The red light is on at Robinsons Malls

For shopaholics,” nothing is as attractive as a sign that says “Sale” screaming in bold red, especially if it promises up to 70 percent off on just about anything. And so when we (STAR layout artist/photographer Felix “Boy” Suerte) got the invite to Robinsons Malls’ annual “Red Hot Sale,”  we simply had to go. Not only because we had a blast in Robinsons Galleria last year, but also because we had a better game plan this time on how to make the most of  our time and shopping money.

From Aug. 1 to 31, Robinsons Malls and all its tenants lure shoppers to part with their hard-earned cash minus the guilt by offering up to 70 percent discount on selected merchandise. More treats await shoppers when they flash their Robinsons Rewards and Privilege cards, which allow them to earn points, enjoy perks and other conveniences for a most rewarding shopping experience.

“The Red Hot Sale is Robinsons Malls and its tenants’ way of clearing the racks to make room for their holiday collections, so saleaholics can definitely expect great deals,” says Roseann Coscolluela-Villegas, corporate PR manager of Robinsons Land Corp., operator of Robinsons Malls, during the briefing at Starbucks Coffee in Robinsons Galleria.

Armed with Robinsons eco-bags and some shopping money, Mang Boy and I  scanned the list of the must-visit fashion and lifestyle boutiques, perused the shops, took photos of the items we fancied, and went back for the things we liked. 

Mang Boy was pretty pleased with his loot: a pair of Adidas Originals running shoes, which he got at 20 percent off (from P2,895 to P2,316); and the “clip” for the lens of his Nikon camera, which was broken when it accidentally fell off his backpack while taking photos of the Nike Transitions sunglasses at Ideal Vision. As for me, I managed to fill my eco-bags with a pair of ballerina flats from Adidas at 50 percent off (from P2,795 to P1,397.50), two pairs of jeans from ForMe for P1,200, Bombproof bike shorts  for my husband, a top from Warehouse, metallic thong sandals for mom at Aldo, sunglasses (P295) and a tote bag from Freeway’s National Artist Collection, and kitchenware from Robinsons’ home section. We bagged all these even before our one-and-a-half hour shopping time was up. Here’s how we did it:

• Go early. Robinsons Malls is open from 10 a.m. to 10 p.m.  Try to be there minutes after the gates open. That way, you’ll avoid the mad crowd and have first dibs on the sale items. The other thing about going early is that you’re more likely to find a large in a pile that’s marked “L,” rather than if you go there at 5 p.m. only to be greeted by a mountain of clothes. Sale-crazy people aren’t conscientious folks. They aren’t going to return an item to its correct size pile once they’re done trying it on and decide they don’t want it anymore.

• Know your size. That way you’ll skip the long lines to the fitting room. 

• Stick to your shopping list and budget. It’s pretty tempting to give in to the four-letter word. Buy an item because you need it, not because it’s half-price off. You’ll end up losing money in the long run if you’ll bring home something you don’t have use for.

• Grab and go. If you’re faced with a good deal, grab it. That’s what sales are for.

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Robinsons Malls’ “Red Hot Sale” is happening simultaneously in all its 37 malls nationwide — with two malls expeccted to open this year: Robinsons Place Antipolo and Robinsons Place Las Pinas — from Aug. 1 to 31.