While summer doesn’t officially end until September 22, 2018, Labor Day is often considered the last unofficial day of the season. Many retailers hold their final summer sale around Labor Day, giving them an opportunity to offload summer-related items before the end of the season.
Specific product categories usually go on sale at the end of summer. This means savvy shoppers can find great summer sale bargains on a range of household goods, clothing, and even back-to-school items.
Understanding which categories are typically part of the last summer sale of the year can help you save big at the checkout counter, even when you shop online. If you are ready to scoop up a bargain, here are some items that usually go on sale this time of year.
Mattresses
Mattress sales often coincide with major holidays, and Labor Day is no exception. Large chain retailers typically make multiple mattress brands and styles available at discount prices as part of their last summer sale. This includes mattress-specific chains as well as department stores that sell mattresses.
Additionally, online-only stores like Overstock also reduce prices on mattresses this time of year. This increases the amount of competition, so the discounts can be very large. In some cases, you may find discounts at or above 50 percent, so keep your eyes open if you need a new mattress.
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Outdoor Furniture and Grills
Most people purchase patio furniture and grills near the end of spring and beginning of summer. Since the barbecue season is coming to a close, retailers want to get these items out of their inventory as quickly as possible.
Summer sales often include discounts on outdoor furniture, grills, and even gardening tools. Swing sets and outdoor play equipment also have lower prices. If you need to replace any of these goods or want to prepare for next summer, buying these items now can help you save big.
Household Appliances
Another category that typically goes on sale near Labor Day is major appliances. This includes items like refrigerators, ovens, and even washers and dryers.
Stores like Best Buy, Lowe’s, Sears, and Home Depot commonly have substantial appliance sales near the end of summer. Discounts can reach 30 percent off or higher, and you may even get free delivery and removal of your old appliance.
Cars, Trucks, and SUVs
End of summer sales are also common at auto dealerships. Usually, the new model year hits car dealer lots in the fall, so they want to get rid of any older models before the new ones arrive.
For example, the 2019 cars, trucks, and SUVs will start becoming available at dealerships in the fall of 2018. This means you may find great deals on new 2018 and even remaining new 2017 vehicles as part of a summer sale.
If you really want to score a deal, also shop for a new car at the end of the month and later in the day. Usually, salespeople are working to meet their monthly sales quotas as the month closes and may be more willing to reduce a vehicles price near the end of the day so that they can finish up the deal and head home.
Televisions
While the biggest TV sales usually happen in November, some retailers begin making room for the new model year as early as September. This means you can find discounted televisions as electronics retailers and department stores, making it a decent time to shop for a TV.
However, if you want to score a real bargain, you may need to wait until October or November. Just keep in mind that Black Friday competition can be fierce for electronics, so you can always take advantage of sale prices now if you want to avoid the hassle.
Warm Weather Clothing and Shoes
Since cooler weather is on the horizon, you can find great discounts on summer attire. Stores are working to clear summer clothing and shoes out of the inventory, ensuring they have room for fall items.
Tank tops, shorts, summer t-shirts, sandals, bathing suits, and similar items might be available as either part of a summer sale or on clearance racks. Either way, you can purchase a number of items at great prices.
If you want to make the most of these bargains, look for shirts that can be layered under fall jackets, cardigans, or flannels. Then, you can keep using these pieces even when the weather begins to turn.
Additionally, you can always buy shoes and clothing for next summer, letting you save money now while building a great summer 2019 wardrobe. Just make sure, if you are shopping for your children, that you consider buying larger sizes than they need today. That way, if they have a growth spirt, everything will still fit.
Office and Back-to-School Supplies
Since school is either in session or will be soon, many retailers are starting to put office and back-to-school items on sale at the end of summer. This can include anything from pens and pencils to computers and printers, so keep your eyes open for bargains.
It is important to note that office and back-to-school supplies might not be at their cheapest yet, as they might not go on clearance until early fall. However, there could still be great deals to be had, and you’ll have a better selection than if you wait.
Wine
One category that typically goes on sale at the end of summer that may surprise you is wine. Often, wine retailers are preparing for the new harvest to come in, so they may discount select wines to make room.
Check at your local retailers, liquor stores, and even wineries to see if they are holding a sale. Discounts can vary, and not everyone offers one, but you may be able to save 20 percent or more on your favorite wines.
Exterior Paint
Most people complete outside painting projects during the summer. As temperatures cool, many exteriors paints go on sale, allowing you to save big if you need to repaint your house, fence, or outdoor furniture.
Home improvement stores, paint retailers, and even department stores like Walmart may have a summer sale on paint, so consider shopping around if you really want to find a bargain.
iPhones
Usually, the announcement of the newest iteration of the iPhone comes out in the early fall. This means you can get the current model for less near the end of summer because cell phone retailers are preparing for the new model.
Once a new iPhone model goes on sale, the previous version is always discounted since it is no longer the latest and greatest option. As long as you are okay with being a model year behind, you can save big by purchasing the device after the announcement.
Ultimately, end of summer sales are a great time to find bargains in all of the categories above. If you want to save big, start keeping your eyes open for sale flyers, particularly as Labor Day approaches.
Do you know about any other great summer sales? If so, let us know in the comments below.
Looking for more great articles about shopping bargains? Check out these articles:
- Smart Shopping: How to Save Money on Groceries
- How to Save Money While Shopping Online
- Does Shopping at Aldi Save Money?
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Tamila McDonald is a U.S. Army veteran with 20 years of service, including five years as a military financial advisor. After retiring from the Army, she spent eight years as an AFCPE-certified personal financial advisor for wounded warriors and their families. Now she writes about personal finance and benefits programs for numerous financial websites.
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