Labor Day sales have already started to pop up at some of our favorite retailers. The unofficial end to summer brings a ton of sales — from Amazon, Walmart and more — that bring some of our favorite all-time products to the best prices you can shop this side of Black Friday.
We here at Yahoo have already started scouring the internet to find all that you’ll need to know about the upcoming weekend, delving into price histories and price-comparing, to make sure you have all the information to best prepare to save the most money.
Here’s what you need to know about the upcoming savings event, plus some early sales you can take advantage of now.
When do Labor Day sales start?
Labor Day is on Monday, September 2, which means Labor Day weekend spans from Saturday, August 31 until then — the perfect bridge between the months. You can expect savings to start in the lead-up to the weekend, which can be anywhere from a few days to a few weeks before the actual holiday — like right around now.
What will be on sale for Labor Day?
If the holiday is anything like the last several years — a lot! We’ll reiterate some great advice Yahoo Life received from shopping expert Andrea Woroch for last year’s Labor Day weekend, which will be just as relevant this time around: “Long holiday weekends like Labor Day represent a good time to buy big-ticket items like mattresses and furniture. … Retailers selling these items are looking to maximize sales and know shoppers are more likely to browse and buy if there’s a deal available.” So, if you’re looking to save big on big buys, now is a great time to take advantage — keep an eye out for Labor Day mattress sales, tech, home goods and more.
Otherwise, you’ll also be able to snag some sweet deals on timely items, too, like summer clothes (to save for next year!), appliances, school and desk supplies, electronics and others. Plus, if you’ve still yet to upgrade your outdoor entertaining space, there’s no time like end-of-summer sales to make the most of every dollar while building out your barbecue, patio or porch area.
What to expect from your favorite retailers this Labor Day weekend
We anticipate a ton of deals events launching at a variety of retailers, including usual suspects Amazon, Walmart, Target, Kohl’s and more. Wayfair is always a good space to check for deals on home goods, and we wouldn’t be surprised if clothing and accessories retailers like Nordstrom, Macy’s, Old Navy, J.Crew, Zappos, Coach Outlet and more have massive markdowns going on, too.
How to find the best sales over Labor Day weekend
Aside from sticking with us to help guide you through the best savings across the ‘net, there are also a few hacks you can use to save even more over the holiday weekend. Woroch recommends using an app like Flipp to create a shopping plan. “Flipp helps you stay organized by allowing you to create a digital shopping list and clip deals directly to your shopping list,” she says, and notes that if you’re shopping online, you can also use the PriceBlink browser tool for instant price comparisons.
Coupons and promo codes are also important. “Many Labor Day sales will require that you apply a promo code to get the savings, or you may be able to sweeten your deal with additional money off by using a coupon,” Woroch says. “Check deal aggregators like CouponCabin.com, which organize Labor Day coupons all in one place, or search by store name to find deals quickly, including both online coupons and printable coupons.” The browser tool Sidekick is also a good option, as it automatically applies the best coupon with the biggest discount to your online cart.
Early Labor Day sales
Of course, there’s a lot happening around Labor Day sales (like back to school and autumn prep), and it can quickly feel overwhelming trying to hunt down the perfect deals. But have no fear — we’re here to help!
Though there are still a couple weeks to go until Labor Day weekend, we’ve put together some big buys already available to whet your savings appetite. Keep on scrolling for the best early mega markdowns.
Amazon
Never mind that it’s a previous-generation model: iPads hold their value, and this iteration is one of the best tablets you can buy, period — especially at this heavily discounted price. A price break of $130 is significant, but that markdown is even more eye-catching when you consider this model comes with 64GB of storage. This is the absolute lowest price on record for the 9th Generation iPad — we highly recommend grabbing it while it’s 40% off.
Wayfair
Adirondack chairs can get pricey — that’s why we pay attention when they go on sale for such a low price! This one is only 20 pounds so it’s easy to move around your backyard and patio. It folds up for easy storage during the colder months.
“Perfect chairs for outside by the fire pit. They were easy to put together, good quality and look great in our space,” said a thrilled shopper.
Walmart
If you want a Dyson, now would be a great time to snag one for less. This one is currently $121 off and features the brand’s Motorbar cleaner head, designed to avoid tangles while removing hair and fur from your floor. Plus, it’s cordless, can be turned into a handheld and boasts a whole-machine filtration system to trap airborne particles. This is as low as we’re currently seeing for a non-refurbished version of this model.
Check out our roundup of the best cordless stick vacuums to browse additional models.
Wayfair
Summer never ends if you have an outdoor heater and this propane-fueled pit for under $300 will provide all the heat you’ll need with ambiance to spare. As the evenings get cooler, this is essential for any outdoor entertainer. Its square body and natural wood finish add rustic charm.
“Perfect for cold fall nights and looks great,” said a fan. Added another: “This is perfect for our back porch when my husband and I want to sit outside and enjoy a glass of wine!”
Nordstrom
Shoppers at Nordstrom can’t stop raving about these flattering pants. More than 650 shoppers have given them five stars, and one customer called them “the only pants you’ll ever need.”
Designed with ‘Ab’Solution technology to shape, smooth and lift in all the right places, these skinny pants are just the right thickness to wear throughout the summer and fall without overheating. They’ll look cool and casual with white sneakers or you can dress them up with heeled sandals or ankle boots.
Walmart
This countertop multitasker from the celebrity chef doubles as an electric indoor grill and air fryer oven, with 6-in-1 capabilities, including baking, roasting, toasting, dehydrating and more. Most importantly, you can enjoy the goodness of the taste of grilled food without all the smoke that comes with an outdoor grill — the unit’s Smoke Extracting System removes virtually all the smoke from the scene, keeping it out of your kitchen and your airways. In addition to the Power Grill itself, you’ll also get a griddle pan, crisper basket and more.
Amazon
Whether you’re an AirPod newbie or a loyal fan who’s in the market for a new pair, here’s a deal worth checking out. These second-gen top-sellers have hundreds of thousands of perfect ratings, thanks to their clear, rich sound quality, 24-hour battery life and convenient cord-free design. Apple is one of those brands that’s so sought after, it doesn’t really need to have sales — so we’ll happily take a $40 discount!
Check out our roundup of the best wireless earbuds for more.
Amazon
A smart speaker can make a great addition to your nightstand, giving a morning news briefing, a nighttime meditation, some music while you’re getting dressed and so on. It’s all controlled by your voice and Amazon’s Alexa smart assistant. The Dot is fairly small, so it’s not the pick if you want big sound, but at $30 it’s a great deal on an incredibly versatile device.
Read our Echo Dot review to learn more.
Amazon
Ninja is an ever-dependable kitchen appliance brand, and this four-in-one air fryer (and more) will be a super-useful addition to any countertop. Sporting five quarts of space, the Air Fryer Pro not only air fries but also roast, reheats, and dehydrates, delivering a variety of yummy options without the need for any additional oil. You’ll even be able to fry up frozen foods in mere minutes to extra-crispy, extra-delicious results.
Amazon
Some of us just don’t love the feel of earbuds, and that’s where these top-rated wireless headphones come in. Equipped with comfy ear cushions for all-day listening, they provide an impressive 40 hours of battery life, and their Fast Fuel feature gives you three hours of playback on a five-minute charge when you’re low on juice.
Zappos
The brand beloved by celebs like Martha Stewart has given us a lot over the years, and one of the biggest fan favorites is their Arch Fit line of footwear. These cushy kicks have a removable cushioned insole that’s podiatrist-certified, so you know you’ll get the support you need. The insole also molds to your feet to distribute your weight evenly and keep you comfortable during any activity.
Crest
This comprehensive 3D White kit is the most popular tooth-whitening treatment on Amazon due to its pro-level, smile-brightening effects. The pack comes with 22 treatments, with one upper and one lower strip for each sesh. With the new “advanced seal technology,” these strips no longer slip, so you can drink water — and even talk — while using them. Just peel a strip off, apply it over your teeth, leave it for about 30-45 minutes and voila! You’ll start to notice a whiter smile in as little as three days, with the full effect taking place in about 20.
Amazon
Tired of dealing with a menagerie of remotes every time you want to watch TV? Stop the insanity with a Fire TV Stick — it can replace ’em all. You’ll be able to effortlessly switch between the news, sports, live TV and your favorite streaming platforms for easy access to millions of shows and movies; plus you’ll get a free 6-month subscription to MGM+ with your purchase. Grab it while it’s nearly 40% off.
Amazon
Real Housewives star Kyle Richards is a fan of this cute athletic top, which has a built-in sports bra and is made of moisture-wicking material. During an Amazon Live, she said, “This sports bra is great,” adding, “It holds everything in. You know when [sports bras] are either too thick or too thin? This is the perfect thickness.” Snag it while it’s within a few bucks of its lowest price all year.
The reviews quoted above reflect the most recent versions at the time of publication.