Best Time to Buy Outdoor Furniture
Outdoor furniture sales are seasonal, with specific times offering the best deals. Your prime opportunities to purchase at reduced prices occur during the following periods:
- Late Summer to Early Fall: Retailers often discount outdoor furniture around August and September to clear out summer inventory, making room for fall merchandise. Expect savings of up to 50% off during this clearance phase.
- Memorial Day Sales: Marking the unofficial start of summer, many stores offer sales to entice early buyers in late May. Look for promotions and special offers during this holiday weekend.
- July 4th Promotions: The Independence Day holiday is another pivotal time when discounts are available. Retailers capitalize on the holiday spirit with markdowns.
- Labor Day Weekend: With summer coming to an end, Labor Day weekend sees another wave of sales, providing a good chance to find deals before the end of the outdoor season.
- Off-Season Shopping: During the fall and winter months, demand for outdoor furniture plummets, resulting in substantial discounts. If you have storage space, this could be an ideal time to buy.
Here’s a quick guide to timeframe and potential savings:
Timeframe | Potential Savings |
---|---|
Late Summer - Early Fall | Up to 50% off |
Memorial Day Weekend | Various Promotions |
July 4th | Notable Discounts |
Labor Day Weekend | Considerable Deals |
Off-Season | Substantial Discounts |
Always keep an eye on local store flyers, online marketplaces, and special deals even outside these periods. Your vigilance can pay off, as some retailers may also offer exclusive discounts, flash sales, or loyalty program rewards year-round.
Seasonal Sales and Discounts
Keeping an eye on the calendar can lead to substantial savings on outdoor furniture. Retailers tend to offer significant discounts at certain times of the year.
Spring Promotions
In spring, retailers prepare for the new outdoor season by introducing promotions to attract early buyers. Look for sales as early as late February to mid-March, when discounts can vary from 20% to 40% off regular prices.
Summer Clearance
During summer, especially around the Fourth of July, you will find clearance sales clearing out inventory for fall merchandise. Discounts can reach up to 50% off. This period extends from late June through August.
Fall Discounts
Fall is a prime time for outdoor furniture deals. Around Labor Day, retailers reduce prices to make room for winter products. Expect savings between 30% and 60% off. These sales peak in September and early October.
End-of-Year Deals
End-of-Year Deals often launch immediately after Christmas and last through January. Discounts can go as high as 70% off as retailers are eager to clear out all inventory before new models arrive in spring.
Shopping Holidays
During specific shopping holidays, you can expect substantial discounts on outdoor furniture. Retailers typically offer some of the best deals of the year, aligning with these popular shopping events.
Memorial Day Sales
Memorial Day, observed on the last Monday of May, marks the unofficial start of summer. Retailers offer significant discounts, often ranging from 20% to 40% off on outdoor furniture. It's an excellent time to buy as new inventory rolls in.
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Example Offers:
- Patio sets: Up to 30% off
- Grills: Save $100 on select models
Labor Day Bargains
The first Monday of September celebrates Labor Day, and with it comes impressive sales. Look for end-of-season clearances where discounts can climb to 50% off, as shops clear out summer inventory to make room for fall items.
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Promotional Highlights:
- Outdoor sectionals: From 25% off
- Dining sets: Up to 50% off last season's styles
Black Friday Offers
Black Friday, the day after Thanksgiving, is renowned for some of the best deals of the year across various categories, outdoor furniture included. Expect aggressive pricing, sometimes over 60% off, especially on overstocked or outgoing models.
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Deals to Watch:
- Fire pits: Typically 40% off
- Lounge chairs: Discounts often exceed $200 off retail prices
Retailer-Specific Sale Events
Retailer-specific sale events are pivotal moments for purchasing outdoor furniture at a discount. These events are typically scheduled around seasonal changes when stores are looking to clear out old inventory to make room for new collections.
Big-Box Retailer Sales
You can expect big-box retailers, like Walmart, Target, and Home Depot, to organize seasonal sales events. Typically, these occur:
- Memorial Day Weekend: Often marks the beginning of outdoor furniture sales.
- Fourth of July: Promotions centered around summer festivities.
- Labor Day Weekend: Last major sale before the end of summer, offering significant discounts.
Specialty Store Promotions
Specialty outdoor furniture stores have a more focused inventory and may offer more substantial discounts on high-quality pieces during sale events. Their major sales usually align with:
- End of Spring: To make room for summer collections.
- Late Summer: Clearing out the current year’s stock before fall.
- Black Friday: Deep discounts on a wide range of items including outdoor furniture.
Online Marketplaces
Online marketplaces such as Amazon, Wayfair, or Overstock provide year-round deals but have specific times when their sales peak, particularly during:
- Prime Day: Amazon’s exclusive event offers deals for Prime members, often including outdoor furniture.
- Cyber Monday: Another massive online sales event following Black Friday.
- Holiday Season: Throughout November and December as part of holiday promotions.
Tips for Finding the Best Deals
Securing the best deals on outdoor furniture requires a combination of timing, tools, and tactics. The following strategies will help you maximize your savings.
Email Alerts and Subscriptions
Sign up for email newsletters from your favorite outdoor furniture retailers. They often send exclusive discounts, early sale notifications, and special offers directly to subscribers. For example, Pottery Barn and Home Depot provide alerts on upcoming sales which can include up to 50% off seasonal items.
Price Comparison Tools
Make use of online price comparison tools such as Google Shopping or Shopzilla. These tools allow you to view prices across multiple retailers for the same item. Keep track of the price trends for the outdoor furniture pieces you're interested in, so you’ll know when a sale price is genuinely a good deal.
- Google Shopping: Compare prices side by side
- Shopzilla: Sort by price, brand, or retailer
Off-Season Shopping Strategies
Purchase outdoor furniture during the off-season months like late fall and winter. Retailers are looking to clear out old inventory before new stock arrives. This is when you'll find discounts ranging from 20% to 70% off.
- Late Fall: Clearance on summer items
- Winter: Deep discounts before new inventory in spring