Travel Tips: Where to go for Outlet Shopping in the UK?
It is often said that the UK tends to be slightly more expensive in Singapore for fashion shopping, but discounts are deeper. Typically, these happen towards the end of a fashion season, and in the days after Christmas. It is generally in the retailer’s interest to do so, since London fashion tends to move fairly quickly (think Primark), and so the room has to be rapidly made for new items as trends change.
Many retailers would simply offer discounts at their regular shops to do so. Some, however, would go one step further, and move uncleared stock to their own clearance outlets, where they would continue to offer the same discounts, if not more. These outlet stores are typically in locations further away from Central London to save on rental overheads, but for the avid bargain hunter, would be well worth the extra time spent travelling there.
What follows is merely a handful of brands available in the UK that have clearance outlets. It is by no means exhaustive, so it always helps to look up via Google UK to see if your favourite brand has an outlet or factory store.
Mango
Mango only offers its clearance stock through an online store, but its discounts can be as hefty as 80% off the retail price. Delivery is charged at £3, but is waived for orders above £40. In addition to normal UK addresses, Mango also offers delivery to Collect+ locations, which will be helpful if you are unable to receive deliveries where you stay.
Clark’s
The classic and popular shoemaker has two physical sites in Greater London and an online store through which they sell their excess stock. So long as you can receive deliveries at a UK address, it might be most convenient to buy online, especially given that delivery is free, though you may miss out on store-exclusive discounts done at the discretion of the store manager.
Source: @soleheaven
Of the two brick-and-mortar locations, the one at the London Designer Outlet at Wembley Park takes about 30 minutes to get to from Central London via the Metropolitan Line, but has many other outlet stores (including Adidas, TM Lewin, Superdry and Kurt Geiger), several restaurants, and even a cinema. Wembley Stadium is nearby, so it might be best suited for people who are planning a day trip there.
The one on Seven Sisters Road (Google Maps link) is nearest Holloway Road tube station, but a Singaporean would definitely stand out travelling through that area. Plan accordingly, and if you’re a lady, get a guy to accompany you if you can.
TM Lewin
Source: @katalogpromosi
The famed Jermyn Street tailor with branches in Singapore clears its stock online and through its London Designer Outlet branch. TM Lewin also offers £5 to spend in-store when Click and Collect is chosen as a delivery option, adding, even more, value to your clearance purchase. To really maximise purchasing power, and assuming travel is not a problem, one could shop for clearance items online, Click and Collect at the London Designer Outlet branch, then spend the in-store credit buying even more clearance items.
Adidas, Next
Both brands have an outlet shopping both online and at the London Designer Outlet at Wembley Park. Discounts routinely are as deep as 50% off retail prices. Again, online shopping might be best, especially since Click and Collect is available for free for both brands; one can just order online and arrange to collect from the Oxford Street store, for example.
Adidas’ clearance site can be found here, and Next’s can be found here.
The above article is contributed by Airfrov traveller Alwyn Tan. If you would like to contribute similar travel tips & hacks, drop us a mail!
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