interbatteries: Shopping off the beaten rack

Shopping you must come here: http://www.e-batteries.com.au/

Since the global economy took a nose dive at the end of 2007, New York stores have been holding a near-permanent sale. Whatever time of year you plan to visit, you’ll find bargains – and they are usually from the current season, because goods in New York hit the sales rails faster than they do in Britain.

But the city’s “holiday” sales start in earnest after Thanksgiving, on Black Friday (November 27 this year). This is the heaviest shopping day of the year, when American retailers traditionally slash prices. My top tip is to log on to New York magazine’s website, www.nymag.com, before you start shopping. Its “sales and bargain calendar” charts daily offers at all the retailers across the city; a sample from the past week’s calendar includes 80 per cent off lingerie, sleepwear and swimwear at La Perla, and a sale of pretty silk dresses (down from £221 to £72) by up-and-coming designer Lauren Moffatt.

“One of the best things about shopping in this city is that you never really have to pay the full price,” says Amina Akhtar, fashion editor for nymag.com. She recommends that shoppers ask if there are any sales or special promotions when they come to pay.

There are also the sample sales – which in New York are open to all . Most are centrally located, often at the designer’s headquarters in the Garment District (around the 30s and Broadway). This week nymag.com shows sales by Phillip Lim and J Crew at up to 80 per cent off retail prices.

Where to shop

If you go to one department store, make it Saks (Fifth Avenue at 49th Street; www.saksfifthavenue.com). They have a vast range of stock in all price brackets and their service is second to none.

On the third floor are 16 rooms for personal shopper consultations (001 212 940 4200 for appointments, which can often be made on the same day). It’s a free service no matter how much you plan to spend. A new designer floor opened in September selling 49 labels, while the eighth-floor shoe department is so large it has its own postcode (look out for the sale racks). Less expensive shoes are sold on the fifth floor.

For cosmetics I would recommend supermarket-style Sephora (www.sephora.com ), with 14 branches across the city. Stick to American brands like Benefit, Laura Mercier and Urban Decay for bargain deals. Make-up artists flock to Ricky’s (19 locations in Manhattan; www.rickysnyc.com) for its high-quality cosmetics, toiletries and luxury hair products, including Bumble and Bumble and “it” haircare brand Phillip B. Don’t be put off by the stores’ slightly trashy appearance; you’ll find some gems. Uptown on Fifth Avenue is Elizabeth Arden’s flagship Red Door Spa and shop (54th Street; www.reddoorspas.com); Eight Hour Cream is $17 (£10), and facials start at $75 (£45).

At Paragon Sports (867 Broadway; www.paragonsports.com) just north of Union Square, there is a huge selection of ski gear at great prices, as well as sports wear, every brand of trainers and the ubiquitous UGG boots which start at $139 (£83). Be warned: at weekends it gets busy.

For camera equipment, a trip to B&H Photo and Video (420 Ninth Ave at 34th Street; www.bhphotovideo.com) is an experience in itself: the superstore is vast, and the staff – all Hasidic Jews – efficient to a fault. The new Canon G11 camera is $499 (£312), compared with £459 in Britain. (See page 4 for camera comparisons.)

Other great places for bargains are: Anthropologie (West Broadway, between Spring and Broome; www.anthropologie.com) for pretty homewares which are cheaper than in the new London store; Paige Premium Denim (869 Washington Street; www.paigepremiumdenim.com) in the Meatpacking District, for superbly cut jeans from $149 (£89); and Tommy Hilfiger (www.tommy.com), also on West Broadway, for classic American style. For more denim by up-and-coming and established labels, head to Intermix. I like the branch on 79th and Madison Avenue, but there are four others in Manhattan (www.intermixonline.com). If you have teenagers in tow, prices at the flagship Abercrombie & Fitch store (720 Fifth Avenue at 56th Street; www.abercrombie.com) are much cheaper than in the London store.

Lastly, don’t leave the city without visiting Michelle Obama’s favourite store, J Crew (www.jcrew.com); there are 10 branches, including two – at 484 Broadway and 235 West Broadway – devoted entirely to their stylishly preppy men’s clothes. Their Prince Street store in SoHo has rails of sale items on the lower floor that are worth a rummage. After all, if it’s good enough for the First Lady…

Visit in January or February and you can make significant savings on accommodation, eating out and theatre.

A flurry of new hotel openings this year has driven down room rates, particularly in low season. From mid-December, 10 hotels in the city’s Signature Collection (www.nycgo.com/signaturecollection) will offer three nights for the price of two between January 4 and February 28. The offer also includes a VIP shopping experience at Saks Fifth Avenue.

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