Discounts bring back shoppers

Despite freezing temperatures, serious shoppers were out in full force over the weekend to capitalize on pre-holiday sales being held across Beijing. And with a limited number of discount items available at most department and designer stores, the early birds often landed the best deals.

For Zhou Chi, a self-admitted shop alcoholic from Beijing, her early arrival at Shin Kong Place's Gucci store on Beijing's Jianguo Road paid off for the 27-year-old analyst of a foreign consulting firm. She beamed as she clutched two Gucci bags bought at 30 percent below retail price.

Other discount seekers also found bliss in the halls of Shin Kong Place, including Li Zhuzhu, a 25-year-old Juicy Couture fan, that was beside herself with joy at learning some of the brand's products were offered at a 50 percent discount.