Ready, Set, Shop!

Today is the day! Grab your coat, keys and credit cards and run, don't walk to your favorite shopping destination! Now that the hustle and bustle of the holidays is over, it is time to find some of the best bargains of the season!

As gift cards have become increasingly popular over the past few years, many retailers have changed their after Christmas strategies. Instead of deep discounts on their entire stock of fall / winter merchandise the day after Christmas, many are waiting until after the New Year to begin marking their items down to 50% off or more. They know that with so many gift cards out there burning a hole in people's pockets, a large percentage of the population will use the traditional sale shopping day of the year (the day after Christmas or the week between Christmas and New Years) to use them. Retailers quickly discovered that if they wait a week or so after Christmas to begin deep discounts, those shoppers will end up paying a bit more for their items then if they waited until January. The result? More money in retailer's pockets instead of yours!

With that said...today is the day! There is still a TON of merchandise in stores which makes for a fabulous selection! Many, many stores are offering an additional percentage off this weekend which makes for amazing deals! For example, my shopping find yesterday was $110 Karen Kane capri jeans for $17. They were 75% off plus take an additional 40% off of that. In our area, Belk, Macy's, Ann Taylor, Ann Taylor Loft are all offering an additional % off of sale prices...that's just to name a few.

Remember too...many retailer's gift cards lose value over time if you don't use it. Check with the individual retailer as to what their policies are. It really is better to use them sooner than later.

Don't forget to shop the net! Now is the time to surf your favorite online shops for rock bottom pricing! Check out the Clearance section at Pottery Barn.com, Pottery Barn Kids.com and Williams-Sonoma.com for some amazing home decor deals!

Lastly, Spring has sprung in stores! If you shop now, you will get first pick of Spring merchandise! Retailers usually stock their most appealing lines during the pre-season...January-March and July-September. They want to entice you to spend you money during the typically slower business months. If you see anything you really love, grab it while you can...

With that said, RUN, don't walk to get your retail therapy this weekend!

Have fun!

Kim