Labor Day is the unofficial end of summer, marking many people’s last dip in the pool, trip to the beach or barbecue on a “school night.” For retailers, however, it’s a reset button, says Stephanie Carls, a retail insights expert at RetailMeNot. The holiday weekend is their opportunity to slash prices on products across categories in hopes that customers will clear shelves, making room for fall and winter inventory.
This year, Labor Day sales are particularly lucrative for shoppers. Retailers are grappling with how to pay increased tariffs, and experts I spoke to say many will likely raise prices on consumer goods in the fall. That means Labor Day may be your last chance to buy products at their pre-tariff prices, says Carls.
To help you decide what to buy and what to skip during Labor Day sales (many of which have already started), I put together this shopping guide filled with expert tips and my own insights after covering deals for over five years.
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Experts say the best Labor Day deals center around three categories, which I broke down below and included examples of discounts currently available. All products I recommend are at least 20% off and highly rated.
Summer clearance
Retailers want to get rid of as much summer fashion, outdoor equipment, patio furniture, gardening supplies and grills as possible to make room for fall and winter inventory, says Vipin Porwal, the CEO and a consumer savings expert at Smarty. They clear shelves during Labor Day by offering deep discounts on anything related to the warm weather. For example, in years past, some grills have been up to 50% off at Ace Hardware, Home Depot, Lowe’s and Walmart, says Carls. Big box and home improvement stores tend to have the most robust summer clearance sales during Labor Day, but smaller retailers slash prices, too.
Because summer products are so deeply discounted during Labor Day, they often sell out — plus, many items are almost out of stock by the end of the season. If you have your eye on a specific style, color or size, add it to your cart and check out quickly, says Porwal.
Big-ticket home and kitchen appliances
Three-day holiday weekends like Labor Day are known for their discounts on major home and kitchen appliances like ovens, ranges, washers and dryers. While there are numerous worthwhile deals on individual products, you may unlock extra discounts or rebates if you’re bundling appliances, like a dishwasher and a refrigerator, says Carls. She also recommends looking for delivery perks, including free shipping, installation and haul-away services.
Mattresses, bedding and furniture
Mattress and bedding deals are guaranteed during three-day holiday weekends, and companies like Mattress Firm, Casper, Purple, Brooklinen and Sleep Number are already offering some of their lowest prices of the year. Stores usually throw in a free gift with purchase, like pillows and bedding, or offer free haul-away and white-glove delivery services if you buy during the holiday weekend. You’ll also find strong discounts on furniture and home decor like couches, rugs, coffee tables and indoor dining sets.
You won’t see great sales in the following categories until later this year.
- Tech: Wait until Black Friday sales to buy TVs, personal tech, computers and mobile devices like phones, says Carls.
- Fall fashion: Don’t buy cold-weather apparel like jackets, boots and jeans until late September and October, says Porwal. Prices are the highest right now since the season is just getting started, and they won’t come down for a few more weeks.
- Toys and video games: The best discounts of the year on toys and video games happen around Black Friday and during December because people often buy these products as gifts, says Porwal.
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Yes, tariffs are impacting Labor Day sales. “Last year, some categories dipped 30 to 40%, but this year, many are topping out close to 20 to 25%,” says Carls. That means you might need to rethink your savings strategy to make up for weaker discounts. Porwal recommends putting more effort into stacking savings, which means combining retailers’ deals with additional coupons and promo codes, enrolling in cash back and loyalty programs, and paying with credit cards that let you earn points or cash back as you shop. “It’s less about one big slash and more about stacking smaller wins,” says Carls.
While tariffs may be causing retailers to offer softer Labor Day discounts compared to years past, sales are still absolutely worth shopping. On top of the tariffs that are already live, there’s a new round set to go into effect on Aug. 29. These additional duties will put more financial strain on retailers, many of whom have been absorbing costs since earlier this year to keep costs steady and spare customers. Brands may now be forced to raise prices this fall, especially as they restock their warehouses for the holiday season and have to import items, says Carls. Overall, Labor Day may be your last chance to “tariff-proof,” or buy products ahead of anticipated price increases, says Porwal.
- Go in with a plan: Make a list of everything you want to buy ahead of time. Keep your wish list nearby while shopping to constantly check in, making sure you stay on track and avoid impulse purchases.
- Set a budget: Before you scroll or walk into a store, decide on a specific dollar amount that you don’t want to go over. “Labor Day is the kind of sale where one throw pillow suddenly turns into an entire living room,” says Carls.
- Stack savings: Prioritize shopping at retailers that participate in cash back programs, and consider paying with credit cards that you can earn points or cash back from. Combining those rewards with the retailers’ actual deals, coupons and promo codes helps you save more.
- Compare prices: Almost every brand and retailer hosts Labor Day sales, so compare prices (and shipping fees if you’re shopping online) to figure out who has the lowest ones. Porwal says comparing prices is most helpful when the majority of retailers’ Labor Day sales are live, which should be by Friday, Aug. 29.
- Sign up for brands’ newsletters and SMS lists: Companies keep shoppers updated about new price drops, limited-time deals, exclusive promo codes and early access to sales through newsletters and text programs, as well as their social media platforms.
- Use store-wide discounts: If you’re shopping at a department or big-box store, you’re likely filling your cart with products across categories. Some offer store-wide discounts, which can help you save on products that might not be on sale individually elsewhere, says Porwal.
- Look for bundles: Bundles of products are typically more discounted than each item would be if you bought them individually, says Carls. During Labor Day, you’ll find appliance bundles, like a washer and dryer, and tech bundles, like a laptop and an external storage drive, for example.
- Familiarize yourself with return policies: Most retailers don’t have special return policies during sales, but double-check to make sure. If something is a final sale, a retailer usually explicitly tells you.
At NBC Select, we work with experts who have specialized knowledge and authority based on relevant training and/or experience. We also ensure that all expert advice and recommendations are made independently and without undisclosed financial conflicts of interest.
- Vipin Porwal is the CEO and a consumer savings expert at Smarty.
- Stephanie Carls is a retail insights expert at RetailMeNot.
I’m a reporter at NBC Select who has covered deals and sales for over five years. I’ve covered events like Labor Day, Amazon Prime Day, Black Friday and Cyber Monday. To write this article, I interviewed two experts about what to buy and skip while shopping Labor Day sales, and how to save the most money during the holiday weekend.
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