Summer sales: The best time to find real bargains

As the summer sales are just around the corner—or have in some cases already begun—a survey conducted in France by the Center for Research on the Study and Observation of Living Conditions (Crédoc) reveals the best time to score the best deals.

A modest 25% off—or even 50% off? To treat yourself and get a significant discount, while enjoying a wide range of choices, Crédoc recommends visiting your favorite stores during the first four days of the sales. Once this period has passed, it’s highly likely that the most sought-after items will already be sold out. Savvy shoppers know this well: the first few days are crucial for stocking up on new arrivals, but above all for making sure you don’t miss out on items you’ve had your eye on beforehand.

With this tip, you might not get the biggest discounts, but you’ll ensure you have access to ample inventory. In fact, 75% discounts are often applied by brands to clear out remaining stock.

And even if the urge to fill your shopping bags is strong, be sure to take the time to check the practices of your favorite retailers: some may have inflated their prices before the official sales period to make you believe there’s a significant discount that, in reality, doesn’t exist.