Sales shopping in 2020: all you need to know

Going shopping this winter? Below, you’ll find the ultimate guide on the best way to spend your pennies this 2020. Which stores offer the best sales? Which ones start before January 7? Are the discounts really worth it? With this sales guide, find the answer to all of these questions, and much more—the only thing you’ll need is tons of patience when lining up for the fitting rooms, and the cash register. That’s unless you decide to buy your stuff online, of course.

But first, a little context. A few years ago, no one could imagine enjoying the winter sales before January 7—that’s when the Three Wise Men are meant to ceremoniously arrive, eat their Roscón de Reyes, before the long-awaited sales period begins. In fact, did you know that annual sales were created in Spain in order for merchants to get rid of the surplus stocks that they didn’t sell during the year? Since the Spanish government eliminated many restrictions in 2012 however, the country has seen the end of regulated sales, with merchants being able to decide their own business hours and independently decide when their sales happen, and how big their discounts will be.

That being said, there are still stores and shopping chains, like Inditex group and the department store El Corte Inglés, that have chosen to remain faithful to the tradition, and start their sales on January 7 as always. Others such as Cortefiel, Sfera, Asos, Mango, Springfield and H&M begin a little earlier in the year by launching their discounts on January 2. And when it comes to online purchases, there are always exceptions—such as El Corte Inglés, which unleashes its offers on the 6th, exclusively on its website. There are dozens of exceptions and different tricks to play by if you don’t want to get carried away by the spending frenzy, and end up buying something you don’t really need.

As always, these new, flexible sale regulations have experienced backlash—this is because many people think that it’s unnecessary to have two discount periods per year, believing that the ones in winter and summer are more than enough. They think that introducing new dates such as Black Friday, VAT-free days or other off-season discounts, only make us prisoners of consumerism. The reality is that, by not waiting for the exclusive sale periods to make purchases, people actually buy much less than if the sales were to actually happen.

As this year’s sales fever kicks in, here are some tips on better, stress-free buying.

We recommend not focusing on the quantity of items you buy, but on the quality. It’s a good time to purchase that must-have item that costs hundreds of euros, now that you can afford it with a discount. Select what you want and go for it, don’t let things that you don’t want or need end up in your shopping basket just because they’re hidden behind an attractive discount.

A few days before the sales start, make a list of what you want and compare prices in other stores. This will also help you see if the discount really pushes it below its normal price, and if the offer is worthy. With online stores, it’s easier than ever and you can browse and compare across websites quickly. It’s important to keep in mind that the products that everyone wants are the first to sell out, so it’s better to be clear on what you’d like from the get-go.

It’s always useful to carry some cash on you, but when it comes to shopping, the best way to control your spending is paying by card. You can access your account whenever you want to see the amount you have spent, and get an idea of how much budget you have left.

All love at first sight can go wrong. That jacket, those shoes, or that blender that you couldn’t part with in the store... but when you get home, the reality may be very different. Don’t worry, we all make spontaneous purchases, so be sure to always save your receipt in case you want to return something.

Very often, we tend to buy things because they are discounted—we don’t actually have much need for them in the moment, hoping they will come in handy at some point in the future. Try not to fill your closet or home will things you won’t use right now because there’s a chance you never will.

Standing in line to the fitting room is always a bore, and then undressing and dressing again countless times, before standing in another queue for the check out… it’s not an ideal use of time, is it? However, even if you don’t want to do it, it’s totally worth it. After all, think of how much time you’ll then waste making the trip back to the store to exchange an item, or return it?

It’s not uncommon that stores also try to get rid of clothes that are not in the best condition, or have simply been mistreated by other customers. Before taking a garment, make sure it’s in good condition and has no defects that will make it difficult to return later. Are all the buttons there? Is the zipper broken? It doesn’t hurt to double check.

With a budget, learn to be more mindful of your money in the knowledge that there’s a limit to the amount of things you buy. It’s an old-school trick that is still used for its efficiency—set a realistic limit, and do not exceed it under any circumstances. It works, we promise.

The above tips and tricks will help you better navigate the sales this year, allowing you to leave the stores knowing that you’ve spent your money well. Just don’t forget to take your N26 Mastercard with you!