12 Weird Times of Year to Score the Best Deals
Everyone knows about Black Friday and end-of-season clearances, but what about National Donut Day deals or the secret mattress sales that happen every April? While most shoppers wait for the obvious sales events, savvy bargain hunters know that some of the best deals happen during unexpected times of the year.
Retailers follow predictable patterns based on industry cycles, seasonal inventory changes, and consumer behavior. When you understand these patterns, you can time your purchases to save 30-70% on everything from winter coats to grilling equipment. The key is knowing when to buy what – and some of these timing tricks might surprise you.
Ready to transform your shopping strategy? Here’s your month-by-month guide to scoring amazing deals when everyone else is paying full price.
January: Fitness Equipment & Home Organization
The post-New Year fitness rush creates a perfect storm for deals on exercise equipment. Retailers stock up heavily in December, anticipating the holiday rush, and then need to clear inventory by February to make room for spring merchandise.
Gym memberships hit rock bottom prices as fitness centers compete for new members. Many offer no enrollment fees, discounted monthly rates, or complimentary personal training sessions. Home fitness equipment, such as treadmills, weights, and yoga mats, see markdowns of 40-60%.
Organization supplies also hit their lowest prices in January. After the holiday gift influx, everyone’s thinking about decluttering and organizing their homes. Storage bins, closet organizers, and label makers go on deep discount.
Best January deals:
- Gym memberships and fitness classes
- Home exercise equipment
- Storage and organization supplies
- Winter sports equipment (ski gear, snowboards)
Quick tip: Wait until the third week of January, when initial New Year enthusiasm wanes and retailers get more aggressive with pricing.
February: Winter Clothing & Valentine’s Candy
February seems like an odd time for clothing deals, but it’s when winter items hit their lowest prices. Retailers need to clear coat racks and boot displays to make room for spring inventory arriving in March.
Winter coats, boots, scarves, and gloves often see markdowns of 50-80%. This is the perfect time to buy next year’s winter wardrobe or pick up quality pieces for upcoming trips to colder climates.
The day after Valentine’s Day turns candy aisles into a bargain hunter’s paradise. Heart-shaped chocolates, themed packaging, and seasonal treats drop to 50-75% off their original prices. Stock up for baking, future gift-giving, or just treating yourself.
Best February deals:
- Winter coats and outerwear
- Boots and cold-weather accessories
- Valentine’s candy and chocolate
- Space heaters and winter appliances
Quick tip: Check multiple stores on February 15th – some mark down Valentine’s items by 75% immediately, while others wait a few days.
March: Luggage & Travel Gear
Spring break season drives luggage sales, but it also creates competition among retailers. March sees some of the year’s best deals on suitcases, travel accessories, and vacation gear as stores try to capture early travelers.
Many people receive tax refunds in March and start planning summer vacations, making this a prime time for travel-related promotions. Luggage sets, travel pillows, portable chargers, and travel-sized toiletries all see significant discounts.
Ski season winds down in March, creating clearance opportunities on winter sports equipment. If you’re planning a late-season trip or want to gear up for next year, March offers excellent savings on skis, snowboards, and winter sporting goods.
Best March deals:
- Luggage and travel accessories
- Ski equipment and winter sports gear
- Travel-sized toiletries and accessories
- Spring break clothing and swimwear
Quick tip: Sign up for travel retailer newsletters in February to get early access to March sales.
April: Spring Cleaning Supplies & Garden Gear
April’s association with spring cleaning creates a retail opportunity for cleaning product manufacturers. Vacuum cleaners, carpet cleaners, and cleaning supplies hit promotional pricing as brands capitalize on the seasonal cleaning motivation.
Garden centers launch their spring promotions in April, offering deals on tools, planters, and early-season plants. This is the time to grab gardening supplies before peak season pricing kicks in. Many nurseries offer early-bird discounts to get gardeners shopping before the busy May rush.
While you may see some mattress promotions in April, the most significant mattress sales happen during major federal holidays. Presidents’ Day in February, Memorial Day in May, Labor Day in September, and Black Friday offer the most reliable deep discounts on mattresses and bedding.
Best April deals:
- Vacuum cleaners and carpet cleaners
- Cleaning supplies and tools
- Garden tools and planters
- Lawn mowers and yard equipment
Quick tip: Create a spring cleaning checklist in March so you’re ready to grab the right supplies when April sales hit.
May: Grilling Equipment & Outdoor Furniture
Memorial Day weekend marks the start of outdoor living season, but the best deals often come in the weeks leading up to the holiday. Retailers start promoting grills, patio furniture, and outdoor decor in early May to capture early-bird shoppers.
Grilling equipment sees major markdowns as manufacturers and retailers push last year’s models to make room for new designs. Gas grills, charcoal smokers, and grilling accessories can be found at 30-50% off regular prices.
Patio furniture also hits promotional pricing in May. Sets from the previous year get cleared out, and new collections launch with introductory pricing. This is prime time for outdoor dining sets, lounge chairs, and umbrellas.
Best May deals:
- Grills and outdoor cooking equipment
- Patio furniture and outdoor decor
- Lawn mowers and yard equipment
- Memorial Day travel packages
Quick tip: Shop the Tuesday after Memorial Day for additional markdowns on items that didn’t sell during the holiday weekend.
June: Tools & Father’s Day Deals
Father’s Day drives reliable tool sales and promotions throughout June. Hardware stores and home improvement retailers offer significant discounts on power tools, tool sets, and workshop equipment. These deals often extend beyond Father’s Day weekend, making June one of the best months for DIY enthusiasts.
Outdoor equipment also sees promotions in June as retailers push lawn care and outdoor maintenance tools. Pressure washers, lawn mowers, and garden tools benefit from the Father’s Day marketing push.
While wedding season is in full swing, deals on wedding-related items vary significantly by retailer. You might find some clearance on wedding supplies from retailers who over-ordered, but June isn’t a reliable month for wedding deal hunting since it’s peak season.
Best June deals:
- Tools and hardware
- Lawn care equipment
- Men’s clothing and accessories
- Outdoor maintenance gear
Quick tip: Shop the week after Father’s Day for additional markdowns on tools that didn’t sell during the holiday weekend.
July: Summer Clothes & Swimwear
July marks the beginning of summer clearance season as retailers make room for back-to-school and fall merchandise. Summer clothing, swimwear, and seasonal accessories start their descent to clearance prices.
Swimsuits, cover-ups, sandals, and summer dresses see markdowns of 40-70% as stores transition their focus to fall fashion. This timing works perfectly for late summer vacations or next year’s warm-weather wardrobe.
Air conditioners and cooling appliances also hit promotional pricing in July as demand peaks and retailers compete for market share. Window units, portable ACs, and fans see their best deals during the hottest month.
Best July deals:
- Swimwear and beach accessories
- Summer clothing and sandals
- Air conditioners and fans
- Outdoor toys and games
Quick tip: Mid-July often offers the sweet spot between good selection and deep discounts on summer items.
August: School & Office Supplies
Back-to-school season creates the year’s best deals on office and school supplies – and you don’t need kids to benefit. Notebooks, pens, backpacks, and organizational supplies hit rock-bottom prices as retailers compete for student shoppers.
Electronics also see back-to-school promotions, with laptops, tablets, and accessories offered at educational pricing. Many retailers extend these deals to all customers, not just students.
Home office supplies benefit from back-to-school timing too. Desk organizers, filing systems, and computer accessories all participate in August’s supply sale bonanza.
Best August deals:
- Notebooks, pens, and school supplies
- Backpacks and lunch bags
- Electronics and computers
- Office furniture and organizers
Quick tip: Stock up on basics like pens and notebooks – these prices won’t be seen again until next August.
September: Bikes & Exercise Equipment
Labor Day weekend traditionally marks the end of summer, creating clearance opportunities on outdoor equipment. Bicycles, outdoor exercise gear, and seasonal sporting goods see significant markdowns.
September also brings a secondary fitness motivation wave as people return to routines after summer vacations. Fitness equipment retailers capitalize on this with promotions on everything from home gyms to running gear.
Grilling equipment sees a second wave of clearance pricing in September as retailers clear summer inventory. Late-season grill buyers can find excellent deals on models that didn’t sell during peak season.
Best September deals:
- Bicycles and outdoor exercise equipment
- Grills and outdoor cooking gear
- Summer sporting goods
- Lawn and garden clearance
Quick tip: September is perfect for buying outdoor equipment you’ll use next spring and summer.
October: Halloween Decor & Fall Items
November 1st transforms Halloween aisles into a bargain wonderland, but October also offers deals on fall-related items. Seasonal decorations, autumn clothing, and harvest-themed items start marking down before the holiday.
Halloween candy goes on clearance immediately after October 31st, with discounts reaching 70-90% within days. Stock up for next year’s trick-or-treaters or grab chocolate for holiday baking at a fraction of regular cost.
Fall clothing items like boots, sweaters, and jackets often see pre-winter promotions in October. Retailers want to move these items before heavy winter coats take over floor space.
Best October deals:
- Halloween candy and decorations
- Fall clothing and boots
- Autumn home decor
- Candy for holiday baking
Quick tip: Visit stores on November 1st for maximum Halloween markdowns, but shop on October 30th if you need items for immediate use.
November: Small Appliances & Electronics
Black Friday has expanded into a month-long event, creating deal opportunities throughout November. Small kitchen appliances are seeing some of their deepest discounts as retailers prepare for the holiday cooking season.
Electronics deals start appearing weeks before Black Friday as retailers compete for early shoppers. TVs, computers, and gadgets often see multiple price drops throughout the month.
Holiday cooking drives promotions on mixers, slow cookers, and specialty appliances. Even if you’re not hosting Thanksgiving, these tools make excellent additions to any kitchen at these prices.
Best November deals:
- Kitchen appliances and cookware
- Electronics and technology
- Holiday decorations
- Gift items and toys
Quick tip: Compare Black Friday ads with earlier November sales – sometimes the earlier deals are actually better.
December: Gift Cards & Next Year Planning
The week after Christmas creates unique savings opportunities. Gift cards often come with bonus incentives – buy $50, get $10 free – as retailers drive post-holiday traffic.
Holiday decorations hit clearance pricing immediately after Christmas, with discounts reaching 75-90%. Savvy shoppers stock up for next year’s celebrations at a fraction of the original cost.
End-of-year inventory clearances affect many categories as businesses prepare for new fiscal years. Everything from calendars to winter gear sees markdowns as retailers make room for fresh inventory.
Best December deals:
- Gift cards with bonus offers
- Christmas decorations and lights
- Winter clothing clearance
- Calendars and planners for next year
Quick tip: December 26th is the prime day for holiday clearance shopping, but selection diminishes quickly.
Your Strategic Shopping Action Plan
Now that you know when to buy what, here’s how to make the most of these opportunities:
Set up deal alerts. Use apps like Honey, Rakuten, or store-specific apps to get notified when items on your wishlist go on sale. Many retailers also offer price-matching, so having these alerts helps you catch the best deals across multiple stores.
Create a shopping calendar. Mark these key timeframes in your calendar with reminders about what to look for. Planning prevents impulse purchases and helps you budget for the items you need.
Don’t forget the major sales holidays. While this guide focuses on lesser-known timing opportunities, remember that Presidents’ Day, Memorial Day, Labor Day, and Black Friday still offer some of the year’s deepest discounts on big-ticket items like mattresses, appliances, and electronics.
Make your lists now. Instead of shopping reactively, create lists of items you need throughout the year. When October rolls around and you see those boot deals, you’ll know exactly what you’re looking for instead of wandering aimlessly through sales.
Final Thoughts on the Best Deals
The secret to successful strategic shopping isn’t just knowing when to buy – it’s being prepared when those opportunities arise. With this roadmap, you’ll never pay full price for seasonal items again.
Your wallet will thank you, and you’ll have the satisfaction of knowing you scored amazing deals while everyone else paid regular prices. Start planning your strategic shopping calendar today, and watch your savings add up month by month.