Best Things to Buy in July

Get deals on appliances, summer apparel — and maybe an ice cream cone

Beth Braverman,

AARP

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En español

Published June 27, 2024

a collage of images showing items available for bargain prices in july

AARP (Source: Getty Images (5))

With summer in full swing, many retailers look to July sales to lure shoppers back into their stores (or their e-commerce sites) during an otherwise slower time of year.

Retailers will use the long weekend around the Fourth of July as an opportunity for sales on big-ticket items like appliances, televisions and furniture. Since the actual holiday falls on a Thursday this year, sales could start even earlier.

“I wouldn’t be surprised to see some Fourth of July sales starting on that Monday [July 1],” says Kimberly Palmer, a consumer expert with Nerdwallet.

The deals won't end with Independence Day sales.

Amazon is holding its annual Prime Day sale from July 16 to July 17. Not to be outdone, rival retailers are also having high-profile sales this month. Walmart Deals will run July 8-11, and Target Circle Week is July 7-13 .

By the end of July, retailers are already thinking ahead to fall as they start marking down prices on summer clothing, back-to-school items and outdoor sporting equipment.

Two other “cool” retail holidays to keep in mind this month: July 11 (or 7/11), which 7-Eleven has branded Slurpee Day, an excuse to give out free small Slurpees to customers, and National Ice Cream Day on July 21, when you can expect deals from stores like Dairy Queen and Baskin-Robbins.

Here’s a look at some specific categories where shoppers may see some deals this month:

Appliances

Like Labor Day and Memorial Day weekend, the long Fourth of July holiday has traditionally prompted retailers to slash prices on big-ticket appliances like washing machines, ovens and refrigerators.

“After Memorial Day, Fourth of July is really the next best time to shop for major appliances,” says Julie Ramhold, a senior staff writer and consumer analyst at DealNews.

Often retailers will offer larger discounts to customers who bundle purchases, making this a great opportunity for shoppers who might need a suite of appliances as part of a kitchen renovation or laundry room upgrade.

Where to look for deals: Whirlpool, Lowe’s, Home Depot

Potential savings: Up to 50 percent off

Electronics

Electronics, including headphones, speakers and tablets are among the items with the biggest markdowns during Amazon Prime Day and competing sales.

“We see a lot of similarities at other stores, so once Amazon Prime Day gets announced, keep an eye out for other sales at similar online retailers,” Palmer says.

If you’re shopping Amazon’s sale, which is only open to Prime members, the biggest deals will be on the company’s branded items such as Alexa speakers, Kindle e-readers and Ring doorbells.

Where to look for deals: Best Buy, Amazon, Walmart

Potential savings: 50 percent off or more

Summer apparel

You’ll likely see clothing discounts at storewide Fourth of July sales, but retailers will likely continue marking down prices on summer clothing after the holiday ends.

“It’s a great time to stock up on swimsuits, shorts, T-shirts and other warm-weather apparel,” says Michelle Madhok, CEO of the fashion news and deals site SheFinds.

In addition to the sales, keep an eye out this month for coupons from clothing retailers that add an extra discount to your transaction. While prices typically drop further in August and September, you’ll find the widest selection of sale items this month, with deeper discounts at brick-and-mortar stores looking to clear shelf space.

Where to look for deals: Old Navy, Kohl’s, Macy’s

Potential savings: 40 to 80 percent off

Back-to-school supplies

Some of the sales in this category may vary by geography, due to regional differences in school calendars. Nearly two-thirds of school districts in the country return to school by mid-August, but students in the Northeast typically don’t go back until closer to Labor Day.

That means there are likely to be more in-store sales on items like laptops, backpacks, pencils, pens and notebooks in the South, West, and Midwest than in the Northeast in July. However, online shoppers can likely access back-to-school deals regardless of their local school calendar.

Where to look for deals: Staples, Lenovo, Target

Potential savings: Up to 60 percent off

Outdoor equipment

With several more weeks of weather conducive to outdoor fun like hiking and camping, July is the sweet spot to find deals on supplies you can use right now priced like it’s the end of the season. Expect to see discounts on items like tents, hiking backpacks and cycling gear at outdoor retailers.

Where to look for deals: REI, Backcountry, Moosejaw

Potential savings: 50 to 75 percent off

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Beth Braverman is a contributing writer who has covered shopping and personal finance for more than a decade. Her work has appeared in Consumer Reports, CNNMoney.com, CNBC.com, and dozens of other outlets.

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