The sun is setting earlier and the first few leaves are starting to change color. Whether you're ready to say goodbye to summer or you're squeezing out every last drop of the season, one thing is for certain: End-of-summer sales are almost here.
As Labor Day nears, many retailers will drop prices on home furnishings, outdoor entertaining essentials and decor. By shopping smart, you can maximize your savings on home essentials across categories.
Ready to save money while sprucing up your space? Keep reading to learn key details about this year's late summer sales. We'll also share pointers on which categories to shop, plus tips to get the lowest prices possible.
What Are End-of-Summer Sales?
Budget-conscious shoppers know that the end of the season can be a great time to score deals—especially as summer starts to wind down. When retailers begin preparing for fall and winter, they need to clear out their summer inventory. This often translates into steep discounts for consumers.
By shopping strategically during end-of-summer sales, you can find low prices on items you'll need for your home next summer, and even on versatile items you'll use all year long.
Common Summer Sale Items
At the end of the season, keep your eyes peeled for fire-sale prices on summer gear—think pool accessories, outdoor entertaining essentials and seasonal home decor. You'll also find summer clothing, swimsuits, sandals and accessories in the clearance section at apparel retailers. Now is generally not the time to find savings on holiday decor or cold-weather essentials.
Beyond summer-centric clearance items, Labor Day also brings sales across the following categories:
Mattresses
If you've been meaning to upgrade your mattress, plan your purchase around Labor Day, when many brands drop prices on different models.1 Pro tip: Do your homework ahead of time to learn what type of mattress is right for you so you're ready to buy when you spot a deal. Mattresses are made with many different materials and offer varying levels of firmness, so the model that's right for you might not be the one with the most five-star reviews online. Late summer is also a good time to shop for clearance bedding: Lightweight sheets and comforters often move to the clearance section at the end of summer.
Outdoor furniture
Plan ahead for next year's backyard barbecues and buy outdoor furniture as it moves to the clearance section. At the end of summer, you'll likely find patio sets, umbrellas, lawn chairs and other warm-weather lounging necessities on sale. Late summer is also the perfect time to shop for a new grill on sale.
Appliances
Labor Day ushers in significant savings on appliances at many home improvement stores. Kitchen and laundry appliances—including refrigerators, cooktops, hood vents, dishwashers, washing machines and dryers—often go on sale at Labor Day. You can potentially save upwards of $1,000 by purchasing multiple appliances from the same manufacturer.2
Furniture
There's good news if you're ready to upgrade your sofa or splurge on a comfy recliner: Labor Day is known for bringing major discounts on furniture. Both online retailers and brick-and-mortar chains tend to drop prices around the holiday weekend.3 Take stock of your space to see if you could also use new lamps, desks, chairs or dining furniture before they go on sale.
Tips To Score the Best End-of-Summer Sales
If you don't have a game plan, late summer sales can feel overwhelming. Follow these tips to craft a strategy for effective shopping this Labor Day weekend.
1. Take stock of your needs
It's easy to feel like a kid in a candy store while wandering the clearance sections of your favorite stores. That's why it's important to narrow your focus on the items you need most before you head to the store or browse online. Create a list of your top priorities before you shop. Maybe you need a new mattress or a set of Adirondack chairs for next summer. Keep your list on hand, whether you shop at the store or online. This will help you stay focused and avoid tempting distractions, which can add up quickly.
2. Research sales in advance
Many retailers publicize their sales in the days and weeks leading up to Labor Day. Sign up for marketing emails, follow your favorite brands on social media or check local ads to keep tabs on which sales are coming.
And remember to focus your Labor Day shopping list on items for next season. By thinking in advance about next summer, you can snag the best deals and avoid paying top dollar for trending and timely items, like fall fashion or holiday decor.
3. Stack coupons and loyalty benefits
The marked sale price might not be the lowest price you can get on that must-have item. See if the retailer offers any additional coupons or promotions that you can stack on top of the sale price.
If you're shopping online, a browser extension like Honey can scour the web for promo codes to ensure you're getting the best price. You can also use price tracking tools like camelcamelcamel, which shows historical pricing data on Amazon listings to let you see if you're getting the best price. If you're shopping at a store with a loyalty program, make sure you're earning points on your purchase. Check to see if you have loyalty perks to redeem, like birthday coupons or other rewards.
4. Use credit card promotions
Some credit cards offer opportunities to earn extra cash back and other perks on purchases from participating retailers. Take a look at any promotions your credit card is currently offering—you might find extra savings with specific retailers, which could impact where you do your shopping. If you're a Synchrony HOME™ Credit Cardholder, check out the offers available from Synchrony HOME retail partners.
5. Check each item before you check out
It can be satisfying to shop from a clearance section with bargain-bin prices, but don't let the discount distract you from defects or quality issues. Many clearance items have been tossed around or previously returned. Plus, you may not be able to return a clearance purchase after bringing it home. Inspect clothing, decor and other items to make sure they're clean, functional and not damaged beyond repair.
Maximize Your Savings During This Year's Summer Sales
It can be satisfying to shop from a clearance section with bargain-bin prices, but don't let the discount distract you from defects or quality issues. Many clearance items have been tossed around or previously returned. Plus, you may not be able to return a clearance purchase after bringing it home. Inspect clothing, decor and other items to make sure they're clean, functional and not damaged beyond repair.
You may also like
1. McHone, M. Last-Chance Labor Day Deals and Sales You Won't Want to Miss. CNET. Published Sept. 4, 2023. Accessed May 1, 2024.
2. Boyers, L., Core, K. and Dritsas, D. Best Labor Day Sales 2023. U.S. News & World Report. Published Aug. 29, 2023. Accessed May 1, 2024.
3. Lee, A. and Owen, E. 43 Best Labor Day Furniture Sales and Decor Deals We're Shopping This Weekend. Architectural Digest. Published Sept. 1, 2023. Accessed May 1, 2024.
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