Shopping after Christmas is always one BIG rush. The number of
shoppers rises considerably, the changing room queues resemble the
line for a Tegan and Sara concert, and the sale bargain box looks
like a fancy-dress lucky dip. I reveal some of my pet hates
and some of my top tips to highlight both the horror and the
brilliance that comes with the January sales. Let the mission
commence.
Oh joy! The sale rack…
Filing through endless, and disorganised sale racks to find that
one size top that fits you becomes a challenge in itself, and then
finally finding that perfect white low V-neck top you've always
wanted, only to realise it is not in the sale at all and has been
moved there to tease you is just plain rude. Though, the moment I'm
sure we are all aware of is when the woman beside you is catching
up quickly to your spot on the rail. Do you stand your ground and
let her pass, or hurry away and move to the calmer and quieter shoe
section? These are small but stressful decisions that we all have
to make when other shoppers become our enemy and the high street
resembles a battlefield.
Greater bargains
The past Christmas has been tough for retailers after a fall of
spending in November, and the increase in online shopping has
greatly affected these high street names. This is good news for us
as it means that sale prices, and stores are slashing their prices
by a long way. Ah the beautiful red circle sale HMV sticker that
brings joy to our lives when we see it on the L Word
box-set.
50% off! Look again.
Have you ever gone into a shop because the store's window had a
huge, bright, and glittering 50% sign calling you to come inside? I
have, many a time, only to find that I missed reading the teeny
tiny small print below that slyly said 'Up to'. Hmm H&M, I
think you and I are going through some communication issues; let's
take a break.
You mean I can really stay in Tesco till
1am?
We all can agree on the excitement and novelty of a 24-hour
supermarket, or is it just me that's gets overly excited? Opening
hours are being extended late into the night for major supermarkets
over the country in the next weeks, which means that the cereal and
booze aisle will become my new best friend.
It's all about you!
No more thinking about what you need to get for your eccentric
mother, and no more
should-I-buy-this-necklace-for-my-girlfriend-only-been-going-out-two-months
panic, the January sales are there for you. Plus, we all know you
have that one voucher to spend this Christmas, right? Go on, treat
yourself to that moustache mug you've always wanted from Urban
Outfitters, or buy some sexy Republic headphones. Then, when you're
sitting at home, drinking tea out of your new favourite mug and
looking at everything you've purchased once over, you can listen to
James Brown blast out "I Feel Good", because we all know you feel
good about conquering those crazy January sales. Mission
complete.
