ARE YOU READY? YOUR GUIDE TO WINTER RETAIL THERAPY

Your Guide to Winter Retail Therapy

Everyone knows that there is a seasonality to shopping and getting bargains. Winter is arguably one of the greatest shopping havens – not only because it is the season of so many holidays, celebrations, and gift exchanges, but December through February is historically an excellent time to zone in on some very lucrative and strategic buys for yourself and your home.

Economics play quite heavily when strategizing your retail goals. Most consumers do not plan, they shop for what they need as the needs arises. This is what causes the traditional retail trends that we see as we witness the effects of supply and demand. What that means for you

Tips to Shop for a Bargain

Visit your locally owned retailers online, whether through their website or their social media channels, and get added to their mailing lists. You might be offered a discount coupon just for signing up, but you will also be the first to know of weekend specials and sales.

Supporting the local arts is another excellent way to get a great deal on the perfect gift, keeping an eye out for specials being offered by local theatres and arts centres.

is that your best strategy is to shop when demand is low, because that is when prices are also low. While it may seem a bit backwards to replace your patio furniture in the winter and buy a snowblower in the summer, its the perfect strategy.

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“Whether you are giving the gift of theatre tickets, a season pass, or a gift card to your favourite local arts organization to family or friends to enjoy, know that you are giving the gift of an experience worth remembering!” Said Chelsea Wilson, General Manager of The Foster Festival.

When visiting a retailer’s online store, keep an eye our for coupons. Many retailers are working hard to blend and improve the online and instore experiences, meaning the more creative offers are beneficial to the consumer taking a few extra minutes to compare.

Are you looking for a big-ticket item? Brick and Mortar retail stores that carry inventory often have seasonal sales. When purchasing electronics or appliances, do your shopping between December and January when stores are looking to make room for new consumer releases that typically come available before the spring. Sometimes these discounts can be between 20-50%.

Avoid these common pitfalls to ensure retail success:

1. Just because its marked down, doesn’t mean it’s a deal. Understand the average cost of an item before buying into what the price tag says. You can accomplish this by doing a quick online comparison before visiting your local stores to make the purchase. 2. Avoid getting caught up in the moment and buying something you don’t need – no matter how good of a deal it is. 3. Consider your method of payment carefully. If you need to leverage credit to take advantage of a great deal, be sure you are prepared to pay it off before the interest outpaces the savings. |