How To Behave In a Brazilian Store

Cynthia Fujikawa Nes

Co-Founder
The Brazil Business

Updated

8 December 2016

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 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 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 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, 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, the IPI, to foreigners not residing in Brazil when acquiring goods bought in Brazil. Another bill foresees tax return on PIS and COFINS.

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. 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
• 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

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