Calling All Shoppers!

By Christina Felton, Vice President, Austin

Tis the season to shop. “One for you, two for me” has always been my mantra. Over the last year, shopping has offered incredible deals, killer markdowns and special coupons mailed directly to my house, making it impossible to stay away.

Retailers have rolled out the red carpet this holiday season to entice shoppers in light of a still questionable economy. With more shoppers using multiple channels – in-store, online, mobile devices – to both research and purchase items, retailers have stayed competitive by offering free shipping, special offers towards future purchases and other incentives.

And here is more good news. As the traditional shopping season came to a close, many sales were just  warming up. This year, shopping after the holidays may be the best time of year to hit the stores.

Whether you’re a perpetual bargain hunter or a savvy shopper getting a jump start on next year’s shopping list, there are plenty of sale opportunities well into the New Year. According to the National Retail Federation (NRF), the week between Christmas and New Year’s accounts for more than 10 percent of total November and December sales. Retailers will continue to entice shoppers with special deals and markdowns hoping to maintain the momentum of the holidays well into the New Year.

Outlets are a traditional destination to find great deals at any time of the year, but long gone are the dismal, never-ending racks of a poorly lit outlet store. Vollmer recently helped open the latest Saks Fifth Avenue Off 5th outlet store at the Houston Premium Outlets in Cypress, Texas. The new location was part of an expansion bringing 25 new luxury names to the Premium Outlets.

The Off 5th store is modeled after the new Saks Fifth Avenue ‘luxury in a loft’ environment, designed to highlight merchandise and facilitate easy shopping. And in keeping with shopping trends, the location offers increased luxury brands and expanded key merchandise categories including fine jewelry, shoes, handbags, sunglasses, contemporary sportswear and beauty items. Sounds like 28,000 square feet of sheer heaven to me.

Before shopping, however, be sure to check out the store and outlet websites for special events and offers. Many offer discount codes for significant discounts and opportunities to earn points towards future purchases. Signing up for a reward program with insider emails is also a good way to ensure you never miss a bargain from your favorite store or outlet center.

As you head out, knowing the best time to shop is just as important as knowing where to shop. Even though the holiday shopping crowds will significantly have thinned out, it’s best to arrive early and avoid weekends if possible. Many stores provide special offers on weekdays hoping to increase traffic during the off-peak shopping hours. So for those who feel that shopping knows no season, here’s to great bargains – year round!