I will be on the radio with Beta Wayne on CINQ-FM Radio Centreville Consumer. For the holiday season, we will be discussing different aspects of shopping and the new edition of Smart Shopping Montreal #14 .

All of the places mentioned in the show can be found in my Smart Shopping Montreal  book which you can buy at www.smartshoppingmontreal.com.  The show will be podcast and available for a week on their website.

Location: 102.3 FM
Date and time: Saturday Dec 15: 12:30-1 pm

Get out your party dresses ladies and gentlemen ( or your tank tops and flip flops) and head over to Boutique Solo Echantillons on Friday for their “Vamos a la playa” samba party. (cocktails and desserts too!). It’s a thank you to all their customers.

Francais: Party “Vamos a la playa” vendredi à partir de 18 heures … samba vers 19:30 Oh yeah! Sortez vos mini robes à plumes mesdames …. et messieurs, ben, vos tank tops et vos gougounes, kikikiki…. cocktails exoticas special Laure, douceurs de chez Rhubarbe, et danseuses de samba en bonus pour réchauffer vos petits coeurs et vous remercier d’être soooo sweet!

Shh! This shop, around for 11 years, is a well kept secret of the Montreal stylists and fashionistas because the owner has a really good eye for buying original clothing samples from around the world in labels like: Dept, Colcci, Anna Scott, Maneq, Your Eyes Lie, Imps and Elfs, Noa Noa, St Martin, Supremebeing, Hurley, Insight, Nikita, Bikini L*Space, Brisa Brasil, June, Havaianas, J.C.Rags (a popular mens label) These are often unique in the city.

They don’t overlook our local talent as they also sell samples and/or overstock from Montreal designers along with accessories, shoes and jewelry.

The samples are always new and from present or upcoming collections and are offered for the whole family – women, men and children. For women the sample sizes are mostly small and medium but since they come from many countries, don’t go by size, you need to try them on (in the spacious try-on booths) as they may fit you. For men the sizes are medium and large. For children there’s sizes newborn up to 12 years old.

Merchandise arrives every week in different sizes, styles and price range. So visit often as see what you can score here.

Boutique Solo Échantillons
1328 Laurier East, Montreal QC H2J 1H3
corner: rue de la Lanaudière
Tel: 514-521-7656
Date: Friday Dec 14
Time: Party starts at 6pm, samba starts around 7:30

Perfect timing for a holiday gift for any athlete who enjoys cycling, spinning, or cross country skiing is this sale by Logica Sport and Centre du Velo82’.

High end Italian clothing, cycling footwear and accessories by Bemme, Diadora, Stella Azzurza, Veloflex, Xetera Sport and Enervit  are being offered at 50%-80% off for the whole family including items for men’s, women’s and children.

Location: Centre Leonardo da Vinci, 8370 Lacordaire, 2nd floor
Dates: Dec 15 & 16
Times: Sat 9-7, Sun 9-5

Manteaux Manteaux the name says it all. This chain of women’s coat shops is having a perfectly timed coat liquidation warehouse sale. All kinds and many brands of coats (Nobis, Jones New York, Sicily, Pointe Zero, Me-Jay, Epsilon, Soia & Kyo, Valanga, Styla, Laundry by Shelly Segal) are being sold off with wool coats selling as low as $30!

Down coats start at $50 and Sicily down coats will be 50% off. Sizing will go right up to ladies plus sizes. Come often because new stock will arrive daily.

If you print the coupon below, you will get a free scarf with your coat (as long as supplies last).

Location: 5415 Royalmount
corner: Royden
Tel: 514-344-5140
Dates: Dec 13-16
Times: Thurs & Fri 10-7, Sat & Sun 10-5

Those in the know have been going up to Papillon Blanc at lunchtime on certain days to scoop up their deals. Nowadays they are announcing sales. This one is the sample sale, edition 2. Women who like print and slinky dresses and tops, this is the moment to grab them as prices will be up to 70% off.

Location: 7250 Mile End, suite 502
Phone: 514-276-3763
Dates and times: Wed Dec 12: 10-6, Thurs & Fri Dec 13 & 14: 10-8

Q: Do you know if there will be a Danawares sale this year?

A: There is an entire 15-page section in my book that covers warehouse sales. Danawares is on page  31 and your timing is good as the sale is this week.

This toy supplier, which is licensed for Disney, Dora, Marvel, NHL, Hello Kitty, Tonka etc. is opened to the public for a warehouse sale in December, just in time for holiday gift giving. You can find: puzzles, baby toys, games, plush toys and crafts.

Don’t be surprised to find some home decor and even pet things, like beds.

Location: 3185 J.B. Deschamps, Lachine
Tel: 514-342-5555 x 111
Dates: Dec 8-15
Times: Mon-Fri 10-5, Sat 10-4
www.danawares.com

Refurbishing giant, J. Sonic is holding a sale of electronics.  The enormous warehouse is full of such things as TV screens, home theater systems, laptops, Dyson vacuum cleaners, blu-ray players, and vinyl floor tiles.

Location: 6869 Henri Bourassa Ouest
corner: Felix Leclerc
Date: Sat Dec 15
Hours:  9-9
www.refurbished.ca

Raffinati has been a well-known well-made Montreal label for women’s coats, raincoats, suits and sportswear for many years and they are now having a 50% off sale off of their new collection up at their head office.

The word Raffinati means refined and that is an apt description for this 30-year-old fashion house. You can be proud to be “shopping local” here because the clothing is manufactured in Montreal using fine fabrics imported from Belgium, France and Italy.

With a sense of what fashionable Montreal women love and the needs of our cold climate, the luxurious and stylish wool coats are fully interlined to keep you protected against our winters – or – select a designer goose down coat.

The elegant suits for the career women, sportswear, blazers, pants, skirts, blouses, dresses, and sweaters are available in sizes 2-18. You can even order custom-made clothing in size 0 and plus sizes

Women love the timelessness of their designs so they can keep collecting pieces to build wardrobes. The company likes to say that you can “wrap yourself in luxury” with their collection.

About 3 or 4 times a year (March, June, Aug, Dec) they clear out their stock from their Meilleur showroom including scarves and jewelry to go with all of the above. Right now is one of those times.

Location: 9200 Meilleur, suite 400
corner: Chabanel
Phone: 327-4477 X 226
Dates: Dec 12-16
Times: 10-5
www.raffinalla.com

Denim Kings is having a 4-day pre-holiday Rock Revival. Regular prices of $225 to $250 have been slashed to $99-$109. This is the moment to buy someone (or yourself) a holiday gift. Men’s sizes go from 28-40 and women sizes are 24-32.

Location: 8575 Boul. St-Laurent
corner: Guizot
Tel: 514-750-3288
Dates: Dec 13-16
Times: Thurs 11-9, Fri & Sat 11-6, Sun 1-5
www.denimkings.com

Q: Je vois sur votre site que vous avez déjà parlé de “Designer’s Fashion Outlet” qui était situé au 5575 Royalmount. J’y allais régulièrement sauf les derniers mois. Ce matin, je viens de voir que le lieu est fermé. Savez-vous si l’endroit est complètement fermé ou s’il est déménagé, si c’est le cas, à quel endroit?

J’aimais beaucoup cet endroit que je fréquentais depuis des années pour m’habiller.

A: That’s the reason I keep writing new editions of my book, “Le Consommateur Averti Montreal”. I keep track of where all the stores moved and this one moved to: 5620 Ferrier. It’s a terrific place for men and women high end brands at rock bottom prices.