When Products Actually Go on Sale Throughout the Year
As a strategic shopper, timing your purchases can make a big difference in how much you save. While there are sales and promotions happening year-round, certain product categories tend to see deeper discounts during specific times of the year. In this comprehensive guide, we'll reveal the best months to buy everything from winter coats to TVs, so you can plan your shopping accordingly.
January: Winter Clearance, Fitness, and Bedding
The start of the new year is a prime time for finding deals on winter apparel and gear. Retailers are looking to clear out old inventory to make room for spring merchandise, so you can expect to see steep discounts on coats, boots, and holiday decor - sometimes up to 70% off. This is also when fitness equipment like treadmills and exercise bikes tend to go on sale, as people rush to fulfill their New Year's resolutions. Additionally, January is known for "white sales," where bedding, towels, and other linens are heavily discounted.
Pro Tip: Avoid buying winter coats and boots in the middle of winter when demand is high. Stock up at the end of the season instead.
February: TVs, Winter Apparel, and Post-Valentine's Candy
In the weeks leading up to the Super Bowl, retailers offer deep discounts on TVs to entice shoppers. You can typically find 4K and smart TVs at their lowest prices of the year. February is also a great time to find clearance deals on winter apparel, as stores make room for spring fashion. And if you have a sweet tooth, you'll find significant markdowns on chocolate and candy right after Valentine's Day.
Pro Tip: Wait until after Valentine's Day to buy chocolates and other seasonal candy - you can score them for 50% off or more.
March: Luggage, Frozen Foods, and Winter Sports Gear
As spring break approaches, luggage and travel accessories tend to go on sale. Retailers know that people are gearing up for their vacations, so they offer discounts to stay competitive. March is also National Frozen Food Month, which means you'll find sales and promotions on frozen foods and meal kits. And with the winter sports season winding down, you can find steep discounts on skis, snowboards, and other cold-weather equipment.
Pro Tip: Avoid buying new luggage right before your trip - buy it a few months in advance when prices are lower.
April: Vacuum Cleaners, Cookware, and Rain Gear
Spring cleaning season is in full swing by April, so you can expect to see sales on vacuum cleaners and other cleaning supplies. Cookware also tends to go on sale, as stores make room for new inventory. And with the arrival of spring showers, retailers offer discounts on rain jackets, umbrellas, and other wet-weather gear.
Pro Tip: Wait until the end of the season to buy rain gear - you'll find the best prices in the summer when demand is low.
May: Mattresses, Appliances, and Spring Apparel Clearance
Memorial Day weekend is a popular time for mattress sales, as retailers offer significant discounts to compete for customers. May is also a good month to find deals on major appliances, as new models start hitting the shelves. And as spring apparel makes way for summer fashion, you can find deep clearance sales on last season's clothing and accessories.
Pro Tip: Avoid buying mattresses and appliances in the summer when demand is higher - wait for holiday weekends like Memorial Day or Labor Day.
June: Tools, Summer Items, and Gym Memberships
Father's Day is in June, which means you'll find deals on tools, grills, and other dad-friendly items. This is also when summer merchandise starts hitting the shelves, so you can find early-season discounts on things like patio furniture, outdoor toys, and summer apparel. And as people look to get in shape for the warmer months, gym memberships may offer promotional rates or waived initiation fees.
Pro Tip: Wait until the end of summer to buy outdoor furniture and equipment - you'll find the best prices when demand is lower.
July: Summer Clearance, Furniture, and Amazon Prime Day
July marks the start of summer clearance season, with retailers offering deep discounts on seasonal items to make room for fall merchandise. This is a great time to find deals on summer clothing, patio furniture, and outdoor gear. July is also when Amazon Prime Day takes place, bringing massive sales across a wide range of product categories.
Pro Tip: Amazon Prime Day is a great time to score deals on electronics, smart home devices, and Amazon's own products.
August: Back-to-School, Summer Clearance, and Outdoor Furniture
As students prepare to head back to school, August is a prime time for finding deals on everything from laptops and backpacks to clothes and school supplies. This is also when you'll see the deepest discounts on remaining summer merchandise, as stores clear out the last of their seasonal inventory. And with summer winding down, outdoor furniture and equipment tend to see significant markdowns.
Pro Tip: Avoid buying back-to-school supplies right before the start of the school year - buy them earlier in the summer when prices are lower.
September: Grills, Bikes, and Final Summer Clearance
September is a transitional month, with retailers offering clearance sales on the last of their summer items while also introducing new fall and winter merchandise. This is a good time to find deals on grills, patio furniture, and outdoor equipment as stores make room for the upcoming season. You can also find discounts on bikes and other summer sports gear.
Pro Tip: Wait until the end of summer to buy grills and outdoor furniture - you'll find the best prices when demand is low.
October: Denim, Outdoor Gear, and Halloween Decor
As the weather turns cooler, retailers start offering deals on denim, jackets, and other fall apparel. October is also a great time to find discounts on outdoor gear and equipment, as stores clear out their summer inventory. And towards the end of the month, you can expect to see sales on Halloween decorations and costumes.
Pro Tip: Avoid buying Halloween items too early - wait until the last two weeks of October for the best prices.
November: Black Friday/Cyber Monday, Electronics, and TVs
November is the biggest shopping month of the year, with Black Friday and Cyber Monday offering some of the deepest discounts across all product categories. This is the best time to score deals on electronics, appliances, and other big-ticket items. TVs, in particular, tend to see their lowest prices of the year during this period.
Pro Tip: Make a list of the items you want and track their prices leading up to Black Friday to ensure you're getting the best deal.
December: Toys, Gift Wrap, and End-of-Year Car Deals
Early December is a prime time to find deals on toys, as retailers try to clear out inventory before the holiday rush. However, towards the end of the month, you'll see deep discounts on gift wrap, decorations, and other holiday-related items. And if you're in the market for a new car, December can be a great time to negotiate, as dealers are eager to meet their end-of-year sales goals.
Pro Tip: Wait until after Christmas to buy gift wrap, cards, and other holiday decor - you can find them for 50% off or more.
Best Times to Buy: A Quick Reference
- Winter apparel and gear: January
- Fitness equipment: January
- Bedding and linens: January
- TVs: February
- Chocolate and candy: February
- Luggage: March
- Frozen foods: March
- Vacuum cleaners: April
- Mattresses: May
- Appliances: May
- Tools: June
- Outdoor furniture and equipment: August/September
- Back-to-school supplies: August
- Grills and outdoor gear: September
- Denim and fall apparel: October
- Electronics and TVs: November
- Toys: Early December
- Holiday decor: Late December
By planning your purchases around these seasonal trends, you can save a significant amount of money throughout the year. And don't forget to check our daily deals page to stay up-to-date on the latest sales and promotions. Happy shopping!
