The retail sector will likely feel the ramifications from COVID for several years. European boutiques, in particular, seem to be the hardest hit. Fall shipments are already arriving while Summer merchandise hangs from neglected racks. The combination of lost tourism revenue and a global recession further compounds the magnitude of European inventory overruns.
As news of Covid emerged from the Far East and Europe, many of the largest US retailers quickly canceled orders for Summer. Despite the appearance of deep discounts, American shoppers will soon begin to notice that local department stores don't have much inventory. Many stores aren't accepting shipments until October/November.
Those looking for the most attractive pricing for luxury items should set their sites on European retailers. Coltori is has a small collection of Italian boutiques on the West Coast and is offering 25% off sitewide with the code MOON25 or 15% off products indicated with a star with the code XTRAMOON15.
The site also has lots of new season Fendi, including a few items from the new Joshua Vides California Sky capsule. Here is the monogram canvas tote for $1200 from $2190 US and Zuca logo sandals are $555 from $750 US retail.
Retailers are getting hit hard this year and NSTO, which operates Need Supply and Totkaelo is the latest Covid-19 retail casualty. The store announced, this week, that they will be closing all of its stores.
Need Supply is based in the Richmond, Va.-and sells moderately priced high fashion brands like Ellery and Rachel Comey. Totkaelo has a store in Soho, NYC, and Seattle and specializes in higher priced avant-garde fashion from the likes of Acne, Dries, and Comme Des Garsons.
It might be fun to shop sales where merchandise gets super-reduced but the loss of profit hits in more than one place. This is definitely not the last of retail COVID calamities.
Nordstrom's markdowns have been on fire this season and the power to entice isn't waning. Right now, you can find various European designer merchandise discounted up to 60% off. That includes brands like Prada, Bottega, Fendi, and Saint Laurent. The best part is that there is still a great selection.
Granted some designer items are worth waiting for the second round of discounts but the new season merchandise is really novel. Heavy tread Prada sneakers may be difficult to get once Fall officially arrives and they are 40% off now.
Listen, and read closely, because you're not going to want to miss this. Net-A-Porter will start its second markdown Tuesday morning. Prices will be reduced up to 70% off and many popular style bags and fashion are still in stock.
Among the bag selection, you can expect to find most styles reduced an additional percentage. Some items we've been watching include this Saint Laurent Angie bag that doubles as a clutch and is 30% off. This Fendi Tresor seems like a no-brainer if it hits 50% off.
July 4th is famous for explosive sales. Some even go as far as calling it 'Christmas in July.' It's really an excellent time to shop, especially considering how much the sale calendar has shifted. We normally use this space to evaluate third markdowns, which aren't usually the cream of the crop. This COVID-era Independence Day, however, is ripe with fresh fashion desires.
Most of the sales launch on July 2nd but the rainy weather is a great excuse to begin scrolling. Below are some great current and upcoming sales. You can begin the add-to-cart exercise now. We will update the post throughout the holiday weekend. Happy July 4th!
FENDI Begins: July 3 Deal: Up to 50% of women's and men's shoes and RTW Watching: Fendi Birks 24S Begins: July 3 Deal: Extra 10% off sale with the code EXTRA10 Watching: Zimmerman dress $360 from $660
Net-A-Porter Begins: July 2 Deal: New designer markdowns (Saint Laurent, Balenciaga, Dolce & Gabbana, Cuccinelli, Givenchy & more Watching: Saint Laurent Niki mini $1300 from $1850 and Bottega shoes $1155 from $1650
Tessabit Begins: July 2 Deal: Added markdowns for Valentino, Valentino Garavani, Fendi, Saint Laurent & More Watching: Saint Laurant Tribute sandals $435 from $725
It's time to start the holiday weekend sale-ing! Intermix just started an incredible promotion where sale merchandise is an additional 40% off. The discount on many items translates to a total discount of nearly 80%.
There are also some good shoes like these embellished Manolos that are $430 from $1200 and these Jimmy Choo iconic mules are $360 from $1000. The sale section also has a large assortment of Valentino but it's excluded from the promotion. Most items are 40% off, which is about the same as other retailers.
This sale will last through July 7. These extreme sale-on-sale events usually only happen around the holiday weekends. We suggest you start scrolling fast because the best merchandise tends to go fast....
Ssense has been leading the charge through sale season. The site's official designer sale started last week but there have been amazing discounts for months. What's most surprising is that there are continually new finds.
Don't forget to take a peek at full price items. Sometimes you'll find that the retail prices are more attractive than at other stores. For instance, this Gucci belt is $335 from $360, Braxton red or blue loafers are $575 from $730 and thong sandals are $495 from $520.
The thing with Ssense is that you have to spend time and explore continuously. We will be sure to add more finds to the post if we over the next few days....
Sale season ignited this week with brands ranging from Dior to Celine taking big markdowns. Right now, you can point your cursor at nearly any brand and find something titillating to buy.
During a big first markdown, I like to direct my attention to sale surprises. Those are the items I really like or wanted but didn't anticipate finding on sale. Those are usually the classic and iconic pieces found in designer collections.
If I considered a full-price purchase, 30% to 40% off savings is amazing. Usually, this merchandise is the first to sell out. These finds usually reveal themselves only at select stores because of an inventory overstock. It's best not to hesitate because it's likely lots of other shoppers are vying for the same piece.
Some of the hottest items of the week were select Dior Dway slides that were only reduced at some stores and the available units were very limited. You can click here to read the full Dior post and to browse through a pretty complete sale assortment.
Nearly all the big department stores took price cuts on the big European heritage brands: Balenciaga, YSL, Valentino, Gucci, and more. The best selections can be found at the brand's online boutiques.
Saks Fifth Avenue, Nordstrom and Net-A-Porter have a huge selection of designer sale merchandise. Keeping tabs between all the VIP extra discounts and hidden links is nearly impossible.
The codeA19B28C brings the discount to 40% off clothing, shoes, bags, and accessories. The discount for men's merchandise is even more at 50% and worth the scroll because a lot of the accessories are unisex. This Nylon tote is a great item to have in your fashion arsenal and comes to $1000 from $1700 and espadrilles are $350 from $580.
The Net-A-Porter sale added some merchandise and extra discounts on existing sale items. Here is a Balmain blazer for 50% off and a Balenciaga mini tote, which is sold out at most places is $665 from $950. There is a large selection from The Row that's 30% to 40% and most Valentino is 30% to 40% off.
This past week we also found some good deals at Harvey Nichols in the UK. Some items retail for less and there are no duties or taxes, which puts them at a very large price advantage even before discounts. You can read the full post here.
