SALES have started on most of the high street with up to 50% off end-of-line stock – earlier than the traditional January 7, ever since a new law in 2012 allowed retailers to choose when they wanted to start the campaign.
Spain's equivalent of the Boxing Day sales always started the day after the bank holiday for the Three Kings, which falls on January 6, as children get their presents from the Magi the night before.
Now, with Santa Claus taking more of a central role and retailers needing the extra business boost, sales are tending to start on the first working day back after New Year, meaning families and friends buy more as Three Kings gifts due to lower prices – as well as picking up a few bargains for themselves.
Larger chains, especially Inditex – which owns Zara, Pull & Bear, Massimo Dutti, Stradivarius, Bershka, Uterqüe, Zara Home and Oysho – continue to stick to old habit and start their sales on January 7, but other major chains such as Sfera, H&M, Cortefiel and Adolfo Domínguez have started already.
Discounts will eventually rise to up to 80% off in some cases, although they usually start the sales at 30% off.
Typically, stores will continue the sales until the end of January and some will continue into February, although others go on until all sale stock is sold – including lingerie firm Women's Secret, which continues until February 28 to take in Valentine's Day.
Read more at thinkSPAIN.com