A former Next employee has revealed their top tips for bagging bargains when the sales come round.
As reported by our sister site Somerset Live , the fashion outlet usually holds mid-season sales, meaning an autumn one could be just around the corner.
If you fancy giving yourself the best chance of snapping up the bargains, then check out the suggestions below.
1. Plan ahead
Do a tour of your local store in advance so you know exactly where to look for your most coveted items.
If you plan to shop online then make a list and bookmark any items which take your fancy.
2. Shop online
Next normally launch their sale online first, so heading to the web early is a smart move.
Sometimes sites can be overwhelmed with the sudden surge in traffic and crash.
However, if you follow our earlier step of bookmarking items beforehand and getting in there first, you will stand a better chance of picking up the bargains you really want.
Better still, get your products in your shopping basket ahead of time, and hit refresh when the sale officially launches.
3. Sign up for VIP access
If you are a loyal Next shopper with a Next credit account, you may get a VIP invite to the sale.
This has happened in previous years and is a great way to get an exclusive online slot to browse the bargains 24 hours before anyone else.
4. Pick your store wisely
Opting to go to a smaller store or one based out of town does not necessarily mean you will not get what you are seeking.
A smaller high street branch - or one in a retail park - will have less footfall than a flagship store, making your shopping experience a tad less stressful.
5. The best time to shop
If you have a specific item in mind or are keen to bag some home furniture, it might be worth queuing in time for when the store opens.
But waking up at the crack of dawn is not necessary if you are just looking to browse in the hope of discovering some bargains.
Most stores replenish stock throughout the day as more items sit in the stockroom, waiting for space to free up on a rail.
So if you cannot handle the morning rush, head to the store an hour or so before close and undertake a supermarket sweep-style shop.
When the store is less chaotic and more organised, it will be a lot easier to find what you are looking for.
6. Look out for codes on tickets
Look for the black/red dots on items and weird codes on swing tickets. This is a surefire indication the item is going in the sale.
Sometimes the code and number indicate the amount of reduction the item will have off - but this is not always the case.
7. Prioritise
Anything home or furniture-related is likely to go first, so prioritise that department if you are hoping to grab a steal.
Generally there is less home furniture and decor kept in the stockroom, so once that sells out it is usually gone for good.
Womenswear and kidswear also sell fast but it is worth keeping an eye out, as items are often replenished throughout the sale period.
8. Be prepared
Bring water, wear trainers or flat comfy shoes and do not carry a huge handbag.
Eat beforehand if you can - shopping on an empty stomach is a recipe for disaster.
It is also worth carrying a snack with you for an energy boost and to keep hunger at bay long enough to finish your shop.
And on that note - go to the loo, too. You do not want to have to ditch your full shopping basket for a dash to the WC.
9. Politeness goes a long way
If another shopper has something in their basket that catches your eye, go over and ask where they found it.
Most sales assistants will be overrun and having a mob of customers asking for the whereabouts of several items can be stressful and overwhelming.
Keep in mind there are only a handful of assistants and hundreds of customers.
And remember to be friendly and polite at all times - most employees will be more willing to help you if you are on your best behaviour.
10. Re-buy at sale price
The sales assistants may harbour deep feelings of hatred for you if you do this, but hopefully you will still get service with a smile - or at the very least gritted teeth...
This is the idea: buy the item you want a couple of days before, wait for the sale to kick in, take it back and re-buy at sale price.*
*Disclaimer - some stores don't offer returns in the first days of sale for obvious reasons.*
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