2009 Summer Sale dates announced!

In Italy, seasonal sales of clothing, household goods, and anything else you can buy in a store (other than food) are regulated by law. Each region or city announces its sale dates. Outside of these dates, you may find special promotions or “store rennovation/closing” sales, but the real SALDI can only be during the announced period. Usually in the week or days before the saldi, stores start putting out discreet white cards in the windows with lower prices that do not actually announce the object being on sale. These are usually small discounts and are what I call “finti saldi” (fake sales) to entice you to buy before the larger discounts are applied. The list of sale dates for the principle Italian cities is below.

Some tips if you want to be sure to get a good deal:

• Some stores put out “sale” prices that are actually the same as the regular price! Window show before and after the official sale dates, or just be familiar with the price or value of an object, and make sure it’s a REAL sale price! Last winter sales many store windows were photographed offering false sale prices. This is more likely to be the case in small stores, and not in national chains.
• Usually, the sales get steeper as the summer goes along. Stores like Max and Co. for example will start with things at 15% off (which I don’t even consider a sale!) and only go up to 50% towards the end when only size miniature and superbig are available… in puce green. But if you are willing to risk it, you may get some really amazing prices at the end of the summer sales.
• This is a classic: Some stores pull out merchandise from years back for their sales. Tezenis, a store I always like for their well-priced basic cotton t’s and PJs, pulls out all sorts of old crap for the sales. Sorry Tezenis. The place is packed anyway.
• Big stores like La Rinascente and Coin have 30% and 50% off sales right away. I usually go on the first day and get what I want before it disappears. I shouldn’t be telling you this.

What’s your plan of attack? Will you go early and buy a lot? wait and pray that perfect python top doesn’t get snapped up by someone else? Not buy anything cuz we’re in an economic crisis? Or buy a lot because Italy needs your help?

Sale Dates

Milano 4 July- 2 september
Torino 4 July- 28 August
Genova 10 July- 17 August
Venezia 4 July – 31 August
Bologna 4 July – 5 september

Firenze 7 July- 7 september- MARK YOUR CALENDARS FOR NEXT TUESDAY! see you in the centro

Ancona 7 July – 1 september
Perugia 4 July – 4 september
Roma 4 July – 15 August
Napoli 2 July – 30 september
Bari 4 July – 15 september
Palermo 11 July- 15 september
Cagliari 8 July – 8 september
Reggio C. 4 July- 31 August