Winter Sales 2026 Begin on January 3 in Florence and Across Tuscany

The Regione Toscana has decided that winter sales will begin on Saturday 3 January 2026 and will run for 60 days. For consumers in Florence and across Tuscany, the early January start offers two full months of discounted shopping, including during the busy Epiphany holiday period.

Winter sales dates were officially set with a regional decision approved on 1 December 2025. The calendar follows national guidelines that place the start of end-of-season sales on the first working day before Epiphany, with an advance to Saturday when that day falls on a Monday, as it does this year.

What the start date means for shoppers

For residents and visitors in Florence, the 3 January opening means sales begin while the city is still busy with holiday tourism. This is particularly relevant in the historic centre, where clothing, footwear and accessory shops tend to concentrate their discounts in the first weeks of January.

Sales apply to end-of-season items, including stock from previous winters. Shops are not allowed to launch promotions on the same product categories in the 30 days before the official start date.

What consumers should look out for

Italian retailers’ associations, including Confcommercio, regularly remind customers of a set of basic rules designed to protect buyers during the sales period. From a consumer perspective, the most relevant points are:

• Clear prices
  Price tags must show the original price together with the discount applied, allowing customers to understand the real saving.
• Electronic payments
  Shops are required to accept cards and other electronic payments, with no extra charges.
• Returns and faulty goods
  If an item is defective or not as described, the consumer has the right to a repair, replacement or refund under Italian consumer law. Exchanges for change of mind are optional and depend on the shop’s policy.
• Nature of the goods
  Sale items must be genuine end-of-season products. Retailers are not allowed to stock up specifically on new items just to sell them at a discount.
• Fitting rooms and conditions of sale
  Allowing customers to try on clothes is not mandatory, but shops must clearly display their sales conditions, including any limits on exchanges.

Practical advice for shoppers in Florence

For consumers planning to shop during the sales, a few precautions can help avoid disappointment:

• Check prices in advance, especially if you have been following a specific item before the sales.
• Keep receipts, particularly for higher-value purchases.
• Ask about exchange policies before paying, as rules may vary from shop to shop.
• Be cautious with “final sale” signs and make sure conditions are clearly explained.

A long sales season ahead

With discounts running until early March, winter sales remain one of the longest promotional periods of the year in Tuscany. For consumers, the extended calendar offers flexibility: those who avoid the opening weekend crowds can still find reductions later in the season, often with deeper discounts as shops make room for spring collections.

For Florence, the start of the 2026 winter sales is therefore not just a commercial date, but a practical moment for residents, students and visitors to navigate the city’s retail scene with clearer rules and informed choices.

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