I remember when I was a little girl, the phrase 'winter white sales' was used a lot in the latter part of December around our house. My mom did her home inventory at that time, deciding how many sheet sets and towels she needed. With me in tow, each January she always headed to the extra nice department store in downtown Jamestown, NY...Bigelow's. I can still remember looking over the white sheets and towels. Surely by then colors were plentiful and couldn't have cost that much more. Not until today did I ever realize there is a story behind this January white sale stuff. Quoting an article in the Charlotte Observer, "Ever since Philadelphia retailer John Wanamaker first discounted sheets and other white products early in 1878 to keep textile workers employed during a slow season, January has been the traditional time for sales on bath and bed linens". Hence, January White Sales. Who knew.
