The shops and what they sell
Yes, when I first went more than 10 years ago, there were just one or two little shops on the island, selling only things the locals needed: nails, rice, eggs, fish scalers, ropes and the like.
I may feel a little nostalgic for that time, but those shops are gone now. They have become small but modern, well-stocked businesses. On Thoddoo and Ukulhas in particular, you can find almost everything you need for your holiday.
Groceries, drinks, fruit, vegetables, bread, milk, ice cream, sweets, snacks, convenience foods, toiletries, sunscreen, mosquito repellent, beach accessories, clothes, shoes, tools... The choice is far greater than you might expect on such small islands.
For three years now, the locals' most popular and favourite drink has been Bulgarian yogurt. :)
On Ukulhas I have also seen specialist food products, including gluten-free ones.
The shops are relatively small and each stocks different things. If you cannot find something in one, try the next. And not all islands are equally well supplied.
Prices? From what I saw up to last season, they were roughly the same as in Bulgaria. Now I expect them to be lower, because inflation there is moving much more slowly.
You can pay by card in many places, but I prefer cash in rufiyaa.
So there is no need to fill your suitcases with shampoo, biscuits and other everyday things. If you use something very specific for which you cannot find a substitute, though, you are better off bringing it.
Mosquito repellent, for example, is better bought there, because the local mosquitoes are rarely impressed by the stuff we bring from home.
Souvenirs.
There are souvenir shops on tourist islands, but if you have a stop in Malé, be sure to look there too. The choice is wider and you can compare prices. The same goes for T-shirts, hats, bags and other small items.
Alcohol.
No, you will not find alcohol in ordinary shops on local islands. The Maldives is a Muslim country and selling it there is not permitted. Different rules apply to resorts and special tourist boats.
And one more custom it is useful to know about.
It is customary to take off your shoes before entering a shop. That is not much of a problem. The harder part is remembering your flip-flops afterwards. And if you forget them, it is even harder to remember which of the five shops you left them outside. :)
