Annual shopping event, Takes Style Out, has seen a nearly 20 per cent rise in participants over last year’s staging.

The night of sales, which is hosted by the Jamaica Observer and which will take place tomorrow, has approximately 2,000 stores registerd across the island, of which 300 outlets are new participants.

Over the last six years, retailers have reported doubling of sales figures and increased product awareness on the night.

“The past couple months have been extremely slow compared to normal activities, so let’s hope that this makes the difference,” owner of Signatures Boutique, Patricia Williams said. “So far, the store has doubled its profit at this time every year and we are looking forward to it again.”

“Our customers have grown accustomed to the sale every year and we again hope to see sales figure double for the day,” sales and marketing manager at McIntosh Bedding, Annette Farquharson told the Business Observer.

Discounts under the event ranges from five to 80 per cent across participating outlets.

Local retail store Eurowear, is looking to offer up to 75 per cent discount on clothing items as it gears up for the launch of the Jamaica Observer’s hosted event – Takes Style Out.

The company hopes to close the gap between European priced designer clothing wear and what the Jamaican market can afford with up to US$364 ($41,132) discount on its clothing items to boost its competitiveness.

Takes Style Out was introduced in Jamaica by the Observer’s Senior Content Editor for Lifestyle and Social Content, Novia McDonald-Whyte after observing the impact that the one-night-only sales bonanza event had on department stores overseas , back in 2009.

The event started as a test to boost the slowed post back-to-school sales of retailers and to revive the fashion industry.

Popular stores taking part in the event includes American Jewellery Company, Answers for Children, Action Sports, Payless Shoes Stores and Courts Jamaica Limited.