Save Money and Find Bargains at These Major Sales

Sales and Deals You Don t Want to Miss

You don t need a holiday to find a bargain at some of these retailers

White Sales

January “white sales” are a 125-plus-year-old American shopping tradition that began as a sale on bed linens back when they were available only in white. Today these popular sales (sometimes now promoted as “Winter Clearance” or “End of Season” sales) have morphed to include deals on housewares of all kinds, with furniture, kitchen items and linens of every color. Pottery Barn, Macy’s and Crate & Barrel are some retailers known for these mid-winter sales.

Bag Sales

Shoppers can cram whatever merchandise they can fit into a shopping bag to receive a percentage discount at checkout (some restrictions may apply). In the past, ACE Hardware has been known for its BYOB — “Bring Your Own Bag” — Sale usually held in February, and Staples and Menards are among other national retailers that have hosted bag-type sales. Bonus Tip: Many local thrift stores also run bag sales — sometimes as frequently as one day every week or month — when often all of the clothing you can fit in a shopping bag is yours for one flat price.

Anniversary Sales

What better way for a retailer to celebrate its anniversary than by boosting store revenues with a sale in its own honor? Some anniversary sales really are a great buying opportunity, including Nordstrom’s sale every July, which it touts as its best sale of the year. Expect deals on new fall merchandise before the fall season. Petco features a two-week-long anniversary sale at the end of September through early October that in the past offered up to 50 percent off and a coupon to take an extra $5 off a purchase of $50 or more.

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Preferred Customer Sales

Signing up for email updates or a customer loyalty club can get you an invitation to special sales events with some retailers. Members of Ikea’s free loyalty program “Ikea Family” can participate in various member sales and events throughout the year. If you like to dress for success, Brooks Brothers has a Preferred Customer Event four times a year, and if your house needs a fresh coat of paint, Sherwin-Williams “Paint Perks” members get invited to exclusive sale events.

Tax Refund Sales

Many local retailers encourage shoppers to fork over their tax refunds in the springtime, launching tempting sales on big-ticket items such as cars, furniture, jewelry and other luxury goods. With the average U.S. taxpayer refund this year expected to be more than $3,000, why shouldn’t retailers aim high? Many Ashley Furniture locations hold a Tax Relief Event in April, with discounts and offers varying by location.

Semi-Annual Sales

These sales often fall during the year-end holiday shopping season and during the spring or summer. Victoria’s Secret is known for its hot semi-annual sales, usually held in January and May, when it brings out the signature pink sales bins and fills them with merchandise at up to 70 percent off. Harrods has been running a January sale this year to counterbalance its world-renowned summer sale (often with up to 50 percent off). Williams-Sonoma, Bath and Body Works and Disney stores have a tradition of semi-annual sales.

Back-to-School Sales

These aren’t only for families with school-age kids anymore and go way beyond pencils and paper. The sales, which now start as early as July, offer deals on computers and phones, fall apparel, summer sports equipment and, of course, traditional school and office supplies. National retailers including Wal-Mart, Office Depot/Office Max and Walgreens usually get in on the back-to-school sale action. Check to see if your state offers shopping dates without sales tax during this time to compound your savings.

Marathon Yard Sales

If you fancy the thrill of the treasure hunt that yard sales offer, mark your calendar for Aug. 6-9, when “The World’s Longest Yard Sale” is scheduled to take place this year along 690 miles of highways stretching from Addison, Mich., to Gadsden, Ala. Think of it as one continuous haggling-fest and enjoy a vacation and shopping spree at the same time.

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