Summer Sale 2019 kicks off: average discounts of 30-40%, shopping for 3,5 billion

Discounts are starting in all Italian cities - From Rome to Milan, it's a race for the most convenient offer - Information and advice to avoid being caught unprepared for the arrival of the 2019 summer sales

Let the summer sales season officially begin. After a cold and rainy May that put clothing stores to the test, the time has come for shopping. According to the forecasts of the Confcommercio Studies office, this year many will take advantage of the July and August discounts to redo their wardrobe, buy the missing appliance in the house, indulge in that "whim" that has remained unsatisfied up to now.

SUMMER SALES 2019: THE FORECAST

Estimates are favourable: this year, for the purchase of discounted items, each family will spend an average of just under 230 euros - about 100 euros per capita - for a total value around 3,5 billion euro.

“Given the disaster of sales in the season - says the president of FederModaMilano and the Italian Fashion Federation Renato Borghi - which has overwhelmed a sector based on the seasonality of products, we hope that the dormant desire for shopping of the past months will reawaken turning into an increase in purchases ”. For these summer sales FederModaMilano estimates average discounts of 30-40% with an average expenditure of 150 euros for a total expenditure of 440 million euros in Milan alone.

SUMMER SALES 2019: 10 TIPS TO AVOID SCAMPS

Altroconsumo has drawn up a handbook with 10 useful tips for those who intend to make purchases on sale, but do not want to run into scams or rip-offs:

Compare the old price tag with the lowered one: if you have any doubts about the discount percentage or the price doesn't seem right, ask the shopkeeper for clarification.
Check that the garments are in good condition. If the defect emerges after the purchase, you can ask for the contract to be terminated: the shopkeeper must return the amount paid or reduce the price. It is important to keep the receipt.
Always try on clothes: if you later regret the purchase, you risk not being able to exchange it. In fact, the exchange is at the merchant's discretion. Always ask if he will allow you to make an exchange and how many days you have available to do so.
Avoid buying clothing that does not have the two labels (the composition one and the maintenance one), to avoid damaging them in dry or wet cleaning at home.
Make sure that the goods on sale are seasonal. In fact, the law provides that sales do not concern all products, but only those of a seasonal nature and so-called "fashion" items, i.e. those that are likely to depreciate if they are not sold during the season.
Remember that the prices displayed are binding on the seller: if a different price or discount to the one indicated is applied at the checkout, point this out to the shopkeeper and, in the event of problems, do not hesitate to call the municipal police.
The warranty is valid for two years from purchase. So beware of chemical paper receipts, which fade after a few months; photocopy them to be able to show them at the right time. The guarantee must be enforced within sixty days from the moment in which the defect is discovered.
A shopkeeper who has an agreement with a credit card is required to always accept it, even during sales periods, and not to increase the prices for payments made with the card.
Beware of payments made with a revolving card, because the rates applied can exceed 20%. This payment instrument can be convenient only in the case of capital repayment in a very short time, i.e. a few months.
To avoid confusion and unwanted purchases, the goods sold on sale must be displayed separately from the non-discounted ones: make a report to the municipal police if this rule is not respected.

SUMMER SALES 2019: THE DATES

We have already indicated you dates to be marked in red on the calendar. In general, the sales have already started in Campania on 29 June, on 1 July in Sicily and Liguria, on 2 July in Basilicata. Tomorrow, it's the turn of all the other Regions, including Lombardy with Milan and Lazio with Rome, the two cities where the hunt for the most favorable discount is always fierce and numerous.

For duration and end, here is the complete calendar: