Retailers offer sales and promotions throughout the year, but is there a rhyme or reason to it all?
Should you buy certain things now and wait for others? In many cases, the answer is yes. There is really a best time to buy.
Some sales are seasonal. For example, you’ll see deeper discounts on summer clothing and outdoor “gear,” like patio furniture, at the end of summer rather than at the beginning.
It’s not that these items won’t be on sale during the summer, but the discounts will be deeper and broader at the end of the season when retailers are trying to clear space for the new season’s merchandise.
Some sales are tied to big shopping periods, like Valentine’s Day, Back to School, or Christmas, when consumer interest in relevant categories increases. Other sales occur when retailers are clearing space for new models or styles.
Remember, retailers face a lot of competition and want you to shop with them instead of their competitors. Offering sales is a big part of their enticement strategy.
And while you’ll usually find more generous discounts from big retailers, like Target or Amazon, try to patronize small businesses, too. They need you to stay afloat, and they may offer unique items that the big guys won’t.
What to buy in January and February
WHAT TO BUY IN JANUARY
Now that the holidays are over, you might need a break from shopping. But, if you still have a touch of the shopping bug or credits from returned holiday gifts, you will find deals in select categories as retailers attempt to clear space for spring merchandise.
Needing a refresh in bedding or bath items? White Sales. Retail lore is that White Sales originated in the 1800s at Wanamaker’s in Philadelphia, PA. The founder, John Wanamaker, offered sales on bed linens – primarily white at the time – to generate some business during a typically slow time.
Other categories worth looking at in January fall under “New Year/New You,” in keeping with our New Year’s resolutions. There will be sales on fitness apparel and equipment, gym memberships, subscription-based fitness apps, supplements, and other wellness-related products.
Like all three-day weekends, MLK weekend will have some sales, but they aren’t as notable. Winter apparel and outerwear deals will be available as retailers clear space for spring styles. Deal activity in January often peaks this weekend, so stay sharp!
WHAT TO BUY IN FEBRUARY
With February, comes the Superbowl, Valentine’s Day, and President’s Day. Before the Superbowl, retailers will offer TV deals, typically on previous-generation models. This is not only because they know people will be looking for a shiny new screen to watch the big game, but new models have recently launched at CES (Consumer Electronics Show).
Leading up to Valentine’s Day, we’ll see plenty of gift-related deals, including jewelry, fragrances, and chocolate. Anything specifically Valentine’s-themed will be priced to move the closer you get to the holiday.
There will also be many in-store and online flower sales, but do your homework. Sometimes, these sale prices are based on inflated pricing, so the sales could be less exciting than they appear.
February is also one of the few months of the year when jewelry deals are widespread, so even if you’re planning to purchase a gift for a special occasion later in the year, it’s worth checking out the deals.
President’s Day brings deals on mattresses and other sales in the home category, such as appliances, decor, window treatments, rugs, etc.
Tax software will be well-priced just in time for early tax prep (groan). The bottom line is that sales always occur over three-day weekends. The assumption is that people will want to stroll the mall or browse online during their extended weekend.
What to buy in March and April
WHAT TO BUY IN MARCH
Even though March lacks reliable sale markers like a gift-giving holiday or a three-day weekend, it straddles winter and spring, which presents some interesting sale opportunities. There will be end-of-season clearance sales on winter apparel and “teaser” deals on new spring styles, where a retailer discounts one or two specific items. However, those sales won’t be broad, and the discounts won’t be that deep.
Sometimes, beauty promotions occur as we transition our looks from winter to spring. If you’ve been dying to try that new Mocha Mousse lipstick, here’s your chance.
Sleep Awareness Week is March 9-15, so deals will be available on everything related to sleep, from mattresses to sleep supplements. “Pi Day,” on March 14, is always fun, with $3.14 food deals from fast-food restaurants and restaurant chains.
And just in time for your spring break planning…travel gear! Expect deals on luggage, travel essentials, and the occasional deal on travel itself.
WHAT TO BUY IN APRIL
Gear for outdoor activities, such as camping, hiking, and sports, will be at great prices. We also see plenty of deals on toys and games, the first sales in this category since December.
Around April 15th, some merchants will offer “Tax Day” deals to encourage you to spend some of that refund. But don’t go overboard. It’s ok to spend some of your refund, but it’s important to save the lion’s share of it.
Earth Day is April 22, so there will be promotions for Earth-friendly merchandise, such as “green,” upcycled, recyclable, or sustainably made items.
I’ve also seen a handful of “Spring Black Friday” sales around this time.
What to buy in May and June
WHAT TO BUY IN MAY
The weather tends to improve in May, so retailers offer deals on athletic apparel and footwear to entice us to get out and get fit. If your sneakers or leggings are ratty, stock up now.
We will also see plenty of fun Star Wars-themed deals to celebrate May 4th’s “May the Fourth Be With You.”
Right before Mother’s Day on May 11, there will be a flurry of promotional activity as we scurry around looking for gifts for Mom. Jewelry tends to be a significant category in May, as it was over Valentine’s Day.
May 24-26, Memorial Day weekend, is one of the bigger 3-day weekends for discounts. This long weekend is packed with promotions in the kitchen and appliance categories and mattresses – perfect timing for graduation and wedding gifts!
WHAT TO BUY IN JUNE
As we prepare for the school year to end and summer fun to begin, we’ll see sales centered around outdoor activities, including outdoor games, inflatable pools, and bikes, as well as some deals related to fitness activities.
Perfect for rainy or hot days, there are also promotions centered around indoor entertainment, like video games and streaming services.
Summer travel will be on sale this month, so it’s not too late to plan a last-minute summer getaway.
Victoria’s Secret usually holds a semi-annual sale in June, and some category competitors will get in the game with lingerie deals.
And don’t forget Dad! Before Father’s Day, we’ll see lots of sales on gift-related items, so that you can find a budget-friendly present for Dad.
What to buy in July and August
WHAT TO BUY IN JULY
It’s officially summer! As the temperatures heat up, you might feel like escaping into the air conditioning at your favorite mall to shop. A great time to do that is over the July 4th long weekend, when most retailers will have items on sale. The deals can be substantial, particularly on large appliances, mattresses, and outdoor gear.
Amazon Prime Day also occurs in mid-July. It’s become Amazon’s biggest sale day of the year—even more significant than Black Friday, Cyber Monday, or Amazon’s second Prime Day in October. You’ll find hundreds of thousands of deals on everything from Amazon devices to beauty deals from indie brands sold on Amazon.
Not to be outdone, countless retailers will launch sales – sometimes called ‘Black Friday in July’ or ‘Holiday in July’ sales, so expect to see generous discounts from retailers like Walmart, Target, Kohl’s, and Best Buy.
The Nordstrom Anniversary Sale also offers excellent deals on mid to high-end apparel, accessories, and beauty brands.
You’ll see a smattering of early Back-to-School sales later in the month at a variety of retailers. My advice? Only buy Back-to-School items for discounts of 20 percent or more or if there’s an item that you fear might sell out. Discounts, in general, will be deeper in August.
WHAT TO BUY IN AUGUST
If you haven’t started your school shopping yet, no worries! This month, you can find the best deals on binders, backpacks, and lunch bags.
No school-aged kids? Use those Back-to-School deals to spruce up the home office.
When it comes to school clothes, try to focus on warmer-weather clothing. As retailers prepare for the influx of fall merchandise, you’ll find clearance-level deals. You’ll see a smattering of fall clothing, but the prices will be better in late September and October. Because of this, try to save a bit of your Back-to-School budget for after school starts. Your kids can check out what other kids are wearing and decide who they want to be this year.
Look for deals on patio furniture and grills closer to the end of the month. Sales typically heat up around Labor Day, but summer clearance deals are worth a look.
What to buy in September and October
WHAT TO BUY IN SEPTEMBER
September is one of those months with lots of deals, but be prepared—the best time to shop is early, around Labor Day weekend.
We’ll see amazing sales on outdoor gear and entertaining, mattresses, small electronics, and even Back-to-School clearance (although, the pickings will be slim).
Note that if you need electronics, such as laptops, tablets, and printers, for your kids (or for yourself), this could be the last time you’ll see sales in this category before Black Friday and Cyber Monday.
Later in the month, there will be sales on fall clothing, but the discounts will be deeper and broader in October.
WHAT TO BUY IN OCTOBER
Thanks to Amazon’s second Prime Day sale and competitive sales from other retailers, October has become the unofficial kickoff to the holiday shopping season. If you can think about holiday shopping this early, start building your gift list and keep your eyes peeled for related deals.
This month is also a good time to replace those worn sneakers. Every year, we see lots of sales on footwear, so it might be time to treat yourself to some new kicks. These deals are prevalent around Columbus Day weekend.
The Home category is also a good bet this month. We’ll see deals on everything from bed and bath and lighting to cooking and serving essentials, so it’s a perfect time to spruce up the house and prepare for the holidays.
While car sales are not my area of expertise, experts say October is a great time for car shopping.
And Halloween! If you have a specific costume (or sweet treat) in mind, you’ll want to grab it early, even if it’s not on sale, because some popular options might sell out. The closer we get to Halloween, the deeper the discounts on costumes and candy will be, but the selection will be thinner.
What to buy in November and December
WHAT TO BUY IN NOVEMBER
You may not be in the holiday spirit yet, but “Black November” is here, which means sales and deals galore. Everywhere you turn, you’ll see promotional announcements from every retailer imaginable.
Those announcements and the depth of the discounts will snowball as the month progresses. The finale will be Black Friday and Cyber Monday.
A note: the sheer number of sales can be overwhelming, causing us to purchase unnecessary items. To stay on track, make your gift list, set your budget, and focus on the categories that will be the most deeply discounted this month, such as fall apparel clearance sales, beauty products, small kitchen appliances, and electronics, such as laptops, TVs, and gaming consoles.
WHAT TO BUY IN DECEMBER
It’s holiday crunch time! Hopefully, you scored great deals over Black Friday and Cyber Monday, but you probably have a few stragglers on your gift list.
Or perhaps you haven’t begun? In either case, there’s no need to despair. Despite having those big shopping days in the rearview mirror, December can be a great time to shop. This month, we often see sales on outerwear – which is counterintuitive because we’re still a bit early in the winter season, but we see pre-holiday sales in this category year after year.
This month, holiday-themed merchandise, gift sets, toys & games, and gift cards will be discounted. And for gift cards specifically, some retailers will offer promotions around them – like buy X and get a free $10 gift card – and you can also use a platform like GiftCardGranny, which has gift cards from thousands of retailers. Sometimes, there will even be a discount or cash-back offer at GiftCardGranny, so bookmark their site. We’ll see sales galore throughout the month, but the days to look out for are Free Shipping Day, mid-month, and Super Saturday, the Saturday before Christmas. And don’t forget post-Christmas sales if you want something for yourself!
