Hey y’all, how are you doing? So I’ve been working at the outlet mall and notice so many people bargain hunting and even looking for Christmas presents early. A lot of folks come to the outlet mall looking for a deal, duh. But, with inflation hitting a high of 9.1% in July, many shoppers are doubling down on their expenses and looking to alternatives. 

According to Women’s Wear Daily, consumers “with issues paying their monthly bills has increased 2 percentage points to a high of 23 percent” while the share of consumers living paycheck to paycheck without issues paying their monthly bills “is currently 40 percent — the same as July 2023 but a notable drop from 44 percent in May 2024.” This truly reflects the number of families stepping into the store looking for quality merchandise at a discount. Everything in the store is almost always discounted at at least 20% percent but honestly, it is a pricing model to get consumers to feel as though they are getting a sale instead of just lowering original prices.

In any case, the outlet mall might receive more or at least the same amount of traffic as the Gardens Mall (25 minutes north of outlet mall) in Palm Beach Gardens, Florida. I am not sure. What about you, have you been spending on clothing and accessories at full retail price or bargain shopping as well?

Sincerely,

“Fashionably-Late”

Malinda F. Knowles