BARGAIN hunters are always looking out for the Next sale and the good news is – it's back.
The September Next sale is now online and in stores and shoppers can pick up clothing, homeware and more with prices slashed by at least 50%.
Next usually holds an Autumn sale each year to shift old summer stock ahead of getting new lines in for the winter season.
Some stores even open as early as 7am for eager customers wanting to bag the best offers.
This year the September sale kicked off on Saturday (September 25) but many VIP customers have already been able to shop the sale ahead of time.
We explain what you need to know about the famous Next sale.
When does the Next sale start?
Next usually holds a sale in September that's hugely popular among shoppers.
Last year, its autumn sale was launched in stores on September 19 – which fell on a Saturday.
This year, the Next sale kicked off on September 25 in stores and online on the Next website.
But VIP customers have already been able to bargain hunt after receiving emails and texts allowing them to book coveted shopping slots.
One bargain hunter on the Hotukdeals forum discussing the sale said she got her invite to shop a slot on Wednesday (September 22) – three days earlier than the official launch of the sale.
The bargain hunters came to the general consensus that this was the first available slot.
But one advised: "Keep checking as they release the slots in batches so it may show in your account any time between now and the start of the sale."
VIPs must be Next credit card holders, and usually you have to sign up around a week before the sale to be able to use the service.
Don't rush into taking out a store credit card though.
The interest rates can be very high, so make sure you can pay them off in full each month.
Otherwise the amount you pay in interest could wipe out any savings you make in the sale.
As a VIP customer though you'll be able to shop the sale early online, but not in stores.
Bargains become readily available for the public in-store for everyone from Saturday.
Some shops opened as early as 7am to shoppers while the clearance took place last time – but keep in mind that opening hours vary from store to store.
Check times using Next's store locator tool before you head to the shops.
Next's last sale was on July 10 this year, and shops opened as early as 6am to customers.
What will be in the sale?
Next's September sale includes women's, men's, and children's garments, shoes, and accessories.
There are also discounts on homeware and beauty, all with at least 50% off.
It also includes items from top brands the likes of Lipsy, River Island, and more, as well as Next's own-brand ranges.
Next's sale in July this year saw as much as 70% knocked off these items – so discounts could be even higher this year.
Can I book a VIP slot for the Next sale?
VIP slots, which give you access to the sale earlier than others, are offered to customers who have a Next flexible credit card.
Now the sale has launched to everyone online and in stores, you won't need one to shop the September sale.
But you could get early VIP access for future sales, as Next usually offers the perk to shoppers.
Last year, VIP members got early access to Next's online sale on September 16 – three days earlier than when the sale launched in stores.
Shoppers have been able to book their Next VIP slot since September 19 this year, with the earliest slots available to them opening up just after.
That gives early birds three days to shop the bargains before anyone else.
Usually, you'll receive your invite to book an early access slot via email – so keep an eye on your inbox.
Last year, shoppers could book their slots from as early as September 14 – and they could also book an early morning slot to access the sale on the Saturday before the general public.
Usually, store slots are capped at 45 minutes.
There's a list of stringent criteria to get a slot. To be selected, customers must typically:
- Have a Next flexible credit account with at least £250 credit available
- Have placed and kept an order from the Next Directory within the last year
- Have an up to date email address registered with Next, and be registered to receive sale and promotional emails
- Have received a copy of the Next Directory
- Have returned less than two thirds of the items they’ve ordered
All slots are allocated on a first come, first served basis and the number of slots are limited.
Think carefully before taking out any store card though.
The interest rates can be very high, so you want to make sure you can pay them off in full each month.
Otherwise the amount you pay in interest will wipe out the savings you make in the sale.
How can I bag the best bargains?
A Next employee previously shared top tips with The Sun about how to grab the best offers in stores and online.
Ahead of time, familiarise yourself with sale stock on offer ahead of time when Next reveals more information about the sale.
Check in store and online to see what items you might fancy, that means you'll be able to act fast once prices start dropping.
You should also check online before heading to stores – this is because the sale launches online before it hits the shops.
Choose the right store for you – smaller stores could be less rammed while shoppers head to the big branches, so you'll have less competion.
You should shop late in the day – around two hours before closing when staff bring out more stock.
Keep an eye out for black dots on tickets when you're next in a Next store, chances are that means an item is going to be discounted, so you're better off waiting till the price drops.
Homeware and women's clothing sells the fastest – so make a beeline to grab bits from these ranges first.
Other retailers have some major bargains you can take advantage of, including Aldi's latest up to 50% off Specialbuy sale.
And it's not just your clothes covered in discounts this week as one savvy shopper picks up £100 make-up bundle for just a tenner in the epic Boots sale.
Plus of course, Black Friday is on the way, but when is it and what deals can you pick up?
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