The adrenaline rush while approaching a favorite designer's sample sale feels like a very distant memory but the excitement is undeniable. Even as the world slowly awakens, it's hard to imagine the day where hundreds of customers will swarm racks of clothing.
Jimmy Choo Sample Sale Oct 2019
This week, we reached out to several leaders in the NYC sample sale business to see what the future might look like. Elsa Assouline, the co-founder of Eclipse and the host designer sample sales in LA and on West 14th Street, said that the company has completely converted to online sales and that she has no plans to reopen physical sales right now.
Following a few bumps with their first online sales, Elsa realized that they still have a lot to learn. "I am pretty confident about online sales. I think we are facing lots of new challenges. We have to think about ways to please customers in a different way," Elsa said.
The largest organizer of sample sales in NYC also started online sales but is looking to reopen their stores to the public but only after they ensure that his staff and customers will be safe. It's most likely they will implement a phase-in program where the merchandise will be online and then available for curbside pickup.
If online sample sales are to be successful they will have to create an element of excitement and create an experience that is different from shopping any other online markdown. Creating an experience online is difficult but not impossible. Sample sale organizers can implement the strategies used by Supreme, Yeezy, or Ticketmaster to create experiences that differentiate themselves from retailer discounts.
Finding success in online sample sales is not impossible but could take a considerable amount of time to create a winning formula. In the meantime, there is an abundance of overstock merchandise that will need to be liquidated. That means: Sales, sales, sales.
Tessabit, in Italy, most recently made its markdowns public. Discounts range from 30% to 70% off depending on the item and designer. Most of the selection are items we've seen through various private sales but there is still merchandise worthy of attention. Over this way, we found a Burberry dress reduced to $770 from $2570, Balenciaga double B-knife shoes are $500 from $1000, and Off-White pumps are $365 from $725.
It's nearly Memorial Day and retailers are getting closer to receiving the okay from top European designers to pull the trigger on deep sales. In the meantime, we are seeing secondary rounds of discounts on what's already been reduced.
As European stores dive deep into sale season, we got a heads up that the multi-boutique platform Italist, was taking increased markdowns. We couldn't help from taking a long scroll to see what deals we could find.
It might be a sign of the times but the discounts are unquestionably very good. Starting off in the Bottega Veneta edit we found the woven twisted sandals reduced under $1100 from nearly $1600 US retail. There are also lots of sizes still available. A full-size Pouch is just $1656 from $2700 US retail and a woven style is $2100 from $3100 US retail. All of the aforementioned items will cost you more even if you purchased them pre-owned.
This Italist merchandise will go fast once word gets out. We suggest that you don't wait very making decisions. This is the magic moment where you get both a great selection and substantial savings....
It's serious markdown season across the Atlantic. LN-CC is the latest boutique to start its designer presale. Discounts are up to 50% off with most of the top merchandise going for 30% to 40% off.
The good thing is that LN-CC is not on the shopping radar of most luxury customers and you have a moment to digest your options before everything sells out. It also doesn't hurt that this sale is very private....
Expect that your email to be bombarded with markdown deals this week. Most sites will begin markdowns of up to 50% off but discounts may vary by retailer and even by item. To kick off the week, Ssense just started its big sale of the season.
This Ssense sale isn't exactly as explosive as it would normally be during the first markdown because Ssense has been hosting regular markdowns since March. We anticipate that there will be a big rush of sale shoppers early this week and more merchandise will be added when the site calms down....
Coronavirus, murder wasps, and May snowstorm headlines seem unbelievable but are part of our reality. Chanel raising prices 17% this month across all categories worldwide is a myth.
Uncovering facts relating to Chanel is difficult during the best of times but is exponentially difficult in a state of worldwide lockdown. Our requests for information from Chanel have been unanswered and all of our high-level retail sources have not received any communications from Chanel relating to a price increase.
As is the case with most falsities, there is a layer of truth relating to Chanel adjusting prices. It's our belief that there will be Chanel price adjustments but the amounts will likely relate to currency values in a specific country. It seems as if the EU nations will likely see a moderate rise in prices and the US will likely see a much smaller adjustment following the opening of stores, in June. Australia is likely to be the hardest-hit when it comes to price adjustments. Asia and the Middle East are also susceptible to considerable currency-related shifts.
Raise prices during a global pandemic seems counterintuitive but the initiative is most logically an attempt to maintain worldwide inventory levels. As economies open, customers will seek out the most opportune location to make a Chanel purchase. A price adjustment assures that shoppers patronize their local stores rather than flock to foreign retailers and devour the inventory in a single region.
We will be sure to keep you updated as this story unfolds. You can click on the image below to see the history of Chanel pricing and what it would look like if prices were to go up 17%.
This week, retail casualties mounted as J. Crew and Neiman Marcus officially filed for bankruptcy protection. Lord & Taylor also announced that they will begin liquidating stores as they open. Mark Cuben started a research project where he employed secret shoppers to investigate the Dallas retail scene. He found that only 36% of retailers immediately opened for business and 96% of stores failed to comply with state guidelines.
In shopping news, local retailers are beginning "pre-designer" markdowns. Saks, Neiman Marcus, and Bergdorf Goodman are all offering about 40% off on brands like Zimmerman, Etro, Balmain, and Isabelle Marant. We spotted these Manolo Blahnik pumps for $266 from $665 and We Wore What bathing suits are all 40% off.
Looking forward to next week, Ssense will begin its seasonal markdown on Monday. We suggest you begin browsing right now and edit your cart over the weekend. We are also keeping an eye on Nordstrom, which continues to drop prices on assorted merchandise. This Saint Laurent lipgloss is $22 from $32 and these L. Erikson barrettes are adorable at $9 from $23.
Happy Mother's Day!! Until next week... Same time, same place?...
Traditionally, sales throughout Europe started much later than the US and the discounts were less. Covid has turned everything upside-down and now European stores are discounting earlier and more aggressively than in the US.
Right now you can use this private sale link to head over to Italy's D'aniello Boutique. Nearly everything on the site is 35% off with the code MOON35PS. The only exclusions are items marked "Carry Over" or "Top Seller."
The code doesn't work for additional savings on sale merchandise but there are still a couple items worth your attention. This Balmain sweatshirt is reduced by 50% and comes to $258 from $517 and this Moncler hat is $200 from $400.
D'aniello offers free shipping for purchases over $300 and all taxes and duties are included in the purchase price. You might even find a few items priced below US retail. It's starting to feel like Europe has the upper hand this sale season. Do you agree?
This week's pre-designer sales haven't overly exciting. When it comes to sales, it seems as if European retailers are doing it much better. 24S is the most recent online store to offer up to 40% off on current designer merchandise and you might find they have a bit of an edge over what you might find at local stores.
24S is LVMH owned and therefore offers brands, like Dior, which you can't find on many other websites. The best value of shopping on 24S is that all duties are included in the sale price, shipping is free, and there is no sales tax. My last order from 24S arrived in 30 hours after my "complete order" click.
You might even be able to order this Dior Book Tote, friendship bracelets or J'Dior pumps right now and still get it in time for Mother's Day. (Remember no sales tax!) It's a stretch but not impossible. If only someone could figure out how to get schools open, we could really celebrate....
