Introduction
I will not soon forget my first Black Friday experience of trauma in the shopping mall. Waiting outside a department store at 4 AM with a cup of coffee in my hands assured me that I was going to secure the deal of a lifetime. In fact, I actually left with a pair of shoes that were two sizes smaller than I needed, and a jacket that I never used. It was twelve years ago, and since that time, I learned that successful sale shopping is not about being the first one to show up, but that you have to be ready.
My system, which in fact works, is the result of many years of employment in retail and presumably excessive time spent in examining markdown trends. I will tell you what I learned about avoiding going through seasonal fashion sales without the regretted shopping bags.
Learning the Seasonal Sale Calendar.
Retailers do not want to cut prices occasionally. Fashion markdowns have a rhythm that you can time and figure out and then employ that as a secret weapon.
The Winter Sales usually start immediately after Christmas, and the best deals are made in the end of January and the early part of February. Stores are also in dire need to clear heavy coats, boots and knitwear before spring stock is obtained.
The highest rise of Spring Sales is in the end of May to the beginning of June. You will see big discounts on transitional items at this time jackets, midi skirts, spring dresses.
Summer Sales begin to crop up around the time of the Independence Day in the US and the actual treasure-hunting will begin in August. Swimming suits, sandals, and linen all turn out to be quite cheap.
Fall Sales overlap with the Labor Day weekend the first, followed by an increase in sales about the end of October into early November as the retailers stock holiday merchandise.
The sweet spot? Typically four to six weeks since an official start of a season in the stores. It is at that moment when the first significant markdowns can be seen, whereas the choice of size and color is decent.
Development of Your Pre-Sale Strategy.
This is where the majority of people make a mistake they wait till sale day and go about aimlessly hoping something will be noticed. That will be a combination of unthought-of buying.
The first thing to do would be to audit your existing wardrobe. Actually take half an hour to go looking in what you have. I maintain a running list on my phone of real gaps, not fantasy things I would be living with, but real things that I need to use and discover that I do not have them.
In the fall last year, my list was included with such items as black ankle boots that do not leak, and grey wool blazer. With such an understanding, I would not have been diverted by a gorgeous and absolutely useless emerald velvet coat.
Make a realistic budget and then go window shopping. The psychological ruse of erased original prices makes it all appear as a bargain, even at the time you are spending money that you had not initially budgeted to spend.
Buying at the Right Time.
It is not necessary to purchase everything at the same time markdown stage. The issue of when to strike is based on what you are shopping.
- Date shop: Designer products, trendy brands, standard sizes in classic items, quality shoes in ordinary sizes. These disappear fast.
- Await greater discounts:Fashionable items which the stores ordered in excess, out-of-shape styles, and products in the it colors of the last season that have not been worn many times.
It was a lesson I learned when I was on the edge when buying a wonderful built wool coat when it was initially on sale. Before the second wave of discounts came, all the sizes except the XXS disappeared. In the meantime, that neon pink blazer that all influencers are wearing? It hit 70% off and sat there.
Navigating Online vs. In-Store Sales
During sales, online shopping is convenient and allows many retailers to be compared with the help of prices within a short period of time. There are the benefits of in-store shopping, however, that are easily missed.
- In-store advantages: You get to inspect the quality of fabrics with your own eyes, put things on and see how they fit before buying and in some cases, bargaining on the damaged items or last-of-kind items. Associates in the stores are usually aware of other markdowns that will take place the following day.
- Online advantages: Tracking of prices, a greater variety of sizes in the warehouses, convenient returns in most situations and the possibility to shop across multiple sales at the same time.
- My mixed strategy: shop online, come to stores with things where fit is the best feature jeans, blazers, anything structured. Online is the best when it comes to basics that I have an idea of size in a brand.
Quality Indicators Which Are Important in Sales.
There are sale racks that are filled with products that have valid justifications. To know good money worth saves you the deal that disintegrates after wash number three.
Look at the label of fabric composition. Natural fibers or high quality blends have more permanence compared to low quality synthetics. The $30 cashmere sweater reduced to $120 is likely to have 5 percent of real cashmere.
Check construction: Are constructions straight? Are there any patterns that are aligned at the seams? Have the buttons been firmly fastened? Is the zipper moving freely?
Consider cost-per-wear. The local coat of $150 that is worn 60 times during a five years period costs 2.50 per wear. A 30 stylish jacket that is worn twice would mean 15 per use. The higher the price of the product, the higher the value it is.
Making Returns Work For You
Vigilant shoppers are not error free. Tag on, hold onto receipts and be familiar with the return period. Certain retailers will give an extension on returns when there is a huge sale on- enquire at counter checkout.
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the most successful times of sales in fashion?
Winter products are mostly on sale in January, summer products on sale in late August, and mixed inventory on sale during Black Friday/Cyber Monday.
Is it necessary to purchase off-season products when on sale?
Categorically, when you have space and are aware of what you demand. It can save 50-70 to buy the winter coat of next year in February.
What can I do to avoid an impulse purchase when making a sale?
Establish a budget, develop a definite shopping list in advance and impose a 24-hour waiting decision on any purchases exceeding a predetermined amount.
Do designer sale products pay off?
Yes, so often, however, with enduring pieces of good materials. Both ensure authenticity and quality of construction.
What is your preferred day to make in-store purchases?
Mid-week mornings are the most optimal with regards to fresh restocks and less traffic. Avoid the first and last days.
What can I do to monitor the decrease in price of things I desire?
Install browser extensions such as Honey or CamelCamelCamel, subscribe to retailer emails and subscribe to brands on social media to receive notification of exclusives and specials.
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