Labor Day 2024: What to Buy and What to Skip During the Long Weekend Sales
Labor Day is just around the corner, signaling the end of summer with a long weekend perfect for beach trips, barbecues, and some serious shopping. As one of the biggest shopping holidays of the year, Labor Day offers consumers a chance to snag great deals on a variety of items. A recent survey revealed that shoppers plan to spend an average of $354 during Labor Day 2024, focusing on essentials like food, clothing, home appliances, and electronics. But not all sales are created equal. With five years of experience covering deals, I’ve learned that some sales are worth jumping on, while others are best left for later in the year. In this guide, we’ll break down what you should buy and what to skip this Labor Day, along with tips to maximize your savings.
What to Buy During Labor Day Sales
Labor Day marks the unofficial end of summer, which means retailers are eager to clear out their summer inventory to make room for fall and winter items. This creates an excellent opportunity to score discounts on warm-weather merchandise. Look for significant markdowns on grills, outdoor furniture, and summer clothing. Grills, in particular, can be found at up to 50% off, making it the perfect time to invest in a new barbecue setup for next year. Outdoor essentials like lights, rugs, and umbrellas will also be heavily discounted. Additionally, summer clothing, including shorts, bathing suits, and sundresses, will see price cuts as retailers clear their racks. Department stores, in particular, offer steep discounts on these items, so it’s wise to shop now for next summer.
Home and kitchen appliances are another category where you’ll find substantial savings. Labor Day often brings discounts of up to 40% on big-ticket items like washing machines, dryers, and dishwashers. These appliances tend to be on sale as retailers make room for newer models released in the fall. You might also find deals on furniture and mattresses, with some retailers offering free pillows or bed frames with your purchase. If you’re in the market for a new mattress, look for promotions like “king-for-a-queen” specials, which can stretch your budget further. While Black Friday is known for its tech deals, Labor Day can also be a good time to buy laptops, tablets, and monitors, especially as these sales often overlap with back-to-school promotions.
What Labor Day Sales to Skip
While Labor Day offers plenty of good deals, some items are best left for later in the year. With Black Friday and Cyber Monday just a few months away, it’s wise to hold off on buying tech items like headphones, TVs, and speakers. These items typically see their lowest prices during the Black Friday shopping period, making it worth the wait. Additionally, toys and video games are better purchased closer to the holiday season when retailers offer steep discounts to attract holiday shoppers. If you’re looking for fall apparel, it’s also a good idea to wait. Fall clothing and shoes are often sold at their highest prices during early autumn, and better discounts can be found during Black Friday or end-of-season sales in December and January. Waiting a few months will give you access to more options and deeper discounts on cold-weather styles like sweaters, jeans, and boots.
When Do Labor Day Sales Start and End?
Labor Day sales typically kick off about two weeks before the holiday, with many promotions already live by late August. While the majority of retailers offer consistent discounts throughout the sale period, some, particularly those selling home-related items like mattresses, reserve their best deals for the long holiday weekend itself. Shopping early is beneficial if you’re targeting items on summer clearance since you’ll have more inventory and size options to choose from. However, waiting until the weekend when all discounts are live allows for better price comparisons between retailers, ensuring you get the best deal. Most Labor Day sales end either on the holiday itself or the day after, so be sure to act quickly to take advantage of the deals.