Bargains galore

5:00AM Saturday July 05, 2008 By Errol Kiong and Alice Neville Shoppers with cash to spare stand to gain from a growing retail downturn, as stores discount in droves to lure customers back. Consumers have closed their wallets this year because increased living costs are squeezing household budgets. Retailers have responded by starting their annual winter sales early - and with bargains galore. A Weekend Herald survey found heavy discounting, with savings of up to $1100 for big-ticket items and 50 per cent reductions common in clothing stores. The offers include $500 off a Sanyo 42-inch LCD TV which would usually sell for $1499 at The Warehouse, an Acer notebook selling for $599 at Bond and Bond, and a Smeg stainless steel range for $2449 - a drop of $1100 - at Kitchen'Things. Redpaths is selling an Adorlee queen bed for $499,... [read full story]