As trends change from season to season, fashion retailers need to continuously rotate through new merchandise to keep their stores looking fresh. This constant cycle creates amazing opportunities for savvy shoppers to score amazing deals on seasonal items during key time windows.
With some strategic planning around these prime discount periods, you can stock up on this year’s must-haves at rock-bottom pricing, leaving you with the cash to splurge on next season’s arrivals too.
After-Holiday Sales
One of the first major sale events each year comes immediately following the holiday rush when winter inventory needs to get cleared out fast.
Post-Christmas (Late December)
You’ll encounter steep discounts of 50% off or more starting around December 26th as retailers make way for spring goods. This is prime time for snagging those cold-weather essentials you missed earlier, like sweaters, coats, boots, and accessories.
Do not forget winter-centric items like sleds, shovels, and even holiday decor can be had for a song before being packed away for next year.
Post-New Year’s (Early January)
After the Christmas markdowns, even deeper discounts of 60-80% off kick in during the first two weeks of January to clear absolutely every last piece of holiday and winter merchandise.
This very last-chance window presents the final opportunity each season to score unbeatable pricing on all those cold-weather styles before they disappear until next fall.
End-of-Season Sales
Mid-Season (Spring & Fall)
As those transitional spring and fall seasons kick into full gear, expect to see increasingly steep markdowns roughly 6-8 weeks in to clear space for the next full season’s arrivals.
Stores want to make room for summer’s skin-baring styles or winter’s cold-weather pieces, so they will be anxious to usher out those current racks of lightweight spring layers or cozy fall sweaters and boots now becoming passé.
Seasonal Section Clear-Out (May & October)
These periods of late-spring and late-fall represent the absolute final chances to snag transitional seasonal pieces at unbeatable clearance discounts of 70% off or more before they are gone for good.
Expect to see bright-red sales signage screaming things like “All Spring Items $10” or “Buy One Winter Coat, Get One Free” as retailers use any tactic to empty those sale racks before overflow summer and winter floors drop.
Off-Peak Treasure Hunting
Just because it is not a traditional sale period, doesn’t mean you can’t still scoop up occasional seasonal bargains with some clever shopping. Hit up stores offering year-round clearance sections stocked with end-of-season leftovers from previous cycles.
The people at OE Sunglasses say that with some persistent digging, these clearance racks can be goldmines for snagging select off-season pieces like discount sunglasses, shorts, flip-flops, bathing suits, and cold-weather accessories for unreal discounts of 80-90% off even in the off-peak months.
Outlet Stores & Factory Seconds
Brands’ own outlet locations and discount stores represent another year-round destination for snagging seasonal merchandise at unbeatable outlet pricing, often heavily discounted from regular retail.
While outlets are stocked with last season’s product runs, many feature sections grouped by clothing category like shirts, dresses, activewear or accessories where deal hunters can sort through racks packed with seasonal styles from past cycles.
Shopping Smart
To maximize savings on seasonal steals, approach these sale periods with a game plan. Before hitting the stores, get clear on your needs and sizes so you can cut through the clutter and zero in on pieces you will actually wear during the upcoming season.
With a defined list, you’ll avoid overbuying unnecessary items just because they’re cheap. Stick to replenishing your wardrobe with quality seasonal staples at massive discounts, then stash them for next year.