The Signature
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It’s sconti (sales) time in Italy. Sigonella shoppers can get ready to strike good bargains but need to keep in mind a few tips to avoid rip-offs! In Sicily, the regional government has decided to kickstart the discount season on July 1, one month before the rest of the country, to help Sicilian retailers to compensate the severe economic losses caused by the lockdown which left them with stocks of unsold merchandise. (Photo by www.ilblogdialice.com)
Summer Sale Season Kicks Off July 1st; Top 5 Tips To Get The Best Bargain
By Dr. Alberto Lunetta, NAS Sigonella Public Affairs igonella shoppers will be happy to hear that Sicilian retailers will offer discounts one month ahead of the annual government-regulated summer “sconti or saldi” (sales) season. All the other stores in the rest of the Italy will kick off their discount season on August 1st. Sicily’s regional government made the decision to offer discounts early was made in an effort to help the island’s store owners still facing the economic consequences of the coronavirus pandemic lockdown. According to retailers’ associations, a month after the May re-opening, many stores are still struggling to compensate for the lost profits from the pandemic closures. They also must abide by the government’s decrees which require them to adapt their stores to the anti-COVID-19 safety measures to protect their staff and customers, causing additional financial burdens. At the same time, customers have faced a rise in the price of staple foods since the lockdown began, resulting in a
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reluctance to begin shopping again because of tightened budgets. The “sconti di fine stagione” (end-of- the-season sales) begin on Wednesday, July 1 and last until the beginning of September. However, some shops will continue offering discounts until the end of September. During the first days of the season, Italian shoppers typically flock to the stores for good deals, so expect long lines! Unlike the United States, where sales are not regulated, Italy passed a law in 1939 during the Fascist regime which dictated that retailers, mainly clothing stores, were permitted to offer special discounts twice a year to support a shattered economy. Typically, the saldi seasons last about 60 days and begin after Christmas to lure customers to buy winter collections and in the middle of the summer (July) for the summer collections. However, dates change from region to region. While you’re in search of big bargains, make sure you "Italian News" cont’d on Page 11
