Good Belgian-Sales!

I am so used to it now that I *almost* forget that it isn't normal. Here sales are in January and July. That is the only time you will find a bargain, unless it is some kind of close-out sale.

 Strange? Indeed! I don't fully understand, but what I do understand is that supposedly it helps the smaller businesses. They can't compete with the bigger companies if they bigger companies are able to mark things down when they want.

 

I normally don't even go out shopping in other months, because the prices are too high. Sometimes I go out to scout out what is in the stores and decide if it is worth coming back to look in the sales.

These shops are tricky though. Of course, January or July 1st, nothing is 70% off. That comes about the 3rd or 4th week of the sales. Each week they mark down more. I normally search for -50% or -70%, so I like to go towards the end of the sales, but often the good stuff (or my size) is gone.

All the stores use a color coding system, but of course not the same one, so you always have to look well when you go in to see what is the lucky color.

I had some luck on Monday! In only the 2nd week of the sales I found a few items -70%! 2 pairs of Mexx pants for when Mateo starts school (Feb 2014) and some baby gifts. I love receipts like this. It says without reduction my total was €154.70, but I had a reduction of €94.30. So exciting!

http://www.flanderstoday.eu/content/no-more-sales Here is an article from my English newspaper talking about a company who is trying to change the system.