While events such as Black Friday (28 Nov) and Cyber Monday (1 Dec) might send bargain hunters wild with excitement, savvy shoppers know they don’t need to wait to cash in on the discounts. By shopping at outlets, it’s possible to browse a mix of high street and designer brands at purse-friendly prices in destinations that make for a leisurely day out rather than a dash for a deal.
Take The O2. While you might be heading here to climb its iconic roof or experience the thrill of freefall on an indoor skydive, Outlet Shopping at The O2 is home to more than 60 superstar brands offering up to 70 per cent off usual retail prices. Sample sales are held regularly, and you can shop ’til you drop at names such as Hackett London, Kate Spade and Nike. Plus, if you have tickets for a live show in the arena, Guest Services will look after your purchases completely free of charge. It remains open for 30 minutes after performances, giving you plenty of time to collect your items.
Located in the shadow of the renowned Wembley Stadium, further fashion finds await at the London Designer Outlet (LDO). Whether you’re looking for high-fashion favourites, on-trend athleisure wear, or the best in beauty, this is the perfect spot to save on style thanks to discounts of 30 to 70 per cent. While you’re here, take a break from all that retail therapy by checking out the Wall of Wonder mural, one of 26 impressive artworks on display in the Wembley Park Art Trail.
Whizz from the capital to the Oxfordshire countryside in just under an hour via train, and stroll through landscaped streets lined with luxury boutiques, cafés, food carts and restaurants. Celebrating its 30th anniversary this year, Bicester Village remains one of the UK’s most visited shopping destinations, having garnered a reputation for its curation of seasonal high-end style and year-round savings on designer must-haves.
It’s very easy to feel spoilt for choice here, so if you can’t decide between those Maison Margiela Mary Janes or Versace Mules, book a personal shopping appointment to whittle down what suits you best. Plus, with the option to break up your day with a chat with the resident beekeeper or the Village’s team of gardeners (on selected dates), there’s more here than meets the eye.
