The Aritzia Warehouse Sale consistently draws major crowds for its deep discounts. But is the mega-sale over Labour Day weekend actually worth it?
By now, you’ve probably seen photos and videos of the massive lineups to get into the Vancouver Convention Centre for the sale. On opening day last year, the queue stretched all the way to Harbour Green Park.
@megkatdev Yes, I did bike up and down the warehouse sale lineup 😂 #aritzia #vancouver ♬ Summer day – TimTaj
Many social media users say they’d never be caught dead waiting in line while others say they’d rather pay full price than deal with the chaos.
Daily Hive Vancouver
Going inside the sale can be a frenzied experience, with hundreds of laser-focused shoppers rifling through the racks. Visiting the sale requires preparation, including wearing the right undergarments because the change rooms are communal.
But the sale still draws thousands of shoppers every year, despite the mayhem. That’s because there are considerable markdowns — as Tiktokers show later in the haul videos.
Stephanie Chen showed off her haul from the 2022 Friends and Family sale, including $150 Melina faux leather pants for $50, a $130 bodysuit for $30, and a $400 coat for $175.
“The Vancouver Aritzia Warehouse Sale is so worth it,” she captioned her video.
@runnyeggyolk69 Wait till the end AHH 🤩 The Vancouver Aritzia Warehouse Sale is so worth it!!! #aritzia #warehousesale #Vancouver #fyp #haul #clothes #GradeUpWithGrammarly ♬ Summer day – TimTaj
Some commenters suggested the Warehouse Sale prices should be what Aritzia normally sells its pieces for, and Chen agreed.
Daily Hive Vancouver
Aritzia advertises Warehouse Sale prices as being marked down 50% to 90% from the retail price. When Daily Hive visited the sale, many pieces were priced at about one-third of their original retail tag. But since many items were expensive to begin with, Warehouse Sale shoppers still need to shell out to take tailored items, jackets, and some dresses home.
“A legally blonde moment… I’m definitely going to be wearing these to work,” TikTok user Shirley Ye said during her try-on haul showing off a pair of $50 pants she got.
@shirleyye_ Honest thoughts/review of the Aritzia warehouse sale ! Is it just me or it was NOT that chaotic in previous pre-covid years ??? #vancouver #aritzia #warehousesale #aritziahaul #aritziawarehousesale #tryonhaul ♬ summertime – Maggie麦吉
In 2022, the Warehouse Sale contained a selection of men’s athleisure from the brand Reigning Champ — a reward for all the boyfriends who held shopping bags, perhaps?
Daily Hive Vancouver
But some TikTok reviewers weren’t so kind about the Warehouse Sale experience. They shared videos of items with holes and other damage.
@mikaelaabree It’s shedding feathers and they still want an arm and a leg 🦵 #baffled #aritziahaul #aritziasale #warehousesale ♬ original sound – mikaelaabree
@mikaelaabree I went at 1 pm not 5 am, I get it it’s picked over, but jeeeeze louiseeee 🫣 #aritziahaul #aritziawarehousesale #aritzia #yvr ♬ original sound – mikaelaabree
One person even shared footage of an H&M shirt that somehow ended up in Aritzia’s racks.
Another person called out Aritzia for blocking off the bathrooms at the Warehouse Sale (bathrooms were available in the Convention Centre, but not once customers entered the Warehouse Sale itself).
@mad.brew I only shop @aritzia once a year, here. Its been a long three years! For all the haters, you just don’t get it and thats ok 🥲 #aritzia #aritziawarehousesale #warehousesale #warehousesale2022 #vancouver #fyp #foryoupage #vancouver ♬ original sound – Maddy 🌻
“Exactly what I would expect from Aritzia,” said TikTok user @mad.brew.
For some, the chaotic display of consumerism inside was too much to handle.
@katrinamartin_ Yeah not for me thanks. #vancouver #aritziawarehousesale #aritzia #consumerism ♬ Spooky, quiet, scary atmosphere piano songs – Skittlegirl Sound
The crowds and sensory overload at the Warehouse Sale are no joke. If you’re put off by the bedlam, it may be best to skip.
But if you’re a fan of Aritzia clothing, the Warehouse Sale is a good opportunity to get pieces at a massive discount. If you’re in need of new items and scoring deals gives you a thrill, this is definitely the spot for you.
Editor’s note: This story was originally published in September 2022