Shopping in Italy. Sales in Italy When does the winter sale in Italy end?

Shopping in Italy in 2017 is a great opportunity to buy exclusive items from the best brands at an attractive price. To do this, you need some information about the specifics of sales and shopping tours in this country.

A trip to a sale in Italy: what, where, when?

Many tourists come to Italy for Sconti - sales that allow you to save between 15-50% on purchases of famous brands. Until recently, different regions held them at their own time, but now there is a single schedule for the whole of Italy, which is reported in advance by the media. Most often, winter clothing sales in Italy start on January 6-7, and summer sales in most regions in 2017 will begin on July 2 and last about 2 months.

Among Italian cities there are shopping centers recognized by shoppers as the best places for shopping. These include:

Florence

Sardinia

Each of them has its own specifics. For example, the further south the city, the cheaper the products, but you can also buy counterfeit goods. In the north, only original items from leading brands are presented. Shopping tours to Italy: what you need to know about the specifics of local trade

When planning your first shopping trip to Italy in 2017, it is important to know that there are different types of stores with certain operating principles. The first category includes boutiques that have the following differences:
1. small store sizes
2. trade in products of one or more fashion houses
3. items from previous seasons are sold at good discounts.

The second type is stores operating directly at factories. Products there are 10-30 percent cheaper than in boutiques.

The third type is warehouses, which have the following distinctive features:
1. large assortment
2. prices are lower than in boutiques
3. models are presented from the current and previous collections
4. Advantage for wholesale buyers.

The fourth type includes stock stores. Their differences:
1. a large number of products from different brands
2. clothes are presented from previous seasons
3. low prices and access for everyone

The next type is outlets, that is, large shopping centers with things from different brands. When going on a shopping tour to Italy, you should know that there is its own type of outlet - spacci. Their specificity:
selling goods directly from the factory
We have “prototypes” in stock - samples that were made before the model was put into production, with discounts of up to 50%
on items with minor defects there are big discounts - 30-50%
products from previous seasons are sold at 30-70% cheaper
they also sell leftover fabrics and other materials from production.

In any case, shopping in Italy in 2017 is a great opportunity to update your wardrobe, including products from famous brands and designers, for very reasonable money.

Shopping in Italy... For some, this is still a cherished dream, for others it is a regular practice. And this is understandable, because most famous fashion brands come from here. This means that in order to replenish your wardrobe with exclusive Italian items, and at much lower prices than in Russia and the rest of Europe, you must definitely go to Italy! However, if you want to combine a vacation with pleasant shopping, it is better not to go on a special shopping tour, where you will most likely have to purchase things in certain, often imposed stocks, but to visit Milan, Rome, Venice and other cities on your own . Or turn to the services of a professional shopper who will save your time and money.

Seasonal sales in Italy

Italy is famous for its sales or, as the Italians themselves call them, “Sconti”. Seasonally, there are winter and summer sales. Previously, sales schedules depended on a specific city: somewhere they started earlier, somewhere later. But since 2011, it was decided at the government level to allocate the same days for all of Italy. During sales, discounts, depending on the popularity of the brand and the location of the store, can range from 15 to 50%.

• Winter sales in Italy since 2011 in all Italian cities begin simultaneously on January 6-7.
• Summer sales in Italy last from July 7-10 to August 31.

The exact dates are determined in advance and officially announced in the media. If the store violates the established deadlines and starts selling earlier, it may be fined by city services. But even here there are exceptions. Sales start a month earlier only for my clients! Only my clients can collect the cream, that is, buy all the best that Italian fashion and the best world brands such as Dolce&Gabbana, Prada, Jimmy Choo, Emilio Pucci, Gucci, Miu Miu, Valentino and a million others have to offer, with huge discounts!

Note that clear seasonality is usually inherent in shopping centers. In boutiques of famous designers, large discounts are rare, and discounted goods are sold to regular customers. In outlets specializing in sales of designer collections, discounts are always available. But you need to understand that much of what is written about outlets in Russia is a myth. In fact, outlets are huge warehouses of clothes from 5 years ago, which were not sold in Italian boutiques EVEN during sales... Think for yourself how unsuccessful these models are if they were not bought even in the most pass-through boutiques of tourist cities. The best known is the McArthurGlen outlet chain (Noventa di Piave in Venice, Serravalle near Milan, Castel Romano in Rome). Here you can buy things with a discount of 30 and up to 70%, if they are from the collections before last or substandard (there are minor defects). It is impossible to fully dress in such places, but it is quite possible to catch something that suits you from the crowd.

Where is the best place to shop?

The geography of shopping divides Italy into 3 parts:

• north - Milan, Venice, Florence, Bologna, Turin;
• center - Rome, Rimini;
• and the south - Bari, Naples, Sicily, Sardinia.

Fashion boutiques with items from the latest collections are available in all major cities. The assortment varies depending on the region (the most elegant things are sold in the north, the south is “famous” for counterfeits). Things here are more expensive due to the large number of tourists visiting them. And they are divided into mono-brand, where only one brand is represented, and multi-brand, where different brands are presented. Discounts from 30 to 50% in boutiques occur, as I already said, only during seasonal sales and only for regular customers, rarely for tourists. The rest of the time, discounts can only be given to very good friends, like me, your personal Shopper.

Shopping places:

• Rome - Piazza di Spagna and Via Condotti with adjacent streets;
• Milan - the “fashion triangle” between Via Montenapoleone, Andrea, Gesu and Della Spiga;
• Venice - St. Mark's Square and surrounding area, Merceria;
• Naples - Piazza Amadeo, Piazza dei Martiri and the adjacent streets Calabritto and Via dei Mille.

It is worth knowing that stores in Italy are open from 9-10 am to 12.30 and from 15:30 to 19-20 pm. With the exception of large shopping centers, most are closed on Sundays and Monday mornings. It is best to go shopping on weekdays, when there is not a large influx of tourists and Italians themselves.

Features of Italian sales (information relevant for winter 2017-2018)

It is believed that sales in Italy are worth visiting only in the first week, because later you will no longer find the required sizes and interesting models. Actually this is not true. Indeed, in the first week of sales, crowds of people gather and queues form outside stores in major tourist cities. And if a store has a total sale, then there are even policemen on duty at its doors to maintain order. But the discounts here are the lowest at this time. In addition, not the entire assortment is exhibited, but only a small part of it. True, the most beautiful accessories (bags, belts, shoes) are really sold out mainly in the first days of sales, despite minimal discounts.

We also note that in the first days of sales there are usually so many buyers in stores that it is almost impossible to get into the fitting room. Therefore, those who do not want to wait in long lines buy things these days without trying them on. If you go with me - your personal Shopper along secret paths and exclusive boutiques where Italians themselves dress, and not tourists, then you will have the maximum discounts and a month earlier than that of mere mortals, and the service is like that of royalty. After all, you are no longer just a tourist, but a client of a famous stylist. You will spend a minimum of time buying a wardrobe and a maximum on relaxation and entertainment. Sales in Italy in the winter of 2017-2018 promise to be extremely hot - sign up in advance!

Happy winter sales shopping!

Your personal Shopper,
Anastasia Slabunova

Italy serves as Europe's top shopping destination all year round. But only during sales periods you can shop here at the best prices. Traveling to Italy in winter is an excellent opportunity to combine cultural leisure with shopping. Where to go during winter sales and what to buy with discounts in Italian cities?

Winter sales dates in Italy

Sales (here referred to as Sconti) begin in Italy in January. Unlike many countries, there is a law regulating start and end dates. The entire sales period lasts 60 days. Great deals appear in Italian stores on January 5 and 6, and sales end on different dates - you need to follow the schedule every year. So, in Rome they end on February 20, in Milan - by March 5, and in Trieste sales are held until March 31. The amount of discounts varies from 10% to 50%, and for clothes of non-standard sizes - up to 70%.

What and where to buy in winter in Italy

One of the best shopping destinations during the winter sales is Rimini. There is a huge number of stores with goods from mass market brands. It is worth coming to Rimini for fur products (discounts on fur coats reach 40%), shoes from Italian manufacturers, and leather jackets. All this is of high quality, and in January-March - also at affordable prices. At the end of the sales season, discounts reach up to 80%, although the size range becomes more modest. When visiting Rimini for shopping, you need to explore not only the central shopping streets. Tourists buy most of the inexpensive branded items in outlet stores. The leaders in popularity are La Befane and Gros Rimini.

Rome also does not escape the attention of shopping lovers. People come here to buy clothes of different price categories, high-quality bags, evening dresses, and business suits. On ordinary days, the capital of Italy can hardly be called a budget city. But the winter sales period is the best time for shopping. The main places for shopping are Corso, Nazionale and the Plaza de España area. Here you can buy items from the brands Max Mara, Guess, D&G, Armani at a discount. The choice of boutiques varies from affordable to exclusive. The former offer discounts of up to 70%, luxury ones are limited to a maximum discount of 15% or do not reduce prices at all. It is also worth visiting the Valmontone outlet and the Castel Romano shopping center with more than 100 stores of international and Italian brands.

Milan is one of the main European destinations for shopping, especially during sales. People come here not only for clothes and shoes, but also for wedding dresses, jewelry, furniture, dishes and high-quality bed linen. Clothing from famous couturiers in Milan is sold almost without discounts - the demand for it does not fall in any season. But some fashion houses reduce prices by 20%. You will be especially pleased with the discounts on middle-segment and mass-market clothing. By the end of sales they reach 70%. The largest concentration of boutiques is in the Quadrilatero district, formed by several streets. D&G, Hermes, Prada are represented here. You should look for budget stores with quality clothes on Corso Buenos Aires. This street stretches for 2 km and brings together almost 400 shops.

When choosing a city for shopping in Italy during the sales period, it makes sense to take a closer look at a less popular destination. Florence also attracts art connoisseurs more - at the height of the discount season, you can find great deals here and any size of clothing you need. Turin is also rich in shopping streets, and it has some of the largest malls in Italy. High-quality fur products at discounts (hats, fur coats, accessories) are traditionally purchased in Bologna, and in the cities of the Marche region - shoes and leather goods from factories.

Sale seasons in Europe are already a tradition. In Italy, this tradition has turned into a cult. Tourists from all over the world are happy to combine their holidays with sales periods so as not to miss out on the best deals.

Seasonal sales in Italy

The main sales seasons in Italy are winter and summer. Italian sales are called Sconti or Saldi. Discounts at this time range from 15-70%. But their value greatly depends on the location of the store and the level of popularity of the brand.

In boutiques of famous designers in the central part of the city, big discounts are rare. Moreover, discounted goods here are bought up mainly by regular customers.

Sales last until stocks run out. Officially, the duration of the sales is approximately two months. However, the best products sell out within the first weeks. The exact dates of seasonal sales in Italian cities are set in advance. There are announcements about this in the media.

About summer sales in Italy

The summer sales season usually starts on July 1 and ends at the end of summer. Moreover, in some cities it continues until October. Summer sales are almost no different from the “winter rush”. The difference is a slight reduction in the number of operating stores. After all, in July the beach season begins, and almost two-thirds of Italians go on vacation.

Depending on what you need to buy, in the summer season you can go:

• For branded items, go to Florence, Rome, Milan.
• For vintage and products from creative young designers, go to Milan.
• For fur coats at discounts - to Milan, Rome, Bologna, Rimini.
• For wedding dresses - to Rome and Milan.
• For quality items from any brand, go to any Italian city.
• For inexpensive shoes, go to Marche.
• For wholesale purchases of mid-sized brands “made in Italy” – in Bologna, Naples, Rimini.
• For wholesale luxury purchases, go to Milan.

About winter sales in Italy

Winter sales begin at the end of the Christmas holidays on January 6-7. Ends before Lent. During winter sales, discounts reach up to 70%. During the season, the volume of purchases is more than 6 billion dollars.

The main sales centers are concentrated in outlets and malls - giant shopping areas where you can find almost all the fashion brands in the world.

Winter sales are considered the most successful, since you can buy winter and mid-season wardrobe items at discounts. They are then worn this winter, then in the spring and next autumn.

Sale cities

The sales season does not start immediately throughout the country. Usually the south of Italy sets the tone - Naples, Bari, Sardinia, Sicily. Then the initiative is supported by the northern and central regions of the country - Rome, Turin, Bologna, Florence. Venice, Milan, Rimini.

Northern regions such as the Aosta Valley and Piedmont open the sales season two weeks later than the southerners.

The most popular and profitable sales are considered to be in Milan. There is absolutely everything here. Next to expensive boutiques, shops of medium and low price categories peacefully coexist.

Sales in Rome are famous, first of all, for branded shoes and clothing.

At sales in Rimini you can combine shopping with a seaside holiday. There are many factories producing shoes and bags in the city and its surroundings. There are also a lot of goods here at average prices: evening and wedding dresses, business suits, swimsuits, clothes of non-standard sizes.

• August 17 in Bolzano.
• August 31 in Turin and Venice.
• September 3 in Cagliari.
• September 4 in Palermo and Florence.
• September 15 in Bari, Perugia.
• September 30 in Aosta.

Sale Shopping

The main purchases at Italian sales are stylish items from famous designers. In addition, there is always a large selection of their cheaper analogues, produced by Italian factories and characterized by excellent quality.

Winter sales allow you to purchase beautiful jackets, demi-season coats, luxurious scarves and hats. You cannot pass by leather products - shoes, bags, wallets, as well as jewelry and jewelry.

Meanwhile, buying fur coats during winter sales is not recommended. Fur is very expensive, and the discounts on it are almost imperceptible. At the same time, some factories are offering special promotions. Thus, at one of the sales, the Simonetta Ravizza factory sold fur coats with 30-50% discounts.

In summer sales, accordingly, things for the summer are purchased: sundresses, summer dresses, hats, beachwear, handbags, sunglasses, umbrellas.

Discounts you can count on

In Italy there is a system of sconti - seasonal discounts from January 7 to March 1, and in the summer from July 10 to August 31. It is the responsibility of the seller to indicate the original price of the product and the discounted price.

At the beginning of the sales season, discounts in Italian stores do not exceed 10-30%. But gradually, with a reduction in the assortment and a decrease in excitement, the discount percentage also increases. By the end of the sales season, it can reach 50-70% of the initial cost.

However, large discounts on exclusive brands are rare and amount to 20-25%.

Due to the crisis in the country, 50% discounts have recently started earlier than usual.

In addition, the following are valid at any time of the year:

• promotional sales with discounts and price reductions;
• stores with permanent discounts.

An example is the Marche region, which is famous for its high fashion retail stores with constant discounts of 30-70%. The same goes for the Lazio region (between Tuscany and Rome), which has many retail stores with competitive prices.

In general, in the provinces there are shops at wholesale warehouses with sales of “pret-a-porte” items from past seasons’ collections, much cheaper than such sales in big cities and the capital.

Sales or, as the Italians say, “Sconti” is exactly the time when exclusive items from world famous fashion houses can be purchased at reasonable prices.

As a rule, such events are held twice a year - in the winter and summer seasons.

Their schedules largely depend on the geographical location of the city: traditionally, the sales season began in the southern regions, and then it was picked up by the northern ones. The average discount today is 15-20%.

In 2011, the Italian government passed a law that established uniform deadlines for sales throughout the country. Until this moment, “Sconti” could begin on completely different days - the dates depended on the location of the event, as well as on the status of the store (mass market, chain store, boutique, etc.).

With the adoption of the new law, an official sales calendar was established, violation of the schedule entails certain sanctions - fines. Also, boutiques and other stores can arrange discounts and promotions only with the permission of the authorities.

Dear reader, to find an answer to any question about holidays in Italy, use. I answer all questions in the comments under the relevant articles at least once a day. Your guide in Italy Artur Yakutsevich.

In total, the sales period lasts exactly 60 days, however, if discounted goods are sold out earlier, stores have the right to terminate the promotion, thereby returning to work as usual. As for things that will never sell out, they are sent to various stock points and outlets.

It is noteworthy that at the very beginning of the sales season, the size of the discounts varies between 10-20%, but as the excitement around this event subsides, the most popular models and sizes disappear, and the promotion percentages increase. So, At the end of the winter or summer season, you can purchase items at a discount of up to 50%.

When do winter sales start in 2020?

The winter discount season in Italy begins on the first Saturday of January, in 2020 it is January 4(in some stores a day earlier - 3), its official end is considered the beginning of Great Christian Lent. Sales at this time are more preferable to summer sales, since the markdown of goods can reach 70%.

Winter sales calendar 2020:

• L’Aquila – from 5.01 for sixty days;
• Potenza – from 5.01 to 6.03;
• Catanzaro - from 6.01 for sixty days;
• Naples (Napoli) – from 4.01 to 4.03;
• Bologna – from 4.01 to 04.03;
• Trieste – from 5.01 to 31.03;

• Rome (Roma) – from 4.01 to 19.02;
• Genoa (Genova) – from 4.01 to 16.02;
• Milan (Milano) – from 4.01 for sixty days;
• Ancona – from 4.01 to 6.03;
• Campobasso (Provincia di Campobasso) – from 5.01 to 5.03;
• Piedmont (Piemonte) – from 5.01 to 28.02;
• Bari – from 6.01 to 2.03;
• Cagliari – from 5.01 to 6.03;
• Palermo – from 5.01 to 17.03;
• Florence (Firenze) – from 5.01 to 6.03;
• Perugia - from January 5 for sixty days;
• Aosta - from 6.01 to 17.03;
• Venice – from 5.01 to 2.03.

Dates are determined by local authorities.

The places that are more favorable for winter shopping are the same as for summer shopping - Rome, Milan, Rimini, Florence.

As you head into the winter shopping season, you should understand the following:

1. Boutiques and stores will feature not only discounted items, but also those that can be purchased at full price. However, the areas of discounted products and products from new collections have distinctions.
2. On average, discounts remain within 20-30%, The price drop is only for those clothes that meet non-standard sizes.
3. You can pay in the store either in cash or by card.
4. Not all participating items will be offered for sale on the first day. Inventory tends to be slightly replenished during the 60 days of sale.

Winter discounts in Rimini

Sconti in Rimini is especially popular among Russian shopaholics. It is in this city that a huge number of stores are concentrated, offering clothes from both the mass market and ready-to-wear. From January to March you can buy autumn, winter, and demi-season items here. As a rule, domestic fashionistas come to this Italian town for fur coats, sheepskin coats and leather jackets, which are distinguished not only by first-class quality, but also by affordable prices.

In the sales policy of local stores, you can notice the following trend: at the beginning of the season, discounts do not exceed 30%, but after three or four weeks their percentage increases to 45-50. At the end of the event, items in boutiques and shopping centers can be purchased at a discount reaching 80%.

It is noteworthy that in Rimini sales are organized not only by mono-brand boutiques or luxury shops, but also by wholesale factories belonging to the middle price spectrum and fur salons.

When do summer sales start in 2020?

The most popular among avid shopaholics and fashionistas are the Italian summer sales seasons, since at this time you can not only purchase exclusive items from world-famous brands at prices significantly lower than their original cost, but also relax on the warm sunny coast. When planning your personal shopping tour, you should know about the existence of “Saldi” - that same state sales calendar. It contains information regarding the start and end dates of the discount season in the main shopping centers of the country. It is noteworthy that the schedule is designed so that the potential can visit almost all major retail outlets in Italy.

Sales season schedule by city:

• L’Aquila – from 5.07 to 8.09;
• Potenza – from 2.07 to 2.09;
• Catanzaro – from 7.07 to 31.08;
• (Napoli) – from 5.07 to 4.09;
• (Bologna) – from 5.07 for sixty days;
• Trieste – from 2.07 to 30.09;
• (Roma) – from 5.07 for six weeks;
• (Genova) – from 5.07 for forty-five days;

• (Milano) – from 5.07 for sixty days;
• Ancona – from 7.07 to 1.09;
• Campobasso (Provincia di Campobasso) – from 2.07 to 14.09;
• (Piemonte) – from 6.07 to 01.09;
• Bari – from 2.07 to 14.09;
• Cagliari – from 6.07 to 04.09;
• (Palermo) - from 6.07 to 15.09;
• (Firenze) – from 6.07 to 04.09;
• Perugia - from 7.07 for sixty days;
• Aosta - from 7.07 to 30.09;
• (Venezia) – from 6.07 to 31.09.

There are a number of unspoken rules, without knowledge of which comfortable summer shopping in Italy is impossible.

1. On the opening day of the sales season, real excitement and uncontrollable chaos will reign in retail outlets. That is why the store administration may invite police officers or additional security.
2. In order to be among the first in line at the boutique, you should take your seats early in the night, because there are many people who want to buy an original item at a discount.
3. Be prepared for the fact that you may not be able to try on the item you like, since all the fitting rooms will be occupied, and the queues for them will be longer than the one that accumulated in front of the store itself. Experienced shoppers advise buying the product right away - in extreme cases, you can always sell it.

Having analyzed the geography of summer sales, as well as the accumulated experience of shoppers and fashion experts, we can identify a number of areas that are considered the most favorable for purchases:

1. Center of Italy (capital and Rimini);
2. North (Milan);
3. South (Bari).

In each of the cities that serve as a platform for sales, there are places where shopping will be more productive and varied. Below are the main shopping centers in Italy, as well as the addresses of their boutiques.

It is the sacred duty of any fashionista to visit Via dei Condotti in Rome. It is here that a record number of boutiques and premium stores are concentrated, offering shoes, clothing and accessories from the leading designers of our time.

If you have chosen Venice as your shopping destination, then you should walk through the square (Piazza San Marco) and the streets adjacent to it.

Italy is the country that has a record number of outlets. Outlet is a large shopping complex that throughout the year offers goods from the leading brands of our time at discounted prices (discounts can reach 70%). As a rule, such establishments sell goods from collections that are 3-5 years old.

Today, this term can mean both traditional outlet centers and all kinds of spas and drains.

Drains

Stocks are small commercial stores that sell discounted products. In them you can find things that were sold by prestigious boutiques several years ago, but were never sold out. The main distinguishing feature of such points is a record discount percentage. Thus, in stocks, wardrobe attributes are purchased at prices that are 70-80% less than their actual original cost.

Spacci

Spacc is one of the types of outlet that specializes in selling products directly from production. Prices at these outlets are not much more expensive than in stock stores.

List of goods that you can purchase in spaci:

• Items from the collection are at least three years old.
• Exclusive prototype items from leading fashion houses, which were created in single copies and which can be seen in future collections. The only note about these products is that they are all presented in one size - the smallest, since they were originally made specifically for catwalk models.
• Items from both new and old collections that have minor flaws or defects. Their markdown can reach 30%.
• Spacci are located in close proximity to the places of their production and sewing factories.

TOP 5 outlets in Italy

Outlets can be found in any city, in any region of Italy, but how do you know which one is preferable? Below are the best Italian outlets.

Castel Romano

(Castel Romano Designer Outlet) is located near Rome at Via del Ponte di Piscina Cupa, 64. The outlet is open daily from 10:00 to 21:00.

Here you can buy last year's collections of world famous brands with discounts of up to 70%. Also, the store is holding a series of additional private sales for its regular customers.

The Mall

The Fidenza Village Outlet is located in Milan, located at Via S. Michele Campagna, 43036 Chiusa Ferranda, Fidenza PR. Open daily from 10:00 to 19:00.

There are more than a hundred different brands of clothing and shoes represented here. Also, the athlete has his own official website - fidenzavillage.com, where you can preview the entire available range.

The only disadvantage of Fidenza Village Outlet is that it is located quite far from the center of Milan.

Prada & Miu Miu Outlet" (Space)

The Prada & Miu Miu Outlet (Space) is located in Florence, located at Via Levanella Becorpi, Località Levanella, S.S. 69 – 52025 Montevarchi (AR).

The main feature of this store is that it offers its customers exclusively high-quality and exclusive branded items and Miu Miu. It is noteworthy that here you can buy not only discounted goods from last year’s collections, but also some items from current seasons on special offers.

The Fuzzi Factory Outlet is located in Rimini at 167, Via al Mare, San Giovanni In Marignano RN.

It deserves your attention, at a minimum, because it is replete with unusual and extravagant clothes from talented Italian designers. You will not find models similar to those presented in this shopping complex anywhere.

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