January sales began in Val d'Aosta Friday and are set to start in the rest of Italy on Saturday.
Federconsumatori consumer group said Black Friday and pre-sale promotions will hit the January sales, while the union of Italian consumers said discounts would be higher than July but lower than last January.
CODACONS consumer group said "purchasing power and available income are way down and the sales will be a flop".
In Milan it is estimated that the average household will send some 400 euros in the sales.
