Rome, 28 June (LaPresse) – Promotional sales, pre-sales, online discounts and social media offers: this is how the market is announcing the start of the summer sales season, bypassing the official date set by regulations. A veritable “bargain rush”, which anticipates around €700 million in purchases before the official start date of the end-of-season sales. This is the estimate of Fismo Confesercenti based on a survey conducted by IPSOS on the phenomenon of “pre-sales”. The phenomenon is widespread: one week before the start of the sales – which begin on 5 July throughout Italy – over 6.5 million consumers have already taken advantage of the offers, spending an average of more than £100 per person.