While 
Americans and others around the world enjoy shopping sales at many points during the year, Italian retailers put their items “on sale” mostly during two times during the year – July and January. Items are generally discounted between 30 and 75% making these sales periods a time when Italians and vacationers alike shop till they drop.
17 of Italy’s 20 regions kicked off their sales today. The regions of Val d’Aosta in the north and Campania and Basilicata in the south began their sales earlier this week. The saldi (sales) are expected to run through the end of February and the deepest discounts come later in the sales period.
With Italians still feeling the effects of the country’s longest post-war recession, the Codacons consumer group predicts total spending would be 12.5% down on last year. “The only ones buying anything are tourists,” one Naples shop owner told ANSA. Average spending for the January sales is expected to be less than 200 euros.
By Kathy McCabe
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