Looking to update your workout gear? You’ve come to the right place. Although athletic retailer Lululemon can seem pricey, there are ways to shop smart and really get your money’s worth. Between an amazing return policy, price matching, weekly sales, and more, quality workout gear is that much more attainable. Take a deep breath in, and then out, because your next shopping trip at Lululemon will be totally stress-free once you read these shopping secrets from previous employees.

Take a look at these Lululemon shopping secrets that you need to know for the next time you shop.

Lululemon adds new product to its website Tuesday Afternoons.

If you’re looking to treat yourself and splurge on that new, new, according to Agent Athletics, Lululemon adds new products to their website’s “What’s New” section on Tuesdays in the afternoon or evening. It won’t be discounted, but the retailer always starts with limited stock to drive up demand, which means the item will most likely sell out. We suggest that you don’t wait if it’s something you desperately want and need. 

The return policy is pretty lenient, even if it’s outside the return window

Spending over $100 on a pair of leggings can seem reckless, however, Lululemon’s return policy is known to be pretty lenient. The brand will take almost anything back, even if it’s outside the return window, often offering store credit. The retailer clearly stands behind its products and sincerely cares about quality assurance and customer satisfaction.

Lululemon’s “We Made too Much” sale always begins Thursday morning 

Did someone say sale?! According to The Krazy Coupon Lady, Lululemon has its “We Made too Much” sale weekly, beginning every Thursday morning. This includes online and in-store discounts and apparently, the best time to shop online is 11:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. online, and mid-morning if you’re shopping in-store. 

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Sold out items can be purchased direct from any store in the country, plus free shipping

Waiting for something to go on sale can seem like a dangerous waiting game, since popular sizes will always sell out first. If an item is sold out in your size, go online and select “find in store”. Next, call the store (within your country) and ask them to send it to your local Lululemon location. You will pay for the item over the phone and receive the in-store sale price.

Lululemon will always price match if items in-store appear cheaper online

Lululemon doesn’t like to mislead its customers. That’s why, if you come across an item in-store that is cheaper online, the store will price match no questions asked, as stated on The Krazy Coupon Lady. The same goes for if you purchase something online, that appears cheaper in store. Simply bring in the online receipt and the folks there will honour whichever price is lower.

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Lululemon Offers free hemming and repairs – even if you purchased used items

Lululemon offers complimentary hemming on tops and bottoms, and you don’t even need to show any tags or a receipt. Even if you purchased the item used, the retailer will still do this alteration if requested. Another shopping secret is that Lululemon will also mend ripped seams or holes, meaning your leggings will truly last you a lifetime.

If you change your mind, shipping on online returns is always free

One of the biggest downfalls of online shopping is having to pay for return shipping on an item that doesn’t fit. Luckily for you, Lululemon not only offers free shipping, but also free return shipping. All online orders come with a prepaid return label so you can rest easy knowing you’ll eventually get the right size, even if it wasn’t right on the first try.

Enter your phone number at checkout so you can make returns without a receipt

Receipts can be easily misplaced but Lululemon allows returns without one if you follow these steps. Make sure you have an account online and that you give your phone number to the cashier upon checkout. This will make a record of your transaction, so if you lose your receipt, you won’t have to worry about not being able to get your money back.

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Join The Sweat Collective For Perks & Discounts

If you teach group fitness, personal train, or lead a community running club, you can actually join the Sweat Collective to get discounts on your purchases. Lululemon wants you to rep its clothing, so see if you qualify to check out these perks.

Military/First Responders & Health Care Worker Discounts

Lululemon offers a 15% discount to North American active, reservist military members and their spouses, veterans, active emergency first responders, as well as nurses, doctors, and support workers who are working in hospitals, acute care facilities, and long-term care facilities. You must present a valid government ID a the time of purchase and the discount is only valid in stores!

Black Items Are The Hardest To Find On Sale

You’ll rarely find black leggings, tanks, bras, on sale or at the outlets. With that being said, if you do find these sought-after pieces on sale, we suggest you purchase them right away! This also leads to the point that if you really love a pair of black pants or leggings, it may be a good idea to bite the bullet and make the full-price purchase.

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Shop The Outlet

If you’re lucky enough to have a Lululemon Outlet close by, then be sure to check out the space first before heading over to a regular Lulu store. Although many of these items will be on the colourful side, there’s no doubt that you’ll definitely score some savings!

Utilize The Lululemon App

Download the Lululemon app to make your in-store shopping experience even better! You can scan barcodes of items you like to open a page on your phone with the product description, product ratings, and reviews. Plus, you can check online inventory if your size isn’t available in store.

Shop Pre-Owned

There’s no shame in shopping Lululemon pre-loved! There are plenty of reselling websites and apps that have a variety of Lululemon items priced at a fraction of their original cost. Search ‘Lululemon’ and your size on Poshmark, Depop, ThredUp, and eBay to explore what’s available.

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Everyone loves indulging in some sweet, sweet retail therapy. It gets even sweeter when spending can get you more than just your original purchase. We’re talking about rewards programs, of course! These programs aren’t only adding value, but also allowing us (well me anyway) to shop free of guilt. It’s definitely way easier to justify a purchase when you know said purchase is going to eventually give you something in return. Whether it’s a free gift, redeeming points for cash money, or having a longer return period, we are all for it.

Here are the stores that have the best rewards programs.

Sephora

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Sephora perhaps has one of the best loyalty programs out there! It’s free to sign up and the more you spend, the more incentives you’ll get as your Beauty Insider status increases. The system allows you to earn 1 beauty insider point per dollar spent. Along with being able to redeem points, all Beauty Insiders receive one birthday gift per year, while VIB and Rouge members also get exclusive access to sales, as well as a number of other perks.

PC Optimum

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Now that Shoppers Drug Mart is owned by grocery retailer Loblaws, the refurbished PC Optimum program allows your loyalty card to work double duty at both stores. Every 10,000 points are equivalent to $10 worth of free stuff. Not only do cardholders have access to extra points from both in-store and online flyers, but PC Optimum also has special “spend your points” events where you get even more value. This is perhaps the best time to cash in on the points you’ve been saving all year.

Chapters Indigo

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If you’re a bookworm or love the home decor at Chapters Indigo, then the Plum Rewards program will be right up your alley. For every dollar spent, you’ll get 5 points. The highest rewards level you can reach is $100 for 35,000 points. Along with access to extra rewards perks on your birthday, opportunities for bonus points, and invitations to quarterly bonus points events, this is definitely a program to take part in.

Hudson’s Bay

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Hudson’s Bay has three loyalty program options to choose from: Hudson’s Bay Rewards, Hudson’s Bay Rewards Plus, and Hudson’s Bay Rewards VIP. These cards don’t require the purchase of an HBC credit card, but when used in conjunction, it will increase the points earned. With the basic points card, earn 1 point for almost every dollar spent. For the Plus card, you earn 1.5 points per almost every dollar. To qualify for the Hudson’s Bay Rewards Plus tier, a member must spend $1200 annually. With the VIP card, earn 2 points for almost every $1 spent at any Hudson’s Bay. It pays to be a VIP — gets exclusive VIP savings offers, advance notice of special events, and invitations!

Simons

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The Simons loyalty program offers multiple tiers based on spending. The tiers are Enthusiasts, Connoisseurs, and Insiders. The most basic level will earn you 1 point per dollar, a $10 rewards card for the first 500 points, 2x the points promotions, in-store returns without receipts, a 45-day return period, and entry in exclusive contests. Connoisseurs and Insiders receive the same benefits as Insiders, plus a 60-day return period and free home delivery for online purchases, as well as unlimited in-store free alterations, access to exclusive events, and first-in-line access to sales respectively.

Starbucks

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If you’re an avid Starbucks drinker, I’m sure you already have the rewards program, but if not, you seriously need it! It’s totally free to download and create a profile. Each time you purchase items from Starbucks, upload money onto your app and pay through there. You’ll then earn stars, and once you reach a certain reward level you’ll get free drinks and other goodies!

DSW

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DSW gives you the opportunity to join DSW VIP Rewards to save more on shoes and accessories. The DSW VIP Rewards program is free to join, so you can earn points right away. If you are part of the DSW Visa credit card, then you can earn even more!

SPC

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With an SPC membership, you can receive discounts of up to 30% at over 450 top brands. Enjoy exclusive access to special experiences, giveaways, cash prizes and more. Pay no membership fee as a CIBC client as an eligible student or just $11.99 a year.

Aerie

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You can start earning points at Aerie for free! Just by being a customer. For each dollar spent, you can earn either 10 to 20 points, depending on how much money you spend a year at the store, and turn it into actual cash rewards. Check out this page here for the points you qualify for.

Scene+

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With a Scene+ card, you can earn points while shopping at participating retailers! As you stack up your scene points, you can redeem them on movies, groceries, travel, dining, and more! Bonus tip: If you bank with Scotiabank, you will stack up scene points by simply using your bank card!

Tim Hortons

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Tims has joined the world of reward programs! For every visit and dollar spent you can earn 10 points. Once you stack up your points, you can use them to get free food and beverages. You can also score exclusive offers and birthday treats as part of Tim Hortons’ reward program. Click here for more details.

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Retailers have a funny knack for making us spend more money than we’d originally planned. Sometimes the buyer’s remorse is real, and then other times we don’t even realize we’ve been swindled. As the saying “don’t judge a book by its cover” goes, the same rules apply to many of the pricing schemes and different sales our favourite stores provide.

Next time you snatch up a couple of pairs of shoes during a BOGO deal or get excited when you see “up to 70% off” signage, put your thinking cap on and deliberate whether or not you’re actually saving.

Here are sales tricks retailers use to get you to spend more money.

Bundle Purchases

Basically, all cell phone and internet providers use bundle purchases to lure you in. While at first glance $150 per month for 3 different services may seem like a good deal, it’s really just enticing you to purchase services you normally wouldn’t use. Let’s be real: in this day and age, you really don’t need a home phone line, do you?

BOGO

At surface value, BOGO seems like an incredible deal! Buy one item and get a second for free – how could that be a scam? Well, let me tell you. Similar to coupons, most of the time the sale is meant to entice us into buying something we weren’t actually looking for. How many times have you bought shoes you didn’t actually need because they were BOGO?

Customer Rewards

It may seem like no big deal to pick up a rewards card, swipe it at checkout, and get your points, but this is actually a major tactic that companies use to get you to spend more money. Although this encourages you to also spend your cash at the specific store when you shop, you’re also more likely to spend more money all in one go to be able to reach your next reward.

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Coupon Savings

When we see coupons, we automatically assume we’re saving, but many times the deals aren’t actually that good. A lot of times we are unaware of the original price and might be saving less than $1. Along with not really saving a whole lot, coupons also have a way of making us purchase things we would never normally buy at full price or even at sale price.

Misleading Sales Events

Misleading sales events are notorious for getting you into a store you hadn’t planned on visiting; signs advertising an incredible sale like “everything up to 70% off,” are hard to ignore. However, a lot of the time, most items are priced normally and the heavily reduced items are few and far between or located at the back of the store. Having to search for the sale items may entice you to purchase full-price items too, or even worse, instead.

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Free Shipping Offers

If you’re shopping online, don’t automatically assume that free shipping means you’re saving. While shipping costs are what deters a lot of people from purchasing online, free shipping usually comes with a catch. For example, in order to get said free shipping, you need to spend over $150. You’ll likely end up adding things to your cart you don’t need.

Psychological Pricing

Psychological pricing is a lot like misleading sales events, in that it tricks you into making purchases. Don’t discount the power of a price tag that reads $19.99 rather than $20! The difference of an extra cent allows us to categorize the item as under $20 in our mind, leaving out the specifics. It’s actually quite common practice for retailers to use odd numbers to confuse us.

Essentials Are Usually Found Toward The Back

Placing the essentials near the back of the store, makes you walk throughout the entire space to get to your items. This makes it much more likely that you’ll spot something else that you’re interested in. Therefore, you’ll probably end up spending much more than you planned.

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Up-selling Everything

People often downplay the power of words and language, but in terms of selling, they can make or break a sale. Many retailers specifically train employees to ask whether you want “an extra shot of espresso” or “what else would you like?” rather than “do you want anything else?” Unaware, we may end up spending more than planned because of these loaded questions. 

Point-of-Sale Add-Ons

Point-of-sales add-ons are all those smaller items and accessories you find located specifically by the registers in stores. Most of the time, add-ons are cheap, or travel-size products. This tactic persuades you to impulse buy random things, and sometimes, like in the case of travel-size, things that aren’t actually very good value. Next time you’re in a lineup and see something flashy, ask yourself whether or not you actually need it.

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Looking for designer finds for less? Well, then Nordstrom Rack is about to become your new go-to spot. What you may not know is that only 20% of Nordstrom Rack’s merchandise actually comes from Nordstrom, while the rest is made specifically for the off-price Rack. Although the off-price retailer no longer ships to Canada, it’s definitely worth it to find your closest store and head on over for the savings.

Here are secrets that you need to know when shopping at Nordstrom Rack.

If The Main White Tag Says “Nordstrom Rack,” It Didn’t Come From A Nordstrom Store

Another thing to pay attention to on clothing tags is the way it is labeled. Tags that read “Nordstrom Rack” at the top weren’t initially sold at Nordstrom stores, but rather were made to sell specifically at Nordstrom Racks. A full-line Nordstrom item will never have a paper Nordstrom Rack tag.

Items With A Nordstrom Paper Tag Or A Designer Tag Came From A Nordstrom Store

On the contrary, if an item does have a paper tag and/or the original designer tag on it, then you know for sure that it came from a full-line Nordstrom store and wasn’t made for Nordstrom Rack only.

“Compare At” Prices Aren’t Comparing The Regular And Sale Prices

Many people make the mistake of assuming the ‘compare at‘ prices on Nordstrom Rack tags are indicating a regular and sale price, but this isn’t the truth. Instead of showing the regular price versus a markdown price, it is actually comparing the item with the average price of any like item. So if you find a pair of jeans for $50 and the compare at price is $100, it means that the latter is the usual going rate for an item of this type.

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Tags With A Red Sticker Indicate Clearance Items That Are Up To 85% Off

Regardless of whether or not an item came from a Nordstrom store, or was made specifically for the Rack, items with red tags or a red sticker on the original tag indicate clearance prices. You’ll get the deepest discounts on these items, saving up to 85% off the original Nordstrom Rack price.

The Price On The Rack’s Red Sticker Trumps Any Written Sale Price

Sometimes the tags at Nordstrom Rack may have multiple price stickers and handwritten prices. If you’re confused about which price is correct, apparently the red sticker price trumps all, even if the handwritten price is lower. The reason this can happen is because the item was marked down at a regular Nordstrom store before being sent to and repriced at the Rack.

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You Can Find Items For Even Less If They Have Been Altered Or Refinished

While these items don’t have a dedicated area, if you do find a Nordstrom Rack tag that also reads “Altered or Refinished”, or has a blue sticker, the price will be even better. It simply means that the item has been refurbished and is therefore further discounted.

You Can Get Up To 75% off During Regular “Clear the Rack” Sales

Clear the Rack sales events happen regularly at Nordstrom Rack, and it’s at these times that you can get an extra 25% off anything at the register. But don’t wait too long on an item; typically Clear the Rack sales only last two to five days.

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Find Most Of The High-End Designer Items On “Designer Row” Clearance Racks

If your goal is to get the best value on high-end designer labels, save yourself some time and head directly to any racks that have a black “Designer Row” sign or a specific designer label above them. The majority of these items will be true designer.

Find The Deepest Discounts On Red Clearance Racks At The Back Of The Store

Is finding the biggest discounts and saving the most your top priority? Then stick to shopping at the back of the store. This is where all the red clearance racks with the biggest savings are located!

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With so many down-filled parka brands dominating the market, finding a winter jacket that is animal-friendly seems difficult. However, contrary to what you might think, there are a variety of brands with vegan and cruelty-free winter coat options so that you can stay true to your principles, and stay warm, too.

You can rest assured that none of these brands use fur or down for insulation. Rather, they use top-of-the-line synthetic materials so that you can remain cozy even when the temperatures drop below zero.

Here are the best vegan and cruelty-free winter coat brands to shop right now.

Frank and Oak

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Canadian brand Frank and Oak have an awesome variety of winter coats for both women and men. The performance outerwear is engineered to support daily lifestyles and climates, allowing you to embrace every facet of winter without restraint.

Wuxly Movement

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The Toronto-based brand, founded by former CFL player James Yurichuk and best friend Anthony DeBartolo, is just as tough on the weather as its mission to be cruelty-free. Using PrimaLoft insulation, a military-grade technology, these coats are a game-changer as they apparently outperform down coats.

Save the Duck

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This stylish outerwear brand doesn’t waste time getting its message across: Save the Duck is pretty self-explanatory. Great for travel or commuting, these super lightweight puffers and raincoats are comfortable on your body and conscience. Rather than using goose down, the Milan-based company uses its proprietary technology to replace down with a warmer, more breathable material.

Noize

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The Montreal-based brand is feather-free, fur-free, completely vegan, and most importantly, PETA-approved. But Noize’s effort to be sustainable certainly doesn’t dampen their style — these jackets are stylish with details like contrasting colours, as well as faux fur and leather trimmings that look incredibly realistic. The best part is that all styles are available for under $300.

Arc’teryx

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If you’re looking for a sportier winter coat option that’s going to allow you to do lots of outdoor activities, look no further than Vancouver brand Arc’teryx. Created by climbers, the brand is completely fur-free and has many down-free options so you can get to exploring nature in all kinds of weather conditions. This brand has the seal of approval from more than a few adventure seekers.

Mountain Equipment Co-op (MEC)

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With a name like Mountain Equipment, there is no doubt that this athletically-focused store and its namesake brand are experts in keeping you warm. While some of their heavier duty coats use down, many of them don’t, and none of them use fur. Most of their eco-friendly options use Hyperloft instead, a very powerful eco-synthetic insulation.

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Tim Hortons has been a Canadian icon for as long as we can remember but what doesn’t have to be traditional, is your next order. Did you know that Timmie’s has a secret menu? Well now you do, and yes, you need to try it ASAP. Whether you’re in the mood for a beverage or a bite, there are loads of different ways you can spice up your order. Thankfully, a few forward-thinking customers have helped to tweak a number of our favourite menu items, and they sound delicious. You’ll definitely want to take notes for the next time you visit your nearest Tims!

Here are Tim Hortons menu hacks to know!

Spice up your grilled cheese

If grilled cheese is your go-to, then you seriously need to start customizing it! Add bacon, tomatoes, onions, and more. Create your very own gourmet grilled cheese the next time you’re at Timmies.

Create the ultimate breakfast sandwich

This little trick using a hash brown is a game-changer! The next time you order a breakfast sandwich, instead of getting your hash brown on the side, get the folks at Timmie’s to stick it in your sandwich for some extra crunch. This is also a good hack if you’re a vegetarian, as you can get the hash brown as a sub for bacon or sausage.

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Try The “Wayne Gretzky” If You’re Addicted To Sugar

This drink is definitely not for the faint of heart considering the amount of sugar in it, but if you want to treat yourself, by all means. Hockey player Wayne Gretzky was known for wearing number 99 on his jersey, hence the 9 sugars and 9 creams in this drink. Don’t act surprised! We told you this one was intense. 

Getting a Chai tea white hot chocolate is easier than you think

You’re probably wondering why you never thought of this, as it’s literally what the name implies. Rather than drinking your white hot chocolate on it’s own, ask for Timmie’s employee to add a chai tea bag.

Don’t forget about the Sweet Syrups

Tim Horton’s has some sweet syrups that you can choose from, which are chocolate, vanilla, and caramel. Typically, these are used in specific coffee drinks, but you can ask to have any of these flavours in your beverage to switch it up.

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Swap out your bagel for a doughnut

If mixing savoury and sweet is something you’re into, swap out your bagel for a doughnut. This smart Canadian substituted a chocolate glazed doughnut when they ordered a BLT, and the outcome looks mouth-watering. 

You can order a veggie bagel – you just have to ask for it

Most original Tim Hortons sandwiches come on bagels, but what if you want one sans meat? Literally, order the bagel with all the fixings, BUT hold the lunch meat, and you will have created yourself a nice little veggie sandwich. This is even better if you’re vegan and don’t want any cream cheese for obvious reasons.

Yes, a coffee crisp hot chocolate is as good as it sounds

As soon as we heard the word coffee and crisp in one sentence, we were sold. Well, it turns out you can order a makeshift Coffee Crisp hot chocolate at Tim Hortons by ordering a white-hot chocolate with a shot of espresso. The strong coffee flavour, mixed with the sweet hot chocolate is very reminiscent of a Coffee Crisp chocolate bar.

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Order a chocolate Timbit Iced Cap if you want to drink dessert

This decadent drink is exactly what it sounds like: dessert in a cup. It is the perfect fix if you can’t decide between a Timbit and an Iced Capp because it’s both. The finished order will be an Iced Capp, dressed in whipped cream and finished with a chocolate Timbit on top. 

Something called the “Saturn Timbit” exists and it’s delicious 

While this may be the most annoying secret menu item for employees to make, it’s seriously delicious. The next time you’re in Tim Hortons, ask for your Timbit to be cut in half, toasted, and for whipped cream to be added to the middle. The end result is a Timbit that kind of resembles a planet.

You can get warm doughnuts anytime

Want a doughnut that tastes like it was made fresh to order? Simply order your fave doughnut but ask for it to be warmed up or toasted. We hear that this hack works best on the sour cream glazed doughnuts!

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Roots is one of those Canadian brands that everyone has in their closet. Whether it’s a cozy sweater or pair of track pants, the brand’s high-quality loungewear helps most of us survive Canadian winters.

The next time you’re in the market for some new sweats or leather goods, make sure to employ some of these Roots secrets!

Save on your next purchase with coupons, clearance pricing, and more — not to mention Roots has a number of Last Chance outlets and warehouse sales worth visiting in the GTA. Being cozy doesn’t have to break the bank!

Check out 8 Roots secrets to know the next time you shop below.

Make sure you’re receiving a student discount if you are in school.

Just for being a student, you can receive automatic savings of 15% off at Roots with your SPC card. If you’re making a purchase in-store, it’s as easy as showing your SPC card to the cashier. Purchasing online? Simply log in to spccard.ca first and follow their online shopping instructions.

Roots secrets
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Find online coupons to save money on your next Roots purchase.

You can find coupons for savings at Roots all over the web. A quick google search will do the trick, but WagJag, RetailMeNot, and Honey are reliable sources for little known promotion codes and more. Head over to these sites regularly to snag the best deals. 

Sign up for Roots mailing list to get notified about its big sale events happening throughout the year.

Make sure you sign up for the Roots newsletter. Not only will you keep up-to-date on new arrivals, promotions, and savings, but you’ll be in the loop for all of its sale events. According to Bargain Moose, the Canadian retailer hosts several massive sales a year: The Roots Anniversary Sale, The Roots Sweats Sale, The Roots Customer Appreciation Sale, The Roots Black Friday Sale, The Roots Boxing Day Sale, The Roots Summit Sale, and Roots End of Year Sale. On average you’ll be saving up to 25-50% off during those events.

roots secrets
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Always take a peek at the Roots’ clearance section for amazing online savings.

The Roots clearance section is a treasure trove for fans of the classic Canadiana brand. The selection is usually large, with plenty of styles and sizes available. A lot of times, Roots will also offer further discounts on select styles when you are ready to checkout.

Visit the Roots Last Chance Outlet for discounts all year round.

If you’re based in Toronto or Vancouver, then you’re lucky enough to be able to visit these stores! The Last Chance stores offer deals on past seasons’ styles. Luckily, Roots is so classic that you’d never know the offerings weren’t current!

orfus road

Shop on resale websites to get deep discounts on lightly worn Roots clothing.

Resale websites can be a great way to save big on gently worn Roots apparel. Thredup and Carousell typically have an assortment of items for incredibly cheap. Sweats can be found for just $10, hoodies for $20, or even less depending on the seller. If you’re unsure about the quality, you can always ask the seller for more photos to prove the garments’ condition.

Only order online if you plan to purchase more than one item.

While Roots does offer free shipping to Canadians, it isn’t without a purchase of $75 or more. Looking for a pair of cabin socks? Definitely purchase in the store. Otherwise, if you’re stocking up on sweats and basics, you’re in the green as your shopping cart should meet the $75 minimum.

Keep an eye out for the warehouse sales Roots hosts.

This is our favourite of all the Roots secrets we have up our sleeve. If you live in Toronto or the greater Toronto area, keep an eye out for the warehouse sales that Roots hosts. These sales happen a couple of times a year, usually in Mississauga, and offer shoes, apparel, and accessories for as low as $4.

To stay up-to-date with when the next warehouse sale will be happening, be sure to sign up for the StyleDemocracy mailing list or the Shoestring Shopping mailing list — both will keep you up-to-date with not only the Roots Warehouse Sale, but other warehouse and sample sales happening in the city.

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The next time you’re eating out, eat smart and get a freebie! There are a number of different restaurants with rewards programs that offer up free treats for signing up or on your birthday. While you may only be eligible once or twice a year, no one ever denies free food. That’s why checking out this list of restaurants seems like a no brainer. Whether it’s a delicious pastry or some fast food, don’t miss out on the opportunity to get a little something in return for being a valued customer. 

Take a look at 10 restaurants with free food below!

Montana’s BBQ and Bar

restaurants-to-get-free-food
Instagram/@montanasbbq

Montana’s wants you to take full advantage of your birthday! Become a part of the Grill Lovers Club and not only receive exclusive offers and promotions, but a free starter and dessert on your special day, just for signing up. 

What A Bagel

restaurants to get free food
Instagram/@whatabagel

If you love carbs, it’s super easy to become obsessed with What A Bagel. Not only does the bagel-centred restaurant usually host free bagel days, but you can score a dozen bagels for free on your birthday!

Domino’s 

restaurants to get free food
Instagram/@dominos

Domino’s is definitely a staple after a night out; there’s nothing like a greasy pizza to encourage a good sleep. Sign up for its rewards programs and get a free medium pizza once you reach 60 points. Earning 10 points for every order over $10 definitely adds up so before you know it you’ll be munching on a pizza that’s on the house. 

Krispy Kreme

restaurants to get free food
Instagram/@krispykreme

Krispy Kreme really has doughnut lovers in mind when it comes to its rewards program and is one of our favourites on the restaurants with free food list. Krispy Kreme will email you a coupon for a free doughnut of your choice simply for signing up. In addition to the welcome freebie, you can also snag a free doughnut on National Doughnut Day, when you download the app, and on your birthday. Krispy Kreme also host a National Coffee Day that’s even more giving, you can get free coffee AND doughnut.

Panera Bread

restaurants to get free food
Instagram/@hellospoonful

Panera Bread’s loyalty program, My Panera, is pretty awesome. You’ll get a free pastry item just for joining, and from then on, you’ll earn points when you present your card. Every few visits, Panera will reward you with a surprise based on what you love. The restaurant will also gift you with a free sweet treat on your birthday.

Marble Slab Creamery

restaurants to get free food
Instagram/@robynxoxomarie

“I don’t like ice cream,” said no one ever. Lucky for you, Marble Slab Creamery is another restaurant with free food and wants to spread the love for ice cream! Simply download its app and get a free ice cream or sign up for Marble Mail 48 hours before your birthday for sweet surprises. 

Menchie’s Frozen Yogurt 

Instagram/@menchies_canada

Menchie’s Frozen Yogurt wants to spread the birthday love with its MySmileage program. When you sign up you’ll receive a 5 Menchie’s money coupon that can be used either 15 days before, or 15 days after your birthday. There are also a ton of other ways you can earn bonus points listed on its website.

Harvey’s

harvey's
Instagram/@harveys_canada

If you’re in the mood for a burger, Harvey’s has got you covered with a freebie on your birthday. The fast food joint makes it super easy to capitalize on this deal! Simply sign up for its newsletter to get free Frings, and a free burger on your day of birth.  

Cinnabon

cinnabon
Instagram/@cinnabon

The smell of freshly baked Cinnabons is just as intoxicating as its giveaway. Sign up for Club Cinnamon and you’ll receive a free minibon roll at participating bakeries. Signing up for the newsletter and you can get exclusive access to promos and offers. 

David’s Tea

david's tea
Instagram/@torontogourmand

The Frequent Steeper program at David’s Tea allows you to collect points for each tea purchased. For every dollar spent, you’ll earn 1 point so if you’re a big tea drinker, you’ll be getting freebies in no time! For example, 300 points will get you three 50g bags of tea. In addition to its points program, you’ll receive a free cup of tea on your birthday.

If you’re in need of some groceries, make your next food run less of a chore! These grocery stores are all looking to elevate your shopping experience, and bring more value to the inevitable task we all have to do at least once a week. Whether it’s fast check-out technology, zero waste, or having your vegetables pre-cut for you, these retailers are stepping up their game in more ways than one. Grab your cart, and get shopping because purchasing food has never been so cool or fun!

Take a look at 7 grocery stores with the best shopping experience below, and change the way you shop for food. 

Walmart at Stockyards

https://www.instagram.com/p/B0iuK47AcxC/

With its state of the art technology, the Stockyards Walmart location in Toronto is really putting the super in Supercentre. Recently launched as a prototype for more innovative stores, this Walmart location is integrating e-commerce into the checkout process to bring you new fast lane technology. What this means is that customers simply download the app, scan items as they go, and then pay directly with their phone. No waiting in checkout lines! Literally just grab and go.

Nations Fresh Foods

unique-grocery-stores-toronto
Instagram/@faybaeeats

We hear the words diversity and multicultural a lot these days, but they aren’t necessarily reflected in many grocery store offerings, that is until Nations grocery store opened. The grocery retailer focuses on offering multicultural produce and a wide assortment of prepared foods from all across the world. Whether it’s Eastern or Western, Nations’ focus is to bring you food that is diverse, fresh, and affordable. 

Unboxed Market

unique-grocery-stores-toronto
Instagram/@my_zero_waste_journey

As the name implies, Unboxed Market is Toronto’s first zero waste grocery store. You literally won’t find any single use plastic or plastic bags here, only recyclable paper packaging. Customers are encouraged to bring their own mugs and containers to put produce or other items in. Despite being waste free, there is no shortage of departments as this smaller-than-most grocery store is a one-stop-shop. Along with the usual produce, deli, and dry good offerings, you can even find lotion and shampoo in dispensers that are ready to be put into your own reusable containers. 

Pusateri’s 

unique grocery stores toronto
Instagram/@pusaterisfoods

Pusateri’s is calling all vegetarians and vegetable lovers! Not only is it one of the most beautiful grocery stores in Toronto, but the high-end food retailer also has its own vegetable butcher. Similar to a regular butcher, this person will chop and prep all of your vegetables right before your eyes or while you shop. Unlike packaged and chopped veggies, you know these will be incredibly fresh, not to mention how much of a time saver it is.

Lady York

unique grocery stores toronto
Instagram/@ladyyorkfoods

If you’re looking for a specialty grocery store in the European-Italian sense, then Lady York has got you covered. Having opened in 1959, Lady York has a lot of experience in purveying specialty foods, gourmet items, and high quality produce & deli products. The family-owned business has been operating for 55 years so they must be doing something right because let’s be real: have you ever met a traditional Italian who made mundane food? Point taken.

Farm Boy

unique grocery stores toronto
Instagram/@paulnuscateam

Farm Boy is the perfect grocery store for people who love markets! The folks behind this mega successful store have taken the fresh market approach and turned it into a retail chain. Everyday, buyers go out and source produce and meat from local markets, which they bring back to the stores. The end result are shelves filled with the freshest ingredients, all in one place!

Organic Garage

unique grocery stores toronto
Instagram/@organicgarage

We’re pretty sure all of us would like to buy organic, the only problem being the cost. That’s where Organic Garage comes in, with its organic, low-cost model. Along with a fun and playful approach to grocery shopping, the stores are filled with murals and hopscotch and it even employs smart buying practices that allow for organic food to be priced for less. You won’t ever have to pay an arm and a leg to shop healthy again.

If there is anything Japan doesn’t take lightly, it’s skincare and beauty products.

The beauty industry is booming and it definitely shows with the amount of amazing products on the market right now. However, you don’t need to go to Japan or order from a foreign website and pay exorbitant duties because Amazon has a plethora of best selling Japanese beauty products in stock just waiting for you to try.

Whether it’s moisturizer, a relaxing sheet mask, or a face oil, switch up your regular skincare routine and try something new. In case you’re not even sure where to start, these beauty products on Amazon all have stellar reviews!

Treat yourself and your skin and check out the 8 best selling Japanese beauty products on Amazon!

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