If you're hunting for a bargain there are plenty to be had in the summer sales. From department stores to electrical retailers to clothes shops, summer is the time to discount the old stock and start the sales. For many shops it's a way to try to get us to spend more in the stagnant summer months, for others, particularly clothes stores, it's a way to shift those last season pieces, before gearing up for the new season.

Some of the best sales of the summer we've seen:

HOUSE OF FRASER: The Big Brand Summer sale is now on (ends 30/06/2010)
DOROTHY PERKINS: Get up to 50% off (ends 27/06/2010)
COAST: The sale is now on, with up to 50% off (ends 30/06/10)
PHASE EIGHT: End of season sale now on (ends 30/06/2010)
VERY: Summer Sale now on - get up to 70% off while stocks last (ends 30/07/2010)
TREATME: Big summer sale now on (ends 19/07/2010)

We're looking forward to the Burton sale, which starts tomorrow and will give you 20% off, and the Zara sale starts later in the week.

Furniture can often give you some of the best savings this time of year too like Leather Sofas at Darlings of Chelsea and Childrens Furniture from The Childrens Furniture Company.

Some shops (like Topshop and Topman) keep the sales dates very secret, but as soon as we hear they'll be listed on Shopsafe. For an up to date list of shops with sales on, see our sales page.