January, February, July and August = Sales

Not all VASGO posts can be filled with witty discussion or memorable experiences.  Sometimes, the straight facts need to be known.

The fact is, Italy doesn't have sales all the time, the way just about every retail store in the U.S. dedicates prime real estate for their past-season merchandise.  In Rome, at least, things are a little different.

Although the costs of getting to Rome in the middle of Summer are exceedingly high, and the cost of staying anywhere in the country for that matter are in the prime of their high-rates season, I find it intelligent that the retail stores use the busy time of year to have their bi-annual sale, called SALDI.

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Every storefront I pass seems to have the five-letter word prominently displayed in their window to encourage the deal-seeking shopper to enter their locale. Shoes, clothes, bags, watches, you name it.  If it's being sold, it's likely on sale. 

But watch out for the fall product.  Saldi occurs to get rid of the previous season's items and in too many stores, the things on sale aren't well labeled.  Maybe it's business strategy, forcing you to look at every last piece of clothing.  Following that logic, before you find the item in your price range, you might fall in love with the new season's offerings and would, therefore, be willing to pay full price.

Some stores do a better job of separating the sales from the full price. Either way, pay attention to what you are buying and the people around you.  During Saldi, and at peak shopping times of the day, the stores are PACKED and ripe for the wallet-picking. Don't say I didn't warn you.

Saldi occurs twice a year for about a month or until the old inventory is depleted. About a week after the New Year and the first week of July are their start times.