NEW YORK — Retailers say they’re selling more merchandise, including designer clothing, at full price these days. That means you won’t find piles of deals at 70 percent off, but they’re still out there.
Here are some up-to-the-minute tips on bargain-hunting for coveted brands.
Find mall bargains. There are still department stores and mall chains offering broad discounts. They’re just quieter about it than they were during the recession-fueled fire sales, so keep looking in stores and online.
Dan de Grandpre, editor-in-chief of online shopping and discount guide dealnews.com, said the most efficient way to find store coupons is search online for the name of the store and the word “coupon,” rather than jumping from one online coupon site to another.
Shop off-price chains. There are two types of off-price chains — outlet stores connected to full-price chains such as Saks Fifth Avenue and standalone chains such as T.J. Maxx and Filene’s Basement.
Stores like T.J. Maxx get their merchandise from a variety of sources that want to get rid of excess merchandise. You can find good deals, but finding something specific can be hit-or-miss.
One thing to be wary of: Outlet stores don’t always sell the same stuff as the big chain. For example, Nordstrom Rack gets only about 25 percent of its merchandise from the parent stores; the rest is purchased or made to sell at the outlet. So carefully assess the quality and price.
Find private designer sales. Web sites that offer deep discounts on status brands for a limited time to subscribing members, known as “private sales sites,” are proliferating. Of course, all you have to do to become a “member” is sign up.
Gilt.com, hautelook.com and ruelala.com are among the best-known fashion sites. Others include Totsy, which targets expecting moms and families with items like diaper bags and strollers.
Scour secondhand shops. Secondhand shops are expanding, said Adele R. Meyer, executive director for the National Association of Resale and Thrift Shops, which counts more than 1,200 members, up from 900 a year ago.
Shoppers looking for top premium brands such as Prada and Chanel should pick consignment shops in wealthy areas, because they tend to get the best merchandise.
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