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Feature: Jenny Coggins
BARELY two weeks ago the world was in a buying frenzy, trying
to pick up those last minute gifts. After a short respite, London
goes into a whirl once more, fighting to find New Year bargains
to brighten bitter January.
Shopping philosophy has always told us to hit the sales at the
very beginning.
While this is true and the most reliable way to pick up the right
size/best stuff, it is also worth looking towards the end of the
sales too, as they last a whole month.
After all, they are not called the January sales for nothing.
As the sales draw to a close, prices are reduced even further
in an attempt to get rid of stock. It may be harder to find a
gem, but the satisfaction will be greater when you do.
Another benefit of sales shopping at this time is that most people
have already hit the asphalt for their bargains, so the streets
and changing rooms will be considerably quieter.
We take a look at what you can expect to find in London's main
high-street stores as the January sales near their finale…
Topshop
Top tops include: T-shirts, down to £3 and stripy jumpers,
down to £10, as well as the odd party top to inject a bit
of sparkle into dreary January. Skirts in a variety of styles
and colours go for £10, with classic black trousers down
to £12, and jeans to £25. There are saucy demi bras
for £15, so stash away for Valentine's, if you dare!
For blokes, Topman's sale doesn't offer as much, but it includes
jumpers down to £15, jeans down to £20 and patchwork
belts down to £10.
Visit www.tops.co.uk
to discover a store need you. Click here
for more on Top Shop
Gap
Sale items are relatively easy to spot, usually right up front
of the shop. Essential stripy jumpers to brighten the Winter days
are going for a song at £14.99. Cords and jeans alike have
been knocked down from £48 to £20, but as these have
been so popular, the more unusual sizes are left over.
www.gap.com
Next has been reported as one of the only retail companies
to have profited from the festivities. It really is a sale must-visit
for hoards of bargain hunters. Due to this, not much is left to
choose from.
Worth a look, however, are the suit jackets in the women's department.
Next really know how to get the cut of a suit right, so take advantage
of this with the reductions, down to £30. Up in menswear,
shirts are down to £12.49.
www.next.co.uk
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Zara have become a staple of wise wardrobes everywhere.
If you are yet to give over to the temptation of the Spanish giant,
let the sales be your first flirt.
The sale is neatly laid out, with cords at £15 and shoes
at half price. Men don't miss out on all the savings either, with
cosy jumpers and smart trousers reduced by up to half price.
www.zara.com
Benetton
When in store, you'll see that the Benetton sale has one of the
clearest lay outs. Simply divided up by signs, there's little
chance of straying away from the bargains and into full-priced
territory. Their January sale is big on knockdown knitwear for
all the family. With up to 50% off and loads of jumpers left to
choose from, this is bound to heat up any freezing shopper.
www.benetton.com
House of Fraser
Their Winter sale is on until January 25, so there's still plenty
of time to pop in and find a winter warming bargain. There is
50% off on ranges such as French Connection, Donna Karen and Diesel.
On the home front, there is also 50% off on selected products,
within Sony and Kenwood ranges.
www.houseoffraser.co.uk
Selfridges
Gone are the beautiful Christmas window displays, and in are the
ugly sale placards, which say those magic words: 50% off. Inside,
there are ample discounts on designer lines, 30% off Chloe bags
and the same on some Dior watches. For gents, Paul Smith has 30%
off and Pink is selling a wide selection of shirts, with up to
30% slashed.
www.selfridges.com
HMV continue the goodwill they showed prior to Christmas
in their BOGOf offers, with their massive January sale. DVDs are
going for as little as £3.99, and CDs for £5.99. Selected
albums from last year are going for £7.99. For anyone who
got a computer from Santa, Xbox, PS2 and Gamecube games have all
been reduced.
www.hmv.co.uk
Borders
Some of last year's bestsellers are chopped in price at Borders.
Helen Fielding proves there's life after Bridget Jones with Olivia
Joules and the Overactive Imagination, down to £7.99. Madonna's
first children's book, The English Roses, is also on sale at £6.99.
CDs and DVDs are on sale, too, as well as some games and gift
sets. Check the quality on some of the books, though; some of
the sale tables descend into mess…
www.borders.com
Boots, Superdrug and WHSmiths have reduced their
Christmas gift sets by up to half price. The Smiths sale spills
over into normal stock, too, with up to half price on DVDs, CDs
and books.
Sales Tip
Christmas is likely to be the last thing on shopper's minds during
the January sales, but it is well worth taking a look at the reduced
gifts/cards/crackers to put away for next year.
Boots are currently selling off their tags and wrapping paper
at half price, for example. Stick it in a cupboard and you'll
thank yourself next year when you have tackled all your wrapping
stock the year before.
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