WITH the global shopping phenomenon that is Fashion’s Night Out (FNO) just three days away, participating retailers are gearing up for the five-hour spending spree with special features and discounts for shoppers.

Janelle Pantry, owner of the lifestyle store Spaces located in the Winchester Business Centre, said following on the success of last year, she is planning special appearances and offerings for FNO 2010. These include discounts of up to 50 per cent on items in the store and a specially invited guest along the lines of an event planner, interior decorator or designer to give customers tips on how to replicate the designer ‘spaces’ within their homes.

Pantry, who hosted a ‘sit down and lyme with your friends’ soiree at her store last year, said FNO is an ideal time to get away, if just for a few hours, from the stresses of life.

“It is an event for us to set aside all our challenges and issues that we have and take the time to treat ourselves and get back to living life,” she said, advising that persons should treat themselves to that one purchase that they have been eyeing for a while, but can only now afford with the help of the discount.

“It is psychologically a time when people don’t spend, but hopefully this will prompt them to do so,” she said.

Pantry was among 11 retailers who discussed the state of the sector and their expectations for FNO at yesterday’s Observer Monday Exchange.

Items that cost upwards of $2,000 in Pantry’s high-end living store can cost as low as $500 she said. And in addition to the wine, cheese and music, persons who place an order for items not yet in store also qualify for a discount. If you bring a friend there is a discount for that too. Plus the sale continues until Saturday.

Michelle Jackson of Boy O Boy said she will begin the FNO celebration at the store on Merrick Avenue early on Friday with up to 20 per cent off her children’s clothing between 10:00 am and 5:00 pm. During the official 5:00 pm to 10:00 pm FNO celebration period, discounts go up to 70 per cent, and in collaboration with Party King Jackson will give customers a 30 per cent discount on parties to be honoured after FNO.

At Foot Candy, women can benefit from up to 70 per cent off footwear. Lisa-Gaye Chin, who operates the store out of Manor Park Plaza, told the Observer that the discounts will be deep as the store undertakes a massive clearance sale in preparation for new stock.

And since, as Chin argued, FNO is “about going everywhere and getting all the discounts”, Debra Issa of Changes and June Plum boutiques, located in the Mall Plaza, encouraged both the young and mature customers who patronise her stores to come over for discounts of up to 60 per cent. Issa is preparing for an invasion of no mean order on Friday, consistent with the experience during FNO last year.

“Last year, FNO totally blew us away,” she said. “There was nothing relaxing about the night. It was totally intense. You couldn’t hear yourself speaking to customers in the store.”

Changes/June Plum will also be offering a shuttle service to the store in the Mall Plaza for customers who park on South Avenue.

Performing artiste-cum businessman Cezar, who operates Base clothing store in the Manor Park Plaza, Kingston, said he will be offering discounts and a mini entertainment event outside. The FNO activity will feature guest DJs and drinks galore and customers can purchase items from singer Tami Chynn’s new line Anuna.

Gillian Zacca, proprietor of OMG, the boutique that caters to the clothing needs of teens and ‘tweens’, will be taking 60 per cent off selected items, while the Digicel 4G bus will also be visiting the store at 11 Braemar Avenue to further attract interest from the largely tech-centric youth market.

Trendi Editions, an exclusive shopping boutique located on Worthington Terrace, will open its doors to the masses with 20-50 per cent off selected items of clothing. Owner Consuela Blake said FNO provides the opportunity for not just sales but for women to come together and enjoy a moment.

Raquel Jenkins Moss-Solomon, principal of Permanent Cosmetics, will be hosting celebrity make-up artist Sam Fine in a four-hour session on make-up art. Customers who visit the Eden Gardens-based store will also get 50 to 60 per cent off Eve Pearl make-up, for which Moss-Solomon is the exclusive distributor in the Caribbean.

Shoppers at Male Ego in Southdale Plaza, as well as Norma Webster’s Salon and Spa in Montego Bay will also benefit from huge discounts.