Every year at the same time, I give you the same talk, but that’s because for me, the sales remain one of the best fashion and shopping deals of the year, so why miss out?!

Anyway, a quick article just to give you the dates for these winter sales and a few tips that go along with them.

So, heads up, mark your calendars: the sales start on Wednesday, January 8th and they will end on Tuesday, February 11th, 2014.

Whether you are a fan of in-store or online sales, you will easily find what you are looking for, no matter what kind of items interest you.

There are the scouts, those who rush to the stores on the very first day, and those who, like me, always do the sales at the last minute to take advantage of the best discounts, even if it means struggling a little to find your size.

And you, what are your habits for the sales?

Great deals at Galeries Lafayette

The group Airnadette will be performing on January 8th at 7:45 AM at the Mogador entrance (corner of Boulevard Haussmann and Rue Mogador) of Galeries Lafayette Paris Haussmann for the kickoff of the sales in a joyful and quirky atmosphere.

Throughout the sales period, try your luck at winning your shopping haul with the Grand Soldissimes Game.

To do this, post a photo of your purchases made at Galeries Lafayette on social media: Instagram and Twitter, not forgetting the hashtag #Soldissimes, or by email to lamodecestvous@galerieslafayette.com.

The winner of the photo most appreciated by its community will have their shopping reimbursed, up to €250 in gift cards.

The magazine Cosmopolitan is offering the first 1000 fashionistas to visit the 2nd floor of the Coupole store (Galeries Lafayette Haussmann) a “wellness kit” consisting of a makeup remover, Caudalie hand cream, and the Cosmopolitan magazine.

In the regions, the Cosmopolitan magazine is offering the “wellness kit” to the first 400 fashionistas in the Bordeaux, Lyon Part-Dieu, Nice Masséna, Strasbourg, and Toulouse stores.

To welcome early birds during the opening, Na! fruity snacks, Femme Natural Boost drinks, and Bourjois nail polishes will be handed out at the entrances of the Galeries Lafayette Haussmann store.

For a relaxing break, hand massages will be offered by Weleda on the ground floor and 2nd floor of the Coupole store.

In the regions, to warmly welcome the first customers, breakfasts will be offered to the first arrivals in the stores in Amiens, La Rochelle, Lyon Bron, Lyon Part-Dieu, Metz, Pau, Rouen, and Strasbourg.

Great deals at BHV Marais

The first 250 customers to step through the main entrance doors (Rivoli – Temple) of BHV Marais from 9:30 AM on Wednesday, January 8th, for the sales kickoff, will have the opportunity to enjoy an exclusive complimentary breakfast!

BHV Marais 2014 sales: -30% to -50% from January 8th to February 11th.

From Wednesday, January 8th to Sunday, January 12th, with the private chauffeur company Uber, the department store is offering its customers their first ride (within Paris intramuros) for free (up to €20), after their shopping spree.

To take advantage of this, cards are available from the hostesses at the Welcome Desk starting at 1:30 PM. The first 100 customers will also have the chance to leave with an Uber shopping bag!

A great deal at Desigual: not for the faint-hearted

The colorful Spanish brand, Desigual, will have its customers running in their underwear for the start of the sales on January 8th, 2014, during its annual “Seminaked Party” event.

But this year, in addition to being undressed, the brave participants will also have to do some sports.

The first 100 customers present in their underwear at 8 AM in front of the Desigual Opéra store (9 Boulevard des Capucines, 75009 Paris) will be able to walk away with free Desigual clothing, but only after having participated in a 100-meter race in their underwear.

They will leave with a top and a bottom, but the winners of the race will be entitled to “extra benefits,” apparently…

“Pose Shopping”: 4 days of exclusive sales with Elodie Frégé

From January 8th to 11th, 2014, the “Pose Shopping” operation will take place in 8 top Parisian and Ile-de-France shopping locations: Forum des Halles, 4 Temps & Cnit, So Ouest, Carré Sénart, Rosny 2, Parly 2, Vélizy 2, and Aéroville.

On the program: a pop-up photo studio to be immortalized by a professional photographer, a contest to win a €1000 shopping spree, and a meeting with Elodie Frégé.

Shopping the sales in the largest fashion and luxury outlet in France

To combine discounts, the best tip is to visit the brand new premium outlet in the Ile-de-France region during these sales periods: One Nation Paris.

Since the concept of the outlet is to normally offer previous year’s collections at a minimum of 30% off, you can imagine that the trip is worth it. Furthermore, the center already has over 80 stores and other openings are planned very soon.

For the 2014 winter sales, One Nation Paris will offer a free shuttle service (and super luxury, I tested it!) on Saturday and Sunday from Place de l’Etoile for all visitors (because the place is a bit far from public transport services, it must be admitted).