby on Market Street, you’ll find clothing at Strawbridge’s and at that New York staple, Lord & Taylor, just steps from City Hall.

For more information about shopping in Philadelphia, visit Greater Philadelphia Tourism Marketing Corporation’s Web site (www.gophila.com) or the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania’s site (www.state.pa.us).

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September 1999

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