How To Behave In a Brazilian Store Business

When travelling abroad, one of the many things
that strikes tourists the most is the way people behave with each
other, especially when it comes to a thing almost every tourist
likes to do: shopping. In this article, we will give you tips on
how to behave in a Brazilian store.

Sales Personnel

One of the most important things to know about Brazilian stores
is how the salesperson will approach the customer. As Brazilians in
general are very receptive folk – and as sellers are encouraged to
be nice to customers – Brazilian salespeople^[1]
will generally approach the customer the moment they enter the
store. They will greet you and ask you if you need any help with
choosing some goods. Although generally nice, some are a little
annoying as they do not give you enough space and can even be a
little invasive. But this can easily avoided as they can usually be
dismissed with a simple “I am just taking a look, thank you”.

However, there are some stores where the customer will need
assistance from a salesperson: for example in a shoe store. As not
all shoe sizes are on display, the client will have to ask the
salesperson if they have the model and size they would like to try
– this can happen also in some clothing
stores^[2] as they may keep some
clothes’ sizes in the stock room.

The salesperson will then check the stock room and might
surprise you when they come back carrying several other models
which you did not ask for. The different models may include
different colours of the same model, different sizes of shoes or
even other models closely related to the one you orginally asked
for. In case this happens, there is no problem not trying on the
other models or sizes the seller brought you.

It is also worth mentioning that items displayed in the showcase
are for display only – although this happens more commonly in
shoe^[3]
stores. Whenever the customer is interested by goods displayed in
the showcase, they are supposed to ask the salesperson about this
specific item – size and colour – who will then check the stock
room. Customers are not supposed to grab or even touch the articles
on display. This is especially true when buying in small clothing
stores or in shoe stores, as big clothing stores usually display
all their items inside the store.

Fitting Room

In every clothing store in Brazil, expect to find at least one
fitting room, or provadores, as they are known in Brazil. In
larger stores, there may be several fitting rooms as the flow of
customers willing to try on their soon-to-be new clothes is higher.
Upon entering a fitting room in a larger store, you may be required
to inform how many pieces of clothing you are taking with you. It
is also important to state that customers are not supposed to try
on clothes outside the fitting rooms.

In smaller clothing stores, sellers may even help you choose
your full outfit, as some throw some clothes for you over the
fitting room door.

Nota Fiscal

When buying in a Brazilian store, always ask for your Nota
Fiscal^[4], the Brazilian
Invoice. Despite being guaranteed by law, many companies tell
customers that without the invoice, they cannot return goods or
change them for another model. Also, in many stores, especially in
pharmacies, if the seller does not give you an invoice, the company
can be fined.

Tax Free Shopping in Brazil

A bill is in progress in the Chamber of deputies that, if
approved, will establish the refund of the Tax on Industrialised
Products^[5], the IPI, to foreigners
not residing in Brazil when acquiring goods bought in Brazil.
Another bill foresees tax return on PIS^[6]
and COFINS^[7].

The project also states that the tax return should be made in no
more than 90 days, according to the procedures regulated by the
Federal
Revenue Service^[8]. The purchase value will
have to add at least BRL 100 per store per day, and each individual
invoice may not bet less than BRL 50.

There are already some stores, jewellry stores for example, that
exempt foreigners from paying some taxes when buying products in
Brazil. The “discount” is awarded whenever the client complies with
the following conditions:

• The client does not live in Brazil
• The client must present their passport upon purchase, proving
  that they are in Brazil for a maximum period of 90 days
• The client must not own a CPF number^[9]
• Payment should be made with a foreign credit card or foreign
  currency

Size conversion for clothings and shoes

In Brazil, sizing for clothes – especially – shoes are
oversimplified. There are usually less options of sizes for clothes
and shoes and in some cases – for jeans or dress shirts – Brazilian
stores have a single clothing size, not offering options for
different lengths of arm or leg size.

As there is not an international standard for clothing sizes
yet, there are some differences that can be observed for the same
general clothing size in different countries. For instance, the
Brazilian P size should be equivalent to the American S size, but
is actually a little smaller, as Brazilian’s clothing cut is
apparently smaller than abroad.

It is also important to note that sizes of shoes with less
demand – below 35 and above 39 – are more difficult to find. Some
stores carry only a few models of these sizes and some other stores
do not even carry models in these sizes.

When coming to Brazil, foreigners should follow a conversion
table to avoid any trouble when shopping for clothes or shoes.

General clothing

Children’s clothing

Women’s jeans

Women’s skirts, dresses, jackets and coats

Women’s blouses and knitwear

Men’s jeans

Men’s suits

Men’s dress shirts

Shoes

Children’s shoes

Women’s shoes

Men’s shoes