How to Shop End-of-Summer Sales Like a Pro

The end of summer can be a great time to stock up. Whether it’s clothing, furniture or appliances you’re looking for, these tips can help you get the most out of the end-of-summer sale season.

Know when end-of-summer sales start

Mark your calendars for those last days of summer and prepare to shop. Dates can differ depending on what you’re looking for, but end-of-summer sales typically start in late July or early August. Watch for emails or flyers from your favorite retailers letting you know that they’ve started. If you wait until September, prices may go down even more.

While many retailers offer end-of-summer discounts, there are a few categories that show up reliably every year. For example, the end of summer can be a great time to buy a new car: auto manufacturers sometimes lower prices as they prepare to roll out new cars, trucks and SUV models. Clothing also tends to go on deep discount, as do seasonal items, like outdoor furniture. As the summer season winds down, back-to-school sales start. To make room for new inventory retailers reduce summer clothing prices and outdoor items from lawn decor to patio sets go on sale. Finally, if you’re looking for household appliances, such as stoves or refrigerators, watch out for lower prices before newer appliance models roll out toward the end of the year.

Use a free browser extension

You can use a browser extension like Citi Shop^SM, which automatically searches behind the scenes for offers and coupons at thousands of online stores — exclusively for eligible Citi cardmembers. If a coupon code is found that applies to your purchase, it will be applied for instant savings at checkout. 

Citi Shop also searches for percent and amount back offers, so after you complete your purchase, you can receive a statement credit back to your enrolled Citi^® credit card.

Put together a list

Getting organized can streamline your shopping needs. Breaking your shopping into categories, such as school supplies, clothing and kitchen supplies can simplify your experience.

Once you have your list together, consider which retailers you’ll visit and whether you’ll shop online, in-store or a combination of the two.

Start shopping for the holidays

To get the best deals on holiday gifts, think about shopping during the summer. By making purchases in August and September, you can save on clothing, electronics, sports equipment and other gifts. Then, just pack your gifts away and wait for the holidays. Plus, shopping early means you can avoid the holiday rush.

Think about what will last into fall

If you’re buying summertime items in August or September, keep longevity in mind. Consider purchasing clothing you’ll wear for a few more months, like summer-weight knits and sweaters you can layer and incorporate into your autumn wardrobe or classics you can store away for the next summer season.

When it comes to summertime essentials like a new grill, outdoor furniture and other seasonal buys, you might not use those items much this year, but they could be a wise investment for next summer.

Keep an eye on prices, even after you buy

It’s great to find a deal, but what happens when the price goes down after you’ve made your purchase? Some retailers offer price adjustments, so check their policy. If a price has dropped, you may be able to request a partial refund.

Disclosure: This article is for general educational purposes. It is not intended to provide financial advice. It also is not intended to completely describe any Citi product or service. You should refer to the terms and conditions financial institutions provide for various products.