How to
Shop the Outlets
Saks Off Fifth
Nordstrom Rack
Is this really a great deal? Did that come from the mainline store?
These tips will help you balance bargains versus style at discount department stores.
Everyone loves getting a good deal so it’s no
surprise that Calgary has seen some new
department store outlets open in the last
few years, most notably Nordstrom Rack
(page 44) and Saks Off Fifth (page 44).
Add to it the name recognition of
large department stores selling big name
designers and the expectations grow even
higher. So what should you expect from
shopping at a department store outlet?
While the main department stores have
a very set program of sale periods and
discount promotions, the outlets have new
merchandise coming in all the time. They
also have their own sale schedule and
clearances for even deeper discounts.
At first glance the price may seem right,
but it pays to remember that designer items
sent to the outlet from the main store are
not in season, which is one reason you are
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getting a deal.
Other reasons why you could find a
previously regular-priced item at an outlet
might be overstock, fit or quality issues,
a strange colour, style or print, it was
overlooked in a stockroom, or it was altered
for a customer and the store ended up
with it.
Surprisingly, only around 20 percent of
items at an outlet are actually goods that
were for sale at a mainline store at full
price and are now marked down. Many
pieces are even made directly by designer
brands for the department store outlets
using less expensive materials and inferior
construction to provide that brand name for
less — so if you are seeing a price for you
to compare it to, it may not be a sale price
versus a regular price so much as a reminder
of what the brand’s clothing usually sells for
at the main store.
Fear not, you can still find bargains at the
outlets, but the best way to get a real deal
(and a deal on something real) is to also
shop the regular store. Occasionally the
clearance opportunities and promotions
at the main store will show an even better
deal on an item than when you see it at the
outlet, so it pays to check in, especially at
sale time.
If you are familiar with the brands you can
learn to recognize a bargain when you see
it and even how to spot a made-directly-
for-the-outlet item. You can also shop the
outlets online and find items not available at
your own local brick-and-mortar —just make
sure you can still get a refund.
Happy shopping, and remember: it’s only
a good deal if it’s something you’ll actually
wear!
NORDSTROM
BY LEAH VAN LOON