Just as in other countries the change of season marks the discount season, so in Ecuador there are discount days in the middle of the season, which stirs up the atmosphere in the malls.

Clients come and go laden with covers and bags from clothing stores such as Forever 21, Studio F, Zara, Stradivarius, Bershka, Victoria’s Secret, H&M, among others, as if it were Black Friday weekend.

New brands are advertised in Mall del Sol: GAP, Bath & Body Works, Victoria’s Secret, American Eagle

This Friday, not only was the movement similar to that generated by the November promotion, but so were the prices. For example, pants jeans whose normal price is $41.99, they are on sale for $8.99, all the way down to $6.99, at the Forever 21 store in Mall del Sol, where they are offering discounts of up to 50% for mid season sale or mid-season sale.

The pants can be found for as low as $6.99, which normally exceeds $40, at Forever 21 in Mall del Sol. Photo: Peter Tavra Franco

An additional 10 percent discount is added to that, said the store manager. Shoppers should look for clothing items with an orange label that has the promotional price on it.

In most of these trades, the reductions started on Thursday, June 22 and will last until June 27 or until the end of the month.

However, in Studio F they also offer discounts of up to 50 percent, but the promotions started last May. Its administrator assured that the strategy generated a 20% increase in sales and recognized that now promotions are carried out more frequently to encourage customers to buy.

Before, they were not produced so much, now they are monitored more, in order to increase sales in the sector, which are not basic products that people have to buy no matter what, said the manager.

Bershka, in San Marino, also attracted a large number of shoppers who came looking for discounts. Jesús Gómez, the store manager, indicated that the sale started on Thursday with 30% off, although he noted that as the days go by the discount percentage will be reduced.

GAP will open at least four more stores in Ecuador and bring two additional brands from the group: Banana Republic and Athleta

“Ideally, the public should take advantage of the discounts during the first week,” Gómez said. These discounts are also due to the change of season and will later give way to new collections.

Regarding the increase in sales, he assured that it increased by 30% compared to the regular sales day.

“You really see a greater influx of customers, looking at the brands the customer deciphers for himself the movement we have inside the stores, but, nevertheless, for the movement we had before, very atypical even within our sales, yes, it has worked,” said the store manager who will keep the discounts until June 27.

On the other hand, Liz Espinoza, another manager of Bershka, indicated that the promotions are only available in physical stores, in Guayaquil, San Marino and in Quito at Quicentro Shopping. “And here are all the stores: Zara, Pull & Bear, Stradivarius that are from the same franchise.”

Mid-season discounts in clothing stores attract customers who have discounts of up to 50% in some places. Photo: Peter Tavra Franco

These last stores offer discounts of up to 50%. For example, you can find blouses and t-shirts for $7.99 at Zara and Pull & Bear. Movement in these and other stores such as Victoria’s Secret, Mango, Lili Pink, Aeropostale has increased significantly.

Shoppers, like Vanessa Ortiz, took advantage of discounts at more than one store. – I come from Zara and Stradivarius with blouses and pants at half price, now I’m looking for a shirt for my husband – said the customer.