COVID cases are drastically accelerating in regions in the center of the country. Retailers are bracing themselves for regional lockdowns, which will further cripple the sector. The only saving grace seems to be the potential of another government stimulus packaging but partisan bickering may provide too little, too late.

The list of retailers filing for bankruptcy is quickly growing and that comes on the heels of JC Penny, J Crew, and Neiman Marcus. The list grew dramatically this week with the addition of Brooks Brothers, Sur La Table, Need Supply Company/ Totokaelo, and the beloved Japanese emporium, Muji.

Many of the largest US retailers canceled Summer deliveries. 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.

Stores that didn’t cancel orders started receiving deliveries this week and we can already see responsive shifts. Gilt launched this season’s collection of Dior items at a much steeper discount than normal. Here are J’adore heels for $860 from $1050 and 30 Montaigne sandals for $700 from $900.

SSense has posted new Bottega Veneta styles for under retail prices. This heavy chain bag is $3335 from $3600 and these padded heels are $100 less than retail. This woven Pouch bag is on sale for $2100 from $3100 US. Other sale standouts include this Saint Laurent Lou Lou camera bag for $920 from $1250 and this Fendi Tresor is $890 from $1290.

The Italian boutique Coltori has new season deliveries for significant discounts compared to US prices.  This pearlized Bottega aqua pouch comes to $1700 from $2700 US retail, a classic woven clutch with a chain is $675 from about $1550 US retail, and shoes with an ankle coil strap are $916 from $1220 US retail. 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. See the full post for codes and additional discounts. 

The biggest sale news of the week was Net-A-Porter’s second markdown. Prices are now discounted  70% off. I spotted Tabatha Simmons ankle wrap shoes for $190 from $645 and Alexander Berman rainbow ankle strap shoes are $187 from $625. You can click here to read the full post.

Nordstrom is another retailer that’s been serving up some fantastic deals. Some current highlights are these Prada sandals for 50% off and these Manolo sandals for 60% off. Click over to see the post with all of our great finds.

Yesterday Farfetch discounted some items further. It’s difficult to call out prices on popular items as they tend to change quickly as inventories shift between retailers. Don’t miss this Rick Owens coat that’s $996 from $3300 or this Versace silk blouse for $525 from $1050.

Coming up this week I don’t expect to see more markdowns. Instead, stay tuned for promotions with discount codes.

Stay tuned. Until next time… same time, same place?

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.

Check out the Fall 2020 Bottega Veneta. This pearlized aqua pouch comes to $1700 from $2700 US retail, a classic woven clutch with a chain is $675 from about $1550 US retail, and shoes with an ankle coil strap are $916 from $1220 US retail.

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.

Other new season items worth noting include this Balmain tee that’s $180 from $395 US, a Saint Laurant canvas tote for $833 from $1150, and Golden Goose sneakers are $314 from $550-ish. We haven’t even tackled the sale section that’s an additional 25% off. This Dolce & Gabbana floral print shirt is $345 from $670, a Balmain hoodie is $270 from $540, and a Mark Cross bag is $990 from $2200 US retail.

Take note that Coltori does not cover duties. Items priced over $800 might be subject to a tax of about 10%.

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.

Sale shoppers can treat themselves to a variety of steep markdowns. At Need Supply, the discounts hit 80% on many items. Some standouts include this Alexa Chung ruffle blouse is $60 from $295, Ganni shoes with ankle straps are $200 from $325 and a Batsheva dress is $110 from $475.

Over at Totkaelo there is a Cecilie Bahnsen dress that’s $734 from $1239, a Jacquemus long shirtdress $294 from $702, Issey Miyake jumpsuit is $270 from $670, and a Chloe Bucket bag is $995 from $1990.

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.

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

Farfetch
Begins: July 2
Deal: Look for YSL at 50% off
Watching: YSL Cassandra bag $1275 from $2550

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

Saks Fifth Avenue
Begins: July 2
Deal: Additional designer brands added
Watching:

Stuart Weitzman
Begins: July 2
Deal: Extra 20% off Sale SUMMERFUN
Watching: Alonza high heel sandal $175 from $425

Moda Operandi 
Begins: July 2
Deal: New designer markdowns (Loewe, Brandon Maxwell, Dolce &Gabbana, Versace, Givenchy)
Watching: Loewe Puzzle Bag $1140 from $1900

Bandier
Begins: July 1
Deal: Extra 40% off
Watching: Golden Goose sneakers $318 from $605

Intermix
Begins: June 30
Deal: Extra 40% off
Watching: ALC Shirtdress $270 from $600

Italist:
Begins: July 1
Deal: Up to 65% off spring/summer (Fall 2020/21 arrivals)
Watching: Bottega Puffer Cassette bag $2372 from $2800 US retail

MyTheresa
Begins: July 1
Deal: Extra 30% off “last pieces” designer sale pieces
Watching: Zimmerman dress $450 from $1000

Shopbop:
Begins: July 1 <VIP use this link>
Deal: Extra 25% off sale merchandise with the code SUMMER
Watching: Nili Lotan leopard coat $366 from $1500

Yoox
Begins: July 1 through July 4
Deal: Extra 25% off
Watching: Valentino Rockstud heels $326 from $875 US retail

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%.

Some of the highlights include this Balmain oversized blazer that’s $990 from $2750, a Blaze Milano blazer-dress is about $600 from $1750, and this Zimmerman linen top. Here is a link to all the Zimmerman.

 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.

We love these sales for picking through the great assortment of denim. These SLVRLAKE jeans are   $120 from $320. Here is a Boyish jean skirt that’s is $47 from $275 and white Frame jeans that are $80 from $225.

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.

We found python mules for $410 from $1100. This Mansur Gavriel pouch is a great substitute for the Bottega version and it’s reduced to $300 from $600. These Balenciaga slingbacks are $$500 from $950 and Saint Laurent sneakers are $275 from $600.

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 same price advantage goes for this Bottega black pouch that’s priced at $2200 from $2700 and this Cassette bag is $2300 from $2800. Speaking of Bottega Veneta, the site already posted the fall collection and is fully stocked with some often-sold-out items like this Jodie mini in black and various color Lido sandals

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.