“Last spring I bought a wool sweater for 90% off”
What a steal! Good for you! That’s how we have to do any shopping for now on, don’t we? You know.. you are right about winter items being gone by February in the old days. I remember six inches of snow on the ground and the stores had bathing suits displayed. In fact, if you needed something for Winter (new boots or such) you had to get them by Christmas or soon afterwards... then the spring/summer stuff was rolled out.
Thrift shops are booming...my wife scores tons of designer label clothing (with tags still on) ‘donated’ by jaded/bored wives of wealthy democrats traveling to their vacation homes in Red Hampshire. $50, $75, $100 (and more) sweaters, blouses, pants, suits, blazers...all for a buck or two. Sweet.
Eventually, what was still left over disappeared. I don't know if it was sold off to a discounter or if it was recycled this year.