Best Things to Buy in June

Sandwiched between the big shopping weekends of Memorial Day and the Fourth of July, June has fewer deals on big-ticket items, but some promotional events are worth smart shoppers’ attention.

Those include deals on traditional Father’s Day (June 16) gifts like tools and sporting goods, items for newlyweds or recent grads, and semiannual sales from retailers looking to drum up summer business from distracted shoppers.

“We usually see the big retailers, like Bath & Body Works and Brooks Brothers, leading the way with semiannual sales in June, but smaller online retailers and boutiques and physical stores will follow suit, because they know people are out shopping because of the sales,” says Kimberly Palmer, a consumer expert with Nerdwallet.

Plus, some of those holiday weekend sales will likely seep into June.

“Usually, some Memorial Day sales get extended through the first week of the month, and you may also get lucky with some early July Fourth sales,” says Julie Ramhold, a senior staff writer and consumer analyst at DealNews. 

You may also see some deals at shops like Dunkin’, Krispy Kreme and Duck Donuts, offering freebies in honor of National Doughnut Day, which each year falls on the first Friday of June. ​Beyond that, here are some categories to watch for savings this month:

Athletic gear

As summer officially kicks in, retailers look to attract shoppers who might be preparing to spend more time outdoors. Sporting goods stores will also likely have deals on sports gear that might make for a good Father’s Day present such as golf clubs, hiking shoes or camping equipment.

In addition to sports gear, keep an eye out for discounts on gym and fitness studio memberships, since demand falls when people prefer to exercise outside. That also holds true for large indoor exercise equipment.

“I would look at gym memberships this month, because you may be able to lock in lower prices,” says Sarah Jankowski, director of user growth and integrated marketing at Shopkick.

Where to find deals: Dick’s Sporting Goods, Lululemon, Peloton

Potential savings: 30 to 40 percent off

Cookware

As graduation season winds down and wedding season ramps up, retailers offer deals on classic gifts for folks setting up a new kitchen such as pots and pans, serving trays and cooking utensils. That makes this a great time to stock up on gifts for coming events, or to upgrade your own kitchen supplies.

Where to find deals: Le Creuset, Macy’s, Sur La Table

Potential savings: 20 to 30 percent off

Lingerie

Victoria’s Secret typically runs its semiannual sale this month. It’s a great opportunity to pick up not only bras and panties but also pajamas and swimsuits. Because the sale is high-profile, competitors may also drop their prices on similar items to capitalize on the buzz.

“If there’s another brand in that space that you’re interested in, check them out to see if they’re trying to compete,” Ramhold says.

Where to find deals: Victoria’s Secret, Frederick’s of Hollywood, Lane Bryant

Potential savings: Up to 60 percent off