But even if Barneys or Bergdorf limbos lower than usual in the upcoming months, the best storewide and year-round deals will nevertheless be found at off-price retailers, where the inventory is made up of overstock, samples, cancellations, closeouts, and pristine items ominously labelled "slightlyirregular" (what do they know that we don't?).
New in-the-box dead stock, overstock and floor samples are up to 60 percent off at Fontana Arte through March 31 (Vico Magistretti's Tikal table lamp, usually $296, is $148 4545 Greene Street (Grand Street), (212) 334-3212.
Ligne Roset is discounting floor samples, overstock and discontinued pieces up to 60 percent, from Friday to Sunday (the Anda chair, pictured, and ottoman, regularly $2,565, will be $1,966); 250 Park Avenue South (20th Street), (212) 375-1036 or lignerosetny.com.com
O Lighting is taking up to 75 percent off samples and overstock fixtures, Friday through Nov. 13 (the Miss K table lamp by Flos, regularly $288, will be $144 4040 Walker Street (Church Street), (212) 485-6190 or olighting.com.
During Eigen Arts's fall pottery sale, on Sunday, samples and overstock pottery will be 50 percent off (a Salsa vase, usually $30, will be $15; an Amy vase, usually $20, will be $10; a Jolie bud vase, usually $18, will be $9 15050 Bay Street (Marin Street), Jersey City.
Like the merchandise at sample sales, items may be discontinued products or overstock.
The term sample sale is also used to refer to overstock warehouse sales.
"Retailers need to move their merchandise from past seasons, and [hosting] a large event like a warehouse or sample sale is the last-ditch effort for them to make a profit off of their overstock," says Denise Williamson, owner of the Williamson Showroom in New York City, where designers such as Trovata and Development participate in a two-day biannual sample sale.
Aptly, his company is called Overstock.com.com
Selling overstock is a natural extension of eBay's business.
I fed them from my overstock of Weet-Bix.
