How to find discounts on clothes and shoes?

Calgary offers many opportunities to dress stylishly and economically, from large shopping malls and outlets to local second-hand stores and seasonal sales. Below is a detailed guide to help you navigate the wide range of discounts on clothing and footwear, as well as practical tips on how to make the most of the available opportunities.

Seasonal sales and clearance at major chains

Large retail chains such as Hudson’s Bay, Winners, Marshalls, Sport Chek, H&M, and Zara regularly hold seasonal sales. The biggest discounts are in mid-January (after Christmas) and at the end of June (end of the summer season). In addition, pay attention to the Clearance section in any store: here you can find items from past collections at discounts of up to 70%.

Most chains send out exclusive promo codes in their monthly email newsletters. We recommend subscribing to your favorite brands' email lists and adding their mobile apps, as additional discounts (10–15%) often come in push notifications.

Outlet centers: savings without compromising on quality

There are outlet centers in the Calgary area that bring together several brand-name stores with discounts of 30–60%. The most popular ones are:

  • CrossIron Mills: over 200 stores, including Nike Factory Store, Adidas Outlet, Guess, Michael Kors, and others.
  • Tsuu T’ina Nation Outlet Mall: a small shopping complex with brands such as Roots, Columbia, and Under Armour.

A trip to the outlet is worth it if you need to update your basic wardrobe or buy high-quality sports shoes. Remember: the best sizes sell out quickly, so it's best to go on weekday mornings.

Local thrift stores and charity shops

Calgary has a number of thrift stores where items are almost indistinguishable from new ones in terms of quality, but cost 5–10 times less. Among the most popular are:

  • Value Village — a bargain shopping segment with a good selection of brand-name items.
  • The Salvation Army Thrift Store — often has themed days with an additional 25% discount on colored stickers.
  • Community Thrift Store — a non-profit store with regular discounts on all clothing by product line.

It is best to visit charity shops in the middle of the week: there are a lot of people on weekends, and the shelves are quickly restocked.

Online platforms and coupon sites

Modern online shopping opens up access to a variety of paid and free ways to save money:

  • RetailMeNot.ca, RedFlagDeals.com, Flipp.com — collect current coupons and promotions from all popular stores.
  • Ebates (Rakuten) — up to 10% cash back on purchases from most retailers. You need to register and activate cashback before placing your order.
  • Groupon, LivingSocial — local certificates with discounts on purchases in boutiques, shoe stores, or sports stores.

Don't forget to check your coupons before paying for your cart — even on websites where you shop regularly, new promo codes may appear.

Local brand sales and pop-up promotions

Local brands sometimes hold pop-up sales lasting one or two days. These events are announced on the brands' Instagram and Facebook pages: Banded, Peter Nappi, Oak & Fort, and others. We recommend following the hashtags #yycfashionsale and #yycdiscounts and subscribing to the “Calgary” geotag.

In addition, seasonal markets are sometimes organized, such as Calgary Vintage Market or YYC Sample Sale, where individual designer items are sold at discounts of up to 80%.

Tips for maximum savings

  1. Plan your purchases: make a list, keep track of the sales calendar, and compare prices at different stores.

  2. Check the condition of the item: second-hand stores sometimes have minor defects, but this is a chance to ask for an additional discount.

  3. Ask for individual discounts: for large purchases, stores are sometimes willing to meet regular customers halfway.

Using mobile apps with push notifications, cashback services, and coupon platforms can reduce your clothing and footwear expenses in Calgary by 50% or more. The best approach is to combine different strategies to stay one step ahead and save money without compromising on quality and style.