If you’ve ever visited Spain, you’ve likely come across Ale-Hop — the fun, quirky lifestyle store known for its bold cow branding and colourful gift items. Many UK shoppers fall in love with Ale-Hop’s products while on holiday and wonder if they can continue shopping once they’re home.
As of now, Ale-Hop does not ship directly to the UK through its website. Their online store only supports delivery within Spain and Portugal, which means UK-based customers can’t order directly unless they use a workaround, such as a parcel forwarding service.
Who Is Ale-Hop?
Ale-Hop is a Spanish retail chain that sells fun, affordable and novelty lifestyle products. It’s known for its eye-catching black-and-white cow statue that sits outside every store — a symbol that’s become instantly recognisable on high streets and beachfronts across Spain.
Founded in 2001, Ale-Hop has grown to become a popular destination for locals and tourists alike, offering a wide mix of practical items, trend-led accessories, and gifts — all presented with a playful twist.
What Do They Sell?
Ale-Hop sells a wide variety of products, from home decor and stationery to beauty items, tech accessories, mugs, bags, soft toys, novelty gifts, and seasonal collections. Many of their products are bright, themed, or humorous — perfect for gifts or travel souvenirs.
While the range isn’t designer or high-end, it’s known for being affordable and creatively designed, with items often changing based on the season or trending colours. It’s a place where you can pick up something unique without spending much.
How to Get Ale-Hop Orders Shipped to UK
Because Ale-Hop doesn’t currently offer international shipping, the only way to get items delivered to the UK is to use a parcel forwarding service based in Spain. These services provide you with a Spanish address to use at checkout, receive the order for you, and then forward it on to your UK address.
Popular forwarding companies like Skypax, Forward2Me, or Spain-based options such as Cacesa or MySpainBox can help with this process. While this adds cost and complexity, it’s the only way to access Ale-Hop’s full online product range from outside Spain or Portugal.
Another alternative is to ask a friend or family member in Spain to order on your behalf and post the items to you, especially for smaller gifts or one-off souvenirs.
Are There Any Ale-Hop Shops in the UK?
At present, there are no Ale-Hop stores in the UK. The brand operates primarily in Spain, with some additional locations in Portugal and a few other Mediterranean destinations. There has been no announcement about UK expansion, so for now, the only way to shop Ale-Hop products is by visiting a store in person while abroad, or using a forwarding service.
If you’re looking for similar stores in the UK, alternatives include Flying Tiger, HEMA (online), Paperchase, and Typo, which offer a similar mix of quirky lifestyle items and creative homeware — though the vibe and pricing may differ slightly.
No UK Version of the Website (Yet)
Ale-Hop’s website is currently only available in Spanish and Portuguese, which adds a small barrier for UK shoppers trying to browse or order via a forwarding service. Using a browser with built-in translation (like Chrome) can make the experience more manageable. As of now, there’s no UK-specific site or English-language checkout, which suggests the brand hasn’t actively pursued expansion into international ecommerce.
Payment Options May Be Limited for UK Buyers
Because Ale-Hop only supports shipping to Spain and Portugal, payment methods may be limited to localised cards or payment processors. Some UK customers using forwarding services may find that international cards or PayPal don’t always go through, depending on the bank. If you hit a wall during checkout, it may be worth using a virtual card provider or asking a forwarding service with a purchase assistance option.
No Click & Collect for International Shoppers
Ale-Hop stores do not currently support a click-and-collect model for foreign shoppers — so if you're visiting Spain and want to order online for pickup, it's not a supported option. All orders from their online shop must be delivered to a Spanish or Portuguese residential address.
Returns and Refunds May Not Work Smoothly from the UK
If you're ordering through a forwarding service and something goes wrong with the parcel — damaged item, wrong product, or change of mind — returns can be complicated. Ale-Hop’s return policy is designed for domestic Spanish customers, meaning you may need to pay for return shipping back to Spain at your own cost. And if the return is linked to a courier or shipping issue, it may be harder to resolve from abroad. This means ordering through a forwarder is best reserved for low-risk items or products you’re already familiar with.
Souvenir Popularity and Seasonal Demand
Ale-Hop often sees spikes in interest during summer months, as British tourists discover the brand while travelling in Spain. This sometimes leads to short-lived resale demand on sites like eBay or Depop, where individuals bring items home and flip them for profit. So if you can’t order online, it's worth checking those platforms during July–September, when Ale-Hop products occasionally pop up in the UK resale market.
Style Alternatives in the UK
If someone loves the Ale-Hop aesthetic but doesn’t want to deal with forwarding services, it's worth suggesting UK-based alternatives like:
- Flying Tiger – For quirky gifts, home items and stationery
- Typo (by Cotton On) – Trendy accessories and lifestyle products
- Sass & Belle – Giftware and home decor with a playful edge
- Artbox – For more kawaii and Asian-influenced novelty items
These stores aren’t identical to Ale-Hop but can scratch the same “fun, spontaneous gift shop” itch.
Summary
Ale-Hop doesn’t currently ship to the UK, and there are no physical stores outside of Spain and a few neighbouring countries. However, UK shoppers can still access Ale-Hop products by using a parcel forwarding service with a Spanish address. While this adds extra cost, it’s a useful workaround for anyone who wants to enjoy the brand’s playful and affordable items from home. Until Ale-Hop expands internationally, this remains the best way for fans in the UK to get their fix of the beloved cow-fronted store.