Over half of shoppers intend to partake in this year’s Memorial Day sales, though they anticipate spending considerably less than in previous years, according to a recent study by RetailMeNot. Many consumers, myself included, are on the lookout for deals amid rising gas and grocery prices. This makes it vital to discern what to purchase—and what to avoid—during Memorial Day sales, along with learning cost-saving strategies that can help stretch tight budgets. In this article, we present insights from three retail experts, equipping you with practical tips to start utilizing today. Early Memorial Day sales have already begun.
Optimal Purchases During Memorial Day Sales
Seasonal Home and Outdoor Goods
Stephanie Carls, a retail insights expert at RetailMeNot, points out that sales become advantageous for retailers when there is alignment between what they aim to sell and what customers are eager to buy. Memorial Day exemplifies this synergy. Retailers are offering discounts on outdoor cooking equipment—grills, pizza ovens, outdoor furniture, and other summer essentials—as they strive to clear inventory before the season concludes. These are precisely the items consumers seek in preparation for warmer weather.
Ashley Feinstein Gerstley, a shopping strategist at Rakuten, mentions that while prices for seasonal home and outdoor goods may drop slightly again around July 4th and Labor Day, choices become increasingly limited as summer progresses. Therefore, taking advantage of the current Memorial Day markdowns could be worth consideration.
Essential Travel Supplies
Memorial Day often marks the start of “summer mode,” prompting individuals to plan vacations by booking hotels, rental cars, and shopping for summer clothing, luggage, and travel gear, notes Gerstley. Retailers are fully aware of this trend, thus offering discounts on travel-related products. Additionally, platforms like Expedia and Booking.com often provide competitive pricing during this time.
Experts also advise looking for companies that offer cash-back opportunities, further increasing your savings. Given the rising fuel prices influenced by geopolitical tensions, saving now can prove invaluable for future travel plans.
Major Household Items and Mattresses
Big box retailers traditionally leverage holiday sales to offer significant deals on larger household items, particularly mattresses. Carls notes that many mattress models are released in the spring, driving retailers to clear last year’s inventory during Memorial Day. Shoppers should also be alert for sales related to home improvement products. However, experts recommend exercising caution on large items this year due to potentially rising transportation costs tied to escalating fuel prices.
Household Essentials
Rising fuel prices due to current global events have made budgeting more challenging. Though it’s advisable to cut back on non-essentials, stocking up on necessary items during Memorial Day sales can be beneficial. Cleaning supplies, paper products, and non-perishable foods represent essential purchases that can ease post-holiday financial strain.
What to Avoid During Memorial Day Sales
When navigating Memorial Day sales, two main categories should generally be avoided. First, technology products like laptops, tablets, and smart home devices are expected to have better deals during back-to-school sales later in the summer and on Amazon Prime Day. Secondly, while you may find some fair prices for summer clothing during this event, it’s worth waiting until July and August for more substantial clearance on warm-weather apparel.
Maximizing Savings During Memorial Day Sales
To optimize savings, start with a list and set a firm budget. Carls emphasizes that vague intentions often lead to overspending. Tracking prices before and during the sales can help you identify genuine bargains, using tools like CamelCamelCamel and Honey. Look for cash-back offers and promo codes to maximize savings, especially on larger purchases.
Additionally, consider optimizing payment methods; certain credit cards provide points or enhanced cash-back rates. Always check for shipping fees, which may affect the overall cost. Finally, familiarize yourself with price-matching policies, as some retailers offer to match competitors’ prices, which can offer further advantages.
Insights from Experts
At NBC Select, we collaborate with experienced experts such as Ashley Feinstein Gerstley from Rakuten and Vipin Porwal from Smarty, ensuring that our insights are grounded in valid expertise without undisclosed financial conflicts of interest.
About NBC Select
As a reporter for NBC Select with over six years of experience covering consumer spending and sales, I’ve consulted retail experts and gathered data to produce this article. I frequently contribute to NBC News segments, sharing insights that help consumers navigate significant shopping events.
