Still More Holiday Deals!
Faced with unexpectedly slow demand this Christmas, retailers across the country are slashing prices to get rid of unanticipated excess inventory. Normally these sales don't happen until after Christmas, but this year, sales at shopping malls are down 8.2% from last year's holiday season, according to the International Council of Shopping Centers. And that means Christmas has come early for shoppers.
For those who refuse to be lured to the mall at this time of year — even for a fabulous bargain — we decided to comb the Web sites of major retailers to see if the same deals are available online. We didn't have to look far: Discounts are plentiful. Keep in mind, however, that if you're hoping to get a gift shipped in time for Christmas, you're probably better off hitting the stores. Overnight shopping charges can really cut into the discounts.
On each site we created a basket of items that caught our fancy. We then calculated how much we saved off the regular prices. Here's what we found:
J. Crew
Our Savings: 30%
Have you been coveting that J. Crew cashmere v-neck sweater all season? Your patience has paid off — It's now 20% off (regularly $168, now $134). Also on sale are slouched chinos (regularly $48, now $37.95) and a men's checkered shirt (regularly $49.50, now $39.95). But for the real deals, check out the holiday clearance section, where the savings can easily run over 50%. For example, plain-front twill pants are now a mere $24.99 (regularly $54.50), and you can purchase a cable-knit crewneck sweater for $49.99 (originally $88). Gotta love that.
J. Crew guarantees Christmas delivery if you order by 11 a.m. ET on Dec. 24 and use overnight delivery. Overnight shipping is an extra $10. Ground shipping starts at $4.95 for items under $25.
Gap
Our Savings: 43%
You can always count on the Gap to find a gift for that difficult someone. And the sale going on right now should get you in prime spending mode. For example: A women's soft leather jacket is now $119.99 (regularly $198), women's cashmere cable-knit sweaters, which come in four pretty pastel colors, are currently $99.99 (regularly $175) and men's classic fit stretch pants are a paltry $29.99 (regularly $49.59).
Sorry, Christmas orders shipped overnight were only accepted until noon on Dec. 20. Shipping costs start at $5 for items under $50 and overnight delivery is an extra $9.
Sears
Our Savings: 15% at Sears; 50% at Wishbook
You name it, it's on sale at Sears. All televisions, camcorders, computers, microwaves, vacuums, sewing machines, blenders, toasters, irons, juicers, toaster ovens, cookware and lawn & garden tools and equipment are on sale through Dec. 21. We did a little surfing and found a Fuji 35 mm Zoom Camera (regularly $189.99, now $149.99), the Proform 395CW treadmill (regularly $499.99, now $399.99) and the George Foreman Rotisserie (regularly $159.99, now $129.99).
Sears shipping charges vary by the weight of an item. An article weighing between one pound and 1.9 pounds will cost $20 to ship overnight. Ground shipping for the same weight is $3.
If you're looking for even greater discounts, take a look at Sears's outlet store, Wishbook.com. Items are discounted 30% to 50% "while quantities last." Many of the best deals have already been snatched up, but we were able to find a leather Pierre Cardin suit bag (originally $199.99, now $99.99) and a men's 14k gold bracelet (originally $1,199.99, now $599.99).
Wishbook doesn't offer overnight delivery, so if you're hoping to get your gift by Christmas you're definitely taking a gamble. Express shipping, which takes about three business days, starts at $4.95 for items under $15.
Esprit
Our Savings: 74%
If you're planning a tropical escape this winter, a visit to Esprit's "PreClearanceSale" is essential. Some items are discounted by as much as 85%. For example, we found a floral dress selling for a miniscule $14 (originally $78) and a glittery party dress (perfect for New Year's Eve), now $19 (regularly $69). Some winter and all-seasonal items are also on sale. We spotted a nylon padded vest selling for $19 (originally $48) and a yellow sport watch (originally $40, now $21).
Esprit charges $10 extra for overnight delivery. Standard ground delivery, starts at $5.95 for orders under $25.
Nordstrom
Our Savings: 51%
If you're an avid Nordstrom shopper, perhaps you've already experienced what's known in some circles as "a rack attack." Nordstrom Rack, the chain's outlet store, offers amazing bargains. And its Web site is no exception. During our hunt we found a women's Caslon lambskin jacket selling for $138 (originally $276), a pony-skin cuff bracelet, perfect for the fashionista in your life, offered for $37 (originally $75) and a men's Kenneth Cole water-resistant vest (regularly, $98, now $44.90).
The site only guaranteed Christmas delivery for standard shipping if orders were placed by Dec. 20 (standard shipping starts at $6.95 for orders under $60). Overnight orders (which will set you back an extra $15) are being accepted until 10 a.m. PST on Saturday, Dec. 23.
Saks Fifth Avenue
Our Savings: 44%
A pre-Christmas sale on Kate Spade handbags? No, you haven't had too much eggnog — it's really available at SaksFifthAvenue.com, where a Kate Spade two-tone wool tote is on sale for $210.90 (originally $315). Other great finds? An Ermenegildo Zegna necktie for $72 (reduced from $120), a Tracy Porter cream and sugar set ($24.90, regularly, $35) and a Collette Malouf (that's a trendy designer for those who aren't fashion-forward) leather and suede headband for $65.90 (regularly $95).
Sorry, Saks is no longer guaranteeing delivery in time for Christmas. But if you're willing to take a gamble, standard shipping starts at $5 for orders $25 and under. Overnight shipping is an additional $15.
LuxuryFinder.com
Our Savings: 35%
Even luxury items are on sale this pre-Christmas season. The exclusive — and very expensive — LuxuryFinder.com is having a holiday gift sale. Items are still pricey, but if you're ready to splurge, these gifts are at least cheaper than they used to be. We found Trianon silver and onyx football cufflinks for $299 (reduced from $465), a woman's cotton nightgown designed by Lejaby for $89 (originally $130), a Frederic Fekkai pony clutch for $299 (reduced from $465) and a Calvin Klein alligator wallet for $289 (reduced from $450).
The site guarantees Christmas delivery if you order overnight delivery (which costs $15) through Dec. 22. Standard shipping is free.
Macys.com
Our Savings: 30%
At Macys.com , click on the sale box or clearance section at Macys.com for great deals. We found a ScooterBlade (a knock-off of the Razor Scooter) for $34.99 (originally $69.99), and a Dooney & Bourke bag (originally $195 now $145). There's also a fabulous underwear sale: Men's Calvin Klein underwear — including tanks, tees, boxers and briefs — is 25% off until Jan. 1. For women, Ralph Lauren women's underwear is 25% off until Jan. 2. A seamless microfiber underwire bra is on sale for $19.50 (regularly $26), and a seamless thong is on sale for $9.75 (regularly $13), critical for that little New Year's dress you — or perhaps your date — is about to squeeze into.
Macy's charges $8 for standard delivery, and express overnight shipping costs $18.
Lucy.com
Our Savings: 69%
Lucy.com is the perfect site for women who love to work out (or for those who like to dress like they do). This site is now offering 25% to 75% off "winter favorites," including a New Balance jacket, which comes in iris or graphite, for $19.99 ( originally $80), Columbia Sportswear fleece gloves (originally $20, now $14.99) and ultra-lightweight, windproof, water-resistant pants (originally $56, now $13.99).
You've already missed the site's cutoff for holiday shipping. Standard delivery service is $4.99, no matter how many items you order or how much the total order weighs. The same goes for overnight express shipping, which is a flat $14.99
