Buy One Get Three Free!

In a new article by the NY Times, they discuss the growing trend among retailers offering insane discounts to encourage shoppers to shop and create traffic.  After 9 years in retail now I am still at a loss for words.  Things have changed so much and I feel as though we are all left asking questions, yet no one has answers.  We all look at each other and say "time will tell".  I remember the days when luxury retailers didn't even go on sale until the day after Christmas and black Friday was reserved for stores like Target, Kmart, and Walmart.  For a while it looked like the luxury retailers were okay. Customers were still shopping, but for pieces not outfits.  Investment pieces to be exact.  Burberry trench coats, Louis Vuitton luggage, Loro Piana scarves, all pieces customers could reason buying because they will have them for years to come.  But what happens when everyone has all of their investment pieces? I feel as though I am left with the response I mentioned earlier, time will tell!