Pricewatch Daily

CAROLINE MADDENrounds up the retail bargains, in suits, books and meals

Queues at Borders for last-chance bargains

Schoolchildren look away now. We hate to be the ones to dampen the holiday mood, but back-to-school bargains are already cropping up. Savvy parents have been flocking to Borders in Blanchardstown in Dublin to snap up half-price school books in the store’s closing-down sale.

Borders is offering 50 per cent off everything. Be prepared for the crowds though. Hordes of literary locusts have been descending on Borders since its sale kicked off last week, with queues stretching outside the mammoth store at peak times.

Cheap as microchips computer deals

Tying in with the scholarly theme, today’s special offer from Aldi is a back-to-school PC for just under €500. The AMD Phenom X4 9650 Quad Core Processor comes with a 640GB hard disk, a DVD/CD burner and plenty of software. Complete the package with a TFT monitor, also on special offer in Aldi for €99.99. If you’re looking for something even more wallet-friendly and are willing to consider a “pre-loved” PC, then check out gumtree.ie. Current deals include a Dell desktop computer, still under warranty, for €390.

Suits you, sir, especially at half the price

Meanwhile, Louis Copeland – whose clientele includes such icons as Kevin Spacey, Tom Jones and, erm, Ronan Keating – has upped the ante with its summer sale. In recent weeks the menswear retailer has been offering up to 50 per cent off its sale stock, but the second phase of its summer sale began yesterday, and 70 per cent has now been sliced off the original price of a selection of suits and shirts. The suits are from a range of brands, including Louis Copeland’s own label and Louis Féraud.

M&S meal deals feel like a steal

Marks and Spencers latest “Dine In” meal deal hits the shelves today. Grab a meal for two – which includes two main courses, side dishes and desserts, topped off with a bottle of wine – for €12.50. The offer runs until Sunday, but as experienced MS meal-dealers will know, it pays to hit the aisles early before the most popular dishes sell out.

But if even convenience food seems too inconvenient, then Dublin-based readers could always hop in the lift to the top floor of the Grafton Street M&S and enjoy one of the capital’s best-kept culinary secrets. The rooftop restaurant’s “Dine Out” deal is hard to beat - for €12.50, diners can enjoy a main course, dessert and a glass of red or white wine. The restaurant opens until 10pm every Thursday and Friday until August 20th, and until 7pm every other night.

The Swedes are coming to Dublin

And last but not least, as of next Monday there will be one less reason to shop north of the Border. Furniture giant Ikea will finally bring Scandinavian interiors chic to the masses down South when the doors of its Ballymun store open next week. Just don’t say we didn’t warn you about flat-pack rage.

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