Summer retail clearance sales officially begin

German retailers began their annual summer clearance sale on Monday, offering deep discounts of up to 80 percent on warm weather items as they prepare to stock up for the autumn shopping season.

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Clothing retailers in particular will be trying to entice customers to clear their racks for the upcoming season’s fashions during the Sommerschlussverkauf, as it’s known in German.

A spokesperson for the Independent Retailers’ Association (HDE) said that while many stores had already sold a great deal of their summer wear thanks to the heatwave in recent weeks, bargain hunters would still find options.

“Considering this, the selection is still large,” the organisation said.

About two-thirds of Germany’s 400,000 retailers are expected to take part in the annual sale, including furniture, hardware, and electronics stores.

The summer sale lasts for two weeks, and stores now display markdowns voluntarily after the obligatory participation was abolished in 2004.