Question: I am planning a shopping trip and would like some advice on which Outlet Mall is better? Woodbury Common or Jersey Gardens? Also, what is the sales tax on clothing and shoes in New York and New Jersey?
Answer: To say which mall is better is pretty much a matter of opinion. The team here at VisitNewYork.ie are not one’s to sit on the fence and we took a vote and the majority of the team here voted in favour of Woodbury Common purely on the basis of choice. Woodbury Common is a one hour bus journey from Manhattan to Upstate New York. Jersey Gardens is only a thirty minute bus journey from midtown Manhattan. Compared with Jersey Gardens indoor outlet, Woodbury Common is an outdoor mall set in pretty surroundings. It is also the larger of the two malls and subsequently offers a wider choice of retailers which for most means a better shopping experience.
That said, Jersey Gardens across the Hudson is in close proximity (five minutes) to Newark Airport which makes it the perfect opportunity for a convenient and last minute shop en route to the airport. Although there are not as many stores as its New York State rival Woodbury Common, retailers at Jersey Gardens compete on convenience as well as on price via their sales tax policy.
New Jersey does not charge sales tax on clothing period. Ladies note that this includes shoes! The only key difference between the two states is that New Jersey sales tax is 7% compared to New York’s 8.375%. As of August 1st 2009, each item of clothing and footwear purchased below $110 USD are exempt from the New York State and City sales tax of 8.375%. Items such as jewellery, handbags and sports products and electronic goods like cameras, ipods and laptops are not exempt from the sales tax in both new Jersey and New York.
With the economic downturn retailers are fighting for every dollar and are enticing shoppers with goods at knock down prices. The weak dollar is also another contributing factor to a stronger purchasing power and even bigger bargains! Sales tax should only really concern you if you are planning on spending in the thousands. If so, check out our previous post to a question we received on customs charges at Dublin and Shannon airport.
So to answer your question which outlet mall is better, we will ask you a simple question. Convenience or choice?
Only you know the answer!
The VisitNewYork.ie Team
