The sales have come early this year thanks to an influx in Middle Eastern tourism, so get those in-season bargains while they last!


The past few weeks have seen an explosion of premature sales on both our high street and online. Retailers are trying to shift stock to make way for new season; with the intention of taking advantage of the upcoming Ramadan festival. Fundamentally, businesses are battling concerns that UK consumers will have less disposable income amidst new government tax increases. This may mean that as shoppers, we will be happy to reap the benefits, but the power of the multiples impacts upon independents, who are becoming increasingly under pressure to discount to keep existing customers and entice new ones.
 

The subject of discounting ignited in the run up to Christmas last year, when one particular online retailer offered stock discount to magazine readers, enraging fellow indies who felt that this was unfair competition, when profits were already down due to the recession and less customer spending.
 
So what does this mean for our high street?

Well, Mintel research has already indicated that the high street is slowly beginning to recover from the economic downturn, and consumers are favoring a more quality led, ethically based offering from their high street. Despite this, value retailers such as Primark and George at Asda are still reporting healthy profits, indicating that the competition in the fashion sector is as cut-throat as ever.

Despite all the doom and gloom, we may as well take advantage of the fact that  even though retailers are focusing on the affluent Middle Eastern market at this time of year, they are still battling to offer us the best products at the best prices.  So let’s enjoy the savings before the VAT increase begins to put a halt to our favourite pastime!

Here’s a rundown of the some of the best bargains our high street has to offer:


Tap into this season’s love affair with all things girly; this lace bodycon number ticks all the key trends whilst the neutral colour keeps it versatile

Topshop; was £40, now £15




For casual tailoring, look to Reiss and their kooky bright blue blazer, perfect with white jeans for a new twist on Riviera chic
 
Reiss; was £159, now £48




Channel the shoe of the season with these cream heeled clogs from Carvela, it makes the most of our summer and is a trend essential for any holiday wardrobe.


Carvela at Kurt Geiger; was £130, now £70

And finally, for a denim fix, head to Warehouse for a variety of jeans in different styles and washes. In particular, these zip-back vintage inspired skinny jeans are guaranteed to carry you through to next season


Warehouse; was £45, now £20

Tempted? Get used to it!

With Draper’s prediction that Middle Eastern customers are suggested to increase- even to the extent that the Ramadan season is more lucrative than the Christmas period- we can probably expect the sales season to creep forward as retailers fight to win business, but let’s hope that there’s still a place for the indies as local customers endeavor to seek out something different.

Words by Katherine Humphries.

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