Christmas has come and gone, the arrival of the Three Kings from the Orient is a distant memory but the fun hasn't stopped on Ibiza because now we've got the New Year Sales!
January 7th is the official starting date of the winter sales, or 'Rebajas' in Spanish, and in an effort to stifle commercialism and customer service, the date is strictly controlled by the authorities.
Believe it or not, any shopkeeper who dares to increase cash-flow by sticking up a 'Rebajas' sign in his window before the allotted date faces a hefty fine.
A few canny retailers have got round this farcical situation by displaying posters announcing 'special discounts' or 'promotions' so that they won't be fined for trying to do a little extra business.
Hopefully when our new shopping mall opens next year with the promise of national retailers entering the market, the Ibiza shopping experience will be dragged screaming into the 21st century.