How to accomplish your sales mission
The turkey has been eaten, the presents unwrapped and the Queen’s speech watched.
Which can only mean one thing – it’s time to get ready for the post- Christmas sales.
And they start off with a bang in the early hours of Boxing Day.
Some retailers even start their sales on the days leading up to Christmas so keep an eye open from December 21 onwards.
No matter how much we’ve indulged over the festive season or how many gifts we’ve received, there’s something about the chance to bag a bargain that lures us out into the cold and wet, whatever we promised ourselves after last season’s buying binge.
There are some fantastic bargains to spend your Christmas cash and vouchers on so follow our tips to surviving the sales. Plan Ahead Always embark on sales shopping with an idea of what you are looking for. Whether you are looking for a new winter coat, an outfit for a special occasion or a new dinner service, having a clear idea of what you are looking for will make sure you return home with a bargain, rather than a bag of clothes that never see the light of day. Be Prepared Be sure to wear comfortable shoes, take a light raincoat for those winter showers and a bag with a cross- body strap to keep your well- earned sales fund safe and close by.
Don’t forget it is usually it is usually really hot inside the shops so don’t dress too warmly and wear clothes that are easy and quick to get on and off to avoid changing room fatigue. Take a Shopping Buddy Shopping alone is no fun, but a support team will keep you on track, keep you company and give you an honest opinion about those heat- of- themoment purchases, helping you to spend wisely and not get carried away. Plan Regular Pit Stops Take regular breaks to refuel and refresh. You can sit and watch the world go by or marvel at your new purchases and reward your sales support team with something scrumptious. Take Your Wardrobe Not literally, of course, but take some pictures of key items in your wardrobe that you wear regularly and when you are not sure if that bargain skirt is for you, take a quick look at the photos you have taken of those key items and see what you have already that you can mix and match with. Take your smartphone If you’re shopping in the real world, bookmark a pricechecker such as Kelkoo and use it to compare prices with what online retailers are charging ( of course, you can do this when you’re shopping online too).
In some cases you might find that the real saving isn’t worth the hassle of lugging the item to your car or carrying it home on the bus.
And if you can stay local then you will be in for a treat for even more bargains.
Not only that, but you will be boosting the local economy.