We all want the same thing when we open a shopping tab: to find the right item at the right price, without spending three hours comparing. Shopping trends are evolving quickly, driven by second-hand options, personalization tools, and a regulatory framework that changes the game for promotions. Here are the concrete levers that allow for good deals online and in-store this season.
Integrated second-hand corners on brand websites: the smart price reflex
In recent years, brands like Aigle, ba&sh, and Petit Bateau have opened second-hand corners directly on their own websites. Here, you can find their items at reduced prices, with an advantage that third-party platforms do not offer: the official customer service of the brand, standard returns, and guaranteed authentication.
Further reading : The Latest Digital Trends to Boost Your Online Business
In practice, you navigate the site as usual, spot a dedicated tab or section, and access refurbished clothing and accessories. For those who follow shopping information on Trending, this channel has become a regular hunting ground for finding seasonal pieces at bargain prices.
The gain is not only financial. Buying second-hand through the brand itself reduces the risk of counterfeiting, a real issue on general marketplaces. And order tracking remains the same as for a new purchase.
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Online sales and promotions: what the regulations change
We often rush for a “-50%” tag without checking much. However, French regulations increasingly govern promotional practices, which is an asset for savvy shoppers.
Display of reference prices
Since the transposition of the Omnibus directive, the crossed-out price must correspond to the lowest price applied in the 30 days preceding the promotion. Gone are the artificial price inflations just before sales. We can now compare discounts on a reliable basis, which was not always the case before.
Buy Now Pay Later: beware of the split payment trap
Split payment has become widespread across most online stores. The revision of the European directive on consumer credit, adopted at the end of 2023, provides for stricter regulation of these facilities: mandatory creditworthiness assessment and better information on actual costs.
While waiting for the full application of these rules, it is recommended to systematically check the fees associated with split payments before confirming a cart. Some retailers absorb the fees, while others pass them on. The difference can represent several euros on a mid-range fashion purchase.
AI shopping assistants and personalized recommendations
Zalando and H&M have started testing shopping assistants powered by generative AI. The principle: the tool analyzes past purchases, style, and budget, then suggests looks composed solely of products on promotion or clearance.
For us, it’s a real time-saver. Instead of scrolling through entire pages of sales, we get a filtered selection. Feedback varies on this point, as relevance depends on the available purchase history, but the concept is worth testing as soon as it’s offered at your usual retailer.
This type of tool also encourages discovering pieces that you wouldn’t have searched for. A dress spotted by the algorithm in a category you never check could become the find of the season.
Trendy fashion at low prices: pieces to target this season
Rather than listing dozens of products, let’s focus on the categories where the value for money is most favorable during promotions.
- Comfortable clothing (joggers, knits, oversized pieces) remains highly sought after and is regularly found on clearance, as brands renew their ranges each season
- Accessories (bags, belts, scarves) undergo significant markdowns at the end of the collection, while their lifespan far exceeds one season
- Basic pieces made from durable materials (thick cotton, linen) lose less value with use and justify a purchase even at a moderate discount
The good conduct guide is simple: we target pieces whose style does not depend on a micro-trend. A well-cut t-shirt bought on sale will serve for three years. An ultra-trendy piece discounted by half may end up in the closet by the next season.
Eco-friendly good deals: reparability index and sustainable products
The AGEC law and the Climate and Resilience law have given rise to new shopping habits. The reparability index, now displayed on certain product categories, allows for assessing the ease of repair before purchasing.
In fashion and accessories, this logic translates into the promotion of refurbished or durable products directly in the promotional banners of merchant sites. “Eco-friendly” filters are appearing on sale pages, making sorting easier.
- Check for the presence of a reparability index or an environmental score on the product sheet
- Prefer brands that offer a repair or take-back service
- Compare the new discounted price with the second-hand price on the brand’s official corner
A discounted durable purchase remains the best shopping plan possible. You pay less for a product designed to last, and you avoid the purchase-waste cycle that weighs down both the budget and the wardrobe.
Current shopping trends converge on a common point: the better-informed buyer makes better deals. With regulated reference prices, official second-hand corners, and AI assistants filtering promotions, the tools exist. You just need to use them in every shopping session, both online and in-store.